The gear
Field-tested. Nothing recommended without use.
Everything here I've packed, carried, dropped in a cenote, or left behind because it didn't make the cut. No brand deals. No sponsorships. Just the things that make the difference on a real Mexico trip.
Links go to Amazon search results — not affiliate links. I don't get paid per click. I just want you to arrive prepared.
Water & cenotes
Cenotes require biodegradable sunscreen — no exceptions. Everything else here is what I actually pack for every water day.
Raw Elements Tinted SPF 30
Biodegradable · Required at all cenotes
The only sunscreen the cenotes allow. Mineral, reef-safe, doesn't bleach the limestone. I've been through 40+ cenotes with this.
Find on Amazon → Highly recommendedAqua shoes (water sandals)
Grip · Drainage · Fast-dry
Cenote entries are slippery rock steps. Flip-flops will cost you a fall. These have proper grip and dry in 20 minutes.
Find on Amazon →Dry bag 10L
Phone · Cash · Passport protection
Your phone, cash, and documents stay dry while you swim. I use a 10L. Goes into your day bag, doubles as a float.
Find on Amazon →Speedo swim goggles
Clarity underwater
Cenote water is some of the clearest on Earth — 30m visibility. Without goggles you miss everything below the surface.
Find on Amazon →Photography
Shooting in Mexico means harsh midday light, humid jungle, and dark cenotes in the same afternoon. Here's what holds up.
GoPro HERO (latest)
Waterproof to 10m · Action + underwater
The go-to for cenotes and jungle. Clips to my chest rig or selfie stick. I shoot with this daily — the footage transfers straight to Shorts.
Find on Amazon →Moment Wide Lens for iPhone
Architecture · Landscapes · Ruins
Wide-angle that actually works on a phone. For Chichen-Itza long shots and tight jungle canopy — when the DSLR stays in the bag.
Find on Amazon →Phone gimbal stabilizer
Smooth video · No shake
Ruins, market walks, moving vehicle shots. A phone gimbal makes your Reels look like they were shot on a crew.
Find on Amazon →Pack & travel
I do this nomad-style: one bag, four weeks, no check-in fees. These are the pieces that survive the circuit.
Osprey Farpoint 40
Carry-on size · Detachable daypack
I've traveled with this for 3 years. Fits overhead on every airline I've used in Mexico. The detachable day pack is the real secret.
Find on Amazon →Packing cubes (compression)
Organización · Space saving
Compresses 40% more into your bag. Essential when you're hopping from Mérida to Bacalar to Cancún in one week.
Find on Amazon → Essential20,000 mAh power bank
Multi-device · Airport + jungle
Ruins have no outlets. Buses have no outlets. Charge phone + GoPro + AirPods simultaneously. I never leave without this.
Find on Amazon →Universal travel adapter
Mexico + international
Mexican outlets are Type A/B — same as the US. If you're coming from Europe you need this. Even if not, get the one with USB-C PD.
Find on Amazon →Comfort & safety
Small things that change a long trip. Not glamorous. All tested.
DEET-free mosquito repellent
Jungle · Cenotes · Beach
Yucatán jungle evenings are relentless. Use picaridin-based (as effective as DEET, doesn't dissolve plastic). I bring two bottles minimum.
Find on Amazon →Electrolyte packets
Hydration in heat
Mexican heat in July is 38°C. You're losing salt constantly. These dissolve in water and prevent the headache that ruins your afternoon.
Find on Amazon →Noise-canceling headphones
Buses · Planes · Co-working
ADO buses from Cancún to Mérida are 4 hours. First-class but noisy. These are the difference between a nap and arriving depleted.
Find on Amazon →Have a question about gear?
If you're planning your trip and want to know exactly what to bring for a specific circuit (cenotes, ruins, beach, jungle) — message me. I'll tell you in 5 minutes.
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