Caribbean island packing list: what to bring and what to check

For a Caribbean island trip, pack light cotton or linen clothes, two swimsuits, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes and a rain jacket. Then check three things for your particular island before you zip the bag: which plug it uses, which money it spends, and whether it bans camouflage clothing.

That last part matters more than people expect. We make Neatly Packed in Jamaica, and visitors often pack for "the Caribbean" as if it were one place. It's dozens of islands and countries, each with its own plugs, money, laws and weather. The beach bag looks much the same everywhere; the details don't. If you're coming to Jamaica, our guide to what to pack for Jamaica goes deeper.

When is the best time to go?

The Caribbean is warm all year, but many islands have two seasons. Roughly December to April is drier on many islands, and it's the busiest time to visit. Roughly June to November tends to be hotter and more humid, with short, heavy showers that often clear quickly.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and the risk is highest from about August to October. Most trips in those months go ahead without trouble, but pack with it in mind: travel insurance that covers weather disruption, a rain jacket, and a look at the US National Hurricane Center's tracker before you fly and while you're away.

Jamaica is a good example: the drier months of December to April usually run from about 22 to 31°C, and May to November from about 23 to 33°C, with afternoon showers on many days.

What clothes to pack for the Caribbean

Think light, loose and a little bit respectful.

• Light cotton or linen tops and bottoms, one per day or fewer if you'll wash
• Two swimsuits, so one can dry
• A cover-up or shirt to wear over swimwear
• Sandals, plus closed shoes for walking, hiking or waterfalls
• A sun hat and sunglasses
• One nicer outfit for dinner, church or an evening out
• A light layer for air conditioning, evening boat trips and the hills
• A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella

Across the region, swimwear is for the beach and the pool. In town, in shops, markets and restaurants, put a top or dress on over it. People tend to dress neatly when they go out, and you'll feel more at ease if you do too.

Can you wear camouflage in the Caribbean?

Best not. Several Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, have laws against civilians wearing camouflage, and they apply to children too. In Jamaica it's reserved for the security forces. The simplest rule is to leave camouflage clothes, bags and hats at home for any island trip.

Sun, sea and mosquitoes

• Reef-safe sunscreen, a high factor, and plenty of it
• After-sun or aloe
• Insect repellent, especially for dawn and dusk
• Water shoes, for rocky entries, sea urchins and waterfalls
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for boats and beaches
• Your own snorkel mask, if you care about the fit
• A reusable water bottle

The sun is strong all year, even on cloudy days and out on the water. Many of the reefs you might swim over are fragile, and some places have made sunscreen rules to protect them. The US Virgin Islands ban sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene, Bonaire bans oxybenzone and octinoxate, and Aruba bans oxybenzone. A mineral sunscreen is the easy choice, and it's still worth checking the current rule for your island. Flying hand luggage only? Our carry-on toiletry bag guide explains how to fit sunscreen through security.

Illnesses spread by mosquitoes, such as dengue, do occur in the Caribbean, so check your own government's travel health advice before you go. This is general information, not medical advice.

Do you need a plug adapter for the Caribbean?

Probably, and this is where islands really differ. You can't assume one adapter fits the whole region.

US-style flat pins are common, in Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas for example, usually at about 110 to 120 volts. Several islands with British history, such as St Lucia and Grenada, use the UK three-pin plug at about 230 volts. The French islands, such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, use European round pins, also at about 230 volts. Some islands even mix types between hotels.

A universal adapter solves the plug. Voltage is the other half: most phone and laptop chargers say "100 to 240V" and work anywhere, but hair dryers and straighteners often don't. If you're island hopping, pack for every island on your route.

Money: which currency will you need?

Money changes from island to island too. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is shared by several, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The French islands use the euro. Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos use the US dollar. Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas and others have dollars of their own.

On many islands, US dollars are widely taken in tourist areas, but change often comes back in local money and paying in the local currency can work out cheaper. Carry some cash in small notes for taxis, markets, beach bars and tips, and tell your bank you're travelling.

Documents and getting around

• Passport, valid for your whole stay, and longer if the island requires it
• Return or onward ticket details, which you may be asked to show
• Any arrival form the island asks you to complete online before you fly
• Travel insurance details, saved offline
• Driving licence, if you'll hire a car
• Medication in its original packaging, with a few days spare
• Something for motion sickness, for ferries and winding roads

Many islands with British history drive on the left, including Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the French islands drive on the right. Some islands ask visitors to buy a local driving permit, so check before you reach the rental desk.

Hopping between islands on small planes? Check the baggage allowance, because it can be much lower than on your main flight, and a soft bag is often easier to fit. Our carry-on packing list for a week shows how to travel that light. Joining a ship instead? The cruise packing list covers the port days.

A few kind habits

Say "good morning" or "good afternoon" before you ask someone a question, and ask before you photograph people. Then give yourself time. Island days move at their own pace, and that's part of why you came.

Where Neatly Packed helps

If you choose Jamaica as your destination, Neatly Packed adds the island's extras to your list: a Type A/B plug adapter and insect repellent with DEET, plus reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes when you plan beach days. It shows the typical weather for your travel month, links to the hurricane tracker, and lists Jamaica's emergency numbers and currency. Jamaica is the Caribbean island with its own guide in the app today. For other islands, add your destination and the app still counts your list for your nights, weather and plans, and you can add the island extras above yourself. You can also try the free printable packing list maker first.

Questions people ask

What is the best time of year to visit the Caribbean?

Many islands have a drier season from about December to April, which is the most popular time to visit. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the highest risk from about August to October. Plenty of trips in those months go smoothly, but travel insurance that covers weather is worth having.

Do I need a plug adapter for the Caribbean?

It depends on the island. Many use the flat-pin plugs found in the United States, but several use the UK three-pin plug and the French islands use European round-pin plugs. A universal adapter covers them all. Check the voltage label on hair dryers and straighteners.

Can I wear camouflage in the Caribbean?

It's best not to. Several countries, including Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia, have laws against civilians wearing camouflage clothing, and this includes children. Leave camouflage prints at home for any Caribbean trip.

Can I use US dollars in the Caribbean?

On many islands US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and some territories use the US dollar as their official currency. Elsewhere you may get change in the local currency and a better price when you pay in it. Carry some local cash in small notes.

This guide is general information written in September 2026. Entry rules, laws and conditions change and differ between islands, so check official sources for your island before you travel. Heading off on a honeymoon? See our honeymoon packing list.