Please find all the packing information you will need for your monarch butterfly photography trip in Mexico with lots of helpful tips below. Use the list as a guide to compare to what you already own and if you need to pick up something new, links are provided.

Some companies allow me to be a dealer or affiliate, so in those cases, I will earn a small commission on the sale. You do not pay any more for the product by following an affiliate link.

As a dealer for some products, I can often match or beat other advertised prices, so please give me a call if you are interested in those items.

All of the links show up as yellow text or a picture/banner. Simply click on the link to be directed to the product page.

Some companies also offer coupon codes or special gifts that are listed near their link.

Any special offers or coupon codes are typed in RED.

To use my Amazon affiliate links, you may sign up for a trial membership if you are not already a member. With two day shipping, you have plenty of time to get anything else you need for the trip.

Prime also comes with their video streaming service that I use all the time at home. Some purchased videos can also be downloaded to your device so you can watch them offline while traveling. I try to pick out a couple movies to take along in case I get stuck at the airport longer than expected.

Thanks in advance for your business!

Airline Baggage Size & Weight Restrictions

As you pack for your trip, please keep in mind the baggage policy of all the airlines you will use during your monarch butterfly photography trip. Each airline’s baggage size and weight restrictions can be found on their website, but here are a few guidelines for common airline carriers:

United Airlines

Carry-on Bag (for the overhead bin): 9” x 14” x 22” (including handles & wheels) No defined weight limit

Personal Item (for under the seat): 9” x 10” x 17” No defined weight limit

Checked Baggage: 62 inches total (length + width + height) 50lbs maximum

Delta Airlines

Carry-on Bag (for the overhead bin): 9” x 14” x 22” (including handles & wheels) No defined weight limit

Personal Item (for under the seat): No defined size or weight limit, but must fit under the seat

Checked Baggage: 62 inches total (length + width + height) 50lbs maximum

AeroMexico

Carry-on Bag (for the overhead bin): 10″ x 15.7″ x 21.5″ (including handles & wheels)

Personal Item (for under the seat): No defined size, but must fit under the seat

22 lbs for Basic Fare & 33 lbs for Classic, AM Plus and Premier Fares for the combined weight of BOTH CARRY ON BAGS

Checked Baggage: 62 inches total (length + width + height) 55lbs maximum (Must be purchased depending on Fare Class)

Luggage & Packing Cubes

Any style of luggage will work well for this trip. I usually just bring a regular roller style bag.

I use packing cubes inside for all of my clothes and other items. It helps keep everything together and more compressed for travel. Any lightweight packing cubes will work well to keep you organized. (Amazon™ affiliate link)

Camera Gear

When traveling, I always recommend taking at least two camera bodies. If you don’t have two, consider buying a used camera as your backup. There is nothing worse than having your only camera body break down on the trip of a lifetime! (If you need a backup Canon body, I have a couple used bodies I am selling, so feel free to email me for more info at info@cherylopperman.com)

I use Canon camera gear and will list links to the gear I take to Mexico below. Every trip is different, so these are the lens ranges that I use most often to photograph the scenery and monarch butterflies. Please use the list as a guide to compare to your own brand.

The weight of gear is always an issue for flights, so please be selective in what you take. I’ll explain how I pack my gear in the Camera Bag section below.

For new photography gear purchases, I always advocate that you consider purchasing Camera Gear from your Local Camera Store. In Colorado, I work with Englewood Camera. Englewood Camera has also been a big supporter of my photography workshops and tours, so your support of them is greatly appreciated.

If you can’t find what you need locally, I have listed some other affiliate links below.

If you are considering the purchase of a new Canon camera for the monarch butterfly photography trip, I highly recommend the Canon R5. It is a full frame mirrorless camera with excellent image quality and very useful features. (Canon may be releasing a newer model of this camera in 2024, so you might want to check with me before making the purchase so I can give you updates on the newest model available.) I can still use all of my EF lenses by purchasing an adapter. In fact, I almost prefer the EF lenses as I can use an adapter with a drop in filter that makes it easy to change filters quickly in the field. My filter recommendations are listed below in a separate section.

These are the Canon lenses I like best for Mexico (Ranges are based on a full frame sensor):

#1 – A Telephoto Zoom

• Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 A heavy, but relatively fast lens with a built in teleconverter
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5 – 5.6 or Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1
• Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 or Canon RF 70-200 f/2.8 Great for low light and an alternative to a 100-400.
• Canon EF 1.4x Tele Extender or Canon RF 1.4x Tele Extender Good for extra magnification f you need it

Third Party Lenses available for Canon, Sony, and Nikon:

• Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Both are much less expensive with an excellent range
• Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3

If you would like to take a longer focal length lens than what you own, but do not want to purchase something new, renting is a wonderful option. Often times, your local camera store has gear that can be rented.

#2 – A Mid-Range Zoom

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 or Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 Good for butterflies that fill the sky, waterfalls, and scenics

#3 – A Wide or Ultra Wide Angle

• Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM A very small, inexpensive lens that can easily fit in a pocket in case you want an even wider angle without adding a lot of weight.

