The Ultimate Packing Guide for your All Inclusive Vacation

It’s easy to spend your days at the office dreaming of your favorite fruit-filled cocktail and wishing you were laying on the beach with the sand between your toes. Most of the time, that scenario is far out of reach. The good news is, our amazing deals can help whisk you away to the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama and beyond in no time at all. So, now that you’ve decided to escape to paradise, it’s time to start figuring out what to pack for an all inclusive vacation.

Items You Can’t Live Without

If you are heading to the white-sand beaches of a tropical destination, you will want to be prepared for the elements. Here are some of the essentials that you simply must have in your bag:

• Travel documents. You won’t get very far without your passport, and don’t forget to bring a driver’s license or additional form of identification. It’s always a good idea to print a copy of your reservation confirmation as well.
• Sunscreen. By bringing your own sunscreen, you will be protected from the tropical rays while saving money! You can purchase sunscreen at the resorts when you arrive, but note that you will be paying a premium for this pivotal product.
• Beach supplies. A beach bag, cover up and sunglasses are all necessary for your resort vacation. You can leave the beach towel behind, as these are available at the resort properties.
• Electronic chargers. You don’t want to be totally disconnected, so be sure to bring the right charging equipment needed for all of your electronics. While many destinations such as Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica offer plugs that are compatible with those in the U.S., some places such as Tahiti and Fiji require travelers to bring an adapter. Do your research ahead of time so you’re well-prepared!

Items You Might Not Have Thought About

• Waterproof Pouch: When packing toiletries for the plane ride, you want to make sure it’s in something that is waterproof so any liquids won’t leek out of the bag. It can also be used while at the pool or beach to keep your wallet, keycard or ID’s safe and dry.
• Small bills. Even at an all inclusive resort, it’s courteous to tip certain staff members, especially for extra special services such as the spa or excursions. We recommend to bring small bills on your trip in order to have them handy when necessary.
• Footwear. You may think all you need are your favorite pair of flip flops for your incredible tropical getaway, but don’t forget about dining, excursions and other fun activities awaiting you! Include sneakers in case you want to hit the gym, bike along the beach or hike in a tropical rainforest. Water proof shoes may be useful for certain adventures as well. Also, keep in mind some all inclusive properties offer more formal restaurants, which may require closed toe shoes (at least for the men). Whether women prefer flats, platforms to heels, all are welcome (but you may prefer only to bring platforms for a beach vacation, so save packing space and leave the heels behind!).
• Formal outfits. If you’re traveling for a destination wedding, you may want to pack a formal gown or suit, depending on the requirements of the event. Check with your airline to see if there is storage space in the plane’s closet area, as that will help you decide what type of garment bag to use.
• Medications. Beyond your prescription medications, you might want to pack other over-the-counter medications for your trip. Pain medications, fever reducers and digestive relief medications may come in handy in the event of an emergency.
• An insulated glass or travel mug. You can use this mug to refill your drinks at the resort bar to carry (filtered) water with you. It keeps your drink colder longer, and you won’t have to make as many trips back for more.

With your bags fully packed, you’ll be ready to head to your destination in no time with everything you need. Whether you are off to an incredible resort in Jamaica where you will climb waterfalls and relax on the beach, or an ancient city in Mexico where you will explore the Mayan ruins in the morning and sip cocktails in the pool during the afternoon, you’re good to go! You have everything you need in order to have the time of your life — now the only thing left to do is make some memories (and photo albums)!