10 Things to Add to Your Packing List for Your Trip to Oaxaca
- Chrissy Deal
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Not only have I traveled back and forth to Oaxaca for years now, Charlie and I love to wander around the world every chance we get. Over time I've put together a list of items that simply make traveling more enjoyable and life on the road a little easier. Here's what I recommend for your trip to Oaxaca packing list!
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#1: A Venty Portable Fan
I love this thing — I use it every night even when I'm at home. Here's why it's great for Oaxaca: Mexico nights are generally cool but may not be chilled to our U.S. air-conditioned standards. Position this handy little rechargeable fan next to your bed for a surprising amount of air flow; it's tall enough to stand the floor, or lower it for a side table. It's also GREAT for a little white noise to blur the typical Oaxaca night sounds of church bells, celebrations and barking dogs. (Oaxaca is noisy, but completely worth it.)
#2: A Solid Umbrella
After seeing all the women in Oaxaca popping up their umbrellas on sunny days, I'm perplexed why this isn't a habit in the U.S., too. A good, solid umbrella is a skin-saver under the intense Oaxacan sun. Remember, we are 5,000+ feet high; those rays are stronger than you may be used to.
#3: A Secure, Waterproof Travel Pill Container
I first discovered these while living in the North Carolina mountains, where the air is more humid than you'd think. It would creep into my traditional plastic, flip-top weekly pill organizer and ruin my vitamins. This thing is bulletproof — gaskets seal each section and they screw very securely, so no more lids popping open mid-travel and spilling valuable meds.
#4: Relief for Intestinal Troubles
It wouldn't be a trip with Chrissy and Charlie if you didn't seek out culinary adventures! The food and water in Oaxaca are typically very safe, but you never know when traveler's diarrhea may hit. For those unfortunate incidents, we recommend DiaResQ. Not a medicine but a "food for special dietary use," DiaResQ was developed by a company searching for treatments for children ravaged by diarrhea in developing countries. It works by supporting your body's natural immune response to intestinal problems (more here). I've used it, it definitely helps, and now I carry it in Oaxaca and everywhere else.
#5: Cool Off Anywhere
I'm a woman of a certain age, and I can rarely predict when I'll break into a full-blown hot flash. When I pack an inexpensive folding fan in my bag, though, I know I can keep cool(er) whenever and wherever I may be suffering — the airport security line, the taxi, in the middle of a mezcal tasting. Plus these are cheap enough that you don't have to be too precious with them. Just throw a couple in your carry-on and use as-needed (perfect for people of all genders and ages!).
#6: Refillable Squeeze Pouches for Liquids and Creams
Discovering these handy refillable pouches has changed the way I pack my hair and skin care. Because these flexible pouches lay flatter than a typical travel bottle, it's so much easier to snug them into your bag around other items. An added bonus is their ability to collapse as they empty, which means you gain space the longer you stay! One tip: while I've never had these leak, I wouldn't trust them amongst your clothes without an added layer; so I always pack these inside a zip lock bag or my TSA-approved liquids bag — which happens to be #7 on this list!
#7: TSA Approved Bags for Liquids
I originally bought these as a gift for my son but quickly claimed one for myself. :) Sturdy, holds a lot and TSA approved (or so they claim; I can't officially confirm that but I've never had an issue). The squared off bottom means it stands up when you fill it and it's easier to tetris your travel sizes inside.
#8: Supremely Packable Shopping Bags
You won't regret throwing two or three of these into your bag — they take up virtually zero space yet open up into perfect little shopping bags ready to be filled with amazing Mexican treasures! You can find bags like these anywhere, and any kind will do; I particularly dig these thanks to the double set of handles. One is short for grabbing and carrying low by your side, while the others are long enough to tote on your shoulder. Will it be filled with fresh fruits, original lino prints, or a new embroidered guayabera? There are so many possibilities!
#9: Ultralight Compression Packing Cubes
Well, I just love these colorful compression bags for keeping my luggage organized. They're lighweight, easy to pack, and provide an impressive amount of cinch to make more room in your bag. And you'll need that room on the way home, after you've shopped your way through Oaxaca! Plus, while you can select solid colors if that's more your style, the charm of the travel patterns (national parks, international cities, landscapes) was irresistible.
#10: Wine Wings to Protect Bottles You Pack to Bring Home
Charlie is a sommelier, lover of wine and spirits, and pretty much never visits a place without bringing home a bottle of something. But how do we pack glass bottles in our checked bags with confidence they won't be in a million pieces (and our clothes soaked!) by the time we get home? Many years ago we discovered wine wings, bottle-shaped heavy plastic bags lined with bubble wrap, and double sealed with a zipper seal and heavy duty velcro. They have seen us safely home with chartreuse from Paris, jenever from Amsterdam and many, MANY bottles of mezcal from our beloved Oaxaca. We never leave home without them, and on your trip to Oaxaca, neither should you!
Next on the list: sign up for one of our upcoming trips or inquire about a custom trip of your own!
When you travel with The Oaxaca Travel Collective, you'll discover authentic stories and deeply moving experiences with the people, culture and history of one of Mexico's safest and most vibrant cities. As your U.S.-based, onsite hosts, we're with you for the entire trip, sharing our insider tips and best-of lists, as well as our relationships with trusted local hosts who grant us privileged access to behind-the-scenes tours and invite-only events.
