What to Pack for a Trip to South America (2021 UPDATE)

what-to-pack-for-a-trip-south-america-travel-min
Categories Gear & Packing South America

    Hello from Colombia! Or should I say, hola?!? (Nope, I should definitely not say that). 

    Any-w-ayyyys….I’m officially on the road and kicking off my South America travels with the country that sits at the top of the continent. I was originally drawn here because of the thriving digital nomad scene and plentiful coworking spaces in Medellín. But, after a bit more research, I was delighted to find that backpacking in Colombia for a few months is nothing short an adventure traveler’s dream.

    When you travel in South America the first thing you’ll notice is that it seems to have a bit of, well, everything. In fact, it’s the most biodiverse continent on Earth – and Colombia is one of the countries that tops that list. Which, for me, makes it the perfect introduction to what I’m just going to starting calling the Year of South America Travel.

    Because, why the heck not?

    And now the real challenge: not only what to pack for the trip – but how to fit it all into two carry-ons.

    All that biodiversity – from cold mountaintops to tropical beaches to arid deserts to humid jungles – means that deciding what to pack for a trip that will be longer than 6 months can be just a tad tricky. Add in the fact that I’m not doing a traditional South American backpacking trip, and it’s just downright difficult.

    You see, I’m going to pick key cities with reliable digital nomad communities that I can call my home base for a few months. I’ll then do weekend trips and, between cities, spend a few weeks hopping around with my backpacks and seeing the attractions. That means, I’m packing all the essentials for travel in South America, but I’m also packing a computer and camera gear, so I can keep this lifestyle up.

    One backpack that fits in the overhead bins of an airplane. One that would be considered my personal item and will need to fit under the seat in front of me.

    things to pack for a trip-checklist

    So, how does one pack for a trip to South America? Travel with me (even if just virtually) and you’ll learn two things: everything needs to have at least 2 purposes, and I only bring things that I think I’ll absolutely need in the short term or don’t think I’ll find overseas.

    For example, you’ll notice that things like a handbag, scarves and even a great pair of shoes didn’t make the cut. I really love picking up things like this as functional souvenirs that tell a great story and hold memories from the road.

    When it comes to other items – like a Malaria kit (an essential for South America travel) or spare toiletries – I plan to get them on the road. When you are spending a month or longer traveling, you will need to do laundry, grocery shop and, yes, buy more soap. Fortunately, these are all things that the locals do regularly, and you will easily be able to find what you need. You may even find what you are looking for much cheaper than at home. I know this has already held true for a few medications and electronics I needed to pick up last week. 

    So without further ado, here is my packing checklist for my South America travels. 

    My Favorite Travel Backpacks

    South-America-travel-tips

    These are the rockstars that hold it all together – literally. And deciding which backpack size you go with is one of the most important decisions for your South American travels. It will determine how much you bring, but it will also determine whether you pay extra fees for checked luggage at the airports, if you’ll need a spare seat on regional buses and more.

    Clothes and Accessories for Traveling in South America 

    This could be parred down a bit, depending on where you are going. However, I know that I’ll be doing a mix of activities in varying climates while traveling throughout South America. And, when I’m in the cities, I don’t want to look like a total tourist.

    So, I like to pack a mix of “normal people clothes,” functional backpacking items, and hiking/trekking gear. I focus on items that are synthetic or wool (no cotton!), will withstand multiple washes, don’t wrinkle easily, and that I can mix and match.

    I’ve never traveled to South America, so I did extensive research and spent about a week getting the following packing checklist finessed. Once I did, I used Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Bags to pack everything down. These work great for clothes and, now that I’ve finally started packing and traveling with them, I’m never looking back. They come in a pair and I used both the Medium sizes, but only one Large. 

    Clothing

    Undergarments

    Shoes

    • 1 pair comfortable walking shoes – I plan to replace these as I go
    • 1 pair of tennis shoes for light hikes and the gym
    • 1 pair of comfortable but stylish sandals
    • Optional: Merrell Waterproof Hiking Boots – these are only necessary if you KNOW you are doing a multi-day trek or camping

    Accessories

    • 2 necklaces 
    • Misc Bracelets
    • Rings (not expensive) 
    • 1 headscarf
    • 1 pair of Goodr sunglasses
    • Optional: 1 pair cycling/gym gloves – I go to the gym while on the road and am planning at least one bicycle tour

    Toiletries & Cosmetics

    A South America travel agenda will require some of the usuals and then some due to varying water quality, jungle climates and a risk of some food-borne illnesses.

