Punta Cana in December is the definition of a dreamy Caribbean escape. With sunny skies, warm waters, and festive vibes, it’s an ideal place to end the year with a beach cocktail in hand. Expect pool days, island excursions, and vibrant nightlife all under the tropical sun.
Although December is technically the start of the dry season, brief tropical showers can still occur — but they rarely last long. You’ll need lightweight clothing, plenty of swimwear, and solid sun protection. Punta Cana resorts often have a casual dress code by day and resort chic in the evening, so pack for both relaxation and style.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for Punta Cana in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
Expect sunny, warm beach weather with refreshing breezes and the occasional quick rain shower.
- 🌡️ Average high: 29°C / 84°F – hot and tropical
- 🌙 Average low: 22°C / 72°F – mild evenings
- 🌞 8–9 hours of sunshine per day
- 🌧️ Light rain possible, mostly at night or early morning
- 🌊 Warm ocean temps around 27°C / 81°F – perfect for swimming
What to Pack for Punta Cana in December
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
🧳 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 – 🧳 compact and easy for beach trips
- Checked bag – 🛄 room for beach gear and resort outfits
- Duffle bag – 🎽 great for poolside extras
- Daypack – 🎒 for excursions and catamaran tours
- Packing cubes – 📦 sort clothes by swim, casual, and evening
- Shoe bags – 👟 keep sand out of your luggage
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 waterproof and travel-friendly
- Document organizer – 📁 keep passport, ID, and bookings handy
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ perfect for beach or shopping runs
- Laundry bag – 🧺 keep wet or sandy clothes separate
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ avoid overweight surprises
- Luggage lock – 🔒 useful for airport transit
- Money pouch – 💰 discreet for carrying cash
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 compact and beach-ready
- Neck pillow – 💺 for long flights to paradise
- Sleep mask – 😴 handy for travel or light hotel rooms
👗 Clothes
- Tank tops & tees (5–7) – 👕 breathable and bright
- Shorts (3–4 pairs) – 🩳 light cotton or linen
- Swimsuits (3–4) – 👙 mix bikinis and one-pieces
- Beach cover-ups (2–3) – 🏖️ stylish and easy
- Sundresses (2–3) – 👗 perfect for dinners and strolls
- Light romper or jumpsuit – 🌺 for resort chic evenings
- Maxi dress – 👠 great for restaurants or shows
- Casual pants or joggers – 👖 comfy for flights or cooler nights
- Light sweater – 🧥 optional for breezy nights or AC indoors
- Pajamas – 🛏️ breathable cotton preferred
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 moisture-wicking is a plus
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 include strapless or swim-friendly styles
- Socks (2–3 pairs) – 🧦 mostly for travel days or excursions
- Wide-brim hat or cap – 👒 essential sun protection
- Light scarf or shawl – 🧣 adds elegance or modesty when needed
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧴 remove sunscreen & salt
- Hydrating toner – 💧 keeps skin refreshed
- Light moisturizer – 🧴 non-greasy formula
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+ – ☀️ a must in DR
- Aloe vera gel – 🌿 for post-sun soothing
- Makeup remover – 🧽 wipes or micellar water
- Exfoliator – 🛁 once or twice a week
- Eye cream – 👁️ reduce puffiness
- Face mist – 💦 refreshing on hot days
- Lip balm with SPF – 💋 sun protection for lips
- Spot treatment – 🎯 for beach breakouts
💄 Makeup
- Tinted sunscreen or BB cream – 💄 light coverage + protection
- Concealer – 👁️ quick fixes
- Waterproof mascara – 👁️ pool-proof glam
- Waterproof eyeliner – ✒️ smudge-free
- Cream blush – 🌺 glowy and natural
- Highlighter – ✨ radiant tropical shimmer
- Eyeshadow stick – 🎨 easy beach-friendly color
- Brow gel – 🧴 keeps brows tame in humidity
- Lip gloss or tint – 💄 keep it glossy and hydrated
- Setting spray – ❄️ stay-fresh in the heat
- Brushes – 🖌️ compact kit for essentials
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – 💇♀️ perfect for beach waves
- Hair ties & clips – 🧷 useful for wind or water
- Hydrating shampoo + conditioner – 🧴 sun-and-sea recovery
- Leave-in conditioner – 💧 for softness post-swim
- Hair oil or serum – 🌬️ tame humidity frizz
- Dry shampoo – 🌺 extend your style
- Heat protectant – 🔥 optional for styling
