Traveling, shopping, and promoting Mexican Heritage Towns is a passion. Each experience fills my soul with joy and pride, unfortunately due to lack of planning and awareness, I have had some uncomfortable experiences. Here are 6 tips how to approach packing, and have a great experience when visiting a Mexican Heritage Town.
Many have enjoyed Mexican beach resorts, and we know exactly what to pack; beach wear, light cotton beach dresses and sandals. My favorite Mexican resort is Cabos San Lucas, it feels just like California, without the crowds, and the added bonus of a charming historic town, San Jose de Cabo.
On the other hand, packing for Pueblo Majico such as San Miguel de Allende or cosmopolitan cities like Mexico City & Guadalajara requires a blend of urban chic and practicality. You'll want versatile clothing that can take you from exploring historical sites to dining in trendy restaurants.
Ready to Start Packing?
Mexico is often assumed to have hot weather, but it can get chilly at night, our main advice is to bring clothing that you can also layer, closed toe shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through cities. Many of the streets are cobblestone, so rubber sole shoes are also a must. For day tripping sturdy sandals work fine, pero no tacones. (no high heels, save them for the evenings)1. The Rule of Three
Think about your packing strategy three weeks before departure: Allow time for a trip to the mall to purchase that one seasonal item you may need.
Always begin packing three days before the trip.
Select items that can layer or interchange up to three times.
Assume, you will change at least three times a day:
- A day outfit for exploring
- An evening outfit which may include dinner and drinks
- Lastly, your comfy pajamas/or lounge outfit
Shoes take up so much room in a suitcase, only pack three pairs of shoes, and a pair of chanclas ( flip-flops).
This may sound odd, assume you will leave a few items behind , as you will need room in your suitcase for your new compras (souvenirs).
2. Pack Fun
Pre-plan your outfits; coordinate shoes & handbags, so they are interchangeable. Pack more tops, then bottoms.
Color matters! Pick a few tops or jewelry that pop with color, as your outfit will put you in the mood to have fun.
Travel is the best time to pack your favorite colorful jewelry. Consider packing extra hair accessories, hats, headbands, and clips.
Traveling is the time to have fun with your wardrobe and look bonita (beautiful) in all your pictures.
3. Respectful Attire
Unlike beach towns, important to be respectful and dress modest, and not pack revealing clothing. Show respect for the local culture and traditions by dressing modestly when visiting heritage sites, churches, or interacting with locals. It's a good idea to pack clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially if you plan to visit religious landmarks. Avoid packing expensive jewelry or handbags .
4. Suitcase Guidance
- 1-3 Days - Backpack or medium carry-on and one large purse
- 3-5 days - Small suitcase & 1 large purse
- 6+ days - Medium suitcase with four wheels, and two carry-ons
Always bring a cross-body bag to have quick access to travel documents If you plan on shopping, an extra bag is always a good idea
Keep in mind that you may need to carry your own suitcase, handle it at airports, take in/out of accommodations and perhaps even walk short Generally speaking, it is recommended to pack as lightly as possible. You'll also need a day bag for activities and day trips. In terms of weight, airlines generally allow a maximum of 50lbs for check-in suitcase and a maximum of 22lbs for a carry-on.
5. Invest in Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are little miracles, that make packing and unpacking much easier. The cubes condense the items down to the smallest form possible, allowing you to have more room to pack your new treasures.
6. Carry-Ons
Just imagine being stuck in a airport, or no luggage for 24 hours, it Consider packing the following items, in addition to your documents, no matter the length of the trip- A change of clothes
- Electronic chargers & extra battery Headphones
- Hand sanitizer/hand lotion/lip balm
- Snacks/gum/dried fruit/nuts/bars Chocolate covered espresso beans Pen & paper or journal
- A rebozo (scarf or wrap), airplanes get chilly
- Book or audiobook- in case the airplane has no entertainment Any expensive jewelry you decide to bring with you
- Toiletries do not exceed 3.4 ounces limited to one quart size bag
Ready to learn more? Check out the full guide, to include safety and money matters.
Mexican Hertiage Towns Packing Guide
Mexican Heritage towns are a bit different, as the climate can vary. Towns such as Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende or Oaxaca, offer so much culture, that Amigas will always be on the go, as well as relaxing at the charming cafes. Which means, so many other things to think about, the climate, the itinerary, comfort, and style. How can I possibly fit everything in one suitcase? Let me show you the way!