What to pack for Tulum in December

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

UV index of 6.1 burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes.

Water reflects light off the Caribbean and bleaches vision.

December brings mosquitoes that carry dengue and other illness.

Tap water here causes traveler's diarrhea within hours.

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

Ten-hour daylight means devices drain before sunset each day.

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

Dark by 6:10pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Overhead bins fit carry-on on every airline to Mexico.

Single-track roads need maps at eye level, not in lap.

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.

Sweat clings to skin in 80% humidity and 81°F heat.

Stinger season peaks in December, and locals swim in protective suits.

Wet terrain and coastal spray demand grip underfoot.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Heat and humidity drain electrolytes faster than thirst signals.

Unfamiliar bacteria in food and water upset digestion quickly.

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 border crossings and rural areas attract theft.

Bags disappear in transit between islands and mainland.

Fifteen rain days mean wet clothes need separation from dry.

Salt water and humidity destroy phones within days.

Laundry costs add up faster than washing by hand.

Daytime highs stay at 81°F with no cool-down in sight.

Fifteen rain days soak into seams and leather.

Lips crack and peel under constant 6.1 UV exposure.

Surfaces are contaminated where tap water is unsafe.

Bites itch worse when sunburned skin is already raw.

One outlet at the guesthouse charges three devices at once.

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

Humidity and salt spray destroy unprotected documents.

Luggage passes through multiple handlers on international routes.

Moisture and mold attack toiletries in 80% humidity.