#4 – A Macro Lens

• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro or Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro For butterflies and flowers
• Lensbaby Products are a fun and creative way to expand your macro capabilities.
• Close-up Lens Filters are an inexpensive alternative to a macro lens

The distance to the monarch butterflies will vary a lot, but the type of images will likely fall into the following categories:

Monarch Butterfly Clusters

Probably the most famous type of image from the region is one that captures the gigantic clusters of monarch butterflies attached to the tree trunks or branches. Thousands of butterflies are packed together making for beautiful patterns that best depict the migration. These trees can be quite close, but most likely you will want to use your telephoto zoom in the 200 to 400mm range for these types of images. Flash photography is NOT allowed, so you will have to work with natural light which can range from quite dark on a cloudy day to quite contrasty when there is sun. I choose my fastest lenses (those with the largest maximum aperture such as f2.8 or f4) and ALWAYS take a tripod (discussed below).

You may also be able to take wider angle images of the clusters in close trees from a low angle looking up. In all cases, it is extremely important NOT to touch the butterflies, so be sure to keep a safe working distance regardless of your lens choice.

Monarch Butterflies in Flight

When the temperatures are cool and there is no sunlight, the monarch butterflies will be still and inactive. When the temperature warms up and the sun comes out, they become quite active. This is when you will be able to work on flight images.

At times, they might just peal off from the cluster one at a time allowing you to capture a single butterfly in flight with your telephoto lens.

When the sun starts shining bright, it’s possible to see large groups blast off sometimes filling the sky. If you are lucky enough to witness this behavior, your mid-range zoom will be your best bet for recording the event. This is where it is really nice to have a second camera body so you can be working with the telephoto lens on the tripod, but have quick access to the mid-range zoom if a butterfly blast off occurs. A blast off will only occur in the sun, so it is possible to hand hold successfully for these flight images.

Single Monarch Butterflies

There will be lots of opportunities to focus on a single butterfly perched on a low branch or flower or pairs of butterflies standing on the rocks next to the trail. You may even have one land on your clothing or shoe! These photographs can be taken with almost any lens as long as it can focus close enough.

If you want to fill the frame or try for close-up detail images, the macro lens will work best. Monarch butterflies also die after they mate and lay eggs, so there will likely be a lot of dead butterflies on the ground that can be photographed for just the wing detail. It is very important to watch where you step as some butterflies on the ground may be alive too and we want to be very careful not to harm them.

Lensbaby products can be a fun way to expand your macro capabilities. I don’t personally use their products, but if you love macro photography, they are definitely worth a look and can be used on other macro subjects such as flowers as well.

Batteries, Extra Caps, and Accessories

Be sure you take extra lens and body caps and extra camera batteries. There will be several times during the trip when we stay out all day, so you may not be able to recharge batteries until we get back in the evening. I usually take three sets of camera batteries per camera body. If you have Canon or Nikon Cameras, I’ve also found a really nice case to use for carrying 2 extra batteries along with my memory cards. It can hold 4 SD Cards and 2 CF or CFExpress Cards. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) I then put even more batteries in these soft battery holders.

Extra Camera and Lens Caps

Extra Batteries

It’s also important to use a camera strap when you are hand holding. I prefer binoculars straps as they help take the weight of the camera off my shoulders. If you don’t want a strap that stretches like the binocular straps do, this solid strap in the same style works well to take the weight off your neck.

Small binoculars are optional, but may allow you to help us spot butterflies or birds in the distance.

If you plan to photograph flowers on the trip, you might want to take a small reflector set or pocket reflector as well. We cannot use supplemental light on the butterflies, but we can on flowers.

If you like to experiment with longer shutter speeds or like to take very early or late light landscapes, a cable release can be very helpful to ensure camera vibrations don’t impact image quality. In these cases, it is important to remember to turn OFF your image stabilization. I would suggest bringing a wired cable release rather than a wireless one.

Lens covers

Neoprene lens covers are not a necessity, but they can help protect the body of the lens from scratches.

I don’t necesarrily use all of the pieces. It’s most important to cover the hood and any major front sections. I only use the pieces further back if they don’t interfere with anything. I do like protecting the lens from scratches as much as possible, but some section pieces can be more trouble than they are worth.

CAMERA Rain & Dust protection

The trails can get dusty in Mexico, so it’s always a good idea to protect the camera gear as much as possible from the fine dust particles. Whenever possible, we will keep the gear packed in our bags until we are ready to photograph, but if you want to keep a camera and lens out while you are walking, it helps to have a fast way to cover your equipment. All of these are also good for rain protection.

One option is a large shower cap. This won’t work for long lenses, but it can be a fast way to cover a camera body with a short lens.

A rain cover can also be used quickly to cover up the camera with a longer lens. They are so inexpensive, it’s a good idea to buy a few different sizes. These also work well to cover the bag if your gear is packed. I do usually treat my inexpensive covers with extra waterproofing sealant to get the best waterproofing possible.

