What to Pack For a Family Vacation to Mexico

You’ve been anxiously waiting, and now finally, your trip to Mexico is here!

You’ve researched where to stay, what to do, and the culture of this beautiful country. Your kids are so excited to swim every day and go to the beach and you get to spend some much-needed quality time together. What a dream!

But, alas, there is one more thing you’re going to have a plan before you leave: Packing the suitcases.

There are some people who can carelessly throw in a few shorts, some t-shirts, their swim trunks and go. (Looking at you, hubby!) But not us moms, we need to plan. We need to figure out exactly what to pack because if something goes wrong or something is missing, we all know who it falls on to fix it—us moms.

So what should I pack for my family trip to Mexico?

All we really want to do is finally relax and spend some quality time with our husband and kids. So how can we make that happen?

One way is to try to keep your packing as simple as possible so you can truly relax and get into this spirit of the holiday! Relaxation + simplicity = fun! It’s stressful having an overfull suitcase!

Leave things like designer bags, fancy jewelry, and most of the clothing you’ve probably have laid out on your bed right now! Am I right?

More than often, one of my biggest travel regrets is overpacking. Make things easy on yourself and thoughtfully plan select items going into your suitcases. Pre-plan outfits thoughtfully. And not just for you, the rest of the family too!

We’ve come up with a list to help you decide what you need to pack for your family trip to Mexico. All families are different and have varying needs, so please feel free to use this list as a jumping-off point to do what works best for your family. Just remember, more is not better.

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Essentials:

passports
wallet with ID and cards
print out of bookings with confirmation numbers and travel itinerary
cash (small bills in Pesos & USD)

In Mom’s Suitcase:

4 – shorts
2 – pants (jeans, crops, sweatpants/Leggings, comfy pants)
4 – a mix of sundresses and skirts
1 – fancier dress
4 – t-shirts
4 – a mix of tank tops and dressier tops
2 – light sweaters
4 – swimsuits
1-2 – swimsuit cover-ups
8-10 – undies
2-3 – PJs
2 – socks

In Dad’s Suitcase:

4-6 – shorts
2 – pants
4 – t-shirts
2-3 -short-sleeved dress shirts
2 – collared/polo style shirts
1-2 – light sweaters
1-2 PJs
2-3 socks
8 – undies
4 – swim shorts

Getting suitcase packed for a family trip to mexico

Kids Clothes:

What to pack for your daughter:

4 – shorts
2 – skirts
3 – dresses
4 – a mix of tank tops and dressier tops
5 – t-shirts
4- swimsuits
1-2 – swimsuit cover-up
2-3 – PJ’s
3 – comfy pants/ leggings
2 – light sweaters or cardigans

What to put in your son’s suitcase:

6 – shorts
2 – pants
4 – t-shirts
2 – collard / polo style shirt
2 – short-sleeved dress shirt
1-2 – sweaters
8-10 – undies
2 – socks
2-3 – PJ’s
4 – swim shorts
2 – swim shirts

Mom & Dad’s Shoes:

Shoes are hard! It’s so easy to pack too many pairs and we usually don’t end up wearing most of them! Plus, they take up too much space in our suitcases. So take a couple out so you can fit that sombrero in your bag on the way home!

Tip: If you buy a cute new pair of shoes, please, please do not wear them for the first time on your holiday. As tempting as it is, it’s a recipe for disaster! Break them in at home a few weeks before you leave to make sure they are comfortable and won’t leave you bleeding or blistered.

Mom’s Shoes

flip flops for the pool and beach
dressy sandals or dressy flats
wedges
runners or sneakers
optional: water shoes – perfect for tours & excursions like Xcaret and Xenses!

Dad’s Shoes

Flip Flops/ Sandals
Runners
Dressier shoes/ loafers
optional: water shoes

Kids Shoes:

flip flops for beach and pool
dressy sandals for your daughter (if you want)
slip-on sneakers for your son, like these. (for those dress-up nights)
runners for both kids
optional: water shoes

Toiletries:

I have always been in the school of “better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Here is where I kinda go off the rails on my whole simplicity is the key motto. It drives my husband crazy; he doesn’t understand why I feel like I need to bring all this stuff!

But I’ve been in a pinch before. One of the kids wakes up with an earache, and we don’t have what we need to help them. And where do you even go to get ear drops in the middle of the night in Mexico? That is why I bring all of this stuff when I’m packing for a family trip to Mexico!

Maybe it’s too much, but hey, you pack what you think you will need and hopefully, you won’t need it at all. Plus, it’s always more expensive to buy something like a pain reliever at a hotel gift shop than bringing it from home. Some of these items your hotel will likely provide, so check with them first before you pack. Only take what you’ll need.

