packing lists

Lapland Packing List: What to Pack for a Cozy Winter Trip to Lapland

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reindeer sled and forest and cabin in rovaniemi finnish lapland

If you’re planning a trip to the Nordics in winter, you may be a little overwhelmed when it comes to what to pack for Lapland.

Between the freezing cold weather and outdoor activities you’ll be doing, you’ll need to pack smartly in order to have a good time.

You’ll need the right combination of clothing (especially outerwear and footwear), electronics (more than you’d think), and a few essential toiletries to make sure you have the trip you are dreaming of!

… and you’ll also want to leave enough room to pack some souvenirs from Lapland to bring home, too!

a snow-covered church in kiruna sweden

I’ve traveled to the Arctic several times and have refined my packing list over the trips to hit the right blend of minimalist (carry-on only preferred!) yet without missing anything.

This Lapland packing list is the accumulated effort of my many trips to Lapland, which have included time in Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish Lapland.

Where is Lapland?

Photo Credit: Rogper at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

First, we should note that Lapland is the settler-given name for the region known as Sápmi, the original name of the land of the Sámi people who are indigenous to the Arctic region.

The area known as Lapland or Sápmi spans the northernmost reaches of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

Sámi people still live in this region today and maintain their languages, traditions, and customs, despite centuries of oppression and forced assimilation by occupants.

However, I find that when most people are thinking about Lapland, they think of Finnish Lapland and destinations like Rovaniemi, even though destinations like Abisko and Tromso are also part of Lapland!

For some reason in tourism parlance, Lapland is more associated with Finland than any of the other countries that make up the region.

This Lapland packing list is suitable for Norwegian Lapland, Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland: really, anywhere in the Arctic North!

What to Pack for Lapland

Winter Clothing: What to Wear in Lapland

Allison all bundled up in a hat, scarf, jacket, while in a reindeer sleigh

Generally, you can get away with wearing most of your normal winter clothing in Lapland — as long as you have the proper accompanying clothing items.

You’ll use thermal base layers as a first layer, layer on your usual winter clothing, accessorize appropriately, and finish things off with a high quality parka/jacket and winter boots

Focus on investing in high-quality base layers, snow boots, outerwear, and winter accessories. Besides that, you can often wear your typical winter clothing — even if that’s just jeans and long sleeve T-shirts — without a hitch!

If you have to prioritize and budget, get the best quality outerwear and snow boots. You can spend a little less on base layers and accessories if your outer layers are solid.

Below, I’ll list each important piece of winter gear you need for Lapland below and give my specific product recommendations.

Base Layers

Allison in an ice hotel in Tromso
Tip: Wear your heaviest layers, like jackets and boots, on the plane to fit the rest in your carry-on!

Base layers are probably the most important part of your winter packing list for Lapland. This is where you want to invest — it’s quite literally the foundation of your winter wardrobe!

When choosing a base layer (aka thermal underwear/long johns), you want to pick something that is both moisture-wicking and antimicrobial.

This will help you from getting stinky or uncomfortable when you sweat. And yes, you can sweat in the Arctic, if you’re walking around or being active!

I brought one pair of thermal leggings and one thermal top with me for my last one-week trip to Lapland. I found that was fine — I just aired them out overnight and slept in pajamas.

I didn’t have any issues with odor, but if you’re squeamish about wearing the same thing day after day, you could bring a second pair of each if you prefer to alternate daily.

For thermal leggings, I recommend these for women and these for men, both by Columbia, a trusted outdoors brand. They are both antimicrobial and moisture-wicking, so they won’t trap odors or sweat.

For a top thermal layer, I recommend this top for women and this top for men, also by Columbia.

Most people will advise that you wear merino wool for your base layer. Personally, I find it too itchy for anything but socks (where my skin is less sensitive), but you may find it to be perfect!

If you can tolerate wool then something like these merino wool leggings, paired with a merino wool top layer, will serve you very well.

(Men’s version here for bottom layer, here for top layer).

Winter Jacket

Allison wearing a yellow beanie and jacket with fur lined hood
A trusty hooded, waterproof parka: the most essential thing to pack for Lapland in winter!

You’ll want a nice and warm winter jacket for your travels to Lapland, since you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the Arctic wilderness!

Preferably, you should pick a parka which goes to about mid-thigh that is water-resistant, windproof, and hooded, to keep you warm in the snow and cold winds!

I suggest investing in a high-quality winter jacket by a trusted brand like Helly Hansen (a favorite of people in the Nordics) or the North Face (a favorite of my people, the Northern Californians, who bring out their fleece every time the temperature dips below 50 degrees)

If you’re looking for a trendy yet comfortable insulated jacket, this women’s parka by Helly Hansen is perfect for freezing cold winter days in the Arctic Circle. Here is a men’s version as well.

I’ve always gone with North Face jackets because they’re what I grew up with. I love this North Face parka for women; here’s a men’s version as well.

If you plan to do skiing, you’ll want something you can move around in better, as a parka will constrict your movement. I would suggest this women’s ski jacket or this men’s ski jacket.

Snow Boots & Thick Socks

Allison posing at the top of Fjellheisen in Tromso
My typical Lapland winter outfit!

Lapland in winter is very snowy — you’ll want proper snow boots. On my last trip to Lapland, I wore a pair of snow boots by Quechua which I bought from Decathlon, which I can’t find online.

Here is a similar winter boot by Sorel, a trusted winter brand that’s beloved in the Nordics and beyond (here’s a women’s version and a men’s version).

I recommend sizing about half a size up to account for thick socks — wool socks specifically.

No matter how insulated your snow boot is, you ought to avoid cotton socks and invest in some warm Smartwool socks or similar that will keep your feet nice and toasty warm!

While the price of woollen socks is a little high, you don’t need that as many pairs as you would if they were cotton.

This is because you can actually re-wear them a few times because wool is naturally odor-absorbent and antimicrobial. I was fine with two pairs of socks over a week, which I alternated and aired out daily.

Even though I generally can’t tolerate wool because of itchiness, I don’t mind them on my feet as my skin there is much thicker and therefore less sensitive.

Scarf

Allison wearing a winter scarf in Lapland
Wearing my favorite winter scarf at the Tromso Ice Domes!

For a scarf, you want something big and wrappable and ideally colorful — this is what will pop most in your winter photos.

I brought two simple acrylic scarves similar to this one to add a bit of variety to my photos, since I’d be wearing the same jacket every day.

Winter Hats

When it comes to variety, the same advice goes with hats: the more and the more colorful, the better!

On my last trip to Lapland, I brought three different knit beanies because I could add some variety to photos without adding much heft to my backpack.

I picked bright colors like red and yellow so they’d stand out against the white snow, and picked ones with pompoms so they’d look cute from behind as well.

I like simple fleece-lined knit hats like this one which comes in a variety of colors (men’s version here).

Gloves

My heavier gloves came in handy while dog sledding in Tromso!

As for gloves, I recommend having two different pairs!

You should pack one pair of one pair of touchscreen-friendly gloves for daily use around the city.

The other should be a more heavy pair of waterproof gloves for things like dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and playing in the snow.

Some people prefer mittens and say they keep your hands warmer. This may be true, but I don’t like having to take them off to do anything with my hands.

If you do get mittens, I’d wear a thin pair of gloves beneath and then use a waterproof pair of mittens like these ones from Helly Hansen.

Other Clothes

Sitting in the fancy chair at Tromso ice domes

For the rest of your clothing, you can pretty much wear whatever warm clothing you are used to wearing in winter…. basic sweaters/jumpers, jeans, etc.

If you have all the above accessories, you’ll be good with the basics!

For me, for one week, I bought three sweaters and two pairs of jeans and it was perfectly fine with all my other winter clothing listed above!

Note that if you are planning to do any activities that involve a lot of snow activity, like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or skiing, you may also want to bring waterproof ski pants (here’s a women’s version and a men’s version).

You can also ask the tour operator if they provide thermal snow suits. Many do, and therefore, you wouldn’t need to pack it.

I personally found that when doing activities like husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, and Northern lights tours, snow suit rentals were always provided in the activity cost, so I’ve never needed to pack snow pants.

If you really get cold and are doing a lot of heavy outdoor activities, you may also want to pack a neck gaiter (or snood) or even a balaclava for some winter activities.

These will keep your head and neck warmer and therefore the rest of your body a lot warmer, since this is the area you lose the most heat from.

I haven’t found this to be necessary, personally, but if you want extra warmth, that’s what I’d add.

Underwear

Pretty self-explanatory. I brought eight pairs for seven days and two bras.

But you probably know your underwear needs better than I do!

Bathing suit + flip flops (optional)

sauna in winter with person in a robe in the background

If staying at a hotel with a jacuzzi or sauna (you lucky duck), be sure to bring these!

Note that some saunas don’t actually allow you to wear swimwear — especially in Finland — so do check on any posted signage on sauna rules and etiquette before hand!

Electronics & Camera Equipment for Northern Lights Photography

Mirrorless Camera

camera freezing over while trying to take photos in finnish lapland
The cold can wear out your camera batteries… and frost over your camera! Bring a lens cloth to defog it as well.

If you’re planning to invest in a camera before your Lapland trip — especially to capture photos of the Northern lights — I highly recommend choosing a mirrorless camera and not a DSLR.

Mirrorless cameras are just as high-quality as DSLRs but weigh a fraction of the weight — very important to consider with a long-term investment like a camera.

On my past trips to Lapland, I used my Sony A6000, which I bought back in 2016 and loved using for many years.

I’ve since upgraded to the Sony A7 II, which also needs companion lenses (pick wide angle lenses for Northern lights photography, to get as much of the landscape as possible).

Tripod

person with tripod taking photos of the northern lights

A tripod is an absolute must for Northern lights photography.

You will need to stabilize the camera when photographing the Northern Lights and hold the camera exactly still for several seconds at a time — your hand is not capable of doing this, especially in the cold!

Some Northern lights tours will offer tripod rentals; others do not, so ask first and if they don’t, you’ll want to bring your own from home.

If bringing your own, you’ll want a stable tripod that won’t be knocked around if there are high winds (a major possibility in Lapland in winter!)

This COMAN tripod is reasonably priced but far sturdier than the cheapest bare-bones tripods you’ll find on Amazon, which can fall over easily.

Trust me, you don’t want to submerge your expensive camera in the snow (since snow is just water, and we all know how water and electronics get along…)

Extra Batteries

view of the northern lights with green color

A camera battery in the Arctic has a short life! For reference, I typically run through a battery in about 30 minutes of use in the Arctic… sometimes even faster!

I strongly recommend bringing about 4 extra batteries with you. Store them in your pocket to keep them as warm as possible before you use them.

Sony’s proprietary batteries are really expensive, so I use these Sony-compatible ones by Wasabi Power.

External Battery Charger

It’s not just your batteries — everything that can charge loses power more quickly in the cold weather, including your phone.

Bring a portable charger (I bring two, so I can swap them out easily and charge the other overnight) with the ability to store enough power to complete several charges.

Anker is perhaps the most reliable battery brand, so it’s what I personally use (I have this one) — it’s never let me down.

Microfiber Lens Cloth

These lens cleaning cloths will help you remove ice and condensation that occurs on the lens in these extreme cold climate conditions!

I didn’t have this on my last trip photographing the Northern lights, and I really regretted it.

Smartphone & Charger

fjords and mountains in norway
A quick snap taken out of the bus window on my phone in Norway

Even having a nice camera, I still use my smartphone quite a bit for on-the-go photography!

I use and love my iPhone 12 for mobile photography; the 0.5x zoom is a game-changer for capturing wide-angle scenes!

Laptop/Tablet & Charger

Whether it’s just for plane entertainment, nightly Netflix unwinds, or checking on emails from time to time, you will likely want to pack your laptop and charger.

Just be sure this stays in your carry-on!

Toiletries & Personal Hygiene

Lip Balm

Views over Tromso in winter

The Arctic weather conditions can be extremely harsh on your lips. You’ll want a high quality lip balm like Aquaphor Lip Repair for keeping your lips moisturized!

I forgot lip balm on my last trip to Tromso in winter and ended up with wind-chapped lips in two days due to the cold temperatures… don’t make my mistake.

Moisturizer

Just like your lips will get chapped easily, your skin will also dry out in the cold air and harsh winds.

I lovethis moisturizer from La Roche-Posay: it’s my daily moisturizer and it works just as well in the Arctic.

Sunscreen

After many years neglecting my skin care (and having the sunspots to prove it), I now am pretty religious about sunscreen usage.

I love La Roche-Posay again and use their SPF 60 sunscreen because I am near-vampiric in complexion.

Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash

If not provided by your accommodation, or you have a specific shampoo/conditioner you like, you’ll want to bring your own from home.

Toiletries are extra expensive in the Nordics so avoid this unnecessary expense by planning ahead!

Tip: If you’re running low on liquid toiletry space because you’re traveling carry-on only, I suggest swapping your liquids for these solid shampoo & conditioner bars, and using bar soap instead of body wash.

Deodorant

There are not enough words in the English language to convey my hate for European deodorant.

So trust me — bring your favorite brand from home. I’m a big fan of Lume deodorant!

Period Products (If Applicable)

If you are a person who menstruates, I suggest having your preferred period products on hand.

I find menstrual cups and disks to be the most convenient for travel, personally, as I don’t worry about leakage as I would with tampons.

Of course, you can easily buy tampons or pads anywhere if you need them, but they may not have your preferred brand, so that’s why I always bring my period products (menstrual disks, in my case) from home.

Additional Odds & Ends

rovaniemi landscapes in winter

Crampons

Don’t forget a sturdy pair of crampons, which are small spikes or grips that you attach to your winter boot.

You don’t need a super intense-looking mountaineer type crampon. I used these simple Yaktrax which were really easy to take on and off.

They were perfectly grippy for icy city streets and icy mountain walks!

Small Backpack

In addition to whatever you’re using as your luggage, you’ll want a small daypack that can fit the day’s basics: a water bottle, some layers, your camera and related electronics, etc.

I use a foldable backpack like this one which I can put in my luggage and then use once I arrive.

Reusable Water Bottle

The water is potable everywhere you’d go as a tourist in Lapland.

If you don’t already have your own water bottle, try this onefrom Simple Modern.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

These rechargeable hand warmers are a great way to keep yourself warm, especially on long nights spent chasing the Northern lights.

Keeping them in your pockets will also keep you nice and toasty!

Headlamp

It gets dark early in the Arctic… if the sun even comes up at all!

You may need a headlamp in some settings — walking between buildings at your accommodation if staying in a more remote place like a Finland glass igloo, snowshoeing or winter hiking, or for capturing cool photos of the Northern lights!

I suggest this rechargeable headlamp.

Travel insurance

Yes, I know this isn’t something that you pack, but in my opinion, it is just foolish to leave home without it… especially in 2022.

It’s extra important to have travel insurance in winter as the weather is unpredictable, and you will be protected and reimbursed in case of trip cancellation.

Plus, it covers the usual accident and illness coverage — both of which have more elevated risks in winter.

I recommend buying travel insurance as far in advance as you can, as it’s typically cheaper that way.

I always use World Nomadswhen I travel. The contract is very clear as to what it covers, the prices are affordable, the excess/deductible is low, and it covers a wide range of activities and events.

What Luggage To Use for Winter in Lapland

Abisko train station
My trusty travel backpack, convenient even in the Arctic!

Rolling Suitcase vs. Travel Backpack

Having seen my friend struggle with a giant suitcase throughout Swedish Lapland… I strongly recommend that you bring a well-designed travel backpack instead of a suitcase.

It’s possible to travel with a suitcase… but you will likely regret it when you end up trying to drag your bag through freshly laid snow, getting all your clothes wet in the process. (Take it from me, who brought a rolling suitcase to Helsinki in November…)

While rolling suitcases are great for short weekend trips, they are not the best thing to use when packing for Lapland in winter.

There will likely be snow and ice on the ground, and you will have to drag, not roll, your suitcase… which kind of defeats the whole point of having a rolling suitcase.

Recommended Travel Backpack

In my opinion, you’re way better off with a backpack that you can easily carry. I am a light packer, so my Tortuga Setout Backpack is perfect for me.

This is the backpack I’ve brought with me on every trip to Lapland, and it had plenty of room for everything I brought! This bag is a spacious 45L and has three main compartments.

There is one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc.

There’s also one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to. It also has a water bottle holder on the outside and a strap for something like a jacket or yoga mat.

Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute the weight evenly across your body. 

Check out more specs and details of the Tortuga bag here!

Travel Bag Organization

To keep my backpack organized, I use packing cubes.

These super helpful zippable bags are a miracle when it comes to organizing your clothing, keeping everything from bursting out every time you open your bag.

I personally use these eBags packing cubes and love them to the ends of the earth.

I also bring a laundry bag, since traveling in Lapland in winter, you will get your clothing wet, dirty, and covered in snow constantly.

This means you’ll have to change your clothes a decent amount. A laundry bag will come in handy at keeping dirty stuff separated from the clean. I like this travel-themed one from Kikkerland!

I also keep my toiletries in this convenient Pack-it-Flat toiletry bag which I can hang up in the bathroom for easy storage and access.

Belize Packing List: What You Definitely Need to Pack for Belize

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Belize is a gorgeous country with a lovely subtropical climate, making it a joy to visit year round. 

As a result, figuring out what to pack for Belize isn’t rocket science. The average high temperature year-round is 84° F (29°C), though it is possible to get slightly cooler in winter, with temperatures as low as 60°F (16°C) possible at night.

Every one of the three times I visited Belize, I visited in the “winter” – once in December and twice in late February.

Both times, the weather was extremely pleasant, about 80° F or 27° C all day and a bit cooler at night.

