A Five Day Trip In Your Carry On! My Mexico Packing List

What?  A Packing list for Mexico in May?  YUP!  In just 5 days, not that I’m counting, SassyHubby and I are heading off to Puerto Vallarta Mexico!  Our goal, to check out the Casa Magna Hotel Resort and Spa, and dive into the area of Puerto Vallarta.  It will be a whirlwind 5 day trip and for the first time EVER I am going to travel with just a carry on? (It made my heart palpitate just to type that!)  Why in the world would I try to pack in just a carry on?  Why do I think I can do it!  I’m going to try and do this because we have a kind of tight connection on the way there, and Mama doesn’t want to miss her flight or lose her bag, plus I have a bit of problem with over packing.  My theory has always been that it is better to have too many pairs of shoes!  This time, I’m going to try and be a smart packer, a savvy packer, and so I bring you my first How To Packing list!

The How To Pack For Five Day Trip In Your Carry On!

*Rule one:  Find out the maximum size bag you are allowed to take as a carry on.  Add to this your laptop bag (which we all know we can stuff extra stuff into) and your purse.  This is all the space you have to work with.  Deal with that.

*Rule Two: Plan your outfits:  I always do this anyway, but am kind of lazy and in the past would have 5 different outfits that require 5 different pairs of shoes.  Going to go the carry on route, those shoes need to be multi outfit shoes!  Your outfits are also gong to have to be mix and match.  Think black skirt with two different tops and mix up the accessories.  Four bathing suits is now overkill.  How about three bikinis with mix and match bottoms and tops?  Smart right?

*Rule Three:  Travel Size it!  Pack travel size shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, lotions, and even medication.  You would be surprised how much space you can save by putting a large prescription into a smaller size bottle.  Do remember that all prescriptions must still be clearly labeled.  It’s also not a bad idea to take a print out of all medications you are currently taking in.

*Rule Four: Wear your heaviest item:  Have to have that cute denim jacket that goes with everything?  Then you are going to have to wear it on the plane.  That baby is going to take up way too much space in your carry on.

*Rule Five: Roll it baby.  I may not be the Queen of carry on’s, (yet) but I am the master of packing that large bag to the max!!  I’m a firm believer that rolling your clothes not only prevents wrinkles, but saves you space.

Now that you know the rules you are ready to go!  I’ve made my list, that I swear I will stick to,  for our 5 day trip to Mexico and I’m going to make all of this, fit into my carry on!

Wear it on the plane:

(My largest and most comfy outfit) Beige ankle length pants (super comfy) Black Tank, Black T-Shirt, Denim Jacket, Bright Pink Scarf, Toms

Pack it in my purse:

Medications: (all in a tidy cosmetic case)

-Imodium (just in case!)

-Advil

-Gravol

-Eye drops

-Prescriptions

-Passport and ID

-Cash and Credit Card

-Hotel Info

-iPhone & charger

Make up:

You need less!  You are spending all day in the sun!

*Mascara, Lip gloss, face powder, blush, eye shadow palette, eye liner and brushes.

Only take what will fit in a small cosmetic bag in your purse.  Don’t forget a good moisturiser and it must meet FDA size regulation’s.

A good hair brush, toiletries, dry shampoo, elastics and a small hair spray.

Seriously consider leaving that flat iron behind, straight hair and the south don’t get along anyway.

Clothes:

Three mix and match bikini/tankini’s (total 5 pieces)

One or Two light cover-ups. Sarong’s are great and take up so little space.

3 Maxi dresses (Black and Pink) (Navy and White) (Strapless Navy and White)

2 Pairs of Shorts with three mix and match tops! (Black Tank Top/Black T-Shirt/White T-Shirt)

Cute sleep wear.  Duh, you are with your Hubby on this trip!

Bras and Undies!

Shoes:

Black Strappy Sandals.  Flip flops for the beach.  One Pair of Walking Sandals.

Media Needs:

Laptop and Cord, BIG Camera, Waterproof Camera, Lifeproof case for iPhone, Camera Chargers.

Extras:

Books, headphones, magazines, gum, mints, snacks and a hat and small beach bag!

Do you think I can do it?  Of course I can. Worst case scenario, I will jam that floppy hat into my SassyHubby’s bag or wear it on the plane!

Watch out Mexico, here we come!