What to Bring to the Dominican Republic: Packing List for Awesome Trips

On my trip to the DR, I was lucky that I packed completely appropriately. Where we stayed, days were hot and nights got a dab cooler, with even a slight breeze by the water at the beachside restaurants.

The DR seems like a straightforward trip to pack for, right? You need a bathing suit, a lot of beachwear, daily essentials and stuff for being in the sun. But think a bit more, and if you are going to be hiking, or spending time outdoors after the sun goes down, you may be glad that you found this list!

In this packing list for the Dominican Republic, I hope you are able to get your packing right so that it’s one thing off your list before you go. Remember to use the trip length feature above to customize the recommended quantities for the duration of your stay.

For more on what to see and do in the Dominican Republic, check out our Dominican Republic north coast guide.

Packing essentials

In the list that follows, I’m providing a checklist for all the must-have items like phone-wallet-keys, but a step further because of how far away from home you’ll be! Here you’ll find conveniences and must-haves.

Packing organization

On your trip to the Dominican Republic, you’ll be dealing with daily heat and humidity. So why not pack well, and stay organized, to have one more part of your trip be a breeze? You may be changing from swimwear into clothes, and back into swimwear, so staying neat, tidy and having things set into their own packing cubes is going to help a lot.

Beach and pool accessories

The Dominican Republic’s beaches are a major draw, and your resort or hotel may have a pool! You’ll want accessories that handle sand, salt water and intense sun. Quick-dry fabrics are a great idea to beat the humidity, and of course, a few ways to fight off mosquitoes, strong UV rays and some surprise rain showers will go a long way.

Clothes and daily outfits

The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate, which means you’ll want lightweight and breathable fabrics to stay cool. On our trip, I mostly wore a sun dress, and brought a light scarf for evenings because we were right by the water. Not all restaurants have AC, and in fact, a lot are “open air.” But for the parts of your resort where the AC is blasting, you might even feel chilly!

Footwear for hot climates

A trip to the Dominican Republic mostly means a flip flop trip, but what if you plan to hike in the beautiful jungles? What if you plan to go sightseeing and walk around some towns to see historic sites, like we did? You need a bit of everything for your feet, if you plan to do more than just beach or pool. Take some protective shoes that do less flip-flopping and have a bit more support and structure.

Family-friendly accesssories (for babies and kids)

The Dominican Republic is a great family destination, whether you are at a resort by sea, or if you’re staying at a family-owned rental with access to a small town. With this list of child must-haves, you’ll have a more relaxed family experience.