Like most subtropical and tropical countries, Belize has two main seasons, not four: wet and dry season.

The dry season is from January to May, with far less rain than the rest of the year. June through December is the wet season, with frequent rain and a potential for hurricanes.

For most travelers, Belize is ideal from January to May, but this also the most crowded.

If you travel in June or December in the shoulder season, you’ll have the benefits of fewer travelers, but the rainy season shouldn’t be in full swing yet.

There is some regional variation in temperatures. The cayes of Belize will be hot and sunny, with a bit of an ocean breeze and incredibly high humidity.

Meanwhile, the interior will be far cooler but also a bit more humid due to all the lush vegetation. The interior is more likely to rain than the islands.

Depending on where you go in the country, you may want to adjust your Belize packing list accordingly (more cool weather clothes and sneakers if you go inland, more sandals, dresses, and coverups if you stay on the islands of beaches).

Before we go into the packing list, let’s quickly review what is required to visit Belize in 2022, since things have changed a lot!

Visiting Belize Requirements in 2022

caye caulker belize boats and water
This post was updated May 23, 2022 and is up-to-date as of that day. However, policies may change in the future, so always check with the official Belize website.

Here are the current requirements:

  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to show a negative test to enter Belize, but they must show proof of vaccination.
  • Unvaccinated travelers must show a negative PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of arrival or a negative antigen result from a test taken within 48 hours of arrival.
  • Tests can be administered upon arrival for $50 USD cash — but if you test positive, you will have to enter mandatory quarantine in Belize.
  • All travelers must purchase Belize travel insurance which you can do so here. It costs $18 USD for 21 days of coverage.
  • Follow all Belize laws, such as masking in public and adhering to the curfew
  • Follow any requirements that your home country requires for reentry

Belize Packing List: What You Need for Your Trip to Belize

What to Pack Everything In

Trust me, I’ve been traveling nearly nonstop for the better part of the last 700 days, and you’re going to want a well-organized system for packing or you’re going to lose your mind.

You will likely need to unpack and pack again several times, unless you are just staying in one place for your vacation.Having things that help your oganize your belongings makes the packing process a lot smoother.

You don’t need any crazy gear, but I do have a few tips for making your packing for Belize more streamlined and organized.

Travel Backpack (carry on size or check-in size): While I do occasionally use a rolling suitcase when I travel in places with good sidewalks like Western Europe, a rolling suitcase just won’t work with Belize, especially if you visit the islands. The island roads aren’t paved – they are literally just made of packed sand. The jungle interior in Cayo, around San Ignacio, is no better. I tend to pack light and prefer to travel carry-on only, so my Tortuga Backpack is what I swear by. I spent 4 months traversing Central America (including Belize) with it and still didn’t use all the things I brought in my pack. I used their original version for 2.5 years before Tortuga recently gifted me their newest version to trial, and I love it even more than the original (which my boyfriend now happily uses – in fact, he was even more excited than I was when I upgraded my Tortuga and he got my old one).

Why do I recommend Tortuga so much? Here’s why: this bag is 45L and has got three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in – plus one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to. It also has a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside. Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs and details here.

If you are going on a backpacking trip and want a bigger backpack, I’ve heard excellent things about the Osprey system and I think that’s the only brand I’d trust if I wanted to upgrade my packing capacity., I’ve been fine with just 45 liters, personally, but I do pack light!

Packing Cubes: If you’re going to invest in one thing for packing for Belize, make it packing cubes if you don’t have them already. These tidy cubes help you organize your clothing and makes opening your luggage a little less chaotic. Any packing cubes with a rectangular shape and a zipper will do. I personally use these packing cubes and love them. If you don’t want to buy packing cubes, some gallon size plastic Ziploc bags work similarly. But since they eventually break down and gap and need to be thrown out, I prefer reusable packing cubes, as I’m always watching my plastic consumption.

Laundry bag: You will sweat more than you ever thought humanly possible in Belize, so bring a separate laundry bag for all your dirty clothes. Like packing cubes, you don’t need anything fancy at all. I do like having a cute travel-themed one like this one from Kikkerland though, because I’m impractical.

Hanging Toiletry Bag: I always bring way too many toiletries with me on my travels because I’m a bit of a girly girl. Using a simple hanging toiletry bag (which fits perfectly in the outer pocket of my Tortuga backpack, by the way) is life-changing. It has the perfect number of separators, organizers, and pockets without taking up any excess space. It’s kind of like those tents at the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter — you’d be amazed how much fits in one little pack.

Day pack with locking zippers : While Belize is relatively safe, petty crime is an issue (less so on the islands than on the mainland). While wearing a shoulder bag is probably the most secure option, as it’s hard for thieves to get in, it’s just not comfortable if you carry a lot of stuff with you during the day. I swear by PacSafe products and love their PacSafe Citysafe backpack. It’s actually pretty cute, and as a huge bonus it has locking zippers so you can relax a little when walking around with valuables like your camera.

Essential Things to Pack for Belize

While much of what you need you can buy in Belize, there are a few things I absolutely insist you bring from home because the options in Belize are not great or they’re very expensive to buy.

Mosquito repellent: Due to its tropical climate, Belize has tons of mosquitos, especially in the rainy season and just after it. Malaria is present in the country, but it is very low risk. Just avoid mosquito bites as much as possible and you will be fine. However, mosquito repellent is very expensive in Belize and you can’t always get the brands you like there. I recommend bringing two bottles of mosquito repellent but I also like to bring some mosquito repellent wipes with me if I need to reapply on the go.

Water bottle with built-in filter: You can’t drink tap water anywhere in Belize, so try to bring something to eliminate your plastic bottle usage. I use the Water to Go bottle because the bottle is a convenient size, and it filters out 99.9% of contaminants so that you can drink tap water safely with zero waste. I have a discount code for readers who are interested – type in EA15 at checkout to receive a 15% off discount!

Reusable tote bags: Like many countries in Latin America, there is plastic everywhere in Belize and the facilities for recycling it are not great. Bring your own reusable tote so that you can refuse plastic bags when you shop. I keep one or two small ones in my larger bag and bring them with me daily, plus I use them as beach bags, separating shoes in my bag from my clothes, etc.

Basic medicine: You will be able to find everything you need in Belize, but it’s best to be prepared. I carry Pepto-Bismol for standard stomach troubles, Imodium as a nuclear option, some sort of painkiller like ibuprofen for headaches and minor aches, and some sort of motion sickness tablets. That usually covers the bases for me — anything else I need I grab in the country.

Some cash in USD: Just in case your debit card doesn’t work or gets lost, it’s helpful to have dollars on hand. Because the exchange rate is 2 Belize dollars to 1 US dollar, it’s common for establishments to accept USD as payment as well.

What to Wear in Belize

Admittedly, this is a list for female travelers — sorry dudes, but I trust you know how to dress yourselves in summer, so do that.

Women have a bit more to consider when it comes to traveling Belize — especially if you are traveling solo (which I did most of my time in Belize, and for the record, I felt safe in all the places I visited).

However, cat calling is incredibly common in Belize, probably with the most frequency of anywhere in Latin America.

At the same time, I didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable or unsafe, as compared to prior experiences in places like New York City and Marrakech where men were a lot more aggressive or physically touchy.

The worst cat-calling I experienced was in Caye Caulker, whereas in inland Belize (San Ignacio), cat-calling was less frequent.

Belize is predominately Catholic, though on the islands the Catholic presence is less noticeable. Culturally, Belize is a bit of a conservative country, but the hot and humid weather means that you should wear what you need to be comfortable without showing excessive skin. On backpacker-heavy islands like Caye Caulker and San Pedro, though, you’ll see lots of people walking around in bikinis and shorts, so don’t swear it too much.

3-5 lightweight summer dresses, preferably past mid-thigh: Dresses are ideal for keeping yourself cool and comfortable. I recommend packing 1 or 2 maxi dresses as well as they’re really comfortable in the heat.

5+ tees & tanks: The more neutral the colors, the better. You will sweat a lot in Belize, so minimize your white – it’ll be yellow by the time you’re home. I suggest black, gray, and a few bright colors.

1-2 sarongs: These are great for beach coverups or even for using as a lightweight beach towel. Buy them before you go or get one in Belize as a souvenir.

1 pair jeans: While it’s too hot many days to wear jeans, if you’re in the interior, you’ll be glad you brought them. They’re also perfect for chilly nights or for when you want to blend in (a lot of Belizean women wear jeans all the time, even when it’s over hot as hell outside)

2 pairs shorts: I bring one pair of loose-fitting linen shorts for super hot days, and one pair of denim shorts for when I want to look a little cuter or more casual.

1-2 skirts: I suggest bringing one black skirt and one printed skirt for flexibility. I loved having a midi-length skirt, like one featuring a fun paisley pattern trend. The extra fabric around your legs traps some cool air, making you feel less hot, and I liked the additional coverage it gave me.

1 sunhat: Not just for the ‘gram, you’ll want a sunhat as it’ll give your face extra SPF and keep the rays off your face.

1 pair sneakers (if you go to the jungle): If you go in the interior of Belize (Cayo District) you’ll likely want a pair of sneakers with you. I usually wear a pair of black Nikes as I find they look cute even with my dresses and I like having options. If you’re just on the beaches you can skip a pair of sneakers and maybe opt for a cute pair of flats instead.

1 pair sandals: I used to buy cheap-o flip flops all the time, but now I’m obsessed with my Birkenstocks and will never go back. My feet thank me for it daily.

1 rain jacket: Even if you don’t plan on traveling in the rainy season, sometimes the weather has other plans. I also used this as a lightweight jacket during the nights in the interior where the weather was a bit colder. I love my Marmot PreCip rain jacket and bring it everywhere with me.

1 cardigan: For when you want a little warmth, but not as much as a rain jacket will give. Most buses won’t have AC, but if you take a private shuttle, sometimes they blast the AC and it’s good to have an extra layer.

1-2 bras: I trust you’re all big girls and you know what you need when it comes to bras. I personally brought 1 regular bra and 1 sports bra and switched between the two because the humidity was crazy.

7+ pairs of underwear: The more underwear you bring, the longer you can go between washes if you’re on a big trip. I don’t recommend bringing stuff to do your laundry on the road – it’s a waste of time and money. There are plenty of laundromats catering to travelers in Belize, plus it’s a way to support the local economy.

2 bathing suits: You’ll definitely want it, whether you’re taking dips in your hotel’s pool, sunning yourself on the beach, or snorkeling or diving in the gorgeous Hol Chan Marine Reserve. I’d recommend bringing two as nothing sucks more than putting on a wet bathing suit.

What to Pack for Belize Hostels

If you’re staying in hotels only, you can skip this part, but there are a few specialized things you might want to bring in case you are staying in a hostel.

1 pair flip flops: Guys. Athlete’s foot is no joke. I’ve dealt with ringworm before (which is basically athlete’s foot on any part of your body that’s not your foot) and it is miserable to get rid of. Save yourself the trouble. Buy a pair of cheap rubber flipflops. /end PSA

1 travel towel: Many of the hostels I stayed at did not provide free towels. Bring your own to avoid rental fees.

1 eye mask: I swear by this contoured eye mask as it doesn’t put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes but completely blacks out any light. Great for inconsiderate roommates and early nights in when you’re beat but your bunkmates have other ideas.

Some earplugs or good noise-canceling headphones: I love Hearos — they’re the gold standard for ear plugs. I’ve also been eyeing these noise-canceling headphones but can’t justify the purchase at the moment. One day!

What Toiletries to Pack for Belize

Belize’s stores will have most of the things you want and need… but just in case.

Hand sanitizer: Many public restrooms don’t have adequate soap and towels/driers, so having some hand sanitizer is always good.

Kleenex packets: Like above — public restrooms may be lacking in the toilet paper department, so having some Kleenex in a portable sleeve is always good to have

LUSH solid shampoo: Life-changing. Just trust me. Buy online or in store from LUSH and you’ll save serious money over Amazon.

Sunscreen: Belize is sunny almost all year round, and even if you have a rare cloudy day, the UV will still be really high. My skin is really sensitive on my face, so I use this fancy Japanese sunscreen to prevent acne, and I use a more standard sunscreen for my body. I recommend bringing a big bottle of sunscreen from home when packing for Belize, unless you are traveling with only a carry-on, as sunscreen is overpriced in Belize.

Travel medications: I listed them above, but just to reiterate — stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, and some sort of painkiller are my standards, plus obviously any medication of your own from home.

What to Pack for Safety in Belize

Belize is fairly safe with the exception of Belize City, which is prone to crime and even violence, which is why I advise all travelers to Belize to avoid the port city as much as they can (there’s not much to see there). While I’ve traveled through Belize City several times and been fine, I’ve never really felt at ease there and wouldn’t choose to spend any more time there than I have to.

Besides avoiding Belize City, I’d also note that you should keep your valuables with you and in your sight if you take a public chicken bus, as they’ll often tie your backpacks to the roof of the bus or put them far away from you on the bus. This isn’t to be sketchy; it’s because the buses are usually quite crowded. That said, I do recommend adding these to your Belize packing list for increased safety.

Combination locks: In Belize, you’re probably at the greatest risk of theft from your fellow travelers if you stay in a dorm or hostel. Prevent crimes of opportunity with simple measures like having a combination lock and keeping your valuables locked away. If I’m staying in hostels, I always check the reviews on Hostelworld to ensure they have lockers available because I travel with so many valuable electronics.

Daypack with locking zippers: Backpacks are easy targets — I wrote above about how much I love my PacSafe Citysafe backpack. After nearly being pickpocketing while wearing a different backpack in Vietnam, I now carry no other kind of daypack.

Don’t bother with a money belt. Thieves know about them, plus you’ll likely be wearing so little clothes in Belize that a money belt would be pointless anyway. You’re better off carrying your wallet deep in a slash-proof backpack (like the one mentioned above) or in a shoulder bag that’s tightly zipped.

One other thing I recommend is to have a second checking account and two debit cards if possible. Keep them in different spots in case you get pickpocketed or in case one of your debit cards gets compromised (it is not uncommon for ATMs in Belize to ‘skim’ your details). This way you won’t be screwed while you wait for your bank to send you another card!

Electronics to Pack for Belize

There are really no special considerations when it comes to packing electronics for Belize except for the one: do not bring a drone. They require permission from the government to fly, and you can only get permission if you have been commissioned from an approved local business or organization in Belize. Your drone may be confiscated if you do not have permisson.

Other than that, bring whatever you’re comfortable bringing. As a travel blogger, I bring my entire life with me on the road, which includes a laptop, camera, multiple lenses, smartphone, GoPro, and more. Though these days I prefer to stay at hotels, when I stay at hostels, I always make sure that I stay at hostels with lockers so that I can lock up my valuables. People who are more paranoid/responsible than I am may want to bring a portable safe for peace of mind, but I don’t personally.

Laptop, if necessary: I bring my Macbook Air everywhere but other people may prefer a tablet or an inexpensive netbook. I work on the road so a user-friendly, lightweight laptop is a must.

Kindle Paperwhite: I love the Kindle Paperwhite because the screen is glare-free, making it easy to read at the beach or in direct sunlight, and I can never find books I enjoy at airport shops or in tourist destinations.

Travel camera: I use a Sony A6000 because it’s lightweight for a professional caliber camera, inexpensive, and a HUGE step up from a smartphone. You may want to replace this or add a GoPro too, especially good for adventure activities like cave tubing and diving (just check to see if you also need an underwater house for your GoPro if you dive, as many of the newer models are only good to 10m — not nearly enough for divers)

Portable charger: As someone who’s constantly on her phone, I’m always running out of battery, which can be a pain. Bring a portable charger to save yourself the headache! Anker is a reliable brand and what I personally use.

Adaptor, if necessary: Belize uses the same plugs as America and Canada, so if you’re coming from Europe or the UK, you will need an adaptor.

***

Well, that’s a wrap – I’ve finally exhausted what you need to pack for Belize. While I know this all sounds like a lot, I swear that I was able to fit it all into a 44L backpack (carry-on size) and daypack, because I chose lightweight fabrics and packed carefully (rolling my clothes and then putting them in packing cubes)

Is there anything I’ve forgotten on this Belize packing list? Is there anything else you’re wondering if you should bring? Let me know in the comments!

Wondering what to pack for Belize? This guide to what to wear in Belize will be your ultimate Belize packing list! Tips on what to wear on Belize's beaches and islands, what not to forget to bring to Belize, and other Belize packing tips.

A Streamlined Azores Packing List: What to Bring to the Azores

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I went to the Azores at the end of March this year, and I’m still reeling about my trip.

In a matter of just three days, the Azores quickly shot up to one of my favorite places in the world.

But packing for the Azores can be a bit of a challenge, as these windswept Portuguese islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean 1000 miles from the nearest continent experience some extreme weather.

Wind, fog, and rain are your constant companions (though luckily, you can usually avoid snow, as it’s so rare it literally makes the news when it happens).

I visited in March and had pretty fantastic weather for two of the three days I was on São Miguel.

The temperatures were generally around 15 °C/60 °F. My first day was quite stormy and rainy with some occasional downpours; my next two days were pretty sunny with occasional clouds and warmer days.

The reason why the Azores are so warm in March is pretty cool. The Gulf Stream which moves from west to east across the United States, giving planes crossing west-east a little boost, also passes by the Azores.

This moderates the temperatures quite a bit (a similar effect happens in Iceland and coastal Norway, but their higher latitudes make the overall temperatures much colder).

Generally, because of the Gulf Stream, the temperatures don’t change too dramatically between winter and summer.

However, winter is quite rainy and prone to Atlantic storms (including the remnants of hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season, though the Azores are rarely directly hit).

