Hauling out the suitcase soon a tropical getaway and not sure what are travel essentials for your Jamaica vacation? No problem! Check out our list of what to pack for Jamaica and go into your relaxing vacation with all the essentials:
Travel documents
This one should go without saying, but make sure to have your passport and a copy of it, and your driver’s license with you when you head off to Jamaica.
Prescription and over the counter meds
Be sure to keep your prescription medications on you and packed away safely. Chances are, you’re going to Jamaica to enjoy an all-inclusive experience or a relaxing tropical getaway, and more often than not, booze is included in both of those vacation experiences. Bring some Ibuprofen or Tylenol for some help getting over that one last cocktail you enjoyed the night before.
It’s also a good idea to bring some bandaids, pepto, tums, neosporin, antihistamine meds, and motion sickness tablets or pills if you’re prone to seasickness.
Swimsuits
With the humidity, your suit might not dry out as fast as you’d like so bring two or three swimsuits with you to Jamaica so you can enjoy lounging by the beach or pool as much as you want without putting on a damp suit in the morning.
Swimsuit cover up
Bring a cover up or sarong so you can head inside for a bite to eat for lunch! With so many options today, you’ll easily find a swimsuit cover up that’s got personality and functionality! Some of my favorites include bohemian styles, crochet cover ups, and wraps.
Water shoes
Thinking of visiting and climbing Jamaica’s beautiful waterfalls? Be sure to bring a pair of these along or you’ll have to rent a pair to join in on the fun. These durable and breathable athletic shoes are great for other water sports and could even be worn for ziplining tours.
Snorkel mask
Snorkeling is a must-do in Jamaica and and you can make the experience better by bringing your own snorkel equipment. Rick got a great full face snorkel mask for our trip to Jamaica last year and it worked out really well. I’ll probably get my own before our next tropical getaway!
Underwater camera or underwater phone case
For all that snorkeling you’re going to do, you might want to be able to photograph some of the amazing sights you’re going to see. You can get a pretty affordable underwater digital camera these days, or buy a disposable underwater camera or simply get an underwater phone case to protect your phone.
We got waterproof cases for our phones and while they worked well for taking photos from our SUP boards and out in the water, the underwater photos didn’t turn out that well as the camera picked up some reflection from the plastic.
Cell phone wallet
Keep everything you need on hand and organized with a cell phone wallet. Your phone is protected, you have storage for your hotel room key, credit cards, and cash. Just grab it and you’re good to go. Just make sure that if it’s a magnetic closure, that the stripe for your room key is on the opposite side or the case may deactivate your hotel room key card.
Beach bag
Don’t waste time on your vacation unnecessarily going back to your room for things you left behind! Pack a beach bag and throw everything you’ll need for the day into it and carry it down to your spot at the beach or around the pool.
Sun protection
With all that time you’ll be hanging out at the beach, by the pool, in the pool, and sipping on your tropical drinks, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected from the sun. Pack some sunscreen or buy some at the airport or resort. Yes, this will be more expensive but you’ll get so much more out of the bottle than trying to use those little 3 oz. tubes. If it’s been a while since your skin’s had a lot of sun exposure, aim for a higher SPF. You could also bring a hat or visor and some sunglasses.
Aloe vera gel
Hopefully you won’t be using this as you’ve already slathered on the sunscreen and made sure to reapply frequently, but if you’re like me and forget, aloe vera is a lifesaver! A little can go a long way so I’d just buy a big bottle for home and pour some into a 3 oz. bottle for the trip.
Bug spray or itch relief cream
With humid destinations comes mosquitoes. Pack some bug spray to keep them at bay or plan on bringing some itch relief cream if they’ve already gotten you.
Light, breathable clothing
Pack light clothing like shorts, tank tops, and sundresses. Linen is a great fabric for Jamaica as it’s breathable and light. If you are planning on doing excursions, some athletic or athleisure wear is also a good choice. It can get cooler in the evening, so packing a wrap or light sweater is a good idea.
If you’re staying at a resort or heading into the towns for a nice dinner, be sure to check dress codes to make sure you have an appropriate outfit. For most women, this means a nice dress or shirt and skirt combo with dressy sandals and for men, long pants and a collared or button up shirt.
Toiletries
Most hotels include complimentary shampoos, conditioners, and soaps, but after swimming in the ocean or the pool, my hair is wrecked and needs some TLC from the shampoos and conditioners I use. I love using Organix products on vacation as the coconut smell goes perfectly with our tropical destination and my hair is super smooth and soft.
Like with any travel, if you’re only using a carry-on, make sure all your liquids are less than 3.4 oz and can fit in a clear, quart-sized bag for security checks.
Entertainment and chargers
Be sure to bring some entertainment like a few books, an eReader, or iPad for your flight and for your time relaxing under the sun.
Luckily, if you’re from the US, you won’t need an adapter or converter for your chargers when you visit Jamaica as they use the same outlets and voltage.
Cash tips
Be sure to bring some cash for tipping, buying souvenirs, or dining. Though there are quite a few good credit cards out there that don’t have foreign transaction fees, it’s always good to have a few dollars on you for smaller purchases.
