Mexico Packing List: Everything You Need For Mexico [2023]

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Reminder: Make sure to check the country’s covid guidelines before travel.

Heading to Mexico and need to know what to pack? Well, we have you covered from the beaches of Puerto Vallarta to the Mountains of Chiapas or even Mexico City. Mexico has several different climates depending on where you are and what time of year you are traveling. This list will include clothes, toiletries, and even what to pack for stomach issues in Mexico (yes it’s a matter of when it will happen not if). Sam and I have paired down our backpacks two times since being in Mexico which is why we want to share our Mexico packing list: Everything You Need for Mexico [2023]. 

Let’s get started!

THINGS TO KNOW WHEN PACKING FOR MEXICO

Seasons & Climates

Many people often assume Mexico is just hot year around and packing for Mexico will be straightforward. Depending on where you are visiting packing for Mexico may consist of much more than just beach attire. Mexico has all different types of terrain from the desert, tropical forest, to snowy mountains. Mexico has a rainy and dry season. The beaches in Mexico are usually warm year-round but you will often find some months are drier where some are rainier. During the wintertime, the ocean is chillier than in the summer months. I personally don’t get in the ocean until it is the summer months because I am a wimp when it comes to “cooler” water. Yes, I’m being dramatic about it being too cold. Sam swims in the ocean during the winter months and really enjoys it. I need to be scorched from the sun and the water needs to be warm before I will get in or whatevaa.

Mexico’s rainy season usually extends from May to September, and sometimes into October. Most of the rest of the year you will find Mexico is mostly dry. Don’t be afraid to travel during the rainy season. The rainy season can be beautiful with showers in the afternoon and lush green vegetation as opposed to dusty brownness. 

Hurricane Season

Hurricane season including tropical storms in Mexico is June-November, but the higher risk hurricane time is from August to October. If you are planning to travel to the coast during hurricane season make sure you’ve got travel insurance. We recommend using SafetyWing.

What to Wear in Mexico

You will find that locals tend to dress more conservatively in Mexico. In coastal towns, it is pretty normal to wear shorts and a tank top. You may not always see locals wearing this but it is common for tourists. Inland you will usually find people cover up more and dress more conservatively. For example, if you are walking around Mexico City in a crop top and short shorts you may get some stares but do your thing, Sam certainly did! Bishhh it gets hawwttt. Overall, do your thing and wear what makes you comfortable!

Mexico is huge with so many different climates based on where you plan to travel and based on the time of year you plan to travel, so telling you exactly what to pack can be difficult. What I will do is break down the different regions of Mexico so you can have a better understanding of the climate and seasons as well as share with you the essentials that Sam and I pack and what we continue to wear while in Mexico! Whether you are looking for a Cancun packing list or a Chiapas packing list, we’ve got it all. Keep reading to find our complete packing list for Mexico.

Don’t forget you are going to be in Mexico! Textiles have a long history in Mexico. Depending on the state or region you will find some really awesome clothes that you may want to buy and take back home with you! Be aware of the quality of clothing if you are purchasing from street vendors, we usually try and find stores that are owned by locals that are passionate about their craft. We highly recommend this as it supports the local economy and is a huge part of the Mexican culture.

What Not to Wear in Mexico

Overall Mexico has a fairly mild climate, meaning don’t overpack heavy winter clothes (who wants to waste the space in their bag?) Also, don’t bring expensive jewelry and draw attention to yourself in a way that could create a pickpocket or robbing situation. We actually decided to leave behind our engagement rings altogether.

MEXICO PACKING LIST: CLIMATES BY REGIONS IN MEXICO

Northern Mexico

The climate in northern Mexico varies based on the time of year and can impact your Mexico packing list. During the summer this area gets pretty hot around 90+ degrees Fahrenheit. The wintertime can get pretty chilly especially at night with average temperatures being around 48-50 degrees Fahrenheit. There is also the occasional chance of snowfall during winter in this region. 

Central Mexico

Are you going to Mexico City, Hidalgo (to check out Grutas Tolantongo), Puebla, or San Miguel de Allende? Central Mexico reminds me a lot of spring where it gets pretty hot during the day but is more chilly during the night and mornings. You will see most locals walking around in jeans, boots, and puffy jackets during the day which is WILD because Sam and I very much walked around in shorts and a t-shirt or a tank top during the day especially during the dry season when the sun is out and glaring. I would often wear leggings or light pants in the morning and night with a light jacket or long sleeves while we were in Mexico City.

