Essential packing list for Mexico
Travel Tips

Essential Packing List for Mexico – 27 Items You Should Not Forget to Pack


Want to know what should be part of your essential packing list for Mexico? Let’s have a look at what you should keep in mind when preparing for your vacation. When you arrive at your destination, you don’t want to have to do emergency shopping because you forgot important things. Rather spend your time at the beach or in the city doing some sightseeing! To be well prepared, here’s an overview of what you should have in your suitcase from a local guide.

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Sun Protection

It doesn’t matter if you’ve booked a beach vacation or a city tour: The sun can be pretty unforgiving in most parts of Mexico. The cities in central Mexico (for example, Mexico City, Puebla, San Miguel de Allende) lie at a higher altitude and thus can provoke as much of a sunburn as a beach vacation. So better be prepared to protect your skin and prevent a heatstroke!

Pro Tip

When you’re visiting the cenotes or the Riviera Maya (for example, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and so on), you want to make sure to take biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen with you. This way you help protect the delicate flora and fauna of these natural habitats. If you don’t like to use biodegradable sun protection, put on the sunscreen AFTER you’ve been swimming.

1. Sunscreen

Pack reef-safe sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. I recommend SPF 50, just to be on the safe side. Remember to reapply after swimming or sweating to stay protected.

2. Sun Hat

Choose a wide-brimmed hat that helps you protect your face and neck from the sun and prevent heatstroke. Make sure to go for one that fits easily into your luggage, or that you can wear on your flight.

3. Sunglasses

Don’t go cheap on a pair of good sunglasses! Make sure they have UV protection.

Health and Hygiene

Better safe than sorry – prepare your medication and health utensils so you don’t have to suffer from feeling unwell on your vacation. Also, remember that the tap water in Mexico isn’t drinking water and shouldn’t be used to brush your teeth either.

4. Bug Spray

Unfortunately, Mexican mosquitos are as relentless as anywhere in the world. You want to make sure to protect yourself from them, especially in the areas where they’re known to transmit diseases like Dengue (the Yucatan peninsula, for example). I suggest using biodegradable products, especially if you go swimming in the sea.

5. Personal Medication

While Mexican pharmacies have many medications you can also find in the US under a different brand, the ingredients might vary. Better pack any medications you require for the duration of your stay. If your medication needs a prescription, bring a doctor’s note if traveling internationally. However, standard, non-prescriptive medications like Ibuprofen can be bought in any Mexican pharmacy.

6. Sunscreen

As mentioned earlier, sun protection is crucial! No one wants to have a sleepless night in the hotel because of a throbbing sunburn. Choose biodegradable/reef-safe products to protect the environment, and when swimming in a cenote, best apply after your swim. Also, consider to pack after-sun lotion and aloe vera to soothe any potential sunburn.

Note

After-sun lotion and normal sunscreen are also available in Mexican pharmacies. However, biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen is harder to find, so I advise you to bring it with you.

7. Basic Toiletries

We all know that the shampoo and soap offered in hotels are often of a lower quality. Better bring your usual toiletries, and don’t forget toothpaste and a toothbrush. I always fill up travel-sized containers with the amount I need for the duration of my vacation to save space (and weight) in my travel luggage.

8. Medication against Diarrhea

Montezuma‘s revenge does exist and even hits Mexicans traveling inside Mexico. Make sure to have some remedies at hand. And though I’m not a big fan of Imodium, it might be crucial for catching your flight back home in time. Pack also some electrolyte powder packets.

For a Good Night’s Sleep

Sightseeing in Mexico City or partying in Cancun is only half as much fun when you don’t get enough rest. Luckily, some remedies help you to concentrate on counting sheep.

9. Earplugs

Earplugs are THE essential item on your packing list when traveling to Mexico. Even when you stay in a quiet area, there can always be a feria, a quinceañera (a Mexican girl’s 15th birthday), or some other festivities that suddenly come up. And Mexicans know no volume limit! Earplugs are definitely my life savior in Mexico.

10. Eye Mask

If you wake up easily when the sun starts shining through your window, I recommend packing an eye mask. Most blinds in hotels and other accomodations don’t close properly.

Clothing and Footwear

There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing, right? Get information about the climate of the place you’re visiting. Are you visiting Central Mexico? Then prepare for the mountain climate that can have cool nights in summer, and days with lower temperatures during winter time. Are you going to the beach? Beaches in wintertime can be hit by the “Norte”, cold thunderstorms that can bring some cooler days. Here are some general recommendations.

11. Walking Shoes

Even if you want to look nice on Instagram pictures, you want to make sure your feet stay blister-free after exploring the city or walking along the beach. Sturdy walking shoes will also be your friend for rainy days or exploring ruins.

12. Sandals or Flip-Flops

Especially later in the day, the sand at the beach can get really hot. And even more so if it’s dark sand like in Playa Villa Rica or Chachalacas (Veracruz). Better pack a comfortable pair of sandals or flip-flops for a walk on the beach or for going to the hotel pool.

