Lists

LISTS, LISTS, LISTS - Some of us love them. Some of us hate them. However you feel about them, they’re undeniably useful, especially when they’re already made for you. 

I know personally, I depend on lists for just about everything in life - cleaning, shopping, packing, working, and just general life-ing. Lists are what keep me productive, organized, and well, sane. Every time we travel I make a new packing list based on the type of trip we’re taking. Of course these lists vary for different trips, but there are always a handful of staples, especially for our adventures in the Deep South of the Dominican Republic. I’ve put together my top ten items I always like to have on hand. Today, I’m sharing the first 5 with you. I’ll be sharing the next 5 in an upcoming post so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

Even though I chose these items based on travel in the Dominican Republic, most (if not all) of these things will be absolutely great to have for just about any trip that involves a lot of walking, outdoor activities, or adventure. 

Here’s a quick glimpse at what we’re going to be looking at today:

• Sunscreen

• Towels

• Shoes

• Bathing Suits

• Bags

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

1. A RELIABLE, REEF FRIENDLY SUNSCREEN

  Just use sunscreen, please. 

Make sure to look for a reef friendly option when you’re shopping. These tend to be better not only for the environment but also for your body! Read more about what “reef friendly” means here. 

Sun Bum is my personal go to for suncare products. Here are a few things I love:

Sun Bum Original SPF 30 spray - my preferred for day to day and the beach

They also have a new zinc based option. I just recently bought this version for my face. I haven’t used it extensively yet, but I will report back soon!

Even with the best of intentions, sometimes we still get a little crispy in the sun (natural red-head here, IYKYK). For those days, this after sun hydrating lotion is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! In my experience, it helps soothe and heal even a bad burn in a short time. 

2. QUICK DRY TOWELS

Be it beach or river, there is no shortage of places to swim in the Deep South. Having light weight, quick drying towels is an absolute lifesaver when you are on the go and don’t want to lug around a heavy, soggy beach towel. I bought a set of quick drying microfiber towels on Amazon a few years ago and I LOVE them! I can’t find the exact ones anymore but these are almost identical. 

Trust me, you won’t regret having these on hand.

3. NO SLIP, WATER FRIENDLY WALKING SHOES

So shoes are obviously a very personal preference kind of item, but there are a few things I like to tell people to keep in mind when packing for the adventure trips we love so much. In order to save on space in luggage, I always say it’s best to have things that serve more than one purpose. 

Personally I love to have a rugged shoe that I can walk in and that provides good stabilization for my feet, but also can get wet when crossing streams or little rivers without making me feel totally weighed down. 

My go to shoes for this are my Chacos. They are definitely more of an investment sandal but they will last you FOREVER. Plus the company personally guarantees them for the life of the shoe. See their warranty policy here.

These sandals come in quite a few styles. I bought a pair with double straps which gets a little annoying putting on and off. Next time I would definitely go with this single strap option. These are a great option for women or men as they come in virtually any color or pattern you could wish for. Rusty swears by his Chacos as well (Men’s / Women’s).

SIDE NOTE: These were my go to sandals when trekking around Asia. Rusty and I both wore them on a climb to the peak of Mt. Batur (that’s a hike of over 5,500 ft.) I don’t necessarily recommend this (maybe better to have your toes covered), but these sandals held up!

Ok ladies, I will be the first to admit that Chacos are not the cutest option. I get it. These are not a “wear to the beach then throw on a pretty cover up dress to go to dinner” shoe. If the rugged durability is not so important for you, or you are on a tighter budget, these crocs are a great option for versatility. They are cute but still give you the advantage of a shoe that can get wet and won’t send you flying when you are walking on slippery rocks. They definitely don’t give as much all-around foot support so still use some caution if you are walking in any really rough areas.

I actually tend to just slide a pair of these in my bag since they are so small and light. This way I can switch out if I feel the need for something a little nicer looking.

4. BATHING SUIT

I’m pretty sure this is a given and doesn’t really need to be on the list, but I just wanted to cover my bases. I won’t get into specific bathing suit recommendations as this is sooo specific to each person but I will say it’s a good idea to pack one that is secure and stays in place with the waves! We don’t want any surprises . . . 

5. SECURE TRAVEL PACK

When traveling anywhere that involves a lot of walking, I like to have a good carry all bag - something I can take to the beach, take hiking, or use while walking in the city. For extra security, I try to find an option that I can keep close to my body and that has pockets that aren’t screaming “open me” to passersby that are looking for an easy target. This Kavu cross body bag with rope straps is comfortable to carry and really convenient to use. The zippers are tucked away under a little flap of fabric which gives me a little extra piece of mind. 

The variety of colors make this bag a great option for men or women, plus it comes in two sizes to suit whatever your needs may be.

Well, that wraps up part one of this series. Hopefully you’ve found something useful and feel a little more prepared for your next trip. Stay tuned for part two, when we will talk about water bottles, rings and credit cards among other things. Don’t forget to subscribe to our page to be notified when you can read more!

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