So you’ve already booked a vacation rental and checked out the nearby attractions, and now it’s time to pack for your trip. (For those of you who still need to find a house or read about the area, First Vacation Rental has lots of information.) Although everyone has different needs and wants, here’s a packing list of essential (or highly recommended) items to get the most out of your Cape Cod vacation.

• Sunscreen. Sunscreen is good for avoiding painful sunburns and also for long-term skin health. Beware of some conventional sunscreens– recent studies have suggested that certain active ingredients could be harmful. For this reason, you might want to look into buying a “natural” sunblock that uses Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide to block the sun. Sunscreens that use Zinc or Titanium are called “physical barrier” sunscreens or sunblocks. Natural sunscreens are more expensive and don’t spread as thinly (they sometimes leave a white layer), but may be worth using in the long run. You can evaluate the toxicity of sunscreen ingredients at Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.
• Sunglasses and hat or beach umbrella. In Cape Cod the summer sun is blazing! The sun’s rays are even harder to withstand when they’re coming at you from all angles by bouncing off the water and sand.
• Bathing suits. You might want to bring two. That way you can change into a dry one in between a morning outing to the pond and an afternoon trip to the beach.
• Book, e-reader, or other reading material.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers, shoes, or hiking boots that are comfortable to walk in will make hiking or walking a trail a more enjoyable experience.
• Deck of cards. Good way to pack a lot of fun and games into a tiny space.
• Beach toys. Great for kids, and grown-ups too! How about a ball to throw around on the beach or in the pond, or some paddles to play paddleball.
• Breakfast. A little planning pays off. Here’s the scenario: You wake up, you’re hungry, and you don’t feel like driving anywhere right away (after all, it’s vacation!). It’s nice to have something like cereal or yogurt to tide you over till lunchtime. If the house where you’re staying isn’t close to a supermarket it might make sense to buy food on your way to your vacation rental on your first day.

Optional:

• Board games. Does your group like to get together around the dining room table and play a board game after dinner? Do you enjoy just staying home on a rainy day to play Monopoly? Some vacation rental homes on the Cape have a few board games on the shelves, but you might want to bring your own to be safe.
• Beach shoes. Special beach shoes with rubber bottoms and mesh tops are designed to protect your feet from sharp shells and stones. They’re especially useful for walking in water that’s a few inches deep in the bay. You can often get them at convenience stores.

The beaches in Wellfleet have parking lots, but to park in them you’ll need a beach sticker. There are two kinds of stickers: a Resident Beach Sticker and a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Visitor’s Beach Sticker

If you’re on a summer vacation in Wellfleet, you’ll need to get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker.

Proof of Stay

To get a Visitor’s Beach Sticker, the first thing you’ll need is a proof of stay. This is a document that proves you’ll be residing in Wellfleet. You’ll have to ask the owner of the house where you’re staying– he or she can give it to you.

Other Requirements

Besides the proof of stay, you’ll also need to provide the following:

1. Vehicle registration for each vehicle
2. Payment of about $75 for one week (you can also get 3-day, 2-week, or seasonal permits)

If your car is leased, is a company car, or has dealer plates, you’ll need to provide documentation to prove you are the owner. See the complete eligibility rules and requirements.

Bring these documents to the Wellfleet Town Pier, located at 255 Commercial Street. Your beach sticker will enable you to park at all the public beaches in Wellfleet.

Resident Beach Sticker

Residents of the town of Wellfleet can apply for a Resident Beach Sticker. You’ll need to bring vehicle registration for each vehicle plus means of payment. For more information, see the town document on rules.

More information

Town of Wellfleet Beach Administration

Town of Wellfleet Website

There was a LOT of erosion on the ocean side beaches of Wellfleet this winter. Some, like LeCount Hollow, now have a HUGE vertical drop. Also, there’s damage to the parking lot, and a house now precariously hangs off the edge. What’s it going to be like this summer? Will some ocean beaches be closed off? If so, that might make the remaining ones more crowded. Over on the bay beaches – Mayo and Duck Harbor – I did not notice any change from last year. They still look great.

There’s nothing worse than showing up to the vacation rental home you rented for the week, throwing your suitcase on the bed, and realizing that something about the house is not as you expected. Maybe the house has no TV or no washing machine, or isn’t near the beach. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to information in the listing description. Here are 5 important things to look for:

Vacation Home in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod

1. Proximity to water. This is especially important to beach junkies. Is the home literally on the water or is it a short walk? Do you have to drive? It can sometimes help to become familiar with the area you’re looking to stay in. In towns such as Wellfleet (on Cape Cod), every vacation rental is reasonably close to a beach. This is a function of Wellfleet being a small town on the Outer Cape.    

2. Internet access. A good vacation rental directory will tell you whether the house in question has internet access. The owner may even specify the nature of the internet access, be it broadband, dial-up, or wireless. If the home doesn’t have internet access, it might be a good idea to look for nearby spots that have internet access, such as libraries or cafes, if not another house.
3. Pets. Many vacation home owners don’t allow pets. There’s usually a section on the listing that says whether or not pets such as dogs are allowed. If not, you can ask.
4. Appliances. Were you planning on grinding your own coffee beans in the morning? You’ll be disappointed if you find out that the home you chose doesn’t have a coffee grinder. Vacation rental directories give homeowners checkboxes to communicate which appliances are sitting in their kitchen.
5. Accessibility. If you need handicap access, you should confirm that the house has it right off the bat. Do you have an elderly member of the group who might have a hard time getting up and down long flights of stairs? If the information isn’t posted on the listing, you can inquire with the owner.

These are some of things to look for as you search for your perfect summer vacation rental. The internet has made things much easier, and finding a cottage to stay in is now just a few clicks away. If you find that the home you were interested in has no more available weeks this summer, try asking about off-season weeks or weekends. You may find that the homeowner will rent off-season weeks or days at a reduced rate.