The Sandals Experience: Packing List for your week away!

Packing for vacation can always be difficult! This is our guide to help make it less stressful and as easy as possible! We dissected our own packing lists from previous Sandals trips to bring you our ultimate list of things you will want for your vacation!

Disclosures: The below links are affiliate links, in which we make a small commission if you make a purchase through the link. There is no extra cost added to you for the commission. All Opinions are our own and we only endorse/link to products or services that we truly believe in.

“As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.”

First up…….Toiletries!

At Sandals resorts, they provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. These products are from Sandals’ Red Lane Spa and can also be purchased at the Red Lane Spa to take home, if you love them as much as we do! They have a wonderful tropical scent! Outside of these products, Sandals also provides a hair dryer so you do not have to pack your own, ladies!

Below are a few key items to be sure to pack with you outside of your typical hair products, make-up, tooth paste, tooth brush, razor, etc.

• Sunscreen

Ocean Potion is a great brand that is coral reef safe and smells heavenly! This is our preferred sunscreen that we use anytime we spend time in the sun or water. You can find it on Amazon here.

• Medications

Advil, Dramamine, Benadryl. While these may not be necessary for you, we recommend bringing them with as a precaution. You never know when you may need Advil or Benadryl. Dramamine is great for preventing motion sickness, especially if you are doing any water sports like sailing and are concerned about getting sea sick.

Pro-tip:

Sandals does carry some basic essentials in their boutiques if you forget anything, but they are more expensive than bringing your own!

Second up…….Tech Items!

While we try to not have our phones out with us while at the resort, the WiFi service throughout property is great so you don’t have to utilize data! We also, traditionally, do not bring laptops or iPads with us, but here is our list of the things we do like to have!

• Charging cords

USA chargers/plugs have worked at each resort we have been too!

• Waterproof camera/Go-Pro

We love taking pictures and videos while snorkeling! Most waterproof cameras also are ‘shockproof’ which is good for excursions.

Check out this Amazon link to see what we use!

• Regular Camera

As great as my iPhone 11 is with pictures, I love having my actual Canon camera for pictures around the resort!

• E-reader:

I personally love books and bring 2 with me but if you are an e-reader, you may want this for the beach or pool!

Pro Tip:

Be sure to check with your phone provider to see if the country you are visiting is covered in your phone plan. Roaming charges can be expensive!

Onto…….The Ladie’s List:

When we travel to Sandals for a week, we plan on doing a little bit of everything. Sandals resorts also have ‘theme nights’ during the week so be sure to look those up prior to packing using the hyperlinked ‘Sandals’ above! 

• Swimsuits

Always bring at least two in case one isn’t dry by the morning! I love a great swimsuit so I almost bring one per day (yes, I am also an over packer by nature). If you plan on snorkeling or doing any water sports, be sure to pack a swimsuit that will be supportive for those activities.

• Swimsuit Cover-up

Sandals requests you walk around property in more than just your swimsuit. They also require something to cover your suit if you are eating at a restaurant area away from the pool and a beach cover-up or sarong works perfectly!

• 

• 

• Workout Apparel

Kyle and I always like to hit the fitness center once or twice during our trips! You may want some sort of fitness gear as well, dependent on any excursions you may be doing!

• Adventuring Apparel

Dependent on what excursions you have planned, you may need some specialized items! If you plan of going tubing through rivers or climbing a waterfall, you may want some water shoes with grippy soles that dry fast. You may also want shirts and shorts that are quick drying so you aren’t wet all day. We have noticed that some people like to where a rash guard when snorkeling. If you plan to do a bigger hiking trip, you may want your more rugged shoes! You may also want a small backpack to carry any items you need on the trip or for any purchases you may make!

• Daytime Apparel

Although you will likely spend most days in your swimsuit and cover-up, you will want 2-3 ‘day’ outfits. This can be anything from shorts and tops to a romper or light sundress. 

• Nighttime Apparel

Some Sandals restaurants do have a dress code that you may need something a little more special for dinner. This does not mean a cocktail dress but it does mean more than shorts and a t-shirt with flip-flops. Regardless of the dress code, I would say over 75% of people spend time getting ready for the night. So if you don’t like to be undressed (like myself), plan on wearing your nicer sundresses, rompers, and jumpsuits. 

• 

• 

Pro-Tip:

Be sure to check the restaurants page for your specific resort to see any specified dress codes. 

• Speciality Apparel

As I mentioned before, there are often themed nights between possible dinner events or the evening shows! I like to match the theme a little bit and went for something with lots of color for our beach party in Barbados (as seen above in nighttime apparel)! Also, be sure to pack something white for the white party at your resort!

