Lola625

At the risk of being tagged a penny pinching tight wad (I prefer frugal), I'm curious if there are any customs restrictions concerning bringing food from the states to the island. I would expect some type of restrictions on fruits and meat, but I'm wondering if there are issues with dry goods - i.e. snack pack size breakfast cereals, granola bars, etc. From some of the prices I've seen, it would be considerably less expensive to pack some of these items rather than purchase at the local grocery. I appreciate any advice - thanks.

dinga

When we travel to the island we always bring food. It's not a matter of penny pinching. We usually stay for two week in a condo and you get tired of eating out. You don't mention where you are going. We have brought a cooler to Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman, and Antigua. In GC, they took some food (meatballs and sausage) out of my sister's cooler. I believe it was because these items were not in original store packaging which they assume means USDA approved meats. I usually check with the tourism board of the island before I go. In Antigua the customs guy said we had to pay tax but then just let us through. The Antigua tourism board had told me that as long as it is for your own consumption it is not a problem. We do not use dry ice. We freeze everything at least for a week then pack it in the cooler with a couple of those blue freezer blocks. We secure the cooler with moving straps. There is some type of restriction with the dry ice. To date, everything has been frozen solid upon arrival in the islands. We usually bring dirty clothes back in the cooler. We just put the dry goods in our luggage. It has not ever been a problem.

marilynl

For a really amusing read on this topic, see the Calvin Trillen chapter in "Travels with Alice,' in which he wistfully envisions how much better the food would be on his favorite Caribbean island if only Italy had been a colonial power! The Trillens always packed stuff to cook on their Caribbean sojourns.

virginia

hi lola, we too prefer condos or villas. i always take a cooler, packed just as dinga suggested. have had no problems. if you repackage things just be sure to display the original label (definetely for meats)under the saran or seal-a meal bag. we too have been told of entry fees but never charged. we prepare a comprehensive list of everything in the cooler,to hand to customs - they seem to like this. we wrap the cooler with colored duct tape after it is checked in by the airline and unwrap it ourselves to clear customs on arrival. (tape to thwart potential borrowers).
fruits & vegs are difficult to carry and not too overpriced on island. single serving condiments are handy. butter,snacks, cereal are very $$ on island. frozen juice cans are good and pack well. and we always take some frozen premade appetizers.
you will be glad of a cooler on wheels. if you rent a car you can pack drinks and snacks for cruising around. and we leave the cooler for future guests.
note: in the past some meanies have posted saying you are ruining your trip if you take food and cook while on vaca. but imho its all about what makes YOU happy.

Lola625

Thank you all for your advice. I will definitely follow it!

Lola625

Another question...is the tap water drinkable, or should I stock up on bottled water at the local grocery?

virginia

you haven't mentioned which island you will be on. most of them say the tap is drinkable. i always buy water though just in case tap disagrees with me even slightly. also while the bottles are a little expensive they are ever so convenient when you want some on the beach or when you are out riding around. also they freeze well and so stay cold longer

Lola625

Thanks, Virginia. We'll be staying at RWI in Provo. I plan to stock up on some bottled water, but I was hoping that the tap would be fine for teeth brushing and that emergeny drink in the middle of the night when you're half asleep and not thinking.

virginia

do not fear the midnight confusion. rwi's water will be fine. bottled is all about convenience for me on provo. also i like very cold water to drink and hate wasting the island supply waiting for it to run cold. obviously you will consume island water in the ice cubes in your cocktails too.

dinga

Lola625
We have been to Provo several times. They have their desalinization plant there. I didn't have a problem with drinking the water but thought it had a funny smell. Some people we were traveling with had heartburn from the water.