What to Pack on Your Beach Vacation
It Girl Travel Necessities
Downloadable Version of this Checklist at the End of the Post!
I recently traveled to Costa Rica with my family, and I packed everything I own, so you don’t have to.
It’s been awhile since I have had to pack for a long vacation, so there were certainly some things that I forgot.
First I want to start with the basics and then we can get into the fun stuff. If you are traveling to Costa Rica, or any place like it, it is going to be HOT and HUMID. It was not raining, but it might as well have been because their was so much moisture in the air and the temperature did not dip below 95 degrees during the day. This is all to say bring lots of sunscreen and water bottles. It is much easier to carry around a large water bottle all day than to constantly refill a cup or buy water. I brought FIVE full bottles of sunscreen for my family of seven and they were almost completely empty by the end. Thank God I did because the sunscreen you could purchase was FORTY DOLLARS and I paid about eleven per bottle in the states.
The Essentials
Bathroom
– Deodorant, razor, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, toothbrush, toothpaste, night guard/retainers.
Personal Care
– Makeup bag, brushes, setting spray, beauty blender, perfume, face lotion, body lotion, sunscreen, ponytails, clear elastics, headbands, curling iron/straightener.
Other
– Phone charger, computer charger, camera, pajamas, underwear, bras, socks, spandex ID/passport.
Dresses
CLICK ON PHOTOS TO SHOP
Possibly the most crucial component to beach vacation packing. Dresses are so easy, cool, and comfortable (usually). I would recommend packing at least one dress per day of your vacation.
Strapless
Of all the dresses I packed, this was my favorite. It was SO cheap, around twenty dollars from Forever21, and it was very comfortable (not to mention I looked bangin) .
The best part about strapless is that you don’t have to worry about getting bad tan lines if you’re wearing it during the day, and or straps digging into your sun burn.
Unfortunately I got my dress on clearance, and Forever21 no longer sells it. The good news is they have the same dress with a different print that I will link to the photo! Honestly I loved mine so much I am tempted to get this one too!
Other Options
Beachy
These are the dresses that you can kind of only wear on vacation. If you have a dress that you love and have never worn, pack that one!
Other Options
“Fancy”
Pack one or two “fancy” dresses that you can wear to the best dinner spot of the week. Usually there are group/family photos where everyone coordinates to wear their best outfit, this dress will be that for you.
This dress is a dupe from Amazon of a Hailey Bieber dress that she wore for. It runs a little big in the body but true to size on the arms. It might not be a bad idea to order your size and a size down to see what your like better. The strings are cheap, but other than that the quality is good!
Casual Outfits
What I wish I would have done.
What I did
Don’t get me wrong I liked my outfits, but they could have been better. I had absolutely no direction when I was packing, even just making this mood board sooner would have helped. I truly failed by not bringing a SINGLE COVER UP. I ended up living in terry cloth shorts and the orange pants you can see in the photo above. Which worked out, but a cover would have worked much better for just going to the pool. Of all the casual clothes you bring, a cover up is the most important.
Cover Ups
Depending on where your at you can just wear your bikini and cover up to lunch/dinner. That’s how I justify the absurd prices, two outfits in one basically! 😉
Tops
Bring three tops and three bottoms that you can mix and match!
Bottoms
Tote
I brought a tote not thinking I would actually need to use it, and it ended up coming in handy almost everyday. Plus it was super cheap from target, I will link the next photo to the one I got!
Shoes
Space can be tight on vacation, so bring versatile shoes. A platform sandal, tennis shoes, and slides. Those three pairs should get you through your vacation (worked for me).
I brought these shoes in black and wore them, at some point, every single day. They will go with your cover up, dresses, and casual outfits.
Slides
Outfits
Find more outfits like these on our instagram @whatsfresh.blog
Swimsuits
I don’t think there is a cap on how many swimsuits you can, or should bring on vacation. Honestly if you have them, pack enough for everyday you are there. Include at least one one piece in case you end up doing any kind of water sport you don’t want your *ss out for!
Entire post on where to buy swimsuits coming next week that I will link HERE for you (once it’s posted of course) .
I could not find an affordable swim-short bikini that I liked before my trip, but I am obsessed with these. Such an amazing option for vacation if you want to have more coverage walking around the hotel/resort.
