What To Pack: Ultimate Los Cabo Vacation Packing List

So, you're finally taking the plunge and headed to Los Cabos for your much-anticipated vacation. Whether you're planning on spending your days lounging on the beach, exploring the town, or getting in some girls' time, we've got you covered with the ultimate packing list for your Los Cabos vacation.

In this article we’ll provide some Mexican vacation outfit inspiration, common FAQs we receive on packing for Cabo, and provide you with a detailed packing list. If you want a quick reference packing list you can jump straight down to the itemized Cabo Packing List at the bottom of the page.

Photo: Tudor Adrian

How Do People Dress In Los Cabo?

The style can vary, there is a bit of influence from California surf style, with so many US ex-pats calling Los Cabo home. You will also see some Latin influence come through texture, color, and fabrics. Most people dress in a laid-back summer style but dress it up with locally influenced accessories. This includes lots of linens, jewelry, a great pair of designer sunglasses, raffia, and beaded handbags. You will see lots of earthy colors and muted natural tones being worn.

What’s The Weather and Area Like?

Cabo is a dry arid desert, where you will often find yourself in open-air settings and limited air conditioning aside from resorts or boutiques. The area is full of cacti and other desert plants, and the air is very dry, which helps to reduce humidity. You will definitely want to pack some lotion and sunscreen. Despite the heat, Cabo is a beautiful place with a lot to offer visitors. The beaches are stunning, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Days are spent surfing, sunbathing, sailing, and sipping on chilled Margaritas.

Cabo San Lucas has beautiful weather all year round. The hot season lasts for 4 months, from June to October, with average high temperatures of around 89°F. The hottest month of the year is August, but even then the average high is only 91°F, with lows of 78°F. So if you're looking to escape the cold weather and enjoy some sunny days, Cabo San Lucas is the perfect spot for you.

Evenings stay relatively warm and dry, so pack a light sweater or a light jacket but leave the heavy duty coats at home.

Photo Credit: Valentin Kreme, Jane Palash ,Max Di Capua, Genevieve Brown

What Do People Wear Out in Cabo?

When you’re planning what to wear out in Cabo get creative and inspired by the local design aesthetic. There’s no strict dress code when heading out, it’s the perfect chance to stock up on resort wear designer collections from brands like Zimmerman, Alexis, or Gult Gaia. Of course, depending on where you're going and what you're doing, you'll want to dress appropriately. For a night out on the town, many people opt for a chic, yet casual look. Think sundresses or maxi skirts paired with a cute top and sandals. For a day spent lounging on the beach or exploring, cotton shorts or a flowy sundress are always a good choice. And when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a cute bikini.

Photo Credit: Mike Von

How Should I Dress For Dinner in Cabo?

Cabo has some outstanding restaurants and dining, from local tacos and sopas to some of the world’s best fine dining. For casual street food and local taquerias casual outfits are fine, just make sure to cover up over your swimsuit before going in and try to avoid dredging in any sand or water from the beach.

For fine dining and formal restaurants, you’ll want to put a little bit more effort into your outfit.

For men, it's generally recommended to wear a collared shirt and long pants. If you're planning on going to a nicer restaurant, a jacket may also be a good idea but go with something slightly more casual like a linen jacket, if it’s at a resort or fine dining restaurant it’s always best to call ahead and check the dress code. As for shoes, dress shoes or loafers are usually a safe bet.

A pretty sundress or a nice blouse with pants or a skirt are always good options for women. If you're planning on going to a fancier spot, a dressier dress or heels may be a better choice. Of course, these are just general guidelines. The best way to figure out what to wear is always to check the dress code, or check the restaurant’s social media pages online first to see what others have worn while dining there. We’ve got detailed outfit inspiration for dinner in Cabo in the next section of this article with examples of what you can wear.

Should I Bring Pants To Cabo?

Yes, we recommend you pack one pair of light pants for Los Cabo. A long linen set of pants or a set of silk drawstring pants is ideal in case you want to dress up for dinner or an evening out. You may also find that the sun is so strong that you want something slightly longer that covers you up a bit more when you are walking around San Jose Del Cabo downtown or the main Los Cabo town area.

Is it Safe to Wear Jewelry in Cabo?

Cabo is one of the safest cities in Mexico. While petty crime can happen anywhere, it’s not common to be robbed or mugged in the daylight in Los Cabo. It’s perfectly safe to wear fine jewelry during the day, just don’t go overboard and be overly flashy with large and expensive jewelry. If you want to pack jewelry we recommend the following tips.

• Be cautious in the outer areas of Cabo San Lucas, like near the airport. We wouldn’t recommend wearing jewelry in the northern areas of Baja California.

