Planning your first Caribbean vacation? Here's the essential checklist: **6-9 months before:** - Choose island(s) based on interests (beaches, diving, culture, food) - Book flights — peak season Dec-Apr sells out 6-9 months ahead - Reserve hotel/resort — popular spots (Anguilla luxury, Mustique villas) need 9-12 months - Apply for/renew passport (must be valid 6 months past return date) - Check visa requirements (most Caribbean nations visa-free for EU/US/UK 30-90 days) **3-6 months before:** - Travel insurance with hurricane coverage (essential June-November) - Vaccinations (no mandatory, but Hep A/B + tetanus update recommended) - Book major excursions in advance — sunset cruises, diving certifications, dinner reservations at top tables (Anguilla, St. Barths, Cayman) - Domestic flights between islands (LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean) — fewer routes than expected **1 month before:** - Print copies of passport, insurance, hotel confirmations - Notify bank/credit card of Caribbean travel (avoid card blocks) - Order USD cash or check ATM access on destination - Set up roaming plan or research local SIM cards - Download offline maps (Google Maps Caribbean often unreliable) **Packing essentials:** - Reef-safe sunscreen (Hawaii/Mexico ban toxic sunscreens — applies in spirit Caribbean too) - Insect repellent (DEET 30%+) - Antihistamines (sandflies/jellyfish stings) - Plug adapter (mixed 110V US plugs and 220V UK plugs) - Quick-dry beach towel + microfiber towel - Snorkel gear (cheaper than renting) - Reef shoes (rocky shores) - Light long-sleeve for evenings/AC restaurants - Modest cover-up (cathedrals + town centers) - Refillable water bottle (tap water safe on most islands) - First-aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, antidiarrheal) - Underwater phone case - Caribbean Spanish/French phrasebook depending on destination **Money & payments:** - USD widely accepted — no need to exchange most islands - Local currencies (XCD, JMD, DOP, CUP, AWG, ANG, KYD, BSD) — get small notes for taxis, markets - Cuba: bring USD cash, no US-issued credit cards accepted - ATMs widespread except smaller islands (Saba, Barbuda, Carriacou — bring cash) - Tipping: 10-15% restaurants (check service charge), $1-2/bag porters, $5-10/day housekeeping, 15% tour guides **Safety:** - Avoid isolated beaches at night - Use hotel safe for passport + extra cash - Stick to licensed taxis - Be aware of riptides (lifeguards rare) - Respect "no swimming" beach signs (sharks/jellyfish) - Hurricane season Jun-Nov — monitor NOAA **Health:** - Tap water safe on Cayman/Bahamas/USVI/PR/French islands — bottled elsewhere - Mosquito repellent dengue/chikungunya/zika risk in some islands - Sun protection — equatorial sun 2x stronger than Europe - Hydrate 3L water/day - Avoid raw shellfish from street vendors **Cultural sensitivity:** - Greet shopkeepers — "Good morning/afternoon" expected - Modest dress in churches + town squares - Don't photograph locals without permission - Tipping is appreciated, not always expected - Slow pace — Caribbean time is different - Local Patois/Creole — learn a few words shows respect - Bargaining OK at markets, not at fixed-price shops **What NOT to bring:** - Camo clothing (illegal Cuba, restricted others) - Drone (most resorts forbid, some islands require permit) - Coral or shells (illegal to take from beaches in marine parks) - Sea snails/queen conch (regulated species) **Top first-timer recommendations:** 1. Aruba — easy, English, hurricane-free, beach 2. Bahamas (Nassau + Paradise) — quick flight US, kid-friendly 3. Saint Lucia — Pitons, romance, all-inclusive options 4. Punta Cana DR — best value all-inclusive 5. USVI (St. Thomas) — no passport needed for Americans 6. Cayman Grand — luxe beach, calm water, English