Mexico is always a good idea, and you could spend as much as a year here and still only scratch the surface!
From exploring the crystal-clear waters of the Aktun Chen Cenote in the Riviera Maya, to trekking through the rugged Copper Canyon in the north, there’s an adventure for everyone waiting here.
Mexico is also home to a very welcoming and fun culture, so even on your chill days you’ll still be having some pretty fun times with the local people.
Heck, we could even make a bucket list guide based purely on the food here, since it’s home to some of the most mouth-watering and tasty dishes in Latin America!
Once your heart is set on visiting Mexico, it’s now time for the important part of packing. In all honesty, deciding what to take to Mexico isn't easy as this country is incredibly diverse.
Since it’s such a big country too, it’s important to consider exactly where you’ll be going, and at what time of year.
In this ultimate packing list for Mexico, we’ll cover everything you need to know, and how to have an incredible time in this diverse country!
Before traveling anywhere, make sure you have your travel insurance in place. We recommend SafetyWing.
Why?
Here's a few reasons ...
For more info, check out my in-depth SafetyWing review.
So you’ve decided you want to travel to Mexico?
Perfect! It really is a stunning country, and you’ll have an unforgettable time here.
Let’s now take a look at the top things you need to know before you book your dates and put together a packing list for your Mexico vacation!
Whilst most travel brochures may argue otherwise, Mexico isn’t just all beaches and hammocks!
Just over 3000 km in length, this massive and diverse country has everything from arid desert and sprawling jungle, to vast coastlines and dizzying canyons. Yes, it even snows regularly in some parts of Mexico!
First we have the coasts, which includes the Riviera Maya region, the Gulf of Mexico as well as the long Pacific Coast.
Despite the amount of distance covered, they are all hot year-round, and only really vary in levels of rain - each with their own dry and wet seasons.
You’ll only really need light wear and beach clothes for these destinations, and perhaps a rain jacket if heading during the wet season.
Then we have the big cities located at a higher altitude, which include Mexico City, San Cristóbal de las Casas and Pachuca.
These regions can be warm during the day, but get very chilly heading into the evening.
They’re also seasonal too, so you’ll need to double check the temperatures for the time of year you’ll be heading.
Lastly we have the mountainous regions, such as The Copper Canyon and Orizaba.
Whilst warm during the days of the summer, come the winter it drops below zero and snows often.
As we’ve seen, it can vary a lot in Mexico so it’s best to check the weather before you head out.
Generally, regardless of the time you visit, you’ll want to bring warmer clothes and several layers to these regions.
Here are some other guides you may find helpful:
For the strong majority of destinations in Mexico, there’s only really a difference between the Summer and Winter seasons.
Whilst it can vary somewhat (since Mexico is pretty big), most dry seasons run from around November until April.
Temperatures are warm yet not overbearing, and rainfall is much less frequent.
The wet season tends to start around May or June, and lasts throughout the Summer.
As you can imagine, rainfall picks up a lot in most parts of Mexico, with storms more likely around this time of year (we’ll cover that bit in more detail below).
Temperatures also tend to increase in the rainy season compared to those in the dry season.
Whilst it can get quite hot along the coastal areas such as that of Cancún or Baja California, this hotter weather is actually welcomed in the usually cooler areas such as the capital.
Here's some more information about the seasons in Mexico...
Now we have the dreaded hurricane season. Misunderstood by most (and to be fair, the word “hurricane” isn’t exactly known for its ability to induce comfort), this season is not actually as bad as it sounds.
Whilst hurricanes can form at any time during the wet season, they’re most likely between August and October.
They affect only the coastal destinations, which can be anywhere along Mexico’s Caribbean or Pacific stretches.
The truth is that most areas are well prepared to deal with the event of these, so whilst you’ll have some unpredictable showers and windy weather, it usually passes just as quick too.
As you can imagine it’s the least popular time to visit, and actually we think it's a perfect time due to the lower prices and deals on offer!
Before getting your sandals and clothes all ready for packing, you’re going to need a suitable bag!
Here we’ll look at the most important considerations which will help you decide what is best for you and your trip.
Most travelers often get it wrong when choosing a backpack.
They either go too small and have no space, or find the biggest bag available and go all in.
Whilst it’s better to err on the larger side of things, there are also disadvantages of going too big. Some of these include:
Whilst you’re sitting at home staring at everything and wondering how you could ever live without them, life on the road is very different.
Even after packing just two-thirds of our backpacks full, there were still many things inside we even forgot we had brought!
A useful tip to remember when packing is this;
“I can always add new things whilst on the road, but I can’t take them back”.
We recommend going for a 50-60 liter backpack, which is more than enough for one person.
It doesn’t matter if you’re heading for a 2 month stint, or even a 9 month trip, since most things in your bag will be re-used and washed weekly.
Our other top tip is to go for a large and trusted brand, who knows this type of lifestyle well.
We always go with Osprey, who make some of the most durable and comfortable backpacks out there.
Even for their extra quality, you’ll also be surprised to know that they won’t break the bank either!
Here are our top 2 recommendations:
Having a good quality day bag is essential when traveling around Mexico.
