Welcome to Cabo San Lucas, a beach paradise on Mexico’s Baja California coast. Known for its resort-city vibes, ocean front opportunities, and water-based activities, Cabo is a great place to visit in Mexico. Swim, eat, and relax at your own pace for an active or calm vacation.
Knowing what to wear in Cabo will make your trip go smoother. No more overpacking, only the essentials are making it on this trip! As a Texas local who frequents Mexico as much as I can, and as a traveler who has learned from my many mistakes, I’m here to share the ultimate Cabo packing list to make your life easier.
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Weather in Cabo Year-Round
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, located on the western Baja California coast, is warm year-round, rarely rainy, and the ultimate beach destination in North America. You can enjoy Cabo no matter what time of year you visit. Know that when it rains, it is typically a light sprinkle for an hour or two and no more.
Packing Essentials
Suitcase: A trusty suitcase makes all the difference when it comes to packing for travel. As Cabo is a resort city, you likely won’t be backpacking around anywhere, so opt for a roller suitcase for a trip to Cabo.
This four-wheel, hard-sided suitcase is great for a checked bag. But do note, you can easily pack for a few days in Cabo with just a carry-on.
Carry-On Suitcase: If you choose to use a carry-on only, this is the smaller version of the four-wheeled suitcase from above. Or opt for a 40L travel backpack! A backpack means you can get around hands-free, but make sure you don’t overpack.
Lugging a really heavy backpack when traveling is not fun, take it from me, who learned the hard way walking for miles to catch a train in Rome with all my luggage on my back.
Day Bag: Along with a carry-on suitcase, you can usually bring a “personal item” onto your flights. This can be a purse, a backpack, or another small bag that fits beneath the seat in front of you.
I recommend bringing a bag that can double as a day bag; for example, a beachy tote bag or lightweight backpack that you can carry things to the pool with, or take to the beach, or carry into town for an outing.
RFID Passport & Credit Card Covers: I recommend using RFID covers for your passport and credit cards when traveling anywhere internationally. They protect your belongings from electronic fraud and theft.
What to Wear in Cabo
At the Beach or Pool
When you’re planning to spend time by the pool at your hotel or on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, I recommend packing the following items to help make your day as comfortable and fun as possible.
- Swimsuit: If you’re going to swim or sunbathe, I recommend packing a few swimsuits for your trip to Cabo. I also recommend bringing a long-sleeve swim shirt to avoid sunburn or a long-sleeve one-piece swimsuit for convenience.
- Sunscreen: Don’t let a sunburn ruin your beach vacation. Pack plenty of sunscreen or sun lotion; a bottle for your face and a bottle for your body. Remember to look for reef-safe sunscreen if you’re going in the ocean.
- Hat & Sunglasses: Pack a hat or two for any trip to Cabo. It can be your favorite baseball cap or a cute, functional sun hat like this one. Remember a pair of sunglasses as well!
- Cover Up: Wear a cover-up over your swimsuit, or throw one in your beach bag, in case you need to run inside. Many hotels in Cabo don’t allow you inside the dining areas in just a swimsuit. You can also use a lightweight dress, oversized linen button-up, or romper as a beach and pool cover-up.
- Sandals: Flip flops or slip-on sandals are the best pool shoes. They’re easy to get on and off, and it’s okay if they get wet. If you’re going in the ocean, you can also bring a pair of water shoes to wear while swimming.
- Beach Bag: Use a beach bag to throw all of your pool day or beach essentials in. Don’t bring valuables to the beach or pool.
- Towel: Many hotels in Cabo, Mexico, have specific beach towels to use available for checkout at the pools or beachfront. You can also pack a quick-drying travel towel if you wish to have your own.
Out to Dinner
If you plan on going out to restaurants or if your hotel offers fine dining, pack a nice outfit or two for your dinners. It can be a dress, a linen two-piece outfit, etc. I recommend something breathable and comfortable, as well as a lightweight cardigan or jacket.
- Dress: The easiest way to dress up for dinner in Cabo is by wearing a dress. It can be long, short, sleeveless, spaghetti straps, or whatever you prefer. I recommend packing a couple of dresses for Cabo. I love having a maxi dress and a thigh-length dress to choose from.
