Beach Necessities I Always Pack as a Budget Traveler
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We’ve all been there — making it to your destination after hours of traveling only to realize you’ve forgotten something. Instead of jumping into whatever itinerary you’ve planned, you instead have to spend the first hours of your long-awaited vacation hunting down a store, praying it has what you need and that it’s not an insane price.
I’ve visited amazing beaches across the world — from Costa Rica to Thailand to Brazil — and visiting the beach is pretty much mandatory on every trip I take. But more times than I can count, I’ve forgotten something.
I’ve had to use a sweatshirt as a pillow on the beach, I’ve been sunburned an embarrassing amount of times because I didn’t remember sunscreen, and I’ve had to overspend on water bottles even more times.
Panic-buying things you forgot or having to spend on overpriced beach necessities isn’t part of my ideal vacation, and I’m guessing you feel the same.
Luckily, I’ve learned that planning ahead is really key to not only having a smooth vacation, but also sticking to a budget — (I know, shocking) so that’s where this beach packing guide comes in!
Whether you’re road-tripping to a beach in your area or flying halfway across the world, these are the beach essentials that I always make sure to bring with me for any vacation where I know I’ll be spending at least some time at the beach.
From sand-proof beach towels to the items I never forget after a brutal sunburn, here’s everything I pack to make beach days stress-free and budget-friendly.
Clothing & Towels: What to Wear and Lie On
Bathing suits (2+)
Because these don’t take up much room, I go what perhaps could be considered overboard and bring one for every day.
But if you’re sticking to a carry-on or whatever, I think you could make do with two minimum — wear one, hand wash it, and wear the second one the next day while the first one dries, then repeat.
Of course, this totally comes down to personal preference — I have this bikini in green and wear it all the time! (see photo below) It’s super comfortable and flattering.
Towels (1-2 per person)
Depending on where you’re staying, this may be provided for you.
But if not (I’ve found that lots of hostels won’t give you a towel, or you need to rent it or something ridiculous), bringing your own is a must. (I’m currently having war flashbacks of the multiple incidents where I’ve had to use my backpack as a pillow.)
If you have the space, it would be more ideal to have one for lying down (something like this would be perfect since it’s wider than a normal towel and sand won’t stick to it) and then a second for actually drying yourself. I like to bring a travel-sized microfiber towel since that’s better for my curly hair, but you do you.
Sun Protection Essentials You’ll Regret Forgetting
Sunscreen (face and body)
I’m really picky about what I put on my face, and I use this Paula’s Choice sunscreen literally every day. I’ve been using it for years and it’s perfect for my oily, acne-prone skin, and I love how it doesn’t feel greasy but is still hydrating.
I don’t really worry about the brand as much when it comes to sunscreen for my body, but I recently got this Sun Bum one and really liked it.
SPF lip balm
People usually forget to use some sort of sun protection on their lips, but you don’t want to do that!
I love this Aquaphor one — it’s actually really effective at hydrating and helping you avoid chapped lips, while being SPF 30!
Lotion & aloe vera
Being at the beach can be super drying on your skin, and especially if you burn at all, lotion and aloe vera (yes, both!) are definitely beach essentials.
However, these are items that should be easy to find in most places, so I think it’s not a big deal to end up buying in your destination, especially if you want to reduce liquids/weight in your luggage, or it’s just cheaper where you’re going.
This depends though, and you’ll want to research your specific destination (I love checking blog posts and Reddit threads to get a sense of average costs before a trip) — if you’re going to a more expensive destination, you’ll want to bring your own!
Sunglasses
For some reason, it’s so hard for me to remember to pack sunglasses, and I am filled with regret 100% of the times that I forget them.
Since I’m assuming you care at least a tiny bit what they look like (also sunglasses have such a huge price range which is also stressful), this is something you definitely want to bring with you.
Mine actually recently broke so I’m currently in the market for some new ones, and I’m eyeing this super affordable pair!
On-the-Ground Beach Necessities
Flip-flops
I think this one speaks for itself, but flip-flops are pretty much part of my daily uniform when I’m in beach towns!
And throughout my travels, I’ve fallen victim to the “buy the cheapest ones possible and deal with it later” temptation time and time again. Finally, I think I’ve just about learned my lesson. (It only took me hiking through Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro for my shoes to fall apart not once, not twice, but three times throughout the hike.)
With that said, no one does flip-flops better than Rio, so these Havaianas are a solid choice that won’t fall apart on you.
(Possibly) water shoes
This is one thing I tend to skip, but water shoes are definitely a good idea in lots of places, whether you’re planning to visit a rockier beach or do some hiking through waterfalls.
