Best mosquito repellent for Caribbean & Tropical Climates

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If you are looking for the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean then you have come to the right place. We have reviewed and hand picked the best deet and best all natural mosquito repellent around. Ever since I was bitten by a spider in Cuba I have become allergic to mosquito bites, that spider bite did something to me! However since I was introduced to strong Deet, I now never get bit and can enjoy my holiday without worrying about mosquito bites.

One of the most famous diseases carried by mosquitoes is Malaria, however it’s not the only one. The biggest threat travellers face in the Caribbean is from Dengue Fever where symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a skin rash. There is also Chikungunya which has affected some Caribbean Island, and there is of course the Zika Virus which  is more serious for pregnant women, as there’s evidence it causes birth defects.

However don’t let this put you off going on your next Caribbean holiday. In this guide we will provide with tips and ticks how to avoid being bitten by mosquitos. We have also reviewed and picked the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean.

It can be overwhelming trying to find the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean, that’s why we have hand picked the best mosquito repellents containing deet and also the best all natural mosquito repellents.

Note: Click on the repellent name or button to read reviews and check prices.

If you are after more information the mosquito repellents mentioned earlier, then good news! We have reviewed both mosquito repellents containing deet and the all natural mosquito repellents below.

Here are our hand picked best mosquito repellents for Caribbean containing deet:

Here are our best all natural mosquito repellents for the Caribbean, these products contain no deet but are still just as effective.

So now you know the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean, including the best all natural mosquito repellent and repellents containing deet. Overall I recommend the REPEL brand they are the best repellents on the market and offer a wide selection, from 40%, 100% deet, wipes and clothes spray.

DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many repellent products. It is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. There is no other product that has been tested for its safety and effectiveness of preventing mosquito bites more than DEET. It is very strong and you should always look for the right DEET product for you, 30-40% is normally more than enough to keep them away, however some people may be better with 100%. Always check with a doctor, especially with children. The downside to DEET is that it can damage fabrics, surfaces and materials.

DEET has helped me enjoy my Caribbean holidays so much more, knowing that I have peace of mind that I am not going to get bitten. If you’re like me and love getting your nails done, then sorry girls it will come straight off and may also damage clothing depending what strength you get.

There are guidelines on how much deet a child should be exposed too. In the occurrence where the benefit of applying a repellent such as Deet outweighs the dangers of not then Children between the ages of 6 months to 2 years should only apply one application of 10% or less of Deet. It is advised to seek medical advice before using if you are unsure of application.

If you are traveling to the Caribbean here are some quick tips to help avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes on holiday:

1. Cover your arms and legs where possible
2. Avoid areas where mosquitoes gather, especially near water, rubbish and food.
3. Reapply your mosquito repellent at dusk and dawn
4. Check how long your mosquito repellent lasts for and reapply
5. Make sure you have it handy in your backpack and some mosquito wipes
6. Don’t wear colourful clothing
7. Don’t war perfume, atershave or scented deodorant
8. Use 50% deet or less
9. Keep your windows and doors closed
10. Invest in a mosquito net for your bed.
11. Wear shoes outdoors

Once you have found the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean, it is important to know exactly how to apply it correctly to help avoid possible side effects such as skin and eye irritation, this includes:

1. Always read the label on the bottle, if in doubt ask a doctor
2. Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin only
3. Just use enough to cover the exposed skin, putting too much on can cause side effects
4. Avoid applying repellent over cuts or irritated skin
5. If applying to your face, spray it on your hands first then rub it in. Avoid eyes and mouth.
6. Don’t let young children apply the repellent, just incase they are tempted to itch their eyes!
7. Don’t spray around food
8. Always wash your hands after application
9. At the end of the day wash off the mosquito repellent with soap and water
10. Wash your clothes after use too

Here are 5 common mistakes travellers make with mosquito repellent and how to avoid them:

1. Don’t buy whatever’s on special offer

When buying the best mosquito repellent for Caribbean don’t just get whatever is cheapest or what’s on special offer, you need to get what is right for you and do your research. The active ingredients are different and vary depending on which insects you want to repel against. So always read the instructions to get the right insect repellent, as different insects respond differently to the active ingredients.

2. Put you repellent on after suncream

Another common mistake made is people put on their mosquito repellent first then their suncream. Make sure you put your suncream on first, leave it to fully soak in and dry for 10 minutes then apply the mosquito repellent. Also DEET reduces the effectiveness of suncream by 30-40%, so you’ll need to apply your it more frequently.

3. Always read the label

As all products are different in terms how how much should be applied and how often. Always read the label to check things like, how long the mosquito repellent lasts for, how much you should apply, its strength and the possible side effects.

4. Don’t apply to much mosquito repellent

More isn’t always better, I myself am guilty of slapping on more than I should, thinking the more I put on the more I’m going to be protected. However this isn’t always the case, for best results always read the label and follow the instructions.  Applying too much mosquito repellent does not provide better or longer-lasting protection and could increase the chances of side effects such as skin irritation.

5. Know what DEET is

Although DEET is extremely effective, you need to understand what it is, do your research and find the best mosquito repellent that suits you and your skin. Research has shown that repellents that contain 20% DEET will protect you for approximately 5 hours. If you plan on using a DEET based product for children and babies the guidelines are different depending on its strength and brand, so again, make sure you do your research.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you,
we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.