Riviera Maya Packing Checklist
Tick items off as you pack and the list remembers your progress on this device. Switch on the trip types that apply (beach, cenotes and road trip, kids, rainy season) and the list adds or removes items to match. Notes flag the rules that actually trip people up: entry documents, mineral sunscreen at eco-parks, shower-first cenote etiquette, and Mexico's 127 V power. Print it for the fridge or the airport, whether you are packing for a week at an all-inclusive or a rental-car loop through the jungle. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to use this checklist, and what to double-check
Start with the toggles. Beach is on by default; turn on Cenotes and road trip if you plan swims at cenotes, a rental car or day trips; Kids adds child-specific gear; Rainy season adds rain protection and quick-dry layers. Items you have already ticked stay ticked when you change toggles, and your choices are saved in your browser only. If your browser blocks storage, the list still works for the current visit.
Rules behind the notes
- Entry documents. The US State Department says US citizens need a passport valid at entry (a passport book to fly, with a blank page for air travelers) and an FMM entry permit, which Mexican airports issue digitally. Visas are only needed for stays over 180 days. Cash over 10,000 USD must be declared on entry and exit. If you are not a US citizen, check your own government and the Mexican consulate.
- Sunscreen at parks and cenotes. Xel-Ha's official FAQ says to use only sunscreen with titanium oxide and zinc oxide, and that outside food and drink is not allowed. Xcaret's blog says to shower before cenotes and underground rivers and to avoid applying chemicals until you leave the water, and lists ingredients it considers non-biodegradable (for example octocrylene and benzophenone). Individual cenotes set their own rules: Gran Cenote is reported by operator blogs to require a shower first and to ban professional cameras and tripods, but we could not confirm that from an official page, so treat it as likely rather than guaranteed. We could not verify an official Sian Ka'an sunscreen rule; plan on a rash guard and a hat and follow your guide's instructions.
- Power. Mexico uses 127 V, 60 Hz and Type A/B sockets, so US and Canadian plugs fit. Travelers from 220-240 V countries need a plug adapter and devices rated for 100-240 V.
- Hurricane season. NOAA's National Hurricane Center puts the Atlantic season at June 1 to November 30, so travel insurance and flexible bookings matter if you go in that window.
What it does not cover
This is a general list, not medical or legal advice. It does not know your airline's baggage limits, your medications, or your itinerary. Rules at parks, cenotes and reserves change, and operators can differ from what we found, so confirm on the operator's own page before you go. We do not link to any shop or product, and we are not paid for what is on the list.
Data last verified 2026-10-22. Prices, hours and rules change; confirm with the official source before you go.
Sources
- US State Department: Mexico international travel information (passport, FMM, cash declaration, minors, medications)
- Xel-Ha official FAQ (sunscreen: titanium and zinc oxide only; no outside food)
- Xcaret blog: biodegradable sunscreen (shower first at cenotes and rivers)
- Visitax official portal (receipt retrieval)
- Swiss government Mexico business guide (power sockets Type A and B)
- NOAA National Hurricane Center: climatology (season June 1 to Nov 30)
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I need reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen in the Riviera Maya?
It depends on where you swim. Xel-Ha's official FAQ asks visitors to use only sunscreen containing titanium oxide and zinc oxide, and Xcaret asks you to shower before cenotes and underground rivers and not to apply chemicals until you leave the water. Many individual cenotes, such as Gran Cenote, are reported to require a pre-swim shower and to restrict lotions, so rules vary. Bring a mineral sunscreen for the beach and a rash guard or long sleeves for cenotes, then follow the posted rule.
What documents do US citizens need for Mexico?
According to the US State Department's Mexico page, you need a passport valid at entry (a passport book to fly, with a blank page for the stamp) and an FMM entry permit, which airports issue digitally. A tourist visa is only required for stays over 180 days. Other nationalities should check the Mexican consulate or INM pages for their passport.
What plug and voltage does Mexico use?
Mexico uses 127 V at 60 Hz with Type A and Type B sockets, the same flat-pin plugs used in the US and Canada. US and Canadian devices usually work with no adapter. Check that chargers say 100-240 V if you come from a 220-240 V country, and bring a Type A/B adapter.
Does the checklist save my progress?
Yes, in your own browser using local storage, so it stays on your device and is never sent anywhere. If your browser blocks storage, such as in a private window, the checklist still works but will not remember your ticks after you close the page. Use Print to keep a paper copy.
Can I travel with kids and what changes?
The Kids toggle adds items such as swim diapers, water shoes, a child-size rash guard and snacks. If a minor travels without both parents, the State Department notes Mexican authorities may require notarized written permission, so check the rules before you book.