What to Pack for Cabo

Essential items for your Los Cabos vacation

Cabo Packing Essentials

Cabo is casual, beachy, and sunny year-round. Pack light, comfortable clothes and don't forget the essentials. Here's your complete packing guide.

Clothing

Daytime

  • • Swimsuits (2-3) - one to wear, one to dry
  • • Cover-ups or sarongs
  • • Shorts (3-4 pairs)
  • • T-shirts and tank tops
  • • Sundresses (for women)
  • • Light linen shirts
  • • Flip-flops or sandals
  • • Water shoes (for rocky beaches)
  • • Hat with wide brim
  • • Sunglasses (bring a backup pair)

Evening

  • • Resort casual attire (most restaurants)
  • • Nice sundress or cocktail dress
  • • Collared shirt and khakis (men)
  • • Light sweater or jacket (winter evenings)
  • • Comfortable walking shoes
  • • Dressier sandals

Note: Most restaurants are "resort casual" - no formal wear needed. Avoid tank tops and flip-flops at nicer restaurants.

Sun Protection (Critical!)

The Cabo sun is intense year-round. Don't underestimate it - even on cloudy days.

  • • Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) - Required at many beaches and marine parks
  • • After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel
  • • Lip balm with SPF
  • • Wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap
  • • UV-protection sunglasses
  • • Rash guard or swim shirt (great for snorkeling)
  • • Beach umbrella (if your hotel doesn't provide)

Important: Regular sunscreen is banned at many beaches to protect coral reefs. Bring reef-safe brands like Stream2Sea, Raw Elements, or Blue Lizard.

Beach & Pool Gear

  • • Beach bag or tote
  • • Waterproof phone case
  • • Dry bag for valuables
  • • Beach towel (most hotels provide, but bring one for excursions)
  • • Snorkel gear (optional - rentals available, but your own is more hygienic)
  • • Waterproof camera or GoPro
  • • Portable phone charger
  • • Reusable water bottle
  • • Cooler bag (for beach days)

Toiletries & Medications

Toiletries

  • • Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash
  • • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • • Deodorant
  • • Razor and shaving cream
  • • Hair ties, bobby pins
  • • Makeup and makeup remover
  • • Contact lenses and solution
  • • Insect repellent (especially summer)

Medications & First Aid

  • • Prescription medications (in original containers)
  • • Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
  • • Anti-diarrheal medication (Imodium)
  • • Antacids (Tums, Pepto-Bismol)
  • • Antihistamine (Benadryl)
  • • Motion sickness medication (for boats)
  • • Band-aids and antibiotic ointment
  • • Electrolyte packets (for hangovers)

Electronics & Important Documents

Electronics

  • • Phone and charger
  • • Portable power bank
  • • Camera and memory cards
  • • E-reader or tablet
  • • Headphones
  • • Universal adapter (Mexico uses Type A/B plugs, same as U.S.)

Documents

  • • Passport (valid for duration of stay)
  • • Driver's license (if renting a car)
  • • Travel insurance documents
  • • Hotel confirmation
  • • Flight confirmation
  • • Credit cards (2-3 for backup)
  • • Cash (small bills for tips)
  • • Emergency contact information

Optional But Nice to Have

  • • Books or magazines for beach reading
  • • Playing cards or travel games
  • • Bluetooth speaker (for beach/pool)
  • • Binoculars (for whale watching)
  • • Yoga mat (if you practice)
  • • Travel pillow for the flight
  • • Reusable shopping bag
  • • Spanish phrasebook or translation app

What NOT to Pack

  • Heavy jackets or winter clothes (unless visiting in December-February evenings)
  • Formal wear - Cabo is casual, even at nice restaurants
  • Too many shoes - you'll live in flip-flops and sandals
  • Expensive jewelry - leave valuables at home
  • Hair dryer - most hotels provide them
  • Full-size toiletries - buy travel sizes or get them at your hotel

Cabo Esteban's Packing Tips

Pack light - you'll wear less than you think. I usually bring 3-4 swimsuits, a few t-shirts, shorts, and one nice outfit for dinner. Everything else is overkill. Cabo is casual, and you'll spend most of your time in swimwear anyway.

The three things I never forget: reef-safe sunscreen (seriously, bring extra), a good hat, and a waterproof phone case. These three items will save your trip. Oh, and bring more cash in small bills than you think you'll need for tips - you'll go through it faster than expected.

Pro tip: Pack a change of clothes and swimsuit in your carry-on. If your luggage gets delayed, you can still hit the beach while you wait for your bags to arrive. It's happened to me, and I was grateful I could still enjoy my first day.