Are you ready to pack your bags and escape to the sunny beaches of Puerto Vallarta? A well-curated packing list is essential before you jet off to this tropical paradise. With its crystal clear waters, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, Puerto Vallarta offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
But what should you bring along to make the most of your trip? Fear not, dear reader, as we share the ultimate Puerto Vallarta packing list to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. From essentials to must-have items, this article has got you covered. So, grab your sunscreen, and let’s get packing!
The Essential Puerto Vallarta Packing List
Puerto Vallarta Packing Essential: Swimsuits & Coverups
If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to spend a good amount of time at the beach, the pool, or both. Swimsuits are a must, and I like to pack multiple — when I traveled to Puerto Vallarta, I found that my swimsuits never thoroughly dried overnight in my hotel due to the humidity, so the more swimsuits you can pack, the better.
What goes hand in hand with a swimsuit? A coverup, of course! I find that it’s easy to forget coverups, but they come in handy, especially when you’re visiting all-inclusive resorts. If you want to pop into a restaurant before heading to the pool, all-inclusive resorts usually require you to wear some coverup, and the right coverup can also make you feel like a million bucks.
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Shop the Best Coverups for Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta Packing Essential: Daytime Outfits
Unless you have a ton of excursions planned, you could get away with packing 1-2 daytime outfits for your trip to Puerto Vallarta. At all-inclusives, I typically spend my days in swimsuits and coverups and change into a nicer outfit for dinner. When I’ve packed more than two daytime looks, those items tend to collect dust in my suitcase throughout the trip.
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Puerto Vallarta Packing Essential: Hats & Sun Protection Gear
The sun is intense in Puerto Vallarta, so you want to protect your skin from the elements.
I love to wear hats on vacation because they serve two purposes: one, they pull your outfit together, and two, they protect your face from the sun. The second method of sun protection you should use is a good sunscreen. Please opt for a reef-friendly sunscreen. My favorite sunscreen brand is Supergoop: it’s clean, doesn’t leave an ashy white cast, and doesn’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day!
Shop my Top Sun Hats for Puerto Vallarta:
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Puerto Vallarta Packing Essential: Dinner Outfits
All-inclusive resorts typically have a dress code for dinner, so before you travel, make sure you give them a review. For women, resorts usually require a dress, skirt, or slacks for dining, and you most likely won’t be able to wear flip-flops to dinner, but you can wear dressier sandals with no problem.
Also, keep an eye out and see if there will be any theme nights at your resort — those are also really fun to dress up for!
Shop my Top Resort Dinner Wear Picks:
Puerto Vallarta Packing Essential: MISC All-Inclusive Picks
Some other items we found helpful for our Puerto Vallarta trip were:
- 2+ pairs of sunglasses (in case you lose a pair)
- Mosquito-repellent bracelets (they are very active down there!)
- Playing cards for pool and beach games
- Athleisure for morning beach walks or yoga
- A wet bag for swimsuits
- Flip flops with a bit of tread (in case the pool area of a resort is slippery!)
- Sunscreen mist for the face (much easier to reapply than a cream!)
- A beach tote to hold all your essentials
- Clips for your beach chair (this is a game-changer and will keep your towel in place!)
The Ultimate Puerto Vallarta Packing List
Carry-On:
- Passport
- Bikini and coverup (if you’re getting to the resort during the day)
- Sandals for pool/beach
- Books/Magazines/Kindle
- Prescriptions, over-the-counter meds & any other personal items
- Charging cables for electronics
- Curling Iron/Flat Iron
- Toiletries
- Shampoo/conditioner/styling products
- Face wash/lotion/toners/serums/etc
- Contact lens solution
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Makeup
- Bug lotion and Mosquito repellent bracelets
- Sunscreen (it’s costly once you get to the hotel!)
- Extra sets of clothes & underwear (if your checked luggage doesn’t make it!)
- Backup feminine care products (these are very expensive at hotels!)
- Tip Money (You can bring US dollars for tips in Mexico. Please consider tipping, even at all-inclusive resorts!)
- Sunglasses
- A Lip Balm with SPF (I love this one!)
- Jewelry (pro tip: don’t ever check your jewelry!)
- Glasses (if you’re not wearing them on the plane)
Checked Luggage (If Applicable):
- Swimsuits (the more, the better)
- Coverups (I’d recommend at least 2)
- Dinner outfits (check if your resort has a dress code)
- Casual Daytime Outfits (Don’t need a ton of these unless you have excursions planned)
- Undergarments
- Pajamas
- Hats and/or caps
- Sandals
- Tote/Beach Bag
- Small bag/clutch for dinner (you won’t need to carry much!)
What Not to Pack
Puerto Vallarta is pretty humid, so keep this in mind while packing. While I like to bring a light jacket as a layer for the plane, you don’t need to bring too many layers or outerwear.
I also found it challenging to keep my hair curled in Puerto Vallarta, so I packed the hair ties and went light on the heat tools. You’ll want to put your hair in a bun or a ponytail and be done with it!
Packing for your trip to Puerto Vallarta may seem daunting, but with a well-thought-out list, you can ensure you have everything you need for a memorable and stress-free vacation. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can pack efficiently and avoid any unnecessary headaches during your trip.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to packing, and don’t forget to leave room for souvenirs! As you embark on your adventure in paradise, keep in mind the wise words of Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” So go and confidently explore Puerto Vallarta, knowing you have everything you need to be packed in your suitcase. And who knows, with your newfound travel wisdom, you may inspire others to do the same. Safe travels and happy packing!
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