Packing List for South America in 2023

This packing list is mostly from our personal experience. It includes necessities for all ecosystems you can travel with us.

We know that packing for a trip can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure what to bring. With this packing list, you can ensure that you have all the essentials and avoid any unnecessary stress when traveling.
From clothes and toiletries to electronics and documents, having a comprehensive packing list ensures that nothing is forgotten and that you are prepared for whatever comes your way.

From the high altitudes of the Andes to the Galapagos islands, from the rainiest amazonian rainforest to the pacific coast or the Caribbean, and even to deserts, plains, and cloud forests. Also, it is supposed to give both women and men an idea.

This packing list is all you need!

Essentials

Passport:Valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
Credit Cards:If you carry more than one, store them in different places. We recommend at least 2 different ones.
Visas:See on our website ‘Good to know’ → ‘A to Z’ → ‘Visa’.
Cash:Take some US Dollars or Euros, just in case. Otherwise use ATMs for the daily cash flow.
Phone:Make sure to update it, download important apps, and free enough space for pictures and videos.
Charger(s):For all your electronics. A USB hub doesn’t hurt if you have a lot to charge.
Powerbank:Keep it small, lightweight, and efficient. 10,000 to 20,000mAh are sufficient (and also allowed on planes, but only in your carry-on!).
Universal Plug:For Ecuador/Perú/Colombia a US-American plug type is a norm.
Copies of all Travel Documents: Store in different places like luggage/wallet/phone.

Baggage

Suitcase / Backpack: Size depends on the length of stay, we suggest between 55 and 75 liters in space for 2 or more weeks.
Day Pack:Around 20 liters, lightweight and simple, also as a carry-on on flights.
Packing Cubes:Incredibly useful for keeping your luggage in order.
Toiletry Bag:Preferably with a hook to hang up.
Waterproof Bag(s):Thin and in different sizes to protect your clothes/laundry/gear inside your luggage.
Laundry nets:For dirty clothes.

Clothing

Long pants:2 pairs
Short pants: 1 or 2 pairs
Underwear / (Sports) Bra: Enough for a week.
Socks: Enough for a week.
T-Shirts: Enough for a week.
Long Shirts / Long Sleeves: 1 or 2 pieces
Hoodie / Sweater: 1 piece
Jacket / Windbreaker: 1 piece, preferably waterproof.
Belt: Made out of stretch material and without metal, for more comfortable traveling and to avoid stress at airport metal detectors.
Pajamas: 1 piece, if needed at all.

Footwear

Hiking Shoes: Tight fit, maybe extra shoelaces, just in case.
Sneakers: 1 pair
Flip Flops: 1 pair
Hiking Socks: 1 pair, for additional comfort on long hikes.

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Shower Gel
Deodorant
Comb / Brush
Lotion
Small towel: Might come in handy, although all accommodations usually provide towels.
Sunscreen: Preferably SPF 50 and reef safe.
Insect repellent: For Galapagos and Amazon preferably with DEET or Icaridin as an active ingredient, but use wisely due to its questionable environmental impact.
Hand disinfection
Condoms / Birth Control Pills
Make-Up
Female Hygiene Products: Diva Cup or similar for reuse.

Electronics

Universal plug:Please check before traveling since each country has its own plugs, outlets and voltage.
Phone + charger
Camera(s) + charger
Gadgetry: Drone, 360° Camera, Action Cam etc… All including accessories.
USB-Hub: With 3 or more ports to load all your electronics at the same time.
SD/microSD cards: Better one too many than not enough!
Headphones

KEEP ALL YOUR BATTERIES LOADED.
LOAD WHENEVER POSSIBLE!

First-Aid

Prescription medicines:Enough for the length of your stay plus one week more (you never know).
Ibuprofen / Aspirin / Paracetamol / Diarrhea meds
Antihistamines
Disinfectant
Bandaids
Throat lozenges
Antibiotics: Broadband antibiotics, for a wide range of infections. Consult your doctor first!
Water purification tablets: To make questionable tap water usable. Otherwise, boil the water.

Special equipment

Hiking

Gloves: Thin, but warm. Useful above 4000 meters.
Wooly hat: Useful above 4000 meters.
Antihistamines
Disinfectant
Bandaids

Climbing the summits

Mountaineering boots
Crampons
Ice axe

All gear besides any aforementioned will be provided for free or can be rented from our providers at an additional cost.

Swimming & Snorkeling

Swimming trunks / Bathing suit: 1 or 2 pieces should do it.
Snorkeling mask: Usually provided, but some people prefer their own.
Fins: Usually provided by the tour operator or are available for rent.
Neoprene suit / top

Adventures in the Rainforest

Rubber boots: Provided by the lodge you stay in, but only up to around size 46. For bigger sizes please ask us first! And, since its boots, some people prefer to bring their own.
Rain poncho

Miscellaneous

Money Belt: Or something else to hide away your cash besides a wallet in the back pocket (bad idea!)
Sunglasses
Binoculars: Great for observing animals.
Hat: With a wide brim. The sun is brutal around the equator.
Water bottle: Refillable, preferably with a 0.75 or 1-liter volume
Pen: To fill out immigration forms etc. . And maybe bring a small notepad.
Pocket knife/tool: Like a swiss army knife or similar, always useful!
Guidebook (s): For old-school travelers that don’t want to get all the info from these interwebs. Also great reads in general.
Literature/Entertainment: Either physical or digital on your phone, something to read, watch or listen to is always welcome at some point.
Duct tape: A small roll or stripes taped on the inside of your luggage or around your water bottle. Like a knife, ALWAYS useful!
Cable ties: The same thing as with duct tape, it might come in handy! Broken luggage or gear might get fixed easily!
Bandana / Buff / Scarf: Universally applicable, as a hat, under a bicycle helmet, or as a sleeping mask.
Zip-lock bags: For the small stuff that shouldn’t get wet.
Plastic bag: For your own trash.
Gifts: Tiny, witty things (Maybe something special from your home?) To hand out to hosts or friendly people along the way. Little presents sometimes go a long way!
Apps for your phone: Useful apps during your travels. Also: Update your phone, free some space for pictures and videos, download maps for offline usage, and register for a cloud storage service so you can save your memories immediately.
Coin Wallet: Since you are not supposed to walk around South America showing your money everywhere, it is a good idea to have a separate coin wallet, with maybe also a few small bills which you carry right in your pocket and use to buy those small things, snacks, and beverages along the way.

Download the PDF packing list here

A Comprehensive Guide To Packing in 2023