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Travel / Travel Gear
By Holly Johnson, CNN Underscored
Updated 6:13 PM EDT, Fri September 15, 2023
The country of Mexico may be well known for its array of all-inclusive resorts, but there’s a lot more to the travel landscape here than people realize. It’s also a popular destination for adventure travel as well as somewhere to get lost and soak in the culture of places like Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Oaxaca.
Plus, the country is also home to incredible Mayan ruins, cenotes and caves you can swim in, and a unique selection of adventure parks, including Xcaret and Xel-Há, both along the coast of Riviera Maya.
With so much to offer, packing for your vacation here can be a chore. While there are certain items you’ll want to bring based on the type of trip you take, there are also Mexico packing staples you should have no matter what.
To help you pack for your next trip to Mexico, we interviewed some frequent travelers to round up this list of must-haves.
Travel influencers Trent Brock and Jamil Price, who frequently travel to Mexico and highlight LGBTQ travel adventures on Instagram, point out that weather in Mexico can be quite hot year-round and suggest packing this portable fan to help you stay cool in the sun. "We love that it has two speeds and is small enough to fit in your pocket or a small bag," says Brock. "It’s also rechargeable via USB, making it easy to charge each night."
The duo also says the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is a must-have when you're on the move in Mexico, whether you're sightseeing at Chichen Itza or going out for dinner and drinks in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. Brock adds that this belt bag is big enough to hold your wallet, sunscreen and more.The belt bag is made with water-repellent fabric, so you don’t have to stress about your stuff getting soaked if you get caught in an afternoon thunderstorm. It also comes in several colors, so you can coordinate with your outfits or pick your color of choice.
Travel blogger Candela Garcia of The Cost of Travel adds that reef-safe sunscreen is an absolute must in Mexico regardless of where you plan to swim. She points out that there are several popular activities in Mexico, such as visiting cenotes or the famous El Cielito excursion in Cozumel, where you need to have reef-safe protection for your skin in order to preserve the local biodiversity.
"Considering these activities involve plenty of hours under the sun, it is really important to bring reef-safe sunscreen to avoid possible sunburns and ruin your vacation," says Garcia.
Garcia adds that, if you're skipping the all-inclusive experience, bringing your own insulated lunch box is a smart idea, as it will allow you to visit some of the most incredible and unexplored beaches without having to worry about whether you’ll find restaurants and beach clubs around. Garcia specifically recommends the Sunny Bird Insulated Lunch Bag from Amazon.
"Lunch boxes are also great if you are planning to rent a boat for the day," she adds. "I had the best time of my life last year with my partner when we rented a boat from Isla Mujeres and enjoyed a sunset by ourselves with a lunch box full of fruits and beers."
OtterBox FRĒ Series Waterproof Case With MagSafe
Most trips to Mexico include some type of encounter with the water, which necessitates the need to protect your phone. Garcia adds that she loves waterproof phone cases because they let you forget about expensive camera gear and take advantage of your iPhone's high-quality camera for a fraction of the cost.
Travel advisor Meaghan Clawsie of Elated Escapes Travel says she recommends bringing small spray bottles of insect repellent to Mexico, as mosquitoes are so prevalent. She recommends Sawyer Products insect repellent because the bottles are small (4 ounces each) and the product is made with 100% DEET for maximum protection when you need it.
"Having my own small bottle of bug spray means I can pop it in my beach bag or purse and use it around the resort as needed," says Clawsie. "Plus, by bringing it with me, I don't have to make an extra trip to the store when I'm there."
Clawsie also recommends bringing your own anti-diarrheal drugs along, specifically Imodium A-D Anti-Diarrheal Caplets. While you can find similar medications in Mexico, you may not know exactly what you're buying or be able to read the directions unless you understand Spanish. By packing medication you already know and trust, you can be prepared if you get a queasy stomach.
International travel has the potential to wreak havoc on your stomach, and that's especially true in Mexico where many travelers have sensitivities to the tap water. Bringing a filtered water bottle along, like the LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Water Bottle, can help. Plus, it’s ideal for travel, as it collapses, taking up less space in your luggage.
Did we mention Mexico can be hot and humid? This can be true year-round depending on where you're traveling, so you may not want to wear a full face of makeup every day. Instead, you can invest in tinted moisturizer with SPF protection built in. Daybird Tinted Moisturizer offers exactly that with its 4-in-1 protection that includes serum, moisturizer, sheer foundation and mineral SPF 50 sunscreen all in one product.
