Ultimate Packing List for South America

South America, in my opinion, is the BEST place to solo travel in the world. It’s inexpensive and there’s something for every kind of traveler. There’s adventure, culture, food, the amazon, and gorgeous beaches. South America also has every kind of climate ranging from the brutal winters of Argentina to the scorching humidity of the coast of Colombia. How do you pack for a long-term trip and still manage to pack light? Well, it’s possible. I’ve compiled the ultimate packing list for female travelers in South America.

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I’ve backpacked South America, once solo and the second time around with a partner. I’ve learned a lot since both journeys. The most IMPORTANT piece of advice I can give is pack light, but also pack smart.

Before you put ANYTHING in your bag, picture this: you arrive in South America and your things do not (lol). Imagine ALL of your things being stolen and hang out with that thought for a moment. Things are the LEAST important part of your trip. Yes, they make your trip go smoother, help capture moments, and keep you warm. The most important part of your trip is the experience, so do NOT stress too much about what is in your pack. You are in a new environment with limitless spontaneous adventures, you are going to lose shit. Just know the Universe will take care of you.

Short story: My partner, Darien, lost his tablet and North Face jacket within a month of our 8 month trip in SA. Devastated is an understatement for how he felt. He is super organized and rarely misplaces things back at home. He was disappointed in himself. It happens to all of us. As long as you have yourself and preferably your passport and maybe cellphone, you’re going to be okay.

Moving on.

*This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something using my links, I get a small percentage without any cost to you. Thank you for using my links and supporting my blog!*

Step 1: Find a Pack for You

I am 5’10, athletic-ish build, so I feel comfortable with a larger pack. I traveled with both a 75L (wouldn’t recommend) and 50+10L pack (perfect size). I personally would not go any smaller. Go to REI and try on different packs and see which one feels best for you and your body. Keep in mind, you may be walking miles with your pack, lost trying to find your hostel or Airbnb. There are also weight restrictions for checked bags.

*link of a pack similar to mine.

Step 2: Ask Yourself Some Questions

what kind of trip do I want to take? (hiking/adventurous, luxurious, camping, hostels, hotels, cities, towns, country, party, beaches) What are my go-to pieces of clothing?

Ultimate Packing List

Clothes/Shoes

Tip: pack for all seasons. It’s freezing AND super hot in SA. Pack accordingly. Check the weather/season/climate beforehand.

• Pants to hike in
• Leggings
• Cute dress for pics (1 or 2)
  • There’s been trips that I don’t pack anything cute and I hate to say this… but I regretted it. It’s nice to have a cute dress or two. Do NOT pack 10 (lol).
• 2 weeks worth of underwear
• Couple sports bras/1 “actual bra”
• Shirts (5-6)
  • a couple everyday, going out, and active tops
• 1 pair of jeans
• Jean jacket
  • I’m all about laying while traveling, my jean jacket makes me feel cuuuute.
• Hoodie
• Rain Jacket
• Jean shorts/shorts to wander around town in
• Swim suit
• Warm socks and active socks
• Hat
• Scarf
• Hiking Boots
  • I recommend going to REI and trying them on. ALSO – make sure they are a half size bigger. Your toes will thank you. Please learn from my mistakes. (I linked a pair similar to mine.)
• Flip Flops
  • Hostel showers are NASTY. Bring basic flip flops for showers and the beach.
• Everyday shoes
  • Personally I bring 4 pairs of shoes (hiking, flip-flops, everyday sneakers, and running shoes). I bring running shoes because I like to stay active and go to the gym while I travel. If that is not the case, use the space for other things.

Note: Keep in mind in most towns there are laundry mats and places to get your clothes washed. In the states, we over wash our clothes. You’ll find that you can actually wear a shirt 10x and not have to wash it after every time you wear it. I often hand wash my clothes. ALSO – there are cheap markets and huge shopping malls for clothes all over SA. If you want to switch things up after a couple months of traveling, it’s very possible. If you have big feet (I have size 10), it’s nearly impossible to find shoes.

