Tropical Vacation Packing: Top 3 Women Must-Have Items

When you go on a tropical vacation, what are the top 3 things that you bring with you? Do you have a list of “must-have’s” or items that you can’t live without?

Being a travel agent and someone who travels a lot, I’ve forgotten to pack lots of things because they don't cross our minds when heading for warmer weather.

AND I've found that there are some tricks of the trade when it comes to the wind blowing, legs sweating and uncomfortable transitions from the outside heat to the air conditioned restaurants and cold plane rides!

So I want to share my insider secrets!!

Here are the top 3 things that I bring on the trip which I think you should as well.

1.) BEST CLOTHING CHOICES

Most people would grab different outfits to bring...maybe bring their favorite sets of capris and fancy tops. Makes sense, right?

But what I find best to bring when traveling to a tropical country are sun dresses! There are a few reasons why I think they are the better choice.

• They’re easy to slip on over your bathing suit
• They’re easy to pack because they’re not so bulky
• They’re very easy to clean. They dry very easily if you run out of clothing or spill something on them. Heck, rinse them in the bathtub and they will dry quickly!

2.) THIS WINTER ACCESSORY

Bring a couple heavier cotton scarves! I’m talking about the 4-5 ft long and 1-2 ft wide, not the infinity ones.

I can use them for many things such as a pillow on the plane and as a cover up for when I’m freezing on the plane (which I always am).

Also, when I’m at a resort and it’s SO hot, the entertainment venues and restaurants often blast the air conditioner - and I’m FREEZING.  But then I sweat as soon as I leave...

What I do in this case is to take my scarf, roll it up and put it in my purse and use it instead of wearing a coat or dragging a sweater around. It’s also very handy especially when it starts raining - which by the way happens LOTS in the Caribbean. It can be brief, but really pour!

#3 SWEATY THIGH PROTECTION

Now, ladies, it's not any fun to be sore when you're walking around in the heat...believe me, I've been there & done that! So, I've found that it's a great idea if you could bring some type of thin shorts that you can wear under your sun dresses.

Why? Well, after a few days of your thighs rubbing together in the heat, you can get...um...sore. Unless you are blessed to have thighs that don't touch, this is a great idea!

One secret tip here (it's kind of funny) is - you know those men’s underwear that are kinda like shorts? Not the spandex ones but something that’s soft and made of a comfy cotton material? That’s what I bring and no one would even knows that I have them on. They’re long enough to prevent any chaffing and are thin enough to be comfortable! 

And there you have it! You're now prepared to avoid paying for laundry, freezing in 90 degree weather AND chaffing of the thighs! :)

---> So, if you’re planning to go on a tropical vacation and want more great tips like this, follow me on Instagram at @ErinCookTravelAgent.

And if you want to make sure you avoid all the pitfalls of planning a DIY vacation online, I would love to help you out! 

---> Visit my planning page to see EXACTLY how we can customize your all-inclusive vacation to meet YOUR needs for FREE!