What to Pack in Our Suitcase for Traveling to the Beaches of Mexico

Mexico is a diverse country, and what we should pack will depend on the region we are visiting and the type of traveler we are. Whether it is a trip to the beaches, jungles, deserts, volcanoes, mountains, Mayan ruins, or cities, we need to plan the perfect suitcase. It doesn't matter if we travel with a backpack or stay in hotels, this travel list will help us know what to pack in our suitcase for the beaches of Mexico.

The packing list is designed for a trip to the beaches of Mexico, such as the Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya, the Oaxacan Coast, and Baja California, to name a few. We recommend not bringing too many clothes, since it is important to remember that less is more. This will help us maintain minimalist luggage and avoid paying excess baggage fees. In addition to essential items, we also suggest what NOT to bring. Now, let's start organizing our beach suitcase for our vacation in Mexico.

The most important thing is to be prepared to relax on the beaches, under the sun and sand, and enjoy the adventure.

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The Weather at Mexico’s Beaches
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Knowing the weather will help us determine what to bring for the trip. Most of Mexico’s beaches have a warm tropical climate year-round. However, there are exceptions, such as Los Cabos and Mexico’s west coast, where temperatures can be somewhat cool at night, especially in winter, so bringing a sweater or a light jacket is a good option. On the other hand, in the Mexican Caribbean and the Riviera Maya region, temperatures will be warm all year. There are occasional cold fronts, but temperatures rarely drop below 15°C (59°F). The sea temperature is generally suitable for swimming and relaxing on Mexico’s beaches. Packing List for Mexico: Clothing to Bring in Your Beach Suitcase For men and women, the key when packing clothes is COMFORT. Here, light and comfortable clothing, along with sun protection, are the main considerations when choosing what to bring. Below, we provide a list of garments that should not be missing from your suitcase:

Sandals/flip-flops, underwear, swimsuits, sun hat, lightweight microfiber quick-dry towel, UV-protection sunglasses, light clothing such as blouses or T-shirts, shorts, skirts, etc. (we recommend light colors in the hot climate), a couple of comfortable summer dresses, clothes for exercise or walking, at least one outfit for the evening for some local restaurants/bars, sweater or light jacket.

‍Gear for Adventurous Travelers

Snorkeling gear and fins (can also be rented onsite), surfboard, diving goggles or full-face mask, snorkel, fins, UV-protection lycra shirt, underwater camera, waterproof bag, water shoes, packing list: important documents.

Don’t forget to pack important documents in your beach suitcase to ensure a safe trip. In addition to documents that have become essential due to the pandemic, like your vaccination certificate, it’s worth making copies of documents such as your passport, credit card, and driver’s license. You cannot travel without the following documents:

Passport, which must be valid for at least six months prior to arrival, no visa required; a tourist card will be issued upon arrival, international driver’s license, vaccination certificate, credit cards; however, there are places without ATMs or with connectivity issues, so it is recommended to carry some cash, travel insurance, SIM card for internet access, toiletries for the beach suitcase.

Don’t forget to pack toiletries for bath and body, makeup, and hair. In Mexico, almost all hygiene products can be purchased, so it’s not necessary to bring liters of shampoo or toothpaste in your beach suitcase.

As a general rule about what to bring to the beach, do not bring anything you are not willing to lose, because let’s be honest: sun + beach + mezcal/tequila = lost items. During the trip, we may use our phones for battery-consuming activities such as using a map app or taking photos. Also, there might not be easily accessible places with power outlets. So, we ask ourselves, what accessories should we bring to Mexico’s beaches? Type A and B power adapters Camera External battery for long trips Chargers for all electronic devices Flashlight for night excursions Mobile phone and charging cable Laptop or tablet with charging cable, if needed.

Other Items for Our Beach Suitcase

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Here are some important items to add to our packing list for Mexico: water bottle (tip: bring a collapsible bottle to save space), compact umbrella, beach towel, travel pillow for added comfort on the plane and during transportation, beach bag, and packing cubes to compress luggage and have better organization and easy access.
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What NOT to Pack in Your Beach Suitcase for Mexico
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Here are some items you should NOT add to your travel list for Mexico: non-breathable clothing, high heels, flashy jewelry, and too many warm clothes.

We hope this packing list for your vacation in Mexico helps take the stress out of planning your trip.