Women’s packing list for five nights in Puerto Rico

Since I appreciate seeing what other fellow travelers pack when they go on their adventures, I figured I would share with you my women’s packing list for Puerto Rico. Continue reading to see what I put in my bag for our five-night stay in the Caribbean. And if you have any questions about the items I packed, or have a suggestion for next time, please let me know.

A micro trip to Puerto Rico

We traveled to Puerto Rico for five nights. Essentially, we had two days of travel and four days of exploration, making Puerto Rico an excellent micro trip. As part-time travelers, we are always looking for travel destinations where we can pack in the fun in a relatively short amount of time. With full-time jobs, we have to maximize our weekends, holidays and vacation hours. So a long weekend to Puerto Rico was just the ticket.

We stayed in three different locations around the island, but since we rented a car, transporting our luggage was not a problem. Still, packing light is the name of the game and we stuck to our usual carry-on sized backpacks.

Your packing list for Puerto Rico is all about the weather

The biggest consideration when it comes to packing: the weather. It was hurricane season in Puerto Rico when we visited. We did opt to buy travel insurance for this trip but luckily, there were no hurricanes to ruin our plans and cause us to use said travel insurance. (Hurricane Matthew blew through the Caribbean just before our trip began, although its path was quite a ways east of Puerto Rico.) However, the rain is another story. And let us not forget about the usual humidity. Our clothing choices needed to reflect both hot and wet (for additional resources, check out this post about packing for hot climates).

Your activities should influence the packing list

Some of our activities we planned ahead of time, like kayaking, exploring Old San Juan and sitting on the beach. But some, like caving, were more tentative. However, all activities had to be accounted for putting together my packing list for Puerto Rico.

Keeping your Puerto Rico packing list on the light side

Speaking of clothes, my travel companions and I discussed our plan of attack for packing for this trip. We determined that by wearing the same ensemble on our two travel days, we would only need to pack clothes for our four days of exploration. C pointed out that if we wanted to rewear our other outfits, then we would only have to pack two outfits in the backpack. We also discussed the need to bring rain gear and at least one swimsuit, preferably two given the likelihood of multiple days at the beach. At the last minute, I changed my mind and only packed one swimsuit. But I did pack enough underwear for the entire trip. Sometimes I just take a few pairs and wash them as I go. Given that this was just a micro trip, it seemed easier to pack for all six days.

Women’s packing list for Puerto Rico

I used an app called PackPoint to put my list together and help me keep on track. We have spoken before about the importance of a packing list when it comes to packing light. It really does not matter if you use a pre-printed list, an app or your own chicken scratch. Just make sure to use a packing list! Here is what went on my packing list for Puerto Rico:

• Backpack
• Day pack/purse

Clothing:

• Shirts/tops (3)
• Pants (1)
• Shorts (1)
• Skirt (1)
• Light jacket or sweater (1)
• Swimsuit
• Underwear (6 pairs)
• Bra (3)
• Pajamas
• Sandals

Hygiene, hair and beauty:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Lip gloss
• Pain pills
• Makeup
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Hairbrush
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Face wash
• Body wash
• Razor
• Insect repellent
• Menstrual cup
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers

Miscellaneous:

• Hat
• Towel
• Wallet
• Identification
• Cash
• Credit Cards
• Sunglasses
• Head lamp
• Rain jacket
• Umbrella
• Watch
• Jewelry
• House key
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• Book
• Cell phone and charger
• Music player and charger
• Head phones
• Water bottle
• Battery pack
• Journal and pen
• Snacks

Packing the stuff on the packing list for Puerto Rico

Although this was a micro trip, I still had to be conscious of what I packed and how I packed it. Remember our post about tips and tricks to packing light? Well I implemented just about every tip on that list including packing versatile pieces of clothing, leaving room for souvenirs and rolling my clothes.

Choosing the right shoes

I opted to pack only one pair of shoes for this trip: my Chaco sandals. They are perfect for walking, hiking and exploring. Even with the rain, the temperatures in Puerto Rico are warm. I knew I would not have to worry about my feet getting cold. (Sometimes they can get a little cold on the plane, so I packed a pair of warm socks. That seemed like a better idea than packing another pair of shoes just in case my toes got cold.) Since the shoes I packed are blue, black and white, I tried to choose pieces of clothing that matched that color scheme. Mostly I try not to clash—which is hit or miss depending on the trip.

Packing cubes, towels and rain gear

I only ended up needing one packing cube since all my clothes fit in just the one. I packed my Turkish towel (which triples as a towel, swimsuit cover up and scarf on the plane) and beach hat, neither of which were much use on this trip thanks to all of the rain. However, the raincoat and umbrella I packed both come in handy. I normally just pack one or the other. But since the forecast called for rain and a lot of it, it seemed safer to pack both. And I am glad I did.

Extra bits and pieces

Some of the items on my list were crucial to pack, like my identification and money. Others were very important, like insect repellent and a rain jacket. And some were just because I prefer to have them on hand, like nail clippers and an eye mask. Regardless of which category the items above fell into, they were all “weighed” to determine their worthiness. When you are packing light, each item must be carefully considered. There is not a lot of room in the old backpack for “what if?” Plus, I wanted to make sure I left room for the souvenirs I knew I would be purchasing.

Once you are out on the road, the time for consideration is over. Hopefully, your planning and your packing list for Puerto Rico is spot on. But, if you forget something, there are plenty of stores willing and ready to sell you what you need.

Conclusion

Packing always requires some consideration and research. Some trips are easier than others to pack for. Overall, my women’s packing list for Puerto Rico was fairly easy to prepare. Really, you just make sure to pack your sunscreen and swimsuit and you will be fine.