If you find yourself going to Grutas Tolantongo I would recommend bringing some sweats and a jacket because it gets pretty chilly at night and in the morning especially after you have been in the warm hot springs all day.

Southern Region

In this region, you can consider states like Chiapas and Oaxaca. This region is very similar to Central Mexico. If you are in cities that tend to have higher altitudes it will be cooler at night and in the morning. During the day the temperatures heat up especially during the spring months. The coldest month in this region is in January where you can see lows around 47- 50 degrees Fahrenheit. May through September have the highest chances of rain in this region. 

Pacific Coast

Are you traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, or Mazatlan? The Pacific Coast of Mexico is warm year-round which can lighten the load on your Mexico packing list. Snowbirds from Canada and the Northern states in the United States find their way to the Pacific Coast during the winter months. The temperature in this area is really nice during the winter months, and this is when you have the opportunity to go whale watching! Check out our guide to Puerto Vallarta to read all about the whale-watching season. The rainy season in this area is during the summer months from June to October and most of the rainfall happens in the afternoons.

Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast is pretty humid and receives most of its rainfall during June-October. This area is hot year around similar to the Yucatan. January will be the coldest month and the temperatures average around 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the cold months. Keep in mind this area is subject to potential hurricanes and tropical storms during the months of June through November.  

Yucatan Peninsula

Traveling to Cancun, Merida, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, or Playa del Carmen? The Yucatan Peninsula has a very similar climate to the Gulf region. You are going to see high temperatures year-round but January will be chillier averaging around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the spring to summer months getting up to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This region is also subject to potential hurricanes and tropical storms from June through November. The higher-risk months are from August to October. If you are looking for a Cancun packing list keep reading and you will find everything you need for your trip!

Going to Tulum? We have a comprehensive Tulum packing list you can check out!

Baja California Region

Going to La Paz or Cabo San Lucas? The Baja region is very dry and sees very little rainfall. The northern area of this region is considered the wine-producing region. If you haven’t tried wine from Mexico we highly recommend it. Sam and I had never had wine from Mexico until we started traveling the country and you can really find some excellent tasting wine from this region. 

In the northern part of this region, you will find the winter months to be cool and the summer months to be very hot. The southern part of the peninsula has very warm winters with the summer months being very hot hot hot.

Climate Summary

So to summarize all of the goodness above – the weather trends consist of the rainy season extending from May to September, and sometimes into October in most regions so bring your rain jacket unless you are going to the Baja Region. If you are going to central Mexico or southern Mexico you will find the temps to be cooler in the morning and at night with the temperatures heating up during the day. If you are at the coast beware of the hurricane season, brings that bathing suite and maybe a light jacket for windy beach nights.

I swear locals do not sweat, so when you are walking around during the day with sweat droplets running down your back and you see a local with a jacket, jeans, and boots looking chilled, don’t feel bad it is normal! 

MEXICO PACKING LIST ESSENTIALS

Water Purifier

Steripen: You will not want to drink the tap water when traveling around Mexico. There may be some states where people will tell you it is okay to drink the water but be precautious because more states than not you will not want to drink the water. 

When it comes to water we don’t really like to risk it. There are water purifier straws, bottles with a purifier straw, purification tablets, but we have heard so many stories from other travelers about how they had a fail with some products that we tend to go with the safest option. When you only have a few days in a country you don’t want to spend half of that time on the toilet. From experience, this is a terrible way to spend your holiday or vacation.

We love this Steripen because it doesn’t need batteries and comes with a charging cord. It treats up to 50 liters with one full battery charge. You’ll save a lot of money on water by using the Steripen and is it more sustainable than purchasing plastic water bottles. We have been using this Steripen for over several years now and I highly recommend it.

Water Bottle

Hydro Flask: We love our Hydro Flask and they have several types of insulated water bottles depending on color and size you may prefer. The water stays cold for over 24 hours which is perfect for all types of travel.

Packing Organization

Packing Cubes: I cannot stress enough how much we love packing cubes. They are great for creating more space in your backpack and keeping your bag super organized. We’ve been using the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes for years and have not had to replace one yet.

Toiletry Bag: This toiletry bag is great for organization and it also has a little hook so you can hang it up in the bathroom which is very useful when you are staying in a hostel and are sharing shower/bathroom space.

