Complete Tulum Packing List 2023: What To Bring & What Not To Bring To Mexico
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Are you looking for a one-stop shop Tulum packing list? We’re here to help!
Quick Rundown On Packing For Tulum
If you’re heading to Tulum and wondering what to pack, you’re in luck, because Tulum is super easy to pack for. The weather is fairly consistent and doesn’t experience drastically different climates like many cities do.
We’re going to tell you what to bring and give you some savvy and packable gear recommendations.
Let’s get into it!
Tulum Packing List 2023: The Packing Essentials
These are the essentials you’ll need to pack up your things and set off to Tulum!
Packing Cubes by Tripped Travel Gear
If you’re a travel enthusiast like me, you’ll love Tripped Travel Gear! It was founded by travelers who love premium travel gear and got tired of paying premium prices. So, they started their own company!
They’re able to produce and sell high-quality gear without a premium price tag because they don’t have the high overhead that the big travel gear companies have. If you want to get to Tulum on a budget, these are perfect!
Their standard compression cubes (pictured above) come in a large variety of sizes and designs to fit your taste. They compress down to about half the size of when you pack them for saving space inside your bag.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line packing cube, Tripped has you covered for that too!
If you’re an experienced traveler and packer, these might look familiar. Peak Design sells a set just like this but for twice the price! With this set, you’ll get premium quality without the premium price tag.
This set also features a compartment on the reverse side to put dirty clothes as you use them. This is my preferred packing cube for my travels. I do wish they came in other sizes, but when I need a smaller size, I use the other recommended set above.
Pakt Travel Backpack
The Travel Backpack by Pakt is one we stand behind because of its quality and organization, along with the company’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness.
No backpack is perfect, of course, but Pakt nails it with their Travel Backpack. It is well-designed to address many of the necessities of frequent travelers.
The quick-grab pocket often used for phones or sunglasses is lined with faux fur to prevent scratches. The laptop slot is accessed from the side which seems strange but feels nice and convenient.
The roomy clamshell main compartment provides lots of space while offering organizational pockets for all of our gear and gadgets, which we’ll get into. The zippers are premium YKK zippers. You’ll even find a hidden pocket for passports or other valuables.
Travel Locks by Sure Lock
These locks are TSA approved and versatile to fit all of your travel needs. They’re our top pick for locks to use while traveling.
They’re great for locking your zippers together on your luggage, or for use on lockers in your room or hostel. The flexible cable shackles make them ideal for use in just about any situation that requires securing your stuff.
Tulum Packing List: Gear & Toiletries
When you’re traveling, it’s important to have the coolest and most functional gear possible. We’ll give you some great recommendations on functional and space-saving gear.
Power Bank by TG90
The best thing about this power bank is its versatility, it has built-in connections for lightning and USB-C!
The connections are flexible making it easy to use the phone while charging if necessary. It’s fairly powerful for its slim size. I’ve found it to charge my phone twice fully before needing to be recharged.
It’s perfectly packable in a sling bag or even your pocket while you’re roaming around Tulum!
Waterproof Phone Case
If you’re going to Tulum, you’re going to want some pictures at the beach or at the many cenotes that surround the area.
Let’s be real, phones are expensive! Slip your phone into this waterproof case and fasten it for a chance to take some pictures in and around the water without worrying about your phone getting wet.
Oh, and it floats! No need to worry about your phone sinking to the bottom of the ocean or the depths of a cenote when you utilize this!
Travel Toothbrush
I have an electric Sonicare toothbrush at home, but it takes up too much space for my taste in my toiletry bag when I travel, so I bought a pack of these folding travel toothbrushes and I’m quite happy with them.
They fold in half for space saving. The bristles are soft enough that I don’t feel like I’m assaulting my teeth and gums, like with a lot of cheap toothbrushes. Add one of these to your packing list to pack like a pro.
Coola After-Sun Lotion
This after-sun lotion is one of my favorite products I’ve ever used. I found a bottle of it at work once when I came home from a trip and was a little crispy. I decided to try it and wow!
It felt so good and refreshing and relieved so much of the pain and irritation. I keep a bottle of it at all times now.
It’s important to note that this bottle is 5 ounces which is more than allowed for air travel, so if you want to take it with you on your trip, pick up some reusable silicon bottles (which we recommend doing anyway) and put some of this lotion in one of them.
Tulum-Style Clothing Recommendations
Going to Tulum isn’t like going to just any beach. Tulum is one of the hottest and most trendy travel destinations in the world!
You’re going to want to bring your A-Game!
Break out your most stylish and breathable options. It’s going to get hot, so you’ll want clothing that doesn’t get swampy or show when you’re sweating.
Ladies, you’ll want lots of sundresses or tank tops with long skirt outfit combinations. Bright colors and floral or plant prints are attractive with all the palm trees and vegetation around.
When it comes to swimsuits, bring plenty of them! It’s likely you’ll at least want to wear them under your outfits most days, as you’ll be spending a lot of time by the water, either at the beach or the cenotes.
