When packing your Cancun outfits, keep these two things in mind: 1) Cancun is HOT all year, and 2) it’s not just beaches; there are various things to do in Cancun.
If you need stylish outfit ideas for Cancun so you can climb Mayan ruins, lounge at your resort, and enjoy both daytime and nighttime activities, I’m here to help!
Whether you’re going to Cancun for a romantic getaway, a girl’s trip, or spring break, this article has all the Cancun outfit inspo you need to plan the perfect Mexico vacation wardrobe.
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Cancun Airport Outfit Ideas
Believe it or not, your airport outfit counts in Cancun, so let’s start with what to wear when arriving there (and it’s definitely NOT a sweat suit).
No matter when you visit, it’s going to be hot in Cancun (or really hot 🥵), so plan your first outfit carefully. You’ll be arriving in a humid climate.
From my experience living in Mexico since 2018 and using the Cancun Airport a lot, it doesn’t have AC in all areas, but you’ll still have to deplane, go through customs, collect your luggage, arrange your airport transfer, etc.
Trust me when I tell you that doing all these things in a sweat suit or winter clothes will be miserable because the Cancun heat can be unbearable.
Instead, opt for lightweight, breathable fabric like cotton or linen to stay as cool as possible.
I recommend this comfortable two-piece set from Amazon for your flight so that you’ll feel cool and comfy upon arrival to the humid Cancun weather.
Now, if you prefer wearing warmer clothes on the plane, make sure you have an outfit in your carry on luggage so you can change into something light after landing.
Daytime Cancun Outfit Ideas
As one of the most popular beach towns in Mexico, I know you’ll want to hit those beaches ASAP!
What to wear during the day in Cancun consists of mostly swimsuits, sun hats, cover-ups, and sunglasses — but here are some daytime Cancun outfit ideas to help you with a visual on beachwear:
What to Wear to the Beach in Cancun
Packing for Cancun is usually easier than many think because during your Cancun vacation, swimsuits and cover-ups are about 60% of what you’ll need.
To mix it up, bring a few versatile beach cover-ups that pair well with all your swimsuits or a neutral-colored cover-up that goes with everything.
I love this boho cover-up from Amazon, which comes in several colors. Black, white, or beige, it will perfectly complement all your swimsuits.
Since bathing suits for Cancun don’t take up much room, bring a selection of your favorites (or get these space space packing cubes to conserve luggage space).
If you’re planning for water activities like kayaking, snorkeling and jet skiing, bring a one-piece swimsuit so you can move around freely without it falling off.
For those who prefer not to use sunscreen, opt for these long-sleeve bathing suits that have built-in protection to shield you from the sun’s rays.
Beyond what to wear, you’ll want a cute beach bag like this one to carry all your stuff, and this Sand-Free Turkish Towel so you can lay around without getting all sandy.
What to Wear to the Pool at Your Resort
You’ll get a general idea of bathing suits for Cancun from the list above, but don’t forget this cute sun hat, your sunglasses, and sandals you can easily slide on and off.
Also, while a beach bag is great for carrying all your stuff, this waterproof fanny pack is both stylish and practical.
With it, you can store your phone, money, credit card, ID, room key, lipgloss and a few other things, and not worry about anything getting wet.
What to Wear at Cancun Resorts
Resort casual is the name of the game at most hotels in Cancun, so think breathable and comfortable clothing to wear around the resort.
During the day, sundresses for women and shorts and a T-shirt for men will work. Do note that some resorts require shirts with sleeves while eating at indoor restaurants.
Both women and men can usually get away with any type of sandals anywhere on the resort, but note that most places require footwear at all times when indoors in common areas.
Outfit Ideas for Cancun Excursions
Truth be told, I didn’t know this on my first visit — but Cancun is MUCH more than just beaches!
While traveling to Cancun, take advantage of the fantastic adventure excursions like a day trip to Chichen Itza, exploring the cenotes near Cancun, and riding ATVs in the jungle.
Dress appropriately for these excursions, so let’s discuss this more in depth below.
What to Wear to Mayan Ruins
There are numerous ruins near Cancun, including the famous Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), and lesser-known places like Ek-Balam Ruins and El Meco Ruins.
For these places, pack comfortable shoes like these Hokas, known as the most comfortable travel sneakers, and bring a bathing suit if your Cancun ruins tour includes swimming in the cenotes (jungle pools).
