The time has come to share my two cents on how to pack for a trip to South America. I was 99% happy with my packing: I used almost everything, and didn’t miss anything important. Of course it was annoying to carry around lots of medication and first aid kits that I (thankfully) didn’t use; and I wish I could have worn my pretty clothes more often instead of spending day in and day out in my basic backpacker gear; but overall I didn’t have any regrets.
I used a couple of great sites for inspiration as I planned the trip, the most useful being Travel Independent and Worldly Nomads. Of course, although the basics will stay the same for everyone, the rest will depend on which countries you’re going to and at what time of year, and if you’re a solo traveller or travelling with someone so that you can share some things like toiletries… I was alone so I needed to bring absolutely everything in my own luggage, while I was expecting hot weather in the beginning and then heading into South American winter so I needed quite a range of clothes.
But first, my take on some of the most controversial discussions raging on the topic of packing for this kind of trip:
Size of the backpack: Every cool travel blogger recommends travelling with a small bag of a maximum of 40 litres, while making sure that you have space left over for things that you’ll buy along the way. This sounds great, and I did buy a small backpack – a beautiful teal one – and tried to fit everything in… but it was close to exploding, even with the use of vacuum packs to save space. In the end, I returned the small one and took my big old backpack, with lots of spare room as I left, and a weight of 13kg as I boarded the plane.
Backpack vs. suitcase: Beyond the size of the backpack, the next question is whether you should have a backpack at all. It’s called backpacking for a reason, you may say, and indeed you lose a bit of street cred if you arrive at a hostel with a trolley bag. BUT I’m leaning towards taking a suitcase on my next trip – I simply can’t see the benefit of having a backpack, except maybe as you climb the stairs to the upper floors of a hostel. Otherwise, a suitcase on wheels will be much more practical as you walk to the bus or to your accommodation, and will avoid the sore shoulders that I was left with after three months of lugging my big bag around. I’m 30 and I can do what I want.
Sleeping bag: I didn’t bring one – you don’t need it when you’re staying in hostels or hotels, and for things like the Inca Trail and the Salar de Uyuni tour you can rent a good one cheaply.
Jeans: A lot of sites tell you not to bring jeans. Qué?! I don’t understand this one at all. Well, if you’re only going to countries that are hot both during the day and at night then maybe this makes sense, but for the rest of us, jeans are indispensable in the cool evenings and, during winter, in the daytime as well. In fact, I wish I’d brought two pairs, as I ended up wearing the same ones every day for the last few weeks.
SLR vs point-and-shoot: I was very tempted to bring my SLR – I’m by no means a professional photographer, but even set to automatic the SLR gives me much better photos, in particular close-ups. But the fact remains that it is huge, and it is a complete magnet for thieves (I would have felt very self-conscious every time I brought it out; and carrying it around in a big Nikon case would not have been a good idea either…). My Nikon Coolpix has a 14x optical zoom which is great for wide shots, and the close-ups and portraits aint too bad either. If you’re an average Joe traveller, a point-and-shoot will be just fine; and if you want professional shots of the blue-footed booby on the Galapagos you can find them via Mr Google…
So without further ado, here is my list in all its glory:
Bags:
1 x big backpack (I don’t know how big it is, I can’t find it anywhere on the bag! Maybe 60l?)
1 x small backpack
1 x small handbag
6 x mesh bags to compartmentalise my clothes, including 1 for laundry
Shoes:
1 x flip-flops (for beach and hostel showers)
1 x hiking shoes
1 x comfortable sandals
1 x old ballerinas
1 x nice sandals for the evenings*
(5 pairs?! I know! But most of them were slim and took up little space)
*Considering the winter season in which I was travelling, I would have been better off with a nice pair of trainers, as I spent most of the cold days and nights in my hiking shoes.
Trousers and shorts:
1 x pair of jeans
1 x cargo pants
1 x tracksuit bottoms
1 x denim shorts
1 x short white leggings
1 x long grey leggings*
Tops:
6 x vest tops
1 x short-sleeved t-shirt
1 x long-sleeved t-shirt*
1 x nice top for evenings
*I only wore my leggings and long-sleeved top once, for sleeping on the coldest night while camping on the Inca Trail.
Dresses and skirts:
1 x casual short dress
1 x nice short dress for evenings
1 x maxi dress
1 x casual short skirt
Underwear and swimwear:
8 x pairs of knickers*
3 x bras – 1 strapless, 1 normal, 1 nice
3 x pairs of socks, including 1 for hiking
1 x bikini, with bag to put it in when wet
*I wish I had brought more underwear! It takes up no space at all so really there is no reason not to stuff your bag full. Each time I had to do my laundry it was because of my underwear, not because of dirty tops or trousers.
