The Ultimate Mexico City Packing List for Travelers
WONDERING WHAT TO pack for Mexico City?
You’re in the right place, as this is the only Mexico City packing list you need! In it, you’ll learn what to bring to Mexico City, and also, what to leave at home.
As I’ve been living in Mexico and traveling all over the country since 2018, you might say I know a thing or two (or 22!) about packing for Mexico.
With countless trips using just a single suitcase, I’ve become a packing pro for all Mexican destinations, including Mexico City where I lived for about two years.
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Grab your FREE Printable Packing List for Mexico here so that you have all the best Mexico packing tips in one place.
Packing for any trip is stressful enough, let alone packing to visit another country, so you might be overwhelmed (rightfully so). But don’t worry — I’ve got you covered!
From climbing pyramids by day to exploring Mexico City’s nightlife, this Ultimate Mexico City Packing List breaks down what you need to bring with you.
Your Ultimate Mexico City Packing List
1. Mexico SIM Card
📲 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 the best reception in Mexico City and the surrounding areas.
📲 What size Mexico SIM Card to buy
This will depend on how much data you plan to use. For those who plan to be on their phone minimally, go for this 2gb size or this 3gb card.
If you’re someone who would rather be safe rather than sorry, this 8gb size has more than enough, even if you’re watching videos and other high-data activities.
2. Reusable Water Bottle with a Built-In Filter
I personally use and trust these bottles — and I’ve partnered with the company to get you a discount on your bottles and filters.
Enjoy 15% OFF your entire Water-To-Go purchase with code SOLO15!
Wondering, Can you drink the water in Mexico? Or, Can you drink the water in Mexico City specifically?
The answer is NO. Unfiltered Mexico tap water isn’t safe for human consumption, not for locals and not for visitors, and not anywhere in the country.
One of my Mexico travel essentials is this Water-To-Go Bottle, an amazing, reusable water bottle that I carry with me everywhere — and have for years!
Here’s all the reasons you’ll want to get a water bottle with built-in filter for Mexico:
- 🤑 You’ll save money not having to keep buying bottled water.
- ♻️ It eliminates single-use plastic waste from all those water bottles you won’t need to buy.
- 🥵 With Mexico City’s elevation, you’ll need to drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- 🤢 This reusable water bottle provides an added layer of Mexico water filtration — so you don’t get sick in Mexico.
- 🦠 The three-stage filter removes 99.999999% of bacteria, parasites, viruses, toxins, microplastics and more, according to their website.
3. Noise-Canceling Ear Plugs
Mexico is a festive country — but this also makes it a loud country, especially in party towns and big cities like Mexico City.
If you’re a light sleeper, or even a medium sleeper, you’ll want to pack these noise-cancelling ear plugs so you get a peaceful night’s sleep.
🎧 These noise canceling earbuds also work, and if you don’t already have wireless headphones, traveling is the perfect time to upgrade.
4. Hangover Meds
There are all kinds of yummy adult beverages and Mexico drinks you’re probably planning to try on your Mexico City trip.
If you’re planning to go hard on the mezcal, tequila, Margaritas and other cocktails — DO NOT forget to pack hangover meds.
⭐️ This Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has more than 100,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and is a best seller.
The antioxidants and homeopathic ingredients in Liquid I.V. make sure you’re not hungover the next day, and not missing out on a single second of your precious travel time.
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 Mexico City travel safety is on your mind, use the links below to get your FREE quote from 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. I have been using this insurance myself since 2022.
6. Altitude Sickness Medication
As you may know, Denver, Colorado is nicknamed the Mile High City because it’s one-mile above sea level (1.6 km).
Well, Mexico City is even higher than Denver, Colorado — a half-mile higher than Denver in fact, at about 1.5-miles above sea level.
While it doesn’t have the same ring, CDMX is the Mile and a Half High City, and at the elevation, you’re at risk for getting altitude sickness in Mexico City.
According to WebMD, acetazolamide is the best treatment for altitude sickness, though you’d need a prescription (and most people wouldn’t need it anyway).
For over the counter altitude sickness medications, there’s the anti-nausea medicine Dramamine ⚠️ but make sure to buy non-drowsy Dramamine because the regular stuff will make you pass out.