If you travel to the Azores in the winter, expect average highs of 17 °C (62 °F) and lows of 12 °C (54 °F), with the unlikely potential of getting close to freezing at night. In the summer, it won’t be too hot: think average highs of 25°C (77 °F) and average lows of 19 °C (66 °F), with the potential for scorchers or super soaked rainy days.

Basically – prepare for the worst and hope for the best is my motto when it comes time to deciding what to pack for the Azores.

Azores Packing List: What to Bring to the Azores

I’ll break this Azores packing list into a few sections to make it easier to digest. Since the weather isn’t so dramatically different between summer and winter, and the chances of rain and wind are high no matter what, there actually won’t be too much variance in the list depending on season.

For this reason, I won’t create two separate packing lists for the Azores based on season, but rather indicate additions or substitutions on a master list of what to pack for the Azores.

Not sure where to get the best deal on your rental? I’ve rented cars dozens of times through various search engines and have settled on Discover Cars as the best car rental search engine – it searches over 500 trusted rental companies to find the cheapest price for your rental! Compare prices for car rental in the Azores here.

Packing Essentials for the Azores

Travel Backpack (carry on size or check-in size): As many people end up visiting the Azores using one of the budget airlines that serve Ponta Delgada, such as Ryanair, it may be useful for use a carry on size bag to reduce baggage fees. I purchased priority boarding so I could bring my Tortuga Backpack for this trip.

Why do I recommend Tortuga so much? Here’s why: this bag is 45L and has got three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in – plus one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to. It also has a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside. Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs and details here.

Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are an essential for travel for me, as I often move around quite a bit and my bag can easily get disorganized. Investing in some decent packing cubes is crucial for managing my luggage.

It helps me easily find what I need without the stress or mess! I use these packing cubes on every trip I take.

Laundry bag: In addition to packing cubes, I like having a separate laundry bag to keep my dirty stuff separate.

I do like having a cute one like this travel-themed bag from Kikkerland though, because I’m impractical and like cute stuff. A spare plastic bag or reusable tote bag would do the trick, too.

Hanging Toiletry Bag:  If you’re moving around a lot as you travel the Azores, you’ll want a way to keep your toiletries organized and tidy. I like to keep my toiletries in a simple hanging toiletry bag.

This toiletry organizer can fit a ton of stuff while keeping it ultra-orderly: perfect for the organizationally obsessed packers amongst us *raises hand*. It fits a ton without taking up space – I swear I feel like it manages to compress things.

The flat shape is crucial for travel because it’s so easy to squeeze into an outer pocket of your backpack or lay it on top of your clothes in your suitcase – something that other toiletry bags often get wrong.

Comfortable daypack : My everyday backpack is this awesome PacSafe Citysafe backpack – it has a lot of awesome security features that make it insanely useful for city travel.

While the Azores are quite safe, if you’re also visiting Lisbon or Porto where pickpocketing is more of a problem, I love the locking zippers and slash-proof construction for peace of mind.

Even when I don’t need the security features, I just love this bag because it’s great at fitting all the things I need for my day (mine can fit my camera and lenses, my drone, a bottle of water, some snacks, and a few other odds and ends).

Me and my trusty daypack in the Faroes – the water-resistant material is key in rainy places like the Faroes and the Azores!

The Top 10 Things to Pack for the Azores

First, travel insurance. While this isn’t something you pack, it is indispensable and should be part of the packing and planning process. The Azores are an unpredictable place: weather can change quickly and dramatically, and the likelihood of Atlantic storms and foggy weather delaying flights is not to be understated. Travel insurance covers both flight delays and cancellation, as well as personal travel safety against incidents, theft, and illness. Basically, it’s just ultra-important. I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for years and recommend them highly for travel in the Azores. The contract is very clear as to what it covers, the prices are affordable, and the deductible is low if you find yourself needing to make a claim.

Reusable water bottle: The tap water in the Azores is drinkable everywhere. If you don’t carry a reusable bottle, you will spend a ton of unnecessary money on bottled water, and you’ll waste a lot of plastic in the process as well. While in the past I’ve carried a water bottle with a filtration system, for traveling in the Azores where the tap water is drinkable, I like a simple streamlined metal bottle, like this one from Klean Kanteen.

Basic medicine: I like having a few basic medicines on hand because I hate having to deal with pharmacies abroad. I carry Pepto-Bismol tablets for standard stomach troubles as I find it can be difficult to find in some countries. I also carry painkillers like ibuprofen for headaches and minor pains, and also some sort of cold medicine as the wet and windy weather can really wreak havoc on your immune system.

Motion sickness tablets: These get a special shoutout because of the likelihood of motion sickness, especially if you’re doing a whale watching excursion, have a turbulent plane landing as I did, or are a passenger in someone’s car on windy roads. I love having motion sickness tablets on hand as I am prone to travel sickness.

Travel towel: You’ll want a lightweight, packable microfiber travel towel for impromptu hot springs dips! Just make sure to pick a dark color if you’re worried about it staining in the iron-rich waters.

A dark colored bathing suit: For aforementioned hot springs dips, be sure to pick a dark color as the hot springs at Terra Nostra, Poca de Dona Beija, Calheira Velha, etc. are all rich with minerals that will stain the crap out of your bathing suit. .

Waterproof and warm layers: I’ll go into more detail on this in the section below, but make sure you pack for the worst and hope for the best!

Binoculars: If you’re into birding or whale watching, you’ll likely be happy you have a pair of binoculars with you to spot all the wonderful marine and bird life that make these islands so unique!

Hiking boots: If you plan to do any hiking or long walks around the Azores these would definitely be advisable and the wet weather can mean muddy puddles that are not really great for tennis shoes. I didn’t bring my hiking boots and I regretted it; my friend was very happy she had hers! You can go with a leather pair or a lovely vegan hiking boot alternative.

A smartphone, unlocked if possible: For navigating, snapping quick photos, and any on-the-fly translations you need, a smartphone is a must-have.

This kickass photo was taken and edited with a smartphone!

What to Wear in the Azores (For Women)

One word: layers, layers, layers!

No matter when you visit the Azores or what you end up doing, whether it’s whale watching, hiking, or road tripping, you’ll want the ability to quickly change to clothes to match the fast-changing whims of the weather.

Here’s what I recommend as a baseline packing list. I’ll be sure to note when something is summer-specific or winter-specific.

If you’re whale watching, no matter the season, a warm windproof jacket is a must!

1 rain and windproof jacket: Trust me, if there is one thing you simply can’t forget for Azores travel, it’s a durable jacket that will keep you warm against wind and dry against rain. I love my Marmot PreCip rain jacket and wear it all the time, and it’s great in summer because it has zips under the armpits to ‘vent’ it out and keep you dry while not overheating you. For the winter, make sure you wear a thin sweater or fleece layer underneath, as it isn’t exactly super warm on its own

1 knit hat: While you won’t always need a knit hat, they are small and easy to pack and add some flair to photos. I found myself using one in March because the wind was so severe, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I needed a hand on windy or rainy days even in the summer. Here’s a cute choice!

1 pair of thin, touch-screen friendly gloves: In case it’s cold out, but you still want to be able to touch your phone and use your camera. Skip this in summer.

3 sweaters: Thin but warm is your best bet. Pullover style acrylic or wool sweaters would be ideal. You don’t need anything too thick as you can easily layer. Pack these even in summer because they’d be handy at night or on rainy days.

3-5 tees: I often layer a thin cotton T-shirt under my sweater so that I could wear the same pullover multiple times before it gets funky. #fashion

1 hoodie or fleeces: Having a hoodie or fleece as an additional layer between your sweater/long-sleeve and your rain jacket or outer layer will come in handy no matter what season and can replace your rain jacket on a summer day that’s cool but not wet. This simple fleece jacket would be a good addition.

2-3 pair jeans: No matter what the season, jeans are almost always appropriate in the Azores

2-3 pairs leggings: Great as a backup if you need to layer leggings under your jeans if it’s cold in winter, or you can wear with dresses or longer T-shirts in summer. I tend to bring one thin pair for wearing under dresses, and another thicker, more structured “jegging”-like leggings as pants. (The horror!)

1 pair hiking boots: Hiking boots will serve you well in the Azores. I didn’t bring mine but I wished I had as I was jealous of my friend who lived in hers. I love my Ahnu boots (my friend had the same brand but a different color) but if you have a pair at home already bring those so you don’t have to break them in. Sneakers were okay for me since we didn’t do too much hiking, but ultimately, I much prefer boots for the added warmth and ankle stability as the ground can often be wet and slippy.

1 pair sneakers: I wore these while hiking and they were great but not perfect. I usually wear a pair of black Nikes but beware on wet days as they have small holes for ventilation and aren’t the warmest; on those days, hiking boots would definitely be better.

1 pair flip flops or sandals: Great for hot springs any time of year or as your primary shoe in the summer. I’m obsessed with my Birkenstocks but rubber flip flops will do, especially if you are staying in a hostel and need to use communal showers.

1 thin down jacket (winter only): Nights can get cold in winter, so a small packable down like the UNIQLO ultra-light down (cheaper knockoff available here) would be a great but tiny addition to your Azores packing list.

1-2 bras: I trust you’re all big girls and you know what you need when it comes to bras! I had one regular bra and one sports bra.

1 pair of underwear for each day of travel: Bring one for every day you’ll be on the road, so you can avoid laundry.

Dark colored bathing suit: Visiting a hot spring in the Azores is a must, but the water is full of iron that will stain your suit, so don’t forget a dark bathing suit!

What to Wear in the Azores (For Men)

I have zero firsthand experience packing as a man, but here’s what I’d imagine you’d want to bring based off the weather in the Azores.

  • 5 short sleeve Ts (fewer in winter)
  • 3-5 long sleeve Ts or light sweaters (fewer in summer)
  • 2-3 pair jeans and pants
  • 2 pairs shorts (summer only)
  • 1 pair for each day of your trip
  • flip flops or comfortable walking sandals
  • sneakers
  • hiking boots
  • waterproof rain jacket
  • swim trunks
  • 2 thicker-weight sweaters
  • ultra-light down jacket (winter only)
  • 5+ pairs of socks
  • thin knit hat
  • touch screen gloves (winter only)

Random Things to Pack for the Azores

Some things in here are women-specific, so obviously use your judgment to decide whether or not these things belong on your Azores packing list.

This is what I bring on almost every trip, but don’t consider everything on here a must if it’s not applicable to you.

Don’t forget to bring a towel! (South Park, anyone?)

Travel towel: Great for quick hot spring dips as it doesn’t take up a lot of space and it dries quickly. Again, pick a dark color as it can stain.

Some earplugs: I bring Hearos ear plugs everywhere. I didn’t need them in the Azores, but just in case, they’re good to have.

Sunscreen: My skin is really sensitive on my face, so I use this fancy Japanese sunscreen to prevent acne on my face.

Moisturizer: The wind did a number on my skin in the Azores, despite the humidity, and I felt like my skin was always insanely dry there.

Do your skin a favor and pack something ultra-moisturizing. I love a moisturizer with SPF for day like this one from Aveeno and then I use a thicker moisturizer like this Olay night cream for replenishing moisture overnight.

Hand sanitizer: In case of a lack of soap in gas stations or restaurant bathrooms, I like having hand sanitizer just in case.

Kleenex packets: In case of a surprise cold or lack of toilet paper in public restrooms.

LUSH solid shampoo: Life-changing. Just trust me. Buy online or in store from LUSH and you’ll save serious money over Amazon, but you can also source it on Amazon for convenience. My favorite is the Seanik seaweed shampoo – it makes my hair gorgeous and it also doesn’t take up any space in my liquid toiletry allowance.

Face wipes: Great for nights when you’re too exhausted to take your make-up off properly or for a quick face clean up after a  dusty hike.

Menstrual cup or your favorite tampon/pad brand (if applicable): If you have a specific brand allegiance, you may not find it in the Azores. I switched to a Diva Cup for travel a few years ago and I love it!

Deodorant: I can’t rant enough about how much European deodorant sucks, plus I absolutely hate the smell of the aerosol deodorants that are so popular in Europe.

Do yourself, everyone around you, and the planet a favor and buy some decent deodorant from home. I love Secret Clinical Strength and stash up on it every time I’m home in the US, but then again, I am sweatier than most people are.

Travel-sized liquid toiletries: If you want to bring your favorite toiletries from home, I recommend these awesome reusable silicone GoToobs.

Razor

Lip balm with SPF

What Electronics to Pack for the Azores

Obviously, you’re going to want to bring plenty of photography gear because these islands are gorgeous!

I highly recommend having a professional-grade camera as opposed to your smartphone if you are serious about getting the best photos.

A tripod and some ND filters will also come in handy if you want to step up your photography and get good waterfall photos, high-quality selfies, and sunset/sunrise shots.

Of course, what you will want to bring on your trip will depend on how seriously you take photography and how much you want to “unplug” on your trip.

As a travel blogger, I bring my entire life with me on the road, which includes a laptop, camera, multiple lenses, smartphone, and more.

For pretty streaky waterfall photos, you should bring a tripod + ND filters!

Laptop, if necessary: I bring my 13″ MacBook Air everywhere but other people may prefer a tablet or an inexpensive netbook. I work on the road so a user-friendly, lightweight laptop is a must for me.

Kindle Paperwhite: I love having a Kindle for travel but if you don’t think you’ll be doing much reading on your Azores trip or your flight over, then you can give this a pass.

Travel camera: I use a Sony A6000 because it’s lightweight for a professional caliber camera, inexpensive, and a HUGE step up from a smartphone. I like having a zoom lens and a wide angle lens to maximize what I can capture, but if you have to pick just one, I’d pick a zoom lens and use your smartphone as a wide angle. You may also want to pack it in a travel camera backpack.

Extra camera batteries: Trust me, you’ll use plenty of battery taking photos in the Azores!

Portable hard drive: You’ll want to back up your photos to keep your memory cards uncluttered and protect your precious photos. After my previous hard drive failed even though I never damaged it (never rely on WD My Passport) I am extra paranoid with my hard drives. I recommend Transcend hard drives instead – they are drop resistant and super sturdy.

Travel tripod: If you are serious about your photography, you should invest in a sturdier tripod, as wind in the Azores is no joke. I actually didn’t use my tripod because it didn’t feel steady enough to handle the windy weather. I have a cheap tripod from Amazon but a sturdy tripod with a hook so that you can use that to hang your camera bag on and balance the camera would be your friend on windy days.

ND filters: The size of ND filter you will need depends on the size of the lens you’ll be using so check it before buying. I use these ND filters.

GoPro or similar camera for video: If you plan on doing anything adventurous or if you want to capture video of your trip, then I recommend bringing something like a GoPro which is rugged and designed for the challenge.

Portable charger: You’ll use your phone battery more than you thought in the Azores – whether it’s using it to take photos or videos, or to navigate as you drive around the country. Bring a portable charger to save yourself many headaches! Anker is a reliable brand and what I personally use – make sure you get one that can hold several charges at once so you don’t have to charge it every single night.

Adaptor, if necessary: The Azores uses the standard EU adaptor so purchase an adaptor beforehand if necessary.

***

While this sounds like a lot, I was able to fit it everything on this Azores packing list into my 44L Tortuga backpack and my daypack  – mostly because of packing cubes, picking multi-purpose clothing, and wearing my heaviest layers on the plane!

And all that despite this being at the tail end of a 6-week trip where I was also bringing approximately a dozen bags of chilis back from Mexico too because European grocery stores are sad.

So if I can do it, you can do it too! Or, you can just bring a bigger bag and make sure you have all you want for your Azores trip, since you’ll likely just toss your suitcase in your rental car, anyway.

Is there anything I’ve forgotten? Is there anything else you’re wondering if you should bring? Let me know in the comments!

Long Haul Flight Essentials: What to Bring & Wear on A Long Flight

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I’ve taken more long-haul flights than I can count at this point.

My most epically awful travel day clocked in at over 36 hours of transit spanning 6 airports, all because I was trying to save a few bucks… an experience I really don’t recommend you try for yourself.

Unless you enjoy rocking back and forth in an airplane seat trying to remain sane. Not that I’ve done that, of course.

The past several years have seen me taking flights all around the world, crisscrossing 6 continents to tally up more than 60 countries. I’ve been on flights as long as 14 hours in one go… on a handful of occasions!

Long haul flights are never fun, but they can be slightly less hellacious depending on how you pack for a long haul flight.

What you bring and what you wear on a long flight both make a huge difference in your comfort, your ability to sleep, and most importantly — your ability to not lose your f#(*ing mind on the plane.

What to Wear on a Long Haul Flight

Am I the only one who gives people the serious side-eye when I see them dressed to the nines on a plane?

While you won’t see me in my onesie on a plane, I always wear soft and comfortable pants or leggings, a T-shirt, a comfy sweater, and a scarf that is big enough to double as a tent.

What I wear on a long haul flight doesn’t change much depending on the destination, because no matter where I’m going, I can guarantee that the plane will alternately be boiling hot and freezing cold.

I can also guarantee that even in the most hellishly hot of climates, I’ll end up using my scarf or sweater at some point when faced with some particularly aggressive air conditioning.

There is no one perfect outfit to fly in. The trick to putting together the perfect long haul flight outfit is choosing something with layers you can easily add and subtract.

Bonus points if they’re lush and cozy and make you feel like you’re nestled in a pillow fort (while crammed into a seat with 30 inches of pitch)

Warm cardigan or hoodie

Even if you’re flying to a warm weather destination, trust me: you’re going to want to bring at least one warm cardigan or hoodie for the flight.

