Mexican Riviera Cruise Packing List
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Are you wondering what to pack for a Mexican Riviera Cruise?
You’ve come to the right place. This Mexican Riviera Cruise Packing List will help you prepare for your cruise.
You’ll love exploring beautiful ports like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán.
You’ve already chosen the perfect cruise line, booked your excursions (maybe a whale-watching tour or zip-lining through the jungle), and started the countdown to sail away.
Now, it’s time to tackle one big hurdle before you’re sipping margaritas by the pool: packing!
Packing Tips
Packing for the Mexican Riviera means preparing for sunny days, beach excursions, and a touch of local culture. The first time I cruised, I overpacked and regretted it. That’s why I created this guide to help you pack smartly and avoid any stress.
Pro Tip: Pack Half of What You Think You Need!
You’ll likely spend most of your time in swimwear and casual outfits, so don’t overdo it.
What to Pack for a 7-Day Cruise: Mexican Riviera Essentials
This Mexican Riviera packing list is clickable so you can shop right from here.
Luggage
You’ll need durable, easy-to-carry luggage, especially for flights or ground transfers in port cities like Los Angeles or San Diego.
Try to pack light to avoid expensive baggage fees and the inconvenience of lugging crazy amounts of bags around with you.
You likely won’t have access to your stateroom when you first board the ship, and your bags won’t be delivered until later in the day, so it’s essential to carry a bag on board with you that includes any medication or necessities you may need while you are without your bags.
I pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, medicine, a book (or Kindle), and a camera in my carry-on. If you have kids, you should also pack diapers or anything else they may need.
Recommended:
- 1 Suitcase per person
- Beach tote bag or backpack for excursions (perfect for beach days in Cabo or exploring Old Town Mazatlán).
- Carry-on bag with essentials like swimwear, sunscreen, and travel documents for embarkation day.
- Packing Cubes: I love the compressible ones; they help save so much space in my luggage.
Important Documents and Items for a Mexican Riviera Cruise
Make sure you have:
- Photo ID and Passport – Required for travel into Mexican ports. Even if a passport is not required, its good practice to have it incase of emergency.
- Printed Cruise Boarding Pass – Accessible on your cruise app or as a hard copy.
- Excursion Confirmations – Print or screenshot these for easy access.
- Travel Insurance Information– You need Travel Insurance. Don’t skip this step.
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- Credit Card – It’s always safer to use a credit card while traveling, instead of your debit card.
- Cash– You’ll want to bring cash in USD and Pesos. It may not always be possible to get cash onboard or easily in ports. Don’t carry a lot of money to each port, instead, leave some in your stateroom safe.
Bring a few dollars for tipping your shuttle driver, and the porters who take your luggage at the cruise port (both ways).
Bring a few pesos for ease of shopping in port and for tipping tour guides. Bring small bills so you don’t require as much change.
- Prescription Medications
- Over the counter medications – you can possibly buy these on board or in port, but its cheaper and less stressful to bring them with you. Bring tylenol, cold medicine, peptobismol, dramamine, tums, and any other medicines you take on a regular basis.
Clothes for a 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise
The Mexican Riviera offers warm days, breezy evenings, and sunshine. Here’s what to pack:
Women:
- Lightweight sundresses for exploring vibrant towns, 2-3
- Casual shorts and tank tops. 5-6
- Flip-flops for the beach and a pair of water shoes for excursions, shoes for formal night.
- One or two formal outfits for elegant dinners.
- A sun hat or ball cap to protect from the intense sun.
- Underwear and socks
- Lighweight jacket or cardigan for chilly nights and diningrooms.
- 2-3 Swimsuits (so you always have a dry one to put on)
- Swim suit cover up
- Pajamas
Men:
- Comfortable shorts and T-shirts for the daytime.
- A button-down shirt and slacks for formal nights.
- Swim trunks for days at the beach or onboard the ship.
- Sneakers for active excursions.
- Flipflop or sandals for water or gym showers
- Pajamas
- Underwear and socks
- Hat for keeping the sun off
Accessories for a Mexican Riviera Cruise
- Snorkel Gear – If you plan to swim with marine life in Cabo San Lucas.
- Reusable Water Bottle – Stay hydrated while exploring.
- Lanyard for Key Card – Convenient for onboard purchases.
- Beach Bag– Can be your carry on from Day 1
- Beach Towel – I love Turkish towels, because they are super absorbant and don’t take up much room in your bag, unlike the ship towels which are heavy and huge.
Toiletries for a Mexico Cruise
- Sunscreen – A must for Mexico’s sunny climate. ALWAYS REEF SAFE
- After Sun Lotion – Great for days where your skin needs a little TLC. Keep aloe in the fridge in your state room for extra cooling and comfort.
- Chapstick – SPF included is best
- Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash), While cabins provide basics, bringing your preferred personal care items can enhance comfort.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Razor and shaving cream
- Contact Solution
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hair ties or headbands
- Makeup (optional) and makeup remover
- Deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Bug spray (especially for jungle excursions)
- Gold Bond or Powder for chafing after long, hot days walking around.
- Liquid IV to keep hydrated
- Spray in Conditioner– to help make hair brushing easier after being in the water, especially if you have curly hair like me.
In the Cabin
- Power strip or USB hub (non-surge protected, as required by cruise lines)
- Nightlight or small flashlight (helpful for navigating in the dark, especially interior rooms)
- Magnetic hooks (to create extra hanging space in your cabin)
- Travel laundry detergent (for rinsing small items)
- Reusable bags (for wet swimsuits or dirty laundry)
- Cabin air freshener or odor eliminator- bring Poopurri. Cabins are small, and can be uncomfortable really quickly without it.
- Reusable water bottle
- Binoculars (great for spotting wildlife or scenic views from your balcony)
- Ear plugs
- Towel Clips (for on deck)
Electronics
- Phone/Charger – To capture those picture-perfect moments.
- Portable Power Bank – Ensure your devices are always charged.
- Waterproof Phone Case – Ideal for water excursions.
- Kindle
Ready to Sail?
I always recommend getting on Facebook and searching for your cruise like this “cruise line + ship + date” (ex: Disney Wonder April 1 2025) to follow along with fellow cruisers and learn about special events like 80’s parties, ornament exchanges, and for Disney Cruises; pirate night and other themes. This way you will be prepared to pack for any fun events you want to join.
Packing for a Mexican Riviera cruise doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This list gives you everything you need for a fun, stress-free adventure exploring the stunning Mexican coastline.