One of the best options is to use a large stuff sack. A grey color stuff sack will work well too. Be sure to get one that is large enough to easily fit over your lens and camera body. I buy several for each lens/body combination. The 20 liter works well for a 100-400mm. When I’m just walking around or if it is just misting slightly, I slip the bag over the lens and camera (while wearing the neck strap or binocular harness) and cinch it down tight until I’m ready to photograph. It’s fast, easy, and lightweight to pack.

If you want to photograph in the rain, buying a camera rain cover is a good idea. ThinkTank™ makes some good rain covers that can be found under the accessories tab on their website.

I use very inexpensive Camera Rain Covers that are lightweight and compact, but can be used over and over again. You can purchase something fancier, but these do the job and take up a lot less space. They come in small, original, and Mega sizes, so a mix of sizes is a good idea. The original size will work well for most lenses. The Mega is really for super telephoto lenses.

I am an affiliate for ThinkTank™ and they give you a free gift if you order through my link.

Chamois cloths are also nice for covering gear and wiping off dust or water. A set of soft make-up brushes are great for cleaning the outside of the camera body and lenses. These car cleaning brushes also work well for camera bodies and come in a protective case making them easy to store in your camera bag.

Camera Bags

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION CAREFULLY as I will explain how best to pack camera gear for the monarch butterfly photography trip.

Packing camera gear for International travel can be a challenge because of the weight restrictions. It is best to divide the gear between your carry-on bag and your personal item.

It’s also a good idea to print out the bag dimensions along with the airline allowances (which are linked above) and put them in the bags just in case you need to prove that your bag dimensions comply with the allowance. If you are buying a bag new, just keep the original tag with the specifications and put it in a pocket of your bag.

For Mexico, I pack gear as follows:

• One roller bag (with camera backpack inside) as a main carry-on (200-400mm f/4, R5 with battery grip, and Accessories)
• The tan PRVKE LITE as my personal item that goes under the seat (R5 with no grip, 100-400mm, 24-70mm, 16mm)
• I would suggest purchasing a PRVKE WAIST BELT to make it easier to carry

Detailed bag descriptions are below.

Roller Bag

The roller bag should carry at least one camera body, your bigger lenses, and some accessories. The lines at the airport can be very long, so it’s much easier to roll a bag than to wear a heavy backpack.

For Mexico, I use a very unique roller bag that fits around my favorite photo backpack for this trip, the Think Tank 26L Backlight™. I pack my camera gear into the backpack, then fit the 21″ Roller Bag around it (by stuffing the waist straps of the backpack to the side). The roller bag can be ordered through Amazon, but I’d suggest using the link below for the backpack in order to get the free gift with purchase.

Normally, this combination will fit in the overhead bin of almost any plane, but if it does not, I can just remove the backpack (which will fit in the overhead bin without a problem) and gate check the outer roller bag.

I’m a ThinkTank™ affiliate, so you get a free gift if you order through my link.

Personal Item

Wandrd™

Wandrd™ also makes great bags and their PRVKE LITE is the bag I like to use as my personal item. It is the under the seat bag I use for ALL of my international trips now as it adheres to most airlines’ size limitations (be sure to check your airline for weight restrictions as well).

It’s also a great small camera backpack that can be used in the field. It does not fit mirrorless bodies with a battery grip or a DSLR very well, but it is perfect for the Canon R5 without the battery grip. I usually carry my back-up Canon R5 (without the grip) attached to the 100-400mm lens and my 24-70mm lens in this bag. I can also fit a couple of additional small lenses in the upper compartment, but it does not have padding in that section, so those lenses need to be protected in a soft lens pouch. It’s also helpful to buy the WAIST STRAPS for more support.

Wandrd™ also makes handy accessories such as packing cubes, an inflatable lens bag, and an inflatable camera bag.

I am an affiliate for Wandrd™ and they have great sales on some holidays.

Accessory Bags

I try to pack as many accessories (batteries, cards, cords etc) in my carry-on bags as possible without adding too much weight and pack the rest in either my jacket/vest pockets or checked luggage.

ANYTHING WITH A BATTERY MUST BE PACKED IN CARRY ON LUGGAGE

I like to use a travel vest that I wear the entire trip which holds extra batteries, memory cards, etc. If you don’t like vests, a jacket with a lot of pockets is helpful for accessories.

It’s also a good idea to carry valuables, money and your passport with you AT ALL TIMES in a fanny pack, money belt or neck pouch.

Filters

There are two types of filters I never travel without. A polarizer and neutral density. Both are available as a screw on filter or a drop in filter for lenses or adapters that have that option.

I am a dealer for a great filter company, so please just give me a call at (303) 829-9453 or email me at info@cherylopperman.com to order. There are so many options, it is best to communicate before you purchase to make sure we select the right products and sizes.

A polarizer is good for eliminating reflections, darkening the blue sky (at certain angles to the sun), and enhancing the colors of rainbows.

