The Best Caribbean Vacation Packing List

Packing for a tropical vacation seems like a simple task…until you land on a Caribbean island and realize everything in your suitcase is completely useless. (Ex: my mom’s 3 inch curling iron). There are tons of Caribbean vacation packing lists out there for an island trip, but most of them aren’t written by people who spent a full year living in the Bay Islands (during the pandemic no less)!

Keep reading for my ultimate packing checklist filled with the essential items you’ll need for the perfect Caribbean vacation!

The Best Caribbean Vacation Packing List

Tumbler + Water Bottle

A day on the beach is all fun and games…until you take a sip of boiling beer. After moving to Roatán, my YETI tumbler quickly topped the charts of my most prized possessions. It didn’t matter whether I was going to the coffee shop or the bar, you bet your ass my YETI was making the travel team. (I hate a lukewarm iced latte almost as much as I hate warm beer).

Don’t endure 90 days of warm drinks like I did. Do yourself a favor and pack an insulated tumbler from the start.

If you strive to be an environmentally-conscious tourist (like we all should), make sure a reusable water bottle makes your Caribbean packing list. I personally prefer Hydroflask water bottles but there are tons of great options out there!

Sun Hat

A cute straw hat should be at the top of your Caribbean vacation packing list, both to prevent wrinkles and take Insta-worthy beach pics. Although Urban Outfitters sadly no longer carries my personal favorite (pictured below), this version by Gigi Pip is a close second.

I’m also loving this chic straw visor and this version with a pull-string—perfect for wearing on breezy boat rides. And for those perfect “facing away from the camera shots,” check out these straw hats with fun cursive sayings!

Bathing Suits

And more than you think! I didn’t realize how much I packed like a dumb ass until it was already too late. I arrived in the Caribbean with the intention of staying for a month. Guess how many swimsuits I packed?

Four. And of those four, only two that I actually felt comfortable wearing on the beach.

Don’t make the same mistake I made, pack WAY more swimsuits than you think you’d need. Since I forced myself to go cold turkey on Shein (that company is an environmental and human rights disaster), I’ve had to find some new retailers to buy swimsuits from.

It’s a bit pricey, but after my recent trip to Colombia—I’ve become obsessed with the swimwear by the Colombian brand Aqua Bendita (conveniently sold by Amazon). The pieces are high-quality, comfortable, and 100% unique from everything else people are wearing on the beach. Plus, with that luxurious material, you’ll feel like a million bucks on your next beach vacation.

For those looking for more of a middle-tier price option, I always love a good Cupshe swimsuit haul. They have tons of cute options that are flattering for every body type and at a reasonable price point.

Lastly, for you beach bums on a budget, don’t underestimate the potential of Amazon Swim. I’m loving this retro one-piece (giving Margot Robbie as Barbie vibes) and this floral patterned bikini that’s giving “I spend my summers in the Amalfi Coast.”

Clothesline

I recently found these portable clotheslines on Amazon and I 👏🏻 am 👏🏻 obsessed. I can’t tell you how many times I ran out of room on my clothesline when I lived in Roatán. When everything is constantly sweaty and covered in sand…you have to do laundry a lot. They’re also great for drying all your swimsuits before your next beach day!

Floaties

One of my favorite outdoor activities in Roatán was blowing up my inner tube, ordering a beer and enjoying a sunset float outside of my favorite bar in West End. That’s why floaties are a high priority on my Caribbean vacation packing list!

Before I move to Southeast Asia in March, I plan to order these two floaties with cupholders from Amazon. At two for only $25, it’s a great deal! If you have a little more suitcase space and are in search of the perfect Insta-pic, considering ordering a cuter option like this inflatable unicorn tube or this cute avocado floatie with a removable pit.

Camera

What’s the point of traveling if you don’t come back with 1,000+ new photos of yourself living your best life in a bikini? A few years ago, I finally ditched my iPhone 7 and invested in my first camera, a Fujifilm X-T20. Although my Fujifilm was fantastic for the year 2020, I just upgraded to some newer tech in the form of a Canon R-50—which I am completely in love with. It’s super lightweight, easy-to-use, and won’t break the bank.

I grabbed in just in time for my most recent trip to Roatan. Btw, this checklist can double as a Roatan vacation packing list!

Headphones

What’s a sun-tanning session without an awesome playlist? Not only is laying on the beach wayyyy more enjoyable with your favorite tunes, but headphones are a MUST for any plane ride.

Although I loved my 2nd generation AirPods for years…I finally bit the bullet and invested in AirPods Pro—and I am obsessed. The price tag stung a bit, but they have none of the little glitches I experienced with my 2nd gen AirPods. They’re also more comfortable to wear in the ear for long periods of time and the noise-cancelling feature is a must for frequent travelers.

