Today, I want to provide some travel resources that will help you become a well-informed traveler and keep you from experiencing challenges when embarking on your next Caribbean vacation. Maybe you are traveling for the first time or it could be that you are a "seasoned' vacationer. Regardless of your experience, I find it is prudent to keep up with the changing times. Travel to the Caribbean is continually evolving. Whether it is the TSA putting in new requirements for airport security or a particular island adds new entry requirements, there is always the possibility that you may not be aware of new information that arises. I want you to have the best possible all inclusive vacation and hope these links are not too serious :)
1. www.travel.state.gov - This site is provided by the US Department of State and has the most up to date information regarding passports, entry requirements and general warnings for travel throughout the world. You can also find out about Visa requirements here (and I don't mean the credit card one). A passport is the main requirement for Caribbean travel for citizens of the USA. Please check the specific destination for the most recent requirements. Foreign passport holders should consult with their respective embassy and the embassy of the country you are visiting for the most up to date information.
2. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel- The Centers for Disease Control has all of the information regarding traveler's health. I have traveled to the Caribbean almost 100 times and have never had a problem with serious health issues while on vacation. It does help to be informed and if you have specific medical requirements it is best to speak with your local physician before travel.
My tip- Please do not place your vital medications in checked baggage. Always carry-on your medications in their appropriate containers. Contacts are another item you should never check. I once had a client and friend who was forced to wear a contact in one eye only for a week while in St Lucia. His checked bag was placed on the wrong flight and he ended up tearing one contact while trying to clean it.
3. http://www.usembassy.gov/ - This site list US Embassies per region and the Caribbean is listed among "The Americas". In the event that you lose a passport or have legal issues while on vacation, contacting the local US Embassy is one of the first calls I would make.
4. http://www.tsa.gov/ - Ahh! The dreaded TSA. The ones that make you take your shoes, belt, underwear and anything else off before you can be poked, prodded and made to look like a criminal. All joking aside, they are there to protect us and make security as painless as possible. They have recently instituted a training program for TSA agents that focuses on putting happy faces on each employee. Last time I traveled through Austin, the TSA agents were actually fun to deal with. Amazing! Oh, and by the way, the reason I put this link here is so you have the most recent info. I like their page on "How to Get Through Line Faster", cause that is what everyone wants.
I hope these help prepare you a little better for your next all inclusive vacation to the Caribbean.
Til Next Time,
Tom
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