The Ultimate Cancun Packing List

My family of three went on a 10-day trip to Cancun during the shoulder season (June). We flew to Cancun and then did a road trip of the Yucatan Peninsula. We stayed in Cancun, Akumal, Uxmal, and Merida. Our trip included the beach, the jungle, Mayan ruins, and cenotes. This ultimate Cancun packing list has everything you need to make your trip go smoothly!

Sun and Skin Protection

1. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

I burn easily, so I always pack sunscreen. In the Maya Riveria, you should plan to use reef-safe sunscreen because it is required. No one ever checked our sunscreen, but I was a guest in Mexico. Whenever I travel, I try to abide by local norms, so I used reef-safe Sunscreen.

I suggest buying the 2-pack of sunscreen because my group of three almost ran out of our one bottle on our 10-day trip. Also, be sure to reapply often, even on non-beach days. I got a nasty sunburn on a non-beach day because I forgot to reapply.

🌞 Get your reef-safe sunscreen by clicking here!

2. Sunscreen Lip Balm

Don’t forget about your lips! I bought one sunscreen lip balm for each member of my group!

✅ Get sunscreen for your lips by clicking here!

3. Drawstring Wide-Brim Hat

A drawstring, wide-brim hat is a must-have for a trip to Mexico. The drawstring keeps the hat on you in the Caribbean breeze. Look for a hat that also have venting to keep you cool and a wide brim to keep the sun off your face.

😎 Get my favorite drawstring wide-brim hat by clicking here!

4. UV Sun Umbrella

A UV sun umbrella will come in handy for rain or sun. We didn’t need an umbrella at all for rain, but we were glad to have an umbrella at Mayan ruins. There is very little shade at Uxmal, and other Mayan ruins, so you will be grateful to have an umbrella for shade.

☔ Get your UV sun umbrella by clicking here!

5. Sunglasses

Pack a good pair of polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from the intense Yucatan sun, especially when you’re at the beach or exploring ruins without much shade.

😎Get your polarized sunglasses by clicking here!

6. After-Sun Lotion

Even with all the precautions, your skin will appreciate some after-sun care after long days in the Mexican sun.

🧴Get your after-sun lotion by clicking here!

Water Activity Essentials

7. Water Shoes

A trip to Cancun means a trip to the beach and cenotes. I highly recommend these water shoes for a water-based trip. They are inexpensive and pack a lot of value for the price.

These shoes are designed with drainage holes in the bottom to keep your feet comfortable in or out of the water. The insoles are removable, which helps with rinsing out the sand and for drying quickly.

💦 Buy the best water shoes by clicking here!

The best part is that these shoes come in a ton of colors and sizes. You can find different colors for each member of your group and sizes for everyone wearing adult-sized shoes.

8. Waterproof Phone Pouch

There are so many water-based activities in and around Cancun that you must have a waterproof phone pouch for each member of your group. There are lots of options, but I really like my pick because it is easier to use than the cheaper option I bought at a discount store.

📱 Get your waterproof phone pouch by clicking here!

9. Microfiber Towels

For any trip longer than an extended weekend, I pack at least one microfiber towel. For a place like Cancun, you will want a towel for each member of your group for the beaches and cenotes.

I love the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel because these towels take up very little space in a suitcase and dry quickly.

👙 Buy a microfiber towel by clicking here!

10. Prescription Swim Goggles

Did you know you can buy prescription swim goggles for less than $20? My child wears glasses, so she needs prescription goggles for swimming.

🏊‍♀️Buy prescription swim goggles by clicking here!

11. Prescription Swim Mask

While I was prepared with prescription swim goggles, I did not think about a prescription swim mask for snorkeling until the day before departing for Cancun. I ran to my local big box store and bought a swim mask to modify. I removed the lenses from her previous pair of glasses and used Gorilla Glue to adhere them to the mask. It didn’t look great, and the prescription was a bit off, but it did the trick.