Neutral density allows you to slow down the shutter speed for creative motion effects with waterfalls and clouds. A good variable neutral density can work extremely well as it is easily adjustable to block out just the right amount of light. You will definitely want some sort of neutral density for this trip as we will visit several waterfalls.

Lens cleaning supplies

Your lens may get dusty if you don’t have it covered while walking on the trails. While the dust on the lens will not show up as distinct spots in your image, a large amount of dust on the lens can soften the image much like a diffusion filter and can also cause problems with the autofocus. It’s best to keep the lens as clean as possible for optimal performance and image quality.

If it is just loose dust, an air blower works well. It’s best not to touch the lens surface any more than necessary, but a soft brush also works well for dust.

For fingerprints, water drops, or larger smudges, a microfiber cloth works well and will be a necessity to have with you if you indend to get a closer view of the waterfalls.

And then, if all else fails, using a liquid cleaner (that you spay on the cloth, NOT directly on the lens) is helpful. Zeiss makes a great kit that includes many of the items in one compact set, or you can just buy the cleaner. Optical is also a great liquid cleaner.

TripodS

I do take a tripod on every trip! To photograph the Mexico monarch butterflies a tripod is really a necessity. If you don’t already have a good one, some suggestions are below.

Really Right Stuff Tripods

There are a lot of tripod options on the market, but my favorite brand by far is Really Right Stuff. It is well worth the extra money to buy a good tripod. Unlike cameras, a good tripod will last your entire photographic career. If you buy cheap tripods, you will likely end up having to continually upgrade. One of my clients had a great quote: “Buy a good tripod and cry once, or buy cheap tripods and cry many times.”

I’ll provide links below to the Really Right Stuff tripods I prefer. (I do NOT earn commissions on links to the Really Right Stuff website, so they are provided for your convenience. Sometimes their gear is available on Amazon, where I will earn an affiliate comission)

I always suggest choosing the “long” version. A tall tripod allows you to extend one leg down a hill so that you can keep the overall height at eye level (the most comfortable position for tracking birds or butterflies in flight). I also suggest you avoid center columns. Raising a center column for additional height severely reduces your stability and also gets in the way when you want to use your tripod at ground level.

It’s also game changing to add a leveling base to your tripod if you will be using gimbal style heads (discussed below). Leveling bases ensure faster set up as you no longer have to painstakingly adjust each leg to make the tripod level (for straight horizon lines). You can ball park the leg heights and then make one final adjustment with the leveling base to ensure the tripod head is level to the ground. The leveling base for each tripod type is listed below.

For Mexico the Ultralight Tripod will be more than sufficient with the Universal Leveling Base. Make sure you choose the leveling base with the platform and stud.

The Ascend Travel Tripod is a smaller option that would also work well and would be good for backpacking trips too. Just be sure to remove the center column. This can also use the Universal Leveling Base. Make sure you choose the leveling base with the platform and stud.

There will be lots of flowers in the area as well, so if you like flower photography, a ground tripod can make it much easier to work close to the ground with a small tripod footprint.

Always choose the heaviest tripod you will be able to carry as weight does add stability, however, we will have to walk on this trip at high altitude, so keep that in mind in choosing the right gear for your ability.

Leofoto

I also just became a dealer for Leofoto. They make good tripods and accessories that are an excellent option if you can’t afford RRS. I can order any of their products for you, so please just email or call with the item number.

They make a really nice, smaller ground tripod as well that is less expensive than RRS. I can also offer a special discount on most of their products to my clients.

Gimbal Style Tripod Heads

For wildlife photography, and especially when tracking birds or butterflies in flight, a gimbal style head is the best choice. In fact, I use gimbal heads for all of my landscapes as well. They make composing and stitching multiple frames extremely easy.

If you are going to use a short lens that does not have a tripod collar on the gimbal style head, you will need a plate so that you can attach the camera facing forward. I like this Plate made by Really Right Stuff.

All the tripod heads I use fit Arca Swiss style plates. I sell plates for lenses, but recommend L-style plates made by Really Right Stuff for your camera body that allow you to mount the camera both vertically or horizontally on the tripod.

These are the only 3 tripod heads I use:

Image storage and backup

I use Sandisk for my image storage and back-up. (I have provided my Amazon™ Affiliate links below. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

I try to buy fast cards (which are more expensive), but can make a difference if you have a high end body and are shooting at fast frame rates. It is also very helpful to have a fast card if you are going to shoot video. I usually buy 128GB cards (The number of Gigabytes determines how many images the card can store, which varies from camera to camera depending on the megapixel count, RAW/jpeg settings etc).

My camera, the Canon R5, uses SD Memory Cards and CFExpress Cards, but you will have to check your own camera body to find the right type of card. Many DSLR’s take Compact Flash Memory Cards. The fastest SD cards available are 300 MB/s. CFExpress Cards are typically much faster at 1200 to 1750 MB/s. Keep in mind the camera has to be able to write at those speeds to take advantage of the faster cards, so if you have an older, slower camera, you may be fine buying the slower, cheaper cards.