The airplane cabin’s temperature will fluctuate a ton throughout the flight, especially after take-off when all the air conditioning seems to roar to life.

There are a few requirements for my perfect flight hoodie: 1) a soft cotton blend that won’t wrinkle, 2) floaty and loose enough that it can hide the plane bloat I get from the sodium overdose that is airplane ‘food’, and 3) stylish enough that it makes me forget that I look and feel like death and will actually wear outside the plane.

This one from Ninedaily ticks all the boxes and is pretty much my perfect plane hoodie.

I tend to prefer a hoodie when picking what to wear on a long haul flight because it also is helpful when it comes time to sleep, providing a sort of pillow-like barrier between me and the outside world and shutting out some of the light, but a soft cardigan will also do.

Even if you’re flying to a warm weather destination, trust me: you’re going to want to bring at least one warm sweater for the flight.

The airplane cabin’s temperature will fluctuate a ton throughout the flight, especially after take-off when all the air conditioning seems to roar to life.

Comfortable cotton T-shirt

Underneath my hoodie or cardigan, I like to wear a simple and comfortable short-sleeve cotton T-shirt just in case the cabin temperature gets really hot (which, in all my flying experience, I’ve noticed tends to happen on take off and landing).

Basically, I like to have a comfortable T-shirt that I can strip down to if needed if the plane gets warmer than expected. I choose black or navy because it shows pit stains less (long haul travel ain’t glamorous, guys). I don’t have anything fancy, just a bunch of Hanes T-shirts that I’ve had for forever.

Comfortable pants/leggings

I’m going to get a bit controversial here and say that leggings as pants are a perfectly acceptable answer to the question of what to wear on a long haul flight.

If it covers your body and keeps your skin from touching me as we’re squeezed in together unnaturally close quarters, I really don’t give a flying f(*# what you wear.

I prefer jean-look leggings aka jeggings – make sure they’re actually leggings that look like jeans, and not jeans that look like leggings (this makes sense in my head – basically, one is soft and lush, the other is scratchy demon material).

These denim-look leggings from HUE, my favorite leggings brand, fall into the heavenly former category.

That said, just regular matte black leggings work too. I used to buy a ton of leggings in bulk from H&M each season until inevitably each pair would end up in the trash as my thunder thighs ripped the seams to shreds.

I’ve since invested in higher quality leggings, also from HUE, and they last for ages. At just twice the price of H&M leggings, they last at least 10x longer, so it’s a no brainer for me.

Slipper socks

I always bring some fuzzy slipper socks so I can take off my shoes, as I can’t fall asleep with my shoes on. Sorry if this is a major plane faux pas, but we all gotta make sacrifices, y’all. As I once said to my friend regarding the indignity of flying coach, “you can’t hurdle through the sky on a throne”.

I bought my house socks at a German Christmas market, but I’m ridiculously tempted by these cute panda socks.

The question is do you need compression socks for a long haul flight? I’ve never in my life worn a pair and I’ve never had a problem, especially because my tiny bladder means that I get up to use the bathroom every few hours so that I give my legs a stretch.

If your legs get achy and sore on shorter flights, I’d definitely invest in a pair of compression socks but it’s not something I use personally.

Slip on shoes

I can’t fall asleep when I’m wearing shoes, so I have my fluffy slipper socks, but I definitely don’t want to step foot into a plane bathroom in those – yikes. Planes are basically flying germ boxes and you need proper shoes (or perhaps a hazmat suit) to brave the toilet there.

Therefore I try to make sure that the shoes I bring on the plane are easy to slip on and off as needed without needing to zip or lace much. I love these Skechers pull on sneakers (I have them in red) for flying – they’re super simple to take on and off without any fuss.

The biggest freaking scarf possible

My other biggest long haul flight essential is an enormous scarf that you can practically build a shelter with.

Basically, anything that goes under the search term ‘blanket scarf’ will do you good. I have something similar to this blanket scarf that I bought at Zara.

Not all airlines give you a blanket anymore – and those that do come wrapped in plastic. Which I understand, because ew bedbugs, but also I feel like it’s so wasteful…. says the person emitting carbon out the wazoo on a long haul flight.

Anyway, bring your own scarf/blanket/pillow combination. Armed with this and your travel hoodie, you’ll feel cozy as hell and ready to take on an awful flight.

Long Haul Flight Essentials to Pack

A carry on bag

I travel carry-on only 90% of the time for a few reasons: the primary reason being that I’m cheap as hell and typically fly lost-cost carriers long haul like Norwegian or Level whenever possible. They don’t always include a bag, so I pack carry-on only to avoid the extra $40+ that can get added onto each ticket price.

The other reason is that I am impatient and hate lines, so I hate checking in my bag at the airport when I arrive.

The few occasions that I checked a bag, I found it extremely rare for an airport to have seamless bag drop processes.

I also just want to get the hell out of the airport as soon as the wheels hit the ground, so I love not having to wait for my bag or worry that it got lost.

Side note, I may have some trust issues after having my bag lost a handful of times, the worst being a 32 DAY DELAY courtesy of freaking Greyhound. How you lose a bag on a bus, I have no idea, but they tried it and boy did they ever succeed.

So, for those reasons, I recommend investing in a good carry-on bag. I estimate that traveling carry-on only saves me about $300+ per year as a frequent flier, so investing in a higher quality bag is a no-brainer for me.

I’ve been a paying customer of Tortuga Backpacks for years. They recently sent me their newest edition, the 45L Setout, to try, and I love it to pieces — except not literally because it’s insanely well constructed and I expect it to last the better part of a decade.

It is really well constructed, with three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in.

It also has one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to, a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside.

Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs and details here.

I also carry a personal item sized bag because as much as I pretend I’m a light packer I actually always find more ways to squirrel things away. I have a full review of my favorite under-seat bag here.

A change of clothes

Having fresh, clean clothes I can change into once I finally get off the plane makes me feel human once again.

And just in case you didn’t heed my advice to only pack a carry-on and your luggage gets lost, you have clean clothes waiting for you at your destination, no matter what.

Snacks

I always have a ridiculous amount of snacks on my person at all times for every possible contingency – they’re my number one long haul flight essential. Don’t stock up at the airport, where they tack on about 200% to the price.

A few of my favorite snacks? Trail mix (make sure it’s peanut free as a lot of people have really serious and sensitive allergies and you don’t want to be that a**hole), granola bars, pretzels, and fresh fruit like apples.

Entertainment

There are few things worse than settling into your seat on a long haul flight only to discover that your in-flight entertainment system is broken (or, in the case of a recent 6 hour Sofia to Doha flight, just plain doesn’t exist).

Stock up your phone, laptop, or tablet before you fly with a ton of podcasts, music, and movies or TV episodes.

Netflix actually has a selection of shows you can download on your phone, no streaming required – I recommend downloading some of Netflix’s best travel shows before you go!

I also bring a Kindle loaded with e-books (I love the Kindle Paperwhite, as it’s gentle on my sensitive eyes).

Lip balm + moisturizer

I really don’t know what they do to the air on long haul flights, but every time I get off the plane I feel like every cell of water in my body has been replaced with sand. I am constantly reapplying heavy-duty lipbalm.

Generic chapsticks actually make my lips worse somehow, but I am obsessed with the ultra-cheap yet ultra-effective Aquaphor Lip Repair which have rescued my lips from oblivion on many a long flight.

I also moisturize every few hours – I love this pricy but ridiculously hydrating matte moisturizer from Shiseido.

It’s expensive, but you only need a tiny drop at a time to get your skin back to baby soft.

Neck pillow

I’ve trialled many different travel pillows over the years and now I’ve finally found the best neck pillow for long haul flights – the TRTL.

Yes, you look and feel like a total doofus using it but it is by far one of the most comfortable pillows I’ve used, PLUS here’s the clincher for me – it actually travels well.

I used to buy those big beanie-filled U-shaped neck pillows that you buy for $20 at the airport, but always got frustrated carrying them on longer trips and ended up tossing them out eventually having been used once.

I then bought an inflatable U-shaped neck pillow and absolutely despised it. I had kind of given up on finding the ideal travel pillow when my dad gifted me a TRTL travel pillow for Christmas a year ago and holy crap, this pillow rocks.

It’s perfect for side sleepers like me who need pillow support to feel comfortable.

It also keeps your neck in an ergonomic position to avoid the cricks in your neck, which prior to owning this pillow always struck me after a long haul flight.

Most importantly, it packs down relatively flat or easily dangles off your backpack so that it’s not heinous to carry around when you’re not flying.

Baby wipes

For everything from taking off makeup to refreshing your face to cleaning your tray table (which are literally never ever cleaned) and wiping down the seat in the bathroom after a man who had a few too many mini bottles of wine went to town in there… you’ll want to BYOB(W).

Most baby wipes contain plastics that take hundreds of years to break down so I recommend these biodegradable ones instead.

Yes, they’re wrapped in plastic, but it’s a huge improvement over the alternative (plastic wipes wrapped in plastic). You can buy them here.

Pen

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been surprised that I don’t have a pen in my carry-on and I have to fill out a paper customs or immigration form. It’s annoying every single time – so make sure you bring a pen.

Also, make sure it’s a simple crappy ball point pen and not the lovely, glide-y inky pens that will immediately burst upon pressure in the air. I’ve definitely lost quite a few of my favorite pens (and had some really inky hands in the process) to this.

Reusable water bottle

I try to reduce my single use plastic intake, so I bring my own water bottle. I bought mine from IKEA but this one from Klean Kanteen is great.

If you don’t want the extra weight and want something that packs down light, I recommend this Nomader water bottle which folds up when not in use.

I fill up my water bottle before a flight and make it a point to drink it throughout the flight. For refills, don’t use the plane water in the bathrooms as it’s not potable and is barely fit to wash your hands with.

Portable charger

My Anker portable charger (I have the PowerCore 13000 has saved me from tears and near disasters many a time.

This portable charger can charge a phone nearly 5 times, plenty for even the longest of long haul flights.

More and more planes these days have USB charging ports, but since I recommend a portable charger for travel anyway, it’s a no-brainer to have it in your long haul flight essentials kit.

Once I lost my portable charger and didn’t replace it, and trying to coordinate my arrival to my Airbnb with no way to contact my host with a completely dead phone and a screaming taxi driver was one of my worst travel moments of 2018.

A high-quality sleep mask

I hate, hate, hate those fake satin airline sleep masks they give on long hauls more than I hate most things, except maybe bananas and itchy wool sweaters.

I purchased this amazing Bedtime Bliss sleep mask for my 5 month Europe backpacking trip and was so obsessed.

For one, it rests gently on top of your eyes with its contoured shape, not squishing your eyelids so that you constantly feel pressure.

It blacks out light completely, which is great when you’re trying to trick your body to adjust to a new time period and there’s still sunlight out where you are.

Not only is it great to combat jet lag with, it also blocks out light in hostels and on buses. I’m so obsessed with this eye mask that I quite literally had tears in my eyes when I realized I left it behind tangled in a hostel bed sheet. When I returned to the US, I made sure I bought two on Amazon for my next trip, that’s how in love I am.

Comfortable wireless headphones

Am I the only one who wakes up with shooting ear pain if I fall asleep for too long with plastic earbuds in my ears, or am I just a baby?

I need comfortable wireless earbuds that don’t have an annoying cord to get in the way and catch on things, jarring me awake as they get yanked out of my ears.

I love to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, meditation recordings, and that sort of thing to help me drift off to sleep on long haul flights.

A tip for helping you sleep on long flights: be sure you’re not staring at your phone or even your Kindle within an hour or so before you want to sleep.

The blue light will mess with your sleep cycles and make it hard to sleep, thus forcing you to be conscious for more hours of your flight. Ugh.

Sleep medications

As a citizen of the overly litigious United States and the daughter and niece of lawyers, lemme just say: I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. This is just my experience!

I always take some sort of sleep aid during my long haul flights. Usually, this is one of my sleep medications prescribed by my psychiatrist, as I have chronic insomnia unrelated to travel.

Over the counter pills like Benadryl, Dramamine, or Tylenol PM will work for people who, unlike me, do not require the human equivalent of elephant tranquilizers to sleep. 

There are lots of herbs I like that help me sleep: valerian root (may cause problems for some, but works for me), passionflower extract, kava kava (may cause funky dreams, you’ve been warned!), hops, and California poppy.

As always with any medicine, herb, or supplement, consult with a doctor about your specific health before use.

For me, the best sleep aids for long haul flights for me is something that combines herbs, amino acids (like trytophan, the protein in turkey that makes you sleepy), and natural hormones like melatonin.

Personally, Jarrow has an amazing sleep aid that works virtually as well as my sleeping pills.

It’s called Jarrow Sleep Optimizer and it is literally one of the best things I’ve ever spent money on.

If you just want the melatonin, be aware that most melatonin is dosed way too high according to recent research.

I’ve learned that 0.1 mg of melatonin taken 2-4 hours before sleep is ideal (most melatonin pills are 3-5 mg, which is 30-50x the ideal dosage!).

Each Jarrow pill has 0.15 mg, which is close enough for me (I take 1 pill instead of the recommended 2 so that I don’t take too much melatonin).

More won’t technically hurt you, but it’s apparently not the ideal, as your brain produces melatonin naturally in nanogram amounts, and having a full few milligrams will overwhelm your brain. Science!

Fiber supplement

This may seem weird, but it’s one of my top long flight essentials, and here’s why. One unfortunate but common side effect of jet lag induced by long haul flying is constipation. For example, once I flew from Toronto to Tokyo in one go, and the subsequent jet lag totally wrecked my digestive system.

Eight days later, I finally was able to use bathroom, but not without several days of agony.

A better choice would be to bring along a fiber supplement to easily add into my water and keep me regular despite the flying!

The Ultimate Weekend Trip Packing List: What to Pack for a Weekend Getaway

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duffel bag sitting on a chair

One thing I’ve always excelled at is packing light. 

I’ve been to the Arctic twice in the winter — using just a carry-on. A six-week trip spanning Moldova, Ukraine, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Portugal — also in a carry-on.

I even went on a five-month backpacking trip through Europe and Morocco, with temperatures spanning from 115° F to 40° F — yup, all in a single carry-on bag (and personal item).

But for some reason, when I would go on a weekend trip, I would always overpack. I would find my biggest reasonable-sized bag and then fill it up to the brim, and then I’d lament how heavy my bag was… as if I didn’t pack it myself. 

I decided to create a weekend trip packing list for myself so that I would stop overburdening my weak-a** shoulders with far more weight than necessary, especially when I pack at the last minute

I decided I should share it with my readers, since I know a lot of people struggle with figuring out exactly what to pack for a weekend getaway.

Best Carry-on Bag for a Weekend Away

man and a woman each with a carry on bag and a handbag

There are all sorts of carry-on bags you could bring for a weekend trip… but not all travel bags are created equal.

A duffel bag is the classic weekender bag, but the fact that it distributes weight unevenly on one shoulder is a no-go for me, personally.

Instead, I opt for a comfortable travel backpack most of the time when I am planning a weekend trip, especially if I am driving to my destination. 

That way I can use it as a travel daypack as well when I am at my destination for a day trip, hike, etc.

If I am flying, I often opt for a small roller suitcase like this underseat roller bag — that way, I don’t have to worry about finding overhead space on a packed plane, and possibly having to deal with a gate-checked bag at baggage claim!

The great thing about both of these types of bags if you are flying is that they count as a ‘personal item’ as opposed to a carry-on bag.

Weekend Packing List: Clothes (Women)

Allison sitting at the Grand Canyon wearing green pants and a black shirt
A denim tank top, green pants, and (very dirty!) slip on sneakers — an easy weekend trip outfit!

Packing cubes | I like to bring packing cubes on every trip, even when I’m just packing for a weekend away or a short trip. They keep my clothing items folded while I am rifling through my bag trying to find something that, inevitably, has made its way to the very bottom. I use these Eagle Creek packing cubes.

T-Shirts | I would bring 1-2 T-shirts for a weekend trip, short or long-sleeve depending on the weather. I like to bring black and white and liven them up with a pretty printed skirt. If it’s really hot, swap out T-shirts for tank tops.

Cardigan | A cardigan is a great layer for breezy evenings or spring or fall days. I prefer long, loose ones — preferably with pockets, like this one! It’s great for layering.

Leggings | I love leggings for underneath dresses or for sleeping in. I typically bring 1-2 pairs for a weekend away. I have these ones and love the high waist and stretch!

Printed skirt | I love a pretty printed skirt to go with a T-shirt — it’s the easiest outfit to throw together and feel put together!

Printed dress | I always like a beautiful printed dress which will pair nicely with a cardigan and leggings if it gets cold. It’s versatile but comfortable and fun!

Jeans or pants | A pair of pants or a pair of jeans — either black or blue — will serve you well on virtually any kind of weekend trip. Black is dressier, blue is more casual.

Shoes | This will vary greatly depending on your style, but I love Birkenstocks for sandals, Ilse Jacobsen for cute slip-on sneakers (I have a yellow pair of these and they are my most complimented shoe!), black Nikes for hiking/city walking shoes, and these Sorel waterproof leather Chelsea boots.

You won’t need all of these for a weekend away, but mix and match 2-3 pairs. For something a little more trendy, try some Gucci loafers dupes for a comfortable yet cool shoe.

Warm jacket or rain jacket, if needed | Depending on the weather at your destination, you might want to bring a warm jacket like a parka or a waterproof rain jacket if you are going on a winter vacation.

Bathing suit and cover-up, if needed | If you’re doing a weekend trip somewhere on the beach, I’d pack a cute swim suit (I love these high-waisted two-pieces) and a beach cover-up.

Allison wearing a swimsuit in Puerto Rico
Enjoying a weekend in Puerto Rico in a cute high-waisted swimsuit!

