What to pack for Dominican Republic in February

12 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

UV index hits 8.7, high enough to burn skin in under 15 minutes.

Some islands fine you for the regular stuff.

Glare off water and sand intensifies at this UV level.

Coastal humidity breeds mosquitoes year-round in February.

Tap water isn't safe, and cuts from coral happen often.

Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.

Eleven hours of daylight means phones drain fast from constant use.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins fill fast on regional flights between islands.

Day trips to national parks require carrying water and sun protection.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 84°F.

Heat and humidity at 76 percent make sweat-soaked cotton cling to skin all day.

UV hits 8.7 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Twenty-nine degree highs and nearby reefs mean water time happens daily.

Island terrain and constant heat call for footwear that sheds water fast.

Eleven and a half hours of daylight means sustained sun exposure.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Heat and unfamiliar food dehydrate travelers faster than expected.

Contaminated water causes intestinal trouble for most visitors.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Island tourism attracts petty theft in crowded areas.

Checked bags sometimes take longer routes through Caribbean hubs.

Moisture wicks into everything, so separation prevents mildew.

Twelve rain days plus snorkeling means phones get wet often.

Sweat and salt require washing clothes twice a week.

Reefs and calm water make snorkeling accessible from shore.

Rain and water sports mean gear gets soaked daily.

Temperatures stay above 21 degrees Celsius, so legs stay bare.

Doubles as a towel, a scarf, and a cover-up where one's expected.

Twelve rain days monthly soak leather and canvas without protection.

Lips burn as fast as skin does at UV 8.7.

Tap water safety makes hand washing before eating essential.

Insect bites itch worse on sunburned skin.

Humidity corrodes connections, so redundant cables prevent dead devices.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Humidity and salt water damage documents without a barrier.

Luggage passes through multiple hands at airports and ports.

Humidity accelerates mold growth on damp toiletries.