Today I have a guest post from Becky over at House of Sykes! Enjoy. Be sure to check out her blog!
My husband and I are leaving next month to spend a week in Mexico. While daydreaming about our vacation since we booked it today, I started to compile a sample packing list for someone taking an all inclusive tropical vacation. Of course, the amount you pack is contingent on how many days you are staying, so adjust accordingly.
Here are a few of my suggestions (aside from obvious ones like a toothbrush and underoos):
- 3-4 bathing suits: you live a bathing suits during the day in the tropics. they're tiny and lightweight – perfect for carry on luggage.
- Tervis tumblers: most all inclusive resorts will fill up your tumbler instead of the tiny plastic cups on the beach or by the pool. tumbler = more drinky drinky and no sweaty glass!
- medicine: everything from Tylenol to Immodium and everything in between. be sure to also pack a small first aid kit.
- electronics: some of you know that we LOVE to stay in touch with home while we're away, so we take the laptop and cell phones with us. this also includes the DSLR camera and a point and shoot. having so many electronics with us also helps back up the photos we've taken. we keep them on the SD card, laptop, I-pod and smart phone. if we lose something, we're sure to have the photos backed up somewhere!
- snacks: we discovered on our last trip to Mexico that US Airways no longer provides complimentary snacks in flight. not to mention, food in the airport is crazy expensive. take your own snacks that are high in sugar – nabs, honey buns, granola, etc. to keep you energized while you're traveling.
- pens, passports, travel documents: when flying internationally, you will need these items with you in flight. take your own pens so you don't have to borrow someone else's to fill out your customs forms. this prevents the spread of germs too. (did you see “Contagion”?)
- 3 dresses: you rarely eat with the same people each night, so no one will know that you're wearing the same dress to dinner on Saturday night that you wore on Wednesday night. pack jersey type material so if it gets bunched up during your travel, it won't wrinkle.
- 3 pairs of shoes: 2 pairs in the suitcase; 1 pair on your feet. come on ladies, you're on vacation, not a runway. there's no need to pack your entire wardrobe. you are on vacation to relax, not impress.
- plastic bags: include a quart size freezer back for each carry on. include a plastic grocery bag to pack wet bathing suits for the journey home.
Hope these packing tips help if you are going on a vacation somewhere fun and hot!
Michelle's comment: Thinking about packing puts me in such a good mood! I'm a horrible packer though. If I'm gone for just 2 days, I will still bring 20 dresses. I actually counted last time, and when we went to Miami last August for 3 days, I brought 19 dresses (plus shorts).
How do you pack? What are your traveling “essentials”?
Subscribe to get the free Master Your Money course!
Join the free email course and finally learn how to manage your money better, pay off debt, save more money, and reach financial freedom. Get our newsletter and get access to the freebie:
Holly says
February 25, 2012 at 8:32 amGreat tips, I never thought to pack my Tervis tumbler!
femmefrugality says
February 25, 2012 at 8:35 amI usually go pretty light weight…I don't like to have to check anything. On top of baggage fees, I don't like the idea of them losing my stuff. Love the tumbler tip!
Valerie Griffin says
February 25, 2012 at 8:59 amgreat tips! 🙂
Rick @ Invest In 201 says
February 25, 2012 at 10:12 amNice! Where are you guys leaving to in Mexico (if you don't mind me asking)?
House of Sykes says
February 26, 2012 at 9:37 amWe are going to the Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula!
Lisa says
February 25, 2012 at 11:01 amI over pack too! For two days I will bring 5 of everything! It is crazy 🙂
Caitlin C. says
February 25, 2012 at 11:15 amThis was the perfect post for me to read because I'm actually leaving for a week-long Mexico vacation on Friday!! These are awesome tips and I will definitely take them 🙂
Canadian Saver says
February 25, 2012 at 12:07 pmMichelle, that is too funny, 19 dresses for 3 days!I think the tips are great…. I went with a carry on for 2 weeks in France, but I usually brought way too many outfits.
Cash Only Living says
February 25, 2012 at 2:57 pmMy packing list includes: one bathing suit (that doesnt come out unless there is no one else on the beach otherwise it is capris and a tank top!), acidophilous (hands down best tummy fixer ever), a gallon of sunscreen, and extra memory cards for my camera (these are usually super expensive if you have to buy them in a resort area). Hope you have a wonderful vacation!
laura @ nomorespendi says
February 26, 2012 at 4:55 amGreat tips Michelle – we always pack light, carry on only. I love not having to wait for our bags.
Julie@Freedom48 says
February 26, 2012 at 7:14 amI'm ashamed to admit it, but I love bringing my Crocs shoes on vacation. They're super comfy for walking around and they're just as good on land as they are in the water. Saves me having to bring a separate pair of water shoes.
BrokeElizabeth says
February 27, 2012 at 1:39 amGreat list. I've never been on a 'hot weather' vacation, so it's interesting to see a packing list for a different destination climate than I'm used to.
Rafiki says
February 29, 2012 at 5:24 amNot bad, I'm a dude so it differs a bit. As I've never traveled on my own or totally on my own terms, I've never packed for myself, every time I did travel though I believe I carried too much stuff. Starting from this year though I will know how I should be packing as I will be gaining experience.
hotel at siem reap says
September 25, 2012 at 9:34 pmI beloved up to you'll receive performed right here. The comic strip is tasteful, your authored material stylish. however, you command get got an edginess over that you would like be delivering the following. sick for sure come more until now once more as exactly the same just about very continuously inside case you protect this increase.