Guide to the perfect packing list for Mexico

In this packing list for Mexico, I am including general practical items and fun stuff for your beach life in Mexico. I know Mexico is not only beaches and sea but I will write a different post for a road trip packing list for a more adventurous kind of vacation. Stay Tuned! 🙂

---

I have been traveling for so long and I always brought with me the entire wardrobe, but forgot the essential stuff. After many mistakes I have learned something and I thought I should write this post to help you figure out what to bring to Mexico for your trip in this spectacular country.

Of course what to bring to Cancun it will be different from what to pack for Mexico city.

I will tell you everything you need to know about packing for a beach destination be it Cancun or Puerto Vallarta or any other beach destination, including the most useful beach accessories and fancy beachwear

You just have to read through this amazing Mexico packing list that I have thought out for you and follow the lines and then you can print this simplified version of your checklist that you can use in real time while packing.

This is thought just for beach destinations, such as Tulum, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Baja California to name a few.

It doesn’t apply for colder areas, such as Mexico city in winter for example. I will write a separate post for that.

So sit back, buckle up and read on.

If you are also concerned about Safety in Mexico check out my recently updated post Is Mexico safe?

TRAVEL ESSENTIAL CHECK LIST

Let’s start from the practical stuff which is also the most essential and we tend to forget.

PASSPORT

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you travel. They have these rules because the maximum time you are allowed to stay in Mexico is  6 months.

Make a photocopy to take with you when you explore around while leaving your original in your safety box, just in case.

DRIVING LICENSE

Driving in Mexico is easier than you might think. I have written a few travel itineraries that you can follow and a guide on driving in Mexico.

Even if you are not intentioned to rent a car, I would suggest you bring your driving license. You never know, you might get inspired and change your mind. 

CASH

If you are staying in an all-inclusive with everything already paid for you won’t need so much cash, but it’s always advisable to take some with you for markets or souvenir or even if it was just water and snacks or taxi.

In case you are up for an adventure and you are planning to travel around Mexico, and you want to bring more cash I would suggest you should invest a few bucks and grab this money belt so that you can safely keep your money around your waste.

You can still withdraw almost anywhere in Mexico. However, just consider that if you withdraw USD it’s going to cost you a fortune in commissions. So just get what you need in Mexican Pesos and pay by card when you can.

• 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

This is for me adamant! You never know what can happen, no matter how healthy you eat or cautious you are. And Private Hospitals in Mexico are outrageously expensive. I use World Nomads because I was suggested so and I used it twice. I was happy and felt safe. Remember that they have a deductible of 100 USD and you need to include your plane or bus ticket to the destination to make a claim.

Or for long term insurance from Safety Wing, a little cheaper, if you don’t do extreme sports, is perfect.

Read also: How to chose the best insurance for me.

CHECK THE LUGGAGE POLICY OF THE AIRLINE YOU ARE TRAVELING WITH

Don’t make my mistakes. Once, a long time ago, before becoming smarter, I booked an extremely cheap flight without checking the airline policy and I didn’t see that the price was for carry-on only. Once at the airport I had to pay an outrageous amount just to check the bag in.

So, make sure you browse through your airline site and check the baggage policy. Also, make sure to check also the handbags accepted weight and size and that your bags match.

Here are some lovely options if you are in need to purchase a new  carry-on

And a very useful and cheap weight scale for bags will help you to make sure your bags are not overweight as airlines are getting more strict nowadays.

If you want to use your normal scale, you will need to weight yourself (Oh well…I wouldn’t  ) and then do it again while holding your bag.

Then it’s just simple math.

BRING YOUR OWN MEDICINE AND THE PRESCRIPTION ITSELF

This is just for those who are under prescription drugs, it’s safer to take them with you, and considering some extra ones in case your return flight gets delayed. It’s important to bring the prescription itself along, in case of explanation requests at custom.

• 

IF YOU WEAR PRESCRIPTION GLASSES…

Oh, this one is too important, I broke my favorite glasses just like that and if I didn’t have an extra pair I would have had to stay blind for a long time. It doesn’t take a day to make a new pair.

BE READY FOR TSA Check

The TSA is very strict. So, it is less of a hassle to be prepared and know what you can carry and what no through security.

Instead, in the official TSA page for you to read and make sure you have everything in order.

SUITCASE LOCK

Always advisable to lock your suitcase but make sure it’s TSA approved, for the above reasons.

Get your lock on Amazon.com

INFINITY SCARVES

I didn’t know about infinity scarves until I found a very useful article and I realize that they are the perfect solution for the airport outrageously low temperatures. So here you go. 

