Packing for the tropics goes wrong in a predictable way. People bring a large suitcase of clothes they will not wear and forget the handful of items they will reach for every day.
You need less than you think, and you need a few specific things more than you expect.
| Bring more of | sun protection, light layers, footwear |
|---|---|
| Bring fewer | outfits, shoes, gadgets |
| Easily bought here | toiletries, basics, beachwear |
| Bring from home | medication, prescriptions, anything specific |
The four things that get used daily
Sun protection. Not just cream — a hat with a real brim and a light long-sleeved shirt. The sun near the equator is stronger than it feels with a sea breeze on you, and most first-time visitors get caught on day one or two. A reef-safe sunscreen is the better choice around the coast.
A water bottle. You will drink much more than at home. Carrying one saves money and single-use plastic, and there is nowhere you will not want it.
Insect repellent. Mosquitoes are around, particularly at dusk and inland near water. Something with a proven active ingredient rather than a scented alternative.
Two kinds of footwear. Something for sand and water, and something with grip for walking. This is where people go wrong most often — see below.
Footwear deserves its own paragraph
People pack for the beach and then discover the island is steep, green and made for walking. Trails here are frequently wet, rooted and slippery even when it has not rained recently, because the rainforest interior holds moisture.
Flip-flops will not do it. A trainer or walking shoe with real grip makes the difference between enjoying a waterfall walk and picking your way down nervously.
Also worth having: something you can wear in the water. Some of the nicest swimming spots have rocky or coral-strewn entries, and a water shoe or sturdy sandal turns an awkward scramble into a non-event.
Clothes: fewer, lighter
- Light natural fabrics — cotton and linen dry and breathe; synthetics get unpleasant
- Two swimsuits, so one is always dry
- One light layer for evening breeze, air conditioning and the ferry
- One smarter outfit for a nicer dinner — the island is relaxed but not scruffy
- A light waterproof, packable rather than heavy
One point of local etiquette worth knowing while packing: beachwear is for the beach. Walking through a town or into a shop in just a swimsuit reads as impolite here. A cover-up in your bag solves it entirely, and it is a small thing that is noticed.
Useful things people forget
- A dry bag — for boat trips, waterfalls and sudden rain
- A power bank, since you will use maps and a camera all day
- A plug adapter, and check the voltage your devices accept
- A small first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic and something for stomach upsets
- Copies of your documents, stored separately from the originals
- A book — there is more good doing-nothing time here than at home
What not to bother with
- Lots of shoes. Three pairs at most
- Formal clothing. Very few situations call for it
- Large quantities of toiletries. Supermarkets here have everything
- A hairdryer. Your accommodation will have one and you will not want it
- Beach towels in most cases — check first, they take enormous space
The one thing to bring from home without fail
Any medication you take, in its original packaging, with enough for the whole trip plus a few days, and a copy of the prescription.
Do not assume a specific brand will be available on a small island, and do not plan to top up mid-trip. Pharmacies here are good, but stock is stock, and a medication you rely on is not worth the uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
What do first-time visitors most often get wrong?
Footwear. The island is steep and green, and trails stay wet and slippery — flip-flops are not enough for a waterfall walk.
Why bring a cover-up?
Beachwear is for the beach here. Walking into a shop or through town in just a swimsuit reads as impolite.
What can be bought locally instead of packed?
Toiletries, basics and beachwear — supermarkets have everything, so large quantities are wasted suitcase space.
What must come from home?
Any medication you take, in original packaging with the prescription and enough for the whole trip plus a few days.