Quick Dry Towel

No products found. We have stayed in several hostels that do not provide you with a towel or will charge you for one. We tend to always carry our own because of this. This towel is also great for the beach because sand comes off of it easily and it is quick-dry. We each have an XXL one and love it.

No products found.

 

Sunscreen!

We always bring our own sunscreen because we like to use good quality reef-safe sunscreen. You never know if the places you visit will have exactly what you want and sunscreen usually tends to be more expensive in beach towns. Don’t forget, you will want to wear sunscreen during the day in most of Mexico states since it gets hot during the day! The last thing you want is a blistered neck after walking around all day in the sun. We always recommend you add sunscreen to your Mexico packing list. Our favorite is Blue Lizard because it is reef-safe, great for all skin types, a little can go a long way, and it has Zinc Oxide for the necessary protection.

MEXICO PACKING LIST: HYGIENE & TOILETRIES

Headbands & Hair Ties: If you have trouble finding a good headband that stays on your head, check out Junk Headbands. I will never go back to any other kind of headband. I have been wearing these for years.

Diva Cup: If you don’t feel like carrying around tampons or pads then this is might be a good solution for you.

Shampoo & Conditioner Bar: I absolutely hate traveling with liquids and try to avoid it at all costs because I have experienced too many shampoo explosions. I have found that Shampoo and Conditioner bards work best for me because they are easy to pack in the Toiletry bag, I don’t have to worry about spills, saves on plastic, and they last so much longer than liquid soaps. It’s just one less thing you have to worry about while traveling!

Dramamine: If you get motion sick this is helpful for those bumpy van or boat rides. If you take any ground transportation through the mountains this is really helpful on the curvy roads in Mexico. Believe me when I say it is necessary as we forgot our Dramamine when we went to Palenque in Chiapas and after I was hurling outside the van window in the middle of the jungle I really wish I had it.

Imodium: There is a high probability you are going to get sick while in Mexico so make sure to bring some Imodium. Sam has a running tally of being sick from food.

I highly recommend this toothbrush for just all-around use whether you are traveling or at home. It’s easy to travel with because you can take the head of it off.

You’ll of course need some body soap, razor (if you shave and if you don’t then one less thing in your toiletry bag!), and some Tylenol for all those margaritas and michelada’s you are going to be drinking!

Toothpaste: If you want to ditch the toothpaste in a tube! Again, avoiding those potential explosions in your bag while reducing plastic.

Deodorant: Absolutely love this deodorant. I cycle through deodorant often because my body just gets used to it quickly but we traveled with this deodorant for almost a year before we ran out and it always worked so well and I love the smell.

MEXICO PACKING LIST: CLOTHES FOR COOLER WEATHER

Long Pants

Who doesn’t love a good pair of leggings when you are traveling. They are so versatile and you can dress them up or dress them down.

Casual Drawstring Jogger pants – Sometimes when you are walking around all day you just want some comfy pants that you can also dress up. Sam and I both wear women's joggers and men's joggers pants for this reason.

Sweatpants

I always travel with a pair of sweats, especially if I am going to be somewhere that is cool in the morning and at night. Sometimes I like to sleep in my sweats if I don’t have enough blankets and it gets cold in the room. Also when you go out to get your morning coffee if you like to get up earlier and enjoy the morning then sliding those bad boys right one is the way to go.

Long Sleeve

Sometimes when it is too warm for a jacket or if you think you need to layer up I recommend a women's waffle-knit shirt and men's waffle-knit shirt. They are super comfy and warm women’s waffle knit long sleeve & men’s waffle knit.

If you would prefer to also bring along a long sleeve that is more athletic because of hikes I always recommend a long sleeve zip pullover or even something a little lighter like hooded long sleeve.

Rain Jacket

Columbia Rain Jacket: If you are traveling during raining season in Mexico you’ll want to have a rain jacket with you. Columbia rain jackets have held up the best for me long term. I have had my same jacket for over 4 years now. They are lightweight, breathable, easy to pack, and they tend to dry quickly after a rainy hike.

Note: This item is also relevant to warmer regions if you are going during rainy season

Jackets

There are definitely nights and mornings in cooler regions where you will want to bring a jacket. Sam and I do not do too well in cold temps so I’m sure we wore jackets when some people wouldn’t, but we have been in cities that drop to about 40 degrees Freiheit and windy during the dry season which is definitely jacket weather for us.

