Planning a December getaway to Mexico? You’re in for sunshine, colorful culture, and delicious food. Whether you’re hitting Cancun’s beaches, strolling colonial towns like San Miguel de Allende, or exploring Mexico City, the weather stays fairly warm—but regional variations matter.
You’ll need breezy outfits for beach towns and layers for cooler inland areas. Sunscreen is essential, as are a few smart layers for evenings. Comfort is key—especially if you’re planning active adventures, long walks, or festive nights out.
📝Note: This article is all about Mexico packing list December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments! *
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Cancun/Playa del Carmen: 20–28°C / 68–82°F ☀️
- Mexico City: 7–22°C / 45–71°F 🌤️
- Oaxaca: 10–25°C / 50–77°F 🌞
- Pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo): 18–29°C / 64–84°F 🌅
- Dry season: sunny, mild humidity, rare rain
What to Pack for Mexico in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Light suitcase – Easy to roll through resorts or towns 🧳
- Carry-on – Perfect for quick trips or budget airlines 🎒
- Packing cubes – Pack light, stay organized 🧩
- Shoe bags – Protect clean clothes from beach sand 👟
- Toiletry bag – Hot-weather ready liquids 🧼
- Document organizer – Passport, health docs in one place 📁
- Daypack – For ruins, beach, and tours 🏝️
- Laundry kit – Great for longer stays or hikes 🧺
- Luggage scale – Avoid return-flight stress ⚖️
- Lock – Peace of mind at hostels or hotels 🔒
- Dry bag or pouch – For cenotes or boat rides 💦
- Towel – Lightweight, for beach or hostel use 🧖
- Neck pillow – Comfort during flights or long buses 💤
- Sleep mask – Block light wherever you stay 😴
👗 Clothes
- T-shirts/tops (4–6) – Light and breathable 👕
- Tank tops – Great for beach or pool days 🌞
- Dresses/rompers (2–3) – Easy outfits for day to night 👗
- Shorts (2–3) – Cool and comfy 🩳
- Light pants – For cities or modest visits 👖
- Maxi dress or skirt – Breezy, stylish, temple-friendly 👚
- Cardigan or hoodie – Nighttime chill layer 🧥
- Light rain jacket – Just in case ☔
- Activewear – Yoga, hikes, or cenote dips 🧘
- Swimsuits (2–3) – Beach + pool-ready 👙
- Cover-up – Resort or boat-friendly 🧣
- Pajamas – Light and breathable 🛌
- Underwear & bras – Comfy, breathable sets 👙
- Socks – Minimal but useful 🧦
💆 Skincare
- Cleanser – Remove SPF and sweat 🧴
- Toner – Refresh post-beach 🌊
- Moisturizer – After-sun hydration 💧
- Sunscreen – Reef-safe SPF 30+ ☀️
- Makeup remover – Wipes or micellar water 🧽
- Exfoliator – Gentle beach skin renewal 🧖
- Eye cream – Prevent puffiness after long flights 👁️
- Hydrating mist – Instant refresh 💦
- Face masks – Relax and recover 😌
- Lip balm w/SPF – Beachside lips need love 💋
- Spot treatment – Fight sudden breakouts 🚫
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – Lightweight base 💄
- Concealer – Quick fixes 🎯
- Blush/bronzer – Add glow in tropical light 🌅
- Eyeshadow – Tropical tones or minimal kit 🎨
- Waterproof mascara – Pool-proof 👁️
- Lip tint or gloss – Easy day glam 💄
- Setting spray – Humidity helper 💨
- Makeup brushes – Compact kit 🖌️
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – Post-beach detangler 💆
- Hair ties/scrunchies – Must for pool and humidity 🧵
- Shampoo/conditioner – Moisture-rich minis 🧴
- Dry shampoo – Quick refresh in heat 💨
- UV hair spray – Protect from sun ☀️
- Mini dryer – Optional unless needed 💁♀️
- Serum/oil – Tame frizz 🌴
- Clips/headbands – Stylish control 🎀
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flip flops – Beach and pool go-to 🩴
- Sandals – Walkable and cute 👡
- Sneakers – For cities or hikes 👟
- Water shoes – Cenotes, rivers, or reef walks 🌊
- Sunhat – Shade essential 👒
- Sunglasses – Polarized = better 😎
- Light scarf – Style or sun cover 🧣
- Crossbody bag – Secure while sightseeing 👜
- Jewelry – Lightweight and beachy 💍
- Travel belt – For safety in cities 👖
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – Required for all entries 🛂
- Tourist card – Keep it safe in Mexico 🧾
- ID – Driver’s license or similar 🪪
- Travel insurance – Especially for adventure trips 🛟
- Flight tickets & confirmations 🛫
- Itinerary – Printed or digital 🗓️
- Cash & card – Pesos + credit 💳
- Maps/downloads – Offline Google Maps 🗺️
- Receipts – For VAT or expenses 🧾
- Pen – Immigration forms ✍️
- Wallet – Slim & secure 👛
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – Blisters from walking 🩹
- Antiseptic wipes – Quick cleans 🧽
- Painkillers – Sun headaches or long days 🤕
- Allergy meds – New foods, plants 🤧
- Bug bite cream – Just in case 🦟
- Tweezers – For splinters or grooming 🗜️
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – Full trip supply 💊
- Motion sickness tabs – Road or boat 🌊
- Vitamins – Keep healthy while indulging 🥗
- Hand sanitizer – Public surfaces 👐
- Toilet paper/tissues – Not always available 🧻
- Deodorant – Bring your fave 🌸
- Razor – Travel size 🪒
- Toothbrush/paste – Daily essential 🪥
- Floss – Avoid dental issues 🦷
- Perfume – Small rollerball 💐
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – Unlocked, with charger 📱
- Power bank – Long excursion days ⚡
- Adapter – Check if needed (most US plugs work) 🔌
- Offline maps – For spotty service 🗺️
- SIM/eSIM – Optional for longer trips 📶
- Camera – Optional if phone suffices 📸
- Waterproof case – Cenotes and sea 💦
- Bluetooth speaker – Hotel or beach 🎶
🎧 Entertainment
- Books/e-reader – Relaxation mode 📚
- Music/podcasts – Travel vibes 🎧
- Travel journal – Capture your days 📓
- Card games – Fun with new friends 🃏
🎁 Extras
- Reusable bottle – Stay hydrated 💧
- Shopping tote – Great for souvenirs 🛍️
- Mini detergent – For hand-washing clothes 🧼
- Lint roller – Especially for night looks 👔
- Travel sewing kit – For small fixes 🧵
- Sleep aid – Jetlag helper 😴
🌍 Travel Tips
- Learn basic Spanish phrases 🇲🇽
- Stay hydrated with bottled water 💦
- Use sunscreen often ☀️
- Download local taxi or map apps 🗺️
- Photograph documents – Just in case 📸
🛂 Visa Tips
- US/Canadian tourists don’t need visa under 180 days 🛂
- Hold onto your immigration form 📄
- Bring passport copies 📋
- Return ticket proof may be asked ✈️
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport & tourist card 🛂
- Sunscreen & bug spray ☀️🦟
- Travel insurance 🧾
- Water bottle 💧
- Phone + charger 📱
👍 Good-to-Have
- Water shoes for cenotes 🌊
- Sleep mask for hostels 😴
- SIM card for connectivity 📶
- Toilet tissue pack 🧻
- Dry bag for water fun 💦
