33 Mexico Travel Gifts (Ideas For Someone Going to Vacation)

Hunting for the perfect gift for the Mexico-obsessed traveler on your list? 

Traveling to Mexico means packing a specific set of items, and gifting your loved one something that will make their Mexico trip that much better is an awesome idea.

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in Mexico to date and I have to say that the best travel gift ideas are a mix of functional, fun, and luxurious. 

In this article, we’ll cover:

• ✈️ Fun Mexico experience gifts
• 👉 Practical Mexico Travel Gifts
• 💰 Best Mexico travel gifts under $50
• 💎 Luxury gifts for Mexico-obsessed travelers

Oh, and be sure to also check out our full post of more than 50 travel gift ideas (no matter their destination!).

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Fun Mexico Experience Gifts

Thanks to the new innovate program Tinggly, it’s now possible to give travel experiences as gifts (it’s basically a digital gift card they redeem). Research shows that people get more positive emotional value out of experiences than material things. So if you’re buying a gift for someone going to Mexico, it’s a great way to improve their trip. Here are some great ones, depending on their destination:

Going Caving Near Playa del Carmen

Stretching nearly 30km (18 miles), exploring the Rio Secreto portion of Mexico’s cave system is an activity that makes every list of the top things to do in Mexico.

One of the most fun gifts for Mexico, this Rio Secreto tour will pick your loved one up anywhere in the Mayan Riviera (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, etc), outfit them with all the gear they need to safely explore underground, and provide a knowledgeable guide to lead them along.

📚  Related Reading: Rio Secreto: A Guide to Playa del Carmen’s Magical Caves

Touring the Chichen Itza Ruins in the Yucatan

If your loved one has been dreaming of exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza in style, then look no further than this fun gift. Picking them up in a luxury Mercedes Benz in Playa del Carmen, this full-day Chichen Itza Tour for two includes a bilingual guide, lunch at a Mayaland Resort, complimentary drinks, access to the Xtoloc and Ik-Kil Cenotes (freshwater sinkholes), time in the city of Valladolid, and a Temazcal purification ritual.

Sounds like a jam-packed day? It will be!

Learning to Scuba Dive in Cancun

Whether they’re new to scuba diving or a seasoned pro, going diving off the coast of Cancun is one of the most unique gift ideas for your Mexico-obsessed friend. On this full-day scuba diving experience for two, they’ll take a dive class, suit up in all the necessary gear, and then plunge down to Cancun’s Underwater Museum.

The museum features more than 480 life-sized sculptures, and the area is home to 65 species of coral and over 500 species of fish — making this trip a truly colorful one.

Taking a High-Adrenaline Zipline Tour in Tulum

Tulum may be known for its bohemian decor, relaxed atmosphere, and luxury accommodations, but if you’re hoping to give something a little more adventurous, then rest assured it’s got that in spades.

On this Tulum Xtreme Adventure Experience, your loved one will ride high above the jungle canopy on a lightning-fast zipline circuit before swimming or snorkeling in a local cenote. They’ll then have lunch before linking up with an archaeologist to explore the region’s ancient Mayan history.

📚  Related Reading: 17 Best Tulum Hotels and Resorts

Sunset Sailing Cruise in Cabo San Lucas

Located on the western side of the country, Mexico’s Baja California Sur is one of the best places in the world to watch the sunset, and treating your Mexico-obsessed travelers with a luxury sighting is an unforgettable gift.

On this Cabo San Lucas Sunset Sailing Cruise, your loved one will enjoy an open bar and appetizers while traveling on a luxurious yacht. Two hours in total, the cruise comes complete with a commentated guide of the area and of the marine life that call these waters home. 

Practical Mexico Travel Gifts

If you want to buy a physical gift they’ll actually use on their Mexico trip, here are some of practical items I think pair well with a visit to Mexico (many of these are on my own Mexico packing list):

Filtered Water Bottle

The rumors are true — finding safe drinking water in Mexico can be a challenge. Unless they’re staying at a resort or have access to a trustworthy water source, your friend will need to plan in advance and bring along their own water filtration device. Yes, the Grayl Water Purifier Bottle is a bit of an investment, but it’s the best (and most convenient) item I’ve yet to find on the market. Plus they come in a ton of cool colors! You can read my full review of the Grayl Geopress here.

