What to Pack for Mexico: Your Detailed Mexico Packing List

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Packing for Mexico can be tricky, to say the least.

I mean, this is one HUGE country, with countless different climates and landscapes. You can go from sweating your ass off in Puerto Escondido to freezing half to death in the mountain town of San Jose del Pacifico, enjoying the lovely spring-like climate of Mexico City, being somewhere in the middle whilst exploring Guadalajara, and back to sweating again in the Yucatan in just one trip!

So… Where do you even start when it comes to packing for a trip to Mexico?

Well, the good news is, after spending six weeks backpacking around Mexico, I know a thing or two about what to pack (and what not to!).

Here’s everything you need to know about packing for Mexico!

The Essentials & Must Haves for Mexico

I’m going to cover a lot of things that you need to pack for Mexico in this post, and I get it – it can feel a bit overwhelming! So, if you’re short on time and just want to know the things you absolutely need to pack for Mexico, here are my top picks:

Mosquito Repellent: Oh lord, the mosquitoes in Mexico are ruthless. If I ever forgot to spray myself with mosquito repellent I would wake up the next morning with at least ten mosquito bites, and they itched and burned like the fires of hell. I don’t know what it is with Mexican mosquitoes, but they wake up and choose violence every. single. day. Unfortunately, that means that it isn’t worth the risk (in my opinion) to try out any natural options. Nope, we’re not here to play with the Mexican mosquitoes. This mosquito repellent with 40% DEET is the solution. I also recommend packing some mosquito bands. I wore these overnight (when I remembered!) as an extra layer of protection and they worked well.
Bite relief: When you do end up getting bitten (and you almost definitely will, no matter how careful you are), you’ll need bite relief. Mosquito bites are unbelievably itchy, and this stuff will be your lifesaver!
Purifying water bottle: I can’t recommend packing a purifying water bottle enough! I used this Water2Go one, but I think it’s only available in Europe. I have heard great things about the Grayl Geopress (and it looks cuter!). These bottles are absolute lifesavers if you want to limit your plastic consumption but not get sick. You can refill the bottle from any tap or freshwater stream and as you drink out of the bottle you’ll get fresh, clean water, free of any nasty bacteria or parasites. Game changer!

(Note: you can also use water purification tablets or a lifestraw, but I just personally find it easier to have a purifying bottle because all you need to do is fill it up and then drink.)

A waterproof phone lanyard: if you want to go into the ocean but are scared about leaving your stuff on the beach, you need to pack a waterproof phone lanyard! The small, see-through case has enough space to hold your phone, money and keys, and clips so that it’s totally waterproof! As a solo traveller I often went to the beach alone, so it was great knowing that I could still keep my valuables safe whilst in the water. I also love that the case is see through, so you can take selfies and videos underwater!
Anti-diarrhoea pills: Here’s the bad news: No matter how careful you are about your drinking water, you’ll probably still get sick in Mexico. I got a parasite in Mexico, which the doctor said could have come from anywhere, including food, the ocean, water, or even the dust floating in the air (?!?). As long as you pack anti-diarrhoea pills, though, you’re prepared for the worst. Imodium was my lifesaver a couple of times on this trip!

Smartphone: It’s totally fine to pack your smartphone for Mexico – all of the locals have them, so owning one doesn’t make you stand out. Just obviously don’t flash it around! I recommend downloading the Google Translate app and downloading Spanish for offline use (lifesaver!). Another essential app is the Maps.Me app, which allows you to download maps for the whole of Mexico for offline use.

Luggage for Mexico

Whilst you can definitely get away with a suitcase for Mexico, especially if you’re going on a resort holiday, I always recommend packing your stuff in a backpack if you’re planning to travel around a lot. And nope, it’s not actually hard work. If you take the right backpack, and organise it properly, using a backpack is super easy!

I used this 65L backpack that’s been all around the world with me, but that’s only because I was heading over to the US straight after my trip (in December!) so I needed to pack a decent selection of winter clothes too. I absolutely adore this backpack. It’s so durable, has a tonne of separate pockets, and it’s affordable. Oh, and it includes a water cover, which is handy. You can’t beat it!