You might also be interested to know also What happens when you arrive at Cancun airport.

DAY CARE SUPPLIES AND PRACTICAL ACCESSORIES

Let’s get more into the items you will need once you arrive at the destination. Here is a list of my must have day care supplies and other important stuff.

Life straw bottle

Anywhere in Mexico and mostly all over South America water is not drinkable, and even where they say it is, it’s still not recommendable for foreigners who are not accustomed to local bacterias.

I know by experience. There are many water purifier bottles around. Life straw is not the most complete like you cannot drink water from the lakes after having been filtered with life straw. But it will do with tap water.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com

Portable charger

Always with you to make sure you have your phone always charged, especially with iPhone. I switched to Huawei because I was so tired to have my iPhone battery dead after a few hours, and I love it.

Besides it last more than one day.

But of course, the iPhone is always the iPhone, unbeatable style, no question about that. So you will need a battery charger, if it’s a lipstick-size, even better.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com

Deet-free Mosquito repellent bracelets

Or simply a spray. Mosquito is an issue in tropical countries.  I wrote a post on safety in Mexico where I talk more extensively about health and zika situation in Mexico and other related topics.

In general, protecting you from mosquito bites is always a good move.

Purchase your deet-free spray and bracelets on Amazon.com

Female urination device

I have just found out about this tool, and I still have to try it myself, but I believe that in many of the situations where I have been, it would have been super handy for sure. Especially if you travel around and don’t stay put in your own fancy hotel, this is really a lifesaver. Of course if you are in your fancy 5 stars hotel in Cancun you won’t need that.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com

• 

Travel first aid kit

Well, you never know, even a simple cut can catch you unprepared. Not if you have your first aid kit.

Purchase your Travel first aid kit on Amazon.com

Small backpack or day bag

I am sure, and I hope, you won’t stay all the time in your beautiful hotel, if you are going to take day trips, a nice small day bag is what you need, even better if it’s foldable.

This is similar to the one I have purchased on Amazon, just a little more stylish.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com

Contact lens case and solution

If you are wearing contact lenses, a portable case and solution would really be a nice comfortable gadget to bring with you.

I found this cute one on Amazon.com

Earplugs

Well, that depends where you are staying and if hearing noises that are different from your own would annoy you.

If that’s the case you can purchase yours on Amazon.com

Eye Masks

Either on the plane or in your hotel you want to make sure you can find the right ambiance to sleep comfortably, or at least trying to.

Here is a very cute, fancy and very girly one I have found on Amazon.com

Kindle & Kindle Cover

I don’t go anywhere without my kindle. I know what you are thinking, I love books and I prefer to read a “real” book a thousand times more.

But when I travel I just can’t bring my library with me.

Therefore the Kindle is my perfect option.

Besides, I love the fact that I can highlight parts of the book and then have them sent to my email altogether. And that I can read at night without the need to turn the light on. See? there are some perks from using the Kindle as well.  Oh, I was forgetting, the new version is even waterproof.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com

Purchase your Kindle Cover as well on Amazon.com

Journal

I realize how much I love to write a journal, in the morning or evening, maybe not every day, but it’s a great way to organize your thoughts. And even if I have been writing all day at my computer, handwriting my own stream of thoughts is just liberating and relaxing. It doesn’t necessarily apply to travel, but it’s probably easier to start when you are traveling as you are already more relax and you have more time to start a routine that will stick with you when you are home.

I have started writing on a little notebook that a friend of mine gave me when  my journey across South America begun. However, I love the Moleskine, although you can really just grab any book note and start scribbling. That’s what matters.

Grab your Moleskine on Amazon.com

Headphones

Well, if you love to hear your own music or podcast on the beach or on the plane or anywhere you want, it’s nice not to bother your neighbors, who might not be interested. 

Grab your headphones on  Amazon.com

Toothbrush cover

Your favorite toothbrush, better if made of bamboo, needs to be protected from external agents, during transport.

Get your toothbrush cover on Amazon.com

Hair and skin care: my secret

Ok now I am going to reveal my beauty secret. As you know I love to go as much natural as possible and I try to avoid chemicals when I know I have a natural substitute.

My secret ingredient here is nothing less than COCONUT OIL. When I found out about it, I never go away without my bottle or vase. What do I use it for?

