What to Pack?

portialoveschris

Hey ladies,

I've never been anywhere tropical before, but we are going to the Riviera Maya in Mexico in two weeks.

We are going to 10 days, so how many swimsuits should I buy?  Also what item comes in handy that most people don't think to bring? 

I have to start packing this week, so any advice would be helpful.  I'm an OVERpacker.

Thanks!

emilyinchile

I brought 2 swimsuits on our 8 day HM, but that's because I had 2 swimsuits and didn't mind just alternating them. Some people like to have a little beach-side fashion show, so if that's you, bring more. It's just personal preference, although I do prefer to have more than 1 so that you don't have to put on a damp suit if it doesn't dry overnight.

I'd also bring clothes that you can dress up and down. For example, a sundress can work as a casual day outfit/beach cover-up, but with a sweater and some cute shoes and accessories, you can go out to a nice dinner in it. That is more helpful than packing your suitcase with a million things you can only wear in one specific situation.

LauraT25

I actually brought 5 bathing suits.  I hate putting on a wet suit, and we often swim in the morning, then have to change for lunch, and swim again in the evening.  That means two suits per day, and since it takes a day to dry I need four.  I brought a 5th suit for water activities - it was a tankini with wide straps, I wanted something that would stay in place if we jet skiid, swam with dolphins, whatever.  If your suits are already a bit sturdier, you don't need to worry about that. 

As for packing - make sure to bring a LOT of sunscreen.  We went through three cans of the spray stuff, and it is really expensive to buy it there.  Don't forget to pack any kind of medications you might need like Aleve, Pepto, Benadryl etc.  It sucks being sick abroad, and again, those kinds of things are very overpriced.  I brought more than one pair of sunglasses, which was handy since I lost one.

Bring plenty of ziploc bags, plastic bags, maybe a garbage bag - I always find them handy for wet/dirty clothes, toiletries, and anything that might leak.  You don't need beach towels, since your resort will provide them (and that will save you some room in your luggage).

alithebride

i bring at min 2 bathing suits-wear one, wash at night, hang to dry and wear the other one the next day. alternate.
you'll be there for 10 days. bring af ew pairs of shorts or skirts or cover ups for beach/pool, a few outfits for dinner (coordinating clothes-not 10 different outfits) and 1 pair of jeans and sneakers for excursions if you need them. 1 pair of flip flops and 1 or 2 pairs of shoes for dinner/going out. i also suggest 1 or 2 light sweaters-the restaurants can be chilly.
other than that-pack light. sunscreen, some tums, immodium, benadryl and asprin is really all you need.

MNVegas

I am going to Cancun next week and am bringing 4 suits. Like PP, I like to change into a dry suit at lunch time, so I go thru 2 suits a day. Make sure you bring a light sweater or jacket for cool nights or for cool A/C restaurants. 

Also bring bug spray or wipes to use as mosquito repellent.

LauraT25

A PP brought up a good point: a good way to pack light is to have pieces that mix-and-match, so you reduce the amount of clothes you're bringing.  You don't need a different coverup every day, two or three will do (or one, if it dries really quickly).  Bring a few cardigans, for sure.  You can probably get away with just a few nice dresses, since you may not eat at one of the dressier restaurants every night, and even if you do, you can wear a different sweater to change the look without having to pack a whole new dress.  Make sure you bring nice shoes that aren't flip-flops if that's part of the dress code - and try to pick nice outfits that all go with one nice pair of shoes! 

For me, I really had to edit my shoe choices; I would have been fine with one pair of flip-flops for the beach/pool, one pair of sneakers, and one pair of heels.  I do wish I'd brought more gym socks - I could wash my gym clothes and they'd dry quickly, but I didn't have enough socks to work out as much as I wanted.

Karen's MOH

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_pack?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:9a81989f-aa99-4d4b-b8df-5f3840242bf7Post:bda755c6-8aba-4941-a6fc-b4f46c04239d">Re: What to Pack?</a>:
[QUOTE]I actually brought 5 bathing suits.  I hate putting on a wet suit, and we often swim in the morning, then have to change for lunch, and swim again in the evening.  That means two suits per day, and since it takes a day to dry I need four.  I brought a 5th suit for water activities - it was a tankini with wide straps, I wanted something that would stay in place if we jet skiid, swam with dolphins, whatever.  If your suits are already a bit sturdier, you don't need to worry about that.  As for packing - make sure to bring a LOT of sunscreen.  We went through three cans of the spray stuff, and it is really expensive to buy it there.  Don't forget to pack any kind of medications you might need like Aleve, Pepto, Benadryl etc.  It sucks being sick abroad, and again, those kinds of things are very overpriced.  I brought more than one pair of sunglasses, which was handy since I lost one. Bring plenty of ziploc bags, plastic bags, maybe a garbage bag - I always find them handy for wet/dirty clothes, toiletries, and anything that might leak.  You don't need beach towels, since your resort will provide them (and that will save you some room in your luggage).
Posted by LauraT25[/QUOTE]

You hit the nail on the head. We went through a ton of sunscreen on our honeymoon. I also like to bring my good sunglasses, and a cheapo pair to bring the beach and whatnot-- that way if they get stolen off my towel, I won't be as upset as I would if they were my new Coach ones! I have a sensitive stomach, so all kinds of stomach meds were necessary for me.

aleighk1

Don't forget your underwear! Seriously, I either forget my underwear or my pajamas always.

wiwicaty

This might help

http://wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/master-honeymoon-packing-checklist.aspx