What I Packed for Tulum: Outfits, Beach Gear, and Essentials

Here’s what I Packed for Tulum!

If you’re anything like me then you’re probably shopping for cute outfits after you book your plane tickets for your next vacation. I didn’t plan any of the top activities before we got to Tulum, so I had no idea what we were going to do.

I usually overpack because I’m planning a cute outfit for each day and a cute outfit for night, too. And while I plan all to wear all these outfits, I usually end up wearing something multiple times because it’s cute and comfortable.

I booked the trip to Tulum in May and I started packing at that time. It left me with a very messy office and I kept placing clothes in a pile on my desk.

What I Packed for Tulum – 29 Essentials

Since this was a beach vacation, I planned my packing around three swim looks. Three swimsuits and three cover ups. Beach resorts are pretty simple when it comes to packing because the key is to bring less than you think you’ll actually need.

• Carry-On Suitcase
• Floral Top
• Drawstring Black Dress
• Waffle Sleeveless Matching Set sold out (similar)
• Open Stitched Cardigan
• Striped Top
• Blue Dress
• Palm Leaf Shorts old (similar)
• Black Dress
• Black and white bikini top and bottom
• Hot Pink one piece suit
• Black Swim Suit
• White Sandals
• Embellished Sandals
• Straw Tote
• Cinched waist coverup – sold out (similar style)
• Drawstring coverup
• Zip Jacket
• White Skort
• Gingham hair tie
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Jean Shorts
• Sneakers
• Matching set
• SPF Chapstick
• Earrings
• Crossbody Bag
• Block Heel Sandals

1. Cover Ups

Cover ups are a beach staple. Packing at least two ensures that you will always have one to wear while the other one is drying. I packed two

2. Swim Suits

You really don’t need more than two swim suits on your beach vacation. Unless you’re planning to post beach pics to Instagram (add me as a friend if you do because I want to see what y’all are wearing!).

I hate putting on a cold, wet suit, so having two options leaves time for the wet one to dry without interfering with your swim time.

3. Sandals

I packed 4 pairs of sandals. I only wore three of them, so I definitely overpacked. I wore flip flops the most, so those are a must to pack. They’re very easy to wash the sand off. I packed a pair of block heels in case we planned to dress up for dinner, but I never wore them because we walked so much.

4. Dresses

Dresses are easy to put on and can be dressed up or down depending on what you have planned for the day. I packed three dresses and I wore all three.

The drawstring black dress was loose and comfortable and I ended up wearing it over my swimsuit one time. I also packed one dress that was a little short. I wore it to go have a drink, but it was way too windy and I didn’t want to moon anyone, haha.

5. Other Essentials

I packed a cute woven tote bag which I used once we got to our hotel. It had a canvas lined drawstring interior pouch and it kept my items safe. I also packed a portable charger in case the batteries on our phones got too low.

I packed this crossbody bag which we used while we went to a water park.

It was fine to get wet while we were swimming and held the key to our locker, sunglasses, etc. I also purchased snorkel gear so we didn’t have to rent any, but the ocean waves were too strong to go swimming.

6. More things to bring to the beach

• Reusable Water Bottle – I always travel with one that I fill after the airport security. While I couldn’t readily fill it in Mexico, I didn’t carry it with us when we left the hotel.
• Wet Bag – I got one from a previous FabFitFun box, but it only fit one swimsuit in it. If you have a lot of wet items to bring home, then you may want to consider other options.
• Packing Cubes – My husband got these compression packing bags, which worked great for anything that was still wet. We also have these packing cubes which helps keeps our luggage fairly organized.
• Water Shoes – If you’re going to be swimming in places with rocks, make sure to pack some good water shoes to keep your feet safe.
• Waterproof Phone Case – I had a pair of these at home, but I forgot where I stored them before this trip. We bought one for $40 at a water park (overpriced, I know), but we were swimming with fished and wanted the opportunity to take pictures.
• Insect Repellent – You cannot wear insect repellent when visiting the cenotes in Tulum even though they were lots of mosquitoes. We ended up buying an essential oil mosquito repellent at a water park, which worked okay for the rest of the trip.
• Sunscreen – You cannot wear any sunscreen when visiting the cenotes in Tulum. Some places will even make you shower before you go in. For the ocean you have to find an organic, reef safe sunscreen to wear. We purchased biodegradable sunscreen when we visited Xel Ha and used that for the rest of the trip.

What I Packed for Tulum – All My Planned Outfits

Sandals

White Sandals / Embellished Sandals / Block Heel Sandals

Travel Outfit

AE Jean Shorts / Loft Floral Top / Loft Open Stitched Cardigan / Taos Sneakers / Earrings / Away Carry-On Suitcase

Swim Outfit 1

AE Black Swim Suit / Victoria’s Secret Palm Leaf Print Drawstring Shorts old (similar)

Swim Outfit 2

Blooming Jelly Button Up Cover Up / Beach Riot Leslie One Piece Suit

Swim Outfit 3

LSPACE Drawstring Cover Up / Black and White Color Block Bikini Top / Black and White Color Block Bikini Bottom

Matching Set

Automet Summer 2 Piece Outfit Sleeveless Round Neck Crop Top Tank and High Waisted Shorts with Pockets / Fitbit

Matching Lounge Set

Ekouaer Waffle Shorts and Sleeveless Tank Lounge Set sold out (similar).

I am selling this set in my Poshmark closet.

Activewear Outfit

Beach Riot Drawstring Tyra Top / AE White Pleated Skort / White Zip Jacket

Black Drawstring Dress

Caslon Drawstring Waist Organic Cotton T-Shirt Dress

Blue Dress

Lovers + Friends x Revolve Aries Dress in Blue – old but I have this one linked in my Poshmark closet.

Black Dress

AE Smocked Puff Sleeve Ruffle Mini Dress / Earrings

Tulum Travel Outfit

Zip Jacket / White Skort / Bra / Sneakers / Earrings

I hope you have an absolutely amazing time on your beach vacation! Leave a comment below with the destination you’re heading to next. What are your favorite essentials for the beach? Anything I missed?

You can also check out our 3 day Tulum itinerary, Things to Know Before Going to Tulum, and our day trip to Xel-Ha.

More Mexico Resources

• Private Cenotes Tour in Tulum
• Experience Xel-Ha on Your Tulum Trip
• Our Stay at La Valise Tulum Hotel
• Best Places to Stay in Tulum
• How to Stay Healthy in Mexico
• Travel Things to Know Before Visiting Tulum
• My Review of AWAY Luggage
• The Best Cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula
• What to Wear in Hawaii: Every Outfit I Packed and Wore

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