First, list out the days you will be there including travel days like this:

DATE            CLOTHES

11/7/2025        TRAVEL DAY

11/7/2025        1ST NIGHT - NEED DINNER OUTFIT

11/8/2025        DINNER DRESS

11/9/2025        DINNER DRESS

11/10/2025       DINNER DRESS

11/11/2025        DINNER DRESS

11/12/2025       DINNER DRESS

11/13/2025       DINNER DRESS

11/14/2025       DINNER DRESS

11/15/2025       TRAVEL HOME DAY

If you are doing excursions, add those in so you have daytime outfits. Otherwise, you just need swimwear, coverups (for women) and dinner outfits.

Men – check the dress code at your resort. Don’t get caught off guard needing a pair of long pants for dinner or even some resorts require men to wear closed toe shoes to dinner.

Secondly, determine undergarments and pajamas.

I then list out item I need to get ready / hygiene, and this is best done by going through your routine at home. For example, at home I use eye drops when waking, then take my medications and the list builds from there. Do not think you need a 10-step skincare routine if you aren’t realistically doing that every day at home or could skip it for a few days to reduce your packing.

Sunscreen – if you have a carry on only, you can buy travel size sunscreen to bring or wait until you arrive to purchase at the resort, but you will pay more at the resort. In Cancun there is a general store right outside the airport that has sunscreen available, and the prices are very reasonable where you could purchase but Cabo, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica will need to be bought at the resort gift shop.

All resorts have a store where you can purchase anything you forgot! Toothbrush, deodorant, etc.

I am not much of a shoe packer. I wear tennis shoes on the plane, bring one pair of flip flops and a pair of sandals in black & another pair of sandals in brown. You do not need a different pair of heels for every outfit if shoes aren’t your thing. If they are, go ahead.

Resorts will also provide you with some toiletries such as shower gel and lotion, etc.

If we are checking a bag, I then go through the list and note where each item will be packed between carry on / luggage / husband’s bag.

If I need to buy things on the list, I will highlight that item and then remove the color once I’ve bought. That way I can see at a quick glance what I need.

Quick items to add to your own list:

Cash – You can use cards pretty much anywhere on and off the resort.  However, having cash is good for places that you don't feel comfortable swiping at.  Also, have enough cash for tips.  See our tipping guide.

Pants, men only – as listed above, check your resort’s dress code prior to travelling to determine if men need to bring long pants. You can always bring one pair for several dinners and just change once you leave the restaurant

Tumbler, 20 – 24 oz. – if the trip is a week, bring 2 so you can rinse them out to dry each evening

Metal straws – resorts are no longer giving straws with drinks to protect the ocean life and to be environmental. If they do give you a straw on request, it will be paper. Ever try drinking a frozen drink with a paper straw in 100% humidity?

Waterproof beach bag – you can bring a cute bag for your pics, but it will likely rain at least one day so having a waterproof beach bag that zips is great to protect all your belongings if that downpour happens while you are away from your seat. Let me know if you need a recommendation.

Waterproof cell phone carriers – this helps to get great pictures and videos while in the pool and the ocean without fear of destroying it. I use a Casemate.

Chargers – be sure you have one for each of your items as needed. Kindles, phones, laptops, iPad, apple watches, etc. I have a large makeup bag that I put all mine in for one go to way to find them when I need them and not searching for cords in my bags.

Pool floatie – obviously you want to bring this deflated, preferably new so it lays flat in your suitcase. You can buy a cheap tool to blow them up once you are poolside or ask a pool concierge to do that for you. (It’s a good idea to tip them if they do this service for you)

Cooler, soft side / collapsible – if you are a beer drinker you will find that some resorts have trouble keeping their canned beer cold enough on the really hot days. A cooler that will lay flat in your suitcase will save you as you can ask for several beers at the bar and the staff will fill it with ice as well.

Poopourri – if you know, you know. This will make sharing a bathroom, especially if you are accustomed to having separate bathrooms at home, manageable. I NEVER go on a trip without this and if you are doing carry on only, it is sold in 2 oz. options.

Bug spray  - My husband never gets bit, but the mosquitoes LOVE me. I bring a small size of repellant, or you can purchase wipes as well to reduce the amount of liquids in your luggage. Avon Skin So Soft is still around and a great option to not smell like chemicals.

OTC medications – hopefully you won’t need them, but they are cheaper and more accessible if you bring the minimal amount. This includes Ibuprofen, Tums, Benadryl, Immodium. The language barrier was amusing in hindsight as I tried to explain once that my husband needed Immodium by acting it out in the store.

Firestick – Travelers sometimes bring one to be sure to find television shows they enjoy in English and resorts all have Smart TVs that can accommodate this. Some resorts will even allow you to sign into your streaming accounts on their TV's but the firestick is the safest option with your information.

Don’t be a rookie:

Hairdryer – one is provided in your room

Towels – bathroom and beach, resorts will provide them