• Taking a tropical vacation requires a special packing list.Sri Maiava Rusden/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  Taking a tropical vacation can be an exciting prospect. The thought of sitting on a warm, sandy beach and watching the clear blue waves wash ashore sends many hearts racing. If this is your first tropical vacation, you may think it is just like any other but it requires certain items that you need to remember to pack.
  
  

Sunscreen

• In many places that are considered tropical, the sun shines on the surface vertically instead of indirectly. This means that the sun and its UV rays are more intense in these areas. You may have heard the phrase that the sun is "different" or "stronger" in a tropical destination, and in some ways it is. Even those who never get sunburn need to be careful and make sure to wear a protective sunscreen in a tropical destination. Those who normally wear sunscreen may want to opt for a higher protection level.
  
  

Swim Wear

• It is hard to hang your swimwear out to dry in a muggy tropical climate. Unless you will have a dryer in your hotel room or another convenient location, then it is a good idea to take several pieces of swimwear so that you don't have to put on a wet or damp swimsuit the next day. It will also save you some cash if you have to pay to use the dryer at your hotel.
  
  

Rain Gear

• Tropical locations can be rainy, with some destinations seeing rain at least once a day. Therefore, you may want to bring a rain jacket or umbrella in case you get caught in a downpour. If you are already wet from swimming in the ocean, then it might not be so bad; but you also might get caught by the rain when you are out shopping or sightseeing.