🤢 Alternative Option: Accupressure Bracelet
If you’d rather stay away from medicine, many people have great success with these Acupressure Bracelets (AKA anti-nausea bracelets).
These are the same wristbands used to help people experiencing sea sickness or motion sickness in cars, and they have been successfully used for altitude sickness as well.
How they work is there is a small, plastic bead in the band and you will wear it so that the bead rests on the inside of your wrist.
There is a trigger point there which, when pressed, helps to alleviate the symptoms of nausea.
As wristbands, there’s no real side effects or potential harm that can come from using them.
Personally, I always recommend friends, family members and followers bring these bands with them to Mexico City.
While they won’t work for everyone, they do work for a lot of people.
7. Anti-Theft Purse
Mexico City is a BIG city, and while Mexico City is safe for the majority of visitors, it also has “big city” problems, like pickpocketing and petty theft.
A Mexico travel guide friend turned me on to this Anti-Theft Travel Purse, and they five measures to prevent against theft:
- Lockdown Straps: Strap lock secures bag to a stationary object or chair, to prevent grab-and-go thieves from snatching.
- 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 them, to prevent them from being cut.
- RFID Blocking Pockets: Prevents against electronic identity theft with RFID blocking card slots and pockets.
🎒 Alternative Option: Anti-Theft Book Bag
The main zipper on this Anti-Theft Backpack is in the back — making it impossible to open when you have it on your back.
For added security, wear your book bag in the front in crowded areas like Downtown Mexico City, on the public transport, and in busy mercados (markets).
8. External Battery (Power Bank)
When traveling to Mexico City, you’ll need high battery-use apps, like a map app and Uber, to help you get around safely.
Since you won’t always have access to an outlet to recharge it, don’t forget your external battery (AKA power bank, portable battery charger or portable charger).
9. Massaging Shoe Gel Inserts
Mexico City is very walkable, so you’ll likely be walking much more than in regular life — like A LOT more!
In fact, a common travel mistake many make is walking too much on day one of the trip, and then having 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 muscle pain and cramping on your legs.
10. Lightweight Mineral Sunscreen
Mexico is closer to the Equator than the majority of the U.S., so you’re going to be more exposed to UVA and UVB rays, even if it’s not a very sunny day.
I recommend this EltaMD mineral sunscreen that’s lightweight enough to wear all day, and has adequate sun protection to keep your skin safe.
☀️ Need more sunscreen suggestions? Check out Best Sunscreens for Mexico: Biodegradable & Reef Safe Options.
11. Multi-Plug Outlet Extender
You never know how many outlets your accommodation will have — and you never know how far the nearest outlets will be.
For this reason, you’ll want to bring this PowerPort Cube with USB & 5-foot Extension Cord.
🔌 If you’re wondering, Mexico uses the same plugs as the U.S. and Canada. Coming from another country? You need Type A and Type B plugs for Mexico.
12. Reusable Shopping Bag
In 2020, Mexico began cracking down with a ban on single use plastic bags, and many places now charge you for them.
This made these reusable shopping bags that fold down into a tiny pouch ideal for travel.
Once folded down into their smallest size, you can clip the bag onto the side of your purse so it’s always ready to fill with Mexico souvenirs and local craft from the mercados (markets).
13. Small Pack of Tissues
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 in bathrooms that had no toilet paper, so don’t forget to pack your travel tissues.
14. Your Passport
This one goes without saying, but don’t forget your valid passport or you won’t be able to travel to Mexico at all.
Legally, your passport must be valid for another six months after the date you land in Mexico — so if you’re traveling on January 1, your passport must be valid until July 1.
🎫 Optional: Copies of Your Passport
For many travelers, losing a passport is one of their worst travel fears — and as Mexico City is a party town, you’ll want to be prepared in the event of that.
According to the U.S. State Department, about 300,000 Americans report a lost or stolen passport each year 😳 so here’s what you can do to prepare:
- Take a photo of page 2 (the page of your passport with your photo and info on it), email it to yourself and save it as a photo on your phone.Have a few copies of your passport made; bring one of those with you and leave another with a trusted family member or friend back home.
15. Your Medications
You can easily get in meds at farmacias (Mexico pharmacies), so don’t pack the whole medicine cabinet — but don’t forget to take anything prescribed that you need.