Travel Laundry Bag

Sure, it’s one of the quirky Mexican gifts on this list, but giving your traveler a travel laundry bag makes for a very practical present.

Every traveler hates using a flimsy plastic bag for their laundry (have you ever got one of those caught in a suitcase zipper? Not fun), and these Homest Travel Laundry Bags are the perfect solution. They not only feature a drawstring, but they also have rip-proof fabric and can carry up to 4 loads of laundry. 

Travel Umbrella

Rainy season in Mexico (May – September) is no joke, and carrying a travel umbrella that will hold its shape and keep your loved one dry is a must. Nate made a point of reviewing the top travel umbrellas and decided that the Rain-Mate Compact Travel Umbrella was the winner due to its compact size and windproof design. Don’t let the rains of Mexico get your loved one down with this practical gift idea!

Travel Daypack

A daypack that can be taken from the carry-on compartment of the plane and into the streets of Mexico City or to the sultry Oaxacan Coast, the Osprey Daylite Backpack is one of the most pro-recommended packs on the market.

Travel Lemming’s founder Nate traveled with this daypack across 50 countries and has been raving about it ever since. Available in a range of colors, this daypack is durable, super comfy, and makes it easy to pack light.

✈️ First time in Mexico? Don’t miss our article on Mexico Travel Insurance – The 3 Best Sites to Search

Slashproof Bag

For days when a backpack is a little too much, equipping your traveler with a slash-proof bag is essential. 

From Mexico’s biggest cities to small towns and the beach, the Pacsafe MetroSafe LS200 ECONYL Shoulder Bag is a staple in the slash-proof world of travel bags. This 7L bag is made from recycled cut-resistant materials, has lockable zippers, is armed with RFID-blocking technology, and can fit a tablet.

Bag Protector

Regardless of where you or your loved one travels, the unfortunate truth is that theft can occur. Because of this, being able to confidently and safely leave valuables in their accommodations is a must.

The Pacsafe 55L Backpack and Bag Protector is made with stainless steel, wraps 360 degrees around a backpack or bag (up to 55 liters), and locks to a fixture. Plus, it weighs just 1lb -making it perfect for on-the-go travel. 

Insect Repellent

If you’ve been looking to gift the travelers on your list with a practical item that they can take with them on every trip, then I have to recommend Ranger Ready insect repellent.

Made with 20% picaridin (the safe alternative to DEET), this insect repellent will ward off any mosquito-borne illnesses in Mexico such as Typhoid, Malaria, and Yellow Fever. I recently received a pack of Ranger Ready products and can attest that they work as well as regular bug spray but without the harsh chemicals (and they smell really good, too).

Door Stop Alarm

As a woman who often travels solo, one of my very first travel-related purchases was a door stop alarm. A wedge that fits under any hotel room, hostel dorm, or apartment building door, this doorstop security alarm is outfitted with a 120-decibel screech that, when powered on with a 9V battery, will scare off any potential intruder. Even when in the “off” mode, this wedge still keeps doors from opening and will help your loved one sleep in peace.

Personal Safety Alarm

Along the same vein as the door stop alarm, a personal safety alarm should be on your friend’s packing list no matter where they’re headed.

My dad gifted me this Self Defense Siren Keychain (thanks Dad!), and though I’m happy to report I’ve never had to use it, I have pulled the pin to hear the 125dB ruckus. Now that my ears have recovered, I can confirm that it’ll get you heard in case of an emergency.

Spanish-English Dictionary

Though you’ll find some English speakers in the tourism sectors of Mexico City, the Mayan Riviera, and Baja California Sur, Spanish is the primary language of Mexico and your friend will need to know a few words to have a comfortable stay.

