What to pack for Mexico City in May

12 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

UV index of 12.6 burns skin in under fifteen minutes without protection.

High altitude and thin air intensify glare off pavement and building glass.

Altitude and humidity shift insect patterns; locals know what's active in May.

Tap water isn't safe, altitude affects digestion, and clinics are far from some neighborhoods.

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

Thirteen hours of daylight means your phone dies before you find an outlet.

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

Day trips to national parks mean carrying water, snacks, and a camera for hours.

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

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Daytime heat at 82°F and 13 hours of daylight mean sweat-soaked fabric by afternoon.

UV hits 12.6 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Urban walking on warm days calls for something you can slip off when your feet heat up.

Thirteen hours of direct sun exposure at altitude demands shade for your face and scalp.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Dehydration hits harder at 2238 meters, even when you don't feel thirsty.

Unfamiliar water and food cause stomach trouble; the altitude makes it worse.

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.

Crowded markets and public transport make pickpocketing common in the city.

Luggage moves through multiple hands at the airport and on connecting flights.

Laundry dries slowly at altitude even when humidity is moderate.

Temperatures between 55°F and 82°F let you dress in layers that shed as the day warms.

Twelve rain days in May will soak your boots if you don't treat them first.

Lips crack and blister at 2238 meters elevation when exposed to intense UV.

Public transport and crowded markets mean your hands touch surfaces all day.

One socket per room forces you to choose between charging your camera or phone.

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

International travel requires your passport to stay readable and protected from the elements.

Luggage locks won't stop theft but signal that a bag isn't easy prey.

Humidity at 51% and altitude both affect how fast soap residue dries.