With any luck, I'll finally be able to get back to the DR in a month or so. Here's are some items I've added to my standard "What to Bring" list over the years.
Small Collapsible Ice Cooler. Something that can hold 8-12 cans of beer, which would hold about 4 bottles of President along with some ice. Handy for the beach and for toting frozen items from the grocery store. Some have removable plastic liners which keep items from being crushed. I've brought one twice now and I prefer it over a day pack. $15-$20 at Target and many other stores.
Portable Safe. I have one from Tractor Supply, $20 and weighs about a pound. I don't have much faith in hotel safes. Comes with a security cable to secure it to a bed or other large object. Made for handguns~they are secure. Unlock it during travel.
Disposable Credit/Debit Card. You can get these at any drug store chain though I'm not sure if you can reload them online anymore. I avoid keeping my credit cards on me unless I'm going to a fancy restaurant. Have your info online so if it does get lost or stolen, you can use the balance to close out the account shopping at Amazon or whatever. Scratch off the CCV code on the back after recording it and black it out with a Sharpie to prevent anyone else from using it online if it's stolen.
Spices. Make great gifts when you leave the island and essential if you're staying more than a week or so. I'll be bringing Old Bay, Chili Powder, GOOD Black Pepper, and Montreal Steak Seasoning. I can get disposable pepper shakers for under a buck and the pepper is fresh.
Can Opener. I bring a $10 Swing Away. They don't last in the salt air, but it beats using a knife to pop open cans. Don't expect to find one in a hotel kitchenette, (or a sharp knife.)
Reusable Grocery Tote Bags or IKEA tote bags. The cheap plastic bags cut into your fingers when you have to walk from the supermarket or ride on the back of a motoconcho. They also fail, which is no fun... I can carry four gallon jugs in my jumbo tote bag, which is more than I like to carry.
Snacks and travel food. Small tetra packs of juice, and other lunch box items. Avoid items that crush easily unless you can protect them. Essential in case your flight gets delayed or rerouted.
Burner cell phone. Bringing a fancy cell phone is asking to be pick-pocketed. I'll bring the cheapest thing that has a camera in it. If you must bring an iPhone, leave it in the hotel when you hit the bars/clubs at night. They aren't hard to get used in the DR(what with so many being stolen...) Upload your photos before you come and every couple days when you're on the island in case it disappears. Put a photo of your name and hotel info on the unlocked screen in case someone actually wants to return it you. This may also be handy if you're in some kind of accident. Make sure all your contact info is copied somewhere online.
"Handy Packs" of Kleenex Easier than toting an extra roll of Toilet paper around. Tiny bottles of hand sanitizers are nice too if there is no soap or water in a bathroom.
Tiny Personal Alarm I just picked one up at Home Depot for $2. It has a leash on it and a key chain. I might attach my wallet to it then have the leash on a belt loop. I haven't really figured out what it will be good for, but I think it might be handy. It could prevent me from losing my keys if nothing else. Maybe hot glue it to the burner phone?
Small Collapsible Ice Cooler. Something that can hold 8-12 cans of beer, which would hold about 4 bottles of President along with some ice. Handy for the beach and for toting frozen items from the grocery store. Some have removable plastic liners which keep items from being crushed. I've brought one twice now and I prefer it over a day pack. $15-$20 at Target and many other stores.
Portable Safe. I have one from Tractor Supply, $20 and weighs about a pound. I don't have much faith in hotel safes. Comes with a security cable to secure it to a bed or other large object. Made for handguns~they are secure. Unlock it during travel.
Disposable Credit/Debit Card. You can get these at any drug store chain though I'm not sure if you can reload them online anymore. I avoid keeping my credit cards on me unless I'm going to a fancy restaurant. Have your info online so if it does get lost or stolen, you can use the balance to close out the account shopping at Amazon or whatever. Scratch off the CCV code on the back after recording it and black it out with a Sharpie to prevent anyone else from using it online if it's stolen.
Spices. Make great gifts when you leave the island and essential if you're staying more than a week or so. I'll be bringing Old Bay, Chili Powder, GOOD Black Pepper, and Montreal Steak Seasoning. I can get disposable pepper shakers for under a buck and the pepper is fresh.
Can Opener. I bring a $10 Swing Away. They don't last in the salt air, but it beats using a knife to pop open cans. Don't expect to find one in a hotel kitchenette, (or a sharp knife.)
Reusable Grocery Tote Bags or IKEA tote bags. The cheap plastic bags cut into your fingers when you have to walk from the supermarket or ride on the back of a motoconcho. They also fail, which is no fun... I can carry four gallon jugs in my jumbo tote bag, which is more than I like to carry.
Snacks and travel food. Small tetra packs of juice, and other lunch box items. Avoid items that crush easily unless you can protect them. Essential in case your flight gets delayed or rerouted.
Burner cell phone. Bringing a fancy cell phone is asking to be pick-pocketed. I'll bring the cheapest thing that has a camera in it. If you must bring an iPhone, leave it in the hotel when you hit the bars/clubs at night. They aren't hard to get used in the DR(what with so many being stolen...) Upload your photos before you come and every couple days when you're on the island in case it disappears. Put a photo of your name and hotel info on the unlocked screen in case someone actually wants to return it you. This may also be handy if you're in some kind of accident. Make sure all your contact info is copied somewhere online.
"Handy Packs" of Kleenex Easier than toting an extra roll of Toilet paper around. Tiny bottles of hand sanitizers are nice too if there is no soap or water in a bathroom.
Tiny Personal Alarm I just picked one up at Home Depot for $2. It has a leash on it and a key chain. I might attach my wallet to it then have the leash on a belt loop. I haven't really figured out what it will be good for, but I think it might be handy. It could prevent me from losing my keys if nothing else. Maybe hot glue it to the burner phone?