Shawna LevetPacking Essentials for Rainy Season Travel
Are you traveling during monsoon season in India? Is the forecast for Costa Rica rainy all week? Packing for rainy season can be a little tricky. You will need extra clothes and extra gear – especially if you will not have easy access to a washer and dryer. If your packing space is limited, you might want to plan to pick up a few cheap necessities when you arrive and then donate them before you leave.
Here are some must-haves for rainy season travel!
Extra clothing
Plan on your clothing getting wet every time you leave your accommodations. Unless you have easy access to a dryer, wet clothing takes a long time to dry hanging on a bathroom towel rack. This is especially important when it comes to socks and underwear! There’s nothing worse than having to wear damp socks or clothes all day.
A raincoat or poncho
You want at least one – maybe both depending on your activities. Raincoats and all their pockets are great for touring a big city. A poncho is best if you are doing hiking, horseback riding, or other adventuring. Get yourself a poncho big enough to cover your backpack or other outdoor gear.
Waterproof backpack
Even if you get yourself a good, large poncho, a waterproof backpack or day bag is a lifesaver! If you are carrying around travel documents, camera equipment, or other things that can be water damaged, you can’t be careful enough protecting your gear!
A hair dryer
If you really need to dry off an item quickly, a hair dryer is a handy replacement for a real clothes dryer. Plus it might just be nice to dry off your hair too if you are constantly feeling wet. Check and see if you will need a travel plug adapter for your destination!
Water-resistant shoes
Leave your cute footwear at home during rainy season! Instead, get yourself water-resistant shoes and sandals. Make sure you have at least one good pair that works well for lots of walking, and sandals if you’re just running out for a quick meal!
A fast-drying towel
A compact, microfiber towel is an essential item to throw in your backpack every time you head out for the day. These handy little travel items are great for drying off your things… or yourself!
Mosquito protection
If it’s rainy season, there’s probably a good chance it’s also mosquito season! Mosquitoes love pools of still water. Protecting yourself against these pesky skin-divers is essential to avoid an uncomfortable trip, or worse, a deadly disease. Make sure you are armed with bug spray, protective clothing, anti-itch cream, and even netting if you need it. Our summer travel guide contains lots of other helpful recommendations for protecting yourself against mosquitoes while traveling!
Plastic bags
Plastic bags are an essential packing item even outside of rainy season. They are great for the TSA line and for keeping liquid items from spilling all over your suitcase. But during rainy season, pack a few extra to keep your things from getting water-damaged. Large ziplock bags are a great place to store wet clothing temporarily. Small sandwich bags work well for cell phones or other small items you need to protect from the rain.