    As I mentioned above, I chose to pick up some medications while on the road because I knew that they’d be cheaper. Other things, like my favorite supplements that I knew I couldn’t find overseas, I decided to bring with. Any liquids were in 2-4 oz TSA-approved travel containers (and can be refilled as I go) and everything fits into one generic cosmetics bag that I picked up at a CVS or Target. 

    • Bamboo toothbrush
    • Powder toothpaste
    • Floss
    • 2 oz of shampoo
    • 2 oz of conditioner
    • 2 oz of lotion
    • 2 oz of face wash 
    • 1 oz face lotion
    • Bar deodorant 
    • Wipe deodorant – great for weekend trips/day trips
    • Sun Bum sunscreen in a roll-on stick
    • Body sunscreen 
    • 4 oz of Picaridin mosquito repellent lotion
    • 3 Chapsticks
    • Thermometer 

    Medications & Supplements

    • Rehydration salts (or BCAAs)
    • Chloride towelettes
    • Anti-diarrheal pills
    • Benadryl
    • Cough drops
    • 5 Organifi Green Juice Go Packs for a nutrient boost when I need it
    • 3-4 scoops of Vegan protein powder – leftover from my cabinet and great for traveling
    • 3 instant oatmeal packs for traveling to my first destination
    • A 30-day supply of vitamins
      • Probiotics 
      • B12 
      • Vitamin D

    Cosmetics

    • Contacts 
    • Travel-sized hairbrush with a mirror on the back
    • Hair ties
    • Nail clipper + file
    • 2 fingernail polishes – a small way to feel really put together after your nails go to sh*$% while traveling
    • 1 small makeup bag with foundation, a contour palette, blush, a few eyeshadows and mascara
    • 2 oz of essential oils – doubles as deodorant, perfume, and good vibes
    • Optional: Travel hairdryer – a nice to have in humid climates

    Other Backpacking Essentials for Colombia & Beyond

    Sure, some of these things are uber-optional in the hierarchy of what to pack for a trip. But sometimes, during your South American travels, the wifi in your hostel is spotty at best and you just want to crack open a good book from back home.

    Other things on this part of the pack list are a must for hostels and exploring the far corners of the world. Because we all like getting off the beaten path, right?

    Trekking & Camping Gear

    Work Gear: What to Pack for Remote Jobs 

    what-to-pack-for-a-trip

    Consider this my remote office – all squeezed into one section of my backpack. If you are wondering what to pack for your own remote work success, let this be your starter kit. For others who are just curious what I all bring with me in order to be productive while traveling South America, consider this your official peek into my backpack.

    Camera Gear

    For my South America trip, these two categories are separate, as taking photos is more a passion than a profession. Who knows, maybe that will change in the next year!

    So there it is. Everything I packed for backpacking South America. This one was a doozy – and it took 8 years of traveling and 28 countries to refine.

    But believe it or not, all of this fits into 2 carry-ons. 

    That’s why I included the video for you guys to see. It’s a real leveling-up of your Tetris skills, but it’s totally possible with the help of packing cubes and a little patience.

    Finally, I had someone ask me how much space I leave in my backpacks for souvenirs and the truth is…..not a lot.

    Actually, more like none.

    While there are a few things I know that I want to get while traveling and left some room for (a purse or day bag is one), the reality of having only carry-ons means following a strict “one in, one out” rule. That means I’ll have to get rid of or donate things as I wear them out and move to a place where I won’t need them. My other option is to ship things home (which may happen with my clunky hiking boots once I’ve done the thing at the top of my South America bucket list: hiking in Patagonia). 

    For most people, you won’t be bringing work gear or as much camera gear as I have, so you’ll naturally have room for some souvenirs in your bags.

    If you are sure you’re going to be doing some shopping, though, I recommend trying to pack all your necessities in only one carry-on. Then, you can put a backpack/daypack in the bottom of your luggage or bag. When you are ready to go home, you can pack everything you brought back into the carry-on and use the small travel backpack to carry your souvenirs home.

    And, finally, if you have any other questions about what to pack for a trip, feel free to drop ‘em here or email me directly. I’m always happy to help. 

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