Jumpers and cardigans:
2 x cardigans
1 x merino wool jumper
Outerwear:
1 x light down jacket (I bought a great lightweight one that stuffed into nothing, the Ultra Light Down Jacket from Uniqlo)
1 x light windbreaker (also tiny, the Light Pocketable Parka from Uniqlo)
1 x warm pashmina
1 x light scarf
1 x cheap sunglasses
Additional clothes bought on the trip:
1 x alpaca jumper (I only wore this when my merino one was in the wash)
1 x pair of gloves
1 x woolly hat
1 x pair of warm socks
1 x rain poncho
1 x sun hat
1 x panama hat
For sleeping:
1 x sleeping bag liner
1 x pyjama vest top and shorts
1 x inflatable pillow, eye mask and earplugs
Toiletries:
Small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, face wash, face cream, body lotion
Cleansing wipes
Deodorant, perfume
Razor
Nail travel kit including scissors, nail file and tweezers
Nail polish
Cotton buds
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Lip salve with SPF, Vaseline
Sun cream, for face and body
Hand cream
Make-up for nights out – waterproof mascara, eyeliner, concealer, powder, blusher, lip gloss
Anti-bacterial hand gel
Wet-wipes
Tampons
Tissues
Hairbrush, hairgrips and elastics
Foldable wash bag with a hook to hang in the bathroom
Medication:
Insect repellent, after-bite cream
Malaria tablets, antibiotics, water purification tablets, Imodium, rehydration tablets
Motion sickness tablets and wristbands
EchinaceaFirst aid kit
Sterile needle kit
Migraine spray*
*I only brought two migraine sprays as I thought that I would be migraine-free on my holiday! I had several migraines, though, at the start of the trip, so I would recommend that you bring plenty of any special medication that you need and that you won’t be able to get easily hold of while travelling.
Electronics:
iPhone, iPad (some websites are still built in flash and don’t work on iOS, boo, hiss!)
Earphones
Kindle
Chargers and adapters*
Nikon Coolpix camera
*I brought a ridiculous amount of chargers and adapters, didn’t use most of them, and still had to buy specific ones in Chile and in Argentina.
Admin:
Passport and ID
Photocopies of passport
VISA credit and debit card
Vaccination certificate
Printed flight bookings
Small wallet
Cheap wristwatch
Security:
Padlocks, for the big backpack and hostel lockers, including one with a cable
Money belt to wear under my clothes
Other bits and bobs:
Travel towel
Head lamp
Swiss army knife*
Lonely Planet’s South America on a Shoestring
Lonely Planet’s Latin American Spanish phrasebook
Spanish language book
Notebook and pens
Travel detergent and washing line**
Toilet paper***
Pack of cards
*As is the case for most people, I think, I never used the Swiss army knife.
**I didn’t use the washing line at all, as I always handed my laundry into the ‘lavandería’ in the hostel or in a nearby launderette, and on the rare occasion that I washed my underwear in the sink, I just hung it up to dry in the bathroom.
***I bought special compact travel paper but it was so stuck together it was hard to open. Normal rolls are fine!
So what do you think? Anything missing that you couldn’t live without? Anything I’ve included that you think is completely unnecessary? It seems like a ridiculously long list and, hey, if you can travel with less, good for you! But I like to have a choice of what to wear each day, I like to be comfortable, and I like to be dressed right for the weather; and I was very happy with my packing for this trip!
Why not also check out my other packing lists, for Asia, for skiing, and for travelling as a digital nomad?
You might also be interested in:
Packing list for a 10-day road trip in the US: what to bring and what not to bring 
Packing list for Australia, New Zealand and Asia: what to bring and what not to bring 
Packing list for a week of skiing: what to bring and what not to bring 
Packing list for a week on the Mississippi: What to bring on your canoeing trip
Really enjoyed this list! Great to see someone else who thinks jeans are a must-have. My challenge is going to be packing for 6 months in Asia, ranging from hiking in Nepal in January, to Borneo in the height of summer!
Ooo let me know how you get on! I’m starting to formulate a plan for Asia in the not too distant future and already thinking about what I can eliminate from my mega-pack in South America 🙂
This is SO detailed and helpful–exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you!!
Thanks Kristine, I’m glad you found it useful!
thanks! finally, a women’s packing list!
I’m glad you found it useful! 🙂
This is just what I was looking for, though I am just going to one-way it and be there for as long as I want (or my money runs out!) Anything else you think I might need for an extended trip?
Wow, lucky you! In a way you almost need less things the longer you’re away, since you’re bound to buy more… 😉 The saying goes: lay out all your things you want to pack, then take away half of it, and bring twice as much money as you had originally planned. So try to focus on things you don’t think you’ll be able to get once you’re there. You’ll be able to replenish toiletries at pharmacies all over the place, buy alpaca jumpers and gloves to keep warm, find summery tops to keep cool… 🙂
Good luck! And let me know how you get on!
Hi, this is great as I’m trying to pack for my 7 month trip starting this coming Sunday and struggling, despite being an experienced traveller! (I’ve recently had to buy a new backpack and I’m sure they’re smaller than they used to be…)
Did you have any trouble fitting things in as I don’t think my planned kit is that much different to yours but I’m panicking about getting it all into my 65-75l bag!
Wow lucky you!
