What to pack for Mexico City in February

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

UV index of 9.8 burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes without protection.

Bright February sun reflecting off urban surfaces causes eye strain and headaches.

Tap water isn't safe here, so mosquitoes breeding in standing water carry risk.

Altitude sickness and unfamiliar food mean first aid supplies earn their space.

Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.

Daylight lasts only 11.5 hours, so the phone dies before sunset.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins on international flights shrink, so carry-on size matters.

Parks near the city require day trips with water and snacks packed separately.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

Altitude of 2238 meters thins the air and dries skin faster than sea level.

UV hits 9.8 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

At this altitude, the sun's rays hit harder despite only 11.5 hours of daylight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Dehydration happens faster at 2238 meters, especially during the dry season.

Tap water unsafe for drinking causes digestive problems within hours of arrival.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

International travel through crowded metro stations and markets draws pickpockets.

Airport transfers and metro rides in a city of 21 million lose bags fast.

Two weeks in one bag means clothes organized by layer, not by day.

Dry air at altitude means clothes need washing every three days.

Daytime highs reach 75°F, warm enough for legs uncovered during midday hours.

Thin air at 2238 meters means lips chap and burn without SPF.

Hand sanitizer bridges the gap between tap water that isn't safe and soap.

Sunburn and insect bites both happen here, so one relief covers both.

One outlet per room means cables that reach matter more than count.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

International border crossing requires passport kept separate from money and cards.

Checked bags on international flights need locks that TSA can open.

Humidity at 48 percent keeps toiletries dry and organized in a hanging bag.