The number of memory cards you should take really depends on your own personal shooting style and how many good opportunities you end up having on the trip. I personally put both a 128GB CFExpress Card and a 128GB SD Memory Card in each camera body. Then I carry a card case with two additional 128GB CFExpress Cards and four 128GB SD Memory Cards. This is usually more than enough to get through a trip. If you are extremely heavy on the shutter, you may want to take an extra case with a few more.

I use the following card readers for travel:

• CFExpress Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Compact Flash, SD, and Micro SD Card Reader

I also use Sandisk external drives for the backup of my images. I always make 3 sets of backups and keep each in a different location during the trip.

• If you take enough cards and don’t erase them, that can serve as one backup.
• The hard drive of your laptop can also serve as a backup
• Personally, I take 3 portable drives and one drive is in a pocket with me at all times.

I use Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD Drives or the older generation Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD (a bit less expensive) that are very small and easy to carry. They come in 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacities. I would get the largest size you can afford as it’s easy to take A LOT of photos on this trip. SSD (Solid State Drives) are the best choice because they don’t have any moving internal parts (other drives spin). This makes them more durable and not susceptible to magnet damage either.

At home, I use larger capacity spinning drives to store and back-up my images. I use a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) so that I can make two copies of the images at the same time (called mirroring). Most drives have to be configured in order to mirror, so be sure to read the instructions carefully when your drive arrives. I use a 40TB G-RAID drive, but they come in smaller capacities as well. Keep in mind if you are mirroring, that you will have half of the listed space (i.e. 40TB = 20TB when mirroring).

computer equipment & Software

I do recommend taking a laptop Computer on the trip. I think it is important to be able to at least look at your images to check for sharpness and make sure everything is working properly. This could also be done on a tablet. A laptop will be a better choice if you want to do a lot of editing or work on processing techniques.

It’s also important to make sure you have the software you want loaded onto the computer. I’ll provide affiliate links below to the software I use so that if you want to purchase it before the trip, you can.

Adobe

My primary image processing software is Adobe Photoshop. It’s a very powerful program that is really the industry standard. They have a very reasonable subscription package for photographers that you can find through my affiliate link below.

Topaz Labs

I use Topaz Labs software a lot. They have several options and they are all excellent. I primarily use the individual programs as I feel I have more control. I use all 3 programs listed below and choose which one to use based on what is most needed to improve the image (after following the link, scroll to the bottom of the page to find pricing information).

• Sharpen AI improves sharpness in the image
• DeNoise AI removes noise from the image
• Gigapixel AI upscales images for better resolution (This can come in very handy when you are cropping a lot, but still want to make a large print.)

Topaz Photo AI is all of the above built into one program and designed to be more automated and user friendly. It works well for most images, but I still hold on to the individual programs above as sometimes they do a better job. It is very image dependent and does require some experimentation, but is all well worth the investment of time and money.

I also like Topaz Studio for creative effects, but unfortunately it is no longer supported. It can still be found under download legacy programs if you purchased it in the past.

Skylum

Skylum also makes very useful software. I’ve been using it for years and they’ve added a lot of new features and AI.

Luminar Neo has lots of fun features like sun rays, sky replacement, background removal, focus stacking, HDR etc. You may need the extensions pack to access all of the features you want.
You can find the link here: skylum.evyy.net/xePY1

DxO Software

ELECTRICITY & POWER STRIP

If you are coming from the United Sates and Canada you will not need a power adapter. In Mexico, the power plugs and sockets are type A and B, same as used in the US. The standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. I recommend you pack a 3 to 2 prong adapter in case type B sockets are not available. Individual Adapters or Multiple Plug Adapter will work.

It is a good idea to have a Travel Power Strip with extra plugs in case there are not enough outlets in your room to power all of your devices. This has a 3 prong plug, so be sure to pack the 2 prong adapter.

MONEY

You will need to exchange money in Mexico (to the Mexican Peso; MXN) which is best taken care of at the airport when you arrive. You usually get the best exchange rate at an ATM, but it is also possible to exchange cash.

If possible, be sure to ask for some small denominations and change. Cash and be used for tipping of porters or hotel staff, meals, and souvenirs. Most public bathrooms in Mexico also charge for entry or toilet paper.

Suggested tipping is $1-2 USD per day for housekeeping left in your room on a day when your room is to be serviced, and $1 USD per bag handled by a porter. Tipping in MXN is recommended.

Credit cards are accepted at some locations and restaurants, but not all, so you should have some cash with you just in case. How much you want to exchange depends on how much shopping you will do. There are a lot of beautiful handmade items in the market, so keep that in mind. Generally, $200-$300 per person should suffice for the basics, but if you want to shop, be sure to exchange more.

Again, be sure to carry valuables, money and your passport with you AT ALL TIMES in a fanny pack, money belt or neck pouch.

