Hey there!

I'm so excited to share my packing list with you for all the hot and humid island-life trips. If you're a carry-on only traveler, like me, and planning for a similar getaway for about 7-9 days and not sure what to pack, hopefully, this list will come in handy!

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Clothing

Let's start with clothes because that's always the most fun to pack, am I right? When it comes to clothes, it's important to pack items that are comfortable, versatile, and match well together. If you're a fan of dresses or jumpsuits, bring along a couple of those. For tops, aim for a variety of sleeve lengths, around 5 in total. I highly suggest a loose long sleeve as one of the options. My go-to is a colorful flowy long-sleeve button up. It’s breezy, offers an effortlessly-laxed look with a pop of color to the outfit, and doubles up as sun protection for those extra hot days where no matter how much sunblock you seem to lather, nothing helps. As for bottoms, 2-4 should do the trick, including both shorts and pants.

Color

As for color, I suggest choosing solid colors that can mix and match well together, creating different outfits with fewer items. For example, a black tube top can be paired with black loose pants to look like a one-piece jumpsuit or combined with other items. An olive-colored top with olive shorts makes for a monochrome outfit, which can be seen as a romper to the stranger’s eye or worn separately with other colors. For bottoms, opt for a mix of dark colored and light colored to allow for a variety of outfit options.

Undergarments & Swimwear

Of course, no Caribbean trip is complete without a few swimsuits! I've packed two – a one piece and two-piece option, and I plan on wearing them as much as possible. And don't forget undergarments! I've got bras, panties, and socks covered. For trips less than 10 days, I’d pack enough to have a new pair of panties each day.

Shoes

Shoes-wise, opt for two pairs of sandals (one for leisurely strolling or outdoor activities and one for indoor/shower/beach use), and a pair of sneakers for exploring and sandal-less days. If you’ve got extra space, pack a pair of comfy heeled sandals in the event there is an opportunity to dress up for a nicer dinner.

Accessories

Moving on to accessories, I highly recommend packing a hat - whether it be a bucket hat or a cap, anything goes as long as it provides shade! This will protect your lovely face from the sun's rays and help prevent future wrinkles – anyone else concerned for those forehead fine lines or just me? Anyway, I digress. Another versatile item to consider is a lightweight sarong that can double as a headband to keep your locks in place or even be draped over your forehead on days when you choose to go hatless. Trust me, this saved the day during a boat trip when the wind was determined to sweep away all the hats the other passengers were wearing.

Pack a few pairs of colorful earrings. It adds a pop of color to outfits, instantly elevates an outfit, and takes relatively little space to make a statement.

And as for bags, I opt for fanny packs for comfort and the ability to be hands free. My go-to is this Lululemon dupe from Amazon. Pack a thin canvas bag in case there is time for shopping - came in handy the day I went souvenir shopping for chips and candies!

Beauty Essentials

In terms of toiletries, I choose only the essentials – body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, vaseline for lips, toner, face wash and moisturizer with SPF. Speaking of SPF, for sun protection, I opt for mineral-based reef-friendly sunblock like this one from Sun Bum. For the face, I cannot highly recommend HABIT’s facial SPF mister enough (also sold at Sephora – online only). .I’ve used both N°39 and N°41 SPF MISTER on multiple occasions. It’s convenient to re-apply without touching your face and small enough to throw into a purse, crossbody bag or fanny pack.

For make-up, especially in sweat-dripping tropical weather as soon as you step outside, I like to keep it simple. I pack a brow kit, mascara, and a bronzer stick which can be blended in with your fingers (no brush needed!). Don’t forget a lip stain - which doubles as a blush to save space!

With the heat at all hours, sweaty hair and roots are bound to happen. The solution - dry shampoo! While I was a fan of travel-size aerosol sprays, I've switched over to m'Chel Haircare's Day After Brush dry shampoo. It's the new holy grail. Not only does it not leave a white residue, it lasts much longer than aerosols and doesn't have a carry-on limit (it's powder).

