What to pack forTurks and Caicos
in December
81° / 79°F
10 days of rain this month. Sunset around 5:05pm.Typical December, from ten years of weather
10 days
of rain this month
5:05pm
sunset
Type A/B
plugs
0 of 63 packed
Before you go
None of these fit in a bag. Sort them first and the packing gets easy.
Passport valid past your dates
Turks and Caicos wants 3 months left on a passport past December. Check the expiry date now.
Travel insurance
Most home health plans stop at the border. A quote takes two minutes.
eSIM
An eSIM works the moment the phone is switched on in Turks and Caicos, with no SIM counter to find.
Copies of your documents
Photograph your passport, cards, and insurance. Email them to yourself. Ten seconds now saves a very bad afternoon.
Some cash in local currency
Cards fail more often than you'd think. Carry USD for markets and taxis.
Vaccinations / travel clinic
CDC lists Hepatitis A, Typhoid for Turks and Caicos. Talk to a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks out.
Good to know
- They drive on the left. Give yourself the first hour on quiet roads.
The essentials
Tick the box when it is in the bag
Beach and water
Waterproof dry bag 10–20L
Don't have one? Check these out.
Osprey Wildwater Dry Bag 35$48.73 was $65 at REIShop at REI
Goforth 10.5L Dry Bag$177 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Herschel Supply Dry Bag Backpack 32L Vermillion$130 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
ALPS Mountaineering Vapor 16 Dry Bag$17.49 was $24.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSnorkel set
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bugs and health
Travel first aid kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
HART Outdoor All Seasons Weatherproof First-Aid Kit$37.95 at REIShop at REI
HART Outdoor Day Hike First-Aid Kit$16.95 at REIShop at REI
Kikkerland Wilderness First-Aid Kit$12.50 at REIShop at REI
HART Outdoor Bleed Control First-Aid Kit$30.95 at REIShop at REIREI members usually get 10% back on full-price gear. Membership is $30, once. How it works
DEET or picaridin repellent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Ben's Eco Spray Insect Repellent - 30 Percent DEET$9.50 at REIShop at REI
Adventure Medical Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Pump$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's 30 Deet Tick & Insect Repellent$1.92 was $2.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ben's Insect Repellent Wipes - 30 Percent DEET$7.95 at REIShop at REIPermethrin-treated clothing spray
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Anti-diarrheal + probiotics
Don't have one? Check these out.
Oral rehydration salts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Seedless Watermelon$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
SaltStick Fastchews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets Mixed Berry$19.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix - 1 Serving Salted Caramel$3.25 at REIShop at REI
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix Salted Caramel-12 Pack Box$39.49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWhat to wear
Swimwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Sandals (sport)
Don't have one? Check these out.
KEEN Women's Bali Strap TG Sandals$69.73 was $110 at REIShop at REI
Teva Women's Outflow Closed-Toe Water Sandals$74.73 was $100 at REIShop at REI
Reef Water Vista Higher Sandal - Women's$80 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Forclaz MT500 Lightweight Packable Hiking Sandals$40 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaLightweight wind jacket
Coastal wind cuts through a t-shirt fast.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Vuelta Performance Windbreaker Jacket - Women's$65 was $130 at CotopaxiShop at Cotopaxi
Forclaz Men's MT500 Windbreaker Jacket$69.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Helly Hansen Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket - Women's$228 was $650 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket - Men's$293 was $650 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comMoisture-wicking t-shirts
Don't have one? Check these out.
SIMOND Women's Travel 500 Merino Wool T-Shirt$49.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quick Dry Short-Sleeve T-Shirt - Unisex$34.30 was $49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Men's MT900 Seamless Merino Wool T-Shirt$45 was $74.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Fino Tech Tee - Women's$27.50 was $55 at CotopaxiShop at CotopaxiNeck gaiter / buff
Don't have one? Check these out.
