What to bring on an all-inclusive vacation

The right all-inclusive resort packing list can mean the difference between a seamless, sunny trip and a stressful, scrambled one. Here's exactly what to bring for your all-inclusive vacation so you can skip the overthinking and start counting down the days.

Microfibre towel

A good microfibre towel can make all the difference when you head to a hot vacation destination. While your resort will likely hand out pool and beach towels, having your own microfibre towel comes in handy for snorkelling excursions, day trips, or off-property beaches. It dries faster than cotton and folds down small, so you can fit it in your daypack with room to spare.

Cover-ups

Most resort restaurants won’t seat you in just a swimsuit, so it's worth throwing a lightweight cover-up in your beach bag. Bring one or two pieces you can pull on over a damp suit, like a loose shirt dress or a sarong that ties into a skirt. Quick-dry fabrics work best, and you can even find options that double as a casual outfit for exploring the resort.

Swimsuits

If you’re planning an all-inclusive resort trip to a beach destination such as Mexico, your swimsuit is the one thing you can’t forget. Bring at least two or three, so you always have a dry one if the others are still damp. If you plan to snorkel, paddleboard, or try other water sports, add a sporty one-piece or rash guard that stays put in the waves.

Daypack

Packing a daypack inside your larger luggage will come in handy for your all-inclusive vacation. Bring a small, easily packable bag that you can fold into your suitcase. Look for one that folds into its own pocket, resists water, and has zippers that close fully so you can keep your phone, cash, and room key safe while at the beach.

Reef-friendly sunscreen

Many common sunscreens contain chemicals that contribute to coral bleaching and damage reefs. Before you put your sunscreen in your bag, make sure it’s reef-friendly. If it isn’t, check the ingredient list and avoid formulas containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and if it’s going in your carry-on, make sure each container is 100ml or less.

Bluetooth speaker

When you’re relaxing on the private beach behind your all-inclusive resort, bring a little music along. A small, waterproof Bluetooth speaker lets you choose your tunes while on your balcony or lounging by the water. Look for one with a long battery life so you don’t have to hunt for an outlet in between beach days.

Travel documents

Don’t forget the most important part of your all-inclusive vacation packing list: your essential travel documents, such as your Canadian passport. If you forget your passport and other necessary travel documents, your trip will be over before it begins, so triple-check they are in your bag before you head out.

Things to bring to an all-inclusive resort

Want to make sure you have everything you need for the resort? Tick off these items to take to an all-inclusive resort, and you'll be good to go. 

Clothing essentials

Your all-inclusive packing list won’t be complete without the following clothing basics:

• Undergarments (underwear, bra)

• Shorts

• Shirts

• Swimsuit(s)

• Sleepwear

• Socks

• Pants

• Light sweater

• Raincoat/waterproof jacket

• Sun hat

• Sneakers

• Flip-flops (waterproof)

• Dressy flats/sandals

• Sunglasses 

• Nice dress or suit for fancier dinners

Toiletries

The good thing about staying at an all-inclusive resort is that they’ll likely have most of the toiletries you’ll need, but it is still important to pack the essentials. To avoid a last-minute trip to the store, remember to put these items on your all-inclusive packing list:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Floss

• Deodorant

• Facial cleanser

• Sunscreen (reef-friendly)

• Aloe (for sunburns)

• Insect repellent

• Necessary medications

• Pain reliever

• Moisturizer

• Nail clippers and file

• Tweezers

Bring any essential toiletries you use back home, especially medications and pain relievers, in case your destination doesn't have an exact match. 

Misc. items

• Cash and credit cards (if possible, bring some cash in the local currency of your destination)

• Travel insurance

• Refillable water bottle

• Phone charger and power bank

• Daypack or purse

• Travel pillow

• Headphones

• Book or journal

• Laptop or tablet (and charger)

• Travel adapter (depending on your destination)

Quick packing tips

Here are a few easy tips to make packing for your next all-inclusive getaway a little easier:

• Roll up your stuff: Rolling up your clothing and condensing it in your luggage where possible makes a huge difference. For example, put your socks inside your shoes and pack a few shirts in your daypack to save space.

• Fill your daypack: Put most of your all-inclusive essentials in your daypack.

• Get packing cubes: Consider investing in some packing cubes to organize your clothes so you’re not digging through your suitcase every morning.

• Minimize with multi-purpose clothing: Many of the all-inclusive travel items listed above can serve you in multiple ways during your resort vacation. Pack with a practical mindset, and you will thank yourself for it. 

Get packing for your all-inclusive getaway

Once everything on this list is in your suitcase, just zip up and head for the sun. Haven’t decided on your final destination? Use Skyscanner to explore all-inclusive destinations worldwide and compare flight and hotel deals to find the right fit for your budget.