Packing – daunting for many, a pleasure for few. How many times did you have to sit on your suitcase to squash it enough to be able to zip it up? How many things do you pack and bring with you that never see the light of day? How many times did you go somewhere and wished you would have packed something that you left at home? If you can relate to any of those questions, this packing list for Mexico will be of help to you 🙂

I can’t even count the amount of times I did all of those things. And I did it way before traveling full-time too. Now, being on the road and carrying all of our gear on our backs, I became a pro at identifying what is truly needed, what is good to have and what is simply unnecessary. Different countries do differ though, so we go head on and test the circumstances on our skin, so you don’t have to 😉

What to pack for Mexico

› The essentials

– Layers, long sleeve bottoms and tops, socks –

I always say it’s better to come prepared than to be sorry later – and I’m sure you do too if you’re always cold like me! Most people when thinking of a Mexican getaway, think of bikinis, straw hats and flip flops – and that’s correct if you’re flying into Cancun in May and spending the week on a beach. But if you’re hoping to continue your travels inland (i.e., San Cristobal), visit an air-conditioned museum or can only come for your beach vacay in January, you might want to consider bringing some layers with you.

Yes, in general, Mexico is a hot and tropical destination, but winter months can get pretty chilly, especially in the evenings. If you come anytime around the hurricane season, there is a chance of strong winds forming along the coastal areas, which means nightly beach strolls and evening outdoor dining can be a much different experience to what you expect. I recommend always having something to cover your shoulders for any unexpected weather changes 😊

– sunscreen, after sun, insect repellent –

First things first, if you want to save some buck, bring your own sunscreen, after sun and insect repellent from home. Mexicans don’t use these, so anything you see in stores here is stocked and sold exclusively for you, the tourist – and, you guessed it, it usually comes with a special tourist price. You can easily fork out upwards of USD $20 for a tiny bottle of each one of them, and the variety is not great at all – most places don’t even offer reef-safe options! If you have your preferred brand or simply want to save a few dollars – pack them with you, and make sure they’re good for the environment too. And, don’t forget to use it!

– covered shoes –

Simple trainers or runner for any trekking or jungle walks are essential. Mexico is very well alive and you don’t want to spend your holidays figuring out what that thing was that bit you and made your foot swell for a week.
Tip: if you want to save some packing space, wear them on the flight (: I’m not a big fan of wearing shoes in general, so I always pack some flip flops in the side pocket so that I can change over once we land.

– light-airy clothes –

Skin-tight jeans or leather leggings are just not the ideal choice for a hot Mexican vacation. I suggest keeping most of your picks flowy, airy and loose. Opt for clothes made from linen or silk for extra comfort and breathability.

– medications –

Any medications you need (especially if you don’t speak Spanish), plus always carry some electrolytes and anti-diarrheal or charcoal pills. Mexico has these electrolyte drinks stocked in almost every store, and people drink them daily like a soft drink. They come in various flavors but are full of sugar and not very helpful when your stomach is not well. It’s a lot harder to buy plain electrolyte powder and the one available is aimed for children (but it does have adult proportions on the back, and it pretty much saved my life at one stage, so I do recommend it when needed). Some band aids are also useful.

– quick drying towel –

Not much to say – these are always handy, small to pack and great if your hotel doesn’t provide beach towels.

– money & payment cards –

Both is needed here, especially if you’re planning on visiting some of the more remote places in the country or using a local bus. Mexico in general is very cash friendly. Make sure to have some pesos for those fresh coconuts on the beach too!

I share some of our money exchange and ATM tips in Things to know before traveling to Mexico – have a look.

› The nice to have stuff

– swimwear –

Similarly to the above, and this applies especially if you’re coming to Tulum – most of the shops are designer-style and highly-priced – so if you’re on a budget, bring them with you. If you do need to pick up a new one while away, and don’t fancy spending hundreds of dollars, try roaming the back streets and corners of town, where you’ll find some more local, less flashy type of mini stores. Alternatively, head to a big supermarket (like Chedraui). You’ll get something simple here at a more pocket-friendly price.

– water shoes –

Both the jungles and the oceans are very alive and stepping on something, even if it’s a broken seashell or a rock, can be very painful. If you plan on spending a lot of time in the water, or have sensitive feet, bringing water shoes are a good idea.

– water purification bottle –

Mexico’s tap water is contaminated with bacteria that can cause havoc to our systems – under no circumstances should you drink it (trust me, I speak from experience on this one). If you don’t want to buy bottled water all the time, bringing a bottle that purifies your water is your best solution to a safe hydration during your travel. Keep in mind that filtration and purification are two different things and although filtration can eliminate many forms of bacteria, it doesn’t do as great with viruses, pesticides and other chemicals.

– dry bag –

Are you a beach bum? It doesn’t actually matter if you are or not, but if you’re planning on going to the beach and getting in the water at least once on your trip, bringing one of these can be a blessing for the moments you don’t yet expect. First of all, Mexican waves can be unpredictable, and the water usually moves faster than you realize. It took just one wave and one moment of not glancing over at our stuff for the ocean to begin claiming our belongings, and although chasing your sliders in the water might be fun, running after your phone or camera wouldn’t be! Secondly, there are so many occasions to get out onto the water in Mexico and getting your stuff wet only takes seconds. Get a dry bag, thank me later.

– waterproof phone case / go pro / underwater camera –

If you’re planning on spending hours in and under the water, bringing one of these can be real fun! If you don’t have an underwater camera or a go pro, try finding a waterproof pouch for your phone. The photos we take in the water are usually the ones that make us break out into uncontrollable laughter for hours. The pouch is reusable, so you can bring it home with you and use on future trips too. Always make sure to close it correctly before getting in the water 😉

– raincoat –

If you’re traveling in the wet season, you might want to bring a sturdy umbrella or a raincoat with you. Tropical rains are very different from normal rains – the drops pour down so fast I don’t think they even separate. Running in this rain for an entirety of 5 seconds will result in wet underwear (speaking from experience here). Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

› The leave at home bits

– flashy jewellery and accessories –

Don’t bother bringing those, both for comfort, and safety. Walking around with blings just brings unnecessary attention to you. I’m not saying you can’t have your watch or earrings on you, but you might just want to leave the diamond coated Rolex at home. Pickpocketing here is common, especially in bigger towns, so always be careful of your belongings.

– denim –

Denim is heavy, not overly comfortable and takes forever to dry – and Mexican showers in rainy seasons get you wet from head to toes in seconds. If you’re planning a beachside vacation, leave those favorite jeans at home and bring some airy, lighter clothes instead.

The only exception here would be Mexico City, where it can get chilly in the evenings, even in the summer.

– high heels –

This is dependant on where you’re going, but generally speaking, Mexican roads and paths are not the most maintenanced ones. Many streets, even in some towns, are gravel and sand dirt roads. I recommend sticking with flats 🙂

Finally, always remember to pack a smile, a tonne of happiness and some wilderness on the side 😉

Is this list missing something? Let me know in the comments below!

Is Mexico safe to travel to? Find out for yourself.

Also make sure to check out Things to know before visiting Mexico.

Happy travels!

Vicky