Beach bag, if needed | If you’re going on a beach vacation, you’ll want a separate beach bag or tote that you don’t mind getting sandy. This striped, nautical-themed beach bag is super cute!

Undergarments | I’d bring two bras and three pairs of underwear for a weekend trip.

Socks | Two to three pairs of socks is good for a weekend trip, less if you are doing a beach trip where you’ll be primarily in sandals.

Weekend Packing List: Hygiene & Toiletries 

A toiletry bag and some pants and a luggage

Hand sanitizer | It may be 2021, but there’s still a pandemic going on! I bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse (this orange-scented one from Whole Foods is less toxic-smelling than others)

Mask | I always wear a KN94 mask — they’re less often counterfeited than N95s and Korea, where the masks come from, have a less tolerant attitude towards fakes. Unfortunately with the Delta wave, the virus is more transmissible than ever before, so I have stopped wearing cloth masks.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and case | Of course, you’ll need a toothbrush for a weekend away, but I also suggest an easy carrying case for your toothbrush. I’m trying to reduce my plastic footprint, so I love this set of 4 bamboo toothbrushes, which also comes with a bamboo carrying case + even charcoal dental floss. It’s all zero-waste and eco-friendly!

Deodorant | I was *finally* able to make the switch off of aluminum deodorants with this wonderful activated charcoal natural deodorant (which is also baking soda free!). I find I have to re-apply once a day, but I’m naturally a very sweaty and smelly individual, and I bet most normal people would be fine to go a whole day with it!

Make-up | Bring whatever make-up you normally wear day-to-day! I always pack a red lipstick (I’m obsessed with Glossier’s buildable red lipstick), mascara, a bit of concealer, and some lightweight tinted moisturizer.

Lipstick is my forever travel mood!
Red lipstick is my forever travel mood!

Shampoo and conditioner | I hate using whatever toiletries are given to me by the hotel, plus it wastes plastic packaging to use those little bottles.

I always bring my toiletries from home, but I put them into small silicone GoToobs which squeeze out whatever is inside easily and without drama (much better than those plastic ones that you have to bang like a drum to get even a drop of your shampoo out!).

Especially if you have color-treated hair, like if you have bleached hair or have dyed it some fun hair colors for blondes, you’ll want to bring a color-treatment maintenance shampoo like this one from Paul Mitchell.

If you have eyelash extensions and want to bring lash shampoo, throw that in your bag too.

Body wash | Bring some body wash and put it in one of your GoToobs

Face wash | I always bring a separate face wash for sensitive skin, like this La Roche-Posay cleanser.

Sunscreen | Absolutely essential for a trip of any length! After getting some faint sun spots at age 30, I’m now fastidious about everyday SPF on my face. I use this bougie Supergoop! face sunscreen because it has all sorts of great natural ingredients, like red algae which protects against blue light emitted from phones and meadowfoam seed for hydration.

Moisturizer | I love this cruelty-free, hyaluronic-acid packed moisturizer from Honest.

Lip balm with SPF | Lips need SPF too! I use this SPF 25 lip balm.

Toiletry bag | Bring everything in a quart-sized Ziploc bag for TSA if you are flying, or in a reusable toiletry bag like this hanging one!

Contacts and contact solution, if needed | If you need it, you know.

Weekend Packing List: Electronics

Woman sitting in bed with an e-reader

Cell phone and phone charger | You’ll definitely need your phone and charger for a weekend away! I also suggest bringing a car charger if you are doing a road trip or driving to your destination

Portable battery | I always bring a portable battery with me to keep all my electronics juiced up. I use a portable battery (I have this one from Anker) — it’s especially essential you are doing a city trip with lots of walking and photo-taking. It’s also great if you are flying to your destination and need to charge on the plane as not all planes have accessible charging outlets.

Kindle | If you’ll be on a plane or have time to sit down with a book on your trip, a Kindle Paperwhite loaded up with a great book or two is a must-have! The new ones are waterproof, too, which is great if you’re lounging beachside or poolside on your trip. 

iPad | An iPad also works, if you prefer, and it’s great for distracting kids who need some screen time on longer trips to save your sanity. It’s also great so you can leave your laptop behind, but still be connected if you need it.

Haircare tools | I don’t personally bring any haircare tools on my trips for the weekend. I have stick-straight hair that I rarely ever blow dry unless the weather is freezing cold out and I need to dry my hair so I don’t get sick. However I know other people don’t have that luxury, so bring whatever haircare tools you use at home if that’s essential for you.

Adapters, if overseas | If you’re doing a domestic weekend trip, you won’t need a travel adapter, but if you are doing international travel, pack a universal adapter.

Weekend Packing List: Random Travel Gear

woman wearing an eye mask laying in bed

Eye mask | I hate not being able to sleep when I travel — you never know if your hotel room has good enough curtains, or if you want to sleep on the plane. I like these contoured sleep masks that don’t press down on your eyelids. I have this one, and it’s also great for headaches!

Medicine and mini first aid kit | You’ll want to bring a small medicine kit – painkillers, stomach medicine, etc. – and some first aid items such as Bandaids and hydrocolloid blister bandages if hiking or walking a lot.

Reusable water bottle | An insulated water bottle that keeps your drinking water cool is great to have while traveling. I use this one by Klean Kanteen.

Guidebooks, if using | If you are traveling somewhere that you’ve never been before, a paperback guidebook can be a great resource to throw in your day bag.

Minimalist Packing Tips

Capsule collection of five classic long sleeve shirts and black bag

As someone who lived out of a backpack for three years and still travels lightly, here are my best travel tips for how to pack light on your next trip.

Choose a color palette.

Pick one or two neutral colors (navy, black, brown, tan) to make up the bulk of your clothing and then add a few colors that you know look good with those. 

For example, I’d bring a pair of black jeans, a tan skirt, and then I’d pick a red blouse since I know that color would pair nicely with my neutrals.

Always opt for comfortable shoes.

Unless you have a specific reason to bring a pair of heels, such as you’re attending a wedding or know you’re going out clubbing, just don’t.

I’ll admit my minimalism often doesn’t extend to my shoes — I would bring as many as five pairs of shoes on my backpacking trips — but for a weekend away, packing two or a maximum of three pairs will work just fine.

I would suggest a comfortable pair of sneakers that work just as well on the city streets as on a hike AND a pair of either ankle boots or sandals (flip flops for a beach trip) that work well as walking shoes depending on the season. 

Add an optional pair of dressy shoes (stylish flats or heels) if you are doing anything that needs to be fancier and a little bit elevated.

Use packing cubes.

Packing cubes serve the function of keeping everything organized, of course.

But it also helps you visualize all your clothes together and make sure the colors go well together, and it helps you not overpack as you can take clothing in and out of the cubes, rather than throwing all the clothes into the bag until you can barely close it (guilty as charged).

Quick Weekend Packing Checklist

Above is the list of items in bullet point form, so as to be an easy packing checklist for a weekend trip:

Travel Essentials

  • Wallet, drivers license/ID, and credit cards
  • Car and house keys
  • Important documents
  • Boarding pass and other travel documents 
  • Travel bag (backpack, weekender bag, duffel bag, or roller suitcase)
  • Packing cubes

Travel Clothing

  • 1-2 T-shirts
  • 1 cardigan
  • 1-2 pairs leggings
  • 1 printed skirt
  • 1 printed dress
  • 1-2 pairs jeans or pants
  • 2-3 pairs shoes
  • Warm jacket or rain jacket (optional)
  • Bathing suit and cover-up (optional)
  • Beach bag or tote (optional)
  • 1-2 bras
  • 2-3 pairs underwear
  • 2-3 pairs socks

Hygiene & Toiletries

  • Hand sanitizer
  • KN94 masks
  • Toothbrush and carrying case
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Make-up
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Face wash
  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturizer
  • Cosmetics like CC creams, mascara, etc.
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Toiletry bag
  • Contacts and contact solution

Electronics & Etc.

  • Cell phone
  • Charger
  • Portable battery
  • Kindle and/or iPad
  • Haircare tools
  • Adapters (optional)
  • Eye mask
  • Medicine
  • Mini first-aid kit
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Guidebooks (optional)

Weekend Travel Checklist

Person's hand watering an indoor plant

This is a bit different in that this is a quick checklist of things to do before you leave for a weekend away!

– Organize a pet-sitter or house-sitter, if necessary

– Take out the trash

– Water any plants that need it

– Clear out the fridge of anything that needs to go

– Set up any alarm, if you have it

Your Puerto Rico Packing List: What to Wear in Puerto Rico

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With year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches with buttery soft sand, and vibrant city culture, Puerto Rico is the has-it-all destination within a short flight from the U.S. mainland.

Despite not needing a passport to visit, Puerto Rico offers a unique culture all of its own. Puerto Rican culture is influenced heavily by its Taíno roots (the Indigenous people of the Caribbean who pre-dated Columbus’ invasion), as well as African, Spanish, and American cultures: a result of its complex history of colonization, slavery, and its present-day status as a colony by a different name.

This post will focus on what to pack for Puerto Rico and so I don’t want to get too much into such a complex topic here. I wrote a quick summary of Puerto Rican history and things to know before you go on this Puerto Rico travel guide that may be helpful to read before arriving in PR.

Packing lists can be quite personal, and I don’t claim that this is the only or most comprehensive Puerto Rico packing list out there. This is what I’ve personally brought on my two trips to Puerto Rico as a minimalist traveler who still likes to look cute when I travel and bring a few of my favorite products.

I’ve broken this list down into the 10 most essential items to make sure aren’t missing from your Puerto Rico packing list, then I’ve followed it up by what to wear in Puerto Rico for women and men. Finally, there are a few little extras that you should consider when packing for trip to Puerto Rico, located at the end of the post.

10 Essential Things to Pack for Puerto Rico

Reef-safe sunscreen: If there is one thing I hope you take away from this Puerto Rico packing list, I hope it’s this! The future health of the reefs around Puerto Rico depends on the actions you take today. Your choice on what sunscreen to wear has a huge impact on keeping Puerto Rico’s reef system healthy for future generations. When it comes to a reef-safe option, I love SunBum SPF 50 with Vitamin E — it’s moisturizing and soothing for you, and it won’t hurt the animals who call the reefs around Puerto Rico home.

Chemical-free insect repellent: Just like reef-safe sunscreen, it’s critical that the bug spray you use won’t harm the sensitive ecosystems of Puerto Rico, especially when you get in the water! A simple lemon eucalyptus spray like this will keep most mosquitos away without the harsh chemicals which can mess up delicate ecosystems. Spraying your clothes with

An awesome travel towel: An actually-good travel towel changes the game. Let’s be clear: I’m not talking about a sad little microfiber square that might as well be a washcloth. I’m talking a true microfiber beach towel that serves you just as well on a beach day as it does after a long shower. I’m obsessed with this classic red and white striped travel towel from Dock & Bay, which easily knocks off sand in a single shake-out and is made of 100% recycled materials.

Bathing suits you love. When packing for a trip to Puerto Rico, you’ve got to have swimwear you really love — and that loves you back. I love wearing a two-piece, but I often get bloated while I travel and I hate feeling awkward in my swimwear after a day indulging in too much mofongo and lechon. Solution? High-waisted swimsuits! I love this one, and this one is a great plus-size option with a high waist and a classic shape. I would bring 3 swimsuits for one week in Puerto Rico so I never have to suffer the indignity of putting on a wet bathing suit, because no one — and I mean no one — has time for that.

Allison wearing a swimsuit in Puerto Rico
Enjoying Puerto Rico in a cute high-waisted swimsuit!

Comfortable and secure daypack: My everyday backpack is this awesome PacSafe CitySafe backpack – it has a lot of awesome security features that make it insanely useful for city travel. While Puerto Rico is quite safe, pickpocketing can be an issue in cities. Personally, I love the locking zippers and slash-proof construction for peace of mind. Even when I don’t need the security features, I just love this bag because it’s great at fitting all the things I need for my day (mine can fit a camera and several lenses, a drone, my reusable water bottle, some snacks, and a few other odds and ends), and it’s actually — dare I say — cute?

Portable charger: You’ll use your phone battery more than you thought in Puerto Rico – whether it’s using it to take photos or videos, or to navigate as you drive around the country. Bring a portable charger to save yourself many headaches! Anker is a reliable brand and what I personally use as a blogger with approximately 102 different gadgets I use – make sure you get one that can hold several charges at once so you don’t have to charge it every single night.

Motion sickness tablets: Many activities in Puerto Rico have you out on the water, which can be tough for people like me who are prone to seasickness and motion sickness! I always pack non-drowsy motion sickness tablets and keep them on hand for days on the water and on long car drives.

Medications from home: Anything you need at home, you’ll likely need on the road. Don’t risk not being able to get the medications you need abroad. Just bring them, and double check that you have them before leaving.

Travel insurance. While this isn’t something you would literally pack for Puerto Rico, travel insurance is really important and should be part of the packing and planning process! Travel insurance covers flight delays and cancellations, as well as personal travel safety against incidents, theft, and illness. I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for years and recommend them highly for travel in Puerto Rico (and anywhere, frankly — I’ve trusted them with my safety for 5+ years across 60+ countries!). The contract is very clear as to what it covers, the prices are affordable, and the deductible is low if you find yourself needing to make a claim. Trust me, you’ll wish your health insurance was this good. *cries in Kaiser Permanente*

What to Wear in Puerto Rico (For Women)

El morro old san juan
A Saturday stroll at the El Morro grounds in Old San Juan

3-5 lightweight summer dresses: Dresses are great for the hot and often sticky Puerto Rican humid weather. Since they’re lightweight, they pack up nice and small, so feel free to throw a few extras in your bag so you have more options. Since you’ll likely end up wearing one or two as a beach cover-up, having some extras is nice. I like this classic striped dress, but pick whatever you are most comfortable in!

Bike shorts (optional): If you’re a thick-thighed woman like myself, you won’t want to wear dresses without these! Chub rub can ruin your day, so come armed and equipped. I like these Undersummers bike shorts for wearing underneath longer dresses — they come in inclusive sizing up to 5XL and are comfy with no inner thigh seams, which should be a “duh” for designers but often isn’t.

Bandelettes (optional): When I want to wear something cute and short like a minidress, I love these Bandelettes. The plus of the Bandelettes is that unlike short-short bike shorts, they won’t ride up and bunch, so they end up being a lot more comfortable. Plus they allow you to breathe, if ya know what I mean.

5+ tees & tanks: You will sweat a lot in Puerto Rico, so opt for black, navy, and other dark colors. Yes, they attract heat, but they also avoid the telltale yellow pit stains that seem to be my constant vibe whenever I attempt to wear white. If you wear white, make it loose and drapey. I love this simple blank tank.

1 pair jeans: While during the day I felt too hot in jeans, I did occasionally wear my pair of jeans at night and was happy to have one pair in my bag. I like a light-wash, high-waisted pair like these cute and classic Levi’s.

2-3 pairs shorts: I suggest one pair of denim shorts (cuffed or cutoff) and one or two pairs of linen or cotton shorts. Avoid polyester as it doesn’t breathe and you will hate yourself. I suggest these affordable 100% linen shorts! Note that linen wrinkles easily, but if you hang it up in your bathroom while you shower, a lot of the wrinkles will easily shake out and smooth out.

2-3 skirts: I suggest bringing one black skirt and one printed skirt for flexibility. I especially love having midi or maxi length skirts, which feel great and coincidentally look nice in photos. As a bonus, the extra fabric around your legs traps some cool air, making you feel less hot, plus it gives you some extra coverage. I adore this polka dot midi skirt, which looks amazing with some tan sandals, and this twirl-worthy pleated midi comes in a gorgeous selection of colors!

1 pair sneakers: On days when you’re walking around San Juan and all its cobblestones, it’s nice to have a pair of sneakers that can handle the abuse that cobblestones dish out. I always add my pair of black Nikes to every packing list, as I find they look cute even worn with my dresses, and I’m all about having options!

2 pairs sandals: I suggest bringing one pair of rubber flip flops like these Havaianas and another pair of more stylish or dressy sandals. I’m obsessed with my Birkenstock Gizeh sandals and will never go back. If you buy new Birks, though, be sure to break them in for 2-3 days before you travel, as they mold to form to the exact shape of your foot! They’ll be slightly uncomfortable at first, but trust me, they quickly will become the sandals you never want to take off.

Sandals so nice, I’ve bought them twice!

1 pair heels (optional): I don’t like to dance but I know many travelers plan for a night out in San Juan dancing the night away. If you enjoy dancing in heels, then I’d bring a comfortable pair with you. If you don’t plan to go dancing, then leave these at home – I did, gladly!

1 rain jacket: Even if you don’t plan on traveling in the rainy season (which runs April through December), sometimes the weather has other plans. I love my Marmot rain jacket as it’s lightweight, practically impermeable (tried and tested in rainy NYC biking conditions), and has underarm zips which you can open to vent on hot, humid rainstorm days.

1 lightweight cardigan: Just in case you get cold at night, are battling some extra persistent mosquitos, or want a little extra coverage, a cardigan is good to have. You likely won’t need it in Puerto Rico, but it’s good for the plane. I’d opt for a slightly longish, light-colored open front cardigan.

1-2 bras: I personally brought 1 regular bra and 1 sports bra and switched between the two.

7+ pairs of underwear: You can arrange laundry on the road, but I recommend avoiding it if you only have a week in Puerto Rico or less. If you want to avoid laundry, just bring enough underwear for the duration of your trip.

Socks: As needed for wearing with sneakers.

1 sunhat: Not just for the ‘gram, you’ll want a sunhat as it’ll give your face extra SPF and keep the rays off your face.