• hair – especially if you have crispy hair coconut oil is your best friend. Right after washing your hair, when it’s still wet, just put some oil on your hands and rub your hands for a second then put it gently on your hair especially on the tips. Mind if you put it too close to the skin your hair will appear a little oily when dry. So try to stay closer to the tips. You will see the amazing shiny look and it will smell so good as well.
• face skin – apply coconut oil during on the skin and massage a few seconds. Leave the oil for at least 10 minutes and pull it off with cotton and warm water. You will see right away how soft the skin gets, but if you do it for at least 2 weeks, you will see the skin brightening up and becoming cleaner and cleaner.
• body skin – right after showering, rinse your body with hot water so as to facilitate the pores opening up, then just apply coconut oil all over your body, rub as much as you can and then rinse it, better with cold water this time. Dry as usual. You will immediately notice how soft your skin it gets and you won’t need to apply any other creams afterward. I just love it

Grab your coconut oil here on Amazon.com, but make sure it’s raw, not refined.

• 

BEACH ACCESSORIES

WATERPROOF PHONE CASE

Always useful either if you don’t have a go pro and you like to take pictures under the water or just to protect your phone from water sprinkles during a boat tour of from the sand.

Purchase yours on Amazon.com 

SARONG

I always travel with one or two pareos or sarong, I find it super practical and multifunctional. I can use it as a cover-up on the beach, or if I am chilly at a restaurant or on the plane, and more. I would really suggest you should get one or two as well that combine with your swimsuit or your general outfit. I mean, choose the patterns or colors that resonate with you the most.

Here some shopping ideas on Amazon.com

SUNSCREEN

Guys, I cannot stress enough how important is to use sunscreen, pick your favorite brand and put it on your face, shoulder, and body. You will be in the Caribbean or, if you are heading to the Pacific coast, it’s the still in the tropics and THE SUN BURNS! and it ain’t funny when your skin is so red that it hurts, trust me I know.

So here I found on Amazon a product that is 70% organic, they say. I have never heard about this brand and I cannot guarantee, but I am just suggesting. Otherwise, pick your favorite but bring one with you. Even if you are not on the beach, but you are exploring, the sun is still there. Oh, even when it’s cloudy, that’s the best way to get burned.

HAT

Wear a hat. I love hats they can give you such a  fancy look and at the same time, they will protect you from the sun.

Pick your favorite hat here on Amazon.com, or shop some baseball hats, on South Moon Under, one of my favorite online shops.

BEACH BAG

I know I have suggested you in the first chapter to get a foldable backpack for the beach or a day tour. However if you wish to get fancy, and keep a girly look when you hit the beach, I love to use straw beach bags. They have such a rustic boho chic feeling.

Or I also love multicolored big soft bags like this one that I found on Amazon.com that you can use either on the beach but also regularly.

SUNGLASSES

Important! I have always loved the classic Ray Ban with colored shades like this one, but they are not very protective for your eyes, I reckon. So here you can find more options on South Moon Under website

SNORKEL AND MASK

You will always find mask and snorkel for rent but I have to be honest I am a little picky on this. You never know if they have been washed properly after use. When I can I would rather use my own.

You can certainly buy one in one of the closest diving shops. However, if you wish to go prepared, here is one of my favorite brands, Cressi. It’s a little expensive but you are sure you have good quality.

If you are not into snorkeling and you don’t want to splurge, I have found this cheaper version that includes also a Carry bag, very convenient.

MICROFIBER BEACH TOWEL

If you are staying in a fancy hotel probably they provide you with a top quality beach towel that you can carry with you on a tour, or if you visit a nearby beach. However, it’s not very convenient to carry around a 3 kilos towel, no matter how fancy it is. I find these microfiber beach towels very convenient, cute and super light. And you can use them in many different occasions.

• 

BEACH GEAR: SWIMSUITS

This is the part of the post that I loved writing the most. Looking for my favorite pieces of beach wear made me feel like I am shopping for my own vacation right now. Instead I am getting ready for a hiking trip. The irony! Right?

I am really jealous about your trip to Cancun anywhere on the beautiful Mexican coasts.

If you are up for some last-minute shopping love NORDSTROM.COM as they have an even bigger choice of beach outfits. I especially love their Maxi dresses.

Did I miss anything? Just let me know 🙂

---

FOR FURTHER READING

• How to get from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, Mexico – the ferry and other options
• Isla Mujeres Golf Cart Rental: where to find it, costs, and practical tips
• 15 gorgeous VRBO vacation rentals and Airbnb in Isla Mujeres Mexico
• Top 7 Aldea Zama Tulum rentals and practical tips
• Bacalar Restaurants – The top 7 places where to eat in Bacalar

---