Everything You Need to Pack for Mexico — Including the Things You’ll Probably Forgot

Travel Documents & Cards

Below is a list of what everyone will want to pack for Mexico, regardless of where in the country you’re traveling to.

Think of these 35 things as your general Mexico packing list must-haves.

1. Passport & Copies

This one goes without saying, but don’t forget your passport or you won’t be able to travel to Mexico at all!

For many travelers, losing a passport is one of their worst travel fears.

According to the U.S. State Department, an astonishing 300,000 Americans report a lost or stolen passport each year 🤯

So what can you do before traveling to handle losing your passport in Mexico? Check out the four tips below so you know what to do before you travel:

2. No-Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card

Check with your credit card companies to see if you have one that has no foreign transaction fees.

If not, you may consider getting one, or see what options you have with you using your debit card, or simply plan to only use the credit card with the lowest fees.

The Avianca LifeMiles Credit Card is a great option for foreign travel, especially travel to Latin America. However, you have plenty of options.

Enjoy foreign transaction fees, coverage for accidents, no unauthorized charges, 0% APR for your first year, and a variable rate after that.

3. Debit Card

It’s smart to have two cards, or even two credit cards and one debit card — but you will want to bring a card that gives you access to cash.

In Mexico, cash is king, and widely used everywhere.

4. Driver’s License

If you plan to rent a car, you can drive in Mexico with your U.S. driver’s license.

You can also use it as a valid ID (pretty much) anywhere you go in Mexico, so you can leave your passport back at the hotel, hostel or Airbnb.

5. Mexico Travel Insurance

Want an added level of security and peace of mind during these strange travel times?

Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health on a trip.

After years of solo travel, I can say with certainty: Something will go wrong!

For this reason, I have a whole article dedicated to travel insurance, because it’s just that important.

If you are concerned about Mexico travel safety, get your FREE quote below from World Nomads and SafetyWing, two of the biggest names in travel insurance.

• World Nomads: Ideal for general travel and adventure travelers
• SafetyWing: Ideal for Mexico digital nomads and long-term travelers

Travel Gadgets & Electronics

1. TELCEL Prepaid SIM Card

While in some countries, you can get away with just using WiFi — for now, Mexico simply isn’t there, and you’ll want a TELCEL SIM card.

For those who won’t have free cell phone service in Mexico, the easiest and most inexpensive way for your phone to work is to buy a prepaid SIM card.

TELCEL is the largest cell service provider in Mexico, so using this brand ensures you have reception in as many places in Mexico as possible.

What size Mexico SIM Card to buy

This will depend on how much data you plan to use. To be on the safe side, you should have more than enough data with 8gb size for a one-week trip, even if you’re watching videos and other high-data activities.

For those who plan to be on their phone a lot, go for the 12gb size.

How to change a SIM Card

Once you buy your SIM Card, check out this video on how to swap it out with your current SIM card.

With the new card, you will have a Mexican phone number beginning with the +52 country code, but as soon as you put your original SIM back, you’ll have your U.S. number again.

📲 Mexico Travel Tips: Make sure you keep your original SIM card in a secure place, like this Passport Travel Wallet, which has a specific SIM card pocket, as they are tiny and super easy to lose.

2. Multi-Plug Outlet Extender

Similarly, you never know how many outlets your accommodation will have.

In Mexico, you won’t have to buy any plug converters, as Mexico uses the same plug types as the U.S. 🔌 PowerPort Cube with USB & 5-foot Extension Cord

3. Extra Long 10-Foot Charging Cable

You never know how far the outlet will be from the bed in your Airbnb or hotel, so make sure you bring your extra-long charging cable. 📲 Cable for iPhone 📲 Cable for Android

4. VPN (Virtual private network)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is fast becoming a travel essential. VPNs basically allow you to create a secure connection over a shared connection.

When you’re using free coffee shop WiFi, for example, you’re digitally connected to all the other people in that cafe on that same network.

Being on the same open network means others have relatively easy access to your information.

In a worse case scenario, they can steal your login and credit card info, and other private things on the device you connect from, whether that’s your phone, laptop or tablet.

This is where the VPN comes in. The VPN disguises your connection, so your information is essentially invisible to anyone looking to do anything nefarious. 🔐 NordVPN

5. External Battery (Power Bank)

When traveling, you tend to be on your phone doing high battery-usage activities like using a map app to get around, more so than in your everyday life.

Similarly, you’re also not always in places with access to an outlet to re-charge it. 🔋 Anker 20000mAh Power Bank

So what do you do? The solution is to have an external battery, also called a power bank, portable battery charger or portable charger.

6. Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds

If you don’t have wireless headphones, traveling is the time to upgrade. For comfort on plane rides alone, you’ll want noise cancelling headphones. 🎧 Noise Canceling, Stereo Earbuds w/Bluetooth

🎧 Mexico Travel Tips: Mexico is a festive, but loud, country. If you’re not bringing noise canceling earbuds, do consider noise canceling ear plugs, so you’ll get a peaceful night’s sleep.

