What to pack for Tulum in May

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

UV index of 11.1 burns exposed skin in under 15 minutes without protection.

Glare off water and sand at 11.1 UV intensity causes eye strain without polarized lenses.

Humidity at 78% and rural terrain create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Stinger season, biting insects in tall grass, and unsafe tap water create injury risk.

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

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

Fly into an international destination with overhead-only luggage to skip checked-bag delays.

Thirteen hours of daily exploration in rural terrain requires hands-free carrying of water and sunscreen.

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.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 86°F.

Heat and 78% humidity make sweat constant; fabric that dries fast keeps skin from breaking down.

UV hits 11.1 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Stinger season peaks in May; locals swim in protective gear, so should you.

Thirteen hours of daylight and 11.1 UV intensity make unshaded skin blister by afternoon.

Heat, humidity, and 13 hours of walking outdoors drain electrolytes faster than water alone replaces them.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Heat above 77°F and constant sweating drain electrolytes faster than water alone restores.

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 to a rural area with limited infrastructure requires secure document storage.

Coastal location and 16 rain days mean phones face water exposure constantly.

Heat stays above 77°F throughout the month, and rural terrain means insects thrive in tall grass.

Sixteen rain days in May saturate the ground, and wet leather cracks without treatment.

Wind at 19 km/h dries lips constantly in tropical heat and high UV.

Insect bites itch in heat, and scratching infected bites worsens in 78% humidity.

One outlet per guesthouse and multiple devices mean you need short cables to share power.

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

International travel through shared accommodations means luggage sits in common spaces unattended.