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My Real Cancun Packing List (What I Took, What Worked, What I’d Skip)

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I’ve been to Cancun twice this year—once in steamy June and once in breezy January. Same sun, different mood. I packed a little too much the first time. I packed smarter the second time. Here’s what I used, loved, and would leave home next round.

If you’d like to see the blow-by-blow rundown of every single item that went into my suitcase, you can browse my real Cancun packing checklist for even more detail. For an extra-thorough reference, the Ultimate Cancun Packing List offers a visual, printable rundown that pairs nicely with my on-the-ground notes.

You know what? The right stuff makes the trip chill. The wrong stuff just rides along.

The Bag Situation: Wheels or Duffel?

I tested two bags.

  • Away Bigger Carry-On (June): The wheels rolled smooth at the airport and across hotel lobbies. Sand got in the zipper once, but a quick brush fixed it. It held 4 days of clothes, two swimsuits, and my snorkel mask. I’m 5'6" and could lift it into the overhead bin without drama.

  • Patagonia Black Hole 40L duffel (January): Light, tough, and it didn’t mind rain. I wore it as a backpack on the ADO bus; it felt fine for 20 minutes, then a bit sweaty. Still, it swallowed odd gear, like my fins, without fuss.

If you plan a lot of day trips, I’d pick the duffel. For a resort stay, the Away case just feels easy.
If you're looking for a calm, wellness-focused base close to the reef, Ceiba del Mar Resort & Spa sits just south of Cancun and supplies beach towels so you can pack even lighter.

Sun Armor: Sunscreen, Hat, Rash Guard

Here’s the thing: Cancun sun doesn’t play.

  • Face: La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 (the fluid one). It’s thin, not greasy, and didn’t sting my eyes when I swam. I used it daily and did not burn.

  • Body: Sun Bum SPF 50 smells like banana bread. It spreads fast but can feel a bit slick. For cenotes and reef spots, staff asked for “reef-safe” sunscreen. Thinksport SPF 50 worked better there. It’s thicker, so rub it in well.

  • Lips: Sun Bum SPF 30 lip balm. Tastes sweet. Kept me from cracked lips.

  • Hat: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure. The chin strap saved it on a windy catamaran. It looks a bit “dad on a hike,” but my scalp stayed happy.

  • Rash guard: Roxy long-sleeve top. I wore it on Isla Mujeres. Less sunscreen to reapply, more time in the water. Win.

Small con: the Thinksport tube can leak if you cram it. I toss it in a zip bag now.

Swim + Cenote Gear I Actually Used

  • Teva Original Universal sandals: Great on wet steps and in shallow rock zones. The ankle strap rubbed day one, so I added a strip of moleskin. After that—gold.

  • Cressi snorkel set: Clear view, no leaks. Loved it at Garrafon and a quiet beach north of the hotel zone. But it’s bulky in a carry-on. If you’re not a snorkel nerd, just rent.

  • JOTO waterproof phone pouch: My iPhone 14 stayed dry on a choppy boat ride. Touchscreen worked okay for photos, though edges looked soft. I still got sweet turtle shots.

  • Sand Cloud Turkish towel: Light, packs tiny, dries fast. Hotel towels were huge and heavy. This one made beach days easier.

Curious what the Caribbean actually feels like month to month? I logged the real-feel water temperature for different seasons if you want to know whether you’ll be shivering or floating happily.

I brought fins once. Honestly? Too much space for how little I used them.

Clothes That Kept Me Cool

June was hot and wet. January was warm with a light breeze at night.

For a deeper dive into what outfits hit the sweet spot between comfort and photo-friendly, check out my candid Cancun attire recap. If you still need outfit inspiration, Travel Fashion Girl’s guide to what to pack for Cancun breaks down fabrics, colors, and mix-and-match looks that travel well in the Yucatán heat.

  • Tops: Uniqlo AIRism tees breathed well. I wore a white one over my swimsuit and it dried fast.

