6 Tips for Planning Your Beach Vacation
Are you in the process of planning a beach vacation? Do you have every intention of heading the road at some point in the near future? Are you moving closer and closer to packing for your big trip?
There is no denying the fun associated with planning a beach vacation. From choosing a hotel to booking activities, it won’t be long before you’re looking forward to everything that your trip will bring.
However, here’s something you need to remember: you need to put the appropriate amount of time into packing for your beach vacation. If you don’t, you could find yourself without an item that you really need.
With all this in mind, let’s examine five packing tips you should follow as you prepare for your beach vacation:
- Make a Checklist
It’s easier than ever to book a beach vacation. For example, you can use Expedia to learn more about beach vacations and find the perfect destination. However, once your trip is booked, it doesn’t mean that you’re ready to leave home just yet.
You need to create a checklist to ensure that you remember to take everything with you. The sooner you do this the easier it is to feel confident that you’re not forgetting anything.
- Call Your Hotel to See What They Offer
You should call your hotel in advance to see what is included in the room. For instance, if you’re staying at Dream South Beach it won’t be long before you realize that you’ll have access to pretty much everything you need.
It’s always a good idea to check in advance, so that you can pack accordingly. Maybe you find that your hotel room doesn’t have a hair dryer. In this case, you’ll want to pack one for your trip.
Note: no two hotels are the same, so don’t assume that you know exactly what you’ll be getting upon check-in.
- Pack the Right Type of Clothes
There is a big difference between taking a trip to the beach and a trip to the mountains. You need to pack accordingly.
On a beach vacation, you’ll find yourself wearing your bathing suit often. And at night, you probably won’t need to bundle up.
By checking on the weather in advance, it’s much easier to pack the right type of clothes. If you neglect to do this, you could find yourself with the wrong gear upon arrival.
Note: check the weather every day leading up to your departure. The forecast can and probably will change, so you need to stay current.
- Help Others in Your Traveling Party
Let’s face it: there will be times when you’re not just packing for yourself. Maybe you need to help your spouse get his or her things in order. Or maybe you need to tackle the entire packing process for your young children.
If you assume that others will be able to do everything on their own, you could find yourself with a problem as your departure date closes in. Make note of who needs what type of help, and then get started well in advance.
- Keep Your Items Safe
It’s easy to make a checklist and assume that all you have to do is throw everything into your suitcase. While this is the basic gist of packing for any vacation, there is more to it than that.
Do you really want to pack your laptop computer in a bag that is being checked? Are you okay with the idea of putting cash in your luggage?
You need to think about what it means to keep your items safe when traveling. If you neglect to do so, you could end up with a bad surprise at some point.
- Learn from the Past
Along with the above, there’s one last thing you can do: learn from mistakes you have made in the past. Travel is great, but it’s also stressful. If you’re one of the many who suffer from jetlag, get tips from the Square Ship article. If you know your kids have asthma, make sure you bring the proper medications and check your life insurance policy to make sure you’re covered for out-of-state medical care.
Look at trips you’ve taken over the past few years and focus on what went right and what went wrong. If you made a mistake in regards to packing, do whatever it takes to avoid the same situation this time around. You may be surprised at how much you can learn when you review the past.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing more exciting than planning a beach vacation and dreaming of all the fun you’re going to have.
As long as you take the right steps when packing for your trip, you’ll find yourself in a good place when you touch down. At that point, you can hit the ground running.
What do you think about these essential packing tips? Would you add any others to the list? Share your personal packing advice in the comment section below. Your feedback may be able to help other travelers avoid costly mistakes and setbacks.
Author: Gary Wilkinson