what should I bring besides the normal clothes, money, sunglasses. What SPF is good for the Caribbean? Any cheap places to stay for a few nights until I go to st. Kitts? I'm going to be with 2 friends and we are super low maintenance. Any other info on where to go and what to do would help. Thanks!

Check out this small resort.

Les Balcons d'Oyster Pond. Here is a link with reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147346-d583624-Reviews-Les_Balcons_d_Oyster_Pond-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

Rent a car for a few days so you can explore the island. The island has two sides the french side (St Martin) and the dutch side (St Maarten)

You want to go over to the french side and check out the famous Orient Bay Beach.

The Sunset Beach Bar is a great place to hang out and watch the planes land as they fly over Maho Bay. Bring the camera.

Plenty of clubs at night and excellent restaurants
St Martin/St Maarten is considered the gourmet capital of the Caribbean. Even the inexpensive place are very good.

Good idea to do a little research before going. Here is a link on some island info.

http://www.gobeach.com/page3.htm

If you have fair skin, wear at least a 30 +SPF to start. The sun is hot and you will burn without sunscreen.

enjoy)

My son and I are going to the U.S. Gulf Coast this spring for a beach vacation. He will be 20 months old when we go, and he has very fair skin (as do I). So far I've been able to prevent him from getting a sunburn or even a freckle because I'm very diligent about using sunscreen and hats when we go outside. With the intense sun of the beach, though, I'm concerned about him getting a burn.

I'm thinking of getting him some SPF clothing but am not sure what brands/styles are the best. Does anyone have a recommendation that they would like to share?

Also, any recommendations on sunglasses? He's never worn them before so I'm not sure how he'll tolerate them but I'd like to do what I can to protect his eyes too.

Coppetone is best. In Florida they have a whole line for toddlers. Sunglasses would be good. Get him used to them now before he goes. Then he will have no problem with sunglasses.

I burn SUPER crazy-easy, even with spf 80 sunscreen. I apply ~45 minutes before leaving the house, and then again just before I go, so there's no reason for me to burn other than being really sensitive. The sunscreen puts off burning for a little more than an hour or so.

So, to try to make sure I don't burn this summer, I'm looking for something similar to a poncho that I can carry around in a catch-all bag/in my car and throw on if I'm going to be outside for a few hours. I've been suggested very large hats, but I think they look silly on me because I'm very petite and they don't really block out the rays.

I've looked at a few spf clothing sites, but most of what they sell are swimwear and tee shirts. Does anyone have any suggestions? Spf rated or not, fabric will help.

You should just wear a thin cardigan so its easier to find.

H&M
Urban Outfitters
well plenty of stores would have them

Good luck!

I've been getting ready for months now to go to the beach. I even bought my daughter a baithing suit, warm beach clothes, a hat and a tent for the outdoors.

Though I'm still going to have to buy a really good beach umbrella to protect her while out of the tent... If you know where to get one of those too... that would be so great.

The one thing i need for her is a safe high SPF sunscreen that is trustworthy and been used on babies before.

Thanks!

Stick with the ol' Coppertone Babies I think it is SPF50. I use it for my red headed light skin stepdaughter. She does have tan lines from her swimsuit, but she hasn't been burnt while using it. I hope this helps =)

For instance your commonplace pair of dark jeans, a t-shirt or a hoodie sweatshirt. I mean from both kinds of rays, UV and UA. Does layering these articles combine their SPF properties?

this is a small book you are looking for. Generally a good quality tee shirt has an spf of around 10-12. If it gets wet, than cut that by 25-50%.
Jeans probably much more spf, wet jeans.... you get it.
Layering combines these. The suits that surfers wear made of synthetics are in the upper 30 range or more. Remember to shield your eyes from sun damage with UVA and UVB protective eye wear.