Shorts and a tank top will work for your clothing, or any athleisure outfit you feel comfortable in.
Keep in mind that Cancun tours to archaeological sites are typically full-day events that last 8-12 hours, so prioritize comfort and supportive footwear for walking.
Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a good backpack, and a reusable water bottle. I love this Water-To-Go bottle because it has a built-in water filter.
What to Wear to Swim in Cenotes
Cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays, or sen-no-tay in singular) are natural jungle pools if you’ve never heard of them.
There are about 6,000 cenotes in Mexico, many within 1-2 hours of Cancun, like the famous Cenote Ik-Kil and Instagrammable Cenote Suytun.
For these, you’ll want to bring a bathing suit and cover-up (of course), as well as a few things you might not be thinking of, like these five Cancun packing list essentials:
🩱 Long Sleeve Bathing Suit (AKA Rash Guard)
Lotion, creams and sunscreen (even eco-sunscreen) are forbidden in the cenotes because the oils harm the entire cenote ecosystem.
To circumvent this, women can get one of these long sleeve swim suits, and men can opt for one of these rash guard swim shirts.
🩴 Water Shoes
Some cenotes require walking down stairs to get into, and in general, the areas around the cenotes are often quite slippery.
These good quality water shoes with solid grips will help prevent falls — and trust me, I have seen A LOT of people fall at the cenotes.
📲 Waterproof Phone Holder
Some of the most Instagram worthy Cancun sites, you’ll definitely want to take a photo or two (or 22!) at the cenotes.
This waterproof phone pouch will come in handy as you snap photos and get video above and under the water — or, consider the GoPro Camera.
🤿 Mask & Snorkel
As natural pools, many of the cenotes have a whole world under the water to explore.
Some cenotes offer mask and snorkel rentals, but for sanitary reasons, and because the rentals are never good quality, I recommend this mask and snorkel set.
💼 Dry Bag
Make sure you pack a change of clothes for when you get out of the water, and bring this dry bag to pack up your wet clothes in a place where they won’t drip.
Nighttime Cancun Outfit Ideas
Evenings in Cancun are the perfect time for dressing up since you’re on vacation — and I personally love wearing these floral maxi dresses, or these linen pants with a stylish top.
Resort casual wear is ideal for the evenings, but here are some ideas for what to wear at night in Cancun depending on where you’re headed:
What to Wear to Dinner in Cancun
Depending on your Cancun resort, there might be a fancier evening dress code — but typically, a maxi sundress, or stylish pants and a top are perfect for dinner.
On vacation in Mexico, embrace bright colors to go with the country’s vibe, like this vibrant maxi dress with pockets. (#TeamPockets forever 😍)
Accessorize with this popular wooden purse, wedges with embellishments, sandals with rhinestones, or even high heels if you’re feeling fancy.
The dress code is generally relaxed with resort casual being the name of the game, and so as long as you’re not in a bathing suit, you should be appropriately dressed for dinner in Cancun at most places.
One exception is fine dining at the Mexico Michelin Star restaurants in Cancun and Rivera Maya. These will require you to dress more formally.
What to Wear to Go Clubbing in Cancun
Just like the resorts, the Cancun clubs dress code differs depending on where you’re going — but still, you shouldn’t need to get too fancy, no matter the place.
Some nightclubs in Cancun do have a dress code, but bars in the Cancun hotel zone (Zona Hotelera) tend to be more casual so you can get away with shorts and sandals.
A little black dress, sandals and this anti-theft crossbody bag will work for women at clubs, while men should opt for pants (jeans aren’t always OK), this guayabera shirt, and close-toed shoes.
Cancun Packing Checklist: What to Pack for Cancun
👙 Bathing Suits: You’ll probably want to switch up your beach outfits vibe each day, pack a few of your favorite one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, or these long sleeve swimsuits to help prevent sunburns.
🎽 Cover-ups: Bring a few to cover-ups so you can match your bathing suit of the day, or opt for this cover-up in a neutral color that goes with anything.
👚 T-shirts: Cotton T-shirts, tank tops and workout style shirts always come in handy, so pack a few. (Cancun Pro Tip: Bring shirts that don’t show sweat!)