If manicures are your thing – because it’s definitely my thing and a must pre-travel to-do item – packing an extra set of press-on nails (glue included) has changed the nail game when traveling for me, and hopefully for you, too. As for a pedicure, I choose simplicity, opt for white, and pack a white nail polish like this one from Essie, in the event my pedicure chips and needs a little top-up. With other colors and varying shades, it’s difficult to match the pedicure to nail polish colors.

Miscellaneous Gear & Electronics

Finally, for gear and electronics, a few necessities to capture a tropical getaway is a must. Be sure to pack a collapsible tripod and Bluetooth clicker for those Instagram-worthy shots (especially for solo travelers – it does wonders!). A universal adapter like this one found on Amazon is important when traveling to countries who do not share the same type of outlet as in the States. Don’t forget to pack your phone charger, and any other electronics you need. For me, I never travel anywhere without my laptop, charger and travel monitor – while the screen quality isn’t top notch (though it does the trick), the slimness, weight, and portability outweighs the negative. Pack a set of portable chargers to ensure your phone stays charged throughout the day - I toss one into my fanny pack while I let the other charge. These portable chargers are economical and boy do they have a lot of juice in them - I'm not sure about you, but I find that my phone battery drains much quicker while traveling due to the high volume of photos and videos being captured, and navigating new territory with Google Maps while simultaneously translating words and phrases into English.

For water activities, pack a waterproof fanny pack to keep belongings safe and dry and a waterproof phone pouch for capturing moments in the water, both which can be found on Amazon. Depending on the accommodation, I err on the side of caution and pack a beach towel in the event it’s not offered – who isn’t going to spend time on the beach to taste a sliver of the good island-life?!

Medication & Emergency Kit

Alright, let's talk about something super important - packing medicine and an emergency kit for your travels. Trust me, you don't want to be caught off guard when you're far from home and feeling unwell. For starters, make sure to bring along basic medicines like Advil (or a pain reliever), Zyrtec for allergies, and prescribed anti-diarrheal medication for food poisoning and diarrhea from your doctor - if you don't have this, make an appointment with your doctor to have this prescribed, as you never know if that one drop of water or that bite of food will do you in. If you're someone who is prone to stomach issues like I am (and loves to stuff their face when traveling), then pack Gas-X, Prilosec (omeprazole), and Mylanta to help with indigestion and acid reflux. Don't forget to pack your inhaler if you have one - even if it only acts up once in a blue moon. Oh, and let's not forget about cold sore outbreaks, which always seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times. So, make sure to pack Valacyclovir to stay on top of things. For those with major allergic reactions and have an epi-pen, it must not be left at home (keep it on you!). Lastly, don't forget an emergency kit! Bacitracin, alcohol wipes, and bandages are always a good idea, especially for those small cuts and scratches that require cleaning. All in all, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health while traveling. So make a list and double-check before you leave, and then enjoy your trip with peace of mind!

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Bonus Tip

Alright, so you've gathered all your stuff, and now it's time to pack it all up like a pro. My life changed when I discovered compression packing cubes - these things are a game-changer! I highly suggest investing in 2x medium-sized cubes and 2x small ones. Stash tops and bottoms in both the medium-sized cubes, while dresses and jumpsuits go into the one with more space. And don't forget to pop your undergarments and bathing suits in one of the small cubes. Make sure to pack the second unused small cube with you on your travels - you never know when you might need it. Trust me, this method has saved me from losing my mind on countless trips, from super-short to extended ones. And while the colors of my cubes might be a bit dated, the new Eagle Creek compression packing cubes come in all sorts of cool shades. They're sure to up your packing game too. So go ahead, give them a try, and enjoy packing like a pro!

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So there you have it, my happy and casual packing list with a packing tip for a 7 to 9 day tropical island getaway. I hope this list gives you some inspiration for your own packing adventure!

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Happy packing!

Vickie

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