So, after the busiest month of my life I’m finally able to prep for my vacay in Jamaica. Hooray! Unlike the bestie I’m going with (and maybe because I’m a little OCD organized like that) I actually look forward to packing for trips. This one was no exception!
Like any other planned all-inclusive adventure in the Caribbean/warm places in general there are a few essentials everyone should bring:
- sunscreen (this should be a no brainer! Sunburns are painful and aren’t pretty. Neither are wrinkles, leather skin, or worse later in life)
- hat
- sunglasses
- cute bikinis (pref 3 or more.. it’s humid there so it’s likely your suit won’t be totally dry the next day so back-ups are necessary!)
- sandals
- bug spray (esp. since there’s some virus-carrying mosquitos around these days)
- frizz-fighting hairspray/mousse (see previous note about humidity. My hair is naturally curly so unless I bring this my hair stays in a bun or braid all day every day or it’s chaos)
- a couple nice outfits for going out in the evenings, if that’s your thing
The rest depends on your itinerary. For me, I’m happy just to read and/or nap under a palm tree all day, but you might want to go out on excursions instead so pack accordingly. Things like horseback riding or hiking may require different clothes/shoes than say an air-conditioned bus tour or simply lounging by the pool or beach.
As for what makeup to bring, that also depends. I don’t like to wear much during the day — just some mascara and concealer. If you do though, definitely bring some that has a little SPF in it. Waterproof mascara is a must, as is your eyeliner, etc. if you plan on going in the water. At night I like to get a little fancier for dinners and going out so I’ll put on a tinted moisturizer, a little bronzer (to bring out the tan I’m getting), eyeliner and some eyeshadow. Of course you can bring more if you prefer, I just like to keep it simple while I’m traveling.
What you don’t need:
Too many electronics. Bring your phone (for emergencies and music playing capabilities), and a camera to document your fun times. You don’t need your laptop, or DS or whatever. Unless you’re there for work, in which case I’m both jealous and sorry for you. If you’re there to relax and unwind then do so! It’s way healthier for you than plugging in every day and checking your email/twitter/instagram/facebook feeds. I, for one, plan on going for a morning walk along the beach when I know I would normally be up in bed catching up on work emails and the aforementioned social media status updates.
Here’s a peek at what I’m bringing with me (my mission: get all this to fit in a carry-on suitcase):
Hope this helps you plan for your next all-inclusive trip. I leave tomorrow but expect some photo updates when I get back!
-C