🩳 Shorts: Comfy shorts are a great item to pack for walking around your resort, any of these best Cancun tours and excursions, or even a casual meal.
👗 Sundresses: Maxi dresses and sundresses are the easiest item to pack for Cancun that go from day to evening, and can even function as a beach cover-up.
🥵 Linen Clothing: Linen is a great material because it’s moisture-wicking (meaning it quickly moves sweat to the fabric’s outer surface), and keeps you cool.
🧥 Cardigan Sweater or Light Jacket: For those who are always cold, you might use these at night, but many travelers won’t need either.
Best Shoes for Cancun
🩴 Comfortable Sandals/Flip Flops: Bring sandals that are easy to slip on/off, and that you won’t mind if they get a bit wet. I own and love these Havaianas.
👡 Evening Shoes: For evening time flats, these black strappy sandals make any outfit look dressed up, and these espadrille wedges take it to the next level.
👟 Sneakers: These Hoka sneakers, known as some of the most comfortable shoes for travel, are ideal for Cancun day trips and off-resort activities like visiting Mayan ruins.
🤿 Water Shoes: If you’re planning on hitting the beach a lot (it’s rocky in some areas), going snorkeling, boating, and/or swimming in the cenotes, don’t forget to pack these water shoes for Cancun.
Best Dresses for Cancun
For me, these dresses with pockets are an absolute must when traveling because pockets always come in handy.
A few short sundresses, a few maxi sundresses, and a few rompers should be all you need in Cancun, so choose your most comfortable pieces and only pack those.
Best Sunscreen for Cancun
Water Resistant SPF 50 Vegan Sunscreen with UVA/UVB Protection and Vitamin E
Dermatologist approved, Sonny approved, and Hawaii 104 Reef Act Compliant
Oil free, Gluten free, Cruelty free, Paraben free, Octinoxate free, and Oxybenzone free
Never tested on animals ❤️🐰
A best seller on Amazon, we also love this Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen for many reasons — especially because it’s cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and eco-friendly.
They also have other great products to consider, like this SPF 30 Lip Balm and this Sun Bum After-Sun Aloe Vera Gelto rehydrate your skin.
One thing to keep in mind when packing for Cancun is that you must comply with FAA regulations for liquids — so liquids must be in these 3.4 ounce containers within your carry-on luggage.
Accessories to Pack for Cancun
👒 Sun Hat: A hat is an absolute must to keep protected from the sun in Cancun, and I love these fun straw hats with cute saying on them like “Resting Beach Face.”
👜 Beach Bag: You’ll need something to carry all your essentials for a fun beach day, like this nautical-themed beach bag that just screams vacay.
😎 Sunglasses: A must for any beach vacation — though I always leave my expensive pairs at home because sunnies are so easy to lose, and instead, I opt for cheap sunglasses from Amazon for all my Cancun trips.
🧴 Sunscreen: Pack your favorite SPF 50 sunscreen because gift shops in Cancun have limited options, and sunscreen there is more expensive than in the U.S.
🦟 Bug Spray: Mosquitos can be an issue in Cancun, especially during the rainy season from about June to October, so I recommend this eco-friendly bug spray that has a nice lemon smell.
What NOT to Pack for Cancun
🤑 Valuables: While I’ve never had any issues with theft in Mexico, it can absolutely happen, so mitigate this risk by simply leaving your valuables at home.
💵 Dollars/Foreign Currency: The cheapest and easiest way to get Mexican pesos is by using the ATMs in Mexico — so don’t bring a lot of cash with you because the currency conversion services take a hefty fee to change money.
Instead, just get money from any of the numerous Cancun Airport ATMs. While there will be ATM fees, they’re cheaper than at the currency conversion kiosks.
💊 Your Whole Medicine Cabinet: There are plenty of farmacias (pharmacies) in Cancun, so you don’t need to pack a ton of meds.
If you have prescription meds, of course bring those, but know you can easily get over the counter medicines like Tylenol (it’s called paracetamol in Mexico though).
🍓 Foods: It’s actually illegal to bring fresh fruits and veggies across borders, so make sure you don’t have those with you.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico (#7 Will Shock You)
Mexico Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Bucket List
20 Hot Springs in Mexico That are Calling Your Name
Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Never Heard Of
Best Waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina Mexico
The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
⚠️ Before You Go — Get Your FREE Guide!
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