Sunglasses: Bring an inexpensive pair or two, or prescription from home if you’re blind as a bat like I am.

What to Wear in Puerto Rico (For Men)

Full disclosure: I’m not a man, nor do I have strong opinions or experience with men’s clothes, so these are guidelines more than actual product recommendations.

This guide is really aimed more at addressing what to wear in Puerto Rico for women since that’s my personal experience, but I’ll throw in some suggestions without much commentary in case it is helpful.

  • 5 short sleeve Ts
  • 2-3 pair jeans or pants
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 1 pair of underwear for each day of your trip
  • flip flops or comfortable walking sandals
  • sneakers
  • 1 pair nicer dress shoes if you have a nice dinner/night out
  • 1 nicer button-up shirt for nights out
  • waterproof rain jacket
  • swim trunks
  • 1 lightweight sweater
  • 3-5 pairs of socks
  • sunglasses
  • any other popular travel accessories for men

Other Things That Need to Be on Your Puerto Rico Packing List

Basic toiletries: This is highly personal, but for me, I need to bring the following: shampoo, conditioner, facial moisturizer, facial sunscreen, and all my little serums. Shoutout to my permanent sidekick, the Valo Vitamin C serum from Lumene, a cruelty-free Finnish brand, which is currently working overtime undoing all the sun damage I unleashed on my poor twenty-something skin before I realized the importance of preventing sun damage and am now seeing in my thirties.

Deodorant: This deserves a separate category, always and forever. I readily admit I am often sweatier than I have any right to be, but I’m obsessed with Secret clinical strength deodorant. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to go with a more natural formation, but I’ve often ended up sweat-drenched and rank within hours. This is the only thing that holds up to hot weather travel for me.

Hand sanitizer: The thing we’ll never travel without again! I like these small Purell bottles for travel.

Menstrual cup or your favorite tampon/pad brand (if applicable). I switched to a menstrual cup for travel 5 years ago and haven’t looked back! I started with DivaCup, and now I like the FlexCup for its tampon-like pull tab which makes it easier and cleaner to remove. While it may seem awkward at first to the uninitiated, I don’t have to change my cup for at least 8 hours even on heavy days when a tampon will last less than 2 hours. I’ve never leaked once in 5 years — can you say that for tampons? That said, you do you, and if you will feel more comfortable in tampons or pads, bring ’em.

Razor (if applicable): Bring a high-quality razor for a close shave that won’t irritate your skin — disposables are wasteful and cause irritation.

Ebook reader: I love having a Kindle Paperwhite for travel (the new ones are waterproof!) but if you don’t think you’ll be doing much reading on your Puerto Rico trip or your flight over, then you can give this a pass.

Travel camera or smartphone: I use a Sony A6000 because it’s lightweight for a professional caliber camera, relatively inexpensive in the wild world of professional-grade cameras, and a nice step up from a smartphone. I like having a zoom lens and a prime lens to maximize what I can capture, but if you have to pick just one, I’d pick a zoom lens. The kit lens on the A6000 isn’t bad, but the 16mm-70mm f4 Zeiss zoom lens uplevels it massively. However, smartphones are getting better every day, and the new iPhones with their telephoto and wide lens capabilities are pretty amazing, so you might not need a camera if you have a good smartphone!

Well, that just about covers what to pack for Puerto Rico. I hope you found this list and my tips for what to wear in Puerto Rico for women helpful for planning your trip. Did I forget anything that’s on your Puerto Rico packing list? Let me know in the comments!

50 Essentials for Car Camping: Checklist & Packing List For Car Camping

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There’s nothing better than classic smell of a warm campfire crackling under a blanket of twinkling stars and waking up to a soft glowing sunrise as dawn breaks the horizon.

Camping is all about those moments of peace and serenity. When your pace for the day is slow and peaceful, and you truly embrace what it means to be a part of nature.

But, as my fellow campers know, not all moments are pure bliss and comfort. Sometimes you wake up to powerful thunderstorms that wipe your camp out, or you come back from a long hike and find your campsite has been invaded by ants.

But one thing is for sure, every trip is an epic adventure with hidden lessons that bring memorable stories for years to come.

As a very seasoned car camper,  I want to share with you my ultimate guide to car camping: checklist, essentials, packing list, tips, and more.

My guide includes everything from the apps I use for discovering campsites, products that I feel enhance your car camping experience, and of course the car camping essentials like cookware and storage. I have learned nature’s lessons and developed a love for the chaos and order that comes along with wandering into the great unknown.

What is Car Camping?

Home, sweet car!

For the purposes of this article, I will be focusing primarily on car camping. Which means you will be living and sleeping IN your car.

Your car becomes a fully functioning home on wheels. No tent setups, no breaking down campsites, just you and your car exploring all of what the world has to offer!

However, car camping can also be thought of as driving up to your campsite and setting up shop with a traditional tent — and I’ll cover that briefly as well, while I’ll focus more on the logistics of car camping and sleeping in your car.

The thought of sprawling out in your car, protected from the elements sounds simple in theory, right? Hold up!

Logistically, there are a few things to consider if you want to make your car camping experience as comfortable and convenient as you dreamed in your head. With a little bit of knowledge and advanced planning, your dreams of easily escaping into nature can come true!

Car Camping Checklist #1: Finding a Campsite

Car camping should be treated just like any other vacation or getaway.

First, you dream of where you want to go and then second, seek out accommodations.

Finding accommodations, or in this case, a campsite, is not quite as easy as you may assume. Take it from me! I’ve been kicked off public land, asked to leave rest stops, and have even had campsite reservations stolen from me.

But over the years I’ve perfected my system and discovered the best apps and maps for making accommodations easy. Below I’ve provided the names of my favorite apps and links to websites that I use regularly to find my next camping destination.

Best Apps for Car Camping

1) iOverlander. This app is the best kept secret for free dispersed overlanding campsites. iOverlander uses a simple topical map setup, loaded with a database of campsites that are updated by the users. Details are listed for each campsite including coordinates, pictures and amenities.

2) HipCamp. This is another wonderful app and great alternative for discovering campsites. HipCamp allows you to book unique camping experiences on farms, vineyards, and public parks across the country. It’s essentially an Airb&b for land. Owners “rent out” their land for campers so it gives you a more private setting.

Car Camping Essential Website Resources

1) https://www.blm.gov The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)  is an agency within the United States that is responsible for public land. Campers can camp for free  on BLM land. This website is a great resource for finding maps that provide locations for public land.

2) https://www.fs.usda.gov Similar to BLM Land, National Forest Land is also public use land. Follow the link provided to download maps of National Forest Lands.

3) https://www.reserveamerica.com Reserve America is the Mecca for campground reservations in the states and federal lands. It’s packed with information including tips on outdoors adventures, searching for sites as well as reserving lodging.

Car Camping Checklist #2: Pack Your Essentials for Car Camping

Not sure what the most important parts of your car camping setup are? I’ll break down your car camping essentials section by section so you don’t forget a thing.

Here’s your complete car camping packing list!

Sleeping in Style

Now that you’ve got your dream location picked out and a sweet campsite to boot, let’s get into the list of gear you’ll need to have the perfect adventure.

We’ll start with the most important pieces of gear, sleeping! Sleep is often overlooked but it’s essential if you want to have a good time! Nothing ruins the next day like a bad night of rest. Here’s my list of essential bedding products that are tried and true.

I’ll present two options to my fellow campers. The first option is the traditional route of tent camping. Traditional tent camping still lets you enjoy all the necessities you have stashed in the car but also enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a tent.

The second option is for more of my “#vanlife”-ers, or the lucky few who have a truck or a large SUV that’s big enough to sleep in. I’d seriously advise those with a large car to fold down the backseats of your car or truck and turn it into a packable sleeping sanctuary!

 We’ll start with a tent set up for my novelty tent sleepers who want to drive into the campsite, unload and set up camp.

Tent

 For those who enjoy sleeping in the great outdoors, the REI Half Dome is a great starter tent.

It packs down small, weighs just under 5 pounds, and can lodge two people comfortably. It’s a great option that doesn’t take up much room and is very simple to construct.

Sleeping Pad

  If you chose to go the tent route, you’re going to need to invest in a good sleeping pad. A sleeping pad will act as your mattress and keep you off the cold, hard ground.

The NEMO Flyer is my favorite to use as it is easy to inflate, packs down nicely, and is relatively quiet if you’re the type that rolls around when you sleep.

Sleeping Bag

When sleeping in the car, most people overlook sleeping bags and opt for blankets. But I’ve learned that a sleeping bag is absolutely essential!

Despite being protected from the elements, your car can still get quite chilly and a good down sleeping bag will save you from a harsh, cold wake up. I personally use the Marmot Trestles Elite similar to this one. I love it because it’s super lightweight, comfortable, and keeps me warm.

Mattress

   If you’re one of the lucky few who has a truck or a large SUV, I’d seriously advise you to turn the back of your car or truck into a packable sleeping sanctuary. The best part about a large car is you can create a sleeping system that is more luxurious than your bed at home!

I’ve been through a plethora of air mattresses, sleeping pads, and foam rollouts. But I have finally settled on the ultimate camping mattress.

I LOVE this tri-fold memory foam mattress. I purchased the queen size for both my Ford Edge and F150. It fits perfectly in the back of both cars and folds up to a small enough size that’s perfect for road trips. It’s integrated with a bamboo covering for breathability and I’m able to easily take the cover off for washing.

Comforter

Yes, my sleeping arrangements are very luxurious for camping standards. Which is why I top my camping bed off with a good synthetic down comforter.

A comforter is the icing to my bed cake. I love cuddling up under a comforter and having that extra layer of warmth during the cold months. I use this simple comforter I got off Amazon. It’s an inexpensive option that provides the comfort and warmth that I need.

Pillows

 As for pillows, I just use regular bed pillows. I do have separate ‘camp pillows’ that are different from my home pillows.

The more of an established camper you become, you begin to realize that most articles of fabrics will begin to absorb a permanent campfire smell. So it’s best to have a designated camp bedding bin (below) to keep your linens at home fresh.

Bedding Storage

Bedding takes up the majority of space in my car. I’ve learned the best way to pack bedding is with these Ziploc totes. I throw my comforter, bedsheets, and pillows inside the Ziploc totes.

They are a good way to compact the bulkiness of bedding. They are sturdy, durable, and have a breathable mesh top so you’re able to air out your bedding as you travel.

Camp Kitchen

After a long restful night’s sleep, you’re going to want to wake up and enjoy the sunrise with a cup of camp coffee followed by a beautiful breakfast spread that’ll fuel your outdoor adventure for the day.

The beauty of car camping is that you’re not subjected to MRE meals or boring bologna sandwiches. When you car camp, the sky’s the limit when preparing food! If you’re worried about how to pack for camping and making magnificent meals, don’t worry! I have all the tips and tricks in the kitchen guide below.

Stovetop

Every good camp meal begins with a source of heat. Of course, the simplest answer to your source of heat would be a campfire. But sometimes you arrive at a campsite and find out there is a burn ban in place. That’s where the Coleman Signature Grill Stove comes in!

The Coleman Grill is the perfect answer to all your cooking needs. I love that one side of the Coleman is a grill and the other side serves as a stove. It’s the perfect combination for grilling bacon and eggs while using the stove to warm up your coffee. It’s one of the most necessary things for camping, so don’t forget it!

Cooler

 I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a well insulated cooler. A well insulated cooler is going to keep your food and drinks cold, thus in turn, keeping you safe and healthy from spoiled food. It’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of the YETI coolers.

I own the Tundra 45 and it’s the perfect size for road trips and holds enough food and ice for at least a 4-day adventure. Plus, YETI coolers are bear-proof so you don’t need to worry about leaving it outside during your stay at the campsite.

Coffee Maker

Every camper knows there’s some magic in that morning cup of coffee. For some reason, being out in nature makes the taste of coffee significantly better. I’ve found that the easiest and fastest way to create a perfect cup of camp coffee is through a small device called a Jetboil like this one here.

The JetBoil is essentially a small cooking stove that can boil water in less than 3 minutes. It folds up to a size smaller than a deck of cards and only weighs .2 kg. I pair the JetBoil with a packet of instant coffee and I’m set for the day.

Utensils

So you’ve got your big ‘kitchen’ appliances out of the way.  Here’s a quick rundown of the small kitchen utensils that’ll make your camping experience more enjoyable.

Cast Iron Skillet. Cast iron skillets were made for the great outdoors! It’s the only material that I’ve found that can withstand the heat of a fire, stays warm after cooking, and requires little cleanup. Plus, it gets better with age! Lodge is the gold standard in cast iron cooking.

Spatula. I like using a metal spatula. If you’re cooking over a fire, it’s the best material to have as plastic spatulas tend to melt… plus, it’s easier to clean than wood. I prefer a fish spatula – perfect for flipping pancakes!

Trash bags. Don’t forget the trash bags! You’d be surprised by how much trash you accumulate during your time on the road. You’re responsible for leaving no trace and leaving campsites better than you’ve found them. Bring biodegradable trash bags if possible.

Reusable bowls and utensils. I like using reusable bowls and utensils as it saves space and decreases waste. I like this simple mess kit from REI. It’s the perfect size for two people, comes in a zippered pouch that’s perfect for packing for car camping and funky colors that make it exciting.

Cutting board and knife. I overlooked the use of a cutting board and knife for the longest time. I found myself cutting up food on random surfaces in nature. I’d advise against this and pack a small cutting board and camp knife, like this one.

Spices, oils and dressing. The best way I’ve found for packing and transporting spices, oils, and dressings is to use travel shampoo bottles. They are the perfect mini size and they have screw-top lids so they’re guaranteed not to leak. For a spice kit, this travel one is super cool for hardcore foodie campers.

Propane. If you opt to use a portable grill then you’ll need to pack propane. Always pack an extra bottle! Nothing is more disappointing than cooking your meal halfway and running out of propane. Buy in bulk to save.

Lighter. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten a lighter. Put one in the car, put one in your utensils bag, put one in your pocket. Anything you have to do to remember a lighter! If you forget a lighter, you’ll have no ignition source for your grill or a campfire. Buy a 4-pack and stash them around.

Lighter fluid. I love campfires but the actual act of building a fire is quite complicated and is a skill that takes time to acquire. Lighter fluid speeds this process up and keeps a weak fire burning all night long.

Bandana. Bandanas are the quintessential campers rag. I use my bandana for everything! It comes in handy as a dishrag, an oven mitt, napkin, the list goes on! It’s a great environmentally friendly alternative to paper towels and napkins.

Dish Soap. You’re going to want to bring some dish soap for washing up your dishes and utensils. I personally love CampSuds dish soap. It’s biodegradable, has a clean scent, and can also double as a laundry soap in a pinch!

Shovel. I always pack a mini shovel for clearing out overused fire pits or digging a new fire pit.

I keep all the kitchen utensils organized in a large 12-gallon plastic bin. Plastic bins will become your best friend as you get deeper and deeper into car camping. They are a great way to store all your necessities, they’re super easy to clean after a long trip and they last for ages! They also double as ‘coffee tables’ when you’re ready to sit down and eat.

Making Camp Feel like Home

 So you’ve staked out some land to call home. You’ve made your bed for the day, dinner is cooked and you’re ready to relax by the campfire.

I like to compare this stage of the camping experience to relaxing in your living room. You’ll want some chairs, maybe a hammock, some nice mood lights, and a place to sip that well-anticipated whiskey as you enjoy the sunset.

Chairs. There are a million different options when it comes to chairs. What it really comes down to is what is most comfortable for you. What I’ve found that works for me are these steal of a deal chairs from Ozark Trail. The mesh back allows for a bit of airflow, an insulated cooler on the side lets you stash some extra ‘cold ones,’ and a nifty bottle opener is attached to the side.

Hammock. A hammock is the perfect alternative or addition to chairs. Hammocks are the ultimate way to relax. A brand I’ve used and swear by is Wise Owl Outfitters. Wise Owl hammocks are lightweight, easy to set up, sturdy, and they come in so many different fun colors.

Hammock Straps. If you choose to use a hammock, please consider hammock straps much like these. Hammock straps help in preserving the health of trees by minimizing bark stripping that traditional hammock rope tends to leave behind.

Lanterns. When the sun begins to go down in nature, it gets dark fast! I love these little mini lanterns from REI. They’re the perfect size for stashing around the campsite. They emit a soft light that’s perfect for hanging around the campsite or they can also double as a powerful flashlight.

Toiletries and Cleanliness

As you begin to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, you realize how difficult it is to keep everything clean. Including yourself!

As an avid camper, I’ve come to embrace the dirt and the days without showers. But with that being said, I do have a few tips for keeping your body and campsite as clean as possible.

Wet Wipes. Wet wipes will become your best friend! There will be times where you are nowhere near a water source and you can’t stand the thought of getting into your sleeping bag dirty. That’s where these wet wipes save the day! These wipes are great for your face, hands, and body. Not only do these wipes clean, they also moisturize your skin with a clean cucumber aloe scent.

Toothbrush and toothpaste. I like to use dry toothpaste tabs when I’m out in nature. These tabs are a great option as they are made with all-natural ingredients that are safe to spit out on the ground with no damage to the environment.

Soap. If you’re lucky enough to have a campsite next to water you’ll want to take advantage of the free bath. Grab your CampSuds that I mentioned above and use this as your body wash. I know, I know, it’s a little weird washing your body with the same bottle as you washed your dishes with but trust me! It’s an all-in-one product that’ll leave you feeling better and cleaner!

Towel. Regular bath towels take up a lot of room and tend to take forever to dry out. I prefer to use microfiber towels like these as they dry faster, are easier to pack, and tend not to absorb smells.

