What to Wear in Cancun Besides a Swimsuit

Not sure what to wear in Cancun? Check out these helpful tips and start packing. Also, learn what to bring to Cancun for your Cancun Adventures tours.

List of Things to Bring to Cancun 

  • Hat

  • Light scarf

  • Good Hiking Shoes

  • Sun Protection

  • Light Clothing

    • Rain Jacket

    • Shorts

    • Tee shirts or tank tops

    • Sundresses

    • Swimsuit cover-up

    • Sunglasses

You will find a much more inclusive list of things to bring, with the reason we suggest them below!

Not sure what to wear in Cancun? Check out these helpful tips and start packing. Also, learn what to bring to Cancun for your Cancun Adventures tours.

Packing for vacation doesn’t have to be a guessing game, or a fight to fit clothes for every possible weather scenario into your suitcase. With a little planning, you can bring only the essentials and stop stressing about whether you’ve adequately prepared. Figuring out what to bring to Cancun is no different. Check out these tips and suggestions to learn exactly what to wear in Cancun and how to pack the right items.

What to Wear in Cancun

There are so many fun activities to enjoy in Cancun, it would be a shame to miss out on something amazing because you didn’t pack quite right. You’ll need to know how to dress in Cancun, so you can pack for everything from scaling ancient Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes, and snorkeling with whale sharks, to dining in fancy restaurants or hiking through the jungle.

Swimsuits

woman wearing swimsuit on beach

Let’s start with the most obvious. When considering what Cancun clothes to bring along, a swimsuit is a must. If you want to enjoy Cancun life, clothing needs to be suited to the environment. No one goes to Cancun without visiting the beach or pool, or without scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, or swimming with the local marine life. So swimsuits are at the top of your list of what to wear in Cancun. 

It’s also wise to bring more than one swimsuit, so you don’t have to miss out on any activities while your suit is still drying from the previous adventure. A great option is to wear a long sleeve swimming suit or lycra shirt on top of your regular swimsuit, with a SPF 50 to protect yourself from the sun.

Hat

Bring along some sort of hat to wear in Cancun. It will help protect your eyes and skin from damaging sun rays and prevent sunburn. If you’re worried about getting too hot with a hat on, choose a straw hat that breathes easily.

Shoes

Woman wearing hiking boots

When traveling in Cancun, what to wear on your feet can vary. In addition to a pair of sandals for the beach, don’t forget good water-resistant walking or hiking shoes for sightseeing and jungle exploration. Depending on your activities, you may also want water shoes or a nice pair of dress shoes.

Sun Protection

Sunscreen protection is a must in Cancun. Do your skin and health a favor and make sure to bring along plenty of sunscreen. Because the area is usually warm and sunny, there’s a tendency to expose more skin to the sun. Sunscreen is just as important to wear as the clothes you bring.


When traveling to and from the beach—or anywhere you want to wear your swimsuit—plan to have a cover-up, or shorts and a tee-shirt. You’ll also need a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Keep in mind that many sunscreens are not allowed in the oceans because of harmful ingredients, so make sure you have a reef-safe, chemical-free sunscreen.

Clothing

Cancun hiking with appropriate clothing

What to wear in Cancun can vary based on the weather. During the wet season, which stretches from May through October, Mexico gets a lot more rain and stays pretty humid, so you’ll want to add an umbrella to your packing list. The temperatures tend to hover between 85 and 95 degrees.

During the dry season, between November and April, it gets a little colder and sometimes windy, so you might want a pair of long (but still fairly thin) pants or a light sweater. Temperatures are usually between 80 and 88 degrees, but occasionally dip down to around 65 degrees.

Year-round, you will want to pack the following clothing items for maximum comfort in Cancun:

  • Rain jacket

  • Shorts

  • Tee shirts and/or tank tops

  • Sundresses

  • Clothing for a night out or special occasion

  • Swimsuit cover-up

  • Sunglasses

Try to find a balance with the clothes you bring on your trip. Don’t bring anything too cool or too warm—stick to a wardrobe that is flexible and breathable but easy to layer if the need arises.

What to Bring to Cancun (besides Clothes)

In addition to clothing and sunscreen, there are a few items you want to be sure you have on your list of what to bring to Cancun.

Water Bottle

Using Water bottles to save environment

In Mexico, and especially in Cancun, eco-friendly movements and government policies are implementing non-disposable plastic campaigns. So, it is heavily suggested that you bring your own reusable bottle or container. Saving and taking care of the environment is a must that everyone should do in order to keep these beautiful sites clean. Besides, they are quite easy to get, and there are many amazing local designs —a great souvenir to bring back home!

Waterproof Phone Case

If you plan on bringing your phone with you when you leave the hotel, you will want to make sure it is adequately protected from water and sand with a waterproof case.

Bug Repellant

Almost as important as sunscreen, insect repellant is another item you should consider bringing with you on your trip. Don’t forget to pack bug spray or insect-repellent bracelets to keep from being bitten by mosquitoes at the beach or on excursions.

Medication

In addition to any personal medications you may need, throw in some activated charcoal or over-the-counter medicine to treat diarrhea or upset stomach, just in case.

Backpack or Beach Tote Bag

Use a backpack or large tote bag as a carry-on for the plane, then use it when you get to Cancun for holding water bottles, sunscreen, and any other essentials when you are on the go.

Embark On a Cancun Adventure

If you’re traveling to Cancun, what to wear is just as important as figuring out what you’re going to do. Cancun Adventures offers various tours and excursions and has something for every traveler. Just be sure you’re aware of what to wear in Cancun, Mexico, so you can climb an ancient Mayan temple at Coba, enjoy luxurious private beaches, or get a rush of adrenaline driving ATVs, zip-lining, and rappelling. Contact us today to book an adventure for your Cancun vacation!

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