What To (& Not To) Pack for Tulum
As someone who moved to Tulum after packing up one suitcase with plans to stay for a few weeks, I have a few suggestions for what you should bring with you, and what you should leave at home.
More on that story here: Emily in Tulum.
Don’t pack nice shoes. Most of the roads are dirt and since it rains a lot, the road turns to mud and there are a ton of puddles. The beach road has no sidewalks, so any nice shoes will not be the same after one night out. Unless you are looking to ruin your shoes, slip or twist an ankle, leave the heels at home. If you are in Tulum to snap a few posts for your Instagram (More on Tulum’s Instagram Spots here), wear your nice shoes for that but definitely pack flip flops to change into afterwards.
When I first visited Tulum, I packed a pair of reef flip flops, brand new white supergas (the fresh white color lasted 1 day), my Hermes sandals (I barely touched these), and running sneakers. I ended up living in flip flops…or barefoot. You also don’t really need sneakers because the best place to run is on the beach, also barefoot.
Bug Spray/Mosquito Repellant. I’m not a huge fan of bug spray because of the chemicals so never use it, but I highly recommend bringing some if you prefer to avoid getting eaten alive. Tulum is the jungle. There is a holistic wellness shop in Tulum’s downtown town that has all natural and organic products: Organic Beauty Shop La Madre Tierra. I picked up their repellant spray and a cream for existing bug bites and it has been a life changer.
Probiotics. My number one recommendation to friends traveling is actually packing a good probiotic, especially when visiting Tulum. Tulum’s infrastructure isn’t great and the water is not clean. A daily probiotic is so important here. If you aren’t already taking probiotics, you can always pick some up at any pharmacy in Tulum.
It’s hot, pack accordingly. If you’ve seen any photos of Tulum, you likely know that people wear light, flowy clothing here. You really just need a few bathing suits and beach cover ups. For me, that’s what I live in. If you really want to pack smart, bring beach cover ups that can transition from day to night so you don’t have to deal with the traffic going home before dinner.
Sunscreen (and aloe). This should go without saying, but the sun in Tulum is strong. I wouldn’t wait to buy sunscreen in Tulum, because for one, you will overpay and two, you’ll want to have it on from when you first step outside here. Aloe or an aftersun cream will likely also be helpful.
Don’t plan to buy clothes in Tulum, unless you are willing to pay. I am constantly trying to avoid the temptation of the boutique shops in Tulum because clothing is expensive here. The cute Tulum-style dresses will run you $150+ USD. If you’re in need of clothing and already in Tulum, you can always drive up to Playa del Carmen and find more commercial stores there, or the same stores as Tulum with the exact same items but at a fraction of the price.
Bring a hat.. or five. A classic Tulum outfit includes a hat. If you don’t have one already, you can definitely buy one here. I collected more than a few hats while living in Tulum - some I purchased here for $100+ USD and others for $25.
I found the easiest way to travel with multiple hats is to pack them in a separate, light, shoulder bag. If the airline has an issue with you bringing an extra carry-on, you can always toss the bag in your actual carry-on and wear your hats stacked up on your head.
Bring a back up phone charger. I’m usually gone for the whole day once I leave my apartment and batteries always drain while looking for service and WiFi, so if you like to use your phone, I’d suggest bringing a back up charger. I packed the one that came with my Away suitcase and it has saved me and my friends more times than I can count.
Hair Mask. I still need to figure this one out for myself, but I’d recommend bringing a hair mask or extremely hydrating shampoo/conditioner/products with you if you have long hair. Between the sun, water, and wind, Tulum really does a number on your hair.
Keep a backup credit/debit card at your hotel. Keep it separate from your wallet in case it is stolen or misplaced. Also, I’d recommend getting an Amex if you don’t have one. They aren’t accepted everywhere, but if it is lost or stolen and you wake up to thousands of dollars in strange charges you are not liable and they’ll deliver you a new one for free in 2 days, even to Tulum.
Don’t plan to ship yourself anything. If you find yourself living in Tulum, you will learn that DHL is the worst. I had to ship supplements from my doctor and it took me 2+ weeks to pick up the package because it kept getting delivered to the hotel I had stayed at but required my signature/proof of ID and additional importation fees ($100 USD, on top of the $100+ I paid for shipping). I haven’t figured out Amazon here yet, but my best recommendation is to ask a friend to bring you your things if you have anyone coming to visit.
xx Em