We visited Moon Palace in December 2025. Since this is an all inclusive hotel, we found packing to be easy. Packing for a trip to Moon Palace Cancun involves preparing for a luxurious and activity-filled vacation. This all-inclusive resort offers pools, beaches, restaurants, and excursions, so your packing list should balance relaxation and adventure.

Here’s a guide to ensure you have everything you need!

What to bring

Beach attire – Pack at least 2-3 swimsuits for pool and beach time. A cover-up or sarong is ideal for moving between your room, pool, and dining areas.

Resort wear – Light, breathable clothing such as sundresses, shorts, and tank tops for daytime activities.

Sunscreen & sun protection – Reef-safe sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin and the environment. Hats and UV-blocking sunglasses are also useful for when you need sun protection or just a break from the sun. The umbrellas along the pools were sometimes hard to position for shade, so a hat would have been helpful for when I was trying to read or look at my phone.

Workout clothes – If you plan to hit the gym, join yoga classes, or participate in outdoor activities, pack comfortable workout clothes.

After sun – Helpful for treating sunburns.

Toiletries – There was nice CHI brand shampoo and conditioner at the hotel, but I still like to bring my own shampoo. Be sure to bring deodorant, toothpaste, etc.

Clothes for nice dining – Bring smart casual or semi-formal outfits for dinners at the resort’s upscale restaurants. Check the website and app for guidelines on how to dress for the upscale restaurants.

Footwear: Flip-flops or sandals for the beach, casual shoes for exploring, and a pair of dressier shoes for evenings.

Bug Repellent: We did not need to use this much, but it can be helpful especially if you go on excursions to places like Mayan ruins.

Portable power bank: for keeping your phone and other devices charged if you spend a full day at the beach without having to go back to the room.

Snorkeling gear – to be honest, the beach isn’t great. But if you plan on going on an excursion to somewhere with a nice beach or lagoon such as Xcaret, it can be worthwhile to bring your own.

Palace Resorts app – not exactly an item, but it helps to have the app downloaded even before you get to the resort. This way you can look at events and even reserve restaurants before you land (reservations can be made 48 hours in advance).

Sweater or light jacket – I brought a sweater for chilly evenings or to wear at restaurants in case the air conditioning was too cold.

What you don’t need to bring

Hair dryer & flat iron – the hotel provides a nice CHI brand hair dryer and flat iron. Humidity makes my hair go crazy, and I wish I had known there was a flat iron in the room before bringing mine!

Towels – there are plenty of towels for the room and beach towels. You don’t need to bring any unless you specifically have one you like.

Tips For Your Stay

The restaurants can get busy. Use the app to reserve a spot 48 hours in advance, especially during busy times (like Christmas). Otherwise you may have to end up eating at the buffet, which can also be busy.

There is plenty of alcohol, from mixed drinks to a liquor cabinet in the room.

The prices in the hotel gift shop are very expensive — e.g. $14 for a tube of Pringles. We had to buy after sun gel and a bottle was $28.

The beach is not particularly great. You might be able to swim off the beach, but I would probably recommend an excursion to either another beach (such as Cozumel), or visit a cenote. Check out my tips for visiting a cenote in Mexico. Another place I would recommend visiting is Xcaret Park, which has both cenotes and ocean snorkeling.

The pools can be crowded, and if you want a chair, I recommend getting there early, grabbing towels, and reserving a chair. Just putting towels on chairs was not enough. I would buy towel bands for your chair and also put something else on your chair, like shoes or a shirt or book.