From the Amazon to the Andes: A packing guide for backpacking Latin America

 
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It seemed like an impossible task: reduce everything we need to survive for 18+ months in hip cities, tropical coastlines, humid jungles, and freezing mountains to the contents of two backpacks. But between investing in good gear and making some cut-throat choices (Rebecca still mourns leaving behind her copy of Rupi Kaur's Milk and Honey), we somehow managed. Going into our third month on the road, we can say we're super happy with the things we chose to bring and will only be sending back a few items when Rebecca's family visits us in Mérida for the holidays. Here's our guide to packing for long-term travel that covers extremely different climates.

We should note that our packing list is designed for people who want to look polished enough to salsa dance in Mexico City, be comfortable relaxing on the beaches of Costa Rica, do multi-day treks in Patagonia, and everything in between. Since we are traveling as a couple, we get to share things like a tent and a computer, which is a huge bonus on saving space and sharing weight.

Our packing list

Rebecca's clothing

Jared's clothing

  • Winter hat (1)
  • Thin gloves (1)
  • Ultralight rain jacket (1)
  • Ultralight rain pants (1)
    • Waterproofing yourself is critical for climates like Patagonia
  • Ultralight down jacket (1)
  • Sunglasses (1)
  • Sun hat (1)
  • Underwear (8)
  • Set of long underwear (1)
  • Socks (4)
  • Short-sleeve shirt (2)
  • Collared long-sleeve shirt (2)
  • Regular long-sleeve shirt (1)
  • Hiking pants (2)
  • Jeans (1)
  • Khakis (1)
  • Merino wool sweater (1)
  • Athletic shorts (1)
  • Chaco sandals (1)
  • Hiking boots (1)
  • Suede shoes (1)
  • Plastic flip flops (1)
    • Necessary for showering, especially in hostels

Toiletries

  • Medicine bag (prescription medications, ibuprofen, Benadryl, Pepto Bismal, cortizone cream, neosporin, etc.)
  • Earplugs
    • Helpful for sleeping on long bus rides, in hostels, or through 4 am fireworks
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent (25% DEET)
    • Normally we default to "natural" products, but we're not trying to mess with Malaria or Dengue Fever, so we're going with the DEET
  • Makeup (eyeliner, mascara, lipstick)
  • Face wash + lotion
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Razors
  • Shaving cream
  • Loofah
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Baking soda
    • Great for homemade face scrubs, removing stains, and treating mild bug bites
  • Feminine hygiene cup
    • Feminine products can be hard to find and expensive; plus, the cup is reusable and you don't have to worry about bleaching chemicals
  • Large microfiber towel (2)
    • Not every hostel or Airbnb has towels, so these will come in handy, plus they're useful for trips to the beach

Electronics

  • Chromebook + charger (1)
    • Doesn't look flashy and can handle the occasional drop or spill. Also, the cloud storage that comes with Chromebooks is great for backing up photos so you never lose them
  • Nikon camera + charger (1)
  • Camera lenses (2)
  • 32 GB memory card (2)
  • Ultralight tripod (1)
  • iPhone + charger (1)
    • Great for calling and video chatting people for free when near WiFi
  • LG cell phone + charger (1)
    • Unlocked phone to be used with local SIM cards
  • iPad mini (1)
    • Great for entertainment, emails, etc. while the other person is using the computer
  • Thumb drive (1)
  • Headphone splitter (1)
  • Earbuds (2)

Camping

Other

  • Umbrella (2)
  • Wash bag (1)
    • This allows you to do small loads (handy when you only have 7 pairs of underwear) and avoid frequent trips to the laundromat
  • Day pack (1)
  • Camera bag (1)
  • Spare batteries
  • Deck of cards
  • Bag of spices
    • If you're doing a lot of your own cooking, as we do, this helps make your meals more interesting and tasty
  • Watercolor set
    • If you have a hobby that isn't too bulky to bring along, it's nice to have things to do on rainy days

General packing tips

Layers are your best friend. You can mix and match items to achieve the perfect level of comfort whether you're in the jungle or on a mountain.

Items should have multiple purposes. Athletic shorts can double as a swim suit or pajamas. A sleeping bag liner can be used to add extra warmth to a sleeping bag or protect you when sleeping in questionable hostel beds. A sarong can be used as a scarf in a city or double as a towel at the beach.

Investing in good gear will save you space and weight. Before leaving for Mexico, we went to an REI garage sale — where they sell lightly-used products at a big discount — and scored two ultralight down jackets that weigh only ounces and pack down into a ball. Merino wool is expensive but is super thin and a life-saver on chilly nights in the mountains.

Minimize, but be comfortable. While you certainly can't bring everything you'd like with you, consider bringing items that greatly improve your comfort or happiness. For example, liquid eyeliner won't save you in the Andes, but it's a small price to pay for Rebecca to want to be in photos.

Pick clothing items in a consistent color scheme, but don't just bring one color. Living in New England, it was totally normal for Rebecca to wear all black head to toe. But upon arriving in a place as colorful as Mexico, she's been dying to add color ever since.

Travel resourcesRebecca Nieves-McGoldrickPlanning, Packing, Trip planningComment