The best time of the year for college students is spring break. Having roughed it through midterms, roommate debacles, and group assignments it’s time for a well-deserved break.
One of most sought after spring break vacations is to Cancun, Mexico. With so much to look forward to in Cancun, the last thing you want on your mind is how you are going to pack everything for spring break. With these helpful tips you will learn how to fit one week into just one piece of luggage. Get ready to breeze right through the airport gate.

Duration

A one week trip often feels like a lifetime. Hell, its Cancun and you’ll want to bring everything in your closet with you. Within that one week time-frame you could encounter many parties, restaurants, and beaches, and you’ll want an outfit for every occasion. The reality, though, is spring break is not freshman move-in so it’s necessary to keep in mind your travel duration in order to actually condense all your stuff and not over-pack (seriously, you don’t want to be THAT person trying to downsize at the airport).

Table of Contents

Airport

Next, find out what the baggage policy is for the airline you are using. For the late preppers, like myself, who wait until the very last minute to purchase a flight, you may come across an airline that has strict baggage limits. Thus, your packing has to be catered around that. Look for airlines who have more than just competitive prices, as nothing beats a free checked bag and carry-on bag.

Hotel

Where you stay in Cancun is just as important as getting to Cancun. It’s never too early to start planning your spring break getaway, so check out some of these package deals. Cancun has many hotels and resorts that are all inclusive, which means that soaps, shampoos, and lotions are available. No need to bring your own amenities when the room will provide the blow drier, clothes iron, and coffee machine.

Luggage

Think about the size of the luggage you want to use. Hauling an extra-large suitcase for all your shoes is a bit excessive. Less is more and small is the new trend. The newest piece of luggage for anyone’s collection should be a large wheeled duffel or uprights. Many have more than one compartment, and you’ll be surprised when you see how much can fit in it for spring break. Use the lower compartment to place shoes, fragile items, and souvenirs you bring back. The most spacious compartment can hold a full week’s worth of outfits. Side compartments are for travel size items, if you plan to use it as a carry-on.

Make a List

This step is crucial in making sure that nothing gets forgotten. Write down what you may need at the airport, on the airplane, at the hotel, and the trip itself. Number one items on the list should your be prescription medicines, contact solution, and night guards, etc.  Items that may be hard to obtain once you are away from place you visit frequently and will need for your day to day.

Itinerary

Unless you have booked a package for your trip to Cancun, you’ll need to sit down with your best buds and plan out your itinerary for the week.  Having an itinerary helps with knowing what outfits to bring, luggage to use, and even the places you visit. Stuck on where to go? Read my post on Discovering the Spring Break Hotspots of Cancun [ADD LINK] to see where everyone in Cancun is going.

Clothing Piles

This has saved time and space in my luggage when determining how badly I need a particular piece of clothing on a trip. My suggestion is to create three piles. The first pile is the ‘Pack’ pile, the second is the ‘Maybe’ pile, and the third pile is the ‘I really want to bring it in case of XYZ’ pile. The pack pile is for clothing that can be worn again. These include light tops, tank tops, jean shorts, yoga pants, bathing suit, and anything that can be layered or mix-matched.

The maybe pile is for items like blouses, pants, t-shirts, cardigans, and pieces that you may not need but would be helpful. The third pile is for an item you bought in case a spring break like this was to come along. It still has the price tag on it but it’s cute and you want options. For outfits like these it is best not bring it them at all. The goal is to go for pieces that are basic and classic to make repeat outfits so you can fit it all in one piece of luggage.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a great way to organize your luggage so nothing gets lost. Put in delicate pieces if they tend to wrinkle, use it for undergarments, put in your personal care items so nothing spills, or keep all of your electronic items in there. You can put just about anything you need for travel in packing cubes. Packing cubes help make your luggage organized, safe, and you will know where everything is.

Laundry Bag

It’s easy packing for a trip but what about when you head home? To avoid mixing dirty clothes with clean clothes, having a laundry bag to store clothes as you go throughout the week will remind you what you’ve worn but also make it easier when you are fitting everything back in your luggage. Have a dryer sheet already in there to help disguise the smell.

Travel Size, Whaaat?

We know, all too well, that getting past airport security can be a hassle. Unless you are checking your luggage, large sized conditioners and lotion cannot be carried on the plane (liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces  or less per item). Visit your local drug store and get a pouch, or Ziploc bag, to place all of your travel sized items. You can even purchase most of the containers for $2 or less. Everything from moisturizer, body wash, or perfume can go in these things. Having them all in a zipped or sealed bag will also prevent them from wasting all over your clothes.

Plastic Wrap

A new hack in the game many of you have seen on YouTube or Pinterest by now is sealing your bottles with plastic wrap. In the case a bottle does leak the plastic wrap prevents it from making a mess in your bag. The best way to apply it is to take off the cap of the bottle and wrap a piece of plastic wrap around the neck and then seal the lid back on. Another use for plastic wrap can be for your shoes, if there is no second compartment to place your shoes.  Covering them will prevent dirt from getting on your clothes.

Personal Bag

Next to luggage your personal bag is essential in making packing and travel quick and easy. Backpacks or large tote bags are quality personal bags. This is where you can keep all of your valuables such as a wallet, computer, iPad, watches or jewelry. Other key items to have are headphones, a book, a notebook and pen, and an extra pair of clothes because you never know what could happen. An extra tip is to put another purse in your personal bag, as it will provide extra storage for your documents, cameras, and even a makeup bag.

Document Wallet

There are many types of travel wallets out there to choose from and they serve as a great concealer for things like passports, boarding passes, itineraries, and keepsakes. Other uses can be to store your receipts, tickets, photos, or hotel keys.

Fold and Roll

All your clothes are picked out but getting them to fit in your luggage is the last obstacle. The best technique is to first lay a couple of bulky items along the bottom of the luggage so you have a base to start with. Then start with shirts and all other loose items by folding it in half and rolling it together. Once complete place them all around the edges and corners of luggage. For shorts and pants, use the same technique of folding and rolling. Place these items up vertically fitting them in along where the shirts are. Last items like cardigans and sweaters can be placed in the remaining spaces. Socks, undergarments, perfume, or fragile items can easily be tucked in and around t-shirts and jeans. For jackets, simply lay them over the top the clothes.

At least, you’re ready to go. Versatility in your luggage is where you will find the greatest success in packing for a spring break trip. I hope this list of hacks & tips assists you in packing and traveling for next trip. Wishing you luck on your packing session!

Authored By: Dalila Sanabria – STA Travel Student Ambassador

Dalila Sanabria is an STA Travel Student Ambassador and recent grad looking for new travel opportunities. You will see her raving about what she enjoys most about travel, as she is an avid supporter of traveling abroad. Some of the things that inspire her the most about travel include: taking part in new adventures, trying new food and drinks and learning about new cultures. 

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