Though they should also download a translator app on their phone, in my experience the best way to learn a new language is to use a small dictionary and practice speaking in person. The Merriam-Webster’s Pocket Spanish-English Dictionary is what I used while traveling Mexico, and it was awesome for on-the-spot translations.

Dry Bag & Cell Phone Case

If your loved one is prone to hanging out on boats, scuba diving, snorkeling, or hiking through wet Mexican terrain, then gifting them a dry bag will be one of the best choices you make. Available in both 35 or 55L options, the Earth Pak Dry Bag is a tried-and-true bag that keeps electronics, money, passports, and clothes safe from the elements. 

In particular, this one features a roll-top enclosure, extra storage zippers, shoulder straps, and a phone bag. Before I purchased my dry bag, I honestly never knew how much it would come in handy. I now take it on literally every trip and it has proven its worth a hundred times over.

Best Mexico Gifts Under $50

If you’re buying a Mexico travel gift for someone but on a budget, here are some great gift ideas under $50:

Mexico Scratch Map

If the traveler on your list likes to try a new area of Mexico every time they go, then you can’t go wrong with gifting them a scratch map.

The Massive Wanderlust Scratch-Off Mexico Map is a pretty gold hue before it’s scratched to reveal watercolors underneath. It’s large in size (17×23.5″) and even includes a guitar pick for easy scratching.

Travel Neck Pillow

If a long-haul flight is in the cards for your special someone, then help them ride in comfort with a travel neck pillow. After testing out the most popular options, Travel Lemming’s founder Nate settled on the trtl Travel Pillow as his favorite option. Supporting the neck while being sleek, carry-on packable, and washable, this pillow will hold your loved one’s head in a comfortable ergonomic position while en route to Mexico. Gotta say after Nate reviewed this I went and got one for myself — I do love it!

👉 Want to stack the trtl up against the competition? Check out our article reviewing the best travel pillows!

Water Shoes

If keeping your loved one away from jellyfish and other creepy crawlies in Mexico’s oceans sounds like a good idea, then a pair of water shoes is the ticket. These quick-dry water shoes from Mayzero are unisex, come in a ton of fun colors, and feature slip-resistant rubber outsoles.

RFID Passport Holder

What a life it would be if we didn’t have to worry about people swiping our passport and credit card information as we heedlessly galavant on a trip to Mexico. Unfortunately, it’s a wild world out there, and gifting your friend an RFID-blocking passport holder is a great move. While perhaps not one of the most fun travel gifts out there, this Fintie Passport Holder is stylish, will protect your loved one’s personal information, and can hold a passport, credit card, and boarding pass with ease. 

Travel Toiletry Bag

At one point in their travel career, every globetrotter realizes that not all travel toiletry bags are made equal. From having to set them down on the floor in hostel bathrooms to having a product explode everywhere, a bad toiletry bag can be more of a hassle than anything. This premium hanging toiletry bag is unisex, has a ton of compartments, and has a hook for hanging in communal bathrooms. 

Travel Toiletries

It’s something often overlooked, but the toiletries that they’d probably use at home aren’t the same ones that your friend should take to Mexico. Instead of regular sunscreen, All Good Sport Reef-Safe Sunscreen is a must in Mexico to help protect marine life. And after your friend is exploring the aforementioned marine life, they’ll need some quality Renpure Coconut Leave-In Conditioner to fight tangled, salty hair. 

Compression Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are one of the most recommended must-haves for frequent travelers, but does your Mexico-obsessed friend have compression cubes? The Well Traveled Packing Cubes do what regular packing cubes do for clothes (separate and organize) and then take it a step further — save space in their bag. These cubes compress clothes, meaning your friend can pack just as much stuff as they would have anyway, but at a way smaller size.

Hello, more Mexico souvenirs!

📚 Related Reading: Tulum vs Chichen Itza (find out which Mayan ruins are best!)

Luxury Gifts for Mexico-obsessed Travelers

Want to splash out on a luxury gift that will really get their attention? Here are some great ideas for the absolute best gifts for Mexico travelers:

Drone

If you’re looking to splurge on your Mexico traveler, then helping them take their travel photos to new heights is a great way to do it. 

The DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo is a go-to ultralight drone bundle for travel (or, if you REALLY want to splurge, the DJI Mini 3 Pro). It features a 3-Axis Gimbal with a 4K Camera, can produce 12MP photos, has 31 minutes of flight time, and offers OcuSync 2.0 10km HD video transmission. Just make sure your traveler checks the drone requirements and laws before they travel – Mexico does have some stipulations.

Voice Translator

If your Mexico traveler is a little shaky on their legs with speaking and understanding Spanish, then getting them a pocket-sized voice translator is a great travel gift.

The Pocketalk Classic Language Translator Device is perfect for travelers in Mexico. Its dimensions are 5.9 x 3.7 x 1.8 inches, comes with a 2-year data plan, has noise-canceling microphones, offers touch-screen navigation, and can translate in just 0.6 seconds.

Waterproof Action Camera

Want to splurge on your loved one? Then outfitting them with a waterproof action cam is the way to do it. A waterproof action cam will allow them to take on-the-go photos and videos of their vacation in a high-quality format. 

From scuba diving the reefs of Cozumel to exploring the streets of Mexico City, they’ll be able to professionally capture it all without the bulk of a DSLR camera. The GoPro Hero10 is the latest model of the industry-standard action cam. It comes with 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video, stabilization, live streaming, and more!

Tripod

Whether your friend is traveling solo or with a partner, having a quality tripod will allow them to capture precious memories with everyone in the frame. This Tycka Tripod is great as it’s lightweight, durable, and packable — meaning it won’t break any weight restrictions and it won’t take up too much space in a bag. Just be sure to have them bring the proper GoPro connector so they can use their tripod and camera together!

Portable Charger

One of the best gifts for travelers no matter the destination, a portable power bank will keep your special someone’s phone connected at all times. Though there are many great brands on the market, I’ve personally been using the Anker Powercore High-Capacity Power Bank for years and absolutely love it. I find that some chargers “faux-charge” your phone, where they make it look like it’s charged when it’s not, but I never have this problem with Anker products.

Electronic E-Reader

Just because your friend doesn’t want to lug around heavy paper books doesn’t mean they can’t read while abroad! In fact, I’d say diving into a good book is one of the best ways to spend long bus rides, lazy days by the pool, or long-haul plane trips. The Kindle Oasis E-Reader is the latest model on the market and features warm-cool lighting, a 7” display, and millions of books to choose from.

Lonely Planet Mexico

Sure, we think Travel Lemming publishes the best free Mexico travel guides on the Internet. But we won’t take offense if you want to give your friend an old physical guidebook, you retro lover you. Lonely Planet’s guidebook is always a tried-and-true gift for anyone traveling to Mexico.

Of course, you can always get free Lonely Planet e-books through the Kindle e-library if you sign up for Kindle Unlimited.

Backpack

Looking to purchase a highly-functional gift that your friend will use for years to come? The Tortuga Travel Backpack is perfect for Mexico travel.

It’s a high quality bag that lets you pack everything you need into a carry-on (avoiding checked bag fees in Mexico). Plus, in our review of the Tortuga backpack, we found that it’s one of the most comfortable to carry even when packed full!

Long-Sleeve Rash Guard

It’s true what they say about Mexico — the sun just hits differently there. Sunscreen is a great base layer, but if your friend is prone to long days in the water or by the pool, then an O’Neill Long-Sleeve Rash Guard will keep them from getting too crispy. There are lots of rash guard brands available, but I find that the O’Neill ones are flattering, provide great sun protection, and help reflect heat.

🎁 Read All Our Travel Gift Guides:

• Best Gift Ideas for People Who Travel
• Best Travel Gifts for Couples
• Best Travel Gifts for Women
• Best Travel Gifts for Men

Mexico Travel Gift FAQs 

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That’s it for my top Mexico-themed gifts! From Cancun to Mexico City, I hope your loved one (and hopefully you too!) has a great time in Mexico.

For more Mexico guidance, check out our 21 Mexico Travel Tips to Know Before Going!

Have fun in Mexico!