REI Co-op Merino Wool Neck Gaiter$26.95 at REIShop at REI
Turtle Fur Micro Fur Fleece Totally Tubular Neck Gaiter$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Multi-Position Hiking Neck Gaiter$17 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Buff x National Parks Coolnet UV Neck Gaiter Great Smoky$24.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWater and food
Filter water bottle
Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickGrayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle$99.95 at REIShop at REI
HydraPak Breakaway+ Water Filter Bottle$50 at REIShop at REI
LifeStraw Go Series Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Filter Bottle$59.95 at REIShop at REI
Go Series Water Filter 1L Bottle$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSun and heat
Polarized sunglasses
Don't have one? Check these out.
Smith Cheetah Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$93 was $155 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Ray-Ban Wayfarer Oval Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$171 was $244 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Smith Era ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$113 was $189 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Knockaround Junipers Polarized Sunglasses - Women's$17.50 was $35 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comSunscreen SPF 50
Don't have one? Check these out.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
RFID travel wallet / money belt
Don't have one? Check these out.
AirTag / tracker for bags
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Headlamp
Dark by 5:05pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power bank 10k–20k mAh
Don't have one? Check these out.
Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank$120 at REIShop at REI
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank$99.95 at REIShop at REI
Anker Power Bank (30W, Fusion, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REIShop at REI
Anker Zolo Power Bank (20,000 mAh, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable)$40 at REIShop at REIBuy it used: REI Re/Supply sells gear like this for less. See used gear
Multi-port USB-C charger (GaN)
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Peak Design 65W Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at REIShop at REI
Charger Evo Lock-On Grips$27.19 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Lock-On Grips Electric$24.58 was $33.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comVPN
Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Bags
Dry bags
For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.
Don't have one? Check these out.
Tuff Sack 5-55L Dry Bag$79.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comOsprey Wildwater Dry Bag 35$48.73 was $65 at REIShop at REI
Vapor 16 Dry Bag$17.49 was $24.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Wildwater 15L Dry Bag Tunnel Vision$24.75 was $45 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comCarry-on backpack (35–45L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador 45L Global Travel PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador SEG 45See price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Go Carry-On 44L Backpack$180 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Archeon 30L Backpack$132 was $265 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comDaypack (15–25L)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Carry-on suitcase (hard shell)
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Packing cubes
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Packing Cube SetSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Gear Cube Set Juniper$54.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
3 Piece Compression Packing Cubes$50 at SamsoniteShop at Samsonite
Compression Packing Cube$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comWaterproof phone pouch
Don't have one? Check these out.
Laundry bag / travel detergent
Don't have one? Check these out.
Nice to have
You could skip every one of these
Bugs and health
Sunburn-safe insect bite relief
Don't have one? Check these out.
heat it classic Lightning Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it classic USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$29.95 at REIShop at REI
Badger Outdoor Itch Relief Stick$9.95 at REIShop at REI
heat it pro USB-C Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Relief$49.95 at REIShop at REIWhat to wear
Sarong / light cover-up
Doubles as a towel, a scarf, and a cover-up where one's expected.
Don't have one? Check these out.
O'Neill Women's Saltwater Essentials Teddy Printed Mini Cover-Up Dress$43.93 was $64 at REIShop at REI
O'Neill Women's Saltwater Solids Teddy Mini Cover-up Dress$39.93 was $58 at REIShop at REI
Roxy Women's Golden Glow Cover-Up Dress$24.93 was $50 at REIShop at REI
Helly Hansen Women's Shine Solen Cover-Up Dress$69.87 was $100 at REIShop at REIShorts
Don't have one? Check these out.
Helly Hansen Men's HH Quick-Dry 11" Cargo Shorts$59.73 was $80 at REIShop at REI
Simond Women's Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$30 was $54.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Forclaz Men's Travel 900 Hiking Shorts$40 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Quechua Women's NH500 Hiking Shorts$15 was $34.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaSun and heat
Cap
Don't have one? Check these out.
