Travel Tips & Vacation Packing Checklist

Check your passport ~ Is it valid for 6 months AFTER your RETURN date?
Take a picture of your Passport, license and Hotel Confirmation with your phone
Let your credit card company know you’re traveling ~ They freak easily these days
Check with your cell phone company about international texting/calling ~
- Load an App for free wifi calling (Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber)
Take $1 bills for tipping ~ ATM Cash or change won’t be in USD & there are fees
Carry meds in your carry-on ~ Don’t pack anything valuable you can’t lose…..
Pack light, and then cut that in half
Take ‘costume’ jewelry ~ Leave your real stuff at home
Check the TSA website for a current list of banned and allowable items
Travel in comfortable shoes that easily slip on and off
Carry-on an empty water bottle/container (fill it after you’re thru security)
Use a luggage tag and/or ribbon to easily identify your luggage
Pack lightweight earphones for movies on the plane
Bring a Sarong/Pareo ~ They are incredibly versatile (Work that Jagger look)
Get a neck pillow … So your don’t have baby head the whole way home
Carry a small/basic first aid kit: aspirin, anti-itch cream and band-aids
Keep yourself hydrated – or risk missing dinner(s)
Order a room service sandwich for your return flight ~ Airport food is pricey & lousy

Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
Hotel & Transfers reservation confirmations
Passport/Visas/Driver’s License
Credit Card… Visa or MasterCard are most widely accepted
Photocopies of all of the above, PLUS a photocopy of any prescriptions in the event you need an emergency refill while on vacation
Phone numbers for your credit card companies (in case your cards are lost or stolen)
Prescription medicine (important – keep it in the original bottle)
Contraception
Charging equipment/cords for electronics
Headset for movie/audio book on the plane (most international flights show movies)
Sarong or Pareo (for the plane, which can get cold)
Your swimsuit, sandals and a cover-up, just in case your room is not ready
And….don’t bring valuable jewelry. Everyone is the same barefoot 🙂

Khakis (for casual evenings that may be chillier than days)
A sundress
An evening cocktail dress
A lightweight sweater/shawl/blazer (pareos work great & can double as a swimsuit cover-up)
4 casual shirts (T-shirts, tank tops, short-sleeve button-downs, etc.)
2 pairs shorts
2 swimsuits
A swimsuit cover-up (again, pareos work great & can double as a shawl in the evenings)
Comfortable walking shoes/sandals (you may wind up walking a bit if you go shopping or sightseeing)
Evening shoes/sandals
Evening purse
1 pair flip flops (for beach or poolside)
Extra socks and underwear
Bras (don’t forget a strapless one if you’ve packed a top or dress that needs it)
Accessories (scarves/jewelry to “stretch” your wardrobe)

Sunscreen and lip balm
Sunglasses
Sun hat and/or baseball cap
Sleepwear
Paperback books
Tablet or IPad (NOTE: you can get a sunburn from the reflection)
A canvas beach bag or lightweight day-pack
A small money belt or fanny pack to hold cash, credit cards, etc.
Local Guidebook, if you go exploring
Disposable camera (good photos & avoids having an expensive camera damaged or stolen)

Basic Toiletries (use travel-sized containers whenever possible & carry-on size is limited to 3.4oz)

Optional Items: (the resorts we work with provide these)

Convenient Extras (nice to have, but not necessary):

Extra asthma inhaler, pair of glasses/contacts and the like
Large Ziploc bags (for wet swimsuits or clothes)
Earplugs
Sewing kit
Shout Wipes or Tide Stick (instant stain-treatment)
Anti-bacterial liquid or lotion (hand sanitizer)
Eye Drops (get the red out)
1 pair old sneakers that can get wet or left behind
1 pair workout sneakers and 2-3 workout outfits if you plan on getting your sweat on
Compact umbrella or rain poncho

Very Important – Email yourself – or take a picture with your phone – Share with family/close friends:

Your airline and hotel confirmation and important phone numbers
Photocopies of your passport, license and credit cards (front and back)
Insurance-policy numbers and pertinent financial info
Remember to keep your personal info locked in your hotel safe & remove your belongings from the safe when you depart!

Get the 4-1-1 on Luggage:

Each Airline has their own rules for checked and carry-on luggage – be sure to check your Airline’s policies before you start your packing.
Most airlines charge checked bag fees, sometimes even for your carry-on
Check your weight limit of bags or pay an extra fee, know before you go
Check your carry-on size limitations

What to Expect at Security:

Shoes off
Electronics out
Liquids are limited to 3.4oz.(100ml) each and all must fit in a clear quart-sized ziploc-style bag
No water/beverages – an empty water bottle/container is okay
Everything out of pockets
If metal in pockets or on jeans or shirt, you may get pulled aside for the wand or a pat-down