I don’t think you’ll have trouble at all. The list and picture shows everything I brought with me from Europe, and there was lots of space left. In fact, I gradually bought things during my travels (small jewellery but also alpaca jumper, hat, gloves, bigger schampoo bottles…) and in my final days in Buenos Aires I bought many big bags full of presents for friends and their babies. All of this fit into the bag as I packed to go home, so there was plenty of leeway when I started 🙂
One tip is to pack things in mesh bags – it means that it’s easy to find things and you can just pull out one bag without disturbing the whole contents each time you need a new pair of underwear!
Let me know how you get on, and enjoy your trip!
This is so great, thank you so much for posting this! It helped me a lot :).
Have fun with the future travels!
Yay I’m glad it was helpful 🙂
Great list! Only thing I’m unsure about is whether to bring a ski jacket for the winter months in Peru and Bolivia? We will be there in August/September, any tips? According to your advice, I might also settle for a good pair of trainers instead of hiking boots…..Thanks!
Hmmm ski jacket seems a bit extreme although it was quite chilly during the winter months! If you can squish it into your bag it’s probably not a bad idea… Otherwise layers? I think trainers are a good idea, they’re more versatile than hiking boots, unless you have a lot of big hikes planned!
That’s an amazing list, thank you so much! This is helping me a lot while planing my 3 month trip in South America this summer. Just one quick question, is it really worth taking a small padlock, i though hostels provide the secure storage places. Many thanks, Daisy x
Hi Daisy, I’m glad you found it helpful! I would definitely bring a padlock. I had several and used them both for the zips on my backpack when putting it on a bus and for hostel lockers, as well as using the one with a spiral cable for locking the bag itself to my seat. I’m pretty sure that I needed the padlock in almost every hostel I stayed in… In any case it’s tiny so it won’t take up much space or weight in your bag 🙂 Enjoy your trip! Let me know how you get on!
I packed for 3 months for south america with carry on only (about 8kg). Here’s a tip: think of packing for 2 weeks. It doesn’t matter if the trip is 3 weeks or 3 months because you just aim to wash once a week. I also bought more clothes one I arrived and bought a lot of toiletries once there as well such as shampoo, toothpaste, moisturiser etc. I’m definitely staying with carry on only!
Wow! I am in awe 🙂 But I also plan to do this for my next big trip, which is just a month, to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. How many litres then is your bag? 40 or even less? Well done you!
Kind we don’t have to sign in. Canada here. Soent two mths once in s.a. visiting families of kids we had hosted chez nous.
.we r going to india now. I am trying to keeo it light. Would like to keep it to a fanny pack and two day packs. We will have to c how much room our stuff needs. To your response, i doubt a 40l is carry on. I was hoping to avoid even a 40l. The stuff has to b all brought togethr to see whats necc. Thks for your list.
Hi Ian, hope it was useful! I think the biggest restriction on hand luggage may even be the weight – e.g. 12kg on KLM, or worse 7kg on Qantas. It might be easier for you travelling together as you can share kit. I will anyway try for a smaller pack when I go next month! Good luck to you both.
This list was perfect, thank you! I am leaving for South America in a weeks time. Just wondering your opinion on jewellery, i know it’s not wise to wear much but would you take none at all, not even a watch?
Hi Tanya,
I replied to your post a while ago but I just noticed that my reply has disappeared from the blog… so just in case you never got it, I’m re-replying now so you don’t think I’m incredibly rude! Are you still in South America? How has your trip been? Did you have everything you needed? 🙂
What I said last time was that I brought a cheap watch and also a few bracelets and ear rings, but nothing bling or sentimental.
Let me know how you got on!
Anna
This is so exciting! It’s nice to read such good advice for a longer trip; i’ve always only survived for a few weeks at a time using carry on – easier to keep washing as you go with a smaller bag, although you do tend to have to sacrifice the extra space if you wanna buy anything out there. I’m just planning a 4 month trip starting in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and then flying over to Vietnam, Cambodia, with (possibly, funding and time depending) Malaysia / Indo before heading back to Thailand to fly home. So excited! But haven’t been away for nearly 2 years and even then it was to Oz to stay with friends – hardly the backpacking shoestring experience! So it’s great to hear of how us women cope out on the road for a while haha. keep being awesome and exploring xxxx
Hi Mell,
How is your planning going? When are you off? Glad to hear the list was useful!
I’m off to New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore later this year, so let me know if you have any tips 🙂 It’s actually a shorter trip this time, so I should manage with a smaller bag! Let’s see…
Anna
What a fantastic list – and a picture to show us what you’re talking about!! Thank you.
I’m about to embark upon a 3-4 month trip around South America and confused about appropriate clothing for hot and cold temperatures/climates all within one trip – found your site by accident and I’m literally printing off this list so I can more or less mimic!
Hurrah! Great that it was useful. Let me know how you get on with your trip and if you have any tips to add 🙂 Enjoy!