• Always keep your jewelry in your hotel safety deposit box if you aren’t wearing it.

• Make sure you outline the jewelry items you plan to bring when you organize your travel insurance or invest in specialized jewelry insurance

• Pack your jewelry in your carry-on luggage for flying with an Apple air tag (for tracking) in the jewelry case.

• We recommend opting for pieces of jewelry that are elegantly subtle and low-key, fine thin necklaces and thin band rings. It work’s with the relaxed summer vibe in Cabo, but also isn’t overly flashy.

For more tips on traveling with jewelry we recommend reading this article.

Photo Credit: Jasmin Chew

What to Wear On a Night Out in Cabo

A versatile two-piece set is an ideal choice for a night out in Cabo. This linen crop top from Dissh is light and breezy for dancing, and the color makes it sophisticated enough to take you from a beach club to a rooftop bar. We’ve paired this two-piece set with some gold Zimmerman earrings and a Maison Margiela chain necklace. The Amina Muaddi black Jamie platforms are a great comfortable walking shoe to pack. They’ll work with any outfit and can be worn at the beach or dressed up for the evening.

Cabo Nightclub Outfit - 1. Amina Muaddi - Strappy Jamie Flatforms , 2. Dissh - Georgie black linen short sleeve crop top and skirt. 3. Zimmerman Star Studs 4. Paco Rabanne - Gold Toned Sequin-embelleshed bag

Resort Pool Wear

The aesthetic resort pools in Cabo are worth spending a day lazing beside to soak up that Baja California vibe. We recommend planning to pack a slightly dressier cover-up that will take you from the pool to lunch at the resort in minutes. Add some stylish slides or flip-flops, sunglasses, and a chic beach bag, and you won’t have to move from your poolside spot until late lunch calls. We recommend the iconic Chloe woody flat sandal, a beach vacation must-pack paired with the new season Burberry Tote, which is perfect as a carry-on bag for the flight.

Cabo Poolside Outfit - 1. Devon Windsor - Molly Dress 2. Chloe - Woody Sandal in 3. Balenciaga - Odeon Cateye Sunglasses 4. Jacquemus Logo-Plaque Bucket Hat 5. Burberry Medium Check Tote Bag 6. Byredo Fragrance in Blanche

Outfit For Dinner in Cabo

The dining in Cabo is premier, with an endless array of high-end restaurants to choose from. You’ll want to look the part when dressing for Cabo’s resort restaurants and fine dining. If in doubt, we always recommend that you phone ahead and check the dress code with the restaurant staff. Opt for a cocktail dress, we love this romantic pink and olive floral dress from Sonya Gianna, perfect for a dinner date. The colors look stunning with a fresh tan. Add some playful heels like these crystal-embellished PVC mules from Mach & Mach. The relaxed cut of this dress makes it ideal for a more casual daytime look too, pair it with a flat sandal for a beach time lunch date or visit to the art galleries.

Cabo Dinner Outfit - 1. Sonya Gianna dress in olive floral 2. Mach & Mach - crystal-embellished PVC mules 3. Cult Gaia - Nila Mini Knot handbag 4. Foundrae Gemstone Heart Earrings

Activewear Outfit

Looking for a break from the margaritas? Cabo has some great wellness centers and spas that offer wholesome activities. Whether you're looking to detox or just relax, you'll find plenty of options in Cabo. For a day out hiking or breaking a sweat.

We recommend taking some cotton shorts or bike pants, a light sweater to protect you from the sun, a sports bra, and a tank top. Make sure to pack a good pair of sneakers too. We are coveting the P.E Nation advantage knit short for it’s preppy 90’s style. Pair this with a light black sweater and a Balenciaga cap. We also couldn’t go past packing the Louis Vuitton jump rope Christopher, a gym junkie’s must-pack. We also recommend packing a water bottle bag so you can hydrate in style. Cabo has sweltering heat, but the Vanina pearl embellished water bag should keep you looking cool.

Cabo Activewear Outfit - 1. P.E Nation - advantage knit short 2. Balenciaga 2023 SS Cap 3. Vanina - Jupon pearl-embellished water bag 4 Louis Vuitton Jump Rope

Los Cabo Girls Trip Outfit

You can’t go wrong with a Cabo girl’s trip. Nothing beats catching up over a spicy marg while looking out at the Los Cabo views. For a weekend with the girls, you’ll likely want to pack a few versatile pieces so you can try and limit your luggage to just a carry-on.

We recommend arriving in style in this gorgeous crop top from Rumer. Wear the Matilda crop with a crochet midi skirt for a comfortable breathable fabric that will keep the heat at bay. Pack neutral or muted-toned accessories that will work with most colors like these nude heels from Alias Mae.

