Puerto Rico, with its breathtaking beaches, vibrant culture, and tropical climate, is a dreamy destination for a summer getaway. But it can be hard to imagine ~dreamy~ when you look at a weather forecast showing 100F+ for the entire week. But, summer clothes are like a gift from the packing gods - lightweight, thin, and oh-so-easy to fit into a carry-on bag.
Picture this: I jetted off to Puerto Rico in early June for some work trainings, but of course I had to sneak in a few days of vacation too. And guess what? I managed to pack like a champ for every occasion imaginable - rainforest treks, bar hopping, indulging in delicious food, work meetings, and relaxing by the pool and beach. Let’s dive into the ultimate packing guide for your Puerto Rican summer adventure!
THE ESSENTIALS
Handheld Fan: This is the first time I have ever brought a handheld fan on a trip with me and it was the best decision ever. The week we were in PR just happened to be one of the hottest weeks, with a crazy heatwave.
Coohea Handheld Fan - $11.99 + 5% off coupon on Amazon. This is the one I brought. It comes with its own stand if you want to prop it up on a table while you’re lounging about.
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan -$14.39 on Amazon. This si the one my friend brought. It folds up and is super compact!
Multipurpose Daypack: Make it a cute one! I love the one I brought because it fits all my essentials (water, fan, money, sunglasses, even an extra sweater or hat if needed). I’ve been seeing the UNIQLO round mini shoulder bag/moon bag everywhere but I wanted something a little bigger and slouchier. I loved that I was able to wear it as a crossbody or as a shoulder bag and the straps were adjustable. I also appreciated the double zipper and the little smaller pocket to separate some of my items from each other.
Versatile Shoes: I’m not kidding when I say that my platform Crocs were the only shoes I needed. I wore my Nike Blazers on the plane, which are usually my go-to travel shoe, but I ended up wearing my platform Croc sandals the entire trip
EVERYTHING ELSE
The travel outfit: yoga pants (or flared leggings, depending on your generation), crewneck sweater, and Nike blazers - I didn’t touch any of these until I had to fly back home
3 dresses (1 maxi, 1 midi)
2 skirts (1 midi, 1 skort)
4 tank tops
3 swimsuits (1 full body for the rainforest, 2 bikinis)
2 shorts (1 denim, 1 active)
1 linen button up
Tevas - only necessary for the trek through the rainforest
Flip-flops - for the hotel room, pool, and beach (just easy to slip on/off and super lightweight)
Mosquito repellent wipes, electrolytes, sunscreen (you can totally skip this and buy it on the island!), sunglasses, hat
With essential items like a handheld fan to combat the intense heat, a multipurpose daypack for excursions and sightseeing, and versatile shoes like platform Crocs to tackle any terrain, I absolutely thrived during my trip to Puerto Rico. So don’t let the tropical heat stop you from exploring this beautiful island - remember to pack smart, stay cool, and take in all the beauty in the food, culture, and architecture.
Em Truong
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