What to Pack for an All-Inclusive Resort

So you've booked the all-inclusive resort trip of your dreams and are ready to relax with some beachside margaritas and shrimp cocktails. Life is about to be gooood.

To make sure you get the most out of your vacation with zero stress, we've created a Passport Peach packing list on all the essential items. You might have an idea of what to pack for an all-inclusive, but we've added a few items you probably aren't thinking about.

Whether you're a beach enthusiast, foodie, or adventure seeker, we've got you covered with our comprehensive list of must-have items for your trip. Let's dive in and make packing a breeze!

Things to pack for an all-inclusive

Clothing

• Swimwear. If you haven't already been shopping for new suits for your trip, you'll want to bring several! Some suits may be better for swimming in the ocean, doing hydrotherapy, or hanging out at the swim-up bar.
• Beach Coverup. Ladies, always bring at least one swimsuit coverup. There will be plenty of times when you need to run back to your room or order a to-go meal from a pool cafe.
• Rash Guard: This is a commonly missed item but we highly recommend it! Lots of us spend the entire first day outside and get too much sun. This can easily ruin a few days while your skin recovers. When this happens, a rash guard with SPF will allow you to still get sun while letting your burn heal.
• Comfortable Sandals + Flip Flops. If you're walking the beach, exploring the resort, or doing hydrotherapy in the spa, you'll want options for sandals. Pack a waterproof option as well that you can easily rinse off.
• Lightweight Clothing. Full days of tropical sun require breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
• Hats. Hats are obvious for sun protection and you get more cute selfies! Floppy hats are great for you ladies at the pool, but sometimes it can get windy. Wide-brim straw hats are a good in-between here and look great. For guys, a simple wide-brim bucket hat is perfect for beach resorts.
• Evening Attire. Many all-inclusive resorts have dress codes for some of their nicer restaurants or evening entertainment, putting some rules around what to wear to an all-inclusive resort. In addition to all of your comfy beach wear, be sure to pack some more elegant outfits for fancy nights out. Some resorts also have add-on packages for dinners on the beach, so you may include a more breathable option as well.
• Close Toed Shoes. Some restaurants may also require close-toed shoes as part of their dress code. A single, versatile pair will be fine.

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Accessories

• Insect Repellent. You might research what sort of bugs thrive in the region you're traveling to – this will help you know what sort of repellent to pack. When we traveled to the Dominican Republic, we were eaten alive by sand fleas and covered in bites the next day. 😂 So don't forget this one!
• First Aid Kit. This is another item that resorts should offer, but good to prepare ahead of time. You may get cuts or scratches in the pool or on excursions and will want quality first aid items in your bags just in case.
• Reusable Water Bottle. If you're headed to the beach, hydrating with margaritas can only last for so long! You'll want to bring your Stanley Quencher or a similarly large, insulated water tumbler.
• Travel Jewelry Holder. You'll probably want to wear nicer jewelry to dinners, so this is a handy way to keep these organized in your luggage.
• Money Holder. Most resorts are fairly safe from theft, but you're likely carrying tipping cash and room keys every time you leave your room. Hidden zipper scrunchies are a reliable decoy to leave in your beach bag when you go for a longer swim.
• Cash For Tipping: While tipping isn't required, it's what good people do at all-inclusive resorts. We've written a full guide on all-inclusive resort tipping, so check it out!

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Swimming Items

• Beach Bag. Carry all your beach essentials, including towels, books, sunscreen, and snacks in a convenient and stylish beach bag. We love Mango's Jute Basket Bag or if you want something cheap, Target has cute mesh tote bags.
• ‍Sunglasses. These are a no-brainer, but remember to pack these in a sunglasses case so they are protected on your flight. We like to bring 2-3 pairs of sunglasses as well for different occasions, from pool use to patio restaurant lunches.
• Sunscreen. While most all-inclusive resorts sell sunscreen, you can save a few dollars by packing a sunscreen that works best for your skin type. Pack high SPF here even if you don't need it, to make sure you can get all the rays you want.
• Pool Hammock. This is one you might assume the resort offers, but many resorts we've been to do not have floaties. Amazon's #1 item is cheap and inflatable, so it will easily fit into your luggage.
• Towel Clips. This is a common scenario: you're excited to get to the pool on your first morning at the resort. You arrive, and while the pool area is mostly empty, all of the good pool chairs have towels already draped over them by other people saving their seats for later in the day. If you bring some towel clips, you can make it obvious which seats are yours, and keep them reserved without having to leave anything of value behind. These also are super helpful to clip your wet swimsuits to the balcony railing overnight.
• Water Goggles. Sure, goggles aren't the cutest thing to wear, but who cares when you have so many ocean fishies and plant life to see? These are super helpful to avoid burning eyes in salty ocean water too.
• Swimsuit Wet Bag. Sure, you can leave your swimsuits on the balcony to dry out overnight, but what about if you go swimming on your last day? A wet bag will eliminate any issues here and keep things dry in your luggage for the trip home.

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Tech

• Phone Charger. We've definitely forgotten these on trips before! You don't want to drop $15 on a new charger at a resort gift shop, so don't forget this one.
• Battery Backup. Sun exposure drains phone batteries fast, and sometimes you don't have time to recharge to capture photos at night. Grab a battery backup to recharge your phone in your beach bag during the day.
• Waterproof Phone Case. This is a must-have if you want to capture fun underwater selfies or get photos during a scuba excursion.
• Instant Film Camera. We took a Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 on our honeymoon and still keep all of the photos on our living room coffee table. This is a sweet way to capture memories in a way that lasts. We love to take photos with our favorite staff members and give them a copy as well. You will take this camera on every vacation!

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What Not To Pack

• Towels. Resorts will have tons of these, so don't waste space in your luggage.
• Large Purse. Bring a small purse or tote you can take to the pool instead.
• Hand Sanitizer. After COVID, resorts will have hand sanitizer options at all restaurants.
• Large Bills. We mention this in our tipping guide, but you may have difficulty getting change for large bills. Pack $1's and $5's for tipping instead.
• High Heels. You'll quickly find out that there is a fair amount of walking to resort restaurants, and no one else is in heels. Pack comfortable shoes instead, it's vacation!
• Snacks. Other than the plane ride, there will be endless food options at the resort.

That's it! We hope this lists will reduce stress and make your trip so smooth! With everything you pack, the key is to balance comfort, style and practicality. So pack your bags and leave your worries behind, peach bums!