Mexico, Cool & Dry
A curated packing list for your trip from Mexico City colonias to Oaxaca markets and the Yucatán coast. Built for warm dry days, cool mountain nights, and the easy flow between cathedrals, cantinas, and cenotes.
Border & arrival
What customs and immigration expect.
On the ground
How life actually works once you arrive.
FMM tourist card, free, 180 days
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens fill out the FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) on arrival or in advance at inm.gob.mx. Single-entry, max 180 days, cannot be extended. Keep the stamped paper, you surrender it on departure.
Cash king for tipping and street food
Cards work at hotels, big restaurants, supermarkets, and many Mexico City cafes. Street food, taxis, markets, and small towns are cash-only. ATMs at major bank branches (BBVA, Santander, Banamex) give the best exchange rates; airport ATMs are reliable.
Tipping is genuinely expected
10-15% at restaurants (check if propina is added). MXN $20-50 per bag for porters, MXN $20-50 per night for housekeeping, MXN $50-100 per day for guides. The 20-peso coin is the everyday tipping unit.
Bottled water only
Tap water is not drinkable, even in upscale neighborhoods. Brush teeth with bottled water. Most restaurants and hotels use purified ice and washed produce, but ask "¿es segura?" if unsure. Stomach trouble is the most common visitor problem.
Altitude is real in Mexico City
CDMX sits at 2,240m (7,350 ft). Day one: drink water, skip the late mezcal, walk slowly. Most visitors adjust within 24-48 hours. Altitude pills are usually unnecessary unless you have a heart condition; if unsure, ask a doctor.
Type A and B plugs at 127V
Same as the United States and Canada. US/Canadian travelers do not need an adapter. UK and EU travelers need a Type A/B converter and may need a voltage step-down for hair tools.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Bookings, applications, and admin for the weeks before departure. Work backwards from your trip date.
- 6 weeks out
- 4 weeks out
- 2 weeks out
- 1 week out
- Day before
- Day of
Clothing
Layered for the altitude swing in CDMX, light cotton for the coast. One nicer outfit for top-table reservations.
Shoes
Cobblestones in colonial cities, beach in the Yucatán. Versatile is everything.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Sunscreen and insect repellent are the heavy hitters. Pharmacies (farmacias) are everywhere.
Health & Medications
"Montezuma's revenge" is real. Bring more than you think you need.
Documents & Money
FMM in your passport, USD as a backup, pesos for everything daily.
Tech & Electronics
Type A/B at 127V, identical to the US. UK and EU travelers need an adapter.
Luggage & Organization
Soft-sided bags travel cobblestones better than wheels. Leave room for talavera and mezcal.
Comfort & In-Transit
Long-haul to CDMX from Europe; short hops from US. Internal flights are quick.
Weather & Climate Gear
High UV at altitude, intense beach sun, cool desert nights.
Cultural & Activity-Specific
Cenote-snorkeling, mezcal tastings, Day of the Dead all ask for something specific.
Safety & Precautions
Pickpocketing in CDMX metro and tourist crowds is the everyday risk; violent crime targets locals, not tourists.