If you’re only heading to Mexico and Central America you can easily get by with a 40L backpack. It’ll be so much lighter and easier to lug around with you! I always use this 40L backpack and I have nothing but love for it! It opens like a suitcase, making packing and unpacking a breeze, and it has tons of extra pockets to organise your stuff. You’ll also need a waterproof backpack cover, just in case you get caught in the rain.

Packing Cubes

Ah, packing cubes. Some people love them, some people hate them… But I secretly think that those who hate them have just never tried them! I am firmly in the love them camp, and they make packing and unpacking your backpack an absolute breeze.

These Eono packing cubes with a handy-dandy compression feature are my go-to. I use the large one as my laundry bag, the medium one for my tops, and the small one for my bikinis and bras.

In addition I also pack a medium packing cube like this one (I can’t remember where I got mine from, though!) for my trousers. I pack two fabric makeup bags and use one for my knickers (panties for my American friends) and one for my socks.

I also pack a couple of shower caps which fit nicely over the soles of my shoes to stop everything else in my backpack getting dirty. Genius, I know!

Daypack for Mexico

For going out and about I used the incredible Osprey Daylite Plus 20L backpack. This is the holy grail of daypacks, my friends! It’s got a laptop pouch, two water bottle pouches, three zipped compartments, and an additional small compartment.

If you’re looking for a comfy backpack that won’t stink after one week of use (I’ve been sweating all over mine for 6 weeks now and it still smells fine!) this is the one for you.

I also packed this drybag for my daypack. Every time I headed to the beach or it rained, I could stash my daypack in here to keep everything dry. It’s something you need to bring!

Hostel Essentials for Mexico

If you’re backpacking in Mexico, chances are you’ll be staying in hostels. If you’re not, skip this section!

I’ve stayed in more hostels than I can count at this point, and I’m pretty confident that I have my hostel essentials covered. Here’s what you’ll need:

Travel bath towel: Most hostels in Mexico will charge you to hire a towel, and those costs can add up. Instead, I recommend packing a large travel towel. Not just any travel towel, though. If you’re going to be on the road without going insane you need something that’s soft and fluffy like a normal towel, but that packs up small and is fast-drying. That’s why I recommend this one!
Eye mask: if you don’t fancy being woken up at 4am by that one f****** guy who decides it’s the perfect time to turn the dorm light on, you need an eye mask. Ideally one with wire around the nose to close any gaps that pesky bits of light often seep through. I’ve been using this one for the last year and love it!
Decent earplugs: Once that one f****** guy has finally turned the dorm light off he’ll probably start watching Tik Tok videos on full volume at around 4.30am (can you tell that I’ve absolutely had it with dorm mates by now 😂?). If you don’t want to be woken up by this, you’ll need some decent earplugs like these ones.
A combination padlock: most hostels won’t offer padlocks so you’ll need your own. I prefer the combination locks because otherwise I’d be paranoid about losing them!

What to Wear in Mexico

Clothing is always tricky for me, and I think it’s one of the hardest aspects of packing for Mexico. On the one hand, you want to pack practical clothes that will survive the challenges of travel in Mexico.

On the other hand, you don’t want to look like an unfashionable geek.

I, admittedly, often fall into the latter category, but that comes down to my reluctance to spend money on clothes. Overall I was pretty happy with the range of clothing I packed for Mexico.

One thing that’s important to remember is that you don’t need to pack loads of clothes – no matter how long you’re travelling for! Most hostels offer a laundry service or will point you in the direction of the closest laundrette. For this reason, you only need to pack around one week’s worth of clothing, which you can just wash.

Here’s the best clothing to pack for Mexico:

