Pack smart for a continent where altitude, humidity, and temperature shift dramatically between cities. Covers coastal heat, Andean cold, and rainforest wet across multiple countries.
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Clothing for Variable Climates
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts (3-4)
Long sleeves in light nylon or linen protect against sun at 3,000m+ elevation and mosquitoes in the Amazon. UPF 50+ rated fabric blocks 98% of UV rays without sunscreen.
Warm fleece or puffy jacket for altitude
Temperatures in Cusco (3,400m), La Paz (3,640m), and Bogota (2,640m) drop to 5-10C at night even when lowlands hit 30C. A 200-weight fleece packs to the size of a water bottle.
Waterproof rain jacket with hood
Tropical downpours in Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil can dump 30-50mm per hour. A jacket with sealed seams and pit zips handles rain while venting body heat in humid conditions.
Quick-dry pants and shorts (2 each)
Nylon-elastane pants dry in 3-4 hours and resist wrinkling on overnight buses. Zip-off styles let you switch between pants and shorts as you move from highland to coast.
Sturdy walking shoes and lightweight sandals
Swimwear
Warm hat, gloves, and buff for highland nights
Nighttime temperatures at Machu Picchu and the Salar de Uyuni regularly fall below freezing. A merino buff weighs 40g and works as a scarf, headband, or face cover in wind.
Health & Safety
Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide)
Start acetazolamide 24 hours before ascending above 2,500m, with a typical dose of 125-250mg twice daily. Consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks before departure for a prescription.
30% DEET provides 6-8 hours of protection against mosquitoes carrying dengue, Zika, and malaria. Apply over sunscreen, not under it, for full effectiveness.
Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is intense at altitude)
At 4,000m elevation UV radiation is 40% stronger than at sea level. Apply 30ml (a shot glass worth) per full-body application and reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
Water purification tablets or SteriPen
Basic first aid and anti-diarrheal medication
Traveler's diarrhea affects 30-50% of visitors to South America. Pack loperamide for symptom relief and oral rehydration salts (ORS packets) to prevent dehydration.
Electronics & Adapters
Universal power adapter (Type A, B, C, and N vary by country)
Argentina and Brazil use unique plug types (Type I and N respectively) not found elsewhere in South America. A universal adapter with USB-A and USB-C ports covers all 13 countries.
Portable power bank (20,000 mAh)
Long bus rides of 12-24 hours between cities drain devices fast. A 20,000 mAh bank provides 4-5 full phone charges and weighs about 350g.
Unlocked phone with eSIM or local SIM cards
Offline maps and Spanish/Portuguese phrasebook app
Download offline maps for each country before crossing borders, as cell coverage gaps are common in rural Andes and Amazon regions. A basic 500-word vocabulary covers 80% of daily interactions.
Documents & Money
Passport with 6+ months validity and photocopies
Several South American countries require 6 months passport validity from entry date. Carry 2 printed copies of your passport photo page in separate bags from the original.
US dollars in small bills (5s, 10s, 20s) as backup cash
USD is widely accepted as emergency currency and for exchange across South America. Bring bills printed after 2006 in crisp condition, as many exchangers reject older or torn notes.
Travel debit card with no foreign transaction fees
ATM withdrawal limits vary from 300-1,500 USD equivalent per transaction depending on the country. A card that reimburses ATM fees saves 3-5 USD per withdrawal across dozens of transactions.
Proof of yellow fever vaccination (if visiting Amazon regions)
Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid overpacking?
Lay out everything you think you need, then remove 30% of it. Pack items that mix and match into multiple outfits using neutral colors that work with everything. Laundry services exist almost everywhere; plan to wash clothes every 4-5 days rather than packing a fresh outfit for each day.
Should I use packing cubes?
Packing cubes compress clothing by 20-30% and keep your bag organized throughout the trip. Color-coding cubes by clothing type (tops, bottoms, underwear) eliminates rummaging through the entire bag for one item. Compression cubes with dual zippers squeeze the most air out and are worth the $5-10 premium over standard cubes.
What size luggage should I bring?
A carry-on bag (22x14x9 inches) handles trips up to 10 days if you pack strategically and plan to do laundry. Checking a bag adds 30-45 minutes per flight in wait time and carries a 1-3% chance of loss or delay. For trips under a week, a 40-liter backpack offers more mobility than a rolling suitcase on cobblestones, stairs, and public transit.
What items do travelers forget most often?
Phone chargers, adapters, prescription medications, and sunscreen are the top four forgotten items. Create a packing checklist on your phone and check items off as they go into the bag, not before. Pack a universal power adapter if traveling internationally; outlet shapes differ across regions and buying one at the airport costs 3-4x the online price.
How do I pack toiletries efficiently?
Transfer products into reusable silicone travel bottles (GoToob, 3 oz size) rather than packing full-size containers. Solid alternatives like shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets eliminate liquid restrictions entirely for carry-on travel. Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap; skip packing these unless you have specific brand requirements.