Cabo Girls Trip Outfit - 1. Rumer - Matilda Crop Top, 2. Alias Mae - Nude Baz Heel 3. Clea Maya - Chalk Knit Skirt 4. Jacquemus - Logo Pendant Necklace 5. Louis Vuitton - LockMe Ever Mini in Rose Trianon

Wedding Guest Outfit

For ladies, a flowing maxi dress in a light, airy fabric is perfect for a summertime destination wedding like Cabo. Pair it with some strappy sandals and some delicate jewelry for a bohemian-chic look that will be sure to turn heads. Pro tip: check what color the bridal party is wearing so you avoid matching tones. We are swooning over this ethically made Bec and Bridge cowl neck dress. We’ve recommended wearing it with this strappy black heel from Aje. Make sure to check with the bride if the wedding is going to take place on the beach, on grass, or on a stiletto-friendly surface before you pack.

Cabo Wedding Guest Outfit - 1. Bec & Bridge - Celestial Cowl Neck Maxi Dress in Sage. 2. Ballen - Cari Shoulder Bag 3. Soko - Amali Chain Earring 4. Aje x Local Supply - Catfarer sunglasses 5. Aje - Foundation Link Strappy Heels

What To Wear On A Day Out Sailing

It's all about feeling effortless and chic while soaking up the stunning views. A white summer dress or some cotton shorts with a light long-sleeve top, or a light jacket are perfect for keeping cool in the sun. Layer on a sunhat and sunglasses to protect you from the bright rays. Add a touch of luxury with some gold jewelry and a tasteful summer bag, and you're good to go.

We like this Fendi crochet bucket hat as it can fold up in your bag if it gets too windy. The Gucci slides are sleek and sophisticated, with a flat heel that makes getting around the yacht fuss-free. The Ioannes mesh wrap shirt is ideal for layering over your swimsuit and you can easily take it on and off as you need.

Cabo Sailing Outfit 1. Devon Windsor- Briana One-Piece Swimsuit 2. Ionnes - Mesh Wrap Shirt 3. Gucci - Cutout Leather Slide 4. Sandro - Cotton Shorts 5. Valentino Garavani - Square Acetate Sunglasses 6. Fendi - Crochet-knit Jacquard Bucket Hat 5. Chloe- Woody Raffia Basket Bag 6. Barbara Sturm - Sundrops Sunscreen

Cabo Packing List

Photo credit: Nati Malnychuck

Whether you're spending your Cabo vacation sunbathing on beautiful beaches, or visiting the quaint town of San Jose Del Cabo you’ll want to be prepared for the desert. To help you with packing for Cabo, we’ve made it simple and stress-free by making a packing list of all the essentials. We’ve sectioned out the packing into packing categories in the drop-down boxes below.

A guide to choosing what to pack for Cabo:

1. Make some looks before packing. It will minimize the chances of over packing and speed up your packing process as well as help you feel more put together when you arrive.

2. The sun is very strong in Cabo and stays out until around 8pm. Pack breathable lightweight fabrics. You won’t need many heavy coats or warm clothes, just a single lightweight jacket, and lightweight sweater.

3. Pack at least 2 or 3 pieces of swimwear or bikinis. It’s so hot you’ll want to be in the pool all day, and most of Cabo’s best activities are done in the water like surfing, sailing, and snorkeling.

4. It’s always good to check with the latest immigration updates on what you can and can’t take in your luggage.

• Packing List - Clothing

  Tank Tops

  Beach cover-up

  2 pairs of Swimwear

  Flip Flops or beach slides

  High Heels

  A pair of sneakers

  Maxi Dress

  Mini Dress or Cocktail Dress

  Denim Shorts

  Long Pants

  Lightweight coat or jacket

  Lightweight cardigan or jumper

  Activewear & sports bra

  Sunglasses

  Sunhat

  Earings

  Necklace

  Bras & Underwear

• Packing List - Bathroom Essentials

  Suntan lotion

  Bug spray

  Travel skincare kit (cleanser, moisturizer, serum)

  Deodorant

  Toothbrush & toothpaste

  Shampoo & Conditioner

  Travel size perfume

• Packing List - Make Up

  BB cream or light foundation with SPF

  Blush & lip tint

  Bronzer

  Mascara

  Concealer

  Eyeshadow travel palette in vibrant colors

• Packing List - Travel Essentials

  Passport & entry documents

  Credit Cards

  Cellphone & charger

  Noise-canceling headphones

  Camera

  Beach Bag

  Laptop

For more information on what to do in Cabo, read our insider’s guide to 3 days in Cabo. We also review some of Cabo’s best hotels, restaurants, and beaches.

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