It’s no secret that a trip to the Caribbean can wind up being the vacation of a lifetime, but an unprepared traveler might have a hard time feeling like they’re in paradise during their stay, particularly if there’s still some unfinished business at home. To ensure that you’ll be stepping off the plane with total peace of mind, you’ll want to handle certain responsibilities and prerequisites well before your departure date. With that said, here are 5 areas of preparation you should focus on in the weeks before you take off for a Caribbean getaway.
1. Automotive Maintenance
You probably don’t plan on shipping your vehicle to the Caribbean to drive it while you’re there, but it’s still good to take care of any car problems or much-needed maintenance issues before leaving. That way, you won’t be stressing about having to handle that oil change or dim headlight when you get home. The idea here is to get everything out of the way before you leave so you can have a completely clean slate. If you’re the DIY type, you can save some extra funds for your vacation by using sites like Car Parts Global Garage to find the best deals on relevant automotive parts.
2. Home Security
When you are hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, there’s a natural urge to worry about the safety of your property. After all, without anyone there to hold down the fort anything could happen, right? Well, if you haven’t yet installed a well-rounded surveillance system then now would be the time to get that done. You don’t necessarily need a professional installation either, as there are many low-cost setups available online and the included assembly instructions are enough to walk anyone through the process.
3. Lawncare
Make sure your lawn is cut low and all debris or other problems are squared away before leaving, as you don’t want to come home to a handful of yard care tasks that need to be done. This one also falls under the “do it before you leave, so you won’t have to worry about having to do it when you get home” approach. Also, seeing to lawncare just prior to leaving gives the impression that someone is at home.
4. Pet Boarding or Sitting
If you have pets, you might be considering taking them along via an airline pet transportation service, but it really would be best to leave them with a sitter or a boarding company so that you won’t have to be responsible for their safety while you’re out exploring the tropics.
5. Exercise Program
Last but certainly not least, if you’re going to the Caribbean there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to be walking around in a bathing suit, so now is the best time to get into the best shape of your life. Most travelers anticipate their vacation for the whole year, so at the very least you should have a few months to knock out a few rounds of a P90X type regimen.
Leaving Prepared for a More Enjoyable Experience
In conclusion, the more prepared you are when you leave, the easier it will be to take your mind off everything at home and focus solely on the awesomeness of your equatorial surroundings.
