What to Pack for 36 Hours in Oaxaca

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/travel/what-to-pack-for-36-hours-in-oaxaca.html

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A city steeped in culture, both ancient and modern, Oaxaca has a lot to offer. From a rich culinary scene and boutique hotels to traditional crafts, art and culture, there’s plenty to enjoy.

We’ve shared packing essentials for any 36-hour trip in previous lists, so we asked Freda Moon, our travel columnist who recently visited Oaxaca, to share a few specific things she was glad she brought with her — or wished she had taken.

Then we asked Ria Misra, an editor at Wirecutter, for the best items to fill those needs — and her expert suggestions for other things to pack to make the most of your trip. Here are their picks.

Travel umbrella. “Oaxaca is in the semi-tropics,” Ms. Moon said, “so unexpected two-hour downpours aren’t uncommon.” Don’t skimp on the umbrella, either. Spending a little more on a good one means you won’t have to replace it every time the wind picks up.

A packable daypack. “Oaxaca will make you want to shop,” Ms. Moon said, and considering the wealth of local crafts and art, you’ll have plenty to take home. She also noted that store hours can be unpredictable, so “when you see something you like, buy it.” This day pack from Matador is not only waterproof (in case you do get caught in a shower) but incredibly light. Plus it packs down to about the size of a smartphone, so it won’t take up much space in your carry-on — when it’s empty, that is.

A protective bottle pouch. Speaking of luggage, Ms. Moon suggests packing something to protect the bottle of mezcal you’ll probably be bringing home (for yourself, for your dog sitter, for whoever). She used this inflatable bottle pouch from Kohl’s.

Feminine products. “In a lot of places in Latin America, it’s hard to find tampons or options are very limited,” Ms. Moon notes. So, if you think you may need tampons (Ms. Misra pointed us to Wirecutter’s applicator and applicator-free suggestions) while traveling, or have brand, type or style preferences, make sure to bring your own.

A good, portable camera. We recommend a camera for virtually every destination, but Oaxaca’s natural beauty and art scene really call for one. Shooting with a mirrorless camera, like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, means that you’ll get quality images with a fairly compact device. It comes with a nice lens, but if you do want to upgrade to better capture the architecture and street life the city is known for, Ms. Misra recommends a fast prime such as this Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7.

Battery pack. Yes, we know, a battery pack is essential anywhere you go. But hear us out: having backup in case the power goes out is especially important in a place prone to tropical storms and earthquakes, like the kind that have rattled the Oaxaca region. If you’re bringing just a phone, Ms. Misra notes you should get along quite well with a smaller one. But if you’re traveling with multiple devices, she recommends the more powerful Anker PowerCore 20100 as a better option.