What To Pack For An All Inclusive Beach Vacation

While I’ve spent many of my days traveling checking into hostels, sleeping on overnight busses, and budgeting funds for each meal,  it is always nice to switch up my travel style and visit a luxury beach destination where everything is included!

Fortunately for me, I’ve been able to relax, kick back, and enjoy a more luxurious vacation at some pretty amazing all-inclusive beach destinations! Cancun, the Dominican Republic, and most recently Jamaica. While each of these beach destinations are unique and different, my packing list for each was very much the same!

To help you gauge what to pack and what to leave behind, you’ll want to check out this packing list, designed for a classic 7 day stay at an all-inclusive resort.

The Essentials

• Passport: Don’t forget this #1 travel essential! You’ll need it at the airport and when landing in a new country, and also for documentation throughout your stay
• Cash: You stay is all inclusive, but generally this does not include tipping the very large staff that will be helping you throughout your stay. You’ll also want cash if you plan on leaving the resort to explore or go on any excursions.
• Credit Card: Just be sure to check what your international charges will be before you go, so there are no surprises when you get back!

Beach Necessities

• Swimwear: I recommend bringing 2-4 swimsuits. You’ll want at least to so that way you always have a dry suit available. I also always bring one black swimsuit in case I want to do an excursion where things get messy. (This came in handy in Santorini, where the hot spring water will dye suits orange!)
• Cover ups: I don’t know about you but I am obsessed with cover ups. I ended up bringing three, but 1 or 2 would totally suffice. You’ll want these for walking around the resort, or eating breakfast/lunch before hitting the beach, as well as for protection from the sun…speaking of which…
• Sunscreen: Buy your sunscreen at home and avoid paying ridiculous resort prices for sun protection. Just be sure to get appropriate travel sizes that will work for an airline carry on!
• Sunglasses: You won’t want to forget these while you are in a sunny beach location! I always stick mine in a case so they don’t get broken on the plane (I have lost 1 too many cute shades this way).
• Aloe: For those who always get burnt, no matter what.
• Sunhat: If you want a cute way to get a break from the sun.
• Water Shoes: If you plan on doing any water excursions, you may want to pack some water shoes. They certainly aren’t cute, but in Jamaica I needed them twice for a waterfall and swimming excursion! If you don’t have any, you can always see if you need them later and purchase them at the resort.

Clothing

• Tops: 3-5 should be enough, even if you are staying for a week. If you plan on spending most of your time at the beach, then you won’t need a ton of outfits, maybe just a few for excursion days.
• Shorts: 2-4 will be just fine, after all, most of the time you’ll be relaxing by the beach!
• Dresses/Dress Clothes: Most all inclusive resorts have casual dining spots during the day, and more formal dining options and restaurants all night. Ladies, you’ll want dresses and skirts. Gentlemen, think pants and collared shirts. You may even want to check in advance to see if your resort had any dress code for certain restaurants. I’d prepare 4-6 options, and try to bring skirts/tops that mix and match well.
• A warmer layer: While the weather is usually amazing at an all inclusive, sometime air conditioning is chilly or you’ll find yourself just a bit too cool in a tank top.
• A light rain coat/umbrella: Tropical locations tend to get random rain showers-it never hurts to be prepared! The weather said it was going to rain every day while I was in Jamaica. It only rained once, but I was glad I packed one just in case.
• Shoes: I recommend bringing 1 pair of flip flops for the beach, 1 pair of dressier sandals, 1 pair of gym shoes if you’d like to work out or wear them on an excursion, and 1 pair of beachy heels/wedges to wear at night.
• Underwear: Bring enough for the week, plus 1 just in case!
• Sleepwear

Toiletries

• Makeup
• Feminine Products
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Shampoo/Conditioner: Be sure to bring these if you are especially attached to a specific brand and can’t life without it.

Accessories

• A backpack: I always use a backpack as one of my carry on items, but if you aren’t already, you’ll want to bring one for excursions.
• Purse/purses: I brought two small ones to carry my phone and other essentials around at night, and a camera around during the day.
• Jewelry: Although I do recommend leaving anything super precious to you behind-you won’t want to lose it in the ocean!

Technology:

• Phone and charger: I always have mine in a waterproof case too!
• Laptop and charger: If you must, but I recommend going on a digital detox and leaving this one behind!
• Camera and charger: You’ll want to record your vacation memories, after all!

and finally…

• Your own cup! For those who are looking to take advantage of the never ending margaritas, strawberry daiquiris, and piña coladas available at your report, you might want to consider bringing your own insulated cup to keep your drinks cool while you bask in the sun. I saw seasoned all-inclusive goers with these all around the resort, and must admit it was absolute genius!

Things To Leave Behind:

• Beach towels: Your resort will have plenty of towels for both the beach and for regular shower use, so you can save room in your suitcase!
• Too many clothes: I spent 75% of my trip in a swimsuit-trust me when I say you don’t need a new outfit for every day.
• Stress: The whole point of a vacation is to relax! As they say in Jamaica, no worries man!

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Have you stayed in an all inclusive or do you have any packing tips for a beach vacation? Let me know in the comments!

You might also like:

• How I Spent 1 Month In Greece (Almost) For Free!
• Top 10 Unforgettable Experiences To Have In Santorini
• How I Afford To Travel: 1 Year, 15 Countries, And Just $2,000

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