As you may, or may not know – I recently went to Miami for a friend’s bachelorette party! It was my first trip without Faizan (since I’ve been married), and although I did miss him a lot, I had a great time with my gal pals as well 🙂
In case you’re planning a Miami getaway or just wondering what I packed for my trip, I’ve made a list of 10 essentials to keep in mind. I’ve also included a link to our Itinerary at the end of the post for more details on where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did in the city.
1) Flip Flops (and Band-Aids)
Regardless of where you will be spending most of your time in Miami, you will need a comfortable pair of flip flops/shoes. Many of my friends ended up getting blisters because of uncomfortable shoes – and that’s never fun!
Side Note: For the evening, it’s important to know that certain lounges won’t let you in if you are not in heels (oops…)!
2) Sunscreen
The first day in Miami, I remembered to put sunscreen on my arms and feet, but somehow managed to forget my face! Within a few hours, I could tell I was burnt and decided to apply my Boo Bamboo after-sun mist. I was really surprised at the quality of these products and would highly recommend them to anyone heading south (see full list of products here).
Side Note: I’m really skeptical about applying anything on my face (I have really sensitive skin), so I decided to use the Boo Bamboo “Baby” version. I was comfortable trying this out on my face because I knew it was an all-natural product and if it could be used on babies, I’d probably be okay. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
3) Sunglasses (and Contact Lenses)
This one is kind of self-explanatory – but just remember to pack enough contact lenses. I’m not sure why I don’t just invest in prescription sunglasses..
4) GoPro
I’m so glad I took our GoPro on this trip. Here’s why:
https://youtu.be/o_b-0O2VR-0
Must watch!! You’re in for a surprise hahaha.
5) Cash/Visa
I like to take cash when I go on trips rather than use my Visa everywhere. This helps me stick to my budget (sometimes I lose track when using my Visa). If you only take a set amount of USD, you’ll realize you’re going over budget when you barely have any left.
Side Note: Miami was more expensive than I expected. I ended up using my Visa and that’s okay. There’s no point being stingy on vacation – I strongly believe in that. Once you’re there, stick to your budget the best you can, but don’t lose out on experiences as a result. Strike a balance.
6) Bathing Suit
I didn’t end up taking my bathing suit because I wasn’t planning on swimming or snorkeling (so I just took my tights for the beach/jet-skiing). I had been meaning to invest in one of those “burkinis” but hadn’t really found one that suited my style until…recently I came across Lyra Swimwear on Instagram. Their swimwear line seems modest yet still stylish so I’m thinking of giving them a try – will keep you posted!
7) Carry-on Only
Packing light is always a challenge for me. I blame it on the hijabs. Jokes aside, no one needs a checked bag for a 4-day trip. I ended up shopping in Miami and got lucky because i had packed an empty drawstring bag in my carry-on. I put the clothes and souvenirs I bought in this bag and snuck it on the plane (in addition to my purse). It’s always a risk though – so be careful!
8) Book/Music
I’ve never been much of a reader – except when I’m on vacation. I like keeping a lightweight book on hand and reading through materials that aren’t too heavy (get it – lightweight..not heavy..hehe). I wonder if anyone will even get this far in my post to appreciate my awesome sense of humor.
Here are some travel companions I would recommend:
Lonely Planet’s Happy and Calm
Hector And The Search For Happiness
The Happiness Equation
9) Bachelorette Gear / Team Bride Items / Bride Games
Whenever on a bachelorette trip, “Team Bride” items are essential! We did t-shirts for my Vegas bachelorette from Vistaprint and I love Icing’s bridal line for other fun items and gifts!
10) A Good Attitude!
I’ve been on multiple trips with my girls (NYC, LA, Vegas, etc.), and the best thing about us is that we are all very easygoing! Everyone just wants to have a good time (#girlsjustwannahavefun) and everyone really has the “to each his (her) own” attitude. At the end of the day, that really is essential for any successful trip – whether it is with your girls or your significant other!
As promised, here is a link to our long weekend itinerary (see above). My friend Jas used Travefy to create the itinerary and it was super helpful throughout the trip. We were able to stay organized and ensure all 9 of us were of the same page. We weren’t able to hit all the items on this list – and that’s okay because Jas let us pick and choose the activities we wanted to participate in (most-non-bridezilla-bride-ever)! Take a look and let me know if you have any questions about the restaurants, beaches, or activities!
Ciao!
Come Travel with SF 