Packing! It’s everyone’s favorite! Just kidding. It’s the worst. I know! But I’ll take one for the travel team and take care of half the trouble for you. What should you pack for a long weekend of sunshine, beaches, hikes, and dinners with a view? I’ve got you covered! If you’re planning a trip to Curaçao, or really anywhere in the Caribbean or another tropical island, here’s the perfect packing list for you.

Luggage

If you’ve been following the blog for more than a minute, you already know that I’m a huge advocate for traveling carry-on only. You always know where your stuff is, you never have to worry if it’s been lost or stolen, and more importantly, you don’t have to wait around at baggage claim! Here are my favorites to use and recommend.

Related: The Best Bags for All of Your Travels

Clothing

The nice thing about an island? The clothes are fun, flowy, and often colorful! Here are the clothes you need for all your island adventures.

Dresses and Rompers

My recommendation is to choose three items below, whether rompers or dresses, if you’re interested in packing light. If not, pack as much as you want! General wisdom on packing: Lay out everything you want to pack, then take away half. Don’t believe me? Pack as you like, then on the way home, make a list of the things you didn’t wear. You’ll be surprised!

More here: The Top 10 Things to Do on Curaçao

Swimsuits and Cover-up

You’re on an island, so you’re going to need your swimwear. Don’t miss Mambo Beach Blvd and Kokomo Beach while you’re there. Are you into packing light? Extra points if your bathing suit cover-up doubles as another dress!

Read next: How to Pack the Perfect Carry-on

Shoes

I normally only recommend packing a maximum of two pair of shoes in addition to the ones you wear on the plane, but for Curaçao, you’ll want sandals, water shoes, hiking boots, and some walking shoes. If you plan to hike, go to the beach, and go to dinner, you’ll definitely use them all!

Read on: Your Ultimate Guide to Hiking Mount Christoffel on Curaçao

Essentials

Packing is always more than just clothes, especially on an island. Sunshine, mosquitos, and heat, oh my! Don’t forget these essentials.

Day Pack

Perfect for hiking and easy to either pack or use as a personal item, either of these bags is a great option. If you’ll be snorkeling, opt for a dry bag, too. That way, your things won’t get damaged or stolen, since it can float in the water with you.

Water Bottle

You’ll need to stay hydrated on Curaçao. Good thing you can drink the water here! You could buy bottled water at the store if you wish, but it’s just as good to drink out of the tap. Shoot for three refills of this one per day!

Bug Repellent

Curaçao wasn’t simply crawling with bugs everywhere, so don’t worry! You’ll definitely want some bug repellent, though. We were glad we had these for our hike up Mount Christoffel.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is definitely an essential item for any tropical or desert destination. Curaçao is both! Even better? Sunscreen comes in a solid, making it perfect for travel!

Keep reading: What to Know Before You Visit Curaçao

Want more? Get everything you need on my dedicated Caribbean Islands Page!

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