Once you’ve landed in a new destination, you can leave your main backpack stowed away, and instead take a smaller one out and about with you.
Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, trekking through the jungle or visiting ancient Mayan ruins, it’s one of our main travel necessities for Mexico.
When it comes to picking the right day pack, you’ll want to consider size and compartments.
Whilst you may only leave your accommodation with some sunglasses and an extra shirt, it’s likely you’ll need space for extra water or beer, or even for that “I can’t say no to” mandala-style beach towel (we’ve all been there).
We had similar things happen when packing for Sri Lanka, as you never know what you might pick up!
If you're a digital nomad or travel blogger, then it's likely you'll need one to carry your laptop and photography gear around too.
Another key consideration is choosing the right brand.
There are plenty of awesome options out there when it comes to day bags ranging from sustainable backpacks to laptop-friendly backpacks.
However, as always, we recommend Osprey as our go-to for buying a high-quality day pack.
Not only are they spacious yet lightweight, they also incorporate quality breathing fabrics, so you won’t sweat as much when carrying it around with you all day.
Here are our top 2 recommendations:
Not everyone is heading to Mexico on a long backpacking adventure, and that’s totally fine.
If you’re thinking of coming to Mexico on a more inclusive and relaxed holiday, then it makes more sense to bring roll-on luggage, which is both more comfortable and spacious.
When deciding on what roll-on luggage to buy, it’s important to consider how big it is.
Not only do you want to fit everything you need for your holiday, however you’ll also want to consider flight restrictions and limits on bag sizes.
We swear by using Horizn Studio Luggage, which is an awesome roll-on suitcase that serves our needs very well.
We’ve also written a very comprehensive guide about roll-on luggage here, which goes into more depth about the most important factors, and how to choose the travel suitcase for your particular needs.
When browsing for bags, it's easy to be convinced that the bigger the bag, the better.
Even in shops like Osprey they will always be bringing new, larger-than-life bags to the market, however it’s not necessary to buy the absolute biggest.
As we’ve already mentioned, choosing a 50-60 liter backpack has many advantages:
If you’re still worried about not being able to bring everything, then consider this.
Whilst Mexico is still a third-world country, many parts are very developed and already cater to millions of tourists visiting annually.
As a result, you’ll easily be able to pick up whatever you need whilst on the road.
And trust us - you probably won’t even remember a third of the things you’ve brought during your trip anyway!
Now we have our bag, it’s time to look at our Mexico vacation packing list.
When first sitting down and packing for Mexico, it’s important to prioritize all of your main essentials first (you’ll need to put down those third pair of sandals for now!).
Next, we'll cover the Mexico travel essentials below, however you can also find our full travel packing list here!
For the guys out there reading this, you’re going to want mostly light and breathable clothes.
Remember that Mexico is mostly hot, so you don’t want to wear clothes that are going to make you sweat too much.
Of course there are regions (as we’ve already covered) that are cold, so you’ll need to adjust depending on what you’ve got planned.
If you’re already out traveling and change your plans, most of the following items can be picked up with ease from local stores.
Now for the girls! Before we all start overthinking every piece of item (it’s going to happen anyway), let’s take a look at what we need first.
Mexico is very hot, so the less, the better.
If you’re planning on heading during the wet season, or to higher altitude areas, then we’ll also need to plan for those in advance too.
It’s very easy to find services for washing and cleaning clothes in Mexico.
In most hostels, there will be a small fee (which is usually per kilo), and also in hotels although this is usually more expensive.
The cheapest and best way is to find a local laundrette and pay for the service (they’ll usually wash and dry all clothes for a cheap price).
For those really looking to save, then you can buy detergent and wash your clothes yourselves, and then hang them up to dry (most hostels have an area for drying clothes).
Here’s a more in-depth guide when it comes to washing clothes on the road!
A filled (and up-to-date please!) first-aid kit is very important to bring with you on your travels.
Whilst you’ll most likely not need it, you’d rather be safe than sorry in the event of any accident (we all know what a few tequilas are capable of anyway…).
Here’s our comprehensive list of what you should bring to Mexico:
Now let’s take a look at the rest of our must-includes for a first-aid kit.
If you don’t yet own a travel first aid kit, then here’s a good option to buy.
It contains the majority of what you need and you can then just add in any other items you want to take with you.
Plus, it’s small enough to tuck away in your backpack and not take up much space.
Let’s now take a look at what you should pack when it comes to your toiletries.
The travel lifestyle usually requires a few changes in your habits compared with being at home.
It’s essential to bring more than one card on a trip, and to have them safely stored in different compartments.
Whenever we travel, two cards live in my wallet (Bradley), 1 in my big rucksack, whilst 1 more lives in Cazzy’s big rucksack or day bag.
The old saying of “keep your eggs in many baskets” couldn’t apply any better than here!
Firstly, we consider the best banks to be those which have the least fees for a traveler, as well as can be found with relative ease.
When traveling in Mexico, keep an eye out for any branch of BBVA, Banorte or Scotiabank (with the latter best for our US readers).
