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What to Wear in Tulum and Essentials to Pack

Tulum is a beach town in Mexico known for its laid-back atmosphere and chic style. The weather is warm and sunny year-round, so you’ll want to pack light, airy clothing that will keep you cool.

The Tulum Style

The Tulum style is all about effortless chic. Think swim suits, cover ups, flowy skirts, rompers, caftans, and off-the-shoulder dresses with sandals. People do dress up more for dinner at the nicer restaurants, but even then, it’s still a casual look.

What to Pack

Here’s a suggested packing list for Tulum:

  • 2-3 bathing suits and cover-ups
  • 5-7 dresses or rompers/outfits
  • Shorts, tank tops and t-shirts for sightseeing days, if you prefer
  • Flip flops and strappy sandals
  • Light sweater or wrap for evenings, especially in the winter months
  • A fanny pack
  • A sleek summer cross-body bag for around town and/or straw clutch for evenings
  • A straw bag or beach tote
  • Wide-brimmed packable sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Organic Mosquito repellent
  • After-sun lotion or aloe vera
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Anti-chafing balm
  • Poo-Pouri spray
  • Outlet adapter if you’re from overseas
  • Dry pouch for your room/car keys on walks along the beach
  • Headlamp for biking or flashlight for walking at night
  • Waterproof phone case
  • Ear plugs and sleep mask

Activities

Here are some activities you might want to do in Tulum, and what to pack for each:

  • Beach: You’ll want to pack your bathing suit, cover-up, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
  • Cenotes: Cenotes are natural swimming holes that are found in the Yucatán Peninsula. You’ll want to pack your bathing suit, cover-up, sunscreen, and a dry bag to keep your belongings dry.
  • Ruins: Tulum is home to ancient Mayan ruins. You’ll want to pack comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat.
  • Nightlife: Tulum has a vibrant nightlife scene. You can pack whatever you like, but you might want to consider packing a dress or skirt if you plan on going to a nicer bar or club.

Extra Tips

  • If you’re planning on doing any hiking or biking, you’ll want to pack sneakers or hiking sandals.
  • If you’re going during the rainy season (June-October), you might want to pack a rain jacket.
  • If you’re going in the winter, you might want to pack a light sweater or jacket.
  • You can find most things you need in Tulum, but it’s a good idea to pack the essentials, such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat.
  • Don’t forget to pack your camera! Tulum is a beautiful place, and you’ll want to capture all of your memories.


Here is a list of the additional items you need to pack for your trip to Tulum:

  • Telcel Prepaid Mexico SIM Card: Tulum does not have the best WiFi, so it is a good idea to purchase a prepaid SIM card so you can have access to data.
  • Ear Plugs: Tulum can be a noisy place in the high season lots of parties and you may have the bad luck of picking a place to stay near construction, so ear plugs are a must-have for a good night’s sleep.
  • Water-To-Go Reusable Water Bottle: The tap water in Tulum is not safe to drink, so it is important to bring a reusable water bottle with you. Or plan to get one when you get here.
  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen: It is important to use reef-safe sunscreen when swimming in the cenotes in Tulum.
  • Hangover Meds (Hydration Powder): Tulum is a party town, so it is a good idea to pack hangover meds to help you feel better the next day.
  • Mexico Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is a good idea for any trip, but it is especially important for a trip to Mexico.
  • Eco-Friendly Bug Spray: Mosquitoes are a problem in Tulum, so it is important to pack eco-friendly bug spray
  • External Battery (Power Bank): You will need a power bank to keep your phone charged while you are exploring Tulum.
  • Waterproof Fanny Pack: A waterproof fanny pack is essential for carrying your essentials while you are swimming in the cenotes or at the beach.
  • Facial Oil Blotting Rice Paper: These blotting sheets are a quick way to dry sweat and look shine-free in the hot weather in Tulum.
  • Multi-Plug Outlet Extender: This outlet extender will come in handy if your accommodation does not have many outlets.
  • Your Passport: This is an essential item that you cannot forget. You’ll want to have a saved screenshot on your phone as well as a paper photocopy so you have it and can leave your passport when you dont need it .
  • Medications: Pack any medications that you need, as well as some basic over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers and Pepto-Bismol. Although there is a pharmacy literally on every street corner so you may find yourself stocking up on affordable medications.
  • Debit Card: It is a good idea to have two cards, one credit card and one debit card. Make sure that your debit card has access to cash. Some places in Tulum do not accept credit cards so you’ll be pulling cash and leave the American Express at home because very few accept it.
  • Driver’s License: If you are planning on renting a car, you will need your driver’s license.

What to Wear in Tulum:

The weather in Tulum is warm year-round, so you will want to pack light, airy clothing. A few essentials include:

  • Flowy maxi dresses
  • Denim shorts
  • Tank tops
  • Flip flops
  • Swimsuits

In the winter months, you may want to pack a light jacket or cardigan for the evenings.

I hope this helps!