Bug repellant
This is another one I somehow always forget. On my recent trip to Puerto Rico, I literally bought some specifically for the trip, brought it with me, and then didn’t use it til my legs had been absolutely destroyed. I had marks on my legs for at least 3 weeks after I came home!
On the plus size, this is the repellant I brought with me, and once I used it, I had 0 problems. Which was a huge relief, since I don’t think my legs could have handled any more.
Water bottle
Now, this one I honestly need to be better about. They can be annoying to carry around, but for a beach beach, they are really a must. I also hate having to spend money all the time on water bottles that just have to get thrown away, so planning ahead is also a win for your wallet + the planet.
If you’re going to Mexico or somewhere else where you’ll want to be careful about the water, you may also want to grab a water filtration bottle.
I haven’t yet tested this one out, but LifeStraw is a reputable brand, and it has lots of high ratings.It removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics.
Hand sanitizer
Bathroom situations vary widely depending on what beach you’re going to, so bringing some travel-sized hand sanitizer is definitely something you don’t want to forget!
Must-Have Tech and Entertainment
Portable charger
My battery always seems to drain like 200% quicker when I’m at the beach — what’s with that?
For safety reasons and also to just spare yourself from being annoyed, a portable charger is a must when spending the day at the beach. Chances are you may not have access to an outlet at all until getting back to your accommodation, so it’s best to not risk it.
E-reader
If you’re like me, you need some type of entertainment while you’re on the beach.
While I used to be a die-hard physical book fan, I can’t tell you how many times I’d come home from a trip just to see my book had gotten absolutely wrecked on the journey.
Plus, that space in your bag and added weight in your luggage is really valuable — so once I finally caved and bought my Kindle, I never looked back. (I also now borrow ebooks through my local library which has saved me an absurd amount of money.)
Earbuds
Not to sound like a grumpy old man, but I honestly hate when people bring speakers to the beach. I get that you think your music taste is great, and no one will mind … but the times I’ve actually enjoyed a stranger’s music choice on the beach is vastly outnumbered by the alternative.
Whether you want to listen to music or a podcast while relaxing at the beach, or just want to block out outside noise, earbuds or headphones are a must.
You don’t need fancy Apple Airbuds either, if they’re not in your budget. I have EarFun ones and they work just as well.
Smart Beach Bags & Storage Solutions
Beach bag
Maybe whatever backpack or regular purse you’re planning to bring anyway will work for your beach bag, but either way, definitely make sure you have a plan before leaving for your trip. I usually prefer some sort of foldable bag like this that won’t take up much space in my luggage (or I stuff clothing in it when I’m packing to maximize space) that’s still cute!
Depending on where you’re going, safety may also be a concern, and you won’t want to leave your things behind while you go in the water.
I got this idea from another travel creator, Hey Ciara, but you could get a small waterproof bag that you can wear when you go in the water! It can hold your smaller but most important items like your phone, wallet, and keys.
Personally, I’m not much of a swimmer so this isn’t really an issue for me, but I love the idea.
Second waterproof bag to keep your wet bathing suits/clothing
We’ve all fallen victim to the smelly suitcase at one time or another. While a good old fashioned plastic bag works just fine for keeping your gross, wet clothes away from everything else, an actual bag that closes securely and is waterproof will serve you even better. Plus it’s more environmentally friendly since you can wash it and reuse it on your next beach trip.
Bonus Beach Necessities If You’re Driving
If you’re visiting a beach destination within driving distance, you have some more leeway here to bring more items with you.
Here are some extra items I’d make room for in the car:
A cooler
Especially if you’re on a budget and trying to avoid splurging on a ton of beachside drinks/snacks, a cooler really comes in handy. This backpack-style cooler comes in a few different sizes, depending on your needs, and has lots of high ratings.
Beach chairs
Not essential, but nice to have, especially if you’re planning on spending a ton of time at the beach.
This set of two looks like a great deal and has thousands of great ratings.
Beach umbrella
This one is really on my list to buy for my beach days at home in LA. I love being in the sun as much as possible, but sometimes a little shade would be nice, especially if you’re planning to hang out at the beach for a few hours or so.
Final Thoughts on Beach Necessities, and Where to Go
I like to consider myself a pretty frequent beachgoer, and I’ve finally gotten my beach packing list down to a science — and now so have you!
Packing smart means fewer beachside headaches and more time actually enjoying the beach.
These beach necessities have saved me time, money, and plenty of sunburns — and I hope they help you do the same.
Finding the best beaches when I travel is pretty much my favorite pastime, so on the off chance that you need some ideas of where to go next, here are some of my favorite beach destinations you have to add to your summer bucket list:
