The Viral Undereye Masks I Always Pack For Jamaica, Plus 9 Other Items to Bring

Hem Coconut Incense Sticks ($7, originally $9)

I love to use incense to set a relaxing vibe in my space. This option produces a coconut scent and is made with natural herbs and essential oils. What's more, the packaging is constructed from environmentally-friendly materials. You can pair these with this Marble Incense Holder ($14, originally $16) for safe usage.

Power Strip Surge Protector ($14)

I never leave home without a power strip. Yes, your hotel or airbnb will already have plugs, but if you're someone who charges multiple devices at night, this is always useful. Plus, you never know what the outlet situation is going to be where you're staying — this will help you make sure you have enough places to plug in your stuff.

Case Mate Soap Bubble Waterproof Floating Pouch ($20, originally $25)

One for the water babies: Don't mess up your phone while you're on your trip. You want to be able to take pictures while you're in the water, so you might as well bring along a waterproof pouch that'll let you do just that with peace of mind.

Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks ($22)

Whether you spent all night drinking rum and partying to dancehall music or you want to do a little skincare as you read by the pool, these Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks will make quick work of fixing any dark circles you might have, so you can look your best in those no-makeup beach selfies.

Saltair Salt Water Vanilla Nourishing Body Oil ($22)

One thing about me: I'm going to make my fragrances last all day long. Two ways to make that happen: Spray your perfume on after you moisturize and layer it with a complementary fragrance. Slathering on a scented body oil is my cheat code for getting that done as easily as possible.

I packed a bottle of Saltair's body oil in its newest fragrance, Salt Water Vanilla. It smells exactly like it sounds: comforting, soft, and beachy with its notes of vanilla, salt, and sandalwood. I thought it was perfect to bring to Jamaica, since it's warm and sweet without being cloying. I layered it with Glossier You Doux ($78) for daytime excursions and Amouage Guidance ($280, originally $380) on my nights out.

Kevyn Aucoin Contour Eyeshadow Palette in Deep ($39)

Whether you're not too fussy with makeup or you've got skills like Pat McGrath, a small, neutral eyeshadow palette should be in your collection. But make sure it's a good one. Kevyn Aucoin's 6-pan Contour Eyeshadow Palette became an instant staple in my makeup routine since the first time I tried it nearly three years ago. The brand has four versions of the palette to suit a range of skin tones, but the Deep version is by far my favorite.

The quality is incredible: It contains three mattes and three shimmers that apply and blend beautifully without ever getting patchy. It's got two of my favorite-ever transition shades plus a coal black shadow which you can use to smoke out eye looks or use with an angled brush for eyeliner. I brought used this both on its own and with my delightfully colorful but currently sold-out Danessa Myricks Freedom Palette.

Ardeo Spring Baroque Tiger Scarf ($56)

To maximize my wardrobe options, I like to pack scarves. They barely take up space in my luggage, and you can tie them to create really cute, low-effort outfits. Make sure you get one large enough to actually wear as a top — you want something that is at least 27x27 inches. Need some inspo on how to tie yours? There are plenty of tutorials all over the internet and social media, but here are a few to get you started.

Nike Aqua Turf Shoe ($65)

Rivers, lagoons, waterfalls, beaches — there are so many things to do in the water in Jamaica, so you'll want to pack some appropriate footwear. If you're the climbing type, you'll likely find yourself scaling one of Jamaica's many waterfalls, like Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios or YS Falls in Middle Quarters. Either way, those rocks are slippery and you'll be thankful to have your own water shoes. Of course, you can usually purchase your own at the location, but if you're someone who really likes to do a variety of water activities, it's best to BYO.

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Face Essentials Palette ($88)

I always overpack my makeup bag but this time, it was a little bit roomier than usual thanks to the Make Up For Ever HD Skin Face Essentials Palette. It includes 12 cream shades you can use as foundation, concealer, blush, highlighter, contour, and bronzer. All you've got to do is mix them to find your match.

It looks intimidating, but I find combining the colors quite intuitive. It wasn't hard to create a spot-on shade for my base. All it took was a little bit of fiddling — a few dabs of a shade here, another there. This palette came in especially handy as my skin got darker through the trip. I was able to create a perfect base every time, without having to worry about it looking off as I tanned.

Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker ($179)

I bring a portable speaker with me on every trip. Being able to listen to music and podcasts while I'm in my hotel room or at the beach is something I cannot do without. This little Sonos speaker has traveled with me across the U.S., Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. It's super lightweight, has fabulous sound, and fits very easily in my luggage.

Don't leave Jamaica without taking in some music. It's one of the island's biggest cultural exports. Reggae, Ska, Dancehall, the tradition of toasting, Dub, Sound Clash, Lover's Rock — all were created in Jamaica and are worth experiencing live.

Caribbean artists big and small are constantly performing. Whether or not you're familiar with their work, catching a show is an absolute must. Before you arrive, it'd help to do a little research. Check Eventbrite, Visit Jamaica, Bandsintown, Touchstone Link, or any other website that offers a calendar or list of events going down on the island. Chances are, you'll be able to see a reggae or dancehall icon perform at a large or intimate venue.

