Vinny and I just returned from a fantastic trip to Cancun and Tulum, Mexico this May, and we’re excited to share a short blog post highlighting the essentials you need to prepare for your trip. From travel medical insurance to the perfect sunscreen, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!
1. Travel Medical Insurance
First things first: travel medical insurance. We planned on doing some adventurous water activities and paragliding, so we made sure to purchase insurance. Accidents can happen, especially during such activities (snorkeling, sky diving, paragliding, and others), and it’s crucial to be covered. Even if you’re not planning on adventurous activities, getting travel medical insurance is wise as your current insurance may not work abroad.
We used the VisitorsCoverage website to compare quotes from various insurance companies and found a reasonably priced plan. Although we didn’t have to use the insurance (thankfully!), it was comforting to know we were covered.
Note: VisitorsCoverage also offers trip insurance, but we didn’t need it since our AMEX platinum card provides some travel insurance.
We chose Patriot Platinum International and paid $32.91 per person for 4 days. Since we chose the $0 deductible and high policy maximum, it was slightly higher.
👉🏻 Buy Coverage from here: VisitorsCoverage website
2. Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sunscreen
While shopping, a lady in front of us highly recommended reef-safe sunscreen, Blue Lizard Sunscreen. She mentioned her husband has skin cancer and that this sunscreen is the best for UV protection while hydrating the skin. We used it and found it applied well without making our eyes sting. We went through a whole bottle, so we recommend bringing at least two bottles.
Buy Now: Spray Type (Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+, Dermatologist-Recommended Brand, Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection, Water-Resistant, Zinc Oxide Formula, 5 fl oz)
Buy Now: Tube Type (Blue Lizard SENSITIVE Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 50+, Water Resistant, UVA/UVB Protection with Smart Cap Technology – Fragrance Free, 3 oz. Tube)
3. Water Shoes
Whether or not you need water shoes depends on where you’re staying. If you’re in the Cancun hotel zone resort, you might not need them. However, we stayed at the Grand Fiesta Americana Cancun Resort, where there were some rocks, and we wished we had water shoes. In Tulum’s Conrad Resort, they were a must due to the rocky terrain. At Xavage by Xcaret, water shoes are mandatory.
Buy Now: Affordable Water Shoes Price varies but between $7.99-$9.99! (Water Shoes for Women Men Quick-Dry Aqua Socks Swim Beach Barefoot Yoga Exercise Wear Sport Accessories Pool Camping Must Haves Adult Youth Size)
4. Rash Guard Swim Top For UV Protection
For those planning to visit any Xcaret park, a rash guard swim top or even long swim pants are highly recommended. The sun is very strong, and applying sunscreen multiple times a day can be tedious. Rash guard swim clothes offer excellent protection for your skin. If you’re just lounging at the resort, this might not be necessary.
I found this cute swim dress and this looks amazing to protect your skin, stylish, and makes you slimmer!
Buy Now: Cutest Swim Dress UV Protection (JACK SMITH Women’s 3 Piece Zip Long Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuits Bathing Suit Tankini Swim Dress UPF50)
5. Reef Safe Leave-in Hair Conditioner
The saltwater can be harsh on your hair, making it dry and brittle. We found that using a reef-safe leave-in conditioner helps keep your hair hydrated and healthy. We wish we had known this before our trip!
Buy Now: Reef Safe Leave in Hair Conditioner (Leave-In Hair Conditioner Detangles & Replenish Hair Moisture Natural Reef Safe Formula – Sulfate and Paraben Free with UV Protection by Stream2Sea)
6. Waterproof Dry Backpack
A waterproof dry bag proved to be super useful. When moving between resorts, it was perfect for carrying wet clothes and swimwear. Vinny even used it as his travel backpack from the US to Mexico. It’s versatile and handy for keeping your belongings dry.
Buy Now: Waterproof Backpack (Earth Pak Brand) (Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack – Heavy Duty Hiking Backpack – Roll-Top Closure – Waterproof Bag – Cushioned Dry Bags Waterproof w/ IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case – Wet Bag for Hiking, Kayak (Yellow, 35L))
Buy Now: Waterproof Backpack (HEETA brand) (HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag for Women Men, 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L Roll Top Lightweight Dry Storage Bag Backpack with Phone Case for Travel, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Camping and Beach)
7. Universal Waterproof Phone Case
If you want to capture underwater moments and don’t have a GoPro, a universal waterproof phone case is essential. It can be worn as a necklace, allowing you to film underwater and during activities like paragliding. We missed out on paragliding due to bad weather, but this case would have been perfect for it.
Buy Now: Waterproof Phone Pouch (Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch, Waterproof Phone Case for iPhone 15 14 13 12 Pro Max, IPX8 Cellphone Dry Bag Beach Cruise Ship Essentials 2Pack-8.3″)
8. Face Masks
After a day in the sun, your skin may need some TLC. Bring along some face masks to treat dryness or sunburn. I love the Mediheal brand; Vinny uses the tea tree mask for his blemish-prone skin, while I prefer the vitamin mask. They’re super effective and highly recommended.
Buy Now: VITA mask Recommended! (MEDIHEAL Best Korean Sheet Mask – Vita Essential Face Mask 10 Sheets Vitamin Mask For All skin types Smoothing Tightening Toning up Brightening)
These are the top 8 things we wanted to share to ensure you’re well-prepared for your Cancun adventure. Safe travels and enjoy your trip!