Beyond prescriptions, you might want to bring headache, cramps, antidiarrheal, and stomach meds, like Tums or Pepto.
16. Your Debit Card
It’s smart to have two cards — one credit card and one debit card — but you will want to bring a card that gives you access to cash.
In Mexico, cash is king, and many places don’t even take credit cards, like taxis, street taco stands, mercado vendors at local markets, and more.
17. No-Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card
Did you know that many credit cards charge you to use them while outside of your home country?
This is called a foreign transaction fee, and it’s typically 2-3% of each transaction’s cost in U.S. dollars — and these can add up fast!
If you have a card that gives you travel points and rewards, that one likely offers no foreign transaction fees as a perk, but other cards might have associated fees.
Before you travel to Mexico City, verify what fees (if any) your different cards have, and make sure to use the card(s) with the lowest fees on your trip.
18. Your Driver’s License
Planning on renting a car in Mexico City? Then you’ll need your U.S. driver’s license to drive in Mexico, and also to rent a car.
You can also use it as a valid ID anywhere you go in Mexico, so you can leave your passport back at your Mexico City hotel, hostel or Airbnb.
What to Wear in Mexico City
Mexico City Weather
While most Mexican weather is on the warm side, Mexico City is often colder than what most associate with the country’s average yearly temperature.
Spring & Summer Months
As you can see, temperatures do dip into the 40°Fs during the winter, and climb to the 80°Fs during the spring and summer months.
Depending on what you’re visiting, you’ll want to pack accordingly.
Keep in mind that on the whole, Mexicans are modest dressers, and even in warmer months, long pants, jeans and long sleeve shirts are the norm.
Mexico’s sidewalks aren’t the easiest to walk on, and most opt for flats over heels.
In the warmer months, you’ll want sneakers with these gel inserts during the day, and cute ballet flats or boots at night.
By and large, you can go most places in the same outfit from day to night, if you wanted to.
Unless you’re heading to a fancy dinner or special night out, a cute dress with pockets, with optional leggings, this security scarf, cute flats or sneakers, and a cardigan at night.
Fall & Winter Months
In the colder months, you’ll want sneakers with these gel inserts during the day, and fuzzy boots at night.
A cardigan or chunky sweater and this thin security scarf will work during the day, but you’ll want a coat or puffer jacket at night.
For both day and night, jeans and thick leggings will do nicely. Don’t forget the warm weather socks, beanie hat and comfy PJs.
What NOT to Bring to Mexico City
Now that you know what to take to Mexico City, equally as important is knowing what NOT to pack for Mexico City.
Below is a list of six items you can skip on your Mexico City packing list.
1. U.S. Dollars
While very few places in Mexico City will take dollars, they do it at lower rates than the actual conversion, since they have to then pay to convert the dollars into pesos.
The best thing to do is take out pesos in the Mexico City Airport when you land, but if you forget, there will be plenty of ATMs in Mexico City.
2. 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.
3. Designer Clothing
A Mexico City vacation is great and amazing and all that, but travel is also hectic and things get easily lost and accidentally left behind.
Designer labels, sadly, do make you a bit of a target for thieves, and can attract the wrong kind of attention.
4. Expensive Jewelry
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.
Also, Mexico City can be hot during the day, so you might not even want to wear jewelry when you arrive, so you might skip bringing it at all.
5. High Heels
If there’s one thing you can leave off you packing list for Mexico City, it’s high heels 👠
Even at the nicer restaurants, you’d still see dressy sandals and flats before you see heels in Mexico City because the sidewalks aren’t friendly to walk on.
6. 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 City you can in the U.S.
There are farmacias (pharmacies) all over town, so don’t over-pack meds or a first aid kit when you’re traveling to Mexico City Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need when traveling to Mexico City?
When traveling to Mexico City, pack comfortable walking shoes, layers for variable weather, and essentials like sun protection and a reusable water bottle.
Mexico City’s climate can change rapidly, so bring a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings and mornings.
Don’t forget this travel umbrella or raincoat for sudden showers that often happen in the afternoons.
If you are wondering what to pack on a trip to Mexico City, I recommend carrying this small backpack or this crossbody bag to keep your belongings secure and easily accessible while exploring the city.