Deodorant. Please, for everyone’s sake, pack your favorite deodorant (this is mine)

What about my hair? Okay ladies, embrace that second and third-day hair! I’ve found that camping is much easier when you let your locks do their own thing. I like to wet my hair during a bath, throw it in a braid for the night, and be done with it. As soon as you embrace the ‘no poo’ method, the easier your life becomes.

If you just can’t take it, throw your favorite dry shampoo in your bag and call it clean! PS. Your hair is going to smell like campfire every night anyway so just embrace not having to mess with it.

First Aid and Campsite Survival

As you become more accustomed to camping, you’ll learn that accidents happen. No matter how careful you are, you’ll find yourself digging through your backpack for a bandaid or searching for that precious piece of paracord that could double as a spare shoelace.

Chances are, most items in your first aid survival kit will never get used. But these extra items come in handy the one time you’re in a dire situation.

First Aid Kit. Everyone should keep a comprehensive first aid kit on hand when traveling away from home. It doesn’t have to be some sort of mega kit. This kit from Amazon is perfect. It’s a great comprehensive kit for minor cuts and burns and is small enough to stow away in the smallest crevice of your car.

Bug Spray. I live in Texas, so I camp in and around the southern states a lot, which means BUGS! Tons and tons of bugs. I consider bug spray an essential survival tool because without it, you’ll feel like you want to die. I prefer to use a bug spray with natural ingredients like this one from ClimbOn. It has a clean scent and doesn’t leave a greasy residue like most commercial bug sprays.

Paracord. Paracord is a multi-use tool that every camper should have in their survival kit. Paracord has unlimited uses from acting as a tourniquet to simply stitching up a broken hiking boot. If you’re unfamiliar with Paracord, this site has a great guide on the many uses of paracord.

Matches. Even though you should have packed multiple lighters, as mentioned above (hint hint) it’s still smart to throw some extra matches in your survival kit.

Sunscreen. I put sunscreen in the survival section because I believe it is an essential survival tool! A bad sunburn is not healthy and can really ruin a fun trip. My favorite brand is the SunBum Mineral Sunscreen. It’s all-natural, safe for the environment ingredients make it a great alternative to normal household sunscreens. Plus, it has the signature SunBum scent that makes me smile.

Headlamp. You can never have enough light sources after the sun goes down. A good headlamp like this one from Black Diamond is a great choice. It’s lightweight, compact, and powerful enough to navigate through whatever dark situation you find yourself in. Bring extra batteries, too!

Compass and map. A compass and map sound like such an old school tool for survival. But it’s an absolute essential to have in your survival kit. Chances are you will never use it, but it’s a great back up to have if your phone dies and you become lost.

Add some sass to your site!

Now for the fun stuff. Ladies… and some gentlemen, this is your time to shine!

Nothing is more fun than having the best looking campsite in the forest. This comes in the form of unnecessary but totally worth it accessories that add flair to your campsite. I like to add some sass through fun lights, flags that represent your home state, and subtle splashes of color.

String Lights. I love these string lights from REI: they add the perfect amount of accent lighting, plug in through a USB port, and have several different brightness settings to create the perfect illumination no matter what time of night.

Tap lights. These small tap lights are fun to have scattered around the campsite where you need a bit of extra light. A little tip is to put these lights near your shoes at night, so when nature calls and it’s dark outside, you can make a quick quiet escape without waking up the whole camp with a flashlight.

Flag. It’s fun to fly a flag representing your home state. It adds a little flair to your campsite and opens the door to conversations with fellow campers. I’ve sparked a lot of friendships through flying a Texas flag.

Bluetooth stereo. I like this Bluetooth stereo because it’s waterproof, durable, and has a subtle LED light that makes it easy to see after dark. Always remember to be considerate of your camp neighbors and keep your music to yourself.

Camp Games. It’s also important to bring some fun things to bring camping. Playing camp games is a fun, interactive way to pass time. Cards, Uno, and Jenga are some of my favorite games to pack. They are small and compact and can host a variety of people if you find yourself entertaining your fellow neighbor.

Clothes

I won’t go into much detail on clothes as it’s pretty diverse depending on the location you choose. But there are a couple of staple items that I refuse to leave home without no matter what the weather is forecast to be.

Flannel. Flannel is the OG material of outdoorsmen and women everywhere. And if you’ve seen my Instagram, you know I don’t leave home without my one and only flannel. I’ll make a confession, I’ve had this Eddie Bauer flannel for over 10 years. In short, these flannels are indestructible! They are so soft, comfortable and wash up like new. A good flannel will offer a layer of protection from the sun as well as protection from the cold. It’s a great versatile option that should always be packed.

Rain jacket. You never know when the weather’s going to change. Small rain showers can sweep through the mountains or desert on a moment’s notice and it’s best to be prepared. I love The North Face Resolve Wind and Rain jacket. It protects me from the wind and rain and fits like a glove. It’s full of features that are meant to be tested outdoors and it has a lifetime guarantee!

Hiking Boots. Hiking boots are a camping essential. Whether you’re hiking or not, you need a good pair of boots that protect your feet from the landscape of a campsite. Campsites are full of rocks, logs, and possibly snakes and it’s best to protect your feet from your surroundings. I use the Ahnu SugarPines to conquer the world around me. If possible, I suggest going to your local outdoor store and trying on a pair that best fit your feet.

Leggings and Shorts. I always pack both! The night time will always be more chilly than you think so it’s best to have the option of having an extra layer on your legs. I opt for compression spandex leggings and shorts as I find this material to be the most comfortable and moves well as I build fires and tend to the campsite.

Final Essentials for Car Camping

There are always small tips and tricks I learn after every trip I take. Here’s a miscellaneous list of my lessons I’ve learned to pass on so you don’t make the same mistakes!

Campsite Shoes. Campsite shoes are comparable to house slippers. These are the shoes you wear around the campsite that are comfortable and easy to slide on and off. After a long day of hiking or wandering around outside, you’re going to want a shoe that relaxes your feet. I use the Teva Original Sandals. The foam bottoms feel great on my feet and they’re super lightweight, a nice contrast to the heavy hiking boots I wear all day long.

Clothes Pins. A great camping hack is using clothespins to dry out and hang up any article of clothing they may be wet or sweaty.

Eggs. Eggs are pesky when it comes to packing in the cooler. I’ve found the pre cracking them into a large mason jar is the best way to transport them.

Warm Water Bottle. If you’re sleeping in a place that’s colder than you anticipated, JetBoil some water and transfer it into a heat-safe water bottle. Then, place that water bottle in the bottom of your sleeping bag and voilá you have a heated blanket that’ll stay warm for hours.

Cash. Always bring an extra stash of cash. Some campsites require a small cash fee, or you desperately need that last-minute firewood coming into a park. It’s always a great idea to have a little bit of backup.

Notebook. Bring a notebook to write down some highlights of each camping trip. It’s a fun and funny way to reminisce about memories that you may have otherwise forgotten.

Car Camping Checklist #3: Learn How to Pack for Car Camping

 That completes the list of all your car camping essentials. Now that you have an idea of what to pack for car camping, you’re probably asking yourself how all of this is going to fit into your car.

Nothing feels worse than rummaging through your car, searching for that sacred item that you swear you packed but can’t find. To avoid the stress and irritation of having an overwhelming amount of stuff in your car, I’ll give you a breakdown of the easiest methods to keep your car clean, functional, and fun.

 The easiest way to pack your car is to break everything down into stations. Much like a house has different rooms, your car will have different stations. This is where plastic bins become your best friend! Every station has a plastic bin of its own.  Here’s a breakdown of my stations and where I’ve found the easiest locations to store each ‘room’.

Station 1: Electronics. I keep all the electronics in the glove box as I’m constantly charging phones, watches and computers. It’s easy to be driving down the road, plug in your dying phone without having to pull over and dig through weeks worth of camping essentials.

Station 2: Toiletries and Clothes. I keep my toiletries and clothes together as they both are my ‘clean’ items. I store them in pull out style bins behind my front seat. I store them here because It’s easy to create a changing room when both car doors are open and allows a small amount of privacy when brushing your teeth or removing makeup.

Station 3. Survival Kit. I keep my survival kit under the back seat. The survival kit rarely gets used so I try to keep it out of the way. I don’t want one more thing to rummage through if it’s not necessary.

Station 4. Bedding. My bedding is kept in the middle of the car. As mentioned before, the Ziploc Totes hold and compress most of the bedding so it doesn’t take up too much space.

Station 5. Kitchen and food. I keep the grill, cooler, and utensils bin in the very back of the car. I do this because these are the items that tend to be used the most and become the dirtiest. It’s easiest to keep them in the very back as you’ll be unloading these items once to several times a day. This way, when it’s time to eat, you simply pull the specific items out without having to unload your entire car for one meal.

You’ll quickly begin to find that your car fills up fast and every nook and cranny soon has some piece of camping equipment living in it. The best thing you can do is embrace the organized mess! As you become more accustomed to your campsite routine, the easier it will be to pack and create stations of your own.

Car camping is becoming the new way to see the world. Don’t get left behind by being clueless as to what and how to pack. I hope this comprehensive car camping checklist helps you locate, furnish, and create the campsite of your dreams.

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Morocco Packing List: What to Pack for Morocco for Women

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Planning a trip to Morocco can present some challenges, and the most pressing question for many travelers, especially women, is the matter of what to pack for Morocco.

The country’s reputation for conservatism is well-deserved, and street harassment in Morocco is an ever-present issue that women must contend with.

While men have less at stake when it comes to deciding how to dress in Morocco, the conservative culture means that even men aren’t immune to following a different dress code.

However, this guide is focusing on a woman’s packing list for Morocco, as it’s what I have personal experience in.

Morocco Packing List

What to Pack Everything In

For Morocco, I really don’t recommend bringing a suitcase. The medinas are full of tiny alleyways that are easy to lose yourself in, with plenty of obstacles in your footpath. You’ll often have to traverse not well-paved roads, and doing that all with a 40-something pound rolling luggage is the recipe for a nightmare.

Instead, I recommend traveling with a backpack (here’s the carry on size bag I bring everywhere, or another style that’s check-in sized). The carry-on size backpack I swear by is my Tortuga Backpack, which I love because it means that I can avoid checking in my luggage – saving time and money.

Why do I recommend Tortuga so much? Here’s why: this bag is 45L and has got three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in – plus one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to. It also has a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside. Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs and details here.

However, if you’re doing a lot of shopping in Morocco, you may want to bring a larger suitcase and leave a lot of room in it. My friend who I traveled with for much of my Morocco trip always had a hassle with her luggage, but ultimately she bought so much that she was glad she had it.

Another idea is to bring a backpack for your trip and to purchase an inexpensive duffel bag or suitcase to bring back all your Moroccan souvenirs in!

Whatever you bring, I also recommend packing cubes to organize your clothing and make opening your luggage more easily. I personally use these packing cubes and love them.

I also like having a separate laundry bag which I can give to my riad or a local laundromat if I need to on my travels. Like packing cubes, you don’t need anything fancy at all – it is just a receptacle for your dirty clothes, after all. I do like having a cute one like this one from Kikkerland though, because I’m impractical.

What to Wear in Morocco for Women (Summer)

The standard for how to dress in Morocco for women is to cover your shoulders and knees. This is more of a sign of respect for the culture and not because it will protect you from harassment.

Non-Muslims are not allowed in mosques in Morocco, so you don’t have to be concerned with dress code regarding religious sights. The closest thing to a mosque a non-Muslim can enter is a madrassa, a religious school, and I’d recommend to dress on the conservative side when entering these.

My general outfit was a thin linen-blend T-shirt that covered my shoulders paired with a midi-length skirt and sandals. Other options include a maxi dress with sleeves or a shawl to cover the shoulders or a T-shirt or blouse tucked into a pair of loose pants. Don’t overthink it and pick loose, breathable materials preferably made out of natural fibers.

  • 3-5 long dresses, preferably with sleeves: Or as many as you can fit without overpacking, really.
  • 5+ tees that cover your shoulders: The more neutral, the better. You will sweat a lot, so minimize your white. I suggest black, gray, and a few bright colors. Resist the urge to wear tank tops.
  • 2-3 below-the-knee skirts: I like a midi length that hits below the knee but above the ankle, because it is A) cuter and B) less likely to get dirty from dragging on the ground. However, some maxi skirts thrown into the mix wouldn’t hurt either! If you’re wary to wear a long skirt in the heat, don’t be! The extra fabric around your legs traps some cool air, making you feel less hot.
  • 2-3 pairs loose, airy pants: Think loose materials, especially natural fibers like linens. Thin, cotton pants will do to keep you covered without adding too much heat, but they’ll trap sweat and moisture and are not ideal. Don’t even think about jeans.
  • 2-3 thin scarves/shawls in different colors: Think thin, light materials that you can easily gather to cover your shoulders if you need to chasten up a sleeveless top. There’s no need to wear hijab or cover your hair in Morocco unless your faith requires it. Also, it prevents your guides from bullying you into buying an overpriced scarf to wear on your face if you ride camels in the Sahara Desert. I was petty and just wore a shirt on my face. It wasn’t cute.
  • Sunglasses: Good for the sun, but also for avoiding eye contact with would-be suitors and street vendors
  • 1 pair sneakers: The streets of Moroccan cities are usually quite dusty and are not the cleanest. I like having a pair of closed-toe sneakers that are breathable. I usually wear a pair of black Nikes as I find they look cute even with my dresses and I’m all about options.
  • 1-2 pairs sandals: Sometimes, though, it’s simply too hot to deal with anything but sandals.
  • 1 bathing suit: If your riad or hotel has a pool, you’ll definitely want this! Inside your riad/hotel, normal rules regarding dress code and conservatism don’t really apply, so feel free to wear whatever bathing suit you are most comfortable in.
  • 1 cardigan or sweater: It gets super cold at night in the Sahara, so if you are planning to go there, even if it’s the summer, be sure to bring some layers.
  • Backpack with locking zippers : While Morocco is safe enough for tourists, it’s not completely free from petty crime – especially in the souks, which can get crowded. While wearing a shoulder bag with security features is probably the most secure option, it’s just not comfortable if you carry a lot of stuff with you during the day like I do. I swear by PacSafe and love their PacSafe Citysafe backpack. It’s actually super cute, PLUS it has locking zippers, slash-proof construction thanks to a wire mesh interior, and RFID blockers. It helped me not be so on edge in souks and busy medina streets.
  • Wide-brimmed hat: If not for Instagram, then to protect your face from harmful and punishing UV rays

A Note for Women Regarding Dress & Sexual Harassment

Let me get on my feminist soapbox for a moment here: street harassment is fundamentally about power, not desire. No matter how you dress in Morocco, if you’re a woman and you’re not in the presence of a man, you will almost undoubtedly experience sexual harassment, verbal comments, proposals, and potentially even unwanted physical contact or assault.

I visited in July, the hottest month of the year, and dressed according to basically all the norms, and I was still harassed at least 20 times a day and possibly much more. Dressing properly in Morocco will not render you immune to harassment, but it is a sign of respect. Even if a large percentage of the men will not show you respect, choosing instead to harass you based on your gender, I still think it’s imperative for us as travelers to show good faith and try to adhere to their customs.

That said, women in Morocco will have a far easier time if they are with a man. My friend who traveled to Morocco with her husband experienced almost no overt sexual harassment.

What to Bring to Morocco: General Odds & Ends

For random things I think you might want to bring, here’s my odds & ends packing list for Morocco. Use your judgment as to whether or not it’s essential given your travel style and personal needs.

  • Hanging Toiletry Bag: Trust me – nothing will piss you off faster than searching for your toiletries in a never-ending pile of junk. Using a simple hanging toiletry bag is life-changing. It has the perfect number of separators, organizers, and pockets without taking up any excess space. It’s kind of like those tents at the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter — you’d be amazed how much fits in one little pack.
  • 1 pair flip flops: Whether you visit a hammam, are walking around your hotel, or taking a shower at a hostel, bring these. PEOPLE. Athlete’s foot is no joke. I’ve dealt with ringworm before (which is basically athlete’s foot on any part of your body that’s not your foot) and it is miserable to get rid of. Save yourself the trouble. Buy a pair of cheap rubber flipflops and be happy.
  • 1 travel towel: In case you visit a hammam or place which does not provide towels, a small microfiber towel can be really handy to have. I was also happy I had it in the Sahara desert, so I could give my face a quick wash and dry.
  • 1 eye mask: I swear by this contoured eye mask as it doesn’t put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes but completely blacks out any light. Great for if your hotel room doesn’t block out a lot of light, if you’re trying to sleep on a bus ride, or for the plane ride over.
  • Some earplugs or good noise-canceling headphones: If you’ve never visited a Muslim country before, you’re in for a treat the first time you hear your pre-dawn call to prayer! I love Hearos — they’re the best ear plugs I’ve used. I’ve also been eyeing these noise-canceling headphones, which could be handy if you have a lot of bus or plane travel planned.
  • Hand sanitizer: Many public restrooms don’t have soap, so having some hand sanitizer is always good.
  • Kleenex packets: Like above — public restrooms may be lacking in the toilet paper department, so having some Kleenex in a portable sleeve is a nice choice.
  • Sunscreen: Morocco is sunny as hell. For people with sensitive skin who want to be a bit extra, I recommend this fancy Japanese facial sunscreen to prevent acne, and then I use a general sunscreen on the rest of my body.
  • Travel medications:  I carry Pepto-Bismol for standard stomach troubles, Imodium as a nuclear option for diarrhea (i.e. you have to ride a bus for several hours), some sort of painkiller like ibuprofen for headaches and minor pains, and some sort of motion sickness tablets (ESSENTIAL if visiting the Sahara Desert due to the windy roads). That usually covers the bases for me — anything else I may need, I grab on the road.
  • Electrolyte packs: I love these in case I get sick on the road or just do a bad job at hydrating for some reason. I use Pedialyte.
  • Any prescription medication you may need
  • Mosquito repellent: Despite the fact that Morocco is a very dry country, mosquitos are prevalent and they are vicious. However, there’s not really any risk of malaria, and the CDC doesn’t recommend any sort of prophylaxis measures, so leave the anti-malarials at home.
  • Adaptor: Morocco uses C and E plugs, the same as most of Europe (save the UK and Malta). Pack an adaptor if you need it!