Pro-Tip:

You can find the planned events for the week on the Sandals website for your specific resort!

• Shoes

You will want the following: pool/beach flip-flops, workout/excursion shoes, day sandals, and wedges or nice sandals for dinner

• Accessories/Misc

Every girl loves her jewels but you will want a few other things as well! Be sure to pack a hat and sunglasses! I typically bring a ‘beach’ hat and a baseball cap for the sun and to tame my hair if needed! You will want to bring sunglasses that you aren’t afraid to lose if you plan on being in the ocean or going on adventures! Bringing a neck strap for your shades is also a good way not to lose them! Polarized sunglasses will also help you see through the glare of the water if you are critter hunting from a sailboat or paddle board! Be sure to bring a beach bag as well! I like a beach bag that zips to make it easy to keep things concealed but also so nothing tips out while traveling! I do not bring a purse with me as you really don’t need one. One other item that you may want to bring is a tumbler like a Yeti tumbler. The bar tenders will fill it up at any of the pool bars with whatever you would like to drink.

• Raincoat

It rains in the tropics and is not always predictable! We have ones from Eddie Bauer that roll up and pack very easily. They are also light weight which is a big key in the tropics since it is warm.

And Don’t Forget…….The Men’s List!

• Swimsuits

Always bring at least two in case one isn’t dry by the morning! I also have heard men (my brothers) complain about mesh-lined swimsuits with things like jet-skies, so a pair of board shorts that are unlined may be ideal!

• Swimsuit Cover-up

Men do not have to cover up their swim suits, but the resort does expect men to wear shirts to eat lunch at restaurants during the day. If you don’t want to get a cotton shirt wet, a nice dry-fit t-shirt will work perfectly! Kyle prefers a moisture wicking t-shirt in more humid climates like the Caribbean. He is a big fan of the Columbia PFG shirts and you can find them on Amazon here.

• Workout Apparel

Kyle and I always like to hit the fitness center once or twice during our trips! You may also want some sort of fitness outfit as well dependent on any excursions you may be doing!

• Adventuring Apparel

Dependent on what excursions you have planned, you may need some specialized items! If you plan of going tubing through rivers or climbing a waterfall, you may want some water shoes with grippy soles that dry fast. You may also want shirts and shorts that are quick drying so you aren’t wet all day. We have noticed that some people like to where a rash guard when snorkeling. If you plan to do a bigger hiking trip, you may want your more rugged shoes! You may also want a small backpack to carry any items you need on the trip or for any purchases you may make!

• Daytime Apparel

Although you will likely spend most days in your swimsuit, you will want 2-3 ‘day’ outfits. This can be a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Kyle typically wears a pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt (I buy him the Ralph Lauren t-shirts at Marshalls for $7 and they are perfect! They also come in several colors, are soft, and lightweight). 

• Nighttime Apparel

Some Sandals restaurants do have a dress code that you may need something a little special for dinner. This does not mean you need a sport coat but you will need a collared shirt and possible khaki pants. Kyle typically wears a polo or collared shirt for dinner with his Sperry’s. 

• Specialty Apparel

As I mentioned before, there are often themed nights between possible dinner events or the evening shows! You will likely need a white outfit for the white party! Kyle wore a simple long sleeve white linen shirt. He recommends linen because it is very breathable in warm climates.

• Shoes

pool/beach flip-flops, nice sandals/flip-flops, workout/excursion shoes, and Sperry’s or nice relaxed loafer

• Misc

If you are a hat guy, you will want to be sure to bring one. You will also want sunglasses that you are not afraid to lose! Having a strap for them can also be helpful! I recommend polarized shades so you can see the fish in the water while on a sailboat or fishing. One other item that you may want to bring is a tumbler like a Yeti tumbler. The bar tenders will fill it up at any of the pool bars with whatever you would like to drink.

• Raincoat

It rains in the tropics and is not always predictable! Sandals does provide umbrellas but we like a raincoat as it is easier to use especially for lighter rain.

Last, But Not Least!

• Travel Documents

Do not forget your passports! We always make a copy for a family member in case something were to happen to ours overseas.

Pro-Tip:

Be sure to give someone your travel itinerary while you are abroad in case they need to get ahold of you or need to help you in an emergency!

Pro-Pro Tip:

Both Barbados and Jamaica do take US currency. Be sure to have some small bills with you for tips or any items you may purchase for various stands either at the resort (see our other articles for more information on this) or on excursions.

We hope this list helps you pack for your next Sandals vacation! Have any comments or questions regarding packing for Sandals? Leave a comment or question below.

For more information on any of our Sandals experiences check out our Barbados or Jamaica blog posts!