The Ultimate Packing List for a Family Vacation in the Sun

Packing for a sunny family vacation is an art! Between travel documents, clothes, toys, and care items, it can quickly feel like you’re bringing the entire house with you. Good preparation makes all the difference to travel stress-free and fully enjoy your trip.

Here’s a complete and practical checklist, tailored to every situation and age group, so you won’t forget anything and your whole family can enjoy a worry-free vacation in the sun.

1. Family Essentials

Travel Documents

• Passports and tickets

• Printed reservations or digital copies on your phone

• Travel insurance
  👉 Check in advance the coverage included (or not) with your insurance to avoid unpleasant surprises such as having to pay expensive medical bills at your destination or being denied boarding for an ear infection. Our travel advisors can help you complete your coverage if needed.

• Parental authorization (allowing each parent to travel alone with the children in case of unexpected events)

Health & Safety

• First-aid kit: bandages, Polysporin, Tylenol/Advil (for adults and children), Benadryl, thermometer, etc.

• Sunscreen (bring enough – it’s much more expensive at resorts)

• SPF lip balm

• Toiletry bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, elastics, glasses or contact lenses

• Aloe vera, insect repellent, After Bite, moisturizer
  👉 Consult your pharmacist for travel health recommendations based on your destination (vaccinations, medications to bring, etc.).

Clothing & Accessories

• Swimsuits (2–3 per person)

• UV-protection shirts or long-sleeved swimsuits for kids

• Shorts, dresses, light t-shirts

• Underwear

• Lightweight long pants (for flights, cool evenings, or certain restaurants at the resort that may require more formal attire)

• Sandals and comfortable shoes

• Water shoes (protect feet from coral and help toddlers who don’t like walking in the sand)

• Hats/caps

• Sunglasses

• Lightweight rain jacket

2. Practical Lists by Situation

On the Plane

• Passports and travel documents

• Wallet and cell phone

• Kids’ backpack: books, drawing board, small toy, small comfort blanket
  👉 Avoid small pieces and prefer drawing boards or crayons without caps.

• Tablet with pre-downloaded shows or movies + compatible headphones

• Reading book

• Reusable water bottles for the whole family

At the Hotel

• Nightlight

• Stuffed animal or comfort item

• Ziploc bags (great for taking healthy snacks like fruit from the restaurant and keeping them in the mini-fridge for later)

• Chargers for electronics (with adapter if required at your destination)

At the Beach or Pool

• Hooded towels that double as cover-ups or small blankets if kids nap under a palapa
  👉 Note: Some destinations have sand fleas. Avoid bringing resort towels into the sand; use the hotel’s designated towel drop-off instead.

• Foldable beach toys

• Floaties for the pool and sea

• Life jackets for kids (especially useful on boat excursions)

• Mesh beach bag (prevents bringing sand back to the room)

On Excursions

• Small backpack (can reuse the one used on the plane)

• Refillable water bottles (fill them at restaurants)

• Snacks you can grab from the buffet (fruit, nuts, cereal, etc.)

• Closed-toe shoes

• Hat or cap

• Small microfiber towel if swimming is planned

3. Age-Specific Lists

0–2 years (babies & toddlers)

• Diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream

• Bottles
  👉 Many hotels provide kids’ kits with a kettle or sterilizer you can use for bottles. Ask your travel advisor to request one, or plan to bring the basics to wash your bottles at the destination.

• Stroller with travel bag (for the plane)

• Compact UV beach tent for babies to nap near you at the beach or pool

• Disposable bed mat if potty training

3–6 years (young children)

• A dressier outfit for one evening

• 1–2 small toys chosen by the child (for the room and restaurants)

• UV-protection swimsuit

7 years and up (older kids)

• Books and small games

• Travel or drawing notebook

• Sunglasses

Traveling as a family requires a bit of planning, but with a clear checklist, everything becomes simpler. By adapting your packing according to the situation and the children’s ages, you’ll ensure a smooth, stress-free trip.

Pack your bags, check off the items, and set off with peace of mind for a sunny vacation full of unforgettable memories! 🌴✨