5 Smart Things Guests Forget to Pack for Their Cancun Vacation Rental
Last Updated on October 4, 2025 by Megan
Your suitcase is open. Swimsuits? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Sunglasses and sandals? Check.
But before you zip it up, let me share a few small packing secrets learned from years of welcoming guests to Tim’s Ocean Condos.
These little extras can make your vacation smoother, cooler, and completely stress-free.
1. A Waterproof Phone Pouch
Cancun’s turquoise waters are impossible to resist — and so are the photo opportunities. A waterproof pouch keeps your phone safe from splashes, sand, and those surprise waves that always arrive when you least expect them.
You can still use your touchscreen and take photos underwater without worrying about water damage.
This small accessory becomes essential if you’re planning a snorkeling trip with our friend Mike or enjoying a Private Yacht tour in Puerto Aventuras. Guests always tell me how grateful they were to have their phone protected while capturing incredible moments on the water.
Pro Tip from Tim’s Ocean Condos:
Choose a pouch that floats and allows full touchscreen use through the clear plastic.
The Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler keeps your drinks cold for hours with its double-wall insulated stainless steel design. Featuring a built-in flip straw, leakproof lid, and sturdy handle, it fits easily in cupholders—ideal for long travel days or relaxing at Tim’s Ocean Condos.
2. Insulated Tumbler for Poolside Drinks
A cold drink by the pool is part of every perfect Cancun day. Unfortunately, the tropical heat melts ice in minutes. An insulated tumbler keeps your beverage frosty for hours and reduces your trips back to the bar.
Pro Tip:
Ask the bartender to fill your tumbler directly — they’re always happy to, and you’ll stay refreshed all afternoon.
The BAND-AID Brand Travel Ready First Aid Kit includes assorted bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gauze pads for quick wound care. Its compact, durable case fits easily in luggage, beach bags, or cars—ideal for emergencies while staying at Tim’s Ocean Condos or exploring Cancun’s outdoor adventures.
3. A Mini First-Aid & Travel Medicine Kit
Even paradise brings surprises like a sun headache, minor cut, or insect bite. Resort stores often charge high prices for basic supplies, so it’s best to bring your own.
Pack pain relievers, allergy pills, motion-sickness tablets, and anti-diarrhea medicine.
Pro Tip:
Keep it in a waterproof pouch for easy access during excursions.
4. Beach Towel Clips for Breezy Days
The ocean breeze feels amazing — until it blows your towel off the chair every few minutes. Beach towel clips keep everything perfectly in place and make your chair easy to spot among identical resort loungers.
Pro Tip from Tim’s Ocean Condos:
Bring a few extras — they’re small, light, and always useful.
👉 Shop colorful towel clips on Amazon
👉 Shop white towel clips on Amazon
5. Small Cash for Tipping
The incredible staff in Cancun make every stay special. Bringing small bills ensures tipping is simple and stress-free.
Before leaving home, visit your bank for a mix of $1s and $5s so you can easily tip bartenders, bellhops, and housekeepers who make your trip unforgettable.
Pro Tip:
Keep your tip money in a labeled envelope inside your beach bag.
Bonus Tip: A Reusable Beach Bag (That Doubles as a Grocery Bag)
Many guests stop at the grocery store before checking in at Tim’s Ocean Condos, not realizing that Mexico has banned single-use plastic bags. Most stores sell plain reusable bags that aren’t very strong or attractive.
Instead, pack a sturdy, stylish beach bag that can also handle heavy groceries — like large bags of ice, two-liter sodas, or bottled water. It’ll save you from buying flimsy store bags and keep you looking fashionable on the beach.
Pro Tip from Tim’s Ocean Condos:
Pick one with reinforced handles and a waterproof lining for wet swimsuits.
Final Thoughts
Packing smart isn’t about bringing more — it’s about bringing better.
By adding these essentials to your Cancun vacation rental packing list, you’ll arrive at Tim’s Ocean Condos completely prepared to relax, sip something cold, and enjoy every sunny moment by the Caribbean Sea.