Trucker Mesh Cap + Screenprint$29.40 was $49 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Squatch Trucker Lo Pro Cap$15.73 was $34.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Advocate Trucker Hi Pro Cap$21.60 was $36 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Kiprun Ultra-Light 5-Panel Running Cap$15 was $24.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaLip balm with SPF
Don't have one? Check these out.
Money and documents
Passport holder
Don't have one? Check these out.
Luggage locks (TSA)
Don't have one? Check these out.
Power and phone
Short cables (USB-C)
Don't have one? Check these out.
USB-C to C Cable, Paracord wrapped, 3 ft PD enabled$27.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
USB-C CableSee price at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Anker 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable (4 ft., 140W, Braided)$26 at REIShop at REI
Anker Wall Charger (33W, 2-Port) with USB-C to USB-C Cable$25 at REIShop at REIBags
Toiletry bag (hanging)
Don't have one? Check these out.
The basics
You own most of these. We are just making sure they make it in.
What to wear
Everyday pants
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickWild Rye Emmett Overalls$123 at Wild RyeShop at Wild Rye
Forclaz Men's Travel 100 Cargo Pants$45 was $59.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Backcountry Wasatch Ripstop Everyday Pant - Men's$49.50 was $99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Patagonia Outdoor Everyday Pant - Men's$75 was $125 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comThe basics
Sleepwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pendleton Pajama Set - Women's$74.63 was $99.50 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas - Men's$89.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Classic Lounge Shirt - Women's$22.73 was $64.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Sundays Lounge Shirt - Men's$27.98 was $69.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comReusable shopping bag
Don't have one? Check these out.
Travel-size toothpaste + brush
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickMatador Toothbrush Caps 2-PackSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Matador Refillable Toothpaste TubesSee price at Matador15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Matador
Huppy Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Peppermint Toothpaste Tablets in Tin$12.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Toiletries kit
Don't have one? Check these out.
Pelican DK5 ModPak Toiletry Bag$49.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Pack-It Hanging Toiletry Bag$40 at Eagle Creek15% off with CHRISANDSARAShop at Eagle Creek
Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Osprey Packs Toiletry Kit Daylite Hanging Night Shift$29.95 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comUnderwear
Don't have one? Check these out.
Everyday Merino Bikini Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Everyday Merino Thong Underwear - Women's$34 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
REI Co-op Women's Merino Bikini Underwear$27.95 at REIShop at REI
Simond Trek 500 Merino Wool Backpacking Underwear Women's$29.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon AmericaSocks
Don't have one? Check these out.
Our pickSockwell Men's Ranger Merino Socks$25.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Kiprun Run 500 Thin No-Show Socks 2-Pack$9.99 at Decathlon AmericaShop at Decathlon America
Sockwell Women's Undercover Socks$17.95 at SockwellShop at Sockwell
Womens Featherweight Fancy 3-Pack$98.85 at SockwellShop at SockwellMedications + prescriptions
Chargers (phone)
Don't have one? Check these out.
LuminAID Trio Lantern + Phone Charger$79.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.com
Dual Slim Charger$64.95 at Peak DesignShop at Peak Design
Solar String Color + Phone Charger$68.99 at Backcountry.comShop at Backcountry.comAnker Wall Charger (33W, 2-Port) with USB-C to USB-C Cable$25 at REIShop at REISewing kit / safety pins
Nail clippers
Don't have one? Check these out.
Small lock
Don't have one? Check these out.
Earbuds
Don't have one? Check these out.
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 5 Active Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds$130 at REIShop at REI
Shokz OpenDots ONE Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds$170 at REIShop at REI
JBL Vibe Beam 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$64.95 at REIShop at REI
JBL Tune Flex 2 Bluetooth In-Ear True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds$110 at REIShop at REIPen (customs forms)
Copy of passport
Take this list with you
Open it again when you are standing over the suitcase.