I also carry some emergency cash in a thin money belt that I wear throughout the trip.

Water Treatment & Bottles

It is NOT safe to drink the water in Mexico for people who were not born there. You should not even brush your teeth using the tap water. Filtered water will be provided or can be purchased. On this trip to be more environmentally friendly, we will have filtered water to refill your own water bottle, so be sure to bring one.

It’s no fun to get sick on a trip, so I am very careful about water use. I therefore bring a water bottle with some sort of water treatment built in to give me an extra layer of protection. I’ll provide options below (I personally like the UV bottle best for this trip):

One good option for drinking water is a bottle with a built in filter. These take a little more effort to drink from than a regular straw, but they do a good job of cleaning the water. There are also good attachable filters that screw on to a standard plastic water bottle. Both are easy to use.

It’s also possible to kill germs in the water with UV light. You can buy UV water bottles or UV pens. I use the UV water bottle on all of my international trips.

How careful you want to be depends a little bit on how sensitive your stomach is to foreign bugs.

If you like to flavor your water after filtering, feel free to bring powdered drink packets. Just don’t flavor the water if you are using a filter as the flavoring can clog the filter.

If you want to take coffee in the vehicle, be sure to pack a travel mug. I also bring some hot chocolate packets along since I don’t drink coffee.

Headlamps & Flashlights

You will also want to bring a headlamp or flashlight on the monarch butterfly photography trip for walking around at night. I also keep a flashlight by my bed at all times in case the power would go out.

PORTABLE STOOL & GROUND PADS

If you want to get a lower angle or do a lot of macro photography, taking a portable stool is a good option. I use a Swivel Folding Stool that is very lightweight and portable. This Collapsable Portable Stool is also a good choice.

Knee Pads or Gardening Pads can also be helpful if you are going to kneel instead. Just keep in mind that anything you bring you will have to carry. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

CLOTHING AND SHOES

The temperatures in Mexico could range anywhere from the 30s to the 70s F, so it is important to have a variety of layers. Most likely temperatures will be between the 50s and 70s F, but temperatures tend to drop by 3 degree F with every 1000 ft gain in elevation and you may be as much as 3000 ft higher at the reserves.

I bring lightweight long sleeve shirts as my first layer. A smartwool sweater as my second layer and a fleece type jacket to go over that when necessary. A lightweight packable down jacket would work too.

I bring along several pairs of pants of different thickness so I can choose based on the forecasted temperature each day. Eddie Bauer makes a lot of good clothing options if you need something new.

It’s also a good idea to have a rain jacket and pants, a compact umbrella, or poncho.

Shoes

We will be doing a lot of walking in the forests, so be sure to wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes with closed toes. The trail where we go most of the time is fairly flat and not very strenuous except for the altitude. There may be some slightly more difficult hikes some people can take if they choose.

I have a very narrow foot and have had very good luck with Oboz Shoes & Hiking Boots. They have different widths, men & women’s styles, and also have a lot of light colored, tan shoes to help deter the bugs.

Make sure you bring comfortable, treated socks or untreated socks (if you are trying to avoid chemicals) in a tan, white, or light gray color as well that extend a bit up your leg under your pants.

A pair of sandals and/or room slippers may be nice to have as well. I also always wear shower shoes.

Bug Bite & Illness Prevention

There are usually NOT a lot of biting bugs, but that can vary from year to year, so it’s best to take a few precautions.

It’s also important to have an adequate supply of other medications you may need as we will be in remote locations for much of the trip. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through the following links.)

Clothing

Clothing color choice alone can make a big difference. Mosquitos are attracted to some colors more than others, so choosing lighter, less colorful clothing is best. Look for TAN, LIGHT GREY, or even WHITE (although it will show more dust and dirt).

I have my clothing professionally treated with Permethrin by ordering these easy to use “send in your clothes” bags. It does take several weeks to get the clothes back, but it is much easier and longer lasting than spraying clothes on your own. I would suggest ordering two bags if you are going to treat everything you are taking. Do not send in waterproof items, such as rain jackets, as the treatment will not work on those types of fabrics. Also, some fabric may shrink during the process.

If you want to spray your own clothing, you can also order Permethrin Spray that you can apply to fabric and clothes yourself. It is an insecticide, so you will want to wash your hands very well with soap and water every time you come in contact with it or the treated clothes, especially before eating food. This is what my travel health clinic has recommended to treat fabric, but all chemicals need to be handled carefully.

If you plan on purchasing some new clothes for the trip, it is also possible to purchase pre-treated clothing as well. You can find some options by following these links (just make sure to read the fine print to ensure the item has been treated with Permethrin): Insect Shield or Bugs Away.

Please read the EPA safety data on treated clothing to help you make the best decisions for you. The video below from the CDC explains how to use the spray, but I would also suggest wearing a mask while spraying.

Bug Spray & Lotion

There are a lot of bug sprays on the market, but not everything works well for everyone. Some are simply not effective. There are also different kinds of bugs and there is no spray or lotion that is universally effective. As a result, I take a couple of options.

