Are you planning a beach vacation in Cancun? Don’t forget these Cancun packing list essentials to make the most of your trip! Cancun is a stunning destination with endless sunshine, gorgeous sandy beaches, and warm waters ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, or just dipping your toes in. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and soak up some vitamin D. However, packing for a beach vacation in Cancun can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to bring.
That’s where this blog post comes in. In it, I’ll cover the must-have items for a Cancun packing list. From sunscreen and swimsuits to jumpsuits and facial toner, a well-packed bag will ensure that you have everything you need to relax and enjoy your time in the sun. Whether you’re planning a day of catamaran sailing and exploring Isla Mujeres, or just lounging on the sand at a beachfront resort, these items will come in handy and help you have an amazing time in Cancun. So, read on to find out what to pack for the ultimate beach vacation in Cancun.
This post is all about the must-have items for a Cancun packing list.
Cancun Packing List Essentials
Clothing & Accessories to bring to Cancun
1. A Jumpsuit/Romper
Jumpsuits and rompers are incredibly comfortable and effortless in a breezy sort of way, and that’s exactly what I want to embody on vacation. When I’m looking for a new jumpsuit it’s all about texture for me – a soft washable satin, a cool breezy hemp or linen/viscose blend, or a luxe velour/velvet (though this one is probably not my top pick for tropical destinations, it’s one of my favorites for dressing up and dressing down). I would probably dress in jumpers and rompers every day on vacation if I could.
2. A Girlfriend Collective Bra
Girlfriend Collective can take all my money, because they’re giving me crop top / binder / bra all in one. For my fellow non-binary babes, these pack some substantial compression but are, I find, still comfortable to wear all day, and my favorite feature about them is how cute the necklines are and how many colors they come in. I’m layering them with open button ups, under an open V tie-front top, and all by themselves. My personal favorite styles for compression + versatility are the Dylan, Mia, and Tommy.
3. A Colorful Jacket
Like this in sage, this in dusty rose, this in lavender, or this in a whole rainbow of options
A colorful jacket is my favorite go-to statement piece. I feel like this helps me make the most out of my wardrobe when I’m on a tight packing list, such as when I’m traveling with only a carry on. I can add a pop of color to mix & match neutrals with this jacket, or pair it with a print for a maximalist, bright look that’s perfect for the tropical setting.
“A jacket? For a tropical destination?” You might be asking, and to be fair I just get cold a lot easier than other people do! And yes, I will be wearing a jacket when it dips into the low 70s in the evenings, but a jacket is also great to have on hand for when you’re going from outdoors to indoors (and that blast of air conditioning hits) or when your sunburned shoulders have had quite enough and would like to hide now, thanks very much.
4. A Cute Swimsuit (or 4)
We can all just collectively agree we’re never letting high-waisted bottoms go out of style again, right? When I’m going on a tropical vacation I bring along more swimsuits than is probably strictly necessary. However, I do stand by needing at least two tops and two bottoms, so that you never have to struggle into a wet swimsuit. *shudders*
I usually end up bringing more tops than bottoms with me, so one pair of bottoms in a solid color is a must for mixing & matching. I found these crossover high-waisted bikini bottoms from aerie last summer, and they’re my new favorites. The crossover waistband is super comfortable and the full coverage does its thing. I also own these ribbed cheeky ones for when you’re, ahem, not traveling with your parents.
5. Coverup
My two go to cover up options are: a romper (see #3) or an open men’s button down. These linen button downs from Uniqlo are a nice boxy cut and if you have an average-length or short torso (like me) they give decent bottom coverage too. Of course, there are also button downs that are made to be extra long, so you could go with one of these too, I guess.
6. Platform Sandals
Platform strappy sandals are pretty much the only pair of sandals I need for anything except adventure excursions. Seriously, since owning these shoes I have been able to decrease the number of shoes I take on trips by 50%. These work as a cute daytime sandal, are comfortable enough to wear on a day exploring the sights, and can dress up for fancy dinners and nights out! I will admit they’re not great for walking on soft sand on the beach (what heels are?) but they’ll do it in a pinch.
I also like these Dr. Scholl’s (listen, we’re old enough that comfort IS a priority) and the edgier Doc Marten’s Blaire as comfortable lower-heel options.
