AI Resort Packing Guide

Here is a quick packing guide & a few reminders/tips for your upcoming trip!

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Main items:

• Quick Dry Water Shoes (Found HERE!)
• Swim Suits
• Cover Ups
• Phone Water Case (Get this 2 Pack HERE!)
• Travel Blanket (Slips onto your rolling luggage; found HERE!)
• Men: assortment of t-shirts, shorts & be sure to have long pants & closed toe shoes. Some restaurants at dinner will not allow you to enter with sandals or shorts. 
• Women: Personally, I live in a swimsuit or sundress! Assortment of dresses, skirts, beach wear. Be sure to have appropriate longer dress or pants for dinner. 
• Beach Bag! (I use THIS one!)
• Pajamas 
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Undergarments
• Sandals/Shoes
• Hair straightener, curler, crimper
• Reusable Straws- You will want this for your drinks; many of them are paper onsite! (Get this 4 Pack HERE!)
• Reusable tumbler/yeti - some cups can be paper and will not keep drinks cold. Highly recommend packing your own cup! (HERE!)
• Wet Bag (Found HERE!)
• Many parts of the world use different power outlets!  Research first (most of Europe all use Type C, most of the Caribbean uses Type A like the US.  Use these links: Europe, Australia & New Zealand

Medical items: 

• Moleskin for Blisters (Found HERE!)
• Dramamine - nausea can happen when traveling!
• Meds such as Tylenol/Advil/Aleve 
• Tums & Pepto
• Acid Reflux Meds 
• Band Aids (IF you're picky. Resorts normally have the plastic ones.)
• Hydrocortisone for rashes 
• Eyedrops & Contact Solution
• Bug Repellant (find a travel size in your preferred brand!)
• Sunscreen: VERY important to pack! Please note that some resorts may require reef safe sunscreen to protect the fish. I would look for reef safe! (Supergood found HERE & Sun Bum found HERE!) 
  • Honestly, this is not something you want to spend on at the resort. I've heard it can be as ,much as $35 for a NORMAL size bottle of Sun Bum!!

Things to NOT pack:

• Beach Towels
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Hair Dryer
• Steamer (MOST resorts will have one)

Before your vacation, here are some of my best tips and practices!

• Blanket for flight
• You will need to check into your flight at the 24-hour mark prior to your departure on the airline’s app! You can pay for bags at the airline counter. (I actually recommend this in the event that a bag is overweight!)  
  • Sometimes you cannot check in prior -- they will check your passport and immigrations form at the baggage drop counter or your gate! 
  • Baggage costs are not included with your ticket (UNLESS you're flying Southwest). Be sure to have $30-50 per bag ready to go at the airline counter. (Cost can vary based on flight.)
• Be sure to have all important documents in your carry-on. Passport, Drivers License, Travel Docs, Etc. (I know, it sounds like second nature!) 
• Pack any and all medications in your carry-on. Bags can get lost, and you don’t want to lose any important medications. 
• Leave the pillow at home! 
• I recommend bringing necessity items like hydrocortisone, aloe and any pain meds. Some resorts may provide them, and others will not. These items are very expensive at resort gift shops. 
• Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs!  
  • Some people will back an extra bag in their checked bag to bring incase they need it for souvenirs! (such as backpack or smaller bag that can be checked, or brought as secondary carry on.
• VERY IMPORTANT: If you have Verizon, text 'Travel' to 4004 to activate Travelpass - accessing your data abroad for $5/day.  
  • You can still connect to WiFi! Most of the resort is equipped with it! 
  • Check with your carrier if you have international phone fees
    
• You can tip as little or as much as you'd like. USD is totally fine & they actually prefer it! 

Traveling Internationally:

• Keep your passport handy. I'd recommend buying a passport cover.  We paid a little more and got custom ones!  
  • When at your resort, I would personally keep my passport in a bag with me, or put in the safe in your room.
• Leaving the States is easy! You will show your passport at ticketing, TSA security and sometimes again before you board the plane. 
• At the airport of the country you're entering: 
  • Keep all belongings with you at all times.
  • Do not talk to strangers that are not representatives of your transfer service. 
  • Grab bags & head to your transfer service outside of the airport. 
  • If you truly want to purchase at duty-free, be sure to do that quickly as your transfer is waiting for you!
• Returning home: You will enter US Customs at your first airport upon arrival to the States.  
  • If you have a layover returning to the States, you will be guided to customs there. Grab your bags if you need to - sometimes they transfer, sometimes they will not. Then, head to your next gate! 
    • You will need to 'recheck' your checked bags. Most airports have a drop system. If they do not, they will direct you to the airline counter. You will NOT pay again!
  • Customs is easy -- you will not need to declare any items. Tell them you have brought nothing back with you! 
  • You'll show your passport, go through the quick interview, and be on your way. The line may be long -- this is why we budget for it in your layover time!
  • Make sure you have downloaded the Mobile Passport Control app & completed the form for ALL guests in your party so that you expedite through customs! Google Play | Apple Store 
    • Info on Mobile Passport Control found HERE!

All in all, traveling internationally has become easy. Don't sweat it! Just stay safe!\