Travel
Packing List for Mexico: Beaches, Ruins, and Cities
Everything you need to pack for Mexico covering beach resort gear, ancient ruin exploration essentials, city walking outfits, and health items for traveling safely from Mexico City to the Riviera Maya.
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Clothing for Diverse Climates
Pack lightweight breathable clothing for coastal heat
Coastal Mexico reaches 30-35 degrees Celsius with high humidity from May through October. Linen, cotton, and moisture-wicking fabrics keep you comfortable. Bring 5-6 tops and 3-4 pairs of shorts for a beach-focused trip. Loose-fitting clothes prevent heat rash in humid conditions.
Bring a light jacket for Mexico City and highland towns
Mexico City sits at 2,240 meters where evenings cool to 10-15 degrees Celsius. San Cristobal de las Casas and Guanajuato also run cooler than expected. A lightweight jacket or hoodie handles temperature drops. The elevation difference from sea level to Mexico City is dramatic.
Pack modest clothing for churches and traditional towns
Mexican churches require covered shoulders, and conservative towns in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and the highlands expect modest dress. A light scarf or cardigan covers shoulders quickly. Many archaeological sites like Chichen Itza have no shade, so sun-protective clothing serves double duty.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
Colonial cities like Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, and Guanajuato have cobblestone streets that wear out flimsy shoes. Comfortable walking shoes with good arch support handle 15,000-step days exploring markets and neighborhoods. Leave high heels at home.
Pack a rain jacket or umbrella for afternoon storms
Mexico's rainy season from June through October brings daily afternoon downpours lasting 1-2 hours. A packable rain jacket fits in any daypack. Cheap umbrellas cost 30-50 MXN from street vendors but break in strong wind. Morning activities often stay dry.
Beach and Water Gear
Pack 2-3 swimsuits for daily beach rotation
Rotate swimsuits so one is always dry. Cenote swimming, beach days, and hotel pool sessions mean you could wear swimwear 3 times in a single day. Quick-dry fabric is essential. Saltwater and chlorine degrade elasticity, so bring suits you do not mind wearing out.
Bring a snorkel mask for cenotes and reef snorkeling
The Riviera Maya has the world's second-largest reef system and thousands of freshwater cenotes with crystal-clear visibility. A personal snorkel mask saves 150-250 MXN in daily rental fees and ensures a proper seal. Cenote Dos Ojos, Akumal Bay, and Cozumel reef are outstanding snorkeling spots.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen for cenote and ocean swimming
Many Mexican cenotes and marine parks now require reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens damage coral and cenote ecosystems. Buy mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen before your trip as it is less available and more expensive in Mexico. Xcaret and Xel-Ha parks enforce this rule strictly.
Bring water shoes for rocky beaches and cenote entries
Cenote ladders and rocky Caribbean entries can scrape feet. Water shoes protect against sharp rocks and hot sand. Tulum's beach has rocky patches, and Isla Mujeres has coral along the shore. Lightweight water shoes pack flat and dry in an hour.
Archaeological Site Gear
Pack a wide-brim hat for shade-free ruins
Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, and Palenque offer little to no shade during the 2-4 hour exploration. A wide-brim hat with a chin strap prevents sunstroke. The tropical sun at latitude 15-20 degrees north is directly overhead at midday. Arrive early before 10 AM for the most tolerable conditions.
Bring a refillable water bottle and carry extra water
Dehydration is the most common tourist ailment at archaeological sites. Carry at least 2 liters per person. Teotihuacan's walk covers 4+ km with no shade. Water vendors at sites charge 30-50 MXN per bottle, 3-5 times normal price. A filter bottle lets you refill from any water source.
Pack comfortable closed-toe shoes for climbing ruins
Many Mexican ruins involve steep stone stairways with uneven, polished steps. Tulum's ruins sit on cliffs. Palenque's temples are surrounded by jungle roots. Sturdy shoes with non-slip soles are essential. Flip-flops and sandals are dangerous on pyramid steps.
Health and Safety
Pack stomach remedies and probiotics
Traveler's stomach is common in Mexico due to different bacteria in water and food. Anti-diarrheal medication, rehydration salts, and probiotics started 3 days before travel help. Drink only purified water, avoid ice from street vendors, and eat at busy local spots where food is freshly prepared.
Bring DEET insect repellent for coastal and jungle areas
Mosquitoes carry dengue in coastal Mexico and are active at dawn and dusk. DEET at 25-30% concentration or picaridin provides 6-8 hours of protection. Jungle areas around Palenque and Calakmul have intense mosquito activity. Reapply after sweating or swimming.
Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection
UV radiation in Mexico is intense year-round, reaching extreme levels on Caribbean beaches and at highland altitude. Apply SPF 50+ every 2 hours, especially between 10 AM and 3 PM. Sunburn at Chichen Itza or Teotihuacan with hours of walking remaining makes for a painful day.
Bring a photocopy of your passport and travel insurance card
Carry a photocopy of your passport while leaving the original in your hotel safe. Police checkpoints in Chiapas and Oaxaca occasionally ask for ID. Keep a digital copy in your email. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is important as hospital costs at private clinics are significant without it.
Electronics and Travel Items
Pack a US-style power adapter if coming from outside the Americas
Mexico uses US-style Type A and B plugs at 127V. European and UK travelers need an adapter. Voltage differences from 220V countries can damage some electronics without a converter. Check device labels for 100-240V compatibility.
Bring a portable charger for long travel days
Buses between Mexico City, Oaxaca, and San Cristobal run 6-12 hours with unreliable USB outlets. A 10,000 mAh power bank keeps your phone charged for offline maps and photos. Ferry crossings to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel also have limited outlets.
Pack a money belt for cash in markets and transit
Mexico runs on cash for taxis, street food, markets, and small businesses. ATMs dispense pesos but have withdrawal limits. Keep large sums in a hidden money belt and carry daily spending money in a front pocket. Crowded metro stations and markets in Mexico City are pickpocketing hotspots.
Bring a daypack for daily excursions
A 15-20 liter daypack carries water, sunscreen, rain jacket, camera, and snacks for full-day outings to ruins, cenotes, and markets. Waterproof or with a rain cover is useful during the wet season. Leave valuables at the hotel and carry only what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I not pack for Mexico?
Leave expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, and brand-name bags at home. Skip heavy winter clothing unless visiting Mexico City from December through February. Avoid bringing single-use plastics as many beach towns have banned them. You will not need formal wear outside of high-end Mexico City restaurants. Pack lighter than you think as most items are cheap to buy locally.
Is tap water safe in Mexico?
Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. Stick to purified bottled water, which costs 10-20 MXN per liter in shops. Most hotels and restaurants use purified water and ice. A refillable bottle with a built-in filter lets you fill from any tap safely. Avoid ice from street vendors and cart operators in rural areas.
What should I wear in Mexico City vs the beach?
Mexico City is more cosmopolitan and slightly dressier than beach towns. Locals wear jeans, smart casual outfits, and closed-toe shoes. Beach destinations like Tulum and Playa del Carmen are casual with shorts, sundresses, and sandals. Both climates require a rain layer during the wet season. Mexico City evenings are 10-15 degrees cooler than the coast.
Do I need to pack my own snorkel gear?
Bringing a personal snorkel mask saves 150-250 MXN in daily rental fees and guarantees a proper fit. Cenote and reef snorkeling are major activities on the Riviera Maya. Full snorkel sets including fins are available at sports shops in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Guided tours usually include gear in the price, so check before buying.