What to Pack:

Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Floss
Deodorant
Body Lotion
Shampoo and Conditioner
Body Wash
Hairbrush & Hair Stuff (ponytails, bobby pins, bun maker)
Flat Iron or Curling Iron
Facial Cleansing Wipes – I like these because it saves me from having to pack all of my regular facial products.
Makeup & Chapstick
Facial Moisturizer
Razor and Shaving Cream
Create a Travel Medical Kit (prescriptions, pain reliever, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, band-aids, blister pads, antibiotic ointment, Gravol, Pepto Bismol, Tums, ear drops, nasal spray)
Vitamins / Melatonin
Cotton Swabs
Nail Clippers / Nail File
Tweezers
Feminine Hygiene Products
Sunscreen- Reef Safe is the way to go. Try BeautyCounter Countersun Mineral Mist SPF 30
Aloe After Sun Care – My favourite is Maui Vera (Tip: Throw it in your hotel room mini-fridge for instant relief from sunburns.)
Bug Spray
Laundry Soap – So we can easily hand wash small items. I like these travel packs of laundry soaps.

Carry on

Think about what you couldn’t live without if your luggage was lost or delayed.

Having a few essentials in your carry-on is an excellent idea. Knock on wood, we haven’t had our suitcases lost before, but we did get delayed in San Francisco airport overnight and ended up having to buy things that I wish I already had in my bag.

After this experience, I like to keep a few select “can’t do without” items in our carry-on bag. Here’s my list to get you started!

toothbrushes
toothpaste
deodorant
hairbrush
ponytails
face lotion
concealer
mascara
pain reliever (for adults and kids)
small sunscreen (non-aerosol, lotion-based)

It’s also a good idea to have a change of clothes with you in your small carry on suitcase. Don’t forget to put everyone’s swimsuits in the carry on just in case. That way if your luggage is late, you can still swim and have fun!

And of course, keep all of your valuables and electronics with you. They are much safer when they are in your carry-on.

Remember to keep your prescription medications in your carry on and NOT in your checked luggage. Also, make sure they are in the original container with the appropriate label, or they may get confiscated, yikes!

Suitcase ready and Packed for a family trip to Mexico.

Other:

Jewellery – Keep it simple! Bring a few simple costume jewellery pieces that you won’t be sad if they get lost.
Sunglasses – They don’t have to be expensive, but try to buy ones with proper UV protection. I love Ray-Ban Wayfarer. I have worn this style for years!
Hats – for everyone in the family
Beach bag
Camera
Waterproof Camera / Waterproof Phone Case – For those fun underwater shots!
Book(s) or Kindle – I love reading at the beach!
Pop-up laundry hampers – They fold down so nicely. They are small and are so handy to keep dirty clothes off the floor.
A dirty laundry bag and a dry bag – to keep your wet swimsuits or dirty clothes separated from your clean clothes. It makes it super easy to throw the dirties into the laundry room when you get home
Shoe Bags – It grosses me out if the dirty bottom of shoes touches my clean clothes, so I pack them in separate shoe bags.
Blanket Scarf or Shawl – They are great for the airplane, but also perfect for those chilly evenings.
Kids Special Items (blankets, stuffies)
Kids’ Toys, Crafts, or Games – Want a quiet evening after a busy day? Easily keep kids happy and active by having a few items ready to go. We pack things like Uno cards, hot wheels, small lego sets.
Kids Swim Goggles

Disclaimer: Our kids are getting pretty big and no longer require a lot of stuff that younger kids need. Maybe your little one needs a lifejacket or drinks from a sippy cup right now. Please use our list as a starting point and add your ideas!

What else to think about when packing for a family trip to Mexico

When staying in an all-inclusive resort, it’s a good idea to research the required dress code.

Knowing what the resort’s expectations are will help you decide what you need to pack.
Another tool to use is the weather app. Find out what the expected forecast will be. Check humidity as well as temperature!
Have you planned what tours and excursions you’re going to do? You won’t want to wear fashion flip flops on a hike to Mayan ruins!
Check Pinterest and blogs for fashion and style advice. Check out one of my favourite blogs Travel Fashion Girl. She has a wealth of knowledge of what to wear when travelling.

Conclusion:

Remember, the best way to help you stay relaxed and sane is to find a balance between simplicity and needs. Here are our top takeaways:

Try your best to keep it simple! Pick clothes that can easily coordinate. This will save you time and stress of overpacking!
Create a travel medical kit to ease the tension if someone gets hurt or sick.
Thoughtfully pack your carry on. Just in case your bags get lost along the way.
And save room in your suitcase for souvenirs for family and friends!

Do you have any suggestions on items I should add to this list? What are your must-haves when travelling to Mexico? Let me know in the comments!