What to Pack for Cabo: The Only List You Need

Cabo packing is easy to overthink. It's a desert next to a warm sea: hot days, cool winter evenings, strong sun, and a dress code that tops out at 'nice sandals'. Here's the realistic list.

The core

• Two swimsuits per person (one's always wet)
• Linen and light cotton everything
• One warm layer — winter evenings drop to 15°C (60°F) and the boat breeze is real
• Comfortable sandals plus one pair of real shoes for cobblestones and nice dinners
• A hat with an actual brim, not a baseball cap of pure optimism
• Reef-safer sunscreen SPF 50 (pricey locally), aloe, lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses you'd be sad to lose, plus a cheap backup pair for the boat

The five things everyone forgets

• Water shoes — rocky cove entries at the best snorkel spots
• A dry bag for phones on boat days
• Motion-sickness tablets if anyone's boat-shy (take before departure, not after)
• A power bank for long beach days
• Pesos in small bills for tips — cards work almost everywhere, but propinas run on cash

What to leave home

• Formal wear — 'Cabo elegant' means a collared shirt and clean sandals
• Beach towels — every good villa stocks pool and beach towels
• Snorkel gear (unless you're particular) — rentals and charters provide it
• Hair dryers, irons, umbrellas: provided, provided, and it isn't going to rain

Villa guests get one more cheat: send us your grocery list and preferences before you fly, and the kitchen — including that specific coffee you like — is stocked on arrival. Pack less; land settled.