Which months did you go to South America? I am heading there for 6 months from 1st November onwards…
Hi Zoe, I flew to Ecuador early May and made my way down to Buenos Aires for end July. So opposite end of the year to you! You should have much warmer weather…
great list, thanks! 🙂 just wondering what vaccinations you got before going to SA?
Hi Laura,
Glad you found the list helpful!
I had a lot of the vaccinations already from earlier trips to Africa and to Central America – although they’re expensive the good news is that they often last for ten years or even for life! Some you’ll also have had when you were little. For South America, the travel clinic in Geneva recommended: diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis A, measles, polio. They also recommended hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies if you’re going to be in particular areas/situations. (I have friends who’ve been bitten by bats and monkeys!) I was also given malaria tablets and a penicillin course ‘just in case’ but I didn’t need to use these.
You sometimes need a booster before going so it’s a good idea to get the first one in 4-6 weeks before you go.
Have a great trip!
Anna
thanks so much!! 🙂
Hello, I know this is a really strange question but are you able to buy things like Loreal hair dye in South America and Tampax or does it tend to be cheaper unheard of brands? thank you
Hi Laura, not strange at all 🙂 I brought my own tampons, though that won’t be practical if you’re going for a long trip… Globalisation has brought many of our familiar brands to developing countries, but there may still be differences and rural areas will have much less choice than big cities. On tampons, I found this article with up-to-date information on the different markets (scroll down for South America), including a current shortage in Argentina due to import restrictions! L’Oréal is definitely available in much of South America, but I can’t comment on specific products I’m afraid. Having worked in the beauty industry, I would also say that formulations may differ between countries so even if you find what looks like your hair dye it might come out different. Beauty salons are cheap so you might consider professional colour as well? Hope that helps! In general, I would say that you can get everything you need while you’re over there, but I recommend that you bring anything that you really can’t live without.
Check out diva cups! Reusable silicone and can be in your body for up to 10 hrs! https://divacup.com/
Really excellent blog, Anna. I loved the way you look back with the benefit of hindsight.
Thanks Jane! Hindsight is a great thing. I’ve read that the best time to pack for a trip is right after you’ve come back – you know exactly what you need 🙂
Hi Anna,
Thank you for putting together such an extensive list. My husband and I will be touring around Peru for 3 weeks. We are only doing the 2day Inka trail hike and will be there at the end of their summer/rainy season. I would like to take just a carry-on and am trying to whittle down my packing list. I am debating on whether we will need ponchos. I am planning to bring light weight, low rise hikers, 1 pair of sandals and 1 pair light weight rubber “sneakers” that I can get wet. I was planning to leave my running shoes home. I also live in pants, so will not be packing dresses or skirts, back rather will wear jeans on the plane and pack 2 pairs on long pants, 1 tan, 1 black, plus 2 shorts. The carry on limit is 22# plus one “personal” item, which will be my backpack. Any thoughts on the poncho? Did you use yours? Running shoes? We will be taking a rain jacket and a fleece. The rain jacket will not go over the backpack that we will carry on the trail. We are in our 60’s so I am packing hiking poles. We will not be staying in hostels. Also,did you bring any food/snacks with you? Thank you!
Hi Susan,
I’m glad you found the list helpful!
I bought a poncho at the stop that our bus made en route to the start of the trail but I never used it as we were lucky to only have a tiny bit of rain. They had really cheap ones or more robust ones that you could reuse. If you already have a rain jacket then perhaps a cheap poncho bought in Peru or even just a bin liner/garbage bag to put over the backpack in case of heavy rain might be useful.
I wouldn’t bring running shoes on top of the other shoes that you mention unless you are really a keen jogger. You could probably run in the hiking shoes if so? A hiking pole is a must-have irrespective of age! I wrongly assumed that this was only for older hikers but in fact it was necessary on steep downhill staircases. Someone found me a long stick that I used and the guide also lent me his at the most difficult points.
I brought water because I drink a lot and I had read that it was expensive to buy at the start of the trail and not available further up. The water I brought with me eventually ran out but in fact it was good to have the plastic bottles as I could then refill them with boiled water when we camped in the evening. If you’re just going for two days then you shouldn’t need to bring a lot with you… I didn’t bring snacks as these were provided but check with your tour operator how often they give you snacks and what is included. If you have specific dietary needs or allergies then it might be worth bringing something.
In case you haven’t seen them, you might be interested in my post about the four-day trek and Machu Picchu itself.
Let me know how you get on. You’re going to have an amazing trip!
Anna
A shoe that you can dance in, kayak/water sport in, and are incredibly light weight are the ‘Alice work’ shoes by Crocs. With carabineers they can stay on the outside of your pack!
Thanks Debbie for sharing your tips!
this is a great article thank you Anna 🙂
I’m just so surprised how you fitted everything in your backpack! ha 🙂
Hi Shaz, I’m glad you found it useful. As to fitting it all in, maybe I have magic Mary Poppins powers 😉
Hi Anna,
I found your list and comments a great help – thank you and you sound very well travelled!