Even if heading to smaller cities such as Valladolid, you’ll still find these dotted around without needing to venture too far.
Whilst it’s fine to use your bank card from back home, it’s important to know you’ll most likely be charged fees for international payments or withdrawals.
This is where travel cards come in. We swear by Monzo and Revolut, both of which can be used across the globe which help to minimize ATM fees.
To find out more about the advantages of Monzo and Revolut, as well as a head-head comparison, check out our Monzo Vs Revolut guide here.
These are absolutely vital, and are the first consideration when heading on a trip.
Whilst you can manage in the event of a lost backpack or stolen camera, a misplaced passport can make things, well, difficult to say the least.
We recommend buying a separate plastic folder to keep these all safe.
Below are all of the important travel documents to get ready:
For those into photography and other related activities, bringing a good camera and equipment is mandatory when heading to this beautiful country!
Here we’ll take a look at the best gear and gadgets to include on your travel checklist for Mexico.
A classic favorite and one of the best for getting sweet shots of temples and palm-fringed beaches. Just be sure to bring a bag and somewhere safe to keep it, ideally in your daypack which is always on you (unfortunately cameras are among the most popular steals for opportunistic thieves). We recommend going for the A7iii, which is our go-to when snapping abroad! And if you're wondering what's the best lens to take with you, the wide angle is one of the top options you can bring. In Mexico you’ll find many different contexts which are perfect for this, whether shooting within the jungle, or taking panoramas of the big cities.
If there’s any country where a day to day documentary of your trip is mandatory, it’s Mexico! Aside from the picturesque destinations and gems, even the daily occurrences and small things are memorable, and you of course can’t miss a clip of you trying a spicier-than-usual dish. Here's a guide to the best camcorders which you may find helpful.
Another great item to bring when in Mexico is a quality and durable action camera. Whilst a GoPro is the usual go-to, you don’t need to break the bank for a decent action camera! Here you can see our article on the best alternative action cameras.
There’s no way we could leave this bad boy out. The amount of crazy scenery in this country will shock you, and you’ll want to have a drone handy to catch the very best. Mexico’s current weight restrictions are generally set at 250g, so you’ll want a model that fits this and thus is legal for use. You can read more about using drones in Mexico here. We recommend the DJI Mini 2 for those looking for simplicity, or the DJI Mini 3 if you want a better quality drone. You can check out our guide to the best travel drones here!
As with any new country, it’s important to take your health and safety seriously.
Here are the top items we recommend packing:
Here are a few more things you may have missed:
Now that we’ve covered the most important things to bring with you, it’s time to leave behind those unnecessaries!
Here we’ll explore 5 main things that are better off left at home than in your case when heading to Mexico.
So you’ve got the bulk of your bag packed ready.
Now it’s time for a last minute check for any extras you will want to bring to Mexico.
Here are some final travel tips for your Mexico travel checklist...
If there’s anything you remember from this guide, let it be this one!
Not only will your bag be lighter (and avoid any oversize baggage fees), however you’ll also have space to bring things home should you go souvenir hunting.
In all honesty too, every time I’ve packed a backpack 3/4 full, I’ve still not used every item that was inside.
This was especially the case when we were packing for our trip to Ireland.
When heading to Mexico, you’ll have your big backpack for all of your clothes, toiletries, electronics etc.
You’ll also want to have a small daypack on you too, which usually comes with the backpack when purchased anyway.
Always carry your important documents on you, since the last thing you’ll want is to have arrived in Mexico and your bag has gone AWOL, leaving you in a more precarious position than necessary.
Another great way to save bag space is to pack multi-purpose items.
One good example for Mexico is a vest, since whilst good for the beaches, it can also serve as a warm layer if traveling from the beach to a higher altitude, or colder climate.
Another one is a pair of trainers, which can be used for hiking, sports and also going out in.
You can find more useful items in this comprehensive guide to travel essentials...
This sounds obvious, but many still bring very expensive items with them, and even if they’re not stolen, you'll be fretting about them all day long.
Save yourself the risk (and anxiety) by limiting the amount of expensive things you bring with you.
Besides, how much of it do you really need?
As we’ve learnt from our trip to India, some countries can be surprisingly hot!
Mexico in general is pretty hot, with some months toastier than others.
Depending when you’ll be visiting in the year, levels of rainfall may also vary.
So be sure to look up the exact month (and if any unexpected weather has occurred there before) to gauge whether you’ll need a good waterproof jacket.
This tip is especially important if planning on backpacking throughout the entirety of Mexico.
And that’s everything for our Mexico packing list!
Having read this guide, you should now have a much better idea of what bags to buy, and also how to properly pack for a trip to Mexico.
If you have any questions, or perhaps some of your own tips about packing for Mexico, then feel free to share them below!
If you've found this guide helpful then there are plenty more where that came from. In fact, we've written a whole range of travel packing lists for destinations including Europe, Peru, Vietnam, and Iceland.
For those planning to visit Mexico on a cruise, then here's a handy cruise packing list which you may want to take a look at!
For help planning the rest of your Mexico adventure, here are some other guides you might find useful:
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