If you want something that comes with all the essentials ina single kit, then consider buying the Ready Kit from skin care company DoTerra. This kit comes in a handy carrying pouch and includes a face and body mineral sunscreen stick, hand sanitizing mist, peppermint beadlets for fresh breath, essential ointment for distressed skin, natural mosquito repellant and topical cream.
No matter where you're traveling in Mexico, there's a good chance you'll be in and out of your swimsuit throughout the course of your trip. A retractable clothesline allows you to easily hang your swimwear out to dry at any time, as well as clothing items that get wet or ones you hand-wash in your sink. This clothesline from Amazon is lightweight and can fit into tight and unusual spaces, so it's easy to bring along to Mexico or on any other trip.
The Consuela Songbird Classic Tote can hold all your essentials, from your beach towel to your laptop and sunscreen. An interior zipper pocket also provides an ideal space to keep your phone, cash, credit cards and keys. Not only that, but the bag comes with natural leather accents and signature woven handles for comfort. Unique embroidery and designs also make these bags a stylish accessory for the beach and everywhere else on your itinerary.
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico may offer unlimited beers and co*cktails, but they are known for serving all their beverages in tiny plastic cups. Trust us when we say it's a lot better to bring your own tumbler along, and for more reasons than one. The Yeti Straw Tumbler lets you order up a larger drink so you need fewer refills, and of course it keeps your drink of choice ice cold all day long.
Everyone should have a pair of wireless earbuds for travel these days. Not only are they tangle-free, but they also help you from being that person who watches TikTok and Reels on full volume. The JLab JBuds Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds from Amazon are inexpensive compared to other options, yet they make it easy to listen to tunes on your flight or at the beach. This set of headphones even has a noise-canceling setting for when you want some peace and quiet. It also comes with a handy carrying case.
Salt Life apparel is made for sun and fun, and it's ideal for trips to Mexico and anywhere else you'll be near the water. The brand's Long-Sleeve Performance Pocket Tee is made of SLX uVapor fabric that is moisture-wicking and antimicrobial with UV2 sun protection built in. These shirts are also quick-drying, so they're great for all-inclusive resorts, beach trips, boat trips and more.
The Mexican sun can really do a number on you, which can lead to a lot of discomfort. To avoid a bad burn, try the Micas Fringe Brim Straw Hat. This stylish sun hat is less than $20 and features an extra-wide brim for added protection and extra shade.
Get comfortable on your Mexican vacation in this bamboo pocket dress from clothing brand Free Fly. This shirt-style dress is made of lightweight fabric with incredible softness, and it has UPF 50 protection built in to protect your skin from the relentless sun. It also has four-way stretch, and it can easily be worn during the day for a casual look or dressed up with accessories at night.
Keep your devices charged indefinitely no matter where you are in Mexico with the help of this power bank from Anker. This portable charger is slim and relatively small in size (5.87 by 2.68 by 0.55 inches), yet it comes standard with plenty of power. In fact, this portable charger packs enough punch for 2.25 charges for iPhone 12, 1.6 charges for Galaxy S20 and 1.2 charges for iPad Mini.
If you're packing for a beach vacation in Mexico or elsewhere and you want to keep your family out of the sun's harmful rays, consider investing in the Soli Air Canopy. This portable pop-up tent comes in its own included backpack, so it's easy to bring along on road trips or airplanes. It's inflatable as well, so it can be set up and taken down in minutes without much effort. Most importantly, this air canopy can provide endless shade for optimal vacation relaxation and an escape from the heat.
You may not need to bring your own towel if you're staying in a traditional hotel or resort, but having a quick-dry towel in Mexico is essential for other, more adventure-focused trips. This quick-dry microfiber towel from Bogi comes in a handy carrying pouch and is small enough to fit in a backpack or a travel tote, and it dries four to six times faster than a traditional towel, according to the manufacturer.
Aqua Cloud offers sandals that are ideal for wet and dry vacations in Mexico, but especially for trips in and around the water. These lightweight sandals actually float, so you won't lose them in the ocean if you're hit by a rogue wave. They also boast extra cushion for added comfort, and they feature extra grip for your favorite water sports. These shoes also weigh just 4.4 ounces, making them ideal for packing in your checked luggage or a carry-on bag.
Consider how much time you plan to spend in the water, and whether you want a way to keep your cash, credit cards and room keys on your body when you're in the pool or the ocean. If you're someone who loves floating in the water with a cold drink in hand, it can make sense to invest in a waterproof pouch you can carry around, such as the Drlokpak Submersible Waterproof Wallet. This two-pack of waterproof wallets floats automatically, and each pouch comes with an adjustable neck cord.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as ourbest travel credit cardscurrently available.
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