We're off tomorrow and I think I am overpacked

[susan]

:airplane::confused:but what do you do when going with two kids, snorkeling gear, cases of mosquito repellent and sunscreen. We should be lighter on the way home if I can resist my souvenior buying urges.

I do have one cool find, I bought an Igloo cooler backpack which is doubling as a carry on.

[luvthesun]

You probably ARE overpacked!

When I unpack my suitcase on my return, I always put a pile on the bed of "things I could have left home" There was a lot!

I was so obsessed about the mosquitos that I brought two types of repellent with me.. I just got back 6 days ago... I didn't get one bite, and the mosquitos usually love me! I think I used the repellent ONCE... and that was when I went to Coba. Take out half your t-shirts (you'll be in your swimsuit most of the time) and most of your shoes. You will probably wear the same two pair of flip flops the whole time. I brought my snorkeling gear, but only used it in the cenotes... IMO....the beach in Tulum isn't great for snorkeling.

I always overpack, and ALWAYS say the next time will be different! :)

[beachreader]

Luvthesun, just wanted to say I love your avatar. What a pretty tile!

I brought some great-smelling eco bug spray called Sly Fwatter from Kiss My Face. I seriously want to wear it as perfume, it smells so good. I have no idea how well it works because though I wore it every night, we were pretty low on the bug risk that week due to the high winds. I'd bring two kinds, one eco friendly, then one serious version if the bugs really come out.

A friend of mine (the guy of the couple who drove down to the Pacific side for the month of February, some of you may remember me talking about them) spent a week of their trip with a terrible Dengue Fever, so we really do need to be serious about bug protection.

Other than that, a pair of flip flops, a pair of sneakers if you're going to be ruin-climbing (or Keens or something else protective), a pair of water shoes for cenotes should be it for footwear.

A pair of casual shorts for wearing over bathing suits for trips to the store or wherever, a pareo for the rest of the time, a tank top for daytime, and then a selection of shorts and clean t-shirts or tops for nighttimes, but you'll only be wearing them a few hours at a time so you can totally wear them more than once.

My problem is more on the non-clothing side of things. My bag weighs a TON because of all the stuff I bring, and not just the books (though that's a big part of it). I've got several different kinds of flashlights, a bag of different kinds of sunscreen, bug spray, Solarcaine, etc., my regular toiletry kit (which really could be cut down), my still-new mask and snorkel, a beach sheet, beach towels, all kinds of stuff. I really want to carry less, but it just keeps adding up!

[luvthesun]

yes... you are soo right... the weight of the suitcase usually comes from the non-clothing items.. I must say, I am guilty of that as well.

The tile is from the shower at Las Ranitas... see more pics in my trip report.. just posted them.

[PhyllisB]

Have a great trip Susan!!!!!! Everyone overpacks, at least the first time. It's part of the whole experience, I think.

Raise a glass for those of us still stuck at home when you're there!

Phyllis

[beachreader]

yes... you are soo right... the weight of the suitcase usually comes from the non-clothing items.. I must say, I am guilty of that as well.

The tile is from the shower at Las Ranitas... see more pics in my trip report.. just posted them.


Trip report? Where's your trip report? Let me guess, it's over in the trip report section, where I never look!

[susan]

yes it is the weight of everyhting else. I actually think I did ok on the clothes but beach towels, fachlights, books, toiletries, first aid kit adds up for three people. we each have a duffle to check and a backpack/carryon. I will think of all of you while we are down there. Hopefully Zulum is as nice as I hope it to be.

[CindyM]

This is our 4th time going....all of my kids brings 1 backpack each for their stuff. That's it! We also bring 1 snorkeling bag. My husband and I both pack a backpack. We basically figured out that all you need fits in ONE backpack, amazing. HAVE FUN. Oh, and we wear our flip flops to travel in. Very convenient when going through security.

[beachreader]

One more pic for you before you go, Susan:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb664de329b0100000026108Aas2rVo2ZuS

[susan]

Was that from your last trip? this looks amazingly peaceful but kind of crowded:).


Cindy- how many days can you fit in a backpack? that is a major accomplishment but I think I am too much of a what if person to pare down that far.

[La Luna]

My Backpack is filled up for 9 months!!!

[mgsipa]

Susan, read my Tulum tips and trips and look at the suggestions for what to bring along. Trust me, it's pretty accurate. Have fun on your trip. My wife and I will be there the week of April 1 to 8. :)

[hummingbird_206]

I overpack for every trip I take. But I figure as long as I can lift the suitcases (yes, plural) and am under the airline weight limit, then I'm good to go! I have 2 roller bags that can be connected together, so I can get them to the check in counter by myself :airplane: I used to pack less and figure I could always buy stuff when I got there if needed, but then I started going places where things are way more expensive than here at home (or maybe not available at all in places like Mexico and Tahiti) and changed my strategy to just pack it all!

[hummingbird_206]

Trip report? Where's your trip report? Let me guess, it's over in the trip report section, where I never look!
So I'm not the only one who doesn't visit the trip report section? I really hate that the trip reports are in a separate section....the only thing I hate about this forum, but I really do hate it :(

[beachreader]

I'm kind of hating it too. I wish we could leave them here for a month, or at least until the activity slows on them, then move them over to the TR section, which we'd then treat sort of as an archive, you know? I don't know how much influence over that sort of thing we can have. James may have just made the decision, and that's what we've got.

[beachreader]

Was that from your last trip? this looks amazingly peaceful but kind of crowded.

Yup, packed with five people! :) Yes, this is from two weeks ago as we walked from Cabanas Tulum (two properties south) to La Luna (right next door to the north).

I hadn't seen the groovy new beach furniture, so I took the pic. Also, I knew Mariposa would appreciate all the poufs. :)

[CindyM]

susan: one backpack for 7 days. You'd be amazed how much you can cram into one. I bring a couple of bathing suits, a few sun dresses, skirts and tees, that's it. My youngest (9) wears a bathing suit the entire time, yes, even out to dinner. He brings tees. The same with my teenagers. They know mom has a strict rule of carry on only, what fits in your pack goes.

[graceland]

:)Hey ya'll, on the packing issue - do you need anything extra for the centoes; I think I read somewhere they were really cold (we'll be there in Dec.) Yes, I am already thinking of packing! Got to do something for the next 8 months.
Peru in May, but I am already packed for that one - one bag always -whereever I go!
..and we will be at LaLuna, missing Rene, darn. (and patiently waiting for BR's report on her visit, hint, hint)
Txs.for tips on cenotes. Gracie

[AdGuy]

:)Hey ya'll, on the packing issue - do you need anything extra for the centoes; I think I read somewhere they were really cold (we'll be there in Dec.)


Gracie...just like the springs here in Florida, Mexico's cenotes are the same water temp throughout the year (about 72-75 degrees). What might affect you is the outside temps, sun (or lack of it) and breeze. We've never needed wetsuits when swimming in them but they will feel "brisk" when you first jump in on a warm sunny day.

[graceland]

Thanks Lee, which cenote is your fav...and which has the most sun? I think from reading the tr's it may be windy at Xmas..I hate being cold, so of course I am preparing myself this far ahead so when I arrive I can concentrate on the important stuff :eat-drink:!
Or maybe I am just enjoying the daydreaming that comes along with trip preps.:swimming:
Gracie

[AdGuy]

Thanks Lee, which cenote is your fav...and which has the most sun? Gracie


Favorites are Gran, Cristal, and Ik Kil. Most cenotes get plenty of sun.