If you want to take some good pictures for your Instagram (and you should because Tulum is maybe the most Instagrammable place in Mexico!), try a white swimsuit. It will look great with the beach as the backdrop.
Tulum Packing List: For Men
Men, keep it simple! Solid lighter colors or simple patterns that aren’t too bright or overstated. Also, if there was ever a time to try shorts with a shorter inseam, Tulum is the place. There are a lot of Europeans visiting Tulum, so you’ll fit right in.
Let’s get into some specifics for a Tulum packing list for us guys, shall we?
Tulum Packing List: Men’s Shirts
Mier is one of my favorite clothing brands. I’ve used their stuff over and over again and will continue to do so. It’s affordable, high-quality, and does exactly what I need it to do, looks good, lasts a long time, and does not stink.
Here are a few of my Mier shirt recommendations:
- T-shirts – their quick dry T-shirts are available in simple colors which I like. They look good and don’t break the bank. I like the V-necks but crew neck is also an option.
- Long Sleeve UPF 50+ – the long-sleeve shirts are perfect for the beach when you don’t want to get too much sun on your upper body. I always pack one of these.
- Polo Shirts – it’s always a good idea to bring a shirt with a collar, especially in Tulum with all those beach clubs. These are quick drying and also have sun protection.
Tulum Packing List: Men’s Shorts
For shorts, I’m going back to Mier here. Their products are just right for my travel needs and I’m confident you’ll feel the same.
Ok guys, remember how I said if there was ever a time to try shorter inseams, it’s now. Well, here they are. These 5-inch inseam shorts are super comfortable.
If I had a complaint, it would be that they sort of wrinkle easily, but for beach time and activities, that doesn’t bother me much.
If the 5-inch inseam scares you, don’t worry! They have 6 and 7-inch inseams as well if you want something a bit longer. But hey, live a little!
What Is the Weather Like In Tulum?
Let’s talk for a minute about the weather in Tulum and how it will affect your packing list. Remember, whether it’s rainy or dry in Tulum, it’s almost always warm.
Tulum’s Rainy Season
The rainy season in Tulum starts in June and ends in October. This is when you’ll find the best deals on flights and hotels. If you travel to Tulum during this time, bring a packable rain jacket and a pair of long pants.
The nice thing about the rainy season in Tulum is it’s still not too cold. If anything, it’s sort of refreshing.
Tulum’s Dry Season
The dry season in Tulum lasts from November until April or May. Temperatures do drop a bit during this time, but not enough for long clothes usually. It’s almost always shorts and t-shirt weather in Tulum.
What To Pack For Tulum FAQs
If you’ve still got some questions about what to pack for Tulum to make your packing list perfect, let’s try to answer them here!
How Much Cash Should I Bring To Tulum?
In Tulum, like most of Mexico, cash is king. I would not however carry large amounts of cash. Open a checking account like the one Charles Schwab offers that waive all ATM fees and does not charge foreign exchange fees.
That way, you can withdraw 2,000 pesos (about $100 USD) or so at a time as needed, rather than carry huge amounts of cash on you. Remember that Tulum can be expensive, so don’t get stuck with no cash.
This will also get you the true exchange rate rather than getting ripped off at the exchange windows changing your dollars for pesos.
What Are the Best Shoes For Tulum?
When it comes to shoes, for travel or otherwise, I’ve grown to love Kizik shoes. They have a patented heel technology that allows you to slip in and out of the shoes with ease, which is great for travelers that are always on the go.
Our favorite is the Athens, it has great grip for lots of walking in the city or on the trail looking for Tulum’s hidden gems. I wouldn’t use it for climbing or other more adventurous activities, but I’m not super adventurous anyways, so it covers most of my needs.
The only thing about the Athens is it looks very sneaker-ish, so if you want something with a little cleaner look for less casual nights out we like the Madrid Eco-Knit. It looks smooth and clean and still has their heel technology that allows you to step in with ease.
What Should I Wear In Tulum At Night?
Tulum is a stylish place day and night.
Ladies, when the sun goes down, tone down the colors and prints along with it. Solid soft colors present a cleaner look for nights out.
Gents, if you brought a button-down shirt, and I recommend that you do, Tulum nights are the perfect place for them. For you dapper guys, remember, you’re on vacation! There’s no need to button all the way up. Give the top two or three buttons the night off!
What Should I Not Wear In Tulum?
Tulum is hot and can get quite humid. You won’t want to wear clothing that shows sweat or gets uncomfortable in humid weather. Cut down on fabrics like cotton and lean more on quick-dry materials.
You also won’t need cold weather clothes like hoodies or jackets, unless they’re extremely thin and meant for warm weather. Jackets will do nothing more than waste space, so if you bring a jacket, make sure it’s a packable rain jacket.
Summing Up Our Tulum Packing List 2023
If you’ve chosen Tulum as your destination, you’re already on your way to a great trip. If you follow the recommendations in our Tulum packing list, you’ll be fully prepared for a fun vacation and you’ll look great while you’re there!
Pack up and head out. You’re ready.
Have fun out there!
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