What to pack for Cancún
Need to Know Packing Tips for CancúnSo you've purchased a plane ticket, booked a room and all that remains is the packing. Easy, right? Perhaps, but there's always that lingering, uneasy feeling that you might be forgetting something. Hopefully, some of these Cancún-specific tips will help put your mind at rest.
Packing a suitcase is a different animal if you're traveling solo or with children, staying for a week or a month, or visiting for business or pleasure. In short, everyone has different plans and needs. If you're visiting Cancún for the first time, you can rest assured that the city is a shopping Mecca, meaning that if you do leave something at home, you can usually find a replacement in the dozens of malls and marketplaces. Even medicine is easily accessible and affordable to boot. Another piece of packing advice: the Mexican Caribbean's sultry climate and laid-back lifestyle will render thick coats and overly formal attire completely useless.
Think Cool and Casual Quick-Drying Apparel
Cancún is hot and humid throughout most of the year so you should always pack loose-fitting, light-colored garments to stay cool and dry, particularly in the steamy summer months of July and August.
You’ll also want to bring a light jacket, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse and at least one pair of pants to protect yourself from the sun and the mosquitoes.
Hats will also serve you well to reduce exposure to the sun.
If you plan on hitting the nightclubs and upscale restaurants, keep in mind that some places have a ‘smart casual’ dress code, a somewhat ambiguous term meaning the fashion police at the door will turn you away if you’re wearing shorts, tank tops or flip-flops.
Kinds of Footwear to Bring
Men and women alike should have a pair of comfortable sneakers for exploring the city and its outlying attractions, some of which involve a lot of walking.
When traveling on Mexico's low-cost airlines the baggage fees are anything but low-cost. Expect to tack on at least $35 to a round-trip airfare for one carry-on and one checked bag.
Flip-flops and sandals are convenient for the beaches, or basically anywhere that your feet may get wet.
Most people in Cancún dress casually, so you probably won’t need dress shoes or pumps unless you’ve rolled into town for a business meeting or convention.
Equipment for Sports and Activities
Known the world over for its nearby coral reefs, Cancún and its surrounding areas draw scuba divers and snorkelers from far and wide. Some visitors prefer to bring their own fins, masks and goggles to explore not only the colorful reefs but also the cenotes, which consist of limestone swimming holes, deep caverns and caves and underground rivers. To enhance the beach-bumming experience, arguably Cancún’s favorite pastime, you might want to tote around your own portable Bluetooth speaker.
Electronics and Optional Bring-Alongs
Mexico uses two types of outlets: type A, for plugs with two flat pins; and type B, which takes three-pronged plugs. The standard voltage and frequency are 120V and 60Hz. Bring an adapter for the type A outlet, especially when traveling with computer cords that have rounded grounding pins.
If your cell phone is unlocked you can use it in Mexico but you’ll need to purchase a Mexican SIM card, which you’ll often find in Oxxo convenience stores. Wi-fi is widespread in Cancún but you may get spotty service in some of the outlying areas.
Cameras are great to have for wildlife watching, day trips and those magical Caribbean sunsets. Just remember that if it’s an expensive camera you should keep it out of sight when not using it, perhaps in an inconspicuous backpack.
Most businesses accept credit and debit cards and you can also make mobile payments with services such as Apple Pay. Having said that, you should always carry cash as a backup.
Medicines, Bug Repellent and Sun Protection
Cancún and its surrounding jungles can get pretty buggy, particularly during the rainy season from May to October. If possible, pack biodegradable mosquito repellent, which is less damaging to delicate marine and freshwater ecosystems such as coral reefs and cenotes. It may not seem like a big deal but environmentally-safe products can make a big difference in fast-growing tourist destinations like Cancún.
The same goes for sunblock, which is particularly useful to have when traveling with children, but many of the brands sold in Mexico contain harmful chemicals.
If you have antibiotics handy, you might want to take some along in case of a stomach infection; otherwise, the large pharmacy chains, such as Farmacias YZA, have on-site doctors that will hook you up with prescriptions.
Miscellaneous Items
Okay, so you definitely don't NEED a water container but just think about how many single-use plastic bottles are tossed away every day in Cancún and you might reconsider.
If you plan on renting a car, don’t forget your driver’s license and a pair of sunglasses. Also, it’s never a bad idea to have a backup credit or debit card should yours get lost, damaged or stolen.
What Not to Pack
It is illegal to bring into Mexico any over-the-counter medicines that contain stimulants, such as Actifed, Sudafed and Vicks inhalers; it’s also prohibited to enter the country with any medication containing codeine.
And while it may be stating the obvious, do not attempt to bring firearms and ammunition into the country or you’ll face severe penalties. Also, leave expensive jewelry at home. It’s simply not worth worrying about and you’re better off not drawing attention to yourself.
Visitors are allowed to arrive with CBD products but they must not exceed the legal limit of 0.1% THC. It goes without saying that you cannot bring marijuana in any form, i.e. weed, edibles or oils. If, however, you want to show up with some spring break party supplies, you’re permitted to carry up to 10 packs of cigarettes and three liters of alcohol.