10 Essential Things to Pack for a Trip to Los Cabos
So, you’ve just booked up your trip to Los Cabos and want to know what the essential things to pack are? Then you’re in the right place. It doesn’t matter if you’re passing through on a budget or a staying at some of the more luxurious vacation rentals in Los Cabos, you still need to pack a few essentials. Los Cabos is a beach resort and you only really need to pack one bag. If you’re happy to do your own washing or go to the laundromat, you can take even less. Here are 10 essential and not-so-obvious things to pack for your trip.
1# Sunscreen:
In the initial excitement, it can be quite easy to forget sunscreen. The Mexican sun shines strong and bright for most of the year and you need to protect yourself. It’s quite easy to get burned when you’re swimming or relaxing around the pool. Avoid making the mistake of several tourists who arrive and get second-degree burns from exposure on the first day.
2# Sweater / Light Jacket:
The sun may be shining all the time, but it doesn’t mean that the weather is always hot. When the sun drops below the horizon, you’re going to notice an almost instant drop in the temperature. The average evening temps hover in the low to mid 70’s and after a day under the sun, you can start to feel slightly chilly. For this reason, remember to pack a light sweater or jacket to stay warm.
3# Waterproof Shoes / Sandals:
Most people like to participate in some kind of water activities when they visit Los Cabos. And even if you’re not, you’re probably going to be hanging around the pool or at the beach. Walking along the beach barefooted isn’t a good idea after it’s been baking under the sun for hours. Bring a pair of comfortable sandals or waterproof shoes to protect your feet.
4# Tissue / Toilet Paper:
This is a more practical issue that tourists often fall victim to. The public toilets in Mexico don’t usually have tissue and can lead to unexpected problems. It’s always a good idea to have some in your bag as a backup just in case. When you wash your hand afterwards, you should expect that you will have to let them air dry as there probably won’t be any paper towels.
5# Medicine:
You may not be able to get the same type of medicine in Los Cabos as you can back at home. This becomes even more of a problem if you can’t speak Spanish to explain to the pharmacist what you want. I’d strongly suggest bringing painkillers and anti-diarrheal tablets. The hygiene in Mexico isn’t always as good as it can be back at home, especially if you’re travelling through on a budget. The water may not be clean and developing stomach problems is a real issue. Bring something to protect yourself.
6# Fanny Pack or a Money Belt:
Los Cabos is one of the safest regions in Mexico for tourists. But it doesn’t mean that it’s completely safe and that it gives you an excuse to be careless. Pickpockets and thieves roam the streets in search of easy targets. You don’t want to keep any valuables insides your pockets where someone can easily get their hands on it. I’d recommend wearing a fanny pack to keep your day-to-day items such as your phone and keys and a money belt to store your cards, larger denominations, and passports.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
7# Something to Read:
If you’re going to relax in Los Cabos, you want to be entertained. In today’s day and age, most people are happy to sit playing on their phones all day. While this is an advantage, it also gets tiresome after a few days. Magazine and books are hard to find in Mexico and the ones that you do are much more expensive. The variety is limited and it may not be something that you’re looking for. If you like to read magazines, plan ahead and bring some with you.
8# Bring Your Own Snorkeling Equipment:
If you plan to go out and snorkel, it may be better to bring your own equipment along with you. A pair of goggles and a snorkel doesn’t take much room. The hygiene and quality of equipment in Mexico is lower, which means that they may or may not have been thoroughly cleaned after the last person used them. They’re not too expensive to rent, but for your own comfort, it may be better to bring you own.
9# Small Dollar Bills:
When people come to Mexico, they tend to tip the waiters and people that help them out. The standard price is usually about $1, which isn’t too much for you whilst making the recipient feel happy. It can be difficult to find smaller denominations when you arrive in Mexico, so save them up and bring them with you.
10# Insect and Bug Repellent:
Los Cabos is full of bugs that come out during the night. You may be used to this back at home or perhaps you aren’t. Bugs are inevitable. Repellents are expensive and in limited supply when you arrive. The best bet is to buy some at home and bring them with you.
The Takeaway Message:
Visiting Mexico and Los Cabos is a great experience. You don’t need to pack your entire house to come here for a week or so, just remember the essentials so you don’t get caught out when you arrive.
