I just got back from a week in Cancun. The air hit me like a warm hug the second I stepped off the plane. Hot. Humid. Bright. I packed light, wore everything, and learned a few things the sweaty way. Here’s what actually worked on my body, not just in cute photos.
If you’re still picking your perfect Riviera Maya base, the boutique vibes and beachfront suites at Ceiba del Mar looked so tempting while I was planning.
I’m 5'6", a size 8, usually a medium on top and bottom. Wide feet. Sensitive skin. I burn fast, then freckle.
My plane outfit that doubled as a “walk to breakfast” look
I wore Uniqlo Airism black tee (M), Old Navy linen joggers (M), and a thin hoodie. White sneakers for the airport. I know, linen wrinkles. But the joggers breathed well, and the wrinkles looked like “vacation wrinkles,” which I can live with.
Small snag: the hoodie felt heavy by noon. I used it only when the resort AC blasted cold air.
Pool and beach: the real MVPs
- Aerie scoop-neck one-piece (M) in black. It held me in and didn’t roll at the sides.
- L*Space bikini top (M) with high-waist bottoms from Target. Mixed brands. No one cared.
- Patagonia Baggies 5” shorts (women’s M) over suits. They dried fast and didn’t cling.
- Roxy long-sleeve rash guard (M) for extra sun time. Saved my shoulders.
I also brought a thin cotton cover-up from H&M. Cute, but it stayed damp if I put it on right after a swim. Next time, I’ll bring a mesh one.
One thing I learned: suits don’t dry overnight in that humidity. Bring an extra. Actually, bring two extras.
Beach lover? My deep-dive on Cancun’s shoreline, Playas de Cancún: My honest sand-in-my-shoes review, breaks down which stretches of sand are worth your towel space.
Sun armor that didn’t make me grumpy
- Columbia Bora Bora Booney hat (adjustable). Not pretty, but it shields.
- Ray-Ban Erika sunglasses. Light. Didn’t slide with sunscreen, which felt like a win.
- Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 for body. Supergoop! Unseen for face. No sting. No rash.
- A light linen button-down from Old Navy, worn open over suits. Shade on demand.
I wore the linen shirt so much I wished I’d packed two. Yes, it wrinkles. No, I didn’t care.
Shoes: the wet-floor truth
- Teva Original Universal (size 8). Comfy straps. Handled sand, docks, and a sudden rain dump. But they squeaked like a little duck on the resort’s marble floors. Funny once, then not funny.
- Havaianas flip-flops. Easy. Slippery on wet tile near the pool bar. I nearly ate it.
- Allbirds Tree Runners (white). Great for flights and day trips. They didn’t roast my feet.
If you plan a fancy dinner, a low block-heel sandal is enough. I brought high heels. They stayed in the closet, judging me.
Cenotes and ruins: cool water, hot sun
For a cenote swim and Tulum ruins, I wore:
- Columbia Saturday Trail shorts (8). Quick-dry, secure pockets.
- Roxy rash guard again. The water felt cool, so sleeves felt nice.
- Speedo water shoes. Not cute, but they gripped slippery steps.
- A thin scarf for modest stops and sun.
Bug spray helped a lot: Sawyer Picaridin. I dabbed Body Glide on my inner thighs before the ruin walk. No chafe. No drama. You know what? That tiny stick saved the day.
Golfers, I also squeezed in 18 holes—read my candid notes in Cancun Golf Courses: My Week, My Rounds, My Honest Take.
Resort dinners: a little dress-up, not too much
Most places asked for “resort casual.” I wore:
- A Zara midi dress in a leafy print. Breezy. I got two compliments from strangers, which honestly made my night.
I actually snapped a few sunset photos in that midi dress for my dating apps. If you're curious how to make those vacation pics pull double duty, consider this step-by-step guide to optimizing your dating profile—it breaks down exactly which photos to lead with, what to write, and how to turn that Cancun glow into right-swipe momentum.
And speaking of lining up dates once you’re back stateside (especially if you’re in the Chicago suburbs), you might want to skim this no-fluff overview of Listcrawler in Plainfield to see how the listings work, what screening looks like, and which red flags to watch for before you book. - A white linen set from Old Navy (button-down + wide pants, M). Chic, but it wrinkled so fast I laughed. Still wore it twice.
- A light shawl for the AC. Cold inside, humid outside. The back-and-forth was real.
Pro tip from my own feet: skip skinny heels. Stone paths eat them.
If you’re curious about splurging on a classic property, my stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún surprised me in a few ways.
One party night
Coco Bongo night was loud and fun. I wore a sparkly cami from H&M, a denim mini, and sneakers. People stepped on toes. Sandals would’ve hurt.
Rain and wind surprise
I packed a Uniqlo pocketable parka. It helped in quick showers, but it felt clammy in the steam. A small travel umbrella worked better, weirdly.
Little things that saved me
- Body Glide anti-chafe. I already said it, but it’s worth repeating.
- Picaridin wipes for bugs.
- Travel stain stick. Mango on a white dress is a risk.
- A pack of blister Band-Aids.
- A soft hair scarf for sweaty neck days.
What I wouldn’t bring again
- Heavy denim shorts. They took ages to dry.
- Thick cotton tees. They got damp and stayed damp.
- White jeans. Sand and salsa said no.
- Leather slides. Slippery and fussy.
- A giant beach hat that doesn’t fold. Looked great once. Then it was a burden.
A small cultural note
In town and at churches, I skipped tiny tops and short shorts. A light scarf and a longer skirt felt right. I also bought a guayabera-style shirt at Mercado 28 for my partner. Linen, pale blue. He wore it to dinner and blended right in.
Quick list you can screenshot
- 2–3 swimsuits, one with more coverage
- Rash guard (long sleeve)
- Linen shirt you can throw over anything
- Quick-dry shorts
- Easy dress or two
- Tevas or similar, plus sneakers
- Flip-flops (watch wet tile)
- Sun hat + sunglasses
- Mineral sunscreen + face SPF
- Bug spray, Body Glide, blister care
- Light shawl or hoodie for AC
- Small umbrella or a very thin rain jacket
Final thoughts
Cancun is bright, salty, and kind of soft around the edges. My best pieces breathed, dried fast, and layered easy. My worst pieces tried to be precious. The sweet spot? Simple shapes, light fabrics, shoes that can get wet, and one pretty dress that makes you smile.
Would I pack the same again? Mostly. I’d swap the big hat for a crushable one and leave the heels at home. And I’d toss in one more linen shirt, because yes, I wore the first one almost every day.
Need the quick-scan version? I summed it all up here: Cancun attire—what I wore, what worked, what I’d change.