🐠 Buy a prescription swim mask by clicking here!

12. Swimsuits

Pack at least two swimsuits so you always have a dry one ready for your next water adventure. With so many beach and cenote visits, you’ll be glad to have a backup.

🩱Check out the cutest swimsuit by clicking here!

13. Rash Guard

A rash guard provides extra sun protection in the water and can help prevent chafing during long snorkeling sessions at the beach or in cenotes.

🐟Buy a rash guard by clicking here!

Jungle and Adventure Gear

14. Biodegradable Insect Repellent

If you plan to visit Mayan ruins or visit Croco Cun Zoo or Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, you will need insect repellent. I used biodegradable insect repellent and didn’t have any issues with bugs. I like that it comes in small bottles that are easy to pack for the day or in carry-on luggage.

🐜 Buy biodegradable insect repellent by clicking here!

15. Action Camera

If you don’t already have an action camera, a trip to Cancun is a perfect excuse to try one out. We used ours at the beaches, cenotes, and Mayan ruins. We did not want to invest in a GoPro without knowing how much use we would get out of it.

Instead, I found the AKASO Brave 4 Pro priced at about $100, which served our purposes. The kit also came with plenty of supplies to get the best use out of the camera.

📸 Buy your action camera by clicking here!

16. Portable Power Bank

You will want to have a charged portable power bank with you. We traveled around the Yucatan Peninsula and did not want to be left with no phone battery.

🤳 Get your power bank by clicking here!

17. Lightweight Daypack

A small, lightweight daypack is essential for carrying your water, sunscreen, and other essentials during day trips to ruins and cenotes.

🎒Check out my go-to daypack by clicking here!

18. Quick-Dry Clothing

Pack lightweight, quick-dry shirts and shorts that can handle humidity and dry fast after getting wet in the rain.

👚Get some quick-dry shirts by clicking here!

19. Comfortable Walking Shoes

You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Mayan ruins and around towns like Tulum. Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes with good support.

👟Buy shoes with good support by clicking here!

Travel Essentials and Practical Items

20. Yucatan Peninsula Map

I always buy a map for any travel that includes venturing outside of a major city. We used the Yucatan Peninsula: Riviera Maya Map by National Geographic for this trip.

📍 Buy your map by clicking here!

21. Travel Toilet Tissue

I hesitate to even list travel toilet tissue on this list because we had access to toilet paper everywhere we went. We visited heavy-tourist areas and areas less traveled.

However, we also visited Playa Puerto Progreso, a beach-town north of Merida. Buying drinks at the beach gave us access to a table, chairs, umbrella AND to the changing rooms and bathrooms. The bathroom had an attendant who gave you a few squares of toilet paper. In this case, I had enough toilet paper, but you might be more comfortable having some extra on you just in case.

✅ Buy your travel toilet tissue by clicking here!

22. Reusable Water Bottle

Stay hydrated in the Mexican heat with a reusable water bottle. This is essential for long days exploring ruins and beaches.

💧Buy a reusable water bottle by clicking here!

23. Small First Aid Kit

Pack band-aids, a general medicine kit, and any personal medications. It’s always better to have basic supplies on hand during your road trip. Be sure to consult the CDC and your doctor for health advice.

🩺Buy your travel medicine kit by clicking here!

24. Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

Bring a portable carbon monoxide detector. Though rare, tourists have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Mexico.

⏰Buy a portable carbon monoxide detector by clicking here!

25. Spanish Phrasebook or Translation App

While many people in tourist areas speak English, having basic Spanish phrases handy is helpful, especially when traveling to places like Uxmal and Merida.

📙Get a Mexican Spanish phrasebook by clicking here!

Final Thoughts

This Cancun packing list covers everything you need for a successful trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. Every destination has special supplies that you might not normally pack. Our trip included the beach, the jungle, Mayan ruins, and a road trip, and these items made our 10-day adventure go smoothly!