Packing List for Florida: 39 Things You NEED to Take

Looking for the ultimate packing list for Florida? If you’re worrying about what to pack for Florida, the hunt is over! Let me take you through everything you need to take on your trip.

I’m lucky enough to have been to Florida many times. I know exactly what needs to go on your Florida packing list. The trouble with writing a packing list for Florida though, is that the country goes through many weathers in a year, so it kinds depends what time of year you go.

Meaning, it’s not an easy pack. 

Depending on the time of year you might experience some mugginess, or even a chill. Being well prepared means you’ll be much happier when you’re there, and have everything you need so you can concentrate on just having a good time on your Florida trip.

Here goes.

What to take to Florida

The Florida dress code for tourists is: everything goes! Super short-shorts, midriffs out, and very low-cut tops are all fine. Dressed up to the nines, all fine! Hoodies and trackies, all fine!

If you’re wondering what to pack for Florida, the answer in short is, whatever you like.

Absolute essentials for Florida

1. – Your passport. And check your passport is valid for at least six months before your arrival date in Florida. 

2. – A valid visa. Depending on your nationality you can either get one before you go or apply on arrival. Make sure you check with your local embassy to check the Florida visa laws for your country. 

3. – Travel insurance. I actually have travel insurance with my bank, Nationwide. I pay £10 a month and get it included along with phone insurance and breakdown cover. You need to get really good travel insurance to cover you in case anything goes wrong. HeyMondo offer 24/7 worldwide assistance with travel cancellation and interruption cover. They also have tailor made policies and cover medical expenses up to $10 million.

Click here and you’ll get 5% off your travel insurance with HeyMondo.com too. Check out their App for more details. 

4. – Working debit and credit cards. Check with your bank that your cards will work in Florida, and have $50/$100 stashed in your suitcase just in case. 

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Toiletries for Florida

All the essentials for your packing list for Florida.

5. Bug protection

Depending on when you visit, Florida can be quite buggy, especially if you’re by water in the south. You need to make sure you take a good bug spray. Mosquitos are most active at dusk and around bare flesh. Spray yourself liberally and cover up as much as possible in peak times.

incognito® is my bug spray of choice and is suitable for everyone over 6 months. incognito® offers worldwide protection from the Zika virus and malaria-carrying mosquitos too. It’s been clinically tested and is 100% effective against mosquitoes. 

I like the suncream, as it’s SPF50 and you only need one application for your bug spray and sun cream in one. You can also get a loofah soap, incense sticks and Hair & Body Wash. I wish I’d had this in Malawi!

6. Sun cream 

If you decide not to go with the mozzie and sun cream combo then make sure to pack a few different levels of sun cream coverage for your Florida trip.

I like to start off with a strong SPF and work my way down. UltraSun sun cream is my go to, or whatever spray SPF I can get my hands on. It’s definitely better for coverage when you’re travelling solo. 

7. First aid kit for Florida

Make sure you include a first aid kit in your packing for Florida. Get some paracetamol, some diarrhoea stuff, and bad stomach medicine too. If you do get ill it’s so much nicer to have this stuff on you. Any dodgy tummies are usually caused by a change in your normal diet, and should be ok. But always best to be on the safe side.

Stick some plasters in too. If you haven’t walked as far as you’re going to in Florida, your feet might rub.  

Also, throat lozenges and hand sanitiser are a good idea to put in too. 

8. Hair care in Florida 

The humidity in Florida can get pretty crazy, meaning your hair might be frazzled. Make sure you take a good conditioner, and some moisturising serum too.

It will help to add protein into your hair. Otherwise, do a hair mask before you go and when you come back, just for some extra moisture and strength. 

More cosmetics for your Florida packing list 

9. Toothbrush and toothpaste 

10. Shampoo and conditioner 

11. Tweezers 

12. Micellar water and cotton wool 

13. Moisturiser 

14. Cotton buds 

15. Shower gel 

16. Contact lenses

17. Deodorant 

18. Razor

19. Toiletry bag 

I love the hanging see-through toiletries bags so you can see exactly what you have when you’re packing for Florida. 

READ MORE: The Best Beach Resorts in Florida

What to wear in Florida

As I said, Florida culture is super chill – here’s a few ideas for what to bring to Florida in your suitcase. 

20. If you’re staying somewhere like Westgate Resorts in Florida, then you should pack some sort of fancy wear for evenings too, so you can feel dressed up to go out.

21. Breathable cotton shorts, tshirts, skirts and dresses.

22. Vest tops to go with shorts.

23. Comfortable trainers. Seeing as you’re on holiday in Florida I’m sure you’ll want to walk around a bit. Make sure you’re not moaning all the way and opt for comfort. Good for any hikes / Orlando theme parks you plan on doing, and for rainy cold nights. 

24. Flip flops. It’s hot in Florida, especially in the south and especially in the summer! You’ll definitely want your flip flops for all those Florida Keys beaches too.