10 pairs of underwear. Yup, this might seem excessive, but I wanted to pack a range, from thongs to practical granny panties and a couple of nude coloured ones for when I wore light-coloured trousers.
Two bras.
Five pairs of socks (you’ll spend most of your time in sandals).
One dress: A loose cotton dress is fabulous for Mexico. You can throw it over a bikini for the beach or wear it to dinner in the evening.
Two t-shirts: Perfect for if you want to cover your shoulders from the sun.
Four crop tops: Crop tops are great because I find them really flattering.
One long-sleeve top: I always pack a long-sleeve top just in case my arms get burnt and they need to be covered.
One jumpsuit: I love jumpsuits as they’re loose, lightweight and can be dressed up or down.
Three bikinis: Essentials on your packing list for Mexico! If you’re going surfing, a swimsuit is also a good idea as it’s much more practical.
Two pairs of denim shorts and one pair of culotte shorts: perfect for hanging around in beach towns. I like to pack two different denim shorts. Usually, I pack a blue pair and a black pair, as you can wear them during the day and dress them up at night. Culotte shorts are perfect for sightseeing as they’re loose, comfortable, and take up next to no space in your backpack.
One pair of culotte trousers: again, perfect for covering up your legs if they get burnt. They’re also loose and keep you cool.
One pair of sports shorts: ideal for hiking, travel days, or other sporty activities.
One pair of sports leggings: I swear by my Lorna Jane leggings. I’ve tried so many different brands but no others come anywhere close! They’re thick, stretchy, comfy and, most importantly, not see-through!
Packable down jacket: This is the perfect warm layer if you’re in a cold area or on a long bus journey where they insist on cranking the AC up to the max. I bought this one and it packs down into a tiny ball, perfect for stashing away in my backpack just in case!
Ultra-light rain jacket: A packable rain jacket is ideal for numerous reasons. It can serve as an extra layer over the down jacket if it gets really cold, or to protect yourself in the rain if there’s a downpour.
1 pair of jeans: especially once you get into the non-coastal cities you’ll want to look slightly more stylish to blend in with the crowds. I packed one pair of jeans and they were enough, but I certainly got my use out of them! Jeans are the best thing to wear in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Oaxaca and Puebla.
Two jumpers: I recommend black or grey so they match everything and also hide any spillages or stains.

What Shoes to Pack for Mexico

Shoes are bulky in your backpack so it’s important to keep these to a minimum. I took three pairs of shoes and I think I struck the balance right. Here’s what I recommend:

Birkenstocks: I probably spend 80% of my travels in Birkenstocks, and I can’t imagine my life without them! I wear them to the beach, sightseeing, and even to dinner in the evening. I have a brown pair and they go with almost every outfit! These are definitely the best sandals to pack for Mexico.
Tevas: Tevas are also the perfect travel sandal. I bought the classic black ones for my trip because I wanted something slightly lighter and more durable than my Birkenstocks (which you’re not supposed to get wet). I’ve been blown away by my Tevas and I’m now a die-hard fan!
Trainers: a practical pair of trainers in a dark shade (to hide the dirt) are essential.

Accessories to Pack for Mexico

Sunglasses: Sunglasses will be very necessary in Mexico, but don’t take any designer or expensive ones! If you’re on an active trip, chances are they’ll get scratched by the sand, covered in sunscreen or you’ll lose them. As long as they have UV protection like these, you’ll be fine with a cheap pair.
A sun cap: keeps the sun out of your face and also a fashion accessory – win! If you’ve caught more sun than you should have, or just want to protect your skin, a cap is the way forward.
A beach travel towel: yup, I know I’ve already mentioned packing a travel towel, but that’s for showering. You definitely don’t want to use the same towel for the beach and the shower, unless you’re a fan of smearing suncream and sand all over yourself. I used this Nomandia towel which is huge, super cute, and folds down into nothing.

Medication to Pack for Mexico

As well as Imodium and bite relief, which we’ve already mentioned, here are a few more things to pack for Mexico:

Travel first aid kit: this handy little pack contains all sorts of things, like bandages, plasters and antiseptic wipes. Obviously we hope you’ll never need to use your first aid kit, but it’s an essential addition to any Mexico packing list.
Painkillers: Headaches, period pain, hangovers – painkillers are so versatile and cure all manner of illnesses. That’s why I always travel with a pack of paracetamol (acetaminophen) and also a pack of ibuprofen. I rarely use them all, but it’s good to know they’re there if I need them.
Blister plasters: If you haven’t fully broken in your Birkenstocks and Tevas before your trip then trust me, you’re going to need a pack of blister plasters!
Eye-drops: As a contact lens wearer, I’m prone to dry eyes. Even without lenses, packing eye-drops is a good idea if you’re gonna be spending a lot of time in the ocean. The relief is almost instant!

