Viva La Mexico! I’m off on a week long vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I can’t wait to relax in the sun for a week, with a blended drink in one hand, and a good book in the other. And I use the term “sun” lightly. The weather channel is predicting thunderstorms EVERY day while we’re there. Please pray for me.
I’ve been traveling to Mexico with my mom since I was 14. I love everything about Mexico, but mostly I love the crystal clear water and white sand beaches of the Cancun area. I love the tacos and the guacamole. I also really love the $2 Coronas.
When I first met my husband, he had never been to Mexico. After I finally convinced him that he wouldn’t die (and kept my fingers crossed the entire time we were there), he obliged and we ventured off to Cabo San Lucas. I did most of the packing, and I had to walk him through his first customs trip. It was quite the experience. Note to Mexican newcomer: After you leave customs, you have to ‘run the gauntlet.’ Don’t get caught up in sales guys telling you they have your reservations or they work at your hotel. They don’t. Keep on walking.
Because most people know what they want to wear on their Mexican vacation (hint: bathing suits), I won’t tell you what clothes to pack. But I will give you a list of everything else I suggest bringing with you. I have used almost every one of these items each time, and they really come in handy. So without further ado:
Things to Pack for your Mexican Vacation (other than clothes)
Reading Material: Books, magazines, newsletters? Anything to read by the pool or on the beach. Even if you just hold it up, you can people watch much better with a book in your face!
Sunglasses: As per above, you will NEED these to people watch. Oh…and for the sun.
Sunscreen: We bring three levels. If you don’t start with a high SPF on your first day, your vacation is ruined. Or maybe you like looking like a lobster in all your photos? Don’t forget to bring a SPF chapstick as well. Your lips will burn quickly without it.
Shampoo/Conditioner: I buy the cheapest brand I can find, and leave the bottles there when we leave. I also like to leave the conditioner in my hair a few times during the week, because the sun and salt will dry it out. The hotels give you small bottles, and it’s never enough.
Immodium/Pepto Bismal/Tums: I mean, Montezuma’s revenge anyone? Luckily, we’ve never gotten this, and therefore never had to use these products. But I can just imagine how thankful I’ll be to have them, should I get so lucky.
Tylenol/Advil: Just bring it. If you end up with a headache, nothing will ruin your day faster. Except maybe the Montezuma’s revenge.
Wet Ones/Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer: Keep the hand sanitizer in your purse. When you’re out exploring the town, and then decide to get street tacos, you’ll thank me.
Loofah/Soap/Toothpaste: I always buy a cheap tube of toothpaste and a nice bar of soap. I leave these items at the hotel when I leave, but they’re nice to have with you. I also always bring a loofah for exfoliation purposes when your skin starts peeling from the inevitable sunburn.
Lotion: Bring your own. You should be applying lotion after your day by the pool. I typically buy a cheap bottle at the dollar store, and leave it in the hotel when I leave. You can never put too much lotion on after a day in the sun.
Rubbing Alcohol/Swimmer’s Ear: I don’t use this, but it’s a must have for my husband. After swimming in the pool or ocean all day, he uses this to avoid getting an ear infection.
Q-Tips: As above, you’ll have plenty of water in your ear, and this is something you’ll definitely want to have on hand.
Snacks: This is a MUST HAVE. I bring about five different kinds of treats. Sour Patch Kids, Red Vines, Goldfish crackers, Granola Bars, etc. When you’ve been in Mexico for a few days, you’ll thank me. You’ll eventually want some comfort food. So bring whatever your favorites are, and enjoy.
If you want to follow along on our Mexican Vacation, tune in to my Instagram this week. I’ll do my best to entertain you.
Safe Travels!
Excellent tips and advice, Shauna. I love Cancun as well. Have a great time on vacation and I can’t wait to hear about it when you return.