7. Space Saver Packing Cubes

These Space Saver Packing Cubes are the travel packing game changers you need in your life!

Not only do they compress down your clothes to a fraction of the size, thus taking up less space in your suitcase, they help keep you organized while packing.

These great sets come with three different sizes, so you can put shirts in one, pants in the other, etc.

The double zipper design shrinks everything down to its smallest possible size, so you can bring back all those colorful Mexico souvenirs and new clothes.

8. Windproof Travel Umbrella

A travel umbrella will come in handy for, of course, the rain… but also somewhere less obvious. Mexico ruins, like Chichen Itza near Cancun and Tulum, and Teotihuacan near Mexico City, are fully open sites with very little shade.

In a very sunny, hot country like Mexico, getting caught in the sun can sometimes be as bad as getting caught in the rain! ☔️ Windproof Travel Umbrella

9. Travel Neck Pillow

These are game changers on the plane, and also if you’re doing any travel within Mexico.

For those who have any road trips, long bus trip or car travel planned for Mexico, the neck pillow will help make journeys more relaxing, as roads in Mexico aren’t always smooth. 😴 Memory Foam Neck Pillow & Travel Kit

10. Bendable Tripod Phone Holder

Planning to take some epic Mexico travel photos?

This bendable phone holder tripod is the easiest way to capture the best shots. It’s small and light-weight enough to carry around all day and won’t take up much suitcase space.

For photographers and solo travelers, this is the best way to get Instagram worthy solo travel photos of your Mexico trip.

Mexico Travel Safety Items

1. Anti-Theft Purse

A Mexico travel guide friend turned me on to these purses, and they really do seem about as theft-proof as it can get! The Anti-Theft Travel Purse has five measures to prevent against theft:

• Lockdown Straps: Strap lock secures bag to a stationary object or chair, to prevent against grab-and-go thieves.
• Locking Compartments: Prevent pickpockets from getting into your bag with locking zipper pulls.
• Slash-Resistant Fabric: The bag has a slash-resistant mesh barrier for two layers of protection.
• Slash-Resistant Straps: Straps have a stainless steel wire inside, to prevent against grab-and-go thieves.
• RFID Blocking Pockets: Prevents against electronic identity theft with RFID blocking card slots and pockets.

2. Anti-Theft Book Bag

Anti-Theft Backpacks have the same (or similar) features to anti-theft purses, and also, the main zipper to open it is in the back, making them impossible to open when you have them on your back.

For added security, wear your book bag in the front if your intuition feels the situation calls for that.

3. Security Door Stopper & Alarm

As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While this is a rare occurrence, the reality with hotels, hostels and Airbnbs is that several other people do have the key to get inside your room.

These security door stoppers also have a sound alarm on them, so if anyone tries to enter, you’ll be alerted with a loud 120-decibel sound, and the stopper itself will prevent entry. 🚨 Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm with Siren

4. Fake Wedding Ring

For solo travelers not looking to mingle while traveling, opt for wearing a fake wedding ring.

These comfortable silicone rings are popular even with married travelers, who prefer not to travel without their valuables. 💍 Silicone Wedding Bands

5. Security Travel Scarf

This stylish security scarf has a hidden zipper and pocket for added security.

It’s always a good idea to keep your valuables in a few locations, rather than in one location.

With this security scarf, you can store half your money, one credit card, your cell phone and even your wireless noise-canceling earbuds right inside the hidden pocket on the scarf.

2. General Medications

You can easily get in Mexico, so don’t pack the whole medicine cabinet — but don’t forget to take anything prescribed that you need.

Beyond your prescriptions, you might want to bring headache, cramps, allergy, antidiarrheal, and upset stomach meds, like Tums or Pepto.

🏔 Mexico Travel Tips: Mexico City is at a high elevation of almost 7,500-feet — nearly 1.5 miles above sea level!

If this isn’t something you’re used to, you can get altitude sickness, which feels like the flu. For Mexico City packing, consider an altitude sickness bracelet and altitude sickness meds.

3. Ear Plugs

Mexico is a fun, festive country, which also means it can be loud! This goes for all parts of the country, but especially in big cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara.

It’s not uncommon for tamale vendors to walk up and down the streets starting at 7am screaming to anyone who’s hungry.

Beyond food vendors, there’s usually a holiday at least once or twice a month, and with holidays, come fireworks.

You probably get the idea by now, but if not check out the video below and know that if you’re a light (or even medium) sleeper, you’ll want some good ear plugs. 👂 Noise Reduction Ear Plugs for Sleeping

4. Hand Sanitizer

This used to be a suggestion, but now feels like a mandatory travel item.

