Resources

• Have mail held (or arrange for a neighbor to pick up).
• Put timers on some lights and/or set up additional patrol by local police.
• Notify credit card company that you will be out of the country (if necessary for your card).
• Add international plan to phone if you plan to use and get instructions on how to manage data / avoid expensive roaming charges. There are apps that can be used for calling on WIFI.
• Review baggage policy for the airline you are flying and current security restrictions.
• Provide copy of itinerary / contact information to anyone who may need to reach you.
• Make a copy / take a photo of your passports and keep in a separate location.
• For beach vacations, pack swimwear in an easily accessible place (in case arrival is before check-in).
• Check weather forecast for your destination and pack for any situation (layers are great).
• Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours (3 is better) before the flight time for an international flight.
• Check-in for your flight 24 hours prior to flight time.
• Check airline website or app for flight status/terminal & gate info the night before and periodically before boarding flight (the gate can change).
• If you have a connecting flight, you will have to clear customs upon entry into the U.S. (and go through security again) – so any duty free items that are liquid will need to go into your checked luggage (make sure they are packed to do so).

• Passports (make sure the expiration is not within 6 months at time of travel)
• Travel documents & any visas required
• Pen (to fill out any forms on the plane, they never have pens to loan)
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses / Hat / Hair Ties
• Sunscreen / Aloe (expensive at resorts)
• Beach bag
• $1s / small bills for tipping
• Long pants / dress (some al a carte restaurants at the resorts have a casual elegant dress code and require men to wear pants and shirts with sleeves / no flip flops)
• Layers of clothing are always a good idea
• Insulated cup / koozies (nice at the pool if you want your drink to last longer and stay colder)
• Mini first aid kit (these items are expensive at resorts) – i.e. Band-Aids, Neosporin, Tylenol/Advil, Pepto tablets
• Any prescriptions (a little extra, in case of travel delays)
• Headphones / earbuds
• Small flashlight (to put by the bed for waking up in a dark, unfamiliar room)
• Power converter/adapter (if needed)
• Power strip (if you have a lot of devices to charge at the same time – there are not always a lot of outlets in the room)
• Charging cords for phones, cameras, etc
• Ziploc bags (to keep things dry at the pool and beach)
• Watershoes if you plan to venture out into the ocean
• Raincoat/Umbrella
• Workout clothes
• Make dinner and tour reservations soon after arriving, if applicable
• Most resorts play the towel game – people go to the pool/beach area early and put towels on chairs to hold them. If you do this it is better to also have a personal item to leave as well (of little value like a magazine/book or towel clips) – also helps with finding the chair you reserved.
• Bug spray (especially with the Zika virus)
• For tropical destinations, there can be honeybees around the bar area (attracted by the sweet drinks, in case of allergies – be prepared)
• When you order drinks at an all-inclusive, ask for the brand of liquor you prefer
• Use the safe in your room to keep valuables and cash secured (there are rarely problems, but it is better to be careful)

Customs / Passports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Links to United States Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
New Passport Applications

Travel Advisories
U.S. Department of State – Travel.State.Gov

Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization

Tips
Transportation Security Administration

Currencies
Currency Calculator