Cancun guide
🇲🇽 Packing List
What to pack for Cancun
In April, Cancun is typically warm, expect showers (23°C - 31°C). This list adapts to those conditions; adjust for your exact travel dates.
Cancun essentials
- Swimwear for the resort or beach only, cover up in town
- Smart-casual outfits (skip gym wear for dinners)
Documents
- Photo ID
- Passport (valid 6+ months)
- Visa / e-visa printout
- Return / onward flight tickets
- Travel insurance policy
- Hotel booking confirmations
- Passport-size photographs (2-4)
- Photocopies / phone photos of passport and tickets, stored separately
Clothing
- One smart-casual outfit for dinners
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Very light, breathable cotton or linen clothing
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Compact umbrella
- Undergarments and sleepwear
- Enough outfits for 7 days (6 sets)
- Swimwear (2 sets)
- Beach cover-up or sarong
- Flip-flops
- Layered outfits you can add or remove as the day warms
Toiletries & health
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and toiletries
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), regular SPF bleaches coral
- Personal medication with prescription
- Basic first-aid: band-aids, painkillers, ORS
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Insect / mosquito repellent
- After-sun lotion
- Stick to busy local places. Hotel Zone high standards. Bottled water always.
Electronics
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Camera (optional)
- Power adaptor: Type A/B plugs (North American), 127V.
Money
- Debit / credit cards
- Local currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Local know-how
- Don't take shells or coral
- Local SIM: Telcel most common. Buy at Oxxo convenience stores. Good coverage.
- Pocket tissues: some island toilets are squat-style or limited
- Airport taxi overcharging - use ADO bus or official taxi
- April highlights: Semana Santa (Easter Week); Mexican tourists peak
Trip gear
- Water shoes for the house reef
- Snorkel mask (or hire at the reef)
- Dry bag for valuables