25. Headwear. Pack either a hat or scarf to wear on your head under the hot sun. If you’re going out on boats at all you’ll want some sort of protection against the elements.  

26. Swimming stuff. You can wear bikinis or swimsuits at the beach areas of Florida, and in the shops and cafes around.

27. Beach cover ups. Kaftans and flowy dresses are a great idea for the beach, especially if you want to be a bit more comfortable when you’re in bars and restaurants in places like Panama City Beach too.

28. Scarf / sarong. Scarves are the best when you’re travelling, and an absolute essential IMHO. I used my scarf / sarong as a pillowcase, a head cover when I wanted to sleep, a skirt, a shawl, and more. You definitely need to add a sarong to your Florida packing list. Trust me. 

29. Light jumper. It’s always nice to know you have a warmer jumper if the temperature should drop, or you’re somewhere where the air conditioning has been turned up just that bit too high. 

30. Trousers. If you feel ready for them, those trousers where you can unzip the leg will be useful. I’m not quite there yet so I just like to pack yoga / sports trousers. And of course leggings are always a good shout to go from hot to cold.

31. Underwear. Bras and knickers to see you through to the end. If you’re going in summer you might want more pairs than you actually need so you can change for the evening.  

32. Socks. Take a few pairs just to wear with your trainers, I like the trainer sock size best. Add these to your checklist for Florida.

READ MORE: Make sure you leave some space in your suitcase for some of these great souvenirs from Florida!

Make sure you get your travel insurance sorted before you go on a solo road trip. HeyMondo offer 24/7 worldwide assistance with travel cancellation and interruption cover. They also have tailor made policies and cover medical expenses up to $10 million. Click here and you’ll get 5% off your travel insurance with HeyMondo.com too. Check out their App for more details. 

Florida travel tips clothing

When you’re packing for Florida you could think about getting a hotel or local laundromat to wash your clothes, but if you’re just going for a week or two you’re better off just taking enough clothes instead.

33. Pack a laundry bag – I have a cotton bag I got years ago from a hotel and just put my dirties in there. I really don’t like my dirty clothes touching my new, especially when I’ve been in such a hot and dirty environment, so I make sure to have some kind of system. You could just use a canvas bag or plastic bag to keep it easy. 

Electronics for Florida

34. Take a universal power adapter to Florida. Florida uses different 2 and 3 pin plug sockets depending on where you are. One with built in surge protection is also a good idea. In the United States of America the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. 

35. Your camera and charger. So you can photo yourself doing all the cool things to do in Miami etc.

36. Phone and phone charger. You can pick up SIM cards anywhere in Florida, but seriously, their public WiFi is so good I don’t think you need to.

37. Portable charger. A portable charger is so useful, especially if you’re using the camera or Google Maps a lot and they’re draining your battery. 

More things to take to Florida on holiday

Don’t forget these in your packing list for Florida.

38. Umbrella. Not only for the rain up north when you’re hiking, but also the sun. An umbrella can be a great idea on the beach to protect you from the harsh midday sun. 

39. Sunglasses. Makes sure to take some with you, especially if they’re prescription!

FAQs on Florida things to bring

1. What bag to take to Florida? 

When I was in Florida I took my trusty Osprey bag,which I’ve used for years. I’d definitely recommend a flat wheelie like this. It can also be adapted to be a backpack, if I need.

I love it. 

I also like to use different shaped and coloured bags to keep things ordered inside. Ones I’ve picked up on my travels. If you don’t have quite the collection I do, then buy some travel cubes to help you to keep everything in order.

I’ve never actually felt the need to use luggage locks, but if you’re worried, then there’s no harm in investing. I just feel like it makes it look like you have something worth taking. 

You’ll also want a day rucksack for Florida, for when you’re sightseeing. I just use a basic rucksack from Vans, but here are a few day pack options for you. 

Florida packing checklist 

What to pack for Florida – in a nutshell.

• Passport
• Visa
• Travel insurance
• Vaccinations
• Working debit and credit cards
• Some US dollars
• Bug protection
• Sun cream
• First aid kit
• Hair care stuff
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Tweezers
• Micellar water and cotton wool
• Moisturiser
• Cotton buds
• Shower gel
• Contact lenses
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Toiletries bag
• Breathable cotton shorts, tshirts, skirts and dresses
• Vest tops
• Comfy trainers
• Flip flops
• Headwear
• Swimming stuff
• Beach cover ups
• Light rain coat
• Scarf / sarong
• Light jumper
• Trousers
• Underwear
• Socks
• Laundry bag
• Universal power adaptor
• Camera and charger
• Phone and charger
• Portable charger
• Umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Osprey bag
• Travel cubes
• Luggage locks
• Day rucksack

What to pack for Florida

So, does that help you get your packing list for Florida sorted?

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