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Ultimate Female Packing List for Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico packing list for women

Puerto Rico may be technically part of the United States, but its climate is more akin to its Caribbean neighbors than any of the other states. Here you’ll find historic cities, tropical rainforests and nearly private islands with secluded beaches.

Pack accordingly for a week-long getaway to Puerto Rico. I recommend packing as lightly as possible, as you may want to catch smaller flights between islands. I brought my Timbuk2 Aviator Travel Backpack and Litegear City Tote, which were ideal for carrying on.

The climate is mild throughout most of the year, but if you’re in the mountains, it could get cold at night. Otherwise, this Puerto Rico packing list should suit your trip year-round! Don’t forget to bring waterproof items like a rain jacket and sandals for those afternoon storms.

packing list for Puerto Rico - Caroline packed up and Puerto Rico bound
Caroline packed light for her trip to Puerto Rico.

Clothing

2 pairs of shorts– 1 pair of athletic and one regular

2 tank tops– I love solid colored tanks for layering and mixing and matching.

2 swimsuits– Have one to dry and one to wear.

1 dress or skirt– They’re great to throw on over a swimsuit or wear out to dinner.

1 sarong or scarf– Same goes for the multipurpose sarong.

Undergarments– I recommend at least one sports bra for active days.

Rain jacket– Pack a light rain jacket for random storms.

Towel– Travel towels are great, but not so much for laying on the beach. You may want to splurge on a full sized towel for this trip.

Hat– Keep the sun out of your eyes stylishly.

Shoes

Tevas, Chacos or athletic sandals– I wore my Tevas instead of flip flops to the beach and tramping around El Yunque National Forest.

Tennis shoes– For some activities, you’ll need closed toe shoes, but I packed mine to go running.

Flip flops or cute sandals– Bring a pair of sandals to pair with a dress or skirt for going out at night.

packing list for Puerto Rico - snorkeling in Puerto Rico
Snorkeling in Puerto Rico

Toiletries

Sunscreen– Bringing from home is almost always cheaper.

Shampoo and conditioner– Pack in travel sized containers.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Medications– “Farmacias” are available, but anything you need immediately should be brought with you.

Deodorant

Razor

Hair ties

Diva Cup

Electronics

Kindle or books– You may want to come prepared with a paperback in case your Kindle battery dies.

Camera

Laptop– WiFi is available, but not always free or reliable. I didn’t see any internet cafes to speak of, so this trip may be better if you disconnect.

Chargers and adapters– Puerto Rico uses standard American outlets.

packing list for Puerto Rico - Litegear braided clothes line
The Litegear braided clothesline: good for letting swimsuits and towels dry at the end of the day.

Et cetera

Purse or daypack– A tote or purse should work to bring to the beach and to carry around the city.

Sunglasses

Flashlight– Bring a flashlight with you on a bioluminescent bay tour.

Binoculars– You never know what creatures you might see!

Clothesline– My Litegear braided clothesline was perfect for drying my towel and swimsuits. You can buy this specific brand on Ebags, or you can read out another brand of clothesline here.

Puerto Rico is a great place to leave the troubles back home behind you, disconnecting from the world. I recommend packing as low-maintenance as possible, in both clothing, hair and mindset. Be prepared for any and all activities you might want to enjoy, whether it be kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving, horseback riding, hiking, sailing or zip lining.

Renting a car is almost mandatory for getting around the islands, and between them you can take the longer, cheaper, less reliable ferries, or hop on an inter-island flight. If you get lost, don’t hesitate about asking the locals. Spanish is the most used language, but many people also speak English. Puerto Rico uses US dollars as their currency.


Book a Viator Tour for Your Trip to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s Lifestyle and Culture Tour ↗

Discover the culture, lifestyle, and street art of Puerto Rico on this small-group guided tour.

Full-Day Cave and Waterfall Adventure in Puerto Rico ↗

In this adventure, we will be visiting three different, unique, and spectacular destinations on the north coast of the island.


Book a Viator Tour Before You Go

Puerto Rico Surf Lesson

Puerto Rico Surf Lesson – $64.99*
Learn how to ride the waves like a professional surfer at beautiful Isla Verde in Puerto Rico! Your lesson is taught by an expert surfer who has competed in dozens of competitions locally and internationally. On this two hour lesson, you learn all the necessary requirements to become a surfer- how stand up on the surfboard, how to stretch, beach etiquette, beach rules and much more!

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Written by Caroline

Caroline Eubanks is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but has also called Charleston, South Carolina and Sydney, Australia home. After college graduation and a series of useless part-time jobs, she went to Australia for a working holiday. In that time, she worked as a bartender, bungee jumped, scuba dived, pet kangaroos, held koalas and drank hundreds of cups of tea. You can find Caroline at Caroline in the City.

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Travel Resources

HPL Learnables

Handbag Packing Masterclass – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing class run by HPL founder, Brooke.

Creative Ways to Minimize Your Toiletry & Beauty Kit – Practical tips alongside DIY recipes designed to help you pack lighter, smaller & with fewer liquids. (Also included as a bonus to Handbag Packing Masterclass.)


Book Your Trip

Viator – Enhance your trip experience by booking from thousands of tours across the globe.

Booking.com – Search for hotels, hostels, and apartments using this one resource. Use it for flights, car rentals, and airport taxis as well.

Trusted Housesitters – Save money on travel accommodation by becoming a housesitter. Housesitters often have extra duties, like caring for pets and gardens.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    Thanks so much! I was thrilled to see such a practical packing list! We’re going to PR for an active, interesting travel experience (but with plenty of book-on-the-beach time, too) and your recommendations are just what I was looking for!

  2. Kylie says

    You are so spot on with this list….i have been to PR many times and this is the list i always refer back to. San Juan is a great city so if you do forget something you can pick something up without any hassle.

  3. Jenny says

    This is a great packIng list. We are here in San Juan currently, the only thing I might add is a jacket or hoodie for restaurants. I’ve been freezing in these restaurants. Thanks for the list, I may have packed lighter if I had it beforehand.

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