May be a stupid question - can we buy a small cooler on the island, and if so, where should we look? I have mine packed in my carry on and it's just taking up too much room. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> I know we can rent one from Craig, but was wondering about purchasing one. I would probably just leave it in our condo when we leave.

There are plenty of places to purchase a cooler on the island. You can probably find one where you buy your groceries, and for sure you could get one at the Ace Hardware store.

Thanks! I forgot about Ace Hardware - love that store. Will check there, and also where we buy our groceries as well.

3 days and counting! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

maybe Cost U less

We brought a "soft" cooler. It was the size of a mid size duffle bag. My wife simply used it as her carry-on during the flights.

We do the same. Not just to SXM but everywhere we travel. Stop at a Walmart get water and snacks then drive the rental and not worry if drinking the water along the way will give us Montezuma's revenge. Our cooler keeps cold 36 hours. Tried buying a styrofoam once arrive but it always leaks.

For SXM we also pack a small soft side for the beach lunch.

I am also doing that. I got a backpack cooler which I'm using as a carryon.

Polar Bear makes excellent soft sided coolers. They also have a back pack version .

Use the 12 can size Polar Bear as my carry on filled with steaks and special cold cuts.Arrives still perfect.Then use at beach.

we used the cooler as carry on thing for a couple of years until we stopped bringing meats to the Island. We bought a smaller soft sided cooler (less than $10, made in Rhode Island) which holds 6 beers and a water and still has some room..because...you stick it in the freezer and the sides have a gel that serves as an ice replacement so more room

VERY skeptical that it would work but after hours in the sun at Happy Bay it kept everything nice and cold...and collapsed almost flat for travel

If the sides are a gel how does it pass the TSA for a carry on?

It is not used as a carry on...takes up very little space in the checked baggage

Thanks for all the cool ideas!

Bingo - this is definitely a standard for us. So very useful as a carry-on and easy to take cold drinks to the beach.

Trader Joe's has some soft-sided coolers that sell for $5-8.00

We use them all the time, and if they get a little ripped or worn, I leave them. Someone will always use them.

Perfect for a beach bag and for groceries too.