My Travel Capsule Wardrobe for Mexico (2024)

FAQs

How to make a capsule wardrobe for travel? ›

There are different variations, but generally this rule refers to packing five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes (that includes dress shoes, if you'll need them), two bags, and one of each of a few destination-specific items (e.g. a swimsuit for somewhere warm or a scarf for somewhere cooler).

Chacos are a versatile option that will serve you well anywhere in Mexico (I have these ones). For something a little less sporty, a pair of Birkenstocks will do. However, they aren't as comfortable for walking long distances.

The Best Travel Shoes for Mexico

Since a large amount of time is spent exploring beaches and beach towns, sandals are a must to stay cooled off and comfortable during your trip. Bring a comfortable pair for walking, as well as a slip-on style such as flip flops or slides to take on and off easily for the beach.

My take: If you're confused about how many items should be in a capsule wardrobe, 33 pieces is a nice starting point. After a season, you can edit the number up or down based on your needs.

Its version of the 5–4–3–2–1 method includes “five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit,” though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

For budget travelers, you can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day in Mexico, including accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. For mid-range travelers, you can expect to spend around $80 to $150 per day, depending on your preferences and activities.

It's a good idea to have a mix of cash and cards for flexibility. Generally, having around $50-100 USD per day per person is a reasonable estimate for daily expenses, but this can vary widely.

Cotton or linen shirts, dresses or tops that are cool and comfortable. Shorts, capris or skirts that are easy to dry if they get wet. Sandals or sneakers that are water-resistant and slip-proof. A backpack or crossbody bag that can keep your belongings safe and dry.

Don't flaunt your valuables

This is absolutely not to say that you can't wear nice earrings or carry a camera, but just be aware of your surroundings when doing so.

Can I wear jeans in Mexico City? ›

Amongst chilangos (Mexico City locals), you'll find that most folks dress modestly with jeans and teeshirts. Even in the hottest parts of the year, most locals will wear pants rather than shorts.

In Mexico there is not only the famous charro hat, there are also other typical Mexican hats that go hand in hand with the regional and climatic roots of the country, such as the "calentano", "jipijapa", "texana", "comal", "jarocho", etc.

That's because most buildings in Mexico have neither heating nor air conditioning, so when it's cold outside it's chilly inside as well, even more so when the sun goes down. For these first four months of the dry season, it's best to bring socks, closed-toed shoes, sweaters, and a light jacket.

Wear lots of layers!!!

I like to wear clothes with lots of layers so that I can easily adjust what I'm wearing if it's hot or cold. I usually wear both a scarf and jacket to the airport with a light T-shirt or dress underneath, so that I can take both of them off once I arrive.

We believe the secret to becoming a light packer is the 54321 method. For a weeklong holiday, that means you'll need: five shirts and/or T-shirts, four pairs of trousers, three accessories (think hats, belts and sunglasses), two pairs of shoes and one pair of swimming trunks.

The trick says that typically the circumference of your neck doubled will likely be the circumference of your waist. With that in mind, the rule states that if hold the waist of a pair of pants up to your neck and the ends meet together with little to no room between the edges of the waist, the pants should fit.

Pack complimenting clothing.

I have a simple equation for a week of packing – three tops and three pants that all must match each other. This way I get nine outfits from six articles of clothing! Throw in a little black dress, and you're ready to take on any destination.