  • Button-up: Columbia PFG Tamiami shirt (long sleeve). It blocked sun on the boat and didn’t show sweat.

  • Bottoms: Old Navy linen shorts fit loose and felt great. REI Sahara pants saved me at the Tulum ruins when the bugs came out.

  • Swimsuits: Andie Swim Amalfi one-piece (size M). Secure straps, good for jumping off the dock. It dried slower than my bikini, but I liked the fit.

  • Light rain jacket: Marmot PreCip. A 20-minute storm rolled in, and I was the only dry one on the sidewalk. Packs small.

  • Evening layer: A thin cardigan in January. I was glad I had it during dinner by the water.

Tiny note: linen wrinkles. I don’t mind the “crumple chic,” but it’s there.

Shoes: Pick Two, Maybe Three

  • Teva sandals (again): Water, ruins, ferry—these handled it.

  • Reef Fanning flip flops: The bottle opener in the sole is a goofy party trick, but it works. They felt cushy by the pool. On wet tile, they got slick. Walk slow.

  • Allbirds Tree Runners: Good for travel days and coffee runs. Midday heat made them feel toasty. I wore thin socks to help.

I brought heels once. Never wore them. Cancun is sand, stone, and boardwalks.

Speaking of after-dark plans and how to meet people once the sun sets, travelers who prefer to line up social connections online before a night out might glean useful safety pointers and screening tricks from the Hollywood-based rundown at Skip the Games Hollywood. Even though the article is written with Los Angeles in mind, its advice on vetting profiles, setting expectations, and avoiding time-wasters transfers neatly to Cancun’s lively bar-and-club scene.

Bugs, Burns, and Staying Okay

  • Mosquitoes: OFF! Deep Woods worked best in the jungle. It smells strong, but it stops bites. I still got two at Tulum. The Botanical version smelled nicer, but it didn’t help much for me.

  • After-sun: Banana Boat aloe gel cooled my shoulders but felt sticky for a bit. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 ended the sting faster and didn’t glue my shirt to me.

  • Blisters: Compeed patches saved my ankle after a sandal rub.

  • Tummy: I kept Tums and a few Imodium tabs. I used Tums once after street tacos and felt fine the next morning.

  • Hydration: Liquid I.V. lemon-lime in a Hydro Flask 21 oz bottle. It tastes sweet, but it helped after long sun time. Plain water is still king.

Little Tech That Paid Off

  • Anker PowerCore 10000: My phone lasted through maps, pics, and music on day trips. This saved me twice.

  • Anker Nano 20W charger: Small and fast. Mexico uses the same plug type as the U.S., so no adapter needed for me.

  • GoPro Hero10 with floaty handle: Colors look punchy and fun. Battery drains fast—bring a spare. I got wave-slammed once, and the float kept it from sinking.

  • JISULIFE handheld fan: Silly? Maybe. But in the line at Chichén Itzá, it felt like a tiny miracle.

  • AirTag in my bag: Helped me relax on the bus and the ferry.

  • eSIM: Airalo worked well in the hotel zone and downtown. On the ferry, it cut out a bit, then came back.

Speaking of cameras and phone pouches, if you want to move beyond ordinary vacation selfies, the "Sexy Snaps" vacation photo guide breaks down simple poses, flattering angles, and natural-light hacks so you can capture fun, confidence-boosting shots that look pro without lugging extra gear.

Money, Cards, and Papers

  • Passport in a simple holder, plus a paper copy in my suitcase. Old habit, still smart.

  • Cards: I used a no foreign fee card (Chase Sapphire) for most things. I pulled pesos from an airport ATM for tips and small stands.

  • Small wallet: Bellroy card sleeve. Fit in my Cotopaxi Kapai hip pack with room for lip balm and hand gel.

By the way, if you’re wondering whether a passport is strictly necessary for a Cancun getaway, I documented my [real-life border experience](https://www.ceibadelmar.com/do-you

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