The Ultimate Packing List for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas? Whether you’re lounging at an all-inclusive resort, exploring stunning beaches, or setting off on an adventure, having the perfect packing list for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico will make your trip stress-free. From clothing essentials to the best reef-safe sunscreens for Mexico, we’ve got you covered. Plus, don’t forget to grab our packing list for Mexico PDF to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

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Clothing Essentials for your Packing List to Cabo San Lucas

Cabo’s warm and sunny climate calls for light, breathable clothing. Pack plenty of swimsuits because you’ll likely spend a lot of time in the water. Cover-ups, sundresses, and lightweight shorts will keep you comfortable while exploring or relaxing at your resort. Personally, I packed 3 swimsuits and 3 cover-ups for our week long trip to Cabo. We spent at least part of our day on the beach or by the pool everyday. For men, linen shirts and swim trunks are perfect for both day and night.

Clothing Ideas for Women for your Cabo San Lucas Packing List:

Clothing Ideas for Men for your Cabo San Lucas Packing List:

Even though Cabo is hot during the day, evenings can get breezy, so bring a light jacket or sweater. And if you’re planning a night out at one of Cabo’s upscale restaurants, include a dressier outfit on your packing list for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico pdf.

Footwear: What Shoes to Pack for Cabo San Lucas

You don’t need to overpack when it comes to shoes. A comfortable pair of sandals or flip-flops is a must for the beach and poolside. Water shoes are great if you plan on snorkeling or exploring rocky areas. We snorkeled at Playa Santa Maria. At this beach, water shoes would be very helpful due to the pebble beach. If you’re heading out on excursions or walking through town, a pair of sneakers or comfortable walking sandals is a great addition to your packing list for your Mexico all-inclusive trip. Depending on your agenda, hiking sandals, like Keens, are great for adventures or fishing charters. Comfortable and casual, Hey Dudes, are typically on my packing list for Mexico pdf. Overall, there are several different shoes listed here. Personally, I like to bring 2 pairs along, keeping in mind that packing light is key, so I would evaluate what you’re doing in Cabo and pick your shoes based on that. 

The Best Sunscreen for Mexico: How to Stay Safe Under the Sun and Protect Reefs

The sun in Mexico is strong, so packing the best sunscreen for Mexico is essential. Look for a high SPF and, most importantly, opt for reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life. Many areas in Cabo, including popular snorkeling spots, require biodegradable sunscreen to preserve coral reefs.

In addition to reef safe sunscreen for Mexico, pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and a rash guard for extra coverage when you’re in the water. Sunburn can quickly ruin a trip, so keeping your skin protected is key!

Beach and Poolside Essentials for your Packing List to Cabo San Lucas

Cabo’s gorgeous beaches and pools are where you’ll spend a lot of your time. Pack a beach bag to carry your essentials, including a quick-dry microfiber towel, a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated, and waterproof phone protection for those Instagram-worthy beach shots.

Other must-have items on your packing list for Mexico PDF include a good book, a portable speaker for poolside tunes, and a snorkel set if you plan on exploring the underwater world. While many resorts provide towels, having your own lightweight beach towel is convenient for excursions. We always pack microfiber towels. They fold down easily and are light to pack. 

As mentioned above, be sure to have a good reef-safe sunscreen along, especially when you’re at a beach with great snorkeling. Along with this, we brought our GoPro to Playa Santa Maria, where we did some epic snorkeling. 

Toiletries and Personal Care

Most all-inclusive resorts provide basic toiletries, but it’s always best to bring your favorites. Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are great space-savers. I use refillable toiletry bottles, as seen below. Aloe vera gel is a lifesaver if you get too much sun, and bug spray is useful for outdoor dining or jungle excursions. We never needed bug spray in Cabo in March, but we had OFF Wipes just in case.

If you’re wondering about the best sunscreen for Mexico, look for one that is waterproof and sweat-resistant. For extra protection, include reef-safe sunscreen on your packing list for Cabo San Lucas to stay compliant with local eco-friendly regulations.

Electronics and Travel Essentials Packing List to Cabo San Lucas

To capture all the amazing moments, don’t forget your camera or GoPro. A power bank is essential for keeping your devices charged, especially if you’re out exploring all day or on an all day fishing charter. Also, pack a universal travel adapter if needed (if you’re coming from the USA, this is NOT needed) and extra memory cards for your camera.

I always have a good pair of headphones, especially for the flight over and my iPad to pass time on the plane. For headphones, opt for noise-cancelling for your best flight experience. 

For convenience, download maps, reservations, and travel guides onto your phone before you go. Having an offline version of your packing list for Mexico PDF can also be handy in case of limited internet access.

Travel Documents and Money Tips

Ensure you have your passport, travel insurance, and any necessary reservation confirmations. Make copies of important documents and store them separately in case of loss. Many places in Cabo accept credit cards, but having some Mexican pesos for tipping and small purchases is a good idea. You can also use USD in most places. We mainly used USD and credit card in Cabo San Lucas. We had plenty of smaller bills for tipping. Tipping is appreciated in Mexico, usually between 10% to 20%, depending on what it is for and what kind of service you received. Even if you stay at an all-inclusive hotel in Mexico, having tipping money on your packing list is still important. We stayed at Villa Del Palmar, an all-inclusive resort, and always tipped our servers, bartenders, housekeeping, etc. 

Where did we stay in Cabo San Lucas?

We stayed at Villa Del Palmar, an all-inclusive resort on Medano beach (one of Cabo San Lucas’ swimmable beaches). We had a great stay here. The service, food, pool and spa were all excellent. Each restaurant at Villa Del Palmar had a variety of options and amazing tasting foods. We were not disappointed.

Extras to Make Your Trip Even Better

To enhance your experience, consider adding these extras to your packing list for Mexico all-inclusive trip:

• A small first-aid kit with essentials like pain relievers, motion sickness pills, and bandaids
• A reusable shopping bag for souvenirs and groceries
• A journal or travel diary to document your adventure

Another hint for motion sickness… If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider trying a wristband that is aimed at preventing this while fishing or out on the water. We have 2 different kinds that we added to our packing list to Cap San Lucas for our fishing excursions and whale watching tours.

Download Your Free Packing List for Cabo San Lucas

To make packing even easier, grab our packing list for Mexico PDF and check off items as you go. This way, you won’t forget anything important, and you can focus on enjoying your trip to paradise!

For a free printable pdf of the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico packing list, use the free downloadable pdf below.

Final Thoughts

Packing for Cabo San Lucas doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With this packing list for Cabo San Lucas or any all-inclusive in Mexico, you’ll be fully prepared for everything from beach lounging to sunset dinners. Remember to bring the best sunscreen for Mexico and always choose reef-safe sunscreen to protect the ocean while you enjoy its beauty.

Now, print out your packing list pdf for Mexico, pack your bags, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Cabo! Happy travels!