Mexico Travel Packing List
Essential Items to Bring on Your Mexican Road Trip

Three Helpful Lists of Things to Pack for Your Mexican Road Adventure

This page is designed to help you remember to bring a number of essential items with you on your Mexican road trip. There are three lists you should consider:

• Essential Items for Every Trip to Mexico
• Beach & Recreational Items
• Auto Tool Kit and Emergency Items

Essential Items for Every Trip to Mexico

No matter how short your trip to Mexico is, you do not want to forget these items.

• Passport, Passport Card, or Original Birth Certificates for children under 16 years of age
• Drivers Licenses for all people who plan to drive
• Mexican auto insurance - required by Mexican law - buy now online!
• Debit Card, Credit Card, and small amount of cash (you may want to get some pesos at an exchange booth prior to entering Mexico).
• Cell phone and charger - check with your provider for instructions on how to use your cell phone in Mexico
• Spanish language dictionary

Beach & Recreational Trip Items to Consider Bringing

If you are traveling to Mexico for fun in the sun, you may want to consider bringing these items:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hats
• Beach shoes or sandals
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Towels
• Swimsuits
• T-shirts and long sleeve shirts
• Jackets or sweatshirts - it can get cool at night even in the summer
• Shorts and long pants
• Wet/dry bag
• Energy snacks - energy bars, trail mix, etc.
• Mosquito repellent
• Camera and batteries - extra memory cards for all of your fun photos!
• Laptop computer and batteries
• Electric plug adapter for 3 prong to 2 prong plug - many old buildings only have 2 prong plugs
• MP3 player or CD player - mp3 is better so customs will not feel the need inspect your CD collection

Automobile Repair Kit and Emergency Items

When driving in Mexico, you should always plan ahead for emergencies.

One of the most important first steps in protection yourself is to purchase quality Mexican auto insurance. Our Mexican insurance includes road assistance and travel assistance at no extra charge, so this is an incredible help in the unfortunate event that your vehicle breaks down, is stolen, or is involved in an accident.

You also want to bring a number of items that can help get you through any surprises or emergencies:

• Tool kit including screwdrivers, wrenches, bolts, etc.
• A few quarts of motor oil
• Transmission fluid
• Coolant or water in the event of overheating
• Spare oil filter, air filter, fan belts, and fuel filter (in the event of getting some dirty gas, an extra fuel filter can be essential)
• Spare tire, car jack, air pump
• Jumper cables
• Rope or bungee cords
• Rags for cleanup
• Duct tape
• Flashlight
• First aid kit including bandages, aloe vera gel, ibuprofen, antibacterial ointment
• Sun hat, rain poncho, jacket, long sleeve shirt, comfortable walking shoes
• Drinking water - at least 1 gallon
• Emergency contact phone number list - Your Mexican insurance claims phone number (listed on your policy), US Embassies, contacts for relatives back home
• Satellite phone - this is optional, but highly recommended if you are heading to remote areas. Satellite phones could be your life line where there is no cell phone service. Satellite phones can be rented for your trip to Mexico.