Even the most seasoned travelers (ourselves included) have fallen prey to travel blunders over the years. From dining at tourist trap restaurants to getting lost, to even giving a Jamaican taxi driver $100 U.S. dollars instead of $150 Jamaican dollars, which is the equivalent of $10 USD. Yes, this really happened. It was Christmas. Hopefully, he did something nice for his family 😊. In any case, mistakes are bound to happen.  Let’s take a look at a few of the most common (and easily fixed) mistakes travelers make.

Not researching the destination

It is so important to research your Caribbean destination before arriving. The islands are diverse, each with its own culture, history, and attractions. Not researching the destination can lead to missed opportunities and disappointment.

Let’s look at a few differences between visiting Jamaica and Aruba. There is no question that both islands are beautiful Caribbean destinations, but the culture on each island is very different. Jamaica’s culture blends African, European, and indigenous influences; while Aruba has a cultural mix of influences from Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Jamaica has a diverse landscape that includes rainforests, mountains, and beaches. In contrast, Aruba has a desert-like climate and landscape. Both destinations are generally safe for tourists, but Jamaica has a higher crime rate and visitors should take precautions to stay safe. For example, it is recommended that tourists stay in resort areas and avoid walking alone at night.

Having advanced knowledge of these factors will help travelers avoid mistakes and disappointments. This way you can plan your itinerary better and make the most of your vacation.

Underestimating the sun and heat

We mostly travel to the Caribbean to lie on beautiful beaches, play in the warm, tropical waters and soak in the sun. In our opinion, having a sunburn is a sure way to ruin a vacation. Travelers often underestimate the intensity of the sun and heat. We forget it is hot because we are sitting in the water. You can even get burned sitting the in the shade or if it’s cloudy. For this reason, sunscreen is essential. You also need to stay hydrated and seek shade or better yet, go inside during the hottest part of the day. Your body will thank you. Be sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing to protect yourself (and your children) from the sun.

Overpacking

Oh boy, this is probably a controversial one, especially if you happen to be a lifestyle influencer! But assuming most of us aren’t, we know how easy it is to get carried away with packing for a trip to the Caribbean islands. You want to pack lightweight, breathable, and comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the warm weather and cultural norms. It is also important to review any dress code requirements the hotel restaurants might have. Even though flip-flops and cut-off shorts are appropriate for the beach, they are not always allowed in restaurants.

Also, packing too much leads to unnecessary stress and discomfort during travel. The more you pack, the more suitcases you have to haul through the airport, up the stairs, across unpaved roads, etc. Read up on the local dress code for the country and your hotel, and pack accordingly.

One other quick suggestion is to load the weather map for the island you are visiting. That way you can have some idea of what type of clothes you need to take along.

Not trying local cuisine

A lot of time tourists don’t venture out past their hotel, which in our opinion is one of the biggest mistakes travelers make. We encourage people to get out and visit some of the local restaurants. Try something new or unusual. Also, if you happen to be vegetarian, vegan, or have certain food allergies, be sure to let the restaurant know. Most are happy to cater to your needs.

Caribbean cuisine is known for its bold flavors and unique combinations of spices and ingredients. We’ve visited Jamaica many times over the years, and it’s there we ate foods like jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish (still not my favorite), plantains, and curry goat.

If you are visiting Grenada, you will certainly want to taste test their nutmeg ice cream. Grenada is known as the “Isle of Spice” because of its nutmeg production, so nutmeg is a common ingredient in many dishes, including ice cream!

One other consideration is to visit the local grocery stores. It’s fun to walk the aisles and see what’s in the fresh produce section. You will certainly see some US products, but you will also see products you can’t buy in the US. If there is a particular food product you want to bring home, like Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, you can often find those same products in the grocery market at prices substantially less than you will pay in the hotel gift shop!

Not budgeting appropriately

Other mistakes travelers make is not budgeting appropriately for their vacation. As you probably know, travel right now is expensive, even to the Caribbean islands. When we overspend on accommodations, transportation, food, and other travel expenses we often deplete funds needed to manage our day-to-day expenses, like rent and mortgages. I am guilty of this but am trying to be better at managing travel expenses. Last year I overspent to upgrade to a better suite on an 11-day cruise. We had a great time, but I had to borrow money to pay off the credit card. That is just not wise.

Inadequate budgeting can also result in unexpected costs and financial surprises. For instance, travelers may forget to factor in travel insurance or visa fees or incur medical expenses due to illness or accidents during their trip, and forget daily resort fees or parking fees. These costs are not insignificant and can put a strain on finances.

