San Juan is warm, humid and casual, and you need less than you think. The villa has a washing machine, which changes the calculation entirely. Here is what to bring for a week.
What the villa already provides
Shampoo, conditioner and soap in each of the four bathrooms. Air conditioning throughout, an iron, a washing machine, a full kitchen with a stove and refrigerator, and Wi-Fi. You do not need to bring toiletries, a hairdryer or beach towels, and you certainly do not need to pack for twelve people as though you were camping.
Clothing
Light, loose and breathable. Linen and cotton over anything synthetic. Two or three swimsuits so one is always dry. Sandals for the day and one pair of proper walking shoes, because Old San Juan’s cobblestones are genuinely uneven. San Juan dresses up a little more in the evening than most Caribbean destinations, so bring one smart-casual outfit for dinner on Ashford Avenue.
The three things guests always forget
- Reef-safe sunscreen — the sun here is stronger than it feels with the trade winds blowing, and reef-safe formulations are both better for the water and harder to buy last minute.
- A light rain layer — showers are short, warm and frequent, especially outside the winter months. A packable jacket is enough. An umbrella is overkill.
- Insect repellent — mostly for evenings, and essential if you are heading to El Yunque or a mangrove kayak trip.
Useful extras
A dry bag for phones on the water. A reusable water bottle. Motion sickness tablets if you are taking the Culebra ferry. Any prescription medication in its original packaging.
What you can leave at home
A travel adapter, because outlets are standard US. A currency card, because it is dollars. A heavy guidebook, because your host lives here. And most of your shoes.
Packing for a group
If you are travelling as a family or a larger group, coordinate before you fly rather than after you land. One set of beach toys between everyone, one good cooler bag, and one person bringing the sunscreen is far more sensible than twelve people each packing their own. The washing machine means nobody needs more than four or five days of clothing, whatever the length of the stay.
If there is something specific your group needs, a crib, extra bedding, or help sourcing something after you land, just ask when you book. See what we can arrange.
Check availability at City Beach Villa and send your dates straight to Michael.