- Linen Set: If you prefer pants or shorts, a linen set is a great way to dress up in beachy destinations. This two-piece linen set is a tank top with flowy linen pants.
- Pants & Blouse: A nice pair of pants or shorts paired with a blouse or summery tank top are also great for wearing out to dinner in Cabo.
- Sandals: A comfortable pair of sandals is great for going out to dinner in Cabo. They’re cute and they’re cool when the weather is warm. These black strap sandals come with me on any warm weather trip.
- Cardigan: I recommend packing a cardigan or a lightweight jacket for Cabo. It can come in handy at chilly restaurants or on cooler evenings on the beach. It’s always a good idea to have one on the plane as well.
- Sneakers: A comfortable pair of sneakers is also good for going out in Cabo. These white sneakers are my go-to for traveling.
- Jewelry: I recommend keeping jewelry to a minimum in Cabo if you’re leaving your hotel. Lots of jewelry or expensive jewelry is flashy and can make you stick out to pick-pockets. While this doesn’t always happen, pick-pocketing is something to always be on the lookout for when traveling to busy cities in Mexico and in other countries like Italy.
- Purse: Keep your belongings on you by carrying a cross-body purse to dinner. If you’re staying at your hotel, you likely won’t need this. But a cross-body purse is best for traveling.
On Excursions or to Town
If you plan on going on any excursions or exploring the town while in Cabo, here are a few items I recommend bringing or wearing. There are many adventurous excursions available to book in Cabo, like horseback riding, ATV riding, etc.
- Tennis Shoes: A comfortable pair of tennis shoes is recommended for any outdoor activity. They’re also great for wandering around Cabo itself.
- Sun Shirt: If you’re going to be in the sun all day, I recommend wearing a breathable long-sleeve sunshirt to avoid getting burned. Underneath, you can wear a tank top or a lightweight short-sleeve shirt.
- Active Shorts or Pants: Depending on the activity you’re doing, shorts or pants might be best. If you’re horseback riding, I recommend long pants like joggers, and if you’re walking around town, a casual pair of shorts is great.
- Athletic Dress: Another outfit option is an athletic dress with built-in pockets, shorts, and a sports bra. This all-in-one outfit is perfect for outdoor activities.
- Pants & Tank Top: A comfy pair of pants or shorts paired with a short-sleeve shirt or summery tank top are also great for wearing out and about in Cabo.
- Hat & Sunglasses: As outdoor activities are popular in Cabo San Lucas, a hat and sunglasses will be helpful for any excursions. Make sure your hat will stay on your head if you’re going horseback riding, ATV riding, etc.
- Small Backpack: For outings, I recommend carrying a small backpack as they allow you to be hands-free and are still great for carrying essential items like sunscreen, water bottle, cardigan, etc.
- Sunscreen: Make sure you apply sunscreen before heading out on any outdoor excursions in Cabo. And pack the bottle with you so you can reapply sunscreen as needed.
Cabo Packing List FAQ
Should I bring cash or card to Cabo?
Many places accept cards in Cabo, Mexico, but I recommend carrying a small amount of cash with you for local vendors. Some markets prefer cash, and having a small amount can come in handy for stress-free transactions. I recommend getting some cash from an ATM or bank once in Cabo, but check your bank’s foreign transaction fee rules.
Do I need bug spray in Cabo San Lucas?
Mosquitoes are most common in the summer months in Cabo as this is the rainy season here. If you’re visiting between June through August, I recommend wearing bug repellent. Outside of this timeframe, you can wear it to be safe, but the mosquitoes are not bad during the fall through winter and early spring.
Can I wear jeans in Cabo?
You can wear jeans in Cabo if you are most comfortable in these. However, you’ll likely get hot in denim. I recommend wearing linen pants or breathable athletic pants. You can wear shorts and dresses year-round here as well.
In Conclusion: What to Pack for Cabo
Knowing what to pack for Cabo will help make your trip the best possible. You’ll stay comfortable with all the necessities without overpacking unneeded items. Now you know what to wear in Cabo, it’s time to pack and get ready for a gorgeous beach vacation!
The weather is fairly warm year-round here, the rainy season is during the summer months, and the beachy vibes are all around town. Save this Cabo packing list for your own trip, or send it to a friend who is in need of a tropical getaway in Mexico.
