Heading to Puerto Rico? Whether you’re salsa dancing in Old San Juan, hiking El Yunque rainforest, or relaxing on Vieques’ beaches, this Puerto Rico packing list has you covered. Get ready for tropical heat, short rain showers, and endless adventure—while staying cool, stylish, and prepared.
Weather Overview 🌡️
Puerto Rico is warm and humid year-round, including in fall and winter.
- Typical temps: 24–32°C (75–89°F)
- Rain: Quick tropical showers, especially in summer and fall
- Humidity: High! Lightweight fabrics are key
- Water: Ocean temps around 27°C (81°F)
➡️ Pack light, breathable clothing and waterproof accessories—and always bring mosquito repellent!
What to Pack for Puerto Rico 🎒
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
Dressing Etiquette:
Puerto Rico is casual and beach-friendly, but locals often dress nicely when going out. Swimsuits are for the beach—not restaurants or town walks. Cover-ups, sundresses, and neat casualwear are appreciated.
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
🧳 Carry-on suitcase – Lightweight with spinner wheels
🧳 Checked luggage – Optional unless overpacking
🎒 Beach tote or waterproof backpack – For excursions & beach days
👜 Personal item – With all valuables & essentials
🧼 Packing cubes – Organize wet/dry/beachwear
👟 Shoe bags – For sand or muddy hikes
💄 Makeup bag – Waterproof-friendly and compact
🛁 Hanging toiletry bag – For hotels or Airbnbs
📁 Document organizer – IDs, boarding passes, car rentals
🛍️ Collapsible tote – Great for markets & souvenirs
🧺 Laundry bag – For swimwear and sweat-soaked outfits
⚖️ Luggage scale – Optional, but helpful
🔒 TSA lock – For hotel or beach lockers
🧢 Zipper pouch – For cash, SPF lip balm, bug spray
🧖 Quick-dry towel – Beach, hikes, or boat tours
💤 Neck pillow – For long flights
😴 Sleep mask – Light sleepers welcome
👗 Clothes
👙 Swimsuits (2–3) – You’ll be in the water often
🩱 Swimsuit cover-ups (2) – Required outside beaches
👚 Tank tops / camisoles (3–4) – Breathable cotton or linen
👕 T-shirts (2–3) – Easy mix-and-match
👗 Sundresses (2–3) – For beach, town, or dinner
🩳 Shorts (2–3) – Denim or moisture-wicking
👖 Lightweight pants or joggers (1–2) – For mosquito protection in jungle
👗 Maxi dress or jumpsuit (1–2) – For dinners or dancing
🧥 Light rain jacket – Tropical showers are short but wet
🧘 Activewear (1–2 sets) – For hiking or walking tours
🛌 Pajamas / loungewear – Breathable and minimal
🧤 Underwear (7+) – Quick-dry preferred
👙 Bras (3–4) – Include a sports bra
🧦 Socks (2–3) – For sneakers or hiking boots
💆 Skincare
🧼 Cleanser – Gentle for sweaty days
🌸 Toner – Optional, helps combat oil
🧴 Lightweight moisturizer – Hydrating but non-greasy
🌞 Reef-safe sunscreen – SPF 30+ mandatory
🧽 Makeup remover – Micellar water or wipes
🌿 Exfoliator – 1–2x per week for glowing skin
👁️ Eye cream – Hydrate tired, sun-exposed eyes
💦 Facial mist – Refresh on hot days
🧖 Sheet masks (1–2) – Great after-sun recovery
💄 Lip balm with SPF – A must for beach days
🩹 Spot treatment – For heat-related breakouts
💄 Makeup
🧴 Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – Lightweight coverage
🖌️ Concealer – Just the basics
🌫️ Setting powder – Optional for shine
🌺 Cream blush – Glowy & sweat-friendly
🌟 Highlighter – For golden hour
👁️ Eyeshadow – Neutral tropical tones
✒️ Eyeliner – Waterproof only
👁️ Mascara – Waterproof essential
👁️ Eyebrow gel – Tame brows in humidity
💄 Tinted lip balm / gloss – Easy and pretty
🖌️ Small brush/sponge – Travel-friendly
🌟 Setting spray – Humidity-proof formula
💇 Hair
💇 Wide-tooth comb – Post-beach detangler
🧷 Hair ties, clips, scrunchies – Keep it up in heat
🧴 Leave-in conditioner – Saltwater rescue
🧴 Dry shampoo – Extend styles
💧 Hair oil – For shine + frizz control
🧴 Travel shampoo & conditioner – Hydration formulas
💨 Blow dryer – Optional; most places provide one
💇 Flat iron / curling wand – Optional; embrace beach waves
🎀 Headbands / bandanas – Cute and functional
👠 Shoes & Accessories
🩴 Flip-flops – Absolute beach essential
👟 Sneakers – For exploring, Old San Juan streets, and hikes
🥾 Water shoes – Ideal for waterfalls, rivers, and bio bay tours
🥿 Sandals – Cute for dinner or walking
🎩 Wide-brim hat or cap – For sun protection
🧣 Lightweight scarf – Optional, for AC chill
🕶️ Polarized sunglasses – Protect against Caribbean glare
⌚ Waterproof watch or Fitbit – For hikes and swims
💍 Simple jewelry – Avoid valuable pieces
👜 Crossbody or beach bag – Keep hands free
☔ Small umbrella – Optional, but helpful
🧾 Documents & Essentials
🛂 ID or passport – No passport needed for U.S. citizens
📄 Copy of ID – Keep a digital and paper copy
🪪 Driver’s license – Required for rentals
📃 Travel insurance – Always smart for adventure tours
📲 Boarding passes / confirmations – Paper + phone
🏨 Hotel / Airbnb info – Have address printed
🚗 Car rental documents – Puerto Rico is best explored by car
🎟️ Tour tickets – Bioluminescent bay, El Yunque, etc.
