What to Bring on Vacation to Punta Cana: The Ultimate Packing List
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, the most stressful part of travel tends to be packing. Packing the right items in your suitcase can help you have a fun and relaxing trip. Forgetting a few important things can throw a wrench in your plans and leave you scrambling to find essentials while in your vacation destination.
Planning ahead and having a list in hand can help your packing go much more smoothly. That’s why we’ve compiled the ultimate list of what to pack for Punta Cana, so you can spend more time planning how you’ll spend your time and less time worrying over what to bring and what to leave at home.
Weather in Punta Cana
One of the things that makes Punta Cana such a popular vacation destination is its year-round warm, tropical climate. Peak season in Punta Cana is December to April, and for good reason. This season brings warm, dry weather, with the average daily temperature hovering in the 80s Fahrenheit. Humidity is lower this time of year as well, making for comfortable weather for outdoor activities or even just relaxing on the beach.
June to October is the rainy season in Punta Cana. While temperatures are still warm, there’s more rainfall this time of year, particularly during September and October. This means more humidity, too. Hurricane season in Punta Cana runs from June through November, with September averaging the most active month. Direct hits are relatively rare in Punta Cana, but tropical storms can still bring wind and rain to the island.
November and May are considered shoulder seasons in Punta Cana. Both months tend to have less rain, warm temperatures, and mild humidity, as well as fewer crowds, making it a great time to visit.
Clothing for Punta Cana
Now that you know what to expect of the weather, it’s time to take a look at what to bring on vacation to Punta Cana. If you’re staying at an all inclusive resort, there are a few types of outfits and essentials you’ll want to have in your suitcase. Swimsuits and cover-ups are an obvious must-have. But lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing that you can wear while exploring local attractions or enjoying outdoor activities is important, too. If you plan to dine in your resort’s more formal restaurants, dresses or slacks and blouses for women and suits or collared shirts and pants may be required by some resort restaurants.
Some clothing items you should pack include:
- Swimsuits
- Cover-ups
- Shorts
- Lightweight t-shirts or tank tops
- Formal wear for dinners
Footwear for Punta Cana
While flip flops are the obvious choice of footwear when visiting an all inclusive Punta Cana resort, there are a few other types of footwear you should pack, too.
Gym shoes, water shoes, or athletic sandals are important to pack if you plan to do any hiking, sightseeing, or outdoor activities. Nicer sandals, flats, or dress shoes are important for dining in resort restaurants.
Some shoes to pack in your suitcase include:
- Flip flops or other shoes for the pool and beach
- Gym shoes
- Athletic sandals or water shoes
- Formal shoes for dinners
Accessories for Punta Cana
The right clothes and shoes are important. But there are a few accessories you’ll also want to have during your Punta Cana vacation. For instance, sunglasses are important on bright, sunny days at the beach. A beach bag will make it easier to carry the essentials from your room to the beach or pool. A sun hat and/or baseball cap will help keep the sun off your face and protect you from burns.
One simple accessory everyone should have in their suitcase is a wet bag. These waterproof bags help you bring home your wet swimsuits without getting the rest of your luggage wet. These can be great for enjoying one last afternoon at the beach before you fly home at the end of your trip!
There are a few accessories that you might bring to the beach that you won’t need when staying at a resort. For instance, you can leave your beach chairs and umbrellas at home! Most resorts provide beach towels for guests to use as well, which is great for saving space in your luggage.
Some accessories to pack for your Punta Cana vacation include:
- Beach bag
- Wet bag
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Beach toys
- Books
- Waterproof phone case or dry bag for excursions
- Small backpack for excursions and day trips
- A clutch or small purse for dinners and evening activities
Toiletries
Much like sunscreen, your resort gift shop will carry some toiletries in case you forget something. Your room will also be stocked with basics like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. If you have a preference, it’s a good idea to pack the shampoo and conditioner that you’re used to using. You’ll also want to bring other toiletries you’ll need, like makeup, aloe, and razors.
Important toiletries to pack for your trip include:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Aloe
- Makeup
- Makeup wipes
- Detangling spray
- Lip balm
Electronics
Many cell phone carriers offer data add-ons that can allow you to use your smartphone while visiting Punta Cana. But even if you plan to disconnect, there are a few electronics you’ll want to pack, including:
- Smartphones
- E-readers
- Camera, especially waterproof
- GoPro or other waterproof video camera
- Portable chargers, especially if you plan to take day trips
Medications
One of the most important things to pack is your medications. When packing medicine, make sure that it’s kept in its original prescription bottles, as you may need to present these when passing through immigration upon arrival. In addition to prescribed medications, you should also bring any over-the-counter medications you might need, like Tylenol or allergy medication. That way, if you feel under the weather during your trip, you’ll have access to the medications that you’re used to using.
Some medications to pack on your trip include:
- Prescription medications in original bottles
- Aspirin, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Allergy medication
- Antacids
- Antihistamines
- Anti-motion sickness medication, especially if you get seasick
Kids’ Essentials
If you’re traveling with kids, there are a few extra items you’ll want to pack. They’ll need the same types of clothing and footwear that adults will need. Beach toys or small toys for your room are good to have for younger kids. A beach blanket is a must-have for babies and toddlers. Older kids might want entertainment like video games or books for the evenings before bed or for traveling to and from Punta Cana.
Some kids’ essentials to pack for your vacation include:
- Beach toys
- Small toys for your room
- Handheld video games or books
- Beach blanket
- Diapers and other baby essentials
- Baby wipes
- Headphones
- Hats and other sun protection
Important Documents
Whether you’re traveling to Punta Cana by air or sea, you’ll need to have a valid passport to present upon arrival. Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the start of your trip, just in case. In addition to packing your passports, take scans of you and your travel partners’ passports, and store them separately from your passports to have in case of emergencies.
Before arriving in Punta Cana, you’ll need an e-ticket, which is usually included in the cost of your airline ticket and can be filled out online. If you purchased travel insurance, bring copies of your policy documents with you as well.
Important documents to pack for your vacation include:
- Passport
- Copies of your passport
- Travel insurance documents
- Driver’s license (if you plan to rent a car)
- Credit cards
Get Your Suitcases Ready for the Perfect Punta Cana Vacation!
Now that you know what should be in your suitcase, it’s time to get packing! Whether you enjoy relaxing on the beach, enjoying outdoor activities like snorkeling or hiking, or want to experience a new and unique culture, Punta Cana is a dream vacation destination. With the right items in your suitcase, you can plan a fun, stress-free vacation for your whole family!
Another great way to take the stress out of planning your trip is to book an all inclusive vacation online with All Inclusive Outlet! We make it easy to shop for all inclusive packages to find the perfect one for your family. When you’ve picked the perfect one, simply book your trip and get ready to start relaxing and unwinding in paradise! Start shopping for your next all inclusive vacation today!
