Epic Water Nalgene OG Honnold Foundation
By and large, tap water is drinkable in Puerto Rico. However, if the pipes haven’t been maintained or have not been updated to modern standards, then the safety becomes questionable. This made-in-the-USA water bottle with an NSF-certified filter to NSF Standard 42 removes contaminants like chlorine, lead, and PFAS.
The Honnold Foundation, who tapped Alexandra Rubio to design the bottle photographed here, partners with marginalized communities to expand solar energy access through equity-focused projects.
Panasonic Multishape
The Panasonic Multishape takes care of all the grooming I need to do while on my two-week trip with just one waterproof and rechargeable base, and three attachments: the soft toothbrush, the nose hair trimmer, and the beard trimmer.
USB Fan
Pretty self-explanatory, no?
As an island in the Caribbeans, Puerto Rico’s weather ranges from hot to extremely hot. (My taxi driver even cautioned against visiting during the summer months, as the heat can prove dangerous to exposed skin.) If I need a refreshing breeze, I just prop this USB-rechargeable fan and voilà.
Ray-Ban Meta Transitions
I don’t need to wear prescription eyewear yet, so I opted to have transition and blue-violet-light-blocking lenses on my Meta glasses. Beyond the style benefit, the Meta Wayfarer comes with useful tech too: an integrated camera, open-ear speakers, and Meta AI.
Moment Crossbody Wallet
This minimalist crossbody wallet has room for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, some cash, and a couple of cards (of the credit and hotel sort). The black strap is adjustable to a full 55 inches long.
J.Crew Denim Jacket
This denim jacket, with its slim fit, is a great layering piece to don on my way to, and coming back from, the airport. Once I arrive in the island, this remains an option when I go out, as the average low in Puerto Rico in March and April is 70 degrees.
Merino Tech Merino Boxers
These boxers are made from 100 percent Merino wool sourced from New Zealand. They are fantastic for keeping my bits comfortable and dry, thanks to the fabric’s natural moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and odor-resisting properties.
Slowtide Quick Dry Towel
A trip to El Yunque National Rainforest and the Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay are at the top of my must-dos when in Puerto Rico. Since both activities happen near or in a body of water, I will most likely get wet.
Instead of lugging the hotel-provided towel that’s too bulky, Slowtide’s travel towels dry me up faster, absorbs four times their weight in water, while remaining packable. Oh, and sand simply slides off instead of getting inside the crevices. Win, win.
Royal Robbins Desert Pucker SS
This short-sleeved adventure shirt did not become the company’s best-selling piece—over a million sold—for no reason.
It’s made with a blend of carbon-zero Tencel Modal Modal fibers, its chest pocket comes with an integrated sunglass (or in my case, Ray-Ban Meta) sleeve, and it is UPF40+.
My favorite feature though? The Desert Pucker’s HeiQ Smart Temp body temperature-activated thermoregulation technology. That’s going to come in clutch when I go on a walking tour of Old San Juan.
Nylon Jogger-Style Pants
Tempting as it may be to pack only shorts, I still need a pair of pants in case I need to dress nice for a hot dinner. Problem is, chinos tend to be too stiff, literally and figuratively, for the Boricuan sensibility, and jeans are an outright “no.”
Instead, I’m wearing pants made of nylon. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and have the polish of trousers.
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