🗺️ Offline maps – Signal is spotty in remote areas
💳 Credit & debit cards – Widely accepted
💵 Small cash – For tips, kiosks, and local spots
📇 Emergency contact list – Paper + digital
🖊️ Pen + notebook – Handy for journaling
📘 Spanish phrasebook – English is spoken, but Spanish is respected
🔑 House keys – Keep secure
👛 RFID wallet – Block scanners
🩹 First Aid
🩹 Bandaids – For blisters or reef cuts
🧴 Antiseptic cream – For bites or scrapes
🧻 Wipes – For sticky, sandy hands
🩺 Gauze & tape – Optional
✂️ Small scissors – TSA-safe
🦶 Blister pads – For long sightseeing days
🌡️ Thermometer – Optional
✂️ Tweezers – Splinters, ticks, etc.
💊 Health & Hygiene
💊 Prescription meds – With copy of prescription
💊 Pain relievers – For headaches or soreness
🤧 Allergy meds – For pollen or food reactions
💊 Motion sickness pills – For boat tours
💊 Stomach meds – In case of water or food upset
💊 Vitamins – Stay healthy
🩸 Feminine hygiene – Bring your brand
🧴 Hand sanitizer – Always
🧻 Disinfecting wipes – For public bathrooms
🦟 Bug spray – Mosquitoes are fierce
💊 Birth control – Bring your supply
👁️ Eye drops – Wind and sea relief
🪞 Travel mirror – Optional
🪥 Toothbrush + paste – Eco-friendly set
🧴 Mouthwash + floss – Refreshing extras
🧴 Body wash – Often provided, but bring travel size
🧴 Deodorant – Tropical-ready
🪒 Razor + cream – If needed
💅 Nail clippers / file – For breaks
🌸 Perfume – Tropical rollerball
🧻 Pocket tissues – For public bathrooms
📱 Tech & Electronics
📱 Phone + charger – Keep it dry and charged
📸 Waterproof camera or case – Must for snorkeling or kayaking
🔋 Power bank – Long beach days = low battery
🔌 Charging cords – All your essentials
🔊 Bluetooth speaker – Beach tunes
🔌 No adapter needed – U.S. plug standard
📶 SIM or Wi-Fi hotspot – Optional, most coverage is solid
📖 Kindle – Poolside reads
🎧 Headphones – For plane, beach, or downtime
🎧 Entertainment
📚 Light books / Kindle – Beach reads
🎬 Downloaded shows – In case Wi-Fi is weak
🎧 Podcasts – True crime or travel
📓 Travel journal – Document the paradise
🃏 Cards / games – For late-night fun
📰 Local magazines – Discover Puerto Rican culture
🎒 Extras
🥜 Snacks / bars – Great for hikes and beaches
💧 Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated in heat
🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – Eco-friendly shopping
🧴 Laundry soap – Rinse out sweaty clothes
🧵 Sewing kit – Optional
📢 Safety whistle – For solo travelers
🧼 Lint roller – Sand be gone
🦶 Inflatable footrest – For long-haul flights
👟 Shoe fresheners – For post-hike cleanup
💤 Natural sleep aid – Beat jet lag
✈️ Travel Tips
✔️ U.S. citizens don’t need a passport
✔️ Use reef-safe sunscreen—coral reefs are protected
✔️ T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon work well
✔️ Bring cash for small vendors, taxis, and tips
✔️ Puerto Rico is safe, but stay aware at night in some areas
✔️ Brush up on basic Spanish greetings
✅ Must-Haves for a Smooth Trip
🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen
👙 Swimsuits + cover-ups
🩴 Flip-flops + sneakers
🕶️ Sunglasses
💧 Refillable water bottle
🦟 Bug spray
🎒 Daypack or beach tote
📱 Waterproof phone case
🧖 Quick-dry towel
👍 Good-to-Have Items
🌴 Liquid IV or electrolyte packs
🎧 Noise-canceling headphones
😴 Sleep mask + neck pillow
🧼 Travel-size aloe vera
🛍️ Extra tote for souvenirs
📶 Local SIM or offline maps
👗 Island dress for salsa night
📸 GoPro or waterproof cam
