Prepping for Paradise

So you booked your favorite villa and it’s time to reserve your flight for the ultimate Caribbean vacation! You’ll find dozens of travel tips, but we’re honing in on specific suggestions to make your St. John vacation easy-breezy.

Before You Go

1. Clear your browser history and disable cookies when researching flights online to get the best fares.

2. Notify your debit and credit card companies of travel dates to ensure authorized charges.

3. Have cash on hand for for tips, taxis and a few places that do not accept credit.

4. Check with your cell service carrier about international calls and roaming charges. There’s virtually no cell service on the east end of the island without roaming.

5. Read Fins, Feet and Four Wheel Drive or St. John Off the Beaten Track, two of our favorite St. John guideboooks.

Packing

1. Place dryer sheets between clothes to combat humidity.

2. Pack shoes in disposable shower caps, which will also reduce tracking sand home upon return.

3. Collapsible soft-sided coolers work great for lunch on the beach.

4. Don’t forget the waterproof sunscreen, bug spray and chapstick with SPF, all of which can be expensive on island.

5. A lightweight beach bag can do double duty as your carry-on.

6. As for clothing, remember the 3 M’s: Minimize, Mix and Match; and the 3 C’s: Casual, Cotton and Comfortable.

On-Island

1. Carry keys, cash and cell phones in Ziplocs to protect from water and sand.

2. Ditch the purse for a functional backpack or drawstring bag.

3. Flip flops are your friend.

4. Keep a jug of tap water in the rental car to rinse sandy feet.

5. Store food in the refrigerator and microwave to avoid ants.

6. Freeze bottles of water to grab on your way out for a beach or hike day.

Perhaps the best tip we can give you is to travel light and relax!