Lightweight Clothing (Skirts, Dresses, Linen, etc.)

Next on the best Caribbean vacation packing list…clothing! Trust me when I say, the lighter the better. When I first moved to the Caribbean, my suitcase was filled with way too many leggings, jeans, and maxi dresses. *Although I still like to pack a few maxi dresses—short sundresses, skirts, and lightweight fabrics are going to be your best friend.

If you’re looking for affordable fashion, I’m obsessed with R. Vivimos on Amazon. Their styles are affordably priced and adorable for every body type.

The Banana Republic Factory Outlet is my latest obsession in summer fashion (because who wants to spend Banana Republic prices?). I recently bought three pairs of their linen-blend wide-leg cropped pants in black, white, and flax from their Linen Shop. Literally run to get these pants—you won’t regret it.

Petal & Pup is another great brand to stock your Caribbean vacation packing list—I’m loving their resort wear this season.

*If you’re visiting the Caribbean during rainy season, you might want to pack a couple of pairs of jeans or leggings as well as a light packable rain jacket.

Bug Spray & Sunscreen

If you have the suitcase space, I would recommend adding bug spray and sunscreen to your Caribbean vacation packing list. Although you can buy both when you arrive, you’ll usually have a lot less options and pay a much higher price.

When choosing these items for your Caribbean vacation, it’s important to keep the reefs in mind. Try to avoid bug sprays made with permethrin and cyfluthrin. These ingredients are lethal to bees and marine life. When choosing a sunscreen, try to avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate. These two ingredients are thought to contribute to coral bleaching.

Kokuna Sun Care is a great option for reef-safe sunscreen and check out Coral Safe for eco-friendly bug spray. Sun Bum is another great sunscreen option that’s available at most drugstores around the U.S.

Reusable Straws

I never travel anywhere without my bamboo reusable straw collection. Many islands in the Caribbean are becoming a lot stricter when it comes to straws. In Roatán, the only straws you could find on the island were made of paper. Although I was THRILLED to see these sustainability efforts in action…those paper straws disintegrate immediately. I prefer to stick a couple bamboo straws in my purse for emergency situations like a spicy Bloody Mary or an iced latte.

I love how these straws by ECO/EGO come with a few straw cleaners and a reusable pouch!

Makeup Setting Spray

In a tropical climate, your makeup will last about as long as it takes you to walk out the front door. Makeup setting spray is a must-have when it comes to your Caribbean vacation packing list! My personal favorite is the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray. It also comes in a miniature size that’s perfect for your carry on!

Portable & Waterproof Speaker

A portable speaker can make or break any trip! Recently, my Dad bestowed upon me the perfect travel gift…a JBL Waterproof Speaker.

Nothing makes a beach day more fun than blasting your favorite music with your friends. In my opinion, the JBL Flip 5 is the perfect size, however, JBL makes a smaller, more portable version as well: the JBL Clip 4.

Travel Towel

If you’ll be staying in a resort, it’s probably not necessary to add a travel towel to your Caribbean vacation packing list. However, for those staying in Airbnbs, apartment rentals or with friends – you can never have too many towels in the tropics.

If you’re short on suitcase space (which I somehow always am), consider investing in a microfiber travel towel. Not only are they perfect to bring along to the Caribbean, but they’re a must-have if you plan to do any hostel hopping on your travels.

If you’re in the market for something a bit fancier, check out Tesalate’s Bohemian Sand-Free beach towel! These towels are not only adorable, but they keep you as sand-free as possible during your day at the beach.

Rubber Flip Flops

I learned the hard way that shoes don’t last very long in the Caribbean. The second time around, I wised-up, left my kitten heels at home and stocked up on Old Navy rubber flip flops. No one cares if they ruin a $6 pair of flip fops!

Although they’re not my personal style, a pair of cloud slides would be perfect for the Caribbean’s rugged and dusty terrain.

Snorkel Gear

Depending on how much snorkeling or scuba diving you plan to do in the Caribbean, you might want to pack your own snorkel gear. If you only plan on going once or twice, you can easily rent gear on-site. However, if you’re packing up for a dive vacation, you might consider bringing your own gear.

Nowadays, this kind of gear is incredibly affordable. You can get a mask + snorkel combo and fins from Amazon for less than $50!

Dry Bag

A dry bag is another useful item for those avid snorkelers and scuba divers! No one wants to worry about your phone and wallet getting wet while paddle boarding, kayaking or enjoying a boat ride. Instead, invest in a dry bag so you can enjoy all the water sports you want without the worry or hassle.

Hopefully you found this Caribbean vacation packing list helpful for your next island vacay. If you did, leave a comment below and don’t forget to follow the adventure on Instagram @madisonsfootsteps!

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