DEET is still proven to work quite well for mosquitos and can be purchased as a lotion or a spray. Keep in mind though, that it can melt the plastic on your camera, so it has to be used very carefully so you don’t damage your gear. I apply DEET in the room before I go out so that I can wash it off my hands. 100% Deet is most effective, but something with at least 30% Deet is recommended.

I also take along Picaridin lotion as a second option as it doesn’t damage plastics. This is what I use on my hands that will be touching camera gear.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is another option that is deet free.

There are also natural fragrances that some people swear work, but I have not found one yet, so I stick with the types listed above.

I DO NOT USE any bug repellants on my face as many of them can be irritating to the eyes. I use a head net hat or pull up a neck gaiter instead if the bugs are around my face.

CDC bug bite prevention Recommendations

Please also read these CDC recommendations for more information and advice.

Bed Bug Test Strips

I have NOT encountered bed bugs in Mexico, but they can be anywhere. Even the nicest hotels can have them.

I tend to get a lot of questions about them, so I include this section just in case you want more information. There is not a lot you can do to stop them if they happen to be in the room, but you can test for them if you are concerned. These bed bug traps for early detection may give you piece of mind or let you know if you may have been exposed. If you do find them, her are some links with suggestions on how to deal with them:

CDC Bed Bug FAQs

Mayo Clinic Article

Terminix Article

Orkin Article

VACCINES & MEDICATION

Be sure to visit your Doctor or local travel health clinic to make sure you get the inoculations and medications you need for the trip. There are currently no required immunizations to enter Mexico, but it’s still strongly recommended that you consult a Doctor to make sure you are adequately prepared and protected for the trip. I’m not a Doctor, so I can’t advise you on what to take, but I will provide a list of some of the things you may want to discuss so that you and your Doctor can make the right decisions for you. This list is not complete, but your Doctor or travel clinic will be able to advise you on any other medical considerations. Be sure to take a copy of the itinerary with you to the appointment.

According to the CDC, there is no known risk of Malaria transmission in this area of Mexico, however mosquitos can carry other illnesses, so it is best to avoid bites as much as possible.

Vaccines to Discuss (none are required)

• Hepatitis A Vaccine
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Rabies Vaccine
• Tetanus Vaccine
• Covid-19 Vaccine/Treatment Medications/Testing Kit
• Flu Vaccine

Medications to Bring

• Travelers diarrhea medication and antibiotic (PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BRING BOTH! Hopefully it won’t be needed, but sometimes just a change in diet can cause issues.)
• Altitude sickness prevention medication (ask your Doctor if this might be a good choice for you)
• Cold and flu medications
• Pain relief medications
• Motion sickness medication if you get air or car sick
• Allergy medication and/or EpiPen
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Your own prescription medications

If any of your medications use needles or syringes, you are REQUIRED TO BRING A LETTER FROM YOUR DOCTOR on letterhead stationery.

BE SURE TO BRING EXTRA OTC AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION you take just in case your trip home is delayed.

Also, be sure to ask about drug interactions, including any supplements or OTC medicines you take, so you don’t combine medications that should NOT be taken together.

Be sure to bring a PHOTOCOPY OF ALL YOUR MEDICAL PAPERWORK & INSURANCE, ORIGINAL IMMUNIZATION CARDS, AND PRESCRIPTION RECEIPTS. Also keep all medications in their original, labeled containers through customs.

Masks

Masks are no longer required by the government, but I would suggest wearing an N95 mask through the busy airports. CLOTH MASKS DO NOT WORK, and N95 masks do not block everything, but hopefully they help cut down on the viral load if you are exposed to something during your travels. If you do get sick during the trip, but are still well enough to travel, we will isolate you as much as possible and ask you to wear a mask around others, so please bring an adequate supply.

First Aid Supplies

We will have first aid kits, but it is a good idea to bring your own small supply of basic first aid supplies. A small travel first aid kit will work well. Make sure you have something for blisters too.

I also add a ZAP-IT Mosquito Bite Relief device to my first aid kit. It sends a little electrical charge through the bug bite on your skin disrupting the itch. It might not work well for everyone, but it does work for me to stop the itching.

Personal Hygiene & Toiletries

In addition to basic toiletries, such as toothpaste, deodorant etc, you may want to bring along some of the following items:

Shampoo, conditioner and body wash may be provided at some locations, but I always bring some of my own. I do look for either no fragrance or essential oil fragrances that are not supposed to attract bugs. I also either bring refillable bottles that I will take back home or products with compostable packaging so I am sure not to contribute plastic waste to the country. Some options to consider are linked below (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

• Plastic free variety bars
• Refillable soap bags
• Refillable bottles

Please DO NOT BRING PERFUME at it attracts insects and can be unpleasant for other travelers.

Most hotels provide a hair dryer, so you should not need to bring one.