Active Shoes

Hoka: We absolutely love our Hoka’s. They have so much support and have held up through some rough conditions. There are so many different types of shoes that they have, we have what we call the space shoes because they are super bouncy. Their real name is the speedgoat which isn’t much better. So grab you a pair of speedgoat’s and hit the road!

Note: This item is also relevant to warmer regions if you are doing more active activities

Boots

Blundstone: Sam has a pair of these boots and absolutely loves them. When it is cold out in the city they are a great option to have. She walks around in them all day and they never hurt her feet. They also look super cute on her. I am so jealous I didn’t get a pair too when she got hers, but it will definitely be one of my next purchases. Treat yo-self!

MEXICO PACKING LIST: CLOTHES FOR WARM WEATHER

Quick Dry Shorts

Nike Shorts: Sam usually wears her Nike dry-fit shorts because they are lightweight and dry quickly. Sometimes she wears these over other shorts like her ‘form-fitting workout shorts” aka booty shorts since they are a little longer and a little more conservative.

Adidas Shorts: I wear Adidas quick-dry shorts since they are a little longer, lightweight, dry quickly. Plus when I am eating all of the delicious Mexican food I need some shorts that are a little looser.

Swimsuits

If you are traveling to Mexico I’ll assume you are going to pack some bathing suits since you will most likely be at the beach at some point during your trip. I recommend Jolyn Top and Jolyn Bottoms if you are someone that plans to play in the water. If you plan on snorkeling, playing in the waves, or even surfing, these suits hold up really well and fit a little tighter since they are meant for more activewear. I prefer the Jolyn tops because it fits more like a sports bra and I can hike in them if we are going to a waterfall.

Zaful: These suites are comfortable and cute or whatevaa. I recommend Zaful if you just want a cute suit for the beach.

If you don’t mind paying a little more money for your suites and want something more custom then check out Savage Swim.

Sandals or Flip Flops

No products found. I have been wearing Teva’s for over a year during our travels and I really like them. They are super easy to throw on and are comfortable on the bottom of my feet. I’ve gone the Chacos route and bishh my feet can swell while traveling and that is just not a cute situation in Chacos.

Sanuk Flip Flops: If you also like to have just a regular flip flop especially going to the beach I recommend Sanuk. These are great lightweight flip-flops and have lasted me years.

Socks

Stance Socks, Darn Tough, Balega: Depending on your taste and preference for socks these are the top three that I recommend. Stance and Darn Tough are great for hiking and if you need some taller socks. If you prefer shorter ankle socks I recommend Balega. I’ve been using all three of these for a while now and I’ve never had any issues with them and they hold up really well when your feet stank.

Note: This item is also relevant to coolers regions if you are doing more active activities where you will be in tennis shoes

Shirts

There is nothing better than a soft comfy t-shirt and we have so many Bella + Canvas shirts and they are always our go-to when packing. They are tri-blend and super breathable which is great for walking around cities or even doing active activities in them.

Sam wears her Prana short sleeve shirt all the time. It is a really great universal shirt.

Curve Hem T-Shirt: I prefer packing a couple of curved hem t-shirts while I travel. I like the way they look since the hem isn’t just straight, and they’re usually longer than regular shirts so it makes them a little more stylish. Another reason why I like these is that you can wear these kinds of plain shirts just casually or dress them up.

Note: Of course this item is also relevant to any region, since you know, wearing shirts are cool.

Shorts

When we are traveling we like to wear shorts that are comfortable but cute. Usually casual drawstring shorts gets the job done. I want to be able to wear my shorts with a t-shirt or with a more dressy shirt while I am traveling. The shorts need to be versatile because we like to pack light so I need them to serve more than one purpose!

Tank-Tops

Tank top, tank tops, tank tops! If you are at the beach I would bring some tank tops, if you are more inland I would also bring some tank tops. During the day regardless it gets hot, especially during the dry season! I usually back an athletic one and then a casual one.

Dress

Sam usually packs a couple of dresses when we travel because they are easy, comfortable, and you can use them as cover-ups when you are going to the beach or pool.

Underwear and Bra

I could recommend underwear and bras but everyone has their own preferences. Just remember you are going to be moving around a lot and walking if not more so you will want to make sure you are wearing comfortable underwear and braw. Sam and I easily average 10k steps a day in Mexico but usually more.

MEXICO PACKING LIST: BEST BACKPACK

Deciding which bag to take with you on a trip is always the most important part of packing. We usually like to keep it light and functional so we always recommend our first backpack and favorite which is an Osprey Bag.