Toiletries For Women

There aren’t a lot of big box shops in Morocco outside of the malls on the outskirts of the cities, as commerce in the medinas is generally more about smaller stores. If you’re particular about the kind of toiletries and brands that you’re partial to, I recommend bringing plenty from home.

  • LUSH solid shampoo: Life-changing. Just trust me. Pro tip, buy online or in store from LUSH and you’ll save serious money over Amazon, but it’s also available on Amazon if you’re doing a big Amazon shop.
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste & floss
  • Brush or comb
  • Hair ties if you have long hair
  • ALL THE DEODORANT
  • Moisturizer with SPF for day and SPF-free cream at night: Morocco is super drying, and you’ll want to replenish all that moisture that’s being lost.
  • Make-up remover wipes — trust.
  • OIL BLOTTING SHEETS!
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Any make-up that you want
  • Feminine hygiene products. Definitely bring tampons if you use those as these would be hard to find in Morocco. I use a Diva Cup personally and love it.
  • Glasses, contacts & solution: whatever you need to see
  • Razor

More Morocco Travel Resources

I’ve written quite a bit to help you plan the perfect trip to Morocco! First, start with my Morocco travel planning checklist – it walks you through every step of the planning process.

If you are starting your trip in Marrakech, like most people do, I have a guide to the best riads in Marrakech on any budget, as well as a guide to spending 3 days in Marrakech with recommended tours and outings.

I also have a guide to 15 things to know before booking a Sahara Desert tour, a desert camps in the Sahara guide, as well as how to pick between a desert tour in Zagora vs. Merzouga.

What to Wear in Switzerland: Packing List For All Seasons

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Allison Green in Switzerland in summer in a dress and leggings

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, beyond figuring your itinerary and what the best places to visit are, you’re probably wondering what to wear in Switzerland.

This Switzerland packing list is designed for all seasons, with sections for men’s and women’s clothing.

It’s designed to help you decide what to bring to Switzerland on your trip with a focus on packing light, multipurpose items and leaving unnecessary weight behind.

Switzerland Packing List: What to Pack Everything In

allison on a train with her backpack
Traveling light in Switzerland!

Personally, I prefer to carry a backpack for travel.

Having seen too many of my friends struggle with enormous, unwieldy rolling suitcases, I personally recommend that you bring a well-designed travel backpack if it’s comfortable for you.

This is especially true if you travel in winter to places like Montreux, Geneva, Zurich, Zermatt, etc.

You may end up trying to roll your suitcase through the freshly laid snow, which is never fun (take it from an idiot who brought a rolling suitcase to Helsinki in winter!).

I am a light packer, so my Tortuga Setout Backpack is usually what I bring.

This bag is 45L and has three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in.

It also has one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to.

It’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual.

Check out more specs and details here.

While rolling suitcases are a no-no for most of Europe due to narrow cobblestoned streets, Switzerland is way more accessible than many other European cities.

Therefore, if you’re traveling Switzerland in late spring, summer, or early fall, a rolling suitcase may be a good idea.

I prefer rolling suitcases with four wheels, like this Samsonite spinner, as you don’t have to drag them behind you as you do with a two-wheeler, but it can glide with you at the airport or train station.

I also swear by packing cubes. If you haven’t used packing cubes before, get ready for a packing revolution.

These helpful zippered bags are a miracle when it comes to organizing your clothing, keeping everything from bursting out every time you dare open your backpack or suitcase.

I personally use these packing cubes and love them to the ends of the earth.

What to Wear in Switzerland for Women

Allison Green in Montreux in the summer
Summer outfit of black tank, light-wash jeans, and ankle boots

The clothes that I recommend be on a women’s Switzerland packing list change a bit based on season, so check my recommendations below.

Because travel to Switzerland often involves high mountain trains (I was as high as 3,150 meters during my trip, and the temperature was just above freezing) and glaciers, even in the summer, you actually will want to bring much of the same things for summer as you would for spring or fall.

Meanwhile, winter is just straight-up cold no matter where you go, so you’ll want to pack really warm for that.

Summer/Fall/Spring

1 rain and windproof jacket: Especially if you’re visiting mountains in Switzerland, the weather can be quite unpredictable, whether you visit in summer, spring, or fall (spring being the rainiest, generally).

I recommend bringing a durable jacket that will keep you warm against wind and dry against rain. I love my Marmot PreCip rain jacket and wear it all the time – here I am with it in Nendaz, Switzerland, in July, where it came in handy on a rainy day as we mountain biked around its trails.

3-5 tees: In the summer and on warmer days in fall and spring, you’ll be grateful that you have some lighter layers. I generally go for dark colors to disguise sweating.

3-5 sweaters and long sleeve tees: Thin but warm is your best bet – as Switzerland travel involves lots of mountains where the weather can be a lot cooler than down in the cities, you’ll get use out of these even in the summer! I’d bring 3 in summer and 5 in fall/spring.

2-3 pair jeans: I was grateful I had jeans and black ponte pants even in the summer in Switzerland

2 pairs shorts: That said, I also did get some use out of my shorts on lower-altitude hikes and sunny city days in Switzerland!

1-3 pairs leggings: For cool weather days, travel days, and mountain days. I’d bring 1 pair in summer and 3 in fall or spring.

3+ comfortable summer dresses: For cute photos and comfortable city days. You can wear with leggings in spring/fall or without in summer.

1 pair flip flops or sandals: If you are staying in a hostel or hotel and just want something quick to put on your feet, I find it helpful to have slip-on sandals, even on days where the weather is slightly cold in spring/fall (though you’ll get good use out of them in summer).

I’m obsessed with my Birkenstocks but rubber flip flops will do, especially if you are staying in a hostel and need to use communal showers.

1 pair hiking boots: Hiking boots will serve you well in Switzerland, and honestly, the right pair can look quite cute.

I love my Ahnu boots but if you have a pair at home already bring those so you don’t have to break them in. Sneakers could work in a pinch, but I much prefer boots for the ankle stability.

Trust me – I fell on my ass wearing sneakers on Gornergrat about 10 seconds after this photo was taken because my dumb self didn’t bring hiking boots and broke my camera.

Gornergrat – 1, Shoes – 0

1 thin down jacket: Nights and even days on the mountaintops can get really cold, so a small packable down like the UNIQLO ultra-light down (cheaper knockoff available here) would be a great but tiny addition to your Switzerland packing list.

I got use out of mine even in July when I went up to the Gornergrat as it’s 3,000 meters above sea level.

Cute travel daypack : I prefer using a daypack to a purse when I travel and I always bring the same backpack with me on literally every single trip. I am completely obsessed with the PacSafe Citysafe backpack.

It’s cute, functional, slash-proof, and with locking zippers that make it virtually impossible for a pickpocket to get into your bag without you noticing.

Switzerland is super safe so this isn’t really a major concern, but I still love having that extra peace of mind.

Winter

2-3 thermal tops: I swear by these 32 Degrees thermal layers and recommend getting 2 or 3, as they’re so warm they can get kind of sweaty.

3 warm sweaters to layer on top: Wool blends work great, and thermal layers make a nice barrier if you find wool itchy like I do. However, I’m too sensitive to wool to even wear it over a layer, so I love H&M for warm, acrylic winter sweaters.

2 pairs fleece lined leggings: These are my favorite fleece leggings – so so so warm!

2 pairs jeans: Wear these over your leggings for extra warmth! This won’t work if your jeans are super tight, so I’d bring jeans with a bit of give.

1 heavy jacket: I recommend my beloved North Face parka, but any warm jacket will work. Look for something that is lined with down, has a hood, and is waterproof and windproof.

Me and my beloved North face on a winter trip to Istanbul

2 bras: Regular or sports bra – it doesn’t matter under all the layers.

7+ pairs of underwear: However much you think you’ll need for your trip, so you don’t have to do laundry at your hotel, which would inevitably be INSANELY expensive in Switzerland.

Bathing suit: Many hotels in the mountains of Switzerland have saunas and steam rooms. Don’t forget your bathing suit or you’ll feel left out!

Sandals/flip flops: For the sauna or walking around in your hotel if you don’t want to put on your proper boots

1 or 2 knit hats: I love fleece-lined knit hats like this one for extra warmth.

2 pairs gloves: I recommend having two pairs, one lightweight pair of touchscreen-friendly gloves and one more heavy pair of waterproof gloves for things like playing in the snow.

1 super-warm infinity scarf: I love the scarves that you can wrap super close to your face, like this one. Never underestimate the power of a scarf for keeping you warm!

Waterproof boots: Unless you’re doing heavy-duty snow trekking and snow-shoeing, you don’t necessarily need proper snow boots: just something waterproof and with good traction.

I first bought a pair of Blondo waterproof leather boots in 2008… which means I celebrated my 10-year anniversary with them last year. However, if you plan on doing a lot of hiking in the snow, you may want a proper snow boot. The Elsa snow boot by KEEN is waterproof, insulated, and looks super cozy.

Warm socks: no matter how insulated your shoe is, it won’t do much good if you are wearing thin, crappy cotton socks. I invested in these Smartwool socks after much hemming and hawing about the price and I’m so glad I did.

You don’t need that many pairs because you can actually re-wear them a few times before they get smelly because wool is so odor-absorbent and magical. And even though I generally can’t tolerate wool because of itchiness, I don’t mind them on my feet.

My favorite bag!

Cute travel daypack: While traveling in Switzerland is generally safe, you won’t be immune from opportunity theft which can occur anywhere, anytime – especially in busy or crowded places.

Especially if you’re checking out the busy Christmas markets, I recommend having a secure backpack.

I use this PacSafe Citysafe backpack, which is a security bag that is actually aesthetically pleasing and not horrendous to look at.

What to Wear in Switzerland for Men

Granted, I’m not a man, but here’s what I’d recommend based off what I *think* men would need on a trip to Switzerland.

Summer/Fall/Spring

  • 5 short sleeve Ts
  • 3-5 long sleeve Ts or light sweaters (more in fall/spring)
  • 2-3 pair jeans and pants
  • 2 pairs shorts (summer only)
  • 7+ pairs underwear, 1 for each day of your trip
  • flip flops or comfortable walking sandals
  • sneakers
  • hiking boots
  • waterproof rain jacket
  • swim trunks
  • 2 thicker-weight sweaters
  • ultra-light down jacket
  • 5+ pairs of socks
  • hat, gloves, scarves if you think you’ll need them for mountain/glacier visits

Winter

  • 5 thick-weight sweaters, wool or similar fabric
  • 3 thermal long-sleeve shirts for an underlayer
  • 3 pairs thermal underwear
  • 2-3 pairs jeans or other similar heavy-weight pants
  • snow or hiking boots
  • flip-flops for hotel/hostel use only
  • waterproof, windproof parka
  • 5+ pairs of warm wool socks
  • swim trunks
  • scarf
  • hat
  • gloves

What to Pack for Switzerland (Toiletries)

Women

Hanging Toiletry Bag: After struggling to find a good way to organize my toiletries, I stumbled across this hanging toiletry bag and purchased it on a whim to give it a try… and I promptly became a product evangelist.

It’s perfect for organizing your travel toiletries like shampoo, moisturizer, make-up, hairbrushes, tweezers, etc. It has a lot of organizers and separators so you can really maximize your organization without taking up much excess space.

It fits quite a bit – it’s like the Mary Poppins bag you always needed but never knew existed. It’s wonderful for girly girl travelers like myself who have a hard time leaving make-up behind when they travel.

Sunscreen: My skin is really sensitive on my face, so I use this fancy Japanese sunscreen to prevent acne on my face. Don’t forget this – I actually got a really bad sunburn in Switzerland one day because of the altitude.

Moisturizer: The wind and the sun did a number on my skin in Switzerland and I felt like my skin got quite dry due to the sun exposure in the mountains.

I love a moisturizer with SPF for day like this one from Aveeno and then I use a thicker moisturizer like this Olay night cream for replenishing moisture over night.

Hand sanitizer: In case of a lack of soap in train stations or restaurant bathrooms, I like having hand sanitizer just in case.

Kleenex packets: Always handy!

LUSH solid shampoo: It’s life-changing. Just trust me. Buy online or in store from LUSH and you’ll save serious money over Amazon, but you can also source it on Amazon for convenience.

My favorite is the Seanik seaweed shampoo – it makes my hair gorgeous and it also doesn’t take up any space in my liquid toiletry allowance.

Face wipes: Great for nights when you’re too exhausted to take your make-up off properly or for a quick face clean up after a  dusty hike.

Menstrual cup or your favorite tampon/pad brand (if applicable): If you have a specific brand allegiance, you may not find it in Switzerland. I switched to a Diva Cup for travel and love it!

Deodorant: I can’t rant enough about how much European deodorant sucks, plus I absolutely hate the smell of the aerosol deodorants that are so popular in Europe.

Do yourself, everyone around you, and the planet a favor and buy some decent deodorant from home. I love Secret Clinical Strength and stash up on it every time I’m home in the US, but then again, I am sweatier than most people are.

Travel-sized liquid toiletries: If you want to bring your favorite toiletries from home, I recommend these awesome reusable silicone GoToobs.

Razor + shaving cream if necessary

Lip balm with SPF: Don’t skip this as your lips can easily burn in the snowy mountain tops!

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Body wash, conditioner, lotion – anything else you usually bring!

Hair brush

Makeup, if you want

Men

  • shampoo (and conditioner if you use it!)
  • body wash
  • deodorant (please)
  • razor and shaving cream, if applicable
  • toothbrush & toothpaste
  • sunscreen & lip balm with SPF
  • hand sanitizer & Kleenex

What to Pack for Switzerland (Electronics & Random)

Allison Green in Switzerland in summer in a dress and leggings

Laptop, if necessary: I bring my 13″ MacBook Air everywhere but other people may prefer a tablet or an inexpensive netbook. I work on the road so a user-friendly, lightweight laptop is a must for me.

Kindle Paperwhite: I love having a Kindle for travel but if you don’t think you’ll be doing much reading on your Switzerland trip or your flight over than you can give this a skip

Travel camera: I use a Sony A6000 because it’s lightweight for a professional caliber camera, inexpensive, and a HUGE step up from a smartphone.

Extra camera batteries: Trust me, you’ll use plenty of battery taking photos in Switzerland (and your batteries will get sapped in the cold up on the mountains as well)!

Portable hard drive: You’ll want to back up your photos to keep your memory cards uncluttered and protect your precious photos.

After my previous hard drive failed even though I never damaged it (never rely on WD My Passport) I am extra paranoid with my hard drives. I recommend Transcend hard drives instead – they are drop resistant and super sturdy.

Travel tripod: If you are serious about your photography you should invest in a sturdier tripod as wind on the mountains in Switzerland can be strong. There were some days I didn’t use my tripod because it didn’t feel steady enough in the gusts.

I have a cheap tripod from Amazon but a sturdy tripod with a hook so that you can use that to hang your camera bag on and balance the camera would be your friend on windy days.

ND filters: The size of ND filter you will need depends on the size of the lens you’ll be using so check it before buying. I use these ND filters. These are useful combined with a tripod for daytime long exposure shots, getting smooth water effects.

GoPro or similar camera for video: If you plan on doing anything adventurous like paragliding, canyon swinging, or rafting — or if you just want some easy-to-take video of your trip — then I recommend bringing something like a GoPro

Portable charger: You’ll use your phone battery more than you thought in Switzerland – whether it’s using it to take photos or videos, or to check train schedules, hotel bookings, etc.

Bring a portable charger to save yourself many headaches! Anker is a reliable brand and what I personally use – make sure you get one that can hold several charges at once so you don’t have to charge it every single night.

Adaptor: Switzerland uses a slightly different adaptor, type J (sometimes C will work, but not always). I had trouble in some of my accommodations with my standard EU plug. This is the one you want.

Headphones: I use simple iPhone headphones typically but you may want noise-canceling headphones if you are noise-sensitive.

Medicine: I actually got insanely sick in Switzerland and nearly needed to be hospitalized. I was so thankful I had my usual travel medicine kit, as I was too ill to drag myself to a pharmacy.

I always bring the following items: Pepto-Bismol tablets for standard stomach troubles, a painkiller like ibuprofen for headaches and minor pains, some sort of motion sickness tablets for boat or long car rides, and some sort of cold medicine as many countries in Europe actually don’t sell this (not sure about Switzerland but it’s nearly impossible to find in Germany and the Nordics).

Reusable water bottle: The tap water in Switzerland is drinkable everywhere and of the highest quality. If you don’t carry a reusable bottle, you will spend a ton of unnecessary money on bottled water, and you’ll waste a lot of plastic in the process as well.

I like a simple streamlined metal bottle, like this one from Klean Kanteen. If you want to further reduce your footprint, I recommend bringing along reusable tote bags as well if you plan on doing any grocery shopping during your Iceland trip.

Key Switzerland Activities

I also have a full guide of places to visit in Switzerland, a Switzerland itinerary, and so many more helpful tips for planning a trip to Switzerland.