I am travelling to South America for the first time this year for a total of one month (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil), I have never done it before and though it is a group trip, I will not know anybody until I meet them for the first time when I touch down in Chile. My main dilemma is clothes! I was wondering if you could help. I pre-warn you I have a lot of questions :-/
I am staying in a mixture of basic hotels, hostels, ranch and overnight bus.
Weather/temperatures-
I am travelling to between May and June of this year and I am aware that is their Winter season, is that right? I’m struggling to find the right balance between summer and winter clothing as I finish up in Brazil and according to web results, that seems the hottest place out of where I am travelling to. Do you have an idea of the temperatures? I’m getting the idea that it’s around 18 degrees in the day and around 10 – 8 degrees at night (with the exception of Brazil), would that be a fair assumption to make? Will I need an umbrella and if so any ideas on where to get a strong but compact one?
Mosquitoes-
Do you know if mosquitoes are present a lot during this period? I am a big fan of leggings and think I will be living in these whilst out there but I have read some reports that tight clothing attracts them more but does that depend on the time of year? A lot of sites recommend DEET but Travel Independent says it ruins your clothes is that true? It also recommends a plug in mosquito repellent – any thoughts? Or did you take any form of spray to spray the room prior to settling?
Sleeping arrangements-
I have bought a cotton sleeping bag liner but I am reading reports that silk ones will be warmer – what’s your take on this? I was also thinking about taking a blanket?
Footwear-
I have some plimsolls that I plan to walk around in for tours and stuff and have invested in a good pair of walking shoes for when trekking. Do you think that’s adequate? Obviously including flip flops and sandals as well.
Trousers-
I was thinking about buying some waterproof trousers, would you recommend that for the time of year I’m going?
Base layers –
What are your thoughts on these? Also what material were the t.shirts you brought? Can you recommend any quick-drying materials?
Electronics & security-
What kind of adapters are suitable is it the 2 pin ones and if so do you know where I can find a compact multi one (that can incorporate two things charging at the same time). Did you take a hotel lock for your door whilst staying in hostels?
Finally can you recommend an alternative to ear plugs or comfy ones?
Really sorry for the essay, I don’t expect you to answer everything of course but any advice you can offer will be a great help, thank you!
Hi Kay,
I’ll do my best to answer all your questions!
I travelled to South America over a three-month period from May to July, so covering the time that you’ll be there. I started high up in Quito in Ecuador dressed in jeans and a rain jacket, then went sailing around the Galapagos in shorts, travelled down the Peruvian coast in short dresses and skirts, hiked up to Machu Picchu in cargo pants and hiking shoes, and then spent most of the second half of the trip in jeans and jumpers as it gradually got colder through the months of June and July in Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay in particular, with some warmer days still in northern Argentina and southern Brazil. It’s all about layering! Leggings as you suggest are great, with a dress or a long shirt over the top. Comfortable on long bus journeys, and covering you up while not being too hot.
In terms of base layers, I mainly had my normal vest tops and t-shirts. Merino wool is a great material for keeping you both warm and cool but it can be expensive. I also really liked my down jacket that I got at Uniqlo and that rolled up into a tiny ball in my bag – lightweight but warm when needed.
I think I used a little umbrella (I tend to get mine from Accessorise in the UK) only rarely, in Quito at the start and possibly in Uruguay towards the end. I also bought a poncho on the way to the Inca Trail but I never used it. I did use my thin rain jacket that I bought at Uniqlo. I can’t imagine that waterproof trousers are needed unless you’re spending the whole month trekking in the jungle and you’re really unlucky with the weather.
I did bring a plug with mosquito repellent but I never used it, only body spray in the evenings. I don’t remember having a lot of issues at all – maybe a couple of bites. I have never heard about DEET ruining your clothes, though it is pretty strong so do be careful if you have really nice things (which you probably shouldn’t be bringing at all in that case!).
A sleeping bag liner is a great idea when staying in basic hotels and hostels – for hygiene more than anything else. Cotton is absolutely fine, it just takes up a bit more space than silk. If you want heat there are thermal liners but they’re expensive and I really don’t think you’ll need them. For ear plugs, I think it’s a matter of personal taste. I tend to buy cheap ones at the pharmacy, usually size S if they have them as the big ones are uncomfortable and often pop out during the night. If you buy a small bag of them then you can replace them as you go. At the airport they usually have hard ear plugs that are for the noise during the flight and that I wouldn’t necessarily want to wear those in bed.
I think footwear is always the hardest as it takes up so much space but I’m a believer in bringing several options as it’s one of the more difficult things to find while abroad. It sounds like you’re all set with good walking shoes, sandals and flip flops – if the plimsols are comfortable for long days of working then they sound great too.
For electronics, I brought quite a few separate adapters and anyway had to buy an extra one once I got to Argentina – but it was ridiculously cheap from a little corner shop so to be honest it’s not a bad idea to wait until you get there. Of course, you want to be able to charge your phone and camera early on in your trip so getting a multi-plug adapter is a good choice – the countries you’re travelling to use a mix of European, American and other plugs!