There are days we will take a sack lunch, so having a way to clean and sanitize your hands will be necessary. Some of the products I use are listed below:

• Spray hand sanitizer
• Compressed towel tablets (instead of wet wipes to reduce packaging waste – just add water or spray with sanitizer)
• I also take a Micro Trash Container to store used tissues or towels.
• You can take some disposable wipes and hand sanitizing wipes as well just in case we don’t have extra water.

Not all bathrooms will be well equipped and you might also need to go in the woods when we are not near restrooms, so it’s a very good idea to pack the following bathroom supplies:

• Travel toilet paper
• Travel size Kleenex or Bamboo travel size tissues that are better for the environment (but more expensive).
• Soap sheets for hand washing in sinks
• Pocket Kits that give you lots of supplies (seat covers, wipes etc) for use in public restrooms
• Adult diapers in case we have to travel on a day you are not feeling well
• Foldable Female Urinal can come in handy in the woods for women who have difficulty squatting.
• Compostable paper bags to hold used toilet paper if you have to go in the woods (or in public restrooms where they do not want any toilet paper to be flushed, just to keep things as sanitary as possible). I then put the compostable bag inside a zip lock bag that I label for this purpose and take that plastic bag back home. I throw out the paper bag when we get back to the hotel.
• Compressed hand towels, bath towels or washcloths and a camp towel can be nice to have if you want an extra towel or two. I just remove the plastic from the compressed towels before leaving home and store them in a ziplock bag.
• Mouthwash which can also be used to sterilize your toothbrush in case you accidentally put it under the tap water. All teeth brushing should be done with bottled water.
• Extra large ziplock bags or dry bags to hold wet clothing etc

If you have long hair, you may want to bring hair ties to prevent hair blowing in your face.

Sun Protection

While it can be cool in the higher altitudes, you will still get sun exposure. Be sure to bring Sunglasses and Sunscreen. I like to purchase tinted sunscreen for my face as well as a body sunscreen. Also bring lip balm with sun protection. Always apply sunscreen first with bug repellant on top.

Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants will help cover your body, but you might want a sun hat to help cover your face and neck.

Laundry

It is not a long trip, so you may not need to do laundry, but if something does get dirty or wet, it can be helpful to have some supplies so you can wash a dry items yourself.

EarthBreeze

Earthbreeze makes environmentally friendly laundry sheets that I use at home as well. It’s basically compressed soap that does not require plastic bottles. It lathers up extremely well and is easy to carry in a ziplock bag to use in a washing machine or in the sink for hand washing clothes. It does not take up much space and you can cut the sheets into smaller sizes when only washing one or two items at a time.

I am an affiliate for Amazon, so I will earn a commission if you follow my link. Thanks for the support!

Travel Laundry Line

I’ve been traveling with this simple travel laundry line for years and it works very well for small items like underwear, plus it is easy to pack.

Fast Drying Underwear

It does help to have fast drying underwear if you are going to do some hand washing. Women may want to look at the section below and bring a combination, but otherwise here is some men’s underwear that was recommended to me. Here is an option for women’s underwear too (although I usually wear the type recommended below during the day). I also suggest packing a couple pairs of underwear in your carry-on so that you have some extra in the unlikely event your luggage is delayed.

Women’s Underwear

This section is only for the ladies. I found great underwear that can be used instead of pantyliners, pads, or bladder control products. It is on the expensive side, but more environmentally friendly, easy to hand wash, and more convienent than the disposable products. They can also be used with a disposable product for an extra layer of protection, which is especially nice when traveling. Speax is for bladder leaks and Thinx is for that time of the month. Click on the product you want on the top left of the site. There are many different styles from which to choose.

You will get $10 off if you order through my link.

I also found a great supportive bra after pulling a muscle and it has improved my posture and well as reduced my back pain. It is on the expensive side, but well worth the investment in my opinion. I chose the Revive Bra, but there are several different styles. They can be a little challenging to get on and off if you are on the busty side, so be sure to order up for adequate space.

Click on this link to get $25 off your first order of $200.

Earplugs for sleep

If you do not know your roommates, you might also want to consider taking some earplugs just in case they snore. You can always get the foam kind at your local drug store, but I like to take Smart Sleep Earbuds that are noise blocking with soothing sounds (ocean waves, chirping birds, white noise etc). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through my links.

Watch with fitness tracker

Whenever I travel, I try not to wear anything that is or looks expensive. I leave jewelry at home except for a cheap watch. The best option I have found is only around $50! It’s not big or bulky, but it does the job and has lots of great features including world clocks that can be programed for your destinations through an app on your cell phone. Best of all, the battery actually last for days – you read that correctly – DAYS! No more charging every single night (which is a real pain when traveling). This amazing Amazfit device can be ordered here. The only thing I don’t like is the band which can come apart easily if it catches on something.

They have a more expensive version (that I have not tried) with what looks like a more secure band that may be worth considering: Amazfit GTS 4 Mini Smart Watch.

Be sure to check phone compatibility before ordering. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through my links)