To make sure you’re using it throughout the day, get a sanitizer pouch that will clip on to the outside of your purse, so you’re constantly seeing it, and constantly using it. 🧴 Sanitizer Bottle Keychain Holder

5. Tampons

In Mexico’s larger cities, tampons are common — though you won’t always find the same brands and size options as in the U.S.

In smaller, rural areas and Mexico off the beaten path destinations, tampons aren’t always available.

🌸 Besides tampons, a reusable Lena Menstrual Cup is great option for travel.

6. Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is great for those who don’t want to wash their hair on vacation, or want to save space in your suitcase by just packing one dry shampoo instead of a bottle of both shampoo and conditioner. 💆‍♀️ Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

7. Small Pack of Tissues

In pueblos (small towns), rural areas, gas stations and mercado (market) bathrooms, toilet paper is sometimes missing in action.

It’s always a smart travel tip to carry around a small pack of tissues, as they come in handy for many things. These have saved me MANY times, so don’t forget to pack your 🧻 Travel Tissues.

8. Facial Oil Blotting Rice Paper

Mexico is a warmer country, and some parts, like the Yucatan Peninsula, are hot pretty much all year long.

These blotting papers are a quick way to dry sweat, and make you feel refreshed and look shine-free in an instant. 😥 Face Blotting Sheets with Natural Rice Powder

9. Massaging Shoe Gel Inserts

When traveling, you’ll walk much more than in regular life — like A LOT more!

In fact, a common travel mistake many make is they will walk for many miles on day one of the trip, and then have to suffer through pain for the rest of the days of the trip.

Be kind to your feet with these massaging gel inserts! While wearing them, you’ll avoid painful blisters on your feet, and even muscle pain and cramping in your legs.

What NOT to Bring to Mexico

Now that you know what to bring to Mexico, equally as important is knowing what not to pack for Mexico. Below is a list of some items you’ll want to fight the urge to take with you on your Mexico trip.

🚫 U.S. Dollars

While some places in Mexico will take dollars, they do it at lower rates than the actual conversion, since they have to then pay to convert them back to pesos.

There is always going to be some fee for money conversation, though some U.S. banks will order pesos for you, so at least you arrive in Mexico with some pesos.

If your bank doesn’t, just withdraw pesos from an ATM when you get to the airport in Mexico.

🚫 Too Much Cash

For those who don’t want to show up in Mexico without some cash/pesos on them, remember not to bring up with too much.

A safe amount that’s not too crazy might be $1,000 pesos ($50 USD), which should cover anything you’d need until you get to your accommodation and settle in.

🚫 Your Laptop (If you don’t need it)

This goes for any electronic gadgets, but definitely high dollar items like your laptop and expensive DSLR camera.

Unless you know exactly what you’re bringing it for, don’t bring something you only might use.

🚫 Food

Leave all the snacks at home! Mexico has some of the best, and most inexpensive, food in the entire world, so don’t bring any packaged snacks or foods from home.

Let this trip be a time to experience authentic tacos al pastor in Mexico City, tamales in Oaxaca, and cochinita pibil in the Yucatan Peninsula…

…because if you come to Mexico and don’t eat way-too-many-tacos, did you even come to Mexico?! Answer: No!

🚫 Expensive Jewelry & Clothing

A Mexico vacation is great and amazing and all that — but travel is also hectic and things get easily lost and accidentally left behind.

I highly recommend you leave expensive and sentimental pieces of jewelry at home while you travel, so you don’t risk never seeing them again.

In fact, many even opt for a fake wedding ring made of silicone to wear while traveling, and leave the real one back home.

🚫 your Whole Medicine Cabinet

Do bring your prescriptions, and anything you take regularly, but for the most part, you can buy the same over the counter medicine in Mexico you can in the U.S.

There are farmacias (pharmacies) everywhere, even in off the beaten path places, so don’t over-pack meds.

Final Thoughts: Packing List for Mexico

When making a packing list for Mexico, the main things to consider are 1) weather, 2) what you’re doing in Mexico, 3) your personal comfort needs, and 4) travel safety.

This means you’ll pack very differently for a hiking trip in the mountains of Central Mexico than for an all-inclusive trip to Cancun.

• As some generalizations, the beaches of Mexico are very hot, and you also need to be prepared for bugs and mosquitoes.
• Central Mexico tends to be colder than many think Mexico to be so make sure your Mexico trip packing list for this area of the country includes layers.
• The northwestern Baja California states have a desert climate, so hot days and cool (even cold 🥶) nights.

Beyond the weather, think of everything you’ll need for any special events or outings when you’re thinking of things to take to Mexico.

Planning to go surfing in Mexico? You might want to consider reef-safe sunscreen and rash guard cream.

Visiting Las Grutas Tolantongo from Mexico City on a day trip? You’ll want some water shoes and a waterproof phone holder.

Sleep better with melatonin pills? Bring them!

Taking into consideration your itinerary, the local weather where you’re headed, your creature comforts, and Mexico travel safety items — will make coming to a list of what things to pack for Mexico a breeze!