Spring break is almost upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about what to bring and what not to bring. There are the pesky weight limits, so try as hard as we might, there’s no way we can bring our whole closet with us for those times when we find ourselves fretting about what to wear. No worries, here’s a guide for packing the ultimate suitcase:
Clothing
1. At least two different bikinis
Preferably one solid color and one printed one, so it’s easy to mix and match. You don’t want all of your cute pictures to be of you in the same suit, right?
2. Sun-hat and cute sunglasses
Essential for blocking the harmful UV rays and keeping your face protected. Sun-hats also come in handy when you want to take a nice nap on the beach, but can’t be bothered to find shade (so the bigger the hat, the better!)
3. One nice outfit
When we think about spring break outfits, I always imagine minimal clothing: shorts, tank tops and sandals. However, you never know if you’re going to need to dress up for a nice dinner, or maybe for a night out on the town. It’s always good to play it safe and bring a backup dress in case you need it— but don’t overpack and bring all your expensive clothes, unless you want them ruined by chlorine and sand.
Toiletries
1. Sunblock (preferably SPF 10000)
There’s no escaping this one! No matter where you go, sun is definitely going to be a huge factor. We all want that perfect, bronze tan to show off to our friends when we get back, but what we don’t want is an ugly, lobster red blister popping up. Sunblock is your ultimate friend. Pack him in your beach bag, bring him everywhere, and apply every 2 hours!
2. Aspirin
Hangover induced headaches. Muscle soreness. Jellyfish bites. Blistering skin. General pain all over. Yeah, you’re going to need aspirin at least once this break, so pack lots of it.
Other random things you might not think about bringing
- Extra phone charger
Whether you’re out partying with the locals or lying on the beach, one thing’s for sure: having no battery on your phone is not fun. It can be hard to find an outlet for your charger, and in some countries, the outlet might be different too. Because you’re going to be in a different place, it’s essential that you have a means of communication in case anything happens. Buy an extra charger for your phone if you don’t already have one; they come in handy wherever you go.
2. Disposable/Underwater Camera
Maybe you have this really nice digital camera that you want to bring along, but salt air destroys cameras! Consider getting several disposable cameras so that it doesn’t matter as much if you lose the camera or the prints since they’re so cheap.
3. Water bottle/Snacks
If you’re going to be out and about all day, you’re probably not going to have time (or remember) to hydrate and refuel properly. Pack some granola bars, nuts, or anything that keeps well along with a water bottle for you to toss into your beach bag. It’ll save you some time and money looking for a place to buy these essentials when you get hungry.
Now that you have the essentials down, it’s time to start looking forward to spring break 2015!