The time has come for your long-awaited holiday and the list of things to pack is running through your head. You don’t want to overdo it, but you also don’t want to forget anything!

And it’s no wonder, because travelling to Punta Cana is a dream come true, a thrill that grips you, causing little butterflies in your stomach as you think about finally boarding the plane to paradise.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are 10 essential items you need to pack for a few days of sun, sand and fun.

1. Beachwear

It may seem obvious but don’t forget your beachwear! More than a few people have forgotten in the past.

Bathing suits, sarongs, bikinis or trunks and light, comfortable clothes to enjoy the beach and pool under the warm Caribbean sun.

Remember that the aim is to be able to swim comfortably while being protected from the sun.

2. Protect your skin with sunscreen

When the weather is this good, we all think about getting a holiday tan and making our friends at home jealous! But you have to be careful, you can’t play with the sun, and in the Dominican Republic it’s especially strong. So if we don’t want to damage our skin, we have to take care when sunbathing.

Also, did you know that there are environmentally friendly sunscreens? Our environment would be very grateful if you would consider using them, as it has been proven that the abundant use of suncream throughout the year damages the Caribbean Sea and the coral reefs near Bávaro Beach.

3. Insect repellent

Although the Princess hotels in Punta Cana are regularly fumigated, we cannot ignore the fact that we are surrounded by lush vegetation, which makes it very difficult to completely control mosquitoes.

And if you add excursions to the mix, there are many occasions when you will be exposed to mosquito bites. That’s why we recommend packing insect repellent in your suitcase.

In addition to insect repellent, we recommend the following to keep mosquitoes at bay:

• Black clothing attracts mosquitoes, so avoid it.
• They are more active at sunrise and sunset.
• Be careful with certain smells and perfumes, as they attract mosquitoes.
• Cover arms and legs in the most abundant areas.

4. Light and breathable clothing

The weather in Punta Cana is fairly constant throughout the year, with slight variations, so it is best to bring summer clothing such as t-shirts, dresses, shorts and skirts.

However, it’s not a bad idea to bring a cardigan or a thin jacket, as our hotel has air conditioning in some of the restaurants and at night, after a day in the sun, you may feel a little chilly.

5. Comfortable footwear

If you want to stroll through our gardens or discover the jewels of the Caribbean that await you in this country, make sure you bring suitable and comfortable shoes.

Sandals and flip-flops will come in handy for the endless walks on the beach, and comfortable closed shoes are essential for all the adventures that await you on the excursions you can book at our Princess Punta Cana hotels.

6. Toiletries

Be sure to bring your toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.

Although Princess hotels offer a wide range of products, we always recommend that you bring your own favourites.

Besides, when you’re out and about, you’re likely to need some of them, and you’ll appreciate having yours in your backpack.

7. Medicines and first aid kit

If you need special medication, don’t forget to pack the appropriate amount in your suitcase for the number of days you will be staying, as you may not find it available in the Dominican Republic.

We also recommend that you take a small first aid kit with you, containing plasters, painkillers, medicines for upset stomachs, etc.

An important thing to remember is to take out travel insurance, as you never know what might happen. Remember that we have a small medical centre in the hotels, which is not included, but they accept insurance.

8. Appropriate attire for dinners and events

We have a wide variety of restaurants in our Princess Punta Cana hotels, with a wide range of cuisine for you to enjoy during your holiday.

But you can’t just go dressed any old way, some have a dress code, so we recommend that you visit our webapp to check what you should wear and pack the appropriate clothes in your luggage.

9. A book for moments of relaxation

Yes, we have a programme of daytime and evening entertainment activities that will leave you little time to get bored (you can check it out on our app), but there may be times when you simply need to relax and unwind.

And for those moments, if you like reading, we recommend you bring a book, as it can be nice to read and relax on the beach or by the pool. It’ll also come in handy on the flight.

And if you like to listen to music, we recommend that you bring your own headphones, as the use of loudspeakers is not permitted out of respect for other passengers.

10. Cash and credit cards

Although our hotels are all-inclusive and you can afford to be more carefree in this respect, it is always useful to have some cash on hand for gratuities, optional services such as the spa, additional purchases or activities outside the resort.

We also recommend that you always carry a credit card in case of an emergency.

Remember that here in Punta Cana, although the official currency is the Dominican Peso, US Dollars and Euros are also accepted.

One very important extra tip: have your passport (valid) and your flight ticket to hand and don’t forget to fill in the e-ticket for entry and exit!

Do you have everything you need? Then it’s time to zip up your suitcase and start dreaming about the holiday that awaits you at one of the Princess Hotels in Punta Cana.

We’ve got it all ready for you: the pools, the beach, the laughter and the Dominican Caribbean heat for an incredible time.

Did you enjoy this post? Let us know! And if you think we’ve missed any essentials from our suitcase, we encourage you to leave a comment for future travellers.

Categories: Caribbean, Travel Tips, Punta Cana