And finally for security, I brought little combination padlocks for the zips on my big and small bag and to use with the lockers in the hostels, as well as one with a longer cable so that I could attach things e.g. my small backpack to the seat on the bus. Nothing for the door itself, mostly because there is either a lock already or you are in a dorm with other people and so can’t lock it.
They say that you should lay everything out that you want to pack and then take away half of it – as you can tell from my list, I’m all for bringing things that you need and that will ensure that you have a comfortable trip, but I would just warn you not to overdo it as you’ll regret it when you have to lug your heavy bag around. A month is not a huge amount of time and laundry is super cheap in these countries you only really need a week’s worth of clothes.
Hope that helps. Good luck and let me know how you get on!
Anna
Thank you Anna, that’s great, you’ve been really helpful!
I have another question if that’s OK? What did you do about communicating on your mobile i.e. what’s app and facebook? My network has told me to get a local sim when I arrive in South America, do you know any reputable places where I could purchase one (first stop Santiago in Chile)? The other alternative is to buy a pay as you go SIM from the UK. I didn’t really want to have to temporarily change my number but it seems it is the only way to avoid costly roaming charges? Any advice you’ve got will be great, many thanks!
Hi Kay, I’m so sorry, I completely missed your comment!
In terms of mobile, I always turn off roaming, having been hit with a huge bill while travelling many years ago! Wifi is so all pervasive these days that I was always relying on this, in cafes, hostels and hotels. For calls, I use Skype, always on the wifi. You can otherwise get an international sim card back home e.g. from WorldSIM or a local one once you get to each country, though the latter is a bit more effort each time you cross the border – you just need to make sure your phone is unlocked so that it works with sim cards from other providers. I’m afraid I can’t recommend specific providers but really these local cards are so cheap that it’s worth a try, I’d say!
Have a great time in Chile!
Hi Anna,
Thanks for all your help, 1 more day to go!
Kayleigh
Have a great trip!
Hi thanks for this list! I am travelling to Chile, Bolivia,Peru and Argentina just for 35 days. I am from the UK, just wondering what kind of adapters you took. Also what is the best currency to take? And if it was easy to exchange there etc.
Natasha xx
Hi Natasha,
Most countries in South America accept a US plug and/or European (two prongs) so I brought adapters for these; in Argentina I had to buy a new one, I think it’s the same as Australia/New Zealand, but it was super cheap to buy in a local store. You can also buy a universal adapter, it’ll just be a bit bulkier.
I find the easiest way to get currency is simply to take out money from an ATM once you’re in the country; usually there’ll be one at the airport or big bus terminals. If you’re crossing at more remote borders then it can be good to exchange a little money into local currency before you cross – since you anyway need to get rid of the currency of the previous country this is a good chance to do so! I also always carried some US dollars as back-up and to exchange when needed.
Have a great trip!
Anna
Hi Natasha,
I have just come back from travelling to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. I’m sure Anna can probably shed better light on this but thought I’d share my advice as I see you are from the UK (as am I).
I took currency for Chile but was unable to obtain any for Argentina in the UK (had to get it out there) but as far as I can remember it was fairly easy to access and exchange money in most places.
I took this adaptor:
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/lifesystems-world-travel-adapter-usb-b8110003
and it never once failed me!! Only needed to use two of the pins as well.
Hope this helps.
Kayleigh x
Thanks Kayleigh! Great tip on the world adapter.
I’m also based in the UK 🙂
Great list! And I love your blog 🙂 I’m planning a 3 month trip to South America and loved reading about some of the places I’m thinking of visiting and seeing your packing list. Thank you!
Yay glad you liked the list and the blog 🙂 Have an amazing trip!
You are amazing! I have just finished my law finals in London, having a minor breakdown (while visiting my mum back in Ireland) and back to London to pack/buy Sunday… leaving Monday! haha. Your list is amazing and I do feel you touch on every little thing that I will need!
How tough is the Inca Trail? I am only 28 but given the time that I have been focused on studying I seem to have forgotten about my fitness!! I am doing the same 4 day trek I think just before Christmas this year but leaving Monday to do Oz, NZ, Fiji, West coast of USA then Rio – Lima over last 2 month period….
Also (I am so not technical…) so when I turn off roaming on my phone, do I turn it on again in Wi-Fi areas? haha. I am sorry for the silly questions!!!
Thank you again 🙂
Hi Nikita, congratulations on finishing your law finals! Your trip sounds like a great reward for all your hard work 🙂
For the Inca Trail, I have to admit that I didn’t do any prep at all. I do think I have a good base level of fitness, but that being said everyone in my group managed it with no problems, irrespective of age and fitness. You do it in your own time, so you can go a bit more slowly if you need to, especially when climbing up the steep staircases. It is a good idea, though, to arrive in Cusco a few days before so that you get used to the high altitude.
For the phone, I keep roaming off at all times – you don’t need to turn it on to be able to use Wi-Fi. Go to Settings – Cellular – Data roaming “off” (i.e. it shouldn’t be green) – that’s all! With this, data roaming (i.e. 3G/4G) is turned off but you can still make and receive calls as well as using the Wi-Fi wherever it’s available.