My first night in Kingston, I visited the MECA (Marketplace Entertainment Centre for the Arts) nightclub. When I rolled up and bought my ticket, I found out — surprise! — legendary reggae artist Sizzla was performing that very night.

Larger outdoor concerts are also a thing, and I was fortunate enough to attend a historic one on my visit to Jamaica. In July 2024, Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel was released from prison after serving a 14-year sentence. If you're unfamiliar with his name, you probably have heard some of his songs. His 2008 hit "Ramping Shop" with fellow dancehall artist Spice used the instrumentals from Ne-Yo's "Independent Woman" and turned it into a raunchy-yet-romantic duet. Kartel was sentenced to prison in 2011, but still enjoyed career successes while locked up, including but not limited to 2016's "Fever," which he recorded in prison for his "King of the Dancehall" album. Yes — Kartel was even churning out hits under lockdown.

Weeks after his release, he announced his return to the stage, set for New Year's Eve 2024. The show took place at Jamaica's National Stadium in Kingston. If you need a comparison, that's akin to Beyoncé playing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — a majorly huge deal. The concert was a historic moment for Jamaican and dancehall culture, and a privilege to witness.

In my case, getting tickets was not easy. Much like when any super famous international artist announces a show or a tour, demand for tickets was so high, the website crashed. I experienced multiple issues getting my tickets, even after I purchased them. Fortunately, the production company putting on the show, Downsound Entertainment, had customer service that was extremely attentive and responsive to my myriad issues. Gracious, helpful, and you could tell they genuinely cared that I got to partake in this experience.

The show, overall, was incredible, from the design of the 360° stage, to the crew of dancehall artists that joined Kartel onstage throughout the concert. I wound up in the VIP section right next to the stage, which, to my surprise, was drinks inclusive. Easily the best New Year's Eve I've ever experienced, and one of the best concerts I've attended.

Jamaica has several tourist centers — Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Negril — but if you're not the type who likes to be on the resort all day, Ocho Rios is one of the best places you can stay. The town is filled with all different kinds of activities, thanks to its beautiful beaches, rivers, pools, waterfalls, and more.

You can climb the famous Dunn's River Falls, go ATVing, take a river raft, go horseback riding, swim with dolphins — any fun, island outdoor activity you can think of, you can probably do there.

In the evening, hit up a restaurant or enjoy a night out dancing at 12:12 lounge. Google will tell you it closes at midnight, but, as you'll quickly find out in Jamaica, the information on Google isn't always accurate. Be sure to call ahead to any venue you might be interested in checking out, or ask a local about it first. 12:12 is a modern, multi-level indoor-outdoor space with bumping music, great food and delicious drinks. When I went, I left the venue well past midnight, so if you're a turn up king or queen, don't worry about having to turn in early.

If you have kinky-curly hair, I recommend getting your hair braided once you get to Jamaica. I know — typically you get your hair done before you go on vacation, but if I'm going to a majority-Black country, I usually set aside time on my first full day there to hit up a hair salon.

This is for a few reasons. First, it's much cheaper. My first full day in Kingston, I got up for a 9 AM appointment to get eight stitch braids going back. What would have cost me nearly $200 with tip in New York, set me back only $70 in Jamaica.

The second and equally as important reason, is I find my braids last much longer when I do them outside of the U.S. With these style cornrows, in New York City, typically I won't have them in much longer for a week before they start to get fuzzy. And that seems like a waste, especially when you're forking over hundreds of dollars. The braids I got done at Babae Stylez Salon in Kingston were still looking crisp two and a half weeks later, and I paid less than half of what I would pay in the U.S. It's a no-brainer for me. Just be sure to tip your braider generously.

Jamaica is a driving island. Sure, taxis and rideshare apps like Uber definitely exist if you're in an area like Kingston or Montego Bay, but unless you're in either of those places, getting a car to take you where you want to go in a timely manner is a rare thing. After leaving Kingston, I stayed in Boscobel, which is about 20 minutes from Ocho Rios. While there were local route taxis, finding one in certain locations or at certain times of day was a hassle. Even if I had my hotel call a cab, it would take anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour for the driver to arrive.

Before you arrive in the country, check Trip Advisor or Viator to see if you can book a driver for your entire trip. Make sure you do thorough research and are working with folks that come highly recommended and with plenty of reviews. Be sure to communicate your transportation needs clearly beforehand and once you get there. WhatsApp will likely be the best platform for this.

U.S. dollars were accepted almost everywhere I went in Jamaica. In some cases, it was preferred. More than a few restaurants, in fact, display their prices in U.S. dollars only. That said, Jamaican dollars are important to have, too. Personally, I enjoy spending local cash as in some situations, handing over American dollars feels unseemly and ostentatious. But since the dollar is stronger, many Jamaicans can get a better exchange rate at the bank. It all depends. Use your judgement, and make sure you've got both.

Jihan Forbes is a PS contributor.