13. Tops

Pack enough T-shirts or tops to be able to change after sweating. Bring also a long-sleeved shirt or pullover for cooler evenings.

14. Bottoms

Pack clothing like shorts or lightweight pants for exploring cities or ruins, and a casual skirt or dress.

15. Underwear and Socks

Pack enough for the duration of your trip. If you stay longer, you can find laundries (lavanderías) easily to have your clothes washed within a day. They often come with a full service; however, I’ve found that they can kill the more delicate garments, so I’d be careful handing those over.

16. Raincoat

When you’re traveling to central Mexico during the rainy season (April-October), bring a lightweight raincoat.

17. Light Sweater/Jacket

When you’re traveling to locations at higher altitudes like central Mexico, evenings can get cool. A light sweater or jacket provides extra warmth. Of course, if you’re traveling during the winter season, bring a thicker jacket.

Beach Essentials

If you’re booking a beach vacation, some essentials shouldn’t be missing from your list in addition to the points mentioned under Sun Protection.

18. Swimwear

Pack at least two bathing suits for drying and layering options. It can get windy at the beach, and being able to change your bathing suit can prevent cooling out. If you go swimming in the Pacific Ocean which is usually a bit rougher than the Caribbean, for example, I’d make sure it’s wave-proof (meaning you don’t lose half of it when a bigger wave hits you).

19. Rash Guard

Especially for doing watersports, a rash guard is perfect to protect you from sunburn.

20. Snorkel and Mask

You can also rent these in the bigger tourist destinations, but if you’re picky bring your own. You never know how well they clean their equipment, and if snorkeling is on your to-do list for your vacation, better bring it with you.

21. Waterproof Phone Case

Protect your phone from any unfortunate water accident. Especially if you’re planning boat trips and such.

22. Beach Towel

Unfortunately, not all beach hotels provide a beach towel. I always have my microfiber towel with me – it’s lightweight, dries fast, and doesn’t take up much space in my bag.

23. Multi-Use Sarong

For your beach vacation, a lightweight cover-up is perfect for strolling the beach or grabbing lunch. A Sarong is not only that: It can be a dress, a skirt, a towel, or even a scarf when it gets cool and windy at night. A perfect companion for your beach vacation!

Other Essentials

Some obvious essentials are still easy to forget in a rush. For completion, I’ve listed them here.

24. Cash and Credit Cards

Inform yourself upfront about the conditions of using your credit card in Mexico. When you arrive in Mexico, make sure to change a smaller amount of money or draw some cash from an ATM to get Mexican Pesos. You’ll need cash for taxis, smaller purchases, and tipping.

Pro Tip

If you’re looking for a multi-currency credit card with fair conversion rates, I recommend Wise (formerly Transferwise). You can convert money upfront onto your credit card, and once in Mexico, pay everywhere with it where credit cards are accepted. You can also withdraw smaller amounts of money from the ATM daily.

25. Adapters

If you’re not from the US or Canada, you probably need to bring some adapters to recharge your electronic devices. Mexico uses plug-ins of type A (two pins) and type B (three pins).

The US and Canada use the same plug-ins as Mexico, so you normally shouldn’t need an adapter. The exception is if you’re trying to use a type A outlet with a type B device plug; so if you want to be on the safe side, you might want to consider bringing a travel adapter nonetheless.

26. Voltage Converter

The standard voltage in Mexico is 127V (60Hz frequency), similar to the US and Canada (which usually use 120V and 60Hz frequency). If you’re from Europe, Asia, or Australia, your standard voltage is normally between 220V-240V.

Under normal circumstances, you shouldn’t need a voltage converter for devices like laptops or mobile phones, though, as they usually are dual-voltage. To verify if they are, check the back of the charger to see if it indicates “100v-240V”, meaning it can handle the lower voltage in Mexico outlets. However, if you bring other electronic devices (like an electronic hair straightener, for example) that can’t handle the lower voltage, you’ll need to pack a voltage converter.

27. Documents

Don’t forget your essential documents, like your passport and driver’s license if you want to book a rental car. See also my tips for driving safely in Mexico.

Pack Your Suitcase Wisely!

By planning in time what you need to pack, you’ll have more time to enjoy your vacation. I hope my essential packing list for Mexico helps you to bring the most important things with you and make the most of your stay:-)

Plan and Book Your Trip

– Where to find cheap flights: Skyscanner.com

– Get compensation for delayed or canceled flights: AirHelp

– Which Travel Insurance to use: safetywing.com

– Where to book accommodation: booking.com, hostelworld.com

– Where to book rental cars: Discover Cars

– Where to book tours: Get Your Guide, Tripadvisor, Viator

– Transportation: Busbud for sustainable travel by bus, inDrive for city-to-city transportation service

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