How to Pack for Your Next Tropical Vacation

When it comes to travel, it’s always best to be overprepared rather than sorry! So take the time to make sure that you pack correctly for your trip to Penang. Malaysia is a tropical country, and as a result, you might need to pack slightly differently than you’re used to if your previous travel destinations have been to countries that enjoy colder climes. Here are a few things to think about to get you started.

Step One – Get your Documents in Order

The first step to packing for any vacation, whether it be for a holiday to a tropical destination or otherwise, is to get your travel documents and sufficient backup copies of them in order. Whether these are copies of your official travel document (e.g. your passport) or copies of your plane tickets, hotel reservations, or the like, make sure to pack several copies of them and place them in different places within your assortment of bags/baggage that will be accompanying you on the trip (make sure the originals and at least one set of copies are with you in your carry-on bag, handbag, backpack, or laptop bag before you board the flight – if they’re in the checked-in baggage, you’ll be in for some trouble during your journey as you won’t have immediate access to them once you land in Malaysia or even during transits at any other international airport). These days, you’ll also be required to have documents proving that you’ve tested negative for COVID-19; so, be sure to pack several copies of that clearance certificate as well. If you’ve lost some of your document copies during your journey to Penang and want to make more, check if your accommodation offers internet and printing facilities. For example, PARKROYAL Penang Resort mentioned on its website that it offers photocopying, scanning, and printing services as well as an internet connection for its guests.

Step Two – Absorbent, Cotton Clothing

Malaysia, just like most of the countries that reside in the southern and southeastern part of the Asian continent, happens to be a tropical country. This means that it doesn’t undergo extreme seasons in terms of the weather. There’s no winter season, for example, that you need to prepare for when packing your clothing, footwear, and accessories. However, it does get quite hot and humid, and it stays that way for most of the year. And for many months of the year, the country does undergo periods of heavy rainfall – these are known as monsoon seasons. You’ll have to take these factors into consideration when you pack. Therefore, it’s best to take clothing that is made of breathable fabrics such as cotton, which are also good at soaking up all the sweat that you’re likely to work up in the tropics.

Step Three – Protection from the Sun & from Bugs

As Malaysia is tropical, there’s going to be a lot of sunshine. This makes for great weather to have fun outdoors. However, it also opens up a lot of opportunities for people to get sunburnt, especially if they have lighter skin. So, make sure to pack in your favourite brand of sunscreen as well as a good pair of shades (polarised ones are best) to protect your eyes from the glare and harmful UV rays. A sunhat would also be helpful if you’re planning to spend a lot of time walking outside while sightseeing or when you’re out on the beach. Being a tropical country, Malaysia is also home to a lot of bugs such as mosquitoes and flies, which simply come with the territory. So, make sure to carry bug repellants with you. They normally come in the form of sprays or creams that you can apply on yourself. If you plan on trekking in rainforests and such, you might also encounter creatures such as leeches – so it’s best to carry things that will help keep them away, or help get them off you in case one attaches itself to your leg, for example. One simple item that you can find anywhere that is known to help get leeches to just fall right off after a while, is salt. Of course, you don’t need to carry that on you. Just buy some locally when you get there or see if you can get some from the kitchen of your Penang hotel.