Bon voyage!
Hi Anna, great list. This is so helpful as I’m just about to go off on a 3 month adventure around S.America of my own 🙂 I’m having a bit of a mindblank though when it comes to what backpack to take on the Inca Trail and when I’m hiking in Patagonia, maybe you could offer some advice? My backpack that I’ve used before on long hikes has a rigid frame so, unless I carry it, it won’t fit in my big backpack. What sort of backpack did you use in the day, did you take a water pack and did it have a waist strap? Thanks so much, Deb
Hi Deb,
On the Inca Trail, I just had a basic rucksack in which I carried extra layers like poncho, hat and gloves. No waist strap, no special water equipment! I brought along a big bottle of water as I knew it would be expensive to buy water on the trail and I’m a big drinker even on a standard day back home – in fact you do the trek at your own pace so there’s plenty of time to stop for a break, and you can refill your bottle with boiled water every evening at camp.
Most of us on the trek chose to have the porters carry our big bags with our sleeping bags and clothes in. There is a weight limit for this to protect the porters, especially as they are also carrying everything else like the tents, the cooking equipment and so on, and we gave a generous tip at the end of the trek. A couple of people did choose to carry their own big bags with everything in them, so it’s possible, but it’s a risk if you’re not very fit or if you end up suffering from altitude sickness.
Let me know if you have any other questions! If not, have a wonderful time!
Anna
how much money did it cost for all those 3 months accounted for
Hi Julie, That’s a great question but unfortunately I didn’t keep my notes from my trip!
What I can say is that some countries were cheaper than others – when I started in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, I was staying in private hotel rooms but when I moved on to Chile, Argentina, Brazil I chose to stay in shared dorm rooms for about the same price, around $20-30 per night. Then it’s also a question of the activities you choose to do – I did the Inca Trail in Peru, took a sail tour of the Galapagos, and did a 4WD tour of the Uyuni salt plains, and these are obviously expensive activities. I wasn’t on a super strict backpackers’ budget on this trip so I also went out for meals more than I stayed in and cooked pasta 🙂 And I chose the top-end bus companies, which were known for being safer on the road.
Hope that helps a little! I also recommend using the Trail Wallet app to keep track of your spending and you’ll soon get an overview of how much you’re spending and see where you might be able to cut down.
Anna
Hello. Great list, thank you. Thinking about my packing for a 12 months trip in central and south America. Do you have an recommendations for colours of clothing? Would it be ridiculous to bring a white top or white trainers? Thank you,
Pips
Hi Pips,
I’m glad you found it useful! Luck you with a whole year!
As for colours, I wouldn’t see any need to limit yourself there. I’m pretty sure I had a white top with me to South America and a white skirt in Central America actually. Of course it can get pretty dusty on the local roads when you’re on those chicken buses, and white might not be so practical for when you’re hiking… If I remember correctly I had to sacrifice that skirt after my trip as it never quite recovered 😉 Personally I’d probably go for quite muted colours simply so that I wouldn’t stand out even more given that I’m already blonde and pale! In general when you’re gone for so long it’s also good to have clothes that will work in all weather, so white trainers might not be the most versatile.
Don’t hesitate if you have other questions and if not I wish you an amazing trip!
Anna
Hi Anna,
This packing list was so helpful! My husband and I are travelling to South America in May this year to do the 4 day Inca Trail and then getting the ‘Bolivia Hop’ to Lake Titicaca and then on to do the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia – all in 3 weeks!
I was just wondering if you/anyone in your group experienced any altitude sickness at all as I understand that this is not something that you can really prepare for? We have 2 days in Cuzco before we start the Inca Trail.
Thanks!
Emma
Hi Emma,
I’m glad the list was helpful! Sounds like an amazing trip.
I also had a couple of days in Cuzco before the Inca Trail and I had no problems with the altitude on the way to Machu Picchu. Our hiking group was a mix of ages and fitness levels and no one had any issues. You walk at your own pace, so there was no pressure if you were struggling. I did bring some coca sweets, not sure if they had an effect 🙂 You can also chew on coca leaves like the locals if you’re up for that!
Buen viaje and let me know if you have any other questions!
Anna
Hi Anna,
just wondering if 3 pairs of socks were really enough? Did you wash them in the sink?
All the best
Mel
Hi Mel,
I mainly wore my ballerinas and sandals, so didn’t need a lot of socks. Laundry is very cheap as well, and I sent my clothes off to the lavandería several times. If you’re travelling in winter or you have cold feet then a few more pairs of socks may be a good idea 🙂
Buen viaje !
Anna
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your list it’s really helpful! I was going to buy a 3-in-1 fleece and raincoat jacket but after reading your post I’m wondering if the ones you mentioned from uniqlo might be better and less bulky. Which coats did you buy and did you find they were warm/waterproof enough? I’ll be going July-September so anticipate some rain!