- Mini styling tool – 💁♀️ for evening glam
- Headbands or scarves – 🎀 stylish and functional
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flip-flops – 🩴 everyday island wear
- Sandals – 👡 dressier pair for dinner
- Water shoes – 🏝️ great for reef, rocks, or excursions
- Sneakers – 👟 for ziplining or hiking
- Evening flats – 🥿 resort-ready for shows or dates
- Sun hat – 👒 wide-brim for strong UV days
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ polarized preferred
- Beach bag – 🧺 roomy and sand-friendly
- Crossbody purse – 👜 easy and secure
- Minimal jewelry – 💍 beachy or boho is best
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – 🛂 required for entry
- Travel insurance – 🏥 recommended for emergencies
- Flight + hotel confirmations – 📧 printed and digital
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 accepted at most resorts
- USD cash – 💵 for tips, taxis, or local vendors
- Driver’s license – 🪪 for rentals or ID
- Health insurance card – 🩺 just in case
- Emergency contacts – 📱 written down too
- Wallet – 👛 light and secure
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for shoe blisters or cuts
- Pain relievers – 💊 for headaches or sore muscles
- Allergy meds – 🤧 pollen or bites
- Motion sickness pills – 🚤 for boat tours
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 useful on excursions
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 compact kit
- Tweezers – ✂️ multi-purpose
- Thermometer – 🌡️ optional but helpful
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – 💠 personal care
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush + paste – 🪥 beachy breath care
- Floss – 🧵 always good to have
- Deodorant – 🧼 tropical strength
- Razor – 🪒 for beach-ready legs
- Feminine products – 🩸 bring what you prefer
- Wet wipes – 🧻 instant refresh
- Hand sanitizer – ✋ beach and airport friendly
- Perfume/body mist – 🌸 light and breezy scents
- Mirror – 🪞 small and shatterproof
- Eye drops – 👁️ after saltwater or pool time
- Contact lenses + solution – 👓 and backup glasses
- Tissues – 🧻 always good to have
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 for maps, pics, and travel docs
- Chargers – 🔌 don’t forget extras
- Power bank – 🔋 perfect for beach days
- Universal adapter – 🔌 for certain international travelers
- Waterproof phone pouch – 📱 protect your tech in paradise
- Camera – 📷 if you’re going pro
- Bluetooth speaker – 🎶 beach tunes
- Headphones – 🎧 for flights and pool lounging
- E-reader or tablet – 📚 beach or flight reading
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 tropical fiction or travel memoirs
- Podcasts – 🎧 perfect for sun lounging
- Downloaded shows/movies – 📺 for downtime
- Travel journal – 📓 capture island memories
- Games/cards – 🃏 great for groups or rainy moments
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 hydration in the heat
- Snacks – 🍫 for flights or excursions
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ souvenirs and beach finds
- Snorkel gear – 🤿 optional; most resorts provide it
- Beach blanket or mat – 🌊 more comfortable than resort towels
- Sewing kit – 🪡 just in case
- Bug spray – 🦟 especially important near greenery
- Sleep aid – 🌙 helpful for jet lag
🌍 Travel Tips
- Pack light fabrics – ☀️ it’s hot and humid
- Use reef-safe sunscreen – 🐠 protect marine life
- Bring small USD bills – 💵 for tipping
- Stay hydrated – 🚰 it’s easy to forget
- Book excursions early – 🏖️ they sell out fast in December
🛂 Visa Tips
- US, EU, Canada travelers – 🛂 no visa required for short stays
- Passport must be valid for duration of stay – 📅 standard rule
- Proof of onward/return ticket – 🛫 may be required
- Travel insurance – 🏥 recommended but not mandatory
⭐ Must-Haves
- Swimsuits – 👙 daily wear
- Sunscreen (reef-safe) – 🧴 mandatory for water activities
- Flip-flops – 🩴 beach life essential
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ protect your eyes
- Hat – 👒 big sun = big hat
- Light dresses or shorts – 👗 stay cool and cute
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 avoid dehydration
- Waterproof phone pouch – 📱 for beach pics
- Bug spray – 🦟 keep bites away
- Passport + copies – 🛂 always secure your ID
👍 Good-to-Have
- Beach games – 🏐 frisbee, volleyball, or paddleball
- Extra swimsuit – 👙 always handy
- Light hoodie – 🧥 for planes or late breezes
- Eco tote – 🛍️ stylish and sustainable
- Snorkeling mask – 🤿 better fit than rentals
- Portable fan – 🌬️ personal breeze
