How To Not Let The Rain Ruin Your Vacation

Pack to be prepared! Don’t let the rain ruin your vacation – use these smart tips to stay dry (and happy!) while you travel the globe.

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People might say a little rain never hurt anyone, but a vacation full of rainy days? That can be painful, especially when you aren’t properly prepared!

Speaking from experience, packing the right items is essential to being prepared for whatever weather may come your way.

I recently went on a girls’ getaway weekend to New Orleans. I was excited to escape the still very chilly Minnesota weather for warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine. Unfortunately, rain ended up making an appearance for two out of the four days we were there.

I will admit, I hadn’t fully prepared. There was pouring rain and I didn’t even have a jacket with a hood to protect my ready-to-go-out hair and makeup. As I walked around Bourbon street, frizzy hair and damp clothes, I was keenly aware of my packing errors.

My experience will serve as a reminder of just how extremely important it is to pack those few extra things. Packing correctly means that for my future trips, the weather won’t get to dictate my activities.

Don’t make my mistake. If you’re planning a trip and don’t want rain to negatively impact your travel experiences, these items could make a world of difference!

Stylish Ponchos and Rain Jackets

Even though it is raining, you want to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. You don’t have to settle for a rain poncho that looks like a garbage bag! Finding a cute poncho/rain jacket that is lightweight, compact and functional is a requirement when preparing to travel.

From the first moment I saw someone wearing one of these stylish rain ponchos, I was in love. Not only do they keep you dry, the piping adds style while also letting you show off what you’re wearing.

If that poncho is not really your style, thats okay! There are tons of other great styles that could be the perfect fit to complement your travel wardrobe.

Related: How To Keep Your Clothes Smelling Fresh When Traveling

Waterproof Cases For Accessories

Carrying a camera, phone, and other necessities is essential when sightseeing. If rain decides to join me on vacation, I like to know that all my items are protected from the elements as well.

Cue these amazing waterproof items made specifically for your accessories:

• A rain poncho for your purse or briefcase! If you love your handbag, you want to keep it looking beautiful and your items inside protected. These adorable purse ponchos can help do both!

• If a backpack is your preferred travel bag, a waterproof backpack rain cover could be just what you need. Compact, lightweight, and easy to throw on your bag in case the rain starts coming down.

• A waterproof phone case can come in handy for people like me who always use their phone for walking directions. These are especially great as the touch feature will still work through the case to ensure you can use your phone when you need it.

Compact Travel Umbrellas

It goes without saying, you MUST have a good travel umbrella! It is by far the easiest way to always be prepared for the possibility of rain – even if the 10 day weather forecast looks sunny. This mini umbrella is cost-efficient, compact, lightweight, and automatic – all the best features! Just throw it in your bag and forget about it until you need it.

Related: How To Protect Yourself From Pickpockets When Traveling

Waterproof Shoes and Boots

There’s no doubt that good walking shoes are of utmost importance when traveling abroad. You may not know until you get to your destination if you will be walking on cobblestones or concrete, so the right shoes can help to make your walks more safe and comfortable.

When you add the possibility of rain into the mix, the need for shoes that have support and won’t slip while you’re walking becomes even more important.

I will admit that I generally opt to wear breathable shoes (like my favorite Ugg Sneakers) and spray them with a waterproof spray if I am worried about them getting ruined by the elements.

That said, in certain weather, the smartest move is really just to pack a rain boot. There are so many great styles and I love that the ankle boots are easy to pack when traveling and still look stylish!

Waterproof Beauty Products

Now, I don’t like to consider myself vain, but like anyone I want to feel good about how I look. Especially when traveling and taking photos that will be your part of you memory of that place for a lifetime!

Rain can sometimes throw a wrench in my travel beauty game. Luckily there are easy things to do to help prevent or repair the rain’s impact on my look throughout a travel day.

When it comes to makeup, there are plenty of waterproof options to consider. Although, it can really depend on how heavy the rain is, and sometimes reapplying may be your only real option!

Hair is a slightly different story. I have naturally wavy hair and too much humidity takes it to a whole new place – not one I would choose to visit if I had a choice. Starting the day with a magical humidity blocking spray can really help to keep my hair tamed – for up to 3 days!

If my style starts to get a little too out of control, a travel size dual voltage curling iron/straightener has been a real lifesaver! Especially for those times when you get caught in a downpour and 20 minutes later the sun is back out. With this tool you don’t have to spend the rest of the day with wild hair. Only 5 minutes in the bathroom and you’ll be freshened right up!

Just in case you end up more damp than anticipated when out and about, I recommend switching your purse hairbrush for a wet hairbrush. They have small options and foldable options that make them super easy to carry. Damp hair can be terrible to comb out, but this brush will make it SO much easier. Just trust me on this one.

Related: How To Create Your Own First Aid Kit For Travel

Conclusion

I wish I could make sure you never have rain on vacation, but for now these preparation tips will have to do. Hopefully, adding these few small items to your suitcase before your next trip can help you have peace of mind. So even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can still make the most each day of your trip.

Have you been on a trip and gotten stuck in the rain? What items have helped to make your vacations more enjoyable, despite the weather? Tell me about it in the comments below!

My Travel Must-haves: