You must be prepared for snorkeling and hiking. We expect you to appear neatly dressed for the flights down and back. Your checked bag limit is 50 pounds and 62 inches (length + width + depth). Use this checklist to be sure you bring everything with you...San Salvador has no Walmart or even a local equivalent. These warnings should be taken very seriously!
Passport (Don't leave home without it!)
Photocopy of your passport - in case you lose it
1-2 pairs of thin socks to fit inside:
Water shoes (Aqua-socks), dive booties, or old sneakers - to protect feet while wading and that fit inside:
Fins that fit the socks, shoes as well as your feet and have a strong strap that fits around the heel
Mask and Snorkel - must fit well and must seal (all in mesh bag with handles?)
3 Swimsuits - wear one while the others dry or Rash-Guard suit (recommended by students)
3 Towels - at least one for beach, one for bath - thin ones dry fastest!
Wristwatch - so you are ON TIME for EVERYTHING!
Backpack - for carrying material in field including...
Field notebook - maybe a waterproof one?
Field guides and selected Course Handouts - to assist field identifications and evening studies!
Pencils - mechanical preferred
Water Bottle - individual snacks sealed in foil wrap
Ziplok bags - useful
Toilet Paper Partial Roll-flattened and in Ziplok bag-good for remote field sites! Kleenex?
Flashlight = divelight?! - spare bulb and batteries
Camera and Binoculars - optional but recommended
Memory Cards - bring all you expect to use--hard to find and expensive on-island!
Batteries or Charger - whatever you need--hard to find and expensive on-island! Bring spares!
4 pairs of shorts that don't chafe...all clothes that you don't mind getting stained, worn, etc.
8 short-sleeve shirts (a tight T-shirt for swim sun protection)
2 pair long pants - maybe also a light-weight pair to swim in?
2 long-sleeve shirts - sun block and mosquito barrier in evening
undies - as you wish/need...often will be the drier swimsuit
6 pairs socks at least-will get dirty...maybe a thin pair for inside your aqua-socks to avoid blisters?
Sneakers/Hiking Boots/study AquaSocks - walking on rugged karst terrain, get wet/dirty--NOT sandals!
Hat/Neckerchief/Do-rag - sun protection fits securely! Scrunchies/clips/pins for wearing mask
Sunscreen - 20-32 oz (probably 2 bottles) needed of 15+ SPF. Chapstick.
All liquids and creams must be packed in the checked bag!
Aloe gel, Solarcaine, or other sunburn treatment (Prednisone from MD) for those who are forgetful!
Sunglasses - and spare pair if prescription glasses - spare contacts?
Dramamine or equivalent - for motion sickness on boat trips as needed
Insect repellent with 25-35% DEET--will use daily at evening/night--Ultrathon recommended by students
Fresh tube of Benedryl and/or Hydrocortisone for insect bites - fresh epinephrine pen if allergic to bees/wasps
Light raincoat/water-repellent jacket/poncho - some rain is expected
Soap/Shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, shaver, etc. - toiletries as you like (toothpaste for mask?)
Zinc Oxide ointment (Balmex, Desitin, et.) or maybe powder for chafing (esp. males!)
Sanitary Products--females often experience altered timing on field trips, so be prepared
FirstAid Kit - band-aids? - maybe vinegar in a tight bottle? - superglue? - triple antibiotic? Nail clippers?
Swimmer's ear treatment (Drops? Q-tips? alcohol? vinegar? peroxide? Earplugs that seal well?)
Prescription medicine in original pharmacy containers only!
Flip-flops for shower or around station only?
Sheets and Pillowcase; a flat sheet sewn partway down the side and across the bottom. Dorm sheets OK.
Travel alarm clock or noisy watch alarm
Money - for personal expenses (beer $3/bottle, soda $1.25/can, $4.50 ice cream, $1.50 laundry--quarters!)
Large load deterget packet for laundry? Clothes line for drying wet suff in room on rainy days?
Wallet - previous students suggest $250...small bills are desirable...plastic is probably not useful.
If SCUBA diving, bring your certification card and $100 per dive with Riding Rock Inn
Do NOT bring: recreational drugs of any kind including alcohol, heavy electrical hair dryer, boom box, etc.
This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.
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Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.