What I Packed: Capsule Wardrobe for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I do have an adventurous spirit but sometimes you just need to get away to relax.  For the last few years, I try to hit up an all-inclusive resort for some well-deserved R&R. So I guess you can say by now I have become a packing pro (you can check out my Packing Basics here). For this trip I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for my uncle’s wedding. I am usually on the East (Caribbean) side of Mexico, so this was a new experience!

WHERE: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

WEATHER: hot, humid, occasional rain

DURATION: 9 days, 8 nights
ACTIVITIES: Resort lounging, beach bumming, & a wedding

For beach vacations, I typically divide my clothes into 2 categories:

Beach/Pool/Casual clothes –I tend to bring extra items of this category since they can get pretty dirty with the exposure to sand, sun, salt, and chlorine.

Evening/dinner outfits – not formal attire, just clothing appropriate for the dinners at the various restaurants

Packing List

Beach/Pool/Casual Clothes

3-4 Swimsuits

2 Coverups – Essential for coming in and out of the water

1 Sarong – I will wear one on the plane as a scarf

5 Casual tops – I will use these over my swimsuits as coverups as well for excursions and trips into town

3 Casual bottoms – I will also wear this as coverups and for excursions and trips into town

Evening/Dinner Clothes

2 Dresses/Rompers

3 Bottoms – This includes fancy shorts or skirts

4 Tops

Undergarments

1 Nude Bra – I usually bring a convertible bra which can be worn with or without straps. This is great for ANY outfit.

2 Other Bras/Bralettes – to wear as a statement piece under a sheer shirt or anything with peek-a-boo cut outs

4 pairs of underwear – I always wash mine daily so there is no point to bring more. I will always opt for nude undies which are seamless or a thong.

Shoes

1 pair of slippers – I hate going barefoot in hotel rooms

1 pair of beach/pool sandals – waterproof of course

2 pairs sandals – to match dinner outfits, I will wear one pair on the plane

1 pair of watershoes – OPTIONAL depending on how rocky the beach is/the excursions you will take. Mine are tough enough to double as an outdoor shoe for walking or hiking.

Accessories

1 Clutch/wristlet – I always bring this for dinner time to carry my phone, key card, money, etc. I love the ones that can convert into a crossbody.

1 hat – to hide from the sun

2 sunglasses – You can get away with 1 pair but I like options. I always bring cheap glasses as they can get scratched by sand or lost by the pool

FoilTatts – They are light as paper and disposable after use so you don’t have to worry about losing or damaging them.

Miscellaneous Jewelry

I don’t bring any workout gear. I am being honest with myself…it’s not going to happen while I am on vacation. But feel free to add any workout gear you may need since most resorts have a full gym facilities.

Extras

1 collapsible floatie

1 snorkel

1 pair of goggles

1 wetsuit (1mm)

1 waterproof case

This is my efficient checklist of what got me through a 9-day beach vacation stylishly. I think I could have survived with less, but considering I was there for a large formal event, I needed to plan accordingly. If you are new to packing light, check out how to build a capsule wardrobe here!

Good Luck & Happy Travels