In addition, travelers may find themselves constantly worrying about stretching their budget or feeling guilty about splurging on certain activities or items. This worry detracts from the enjoyment of the trip and overall experience.

To avoid excess worry and strain, know your budget in advance and try to stick to it. Research the cost of accommodations, transportation, and activities beforehand. Include a cushion in your budget just in case you get to the islands and have an opportunity to enjoy a bucket list item you hadn’t planned for.

This warrants a quick discussion of travel credit cards. They are definitely good, but they can also be very bad if you don’t manage your spending. For sure they help reduce, and even offset, airfare and hotel expenses, but they can be hazardous to our financial health if we aren’t careful.

Not being mindful of the environment

The Caribbean islands are home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and natural wonders. You will notice there is a lot of poverty on many Caribbean islands which has a significant negative environmental impact on the Caribbean region. As visitors to these beautiful islands, it’s best we don’t contribute to this negative impact.

Consider choosing eco-friendly accommodations

The hotel and resort industry is now prioritizing sustainability by using renewable energy sources, minimizing water usage, and reducing waste. Some accommodations may also have programs in place to support local conservation efforts.

Avoid single-use plastics when possible

More people are traveling now with a reusable water bottle and refilling it as needed. Most resorts have potable water and it should not be a problem to refill with fresh drinking water. In some cases, though, you may have to use plastic bottles if there is a safety concern about drinking the local tap water. We typically head to the local grocery store and purchase the largest water bottles we can and find refilling our own. We still use plastic, but it’s less plastic.

Respect marine life

Avoid touching or feeding marine animals, such as sea turtles or coral reefs, and never take anything from the ocean. If you snorkel or scuba dive, choose a reputable operator that follows sustainable practices and prioritizes marine conservation.

Be mindful of energy usage

Turn off lights and air conditioning when leaving your hotel room, and avoid excessive water usage when showering or using the sink.

Choose eco-friendly transportation

This isn’t always possible, but consider taking public transportation or renting a bike instead of renting a car. Walk to nearby attractions or take guided nature hikes to reduce your carbon footprint.

Support local conservation efforts

Consider donating to local environmental organizations or participating in volunteer programs that support conservation efforts in the area. Travelers should be mindful of their impact on the environment and take steps to minimize waste and conserve resources during their visit.

Never leaving the tourist areas

This is one of the biggest mistakes we feel travelers make when in the Caribbean. We find it amazing the number of people who do not leave the tourist areas during their visit to the islands. It’s not clear why that’s the case. Maybe there are concerns around safety or people are afraid of the unknown beyond the confines of the resort wall. We understand this because there have been times we didn’t leave the resorts either. The familiarity we find in the tourist areas provides a sense of comfort and security, making it less daunting to explore. But, in exchange, we missed the opportunity to learn about the people, the culture, and its history.

And really, if we are happily eating at overpriced and under-seasoned hotel restaurants, why bother going to the islands? It’s important to let yourself get out of your comfort zone but to do it safely. Get out and see how the locals live daily, what they eat, and where they shop. Meet people. Be friendly. Likely they will be friendly back!

If you want to explore more off-the-beaten-path areas do some research and plan ahead. Seek out local recommendations and hire local guides, or join an organized tour. This will provide a more authentic and immersive travel experience while still ensuring safety and comfort.

Glitz & glam can backfire

Once you leave the tourist area, don’t be a walking target for pickpockets and criminals. As mentioned earlier, it is important to research the Caribbean island you are visiting. Some islands tend to be safer than others. Wear stand-in jewelry or better yet, leave your jewelry at home, or in the safe at the hotel if you must bring high-dollar items with you on vacation. We promise you won’t likely need your Louis Vuitton bag or a 2-carat ring. All those items do is draw unwelcome attention.

We must say, in our travels to date, we’ve had nothing stolen when visiting a Caribbean island. We have also never felt afraid on any island. Use common sense. Don’t travel alone at night, walk in groups if possible, and observe your surroundings. And, don’t put yourself in potentially unsafe situations.

These are a few of the mistakes we think travelers make on their visits to the Caribbean. Of course, many of these are also applicable to travel in other parts of the world. The point is to think about these in advance and plan to avoid them. If you follow these guidelines we believe your vacation will be a fun and enjoyable experience!

If you want to know more about the kinds of mistakes you can avoid as travelers, or you just want to know more about travel or need help with travel planning, we are here to help!