Prepare for the upcoming summer beach season
Plan and budget for your Summer Beach Vacation
Packing is the biggest step in planning for a beach vacation, it is common to stress about what or how much to pack, and easy to forget the most basic items. Here are some reminders and helpful tips to ensure a convenient and fun trip!
Dressing properly is one of the most important things to keep in mind when planning for a beach vacation. Light comfortable clothing and shorts will keep you cool, and hats are good for keeping sun out of the eyes. If sand in your toes doesn't bother you, sandals should be the first choice of footwear. A swimsuit is also obviously necessary if you plan on getting wet.
A Map of the entire community is a great tool. Know the area in case the weather is less than satisfying and you want to explore the community. Tourist shops are fun to check out, note where low-priced food places and local attractions are, and locate bike paths if traveling by bike is how you would want to get around. If the distances between points of interest are too much to walk or bike, trains or buses are still fairly economical ways to get around.
Have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't turn out as you hoped. Prepare for the unexpected with an umbrella, warmer clothes, and also other items to keep you busy in case of that unanticipated quick shower. Items such as a deck of cards, books, magazines, or whatever you would like to do on your leisure time, so you do not have to spend money on other, possibly more expensive indoor activities.
Sun tan lotion is key to staying comfortable under the sun. It is an often-missed item when packing, and buying it near a beach will undoubtedly cost you more! When applying lotion, ears and back of the knees burn easily, so make sure you're conscious of using sun tan lotion generously to these areas.
Schedule your beach vacation for the right time. A weekend in July might not be the cheapest or most relaxing trip, with the hustle and bustle of everyone taking advantage of the best weather of the year. Spring and fall are the best times to surf, but if summer is the only time you can go, try to at least schedule for a mid-week trip. The beaches will be less crowded, and lodging rates will be cheaper.
A bag can only pack so much, and towels take up a large portion! A resort will provide you towels, but if they are necessary, roll them instead of folding them. It saves room.
Plan for the conveniece of your entire group, including kids. Water toys, beach balls, water noodles are great fun for kids at the beach, but do not get tricked into paying the sky-high prices at stores near the beach. A local department store would be your best bet in finding cheap and fun toys, etc.
The heat you'll experience on the beach will dehydrate you, put you in a bad mood, and could ruin your trip if you aren't consciously drinking enough water.
A disposable camera is always an essential item to bring with It's great to be able to record and look back upon your memories, and they are cheap and conveniently ready to take a picture of anything!
Have a great, well planned out trip using these helpful tips, and remember beaches, sunshine, and fun are all free, but it is up to you to plan an incredible beach vacation according to "your" budget. Don't forget to plan ahead!