Travel Technology to Pack for Mexico

A Kindle Paperwhite: I couldn’t travel without this! I’m an avid reader, and usually get through about 80 books a year, but books are bulky! I read so much when I travel, especially on long-haul flights and long bus journeys (of which there are many in Mexico). A Kindle lets you bring an entire library on your trip with you.
Chargers and adapters: Don’t forget to pack a travel adapter! The one you should use depends on which country you’re travelling from. If you’re from the US, you won’t even need one!
Portable batteries: I take a ton of photos when I travel, and also use my phone for navigation and trip research. This drains my battery fast! Whilst travelling, I couldn’t live without portable batteries for recharging my phone. I take both a big battery and a smaller one so that I always have backup. I have one like this, which holds about 7 phone recharges, recharges fast, and is surprisingly durable! In addition to this I pack a smaller one like this, which will recharge your phone usually a couple of times and is much smaller, lighter and easier to carry around.

Cosmetics to Bring to Mexico

The toiletries you’ll need in Mexico are the same as the ones you use at home. If you’re taking a carry-on size backpack, remember to make sure you keep liquids under 100ml and buy the rest once you arrive in Mexico.

Toothbrush and toothpaste
A razor: I pack one reusable razor.
Deodorant: I prefer roll-on deodorant, and it’s much easier to travel with as aerosols are sometimes tricky to fly with.
Sunscreen: I packed a HUGE bottle of sunscreen for Mexico, and recommend you do too as you’ll definitely get through it. Always look out for the UVB rating.
Hair sunscreen: I also use hair sunscreen around my hairline, which easily burns otherwise. It’s one of my favourite travel hacks!
After-sun care: Aftersun is really important for recovering from time in the sun or burn. It’s my lifesaver and keeps my skin moisturised whilst I travel.
Shampoo and conditioner: I’ve been using this solid shampoo to save space in my backpack and I’m very happy with it!
Shower gel or soap: if you’re travelling with a carry-on, solid soap like this is ideal for limiting your liquids.

What NOT to Take to Mexico

Often, when I’m packing for a trip, packing lists only get me so far. Most of the things included in them are common sense, after all. It’s incredibly useful to see a reminder to pack my knickers and socks, but I’d like to think I’d remember anyway!

But what about those other things? Those niche, only-exist-in-the-travel-sphere items that some blogs and guidebooks tell you are essential, but leave you scratching your head thinking – really? Do I really need a fold-up hammock on my backpacking trip to Mexico? (Spoiler: no. No you don’t).

Obviously, everybody travels differently. But as someone who used to cram her backpack to within an inch of its life and proceeded to barely use even half of that stuff, I now live by a very important mantra.

If in doubt, leave it out!

Learn from past Me’s mistakes – here are some things you really don’t need to bring to Mexico!

A Normal Towel

Normal towels are so bulky and take forever to dry. They feel so, so luxurious compared to travel towels, but the space they take up just isn’t worth it. Plus, if you’re constantly carrying around a damp towel it’ll start to smell pretty quickly. Gross! Travel towels are where it’s at.

Hiking Boots

Unless you’re planning to go on some harcore hikes, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you don’t need to bring hiking boots to Mexico. Not only are they bulky, awkward to pack and weigh a ton, but Mexico just isn’t that much of a hiking destination.

I love hiking, but I only went on one hike whilst in Mexico, and my trainers were more than sufficient. Unless you’re planning to do multiple hikes of more than, say, 6 miles, you don’t need to pack hiking boots for Mexico.

Full makeup

Oops, I did it again. I packed a bunch of makeup that I didn’t touch once. WHY do I continue to do this?? On the coast, you’ll be far too sweaty to use any makeup, and at almost everywhere else you won’t want to because barely anybody else is and you’re a backpacker, after all, not a glamorous city slicker.

My advice? Limit your makeup to the bare necessities – maybe some concealer, blush, mascara and powder. You really won’t need much.

A Torch/Flashlight

So many packing lists I read online recommend packing a torch, and I’m always like ?????

I mean, you definitely do need a torch for those nights when you get into the dorm after the light has been turned off or you’re leaving early. Nowadays, though, everybody has a torch on them 24/7 because we all have them on our phones. Unless your phone doesn’t have a torch, there’s no need to pack one separately.

Camping Gear

There’s a certain, very popular backpacking blog that always recommends packing a portable hammock and a travel stove on all of their packing lists.

There’s no shade going on here, I really do like this blog and most of their advice is pretty good… But unless you’re going to truly dirtbag it and travel on the tiniest budget imaginable, camping in the wilderness and catching your food in the wild Bear Grylls style, you really do not need to pack these things.

I promise.