What to Avoid When Traveling to the Caribbean

Your Caribbean vacation is sure to consist of sun, sand and incredible memories that unite your family for many years to come. However, any time you travel to another country, you must remember a few pointers in order to keep your loved ones safe and happy. Thankfully, you can avoid a variety of potential mishaps by checking out the tips below – allowing you and your family to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime!

• Unclean water and raw foods: Tempted by that friendly street vendor with the sumptuous-smelling jerk chicken? No matter how mouth-watering the local fare may appear, you should still exercise caution to avoid illness. Here’s a tip: only eat cooked foods and fruits that need peeling.
• Painful sunburn: You may have gotten away without using sunscreen (tsk! tsk!) during that trip to the Jersey shore, but let’s face it, the Caribbean’s a little closer to the equator. Many travelers don’t realize that sunscreen is of the utmost importance, and wind up with painful burns or even worse, sun poisoning – so bring lots of SPF and reapply often.
• Noisy festivals: Looking for a relaxing and quiet getaway? Make sure that your chosen destination isn’t celebrating a large festival during your vacation. Antigua parties it up for two weeks each summer during Carnival, and the normally-sleepy town of Negril hosts the JamFest concert series for spring breakers during the month of March.
• Pickpocketing: If you plan on leaving your resort, remember to keep a close eye on your property and to limit the amount of cash you carry. While many locals are friendly and welcoming, others may want to take advantage of naïve tourists. Don’t give them the chance!

Keep these tips in mind while you prepare for your island getaway to guarantee a worry-free tropical escape. Travel safely and wisely, and you and your loved ones will have the time of your lives. Now that you’re ready, what are you waiting for? Hit the beach!

About the Author

As International Social Media Manager for Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts (Unique Vacation, Ltd.), Tiffany Mullins leads a team that creates new strategies for global, multi-brand social media. In addition to managing Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts’ online community, she also oversees the direction of Sandals and Beaches social media, including the Sandals Wedding Blog, which brings brides and inspiration together to truly create “Your Wedding. Your Style.” Tiffany now resides on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. For more information on Grand Pineapple’s all inclusive resorts, please call 1-800-327-1991 or visit www.grandpineapple.com.

What shall I pack?

Today's Guest-blog comes to us from Sandals resorts. The tips can be helpful for anywhere in the Caribbean and therefore very relevant. Enjoy....

Quick Tips for Caribbean Trips

It can be easy to forget a few things during the hustle and bustle of packing. In order to prevent you from smacking your forehead in exasperation as you board the plane, we’ve put together a handy-dandy guide to make sure your all-inclusive Caribbean vacation sails as smooth as a catamaran. From packing tips to daily advice, we’ve got you covered

Pack a Waterproof Camera

Sure, crystal clear water is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea, but not so much when it comes to dropping your camera into the tide and losing your memories due to a case of the butterfingers. Bring a waterproof camera – it’ll put your mind at ease, so you can splash and frolic at the base of a waterfall with nary a worry in sight.

Bring Rechargeable Batteries

You’re going to be snapping pictures in all directions, so regular batteries just won’t do. Save the bank (and luggage space) by purchasing rechargeable batteries to capture every spectacular moment.

Include Hair Clips/Ties

If your locks are long, this must-have accessary will keep the salty breeze from wafting tresses directly into your mouth. Trust us - this makes a huge difference, especially when you’re windsurfing.

Don’t Forget Your Medications

As you’re packing up, it’s easy to get excited about those sandy white beaches and to forget your prescriptions. A few days before you leave, you should make sure your supplies are stocked and talk to your pharmacist to make sure you don’t need to bring anything else.

Footwear: Bring a Supply of Sandals

Packing light is always a challenge. (What if you need that bathing suit, too?) Rest at ease, you won’t require more than two pairs of sandals – one for dressy romantic dinners and one for more casual pursuits. Stilettos don’t fare too well in this sandy terrain.

Protect Your Eyes with Some Sweet Shades

You’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to splurge on those glamorous sunglasses. And now – it’s here! Not only will the specs fling UV rays away from your eyes, your pictures will be tres elegante, too.

Cover Up

Wardrobe changes throughout the day may seem glamorous, but the novelty quickly wears off. By packing a comfy, cute cover up you can keep swimsuit-ing in style as you sip mimosas by the pool or read a spicy novel on the warm sand.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Drink up! The Caribbean sunshine and flowing adult beverages will leave you thirsting for some good ol’ H2O. The last thing you want is to be dehydrated during your romantic getaway, as this can cause headaches and put a real damper on things. Try adding a few slices of orange or lemon to infuse your water with minerals and nutrients depleted during a day in the sunshine.

Apply Lots of Sunblock

You may have imagined coming home from your Caribbean adventure bronzed and beautiful, but sunburn can sap the fun right out of it. Apply sunscreen regularly to keep the smiles coming!

Make a To-Do List

Don’t leave your island paradise with regrets. Start working on that to-do list now. Zip lining? Horseback riding? That gourmet restaurant you read about? If you keep it on your phone, you’ll be ready to edit the list whenever inspiration strikes.

Enjoy Your All Inclusive Vacation

Finally, don’t forget to smile (although all of the awesome times you and the love of your life will have makes this tip a bit of a no-brainer). Discover more ways to maximize the fun during your stay at your all inclusive Caribbean resort – we’ll see you soon!

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