5. Polarized Sunglasses
Once you have polarized sunglasses, you’ll never go back (and your eyes will thank you too). I’m honest enough with myself to admit that there’s a high chance I lose my sunglasses on any trip – my longest lasting pair of sunglasses that I originally bought in Morocco in 2013 finally left my life this past summer when I traded my old car into the dealership and there they were, still in the sunglasses compartment. They lived a long life! But most of my other pairs haven’t been so lucky.
So, I order my polarized sunglasses from WearMe Pro – they’re affordable and come in many different styles, so it’s easy enough to grab a couple pairs so you can have one for your adventurous excursions and one for beach reading days or checking out art murals in town. I have two pairs – Drew and Ocean, that have held up for 2 years now with no scratches or breakage, and I expect I’ll lose them long before they’d wear out. I have my eye on the Nevada style for this summer.
6. Statement Earrings
Statement Earrings are another secret weapon in the limited-space-endless-outfits game. The funkier the better. Plants, snakes, sushi?
I can fit four pairs in a soft suede pouch in my makeup bag, and voila! Instant outfit upgrade. These days I mainly select my earring styles based on whether I feel like they scream QUEER (like these incredible, upcycled bread tag earrings handpainted with Phoebe Bridgers album covers). Hop on over to Etsy to start you on your own journey down a rabbit hole of endlessly incredible small jewelry businesses.
9. Beach Bag Tote
(photobombed by my dog)
To carry all your hot (non-gendered)girl shit.
I am, admittedly, a tote bag person. But even if you’re not in everyday life, you should still bring a tote bag along because the beach is exactly the occasion where you need all the space and miscellaneous item-hiding that tote bags have to offer.
Pick one with a fantastic print, perhaps a favorite book cover, a quote to keep strangers from approaching you at the pool, or one you picked up at a work conference as a piece of free merch – not because you got begrudgingly handed one but because you worked up the nerve to go up and ask if, actually, you could have one of their tote bags because the print is so cool. (hypothetically speaking).
Toiletries to pack for Cancun
10. Rose Water Toner
Cocokind’s rosewater facial toner
Rosewater facial toner is part of my daily skincare routine, but while some of my products stay behind when I go on vacation, a travel size of this spray will always make the cut. Why? Because this revives my skin in 0.2 seconds, and is easy enough to reapply throughout the day whenever I’m back in my room and feeling flushed, tired, or when my skin is dry from being in and out of the water all day. Bonus tip: store it in your mini fridge if you have one to feel like a deity when you spray this cool, floral scented magic on your hot, sun kissed face. I use Cocokind’s rosewater facial toner (I like that it’s in a glass bottle and love that they recently released a bulk size so you can refill without getting a new container every time), but I’ve also heard things about Mario Badescu rosewater facial spray.
11. Sunscreen & Aloe
Protect your skin! I have never regretted bringing too much sunscreen, but when I have forgotten it or not brought enough, I’ve suffered. Sunscreen is an essential part of your Cancun packing list. If you’re planning on doing water sports or going anywhere near an ocean, make sure you pick a sunscreen that is reef safe – make sure you do your research on ingredients as the reef safe label isn’t regulated and you’re looking for mineral sunscreens without oxybenzone and octinoxate. Two of my picks are Goddess Garden and All Good. I do also like Supergoop!, and recommend their Unseen sunscreen/primer if you’re someone who likes to wear makeup, but I tend to reserve that for my face since it’s on the pricey side.
No matter how much sunscreen I wear, I will inevitably get burnt at least once a trip, and that’s where my aloe vera gel comes in. Now, my pro tip on this one is to get real, raw aloe vera gel. Back in the day, my grandma and mom had to go to the health store to get this, now you can get it delivered with your groceries or pick it up with your makeup. I’ve used both the raw aloe liquid and gel and while I personally prefer the gel as it’s a bit easier to apply (and get to stay in one place) they both feel great, and more importantly, they WORK!
All Packed Up
A Cancun beach vacation is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind in a tropical paradise. To make the most of your trip, it’s important to pack a few key items. Sunscreen, a swimsuit, and polarized sunglasses are essential for protecting your body from the sun’s harmful rays (but have some aloe on hand just in case). Platform sandals, a jumpsuit or romper, and a cute and colorful jacket are a must for breezing around the resort or taking a day trip to nearby Isla Mujeres. And don’t forget to bring along a tote bag to hold all of your essentials!
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