What to wear in Mexico and not look like a tourist?
Opt for stylish yet casual clothing to blend in and not look like a tourist in Mexico City.
Wear well-fitted jeans or chinos paired with casual shirts or blouses.
Avoid overly bright or branded clothing. Women can choose modest dresses or skirts, while men might prefer collared shirts.
Comfortable yet chic footwear, such as sneakers or loafers, are Mexico travel essentials.
Accessorize minimally and avoid flashy items to blend seamlessly with the local crowd.
Can I wear Birkenstocks in Mexico City?
Yes — You can wear Birkenstocks in Mexico City, but consider where you’ll be walking.
They’re great for casual outings or park visits but might not be ideal for uneven pavements or crowded areas.
Pair them with comfortable, casual outfits.
If you plan on extensive walking or visiting more formal venues, consider bringing an alternative pair of supportive, closed-toe shoes for added comfort and protection.
Do people wear flip-flops in Mexico City?
You’ll rarely see people wearing flip-flops in Mexico City, as they’re typically reserved for home or casual, informal settings.
For daily activities like sightseeing or dining out, opt for more supportive and stylish footwear like sneakers, sandals with straps, or loafers.
This choice blends better with the local style and provides more comfort and safety on the city’s varied terrains.
Can I wear shorts in Mexico City?
Yes — You can wear shorts in Mexico City, especially during warmer months, but know that locals commonly only wear them in casual settings or during outdoor activities.
Choose well-fitted, knee-length shorts for a more polished look.
Lightweight pants or skirts might be more appropriate for visiting cultural sites or dining out.
Always check the weather forecast and consider the day’s activities to dress comfortably and appropriately.
How dressy is Mexico City?
Mexico City’s dress code varies, but it leans towards smart-casual.
People often dress up a bit more in more affluent areas and during evenings out.
Casual chic outfits are common, with well-tailored jeans, stylish tops, and comfortable yet fashionable shoes.
For upscale restaurants or events, dressy attire is recommended.
Always err on the side of being slightly more dressed up, as the city’s residents take pride in their appearance.
Should you wear jewelry in Mexico City?
It’s best to wear minimal jewelry in Mexico City to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Opt for simple, understated pieces and leave valuable or flashy items home.
If you wear jewelry, ensure it is securely fastened and not easily visible to passersby.
This approach helps you blend in more with locals and reduces the risk of theft or loss while exploring the city.
So for your vacation packing list for Mexico City, leave the expensive jewelry at home.
Is it safe to carry a purse in Mexico City?
Yes — Carrying a purse in Mexico City is generally safe, but opt for a crossbody style or a small backpack that zips securely to deter pickpockets.
Keep your bag in front of you, especially in crowded areas or on public transportation like the Metro City Metro, which is known for pickpocketing.
Avoid displaying valuables and important documents openly, and be mindful of your surroundings.
Consider using this money belt or this bidden bra pouch so you have some extra cash in a hidden place for added security.
Your FREE Printable Packing List for Mexico
Need more Mexico packing tips and suggestions for things to bring to Mexico (as well as things to leave behind)?
Everything covered in this article, and more, is on this 10-page Mexico packing checklist. Just enter your email above, and grab the FREE packing list for Mexico pdf.
This checklist for traveling to Mexico covers everything you’ll want to bring, from clothing and accessories, to toiletries and travel documents.
There is a travel checklist for Mexico, so you can check things off as you go to make sure you’re not forgetting anything when packing for Mexico.
My Final Thoughts on Making a Mexico City Packing List
Packing for Mexico City requires a mix of comfort, practicality, and style. Prioritize versatile clothing that can handle the city’s variable climate and vibrant culture.
Essentials like comfortable walking shoes, layers for cooler evenings, and rain gear are key things to pack for Mexico City.
Minimalist, secure accessories like crossbody bags and simple jewelry enhance travel safety.
Understanding what to bring to Mexico City can enhance your experience, ensuring you’re prepared for any situation.
Always consider your activities and dress accordingly to blend in with the locals.
With the right things to bring to Mexico City, you’ll be ready to enjoy everything this dynamic city offers while staying comfortable and secure.