What to Pack for Valle De Guadalupe: 5 Essential Items for Mexican Wine Country

Valle De Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine country, is one of the hottest up-and-coming wine regions. Could this hidden spot be the next Napa? Just 90 minutes from San Diego (and 4 hours from Los Angeles, outside peak traffic), Valle De Guadalupe makes a relaxing weekend getaway from southern California. In fact, it has become our annual pilgrimage every January to celebrate our anniversary.

A quick stop along the coastal drive to Mexican wine country at CuatroCuatros wine bar.

But being prepared for your trip is essential. There are several items you don’t want to leave home without. The obvious one is your passport. Let’s just say, we MAY have accidentally forgot those vital documents on a previous trip. And I MAY have begrudgingly drove all the way back to Los Angeles just to pick them up.

We love LA…We really do. But why do so many people have to drive!? Don’t forget those passports.

Check out our 5 essentials items of what to pack for Valle De Guadalupe. And you better believe, we’ve included an item to help us remember those passports. Clearly, I’m still not over it.

The Essentials: Top Picks on What to Pack for Valle De Guadalupe

Driving down the scenic Mexican coast.

Vanatmo Passport Carrier – We’re all about creating a habitual routine for travel. And since we’ve purchased this sturdy passport holder, we’ve managed to associate it with all of our international travel needs. Unlike other travel pouches with cheap, thin materials that rip before you can utter “Bon Voyage,” this product is built to last. It has made it trip after trip. We also like that it has separate pockets with zippers to store extra cash or passport photos. Price: $17.99 USD.

Moon Guide: Tijuana to Los Cabos – Obviously, our coverage of Mexico’s wine country should be your first stop. But if you aren’t planning to activate an international data plan, you’ll probably want some guidance for any last minute travel planning. The Moon Guide is a travel guide that’s known for covering some of the world’s less explored corners. This handy guide book does a nice job laying out road trips including Tijuana to Tecate, the Cabo loop and weekend getaways to Ensenada, Valle De Guadalupe and other Baja hot spots. Though, obviously we’re still your first choice. We’ll try to not get too offended! Price: $21.99 USD for the paperback.

Vintage Print Poster of the Baja California – We love vintage maps and this poster is truly a piece of art. It’s both practical as an actual map and as a decorative memento from your trip. While Mexican wine country has plenty of incredible restaurants, hotels and wineries, the shopping part is still lacking. There aren’t many boutique shops outside of a few spots in Tijuana. So you’ll be even more grateful for this gift when you get back home. And clearly, I’m all about self gifting. Just own it! Price: $26.99 USD.

DRMTLGY Hand Cream Shea Butter Lotion – You’re heading into the dessert, so be sure to pack some lotion to stay hydrated. We love this hand cream since it doesn’t leave a greasy residue like so many others we’ve tried. It’s also all natural with 14 different extracts for a refreshing smell including things like Rosemary, Lavender, Passionfruit and Brain Oil (no clue! But hey, it sounds good). Price: $11.99 USD.

Kleenex Wet Wipes – A lifesaver for our trips. These packets are easy to carry and access with its flip-top lid and packaging that includes 24 wipes per pack. Let’s just say, we’ve gone through a pack of these in one afternoon alone. On more than one occasion, we’ve made pit stops without running water. Or ate at a roadside stall, and there were no sinks. But we came prepared! Our moms would be so proud. These wipes are also gentle on the skin so you won’t feel like you’ve inflicted industrial chemical burns. Price: $10.32 USD.
There you have it. Now that you have your packing covered, you can concentrate on planning the trip. Check out our 3 day action packed itinerary traveling from Ensenada to Valle De Guadalupe. Planning to spend more time in Baja and enjoy food tours? We also recommend Tengo Hambre’s craft beer and taco tour in Tijuana. And be sure to check out all of our Mexico stories — and unique travel ideas like diving with crocodiles in Cabo San Lucas (and not losing any limbs in the process).