Toiletries

• Bar shampoo (Lush)
• Face wash
  • I pack full size face wash, because it’s hard to find good quality face wash for my acne prone skin while traveling.
• Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap
  • I use this for EVERYTHING: body soap, shampoo (in emergency), detergent, face soap (in emergency) — I love it.
• Diva Cup
  • If you have a period, buy a menstrual cup (Diva Cup is the brand I use) and you’ll never have to buy an overpriced tampon ever again. OR I recommend Mirena birth control which takes away your period. Tampons and feminine products are SO expensive in SA, especially in small towns.
• General toiletries
  • Nail clippers, tweezers, razor, cotton balls, Q-tips, tooth brush, tooth paste, and everything else you use on the daily.
• Minimal makeup
• Sunscreen
• Travel towel
• Baby wipes
• Condoms/lube

Admin

• Passport
• Printed copies of your passport (for visas)
• Credit Card/Debit Card
  • I travel with 2 debits and 2 credit cards (assume at least 2 won’t work upon arrival)
  • Charles Schwab is my go-to debit (no ATM fees)
  • I also give my mom all my credit/debit/ID numbers just in case!
• Proof of vaccinations
  • Wait to get the yellow fever vaccine! It’s free in most parts of SA at a hospital or clinic. It’s hundreds of dollars in the states *rolls eyes*
• Driver’s License

Electronics

• Laptop
  • If you are using a computer for basic things, buy a cheap one. If you are teaching online or working from your computer: I would risk bringing a nice computer. Always back up your info and take obvious precautions.
• Cellphone
  • I use my iPhone for EVERYTHING: pictures, communication, music, books, maps, and all information. It’s definitely my most valuable item.
• Small speaker
  • To teach fitness classes, watch a movie, enjoy music in a private hostel room
• 2 chargers (pack a back-up, they are so expensive in SA)
• Tri-pod or selfie stick
• Headphones
• Camera (I bought a blogging camera for traveling)

Note: Phones and electrics frequently get stolen in SA. I’ve met a bunch of travelers who have lost or gotten theirs stolen. Be EXTRA cautious especially in major cities and while staying in hostels.

Misc. Items

• Packing cubes and a ton of reusable bags
  • This is how I stay organized. Shirts have a bag, pants have a bag, makeup has a bag, undergarments have a bag– EVERYTHING HAS BAG! I keep it all separate.
• Backpack (day pack)
• First Aid Kit
  • Most things you can buy at a local pharmacy, but I would recommend medicine for diarrhea, motion sickness, and allergies. I always overpack my first aid kit and never use any of it (lol).
• Sunglasses
• Bug Spray
• Umbrella or pancho
• Ear plugs
• Travel sheets
• Combination locks
  • There are lockers at most hostels — lock your stuff up!!
• Hydroflask
  • Reusable water bottle of some kind. I like hydro flask because it stays cold/warm, but it’s pretty big. You CANNOT drink the water in most parts of SA, so you will be forced to buy bottled water a lot of the time. Some cities have filtered water at hostels…. although I wouldn’t always trust it.
• Yoga Mat
  • It attaches easily to the side of your pack if yoga is something that you value. I bring mine and I end up doing yoga and using it quite often (way more than when I’m at home).
• Headlamp
• A journal
  • There is something special about having an actual paper journal to write out your thoughts. I always bring one and use it for journalling or misc things.
• Cooking spices and coconut oil (random, I know lol)
  • Yes, I travel with hot sauce. If you are vegetarian/vegan, bring some spices especially if you are staying in hostels with kitchens. It can be a life saver.
• Camping silverware and pocket knife (eating on the go)
• Something that reminds you of home/brings you joy
  • I bring my crystals, essential oils (the smells remind me of my mom), (inexpensive) bracelets or jewelry
• A cover for your big pack

Other Helpful Resources

My Favorite Podcasts While Traveling

6 Tips to Learning Spanish on a Budget

Ultimate Guide for Tayrona National Park

Note: I added Amazon affiliate links in my list. If you purchase any of the links, I get a small percentage (without you having to pay more.) All of these products (except for the Deuter pack), I personally love and recommend. Thank you mucho for your support <3

Cheers to your future travels! If you have anything to add to the list, please comment below! If you enjoy my posts and would love to stay updated, click “follow” or “subscribe” at the bottom of this page <3

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