The perfect beach vacation 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! 🙂

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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 beach vacation in this spectacular country.

Of course, what to bring to Cancun 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.

Travel Essential Check List

Let’s start with 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.

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Driving Licence

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. 

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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 souvenirs or even if it was just water and snacks or a 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 waist.

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.

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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

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Check the lugguage 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 weigh yourself (Oh well…I wouldn’t  ) and then do it again while holding your bag.

Then it’s just simple math.

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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.

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If you wear prescription glasses, bring a second pair with you

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.

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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.

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Day care supplies and practical accessories

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Suitcase lock

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Life straw bottle

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Infinitive scarves

The perfect solution for the airport’s outrageously low temperatures.

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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 lasts more than one day unless I spend all day taking pictures and videos and post them on Instagram

But of course, the iPhone is always the iPhone, unbeatable style, no question about that. So you will need a battery charger. I bought mine in NYC out of desperation, but I regret not having bought it in advance. I would have saved money.

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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 the 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

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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, when the bathroom’s hygienic conditions are not the best. Of course, if you are in your fancy 5 stars hotel in Cancun you won’t need that.

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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

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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 lovely portable backpack is similar to the one I have purchased on Amazon, just a little more stylish and it comes in different colors.

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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. It’s tiny and light and it occupies little space.

I found this cute one on Amazon.com

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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

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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

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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

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Journal

I realize how much I love writing 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 in 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

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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

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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.

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Hair and skincare: 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.

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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 

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Sarong

I always travel with one or two pareos or sarongs, 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

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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 still the tropics and THE SUN BURNS! and it ain’t funny when your skin is so red it hurts. Trust me, I know.

So here I found an organic sunscreen on Amazon that has become my favorite one. I actually found it in El Cuyo, Mexico but it’s also sold on Amazon. I have used it and although it’s a little sticky, it’s completely natural and it protects from sunburnt, most of all. 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.

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Get a fancy 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.

Straw hats are the most fashionable and yet practical. You can check out the original Panama Hats, or you can shop some cheap fancy ones on Amazon.

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Beach Bag

As I have suggested above a foldable backpack for the beach or a day tour would be more practical but as a woman, I understand that like be fancier than more practical. And therefore here we go! Some lovely options to keep a girly look when you hit the beach. I love straw bags as they have such a rustic boho chic feeling.

Or I also love multicolored big soft bags like the ones you can find in crafts markets in Guatemala or Mexico but also on Amazon.com. These practical and colorful bags can be used either on the beach or as a cool piece of accessory in the city.

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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. Whatever pair you decide to get, it’s important for the protection of your eyes. The light is strong.

Snorkel and Masks

You will always find a 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.

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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 on many different occasions. Or you can just get the fancy one in original Turkish raw cotton (sea below)

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Swimsuits

I was desperate to find good quality swimsuits that were not too expensive. Thanks to a fellow blogger I found this amazing brand and I bought 3 pieces, just because with the first purchase that it’s above 50 USD you get a 15% discount. So why not. I was surprised to receive them in less than a week and each swimsuit in its own nice bag. The material is very good quality and robust and elegant finishings. They also fit very well. I am sorry I am not posting pictures of me in a bathing suit, rest assure it’s not a nice sight. Just take my word 🙂

Cupshe one piece

Cupshe bikini

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Beachwear

A beach vacation requires stylish and comfortable beachwear. If you feel like getting a couple of new outfits for your upcoming vacation, I am here to help you find some cute sexy, and stylish pieces.

Maxidresses

Loose, comfortable, and yet stylish outfit. Here is my pick.

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Beachwear – Top

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Beachwear – shorts

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Sandals

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