You’ll really want a waterproof backpack if you plan on traveling in Mexico during the rainy season due to the potential for rain, this backpack has a waterproof cover that goes over the bag making it ideal for traveling in the rain. It is the perfect size for a carry-on, and it can serve as a great daypack. For shorter trips (1-3 weeks) this backpack is perfect.

Day Pack

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack: You will want to have a smaller day pack with you for daytime tours and activities. I find it a pain to completely unpack your larger backpack each time you need to bring a bag with you on an excursion, hiking, or even just going to the beach. We recommend bringing a stuff pack with you because they are super compact and don’t take up hardly any space because it literally just folds up into itself! Super easy!

MEXICO PACKING LIST: CHOOSING THE RIGHT BACKPACK

I recommend our current backpack which is the Gregory Tribute Travel Backpack. I did a lot of research before we bought backpacks for traveling full time and it’s always a little bit of a gamble because you are stuck with it on your trip, but we’ve really grown to love this backpack while traveling long term. It is so sturdy and has held up super well. I love that it comes with an active shield compartment for vapor, dirt, and odor-resistant protection. I shove all of my cheesy stuff in this compartment and believe me that’s a lot of cheese. This travel bag also comes with a full cover that zips all the way around which has been perfect for when we check the bag because it keeps the bag clean and you can put a nice little lock on it! Not that anyone would want to sniff through my cheesy clothes but you never know! My cover is disgusting now, and if I didn’t have it all that crud would be on my bag.

Gregory has a couple of different sizes for the Tribute so you can pick one based on your needs. I also love how our Tribute has a day pack that you can zip on the front of the backpack so you don’t have to worry about carrying two backpacks. 

MEXICO PACKING LIST: ELECTRONICS

Waterproof Phone Case

LifeProof: I’ve used LifeProof cases for several years now and they always seem to pay for themselves. When you are traveling the last thing you want is to break your phone or to get it wet. If you plan on going to Grutas Tolantango I highly recommend getting a LifeProof case if you want to have your phone with you in the water. 

Waterproof Camera

GoPro: We have a GoPro HERO8 and we love it. Trust me from experience, I am someone that decided to try a cheaper route and initially bought a less expensive brand for a waterproof camera and IT WAS NOT GOOD. Just bite the bullet and get a GoPro if you want good-quality pictures and videos! There is a reason why they are so popular. We use the floating hand grip since we are usually in water, around water, or on the move when we use it. It is super small and easy to travel with.

Travel Mirrorless Camera

Sony a5100: We love this camera and use it all the time when we aren’t using our GoPro for pictures and videos. It is lightweight and has a flip screen which is great for taking selfies. We have the 16-50mm and the 55-210mm lens. The 55-210mm lens has been great for wildlife like whale watching and jungle exploration when searching for unique birds and monkeys!

Compact Tripod

Joby GorillaPod: You can literally use this tripod anywhere which is great for more spontaneous picture taking. What do I mean by anywhere? Well, it has bendy legs so you can position it on uneven surfaces, wrap it around something like a railing or a tree, or even put all the legs together and use it as a monopod. You can use this tripod with several different devices like your phone (check out this attachment), a GoPro, or any digital camera. Joby also has several different sizes based on the size of your camera so make sure to check the one that is compatible with your camera so you get the correct size.

Portable Charger

Ankur Portable Charger/Power Bank: Love, love, love this charger. It holds a charge for a long time and charges our phones so quickly. It is perfect to keep charged because you may not always be in a place that has outlets to charge your electronics. You can keep your devices right there with you while they charge regardless of where you are.

Electronics and Camera Bag

No products found. We put all of our electronics in this bag. The bag fits our cameras, lenses, changing cords, extra batteries, memory cards, and our Joby GorillaPod. It’s super lightweight and really functional with removable dividers that you can adjust to fit your devices. It also has an anti-lock strap on the zipper which is super beneficial when you are in busy areas! It’s been so durable on our trips and believe me, I have pushed the limits of the seams on this bag, I highly recommend it. Peak Design also has several different sizes based on your needs.

No products found.

WANT MORE MEXICO CONTENT? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MEXICO ARTICLES

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• Grutas Tolantongo Hot Spring
• Mexico City Itinerary
• Must-Read Essential Travel Tips on Mexico City
• Where to Stay in Mexico City
• Puerto Vallarta Mexico Travel Guide
• Gay Puerto Vallarta Mexico: The Only LGBTQ Guide You Will Need

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