You must be prepared for snorkeling and hiking. We expect you to appear neatly dressed for the flights down and back. Your baggage limit (CARRY-ONS INCLUDED) is 40 pounds. This 40 pounds is for everything...including the outside bag. 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!
Airline ticket!! Don't leave home without it!
Passport (required!!)
Photocopy of your passport - in case you lose it
Aqua-socks, dive booties, or old sneakers - to protect feet while wading esp. if they fit inside fins (below)
Fins, Mask, Snorkel - must fit well and mask must seal (all in mesh bag?), fins with booties!
2 Swimsuits - wear one while the other dries or Rash-Guard suit?
2 Towels - 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
Ziplok bags - useful
Toilet Paper Partial Roll-flattened-good for remote field sites!
Flashlight = divelight?! - spare bulb and batteries
Camera and Binoculars - optional but recommended
Film or Memory Card - 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.
6 short-sleeve shirts (a tight T-shirt for swim sun protection)
1 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?
Sneakers/Hiking Boots - walking/hiking on rugged karst terrain, maybe gets wet or dirty--NOT sandals!
Hat - sun protection
Neckerchief - sun protection
Sunscreen - 12-32 oz (probably 2 bottles) needed of 15+ SPF. You burn much more easily on San Salvador!!
All liquids and creams must be packed in the checked bag!
Aloe gel, Solarcaine, or other preferred sunburn treatment for those who are forgetful!
Sunglasses - and spare pair if prescription glasses
Dramamine or equivalent - for motion sickness on boat trips as needed
Insect repellent with 10-25% DEET--will use daily at evening/night---Off Wipes?
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 (gel toothpaste for mask?)
Sanitary Products--females often experience altered timing on field trips, so be prepared
FirstAid Kit - are you a band-aid person? - maybe vinegar in a tight bottle? - maybe superglue?
Prescription medicine in original pharmacy containers only!
Flip-flops for shower?
Sheets and Pillowcase, maybe also/instead a light blanket? - NOT a winter-weight sleeping bag. Dorm sheets OK.
Travel alarm clock or noisy watch alarm
Money - for personal expenses ($5 phone card, beer $3/bottle, soda $1/bottle, ice cream)
Wallet - only what you need...very little is needed...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, heavy electrical hair dryer, boom box, etc.
This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.
Go to the Course Schedule Page.
Go to the Plant Physiology Information Homepage.
Send comments and bug reports to Ross Koning at rkoning@snet.net.