Two of the best ways to prepare for an upcoming trip are to a) research your destination and b) plan what you will pack. This blog post will address the latter to get you thinking about how you can be ready for a successful, fun, and educational trip to Puerto Rico.
Google “packing tips” and you will probably be floored by the number of people offering suggestions. While there are many sites and suggestions, there are always a few tips that appear almost everywhere. Here are some of the most frequent (source, source, source):
Make a list!
Planning ahead will help you have time to think about what you really need to bring. You might want to buy some new items, ask for some things for an upcoming holiday, or borrow items from friends and family. Thinking about what you need ahead of time will allow you to take inventory of what you have and what you might want to purchase/borrow...and more importantly, give you time to research!
Pack light!
Everyone everywhere will always suggest packing light. Why? Many people overestimate what they will need or not plan ahead and then be forced to lug around a heavy bag unnecessarily. On the trip, you are the only person who will carry your luggage. Think about that for a minute. Everything you bring, you will have to carry. All at once. Can you carry everything for a long distance (and after a long, tiring day of sightseeing)? Up a flight (or two) of stairs? Explorica allows us to bring one standard-sized suitcase (fee: $25 each way) and one carry-on bag for our trip; however, we are going to a warm place for less than a week. There is no reason you couldn’t pack everything is a carry-on roller board suitcase and one personal item (like a backpack or tote bag). The very experienced and very popular Rick Steves is a huge proponent of packing light. Read his tips for packing smart here.
Consider the Weather
Speaking of packing light, we will be heading to Puerto Rico on March 22. Historically the average high temperature for that time of year is 84F and the average low 73F (source). It’s probably safe to leave your heavy coat at home, but you’ll want to think about items like a really comfortable pair of walking sandals and a pair of athletic shoes. What about a useful layer that you can wear if we’re somewhere with air conditioning or night temperatures dip a little low? Think about how you would normally dress in the summer and go from there!
Consider the Itinerary
Most of our adventures are sightseeing walking tours around town or hiking through nature so we’ll be pretty casual BUT please log into your Explorica account and read the itinerary in detail to help you decide what to pack!
With several gift-giving holidays in the next couple of months, it makes sense to talk about packing in case you’d like to ask your family to contribute to your trip.
Items you might consider borrowing or purchasing
The items under “reference” are just to give you an idea of the product type and are not necessarily a recommended product. Feel free to talk to your teachers for their own personal recommendations.
- a carry-on size roller board suitcase (reference)
- packing cubes (reference)
- a backpack or tote
- a cross body bag (reference)
- a watch (this is required per our meeting)
- a small toiletry bag (reference)
- a collapsible water bottle (reference)
- a travel journal (reference)
- brightly colored travel tags (reference)
Brightly colored tags will make it easier for you to spot your bag.
- brightly colored TSA-approved locks (reference)
Brightly colored locks are easier to spot from a distance. Could help deter potential theft.
***Señor Díaz Super Traveler tip ***
Sometimes when he travels he brings old clothes and then leaves them at the hotel so that he has more room to bring home purchases from his travels.
***Señor Díaz Super Traveler tip ***
Sometimes when he travels he brings old clothes and then leaves them at the hotel so that he has more room to bring home purchases from his travels.
Have you traveled? What do you recommend? Post your ideas in the comments section!