Hi Katie, I’m glad you found the list helpful! I have the “pocketable parka” from Uniqlo, which stuffs into its own pocket (https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/16333200001) and the “ultra light down jacket” (https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/14639000003). Both take up minimal space versus the fleeces and proper jackets that would have been the alternative! I don’t think they’d be much use in a torrential downpour but they’re good to have on hand as a back-up. I wore the down jacket daily once I got to Uruguay and Argentina towards the end of my trip in July.
Have a great trip!
Really good list! I’ve seen a few which look really basic but realistically, I like to have a choice too and always end up packing as much (if not more!) than the above. So this list was helpful for me! Thanks xxxxx
Great! I’m glad it was helpful. I’m refining my list every time I go, but it’s hard especially when you’re going on different types of trips and the weather and activities vary so much.
Good luck!
Finally! Someone gives me sensible feedback on what shoes to pack for South America! I’ll be going in winter too so I think I might as well just back the leather high-top converses. I’m bound to regret it if I don’t. Which months did you go in? I’m going for the whole of August and need to know how much summery stuff to bring, if any. I’m going to Peru, Bilivia, Chile, Argentina & Brazil. I don’t know if you hit many of these areas but any feedback you have would be awesome!
Hi Ciara,
I’m glad you appreciate the list 🙂 So I actually travelled May-July, a little earlier than what you’re planning. I started off in the north, in Ecuador and Peru, where the weather was pretty good and I was mainly using my skirts/shorts, vest tops and sandals. As I made my way south, it got cooler – in fact I noticed that other people I was meeting along the way were heading north, very smart! – and by the end when I was in Paraguay and Argentina I was wearing jeans, hiking shoes and my down jacket.
Of course it’ll vary by area too – e.g. La Paz and Buenos Aires look chillier in August, while Quito and Rio will be warmer. I found this chart, which looks helpful: https://www.oasisoverland.co.uk/south_america_climate_chart/. So I’d say it looks like spring weather, or northern European summer, i.e. not super hot but you may want some lighter options. You can never go wrong with layers!
Let me know if you think of any other questions! Have an amazing trip!
Anna
Thank you for mentioning the suitcase vs backpack situation. I know for a fact that I won’t be able to carry a backpack for more than one hour at a time, but I keep reading blogs that diss suitcases because the roads in South America are not even, not paved, etc. What are your thoughts on that?
Hi Daphne,
Honestly, even if the roads are uneven I think you’ll be fine with a suitcase. There are cobbled streets in Europe too and I still manage with my little suitcase 🙂
That being said, one benefit of a soft bag is that you can squish it onto luggage racks and under seats. If you can carry a backpack for an hour you should be fine with this too, as it’s really mostly a question of going the short distance from the bus/boat/train to your accommodation and back.
Whatever you decide, I encourage you to bring as little stuff as you can so that you minimise the weight, as whichever type of bag you choose will be a nightmare if it’s packed full with heavy gear.
Good luck!
Anna
This is a fab list I am going to South America from December to March and I was shopping today trying to figure out what size backpack what type of sleeping bag so I have been relieved to have found this information thank you Helen
Thanks for this list! Incredibly helpful. I am going to South America in March from UK and travelling all over (Columbia to Argentina) so bit nervous about season changes and taking the wrong things. How cold does it get in Winter? Also i wasn’t planning on taking hiking boots as i find them so bulky – do you advise bringing them or just using my decent trainers?
Hi Jasmine,
I’m glad it’s helpful!
So I was travelling May-July and by July when I was in Uruguay and Argentina it was definitely cold. I wore my jeans, trainers and Uniqlo down jacket, woolly hat and gloves.
For hiking I wore hiking shoes – so almost boots but without the heel protection. I was fine on the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu, I think you’ll also be fine with trainers, as long as you’re not planning to do a load of hiking.
Have an amazing trip!
Anna
Really useful list! Just pl;anning my South america trip and daunted by how much Im planni ng to take already! Im camping 50% of my whole trip (9 weeks) so I also need a sleeping bag and inflatable matt and pillow which takes up about half of my bag!!! argggghh. And im debating 2 pairs of jeans but wondering if thats excessive! At the moment Im planning 2 pairs shorts, 1 pair leggings , 1 jeans, 1 walking trousers and 1 pair gym leggings which will double as PJs and walking trousers. would a 2nd pair of jeans be excessive?!!
Glad it was useful Leanne! When are you off?
I wore my jeans only towards the end (July) in Uruguay and Argentina, as we were nearing their winter. I do love a pair of jeans though!
In general I would say that you’ll hate lugging around a huge backpack that’s really heavy so considering you also have your camping gear I would err on the side of taking too little.
But takes lots of underwear!! Tha’s what you need 🙂
Good luck!
Thanks! Leaving in 3 weeks! Spending a lot of time at high altitude so it’ll be cold at night!
Ah well if you’re in cities then jeans can be good but otherwise you’ll probably want those soft and snuggly jogging bottoms at night and leggings/walking trousers in the day 🙂
Buen viaje!