Sounds like such a great trip, have fun! 🙂
Thanks! We had a great time (despite weathering a tropical storm!). 🙂
Great post! I was in Playa Del Carmen/Riveria Maya last year and heading back in Sept, so excited! Whereabouts are you staying? Enjoy your vacation X
We stayed at The Reef Coco Beach in Playa. It was a cheaper place to stay, but we wanted all-inclusive, and we loved that it is right by 5th Avenue. We enjoyed it! Where are you staying?
I hope that you are enjoying your vacation in Mexico. A challenge awaits you when you return. Once you’ve recovered from the festivities. 😀
https://weight2lose2013.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/lists-lists-lists/
Hi Rob!! We did enjoy it, pictures to come!!! I’ll check out the challenge!! Thank you!!!!! Hope you’re doing well!
Wonderful, quite interesting. I shall remember these 😀 haha!
Are you traveling at all this summer?!
Here’s something else to bring…. a waterproof watch. Most of the resort don’t have clocks by the pool and beach. If you have dinner reservations, you might need to know what time it is.
True! Thanks Beth! 🙂
i have been to Puerto Vallarta many times. i have been many places and it is by far my favorite. thanks for the tips, i always forget stuff to bring because i forget what my troubles were in the previous visit. thanks to this i’m garenteed to remeber.
Hi Kennedy! Thank you for the comment! I am in the same boat as you, if it’s not written down somewhere, I always forget! 🙂
Just curious, why do you leave things behind at the hotel?
Hello! Not for a particular reason, other than it’s cheap stuff and I like to make my bags as light as I can! 🙂
Hi, I love your blog! I saw a floor length floral jacket you posted on Pinterest and can’t find it anywhere on your blog. Would love to know where it’s from. Thanks!!
Hi Tahany! Sadly I didn’t ever pin that post, I have no idea where it came from! I think it’s a spam of some sort. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help! 🙁
I love this! And the ideas of leaving some toiletries behind? That’s genius! One thing I didn’t see, though, that my hubby often needs, and has forgotten on numerous occasions is aloe Vera lotion. I don’t know if you classified this in the “lotion” section! But it’s always so expensive to buy down there if you forget! We leave in two weeks! Hubby has been there many times but I’ve never been! So excited and thank you for this! Exactly what I was looking for!
Hi Melissa!! Thanks for the add-on! I don’t usually bring Aloe, I prefer lotion (less sticky!), but a lot of people definitely rely on aloe! You are going to have such a great time, I love Mexico! Have fun and safe travels!
I’ve taken things from the dollar store… Like a really neat foldable shovel and collapsible buckets. My son played on the beach with local children, then leave them behind when we go. Also used a stand alone leaf bag for laundry. This way when packing to go home any damp or sandy items are all together. Just twist it down to fit in the suitcase and souvenirs shoes and clean items in the corners.
That sounds fun for kids! I haven’t had to worry about that in past vacations, but who knows about the future! 🙂
I am having a hard time getting it all in a quart bag!
You only need to fit it in a quart sized bag if you’re taking a carry-on! We usually pack one bag when we go international, so we can take it all with us! 🙂
Awesome list for any future travel to Mexico, or really anywhere. The snack list made me laugh because it made me think of the Sex in the City movie where Charlotte only ate chocolate pudding to keep from getting sick, and then ended up with it from the water in the shower. LOL!
Oh my gosh!!! I love that movie, and it was hilarious how she got sick from the shower after all that!!! 🙂
I love ur list thank you it was so helpful our first trip to Puerto Vallarta is in November and I do have one question do u do anything extra like wear security belts for ur money or buy rfid protective gear.
We don’t do that normally! I don’t like to bring a lot of cash, usually just a few hundred and one credit card. We keep the cash in our safe in the hotel room, and only carry minimal amounts with us each day/night that we wander off the resort. I also try not to carry a purse while off the resort (or if you do, make sure it’s a cross-body purse). Hope that helps!
What do you recommend to take for currency?
We always take USD, it seems to be the best option. Most vendors prefer it, just make sure you know the exchange rate and can figure it out in your head so you don’t get ripped off!