If you have ever watched Hollywood movies about exotic places like South America, the places are often depicted in a way that makes it look like the whole continent has tropical weather all year round.
"What would make our movie feel exotic?" "How about we slap a yellow filter on it!?" "Voilà, we are in South America." This is the type of conversation I often imagine Hollywood directors have with their producers on how to depict a place like South America in movies, but do not let that fool you.
Yes, there are some places in South America that are hot and tropical, but from my personal experience, you will likely be met with chilling and drizzly days when you arrive in South America, rather than the tropical climate that most of the Hollywood movies tricked us into believing.
After all, the continent is home to the mighty Andes Mountains, one of the world's longest mountain ranges that starts all the way in the north in Colombia and ends in Patagonia, way down south in Chile and Argentina.
With such a diverse climate, in order to have a great trip in South America, it is important that you are well-prepared for whatever the continent throws at you. To assist you with that, I have decided to write up this packing guide to help you pack and prepare for an incredible trip to South America.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help and prepare you for the journey, with a comprehensive packing list for South America, which includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and more. Without further ado, let's begin with the most important packing question of all: "What to wear in South America?"
- What to Wear in South America?
- What Backpack to Bring To South America?
- Should I Get a Travel Insurance for South America?
- What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To South America?
- What Camera Gear to Bring To South America?
- What Electronics to Bring To South America?
- Toiletries Packing List:
- Further Reading for South America
What to Wear in South America?
Depending on where and when you are visiting South America, the temperature can range from as hot as 32°C (90°F) in places like the northern coast of Colombia to as low as 0°C (32°F) in Patagonia, in Chile and Argentina.
It is also important to note that since South America covers the area in both the northern and southern hemispheres, the seasons are reversed in the south. For example, in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, the summer months are roughly between June and August, whereas in countries like Chile and Argentina, the summer months are around November to February.
Basically, the closer you are to the equator, the hotter it is, so if you are at sea level in places like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, you can expect the temperature to be between 24°C and 32°C (75 - 90°F) in the summer and around 8 - 24°C (46 - 75°F) in the wintertime.
For countries in the southern hemisphere like Argentina and Chile, you can expect the temperature to be between 13°C and 30°C (55 - 86°F) in the summer and around 2°C - 16°C (36 - 61°F) in the wintertime.
That said, it is not as easy as it seems when it comes to packing for South America. Due to the proximity of the Andes Mountains, you will often find yourself in high-elevation areas rather than at sea level. In fact, many main tourist cities in South America such as Quito, Bogota, and Cusco are all above 2,500 meters (8,202 ft), and the weather can be pretty unpredictable up there.
As you can see, the weather in South America can vary a lot depending on when you are visiting, which country you are in, and which area you are at. When it comes to what to wear in South America, you are going to have to prepare for all of these situations.
Here is a list of things to wear in South America for both men and women. Keep in mind that this is only an example list of things you should pack for South America, and I am only listing the essentials. So, be sure to bring what you think is necessary for you as well and use this as a guideline to see what things you might have missed from your packing list.
Breathable Shirts: This is the first base layer that will help wick away your sweat to be insulated by the second layer of your clothes when it is cold outside.
It is also great to wear in more humid places like Cartagena or Santa Marta in Colombia, where the weather can be extremely hot. Since you will be wearing these shirts every day, be sure to pack a few breathable shirts of various colors just in case.
Tank Tops: Certain parts in South America can be quite humid, and if you live in a cold climate country like most western visitors do, you are going to find it much easier to be out in the sun with a tank top, so be sure to pack some.
Breathable Shorts: Same goes for shorts. You should pack shorts that you are comfortable wearing when you are moving around in hot climate places like Lima or the deserts in Peru. You will likely be wearing shorts a lot when you are traveling around South America in the summer, so be sure to pack a few.
Thermal Long Pants (For winter) If you are planning to go hiking in Patagonia during your trip to South America, packing a few thermal long pants is a good idea to help keep you warm at night or wear underneath your long pants while hiking. For women, leggings are perfect for this as you can wear them with dresses or even go hiking with them.
Jeans: Jeans are great in cool weather. They are tough, durable, and look great on anyone. I highly recommend you get Levi jeans. They last forever and can keep you rather warm in winter.
Waterproof Rain Pants: If it is raining outside, which happens a lot in places like Bogota and Patagonia, and you do not want to get your jeans wet (jeans can take a while to dry), I highly recommend you pack a lightweight waterproof rain pant that you can easily put on over your jeans anytime you need to keep your pants dry.
Fleece Jacket: This is the second layer that you can wear on top of the thermal shirt. The fleece jacket will act as insulation to help maintain your body heat and keep you warm when it gets chilly outside in South America. You will often find yourself wearing this when you are in moderate-to-high elevation places like Cusco, La Paz, or even Medellin, so be sure to pack at least 2 for when you have to wash one.
Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket: It can get quite drizzly in South America, especially in places under the shadow of the mighty Andes Mountain. I highly recommend that you pack a waterproof outer shell to be worn on top as your outer layer. This will keep you dry and protect you from strong winds.
I highly recommend you get this orange Columbia Watertight Jacket, which is lightweight, waterproof, and will protect you from strong winds. Combine this with a breathable shirt as your first layer and a fleece jacket as your second layer, and you have a lightweight hiking setup that will keep you warm and allow you to swap around as you like.
Down Jacket (For winter): The down jacket is your savior when it comes to visiting South America in winter. The temperature can be as low as the freezing point in places like Patagonia, and a down jacket can be used as the third layer to help keep you warm. So, do not forget to pack one if you are planning to visit South America in winter or during the shoulder seasons.
Down jackets can be extremely massive and hard to pack, but fortunately, they are pretty lightweight. You can save space in your bag by compressing it with a compression bag into a smaller size, making it easier to pack.
Travel Shoes: Since you will be walking and hiking a lot in South America, with plenty of tourist attractions and hiking trails for you to tackle, you will need to pack a good, comfortable shoe that you don't mind wearing and walking/hiking with for 3 to 6 hours a day.
I highly recommend this Timberland shoe for guys or this walking shoe for women if you are looking to buy a new one on this trip. Make sure to break in your shoes before getting on that plane. You do not want to be stuck with shoes that give you blisters when you are on your trip.
Flip-flops: There will be days when you just want to break out your flip-flops, let your toes out in the open air, and simply walk along the beaches of South America, so be sure to pack a pair too.
Hiking Socks: When I travel, I always pack hiking socks instead of regular socks because they are often lightweight, extra soft, and have moisture control, which helps alleviate odor when you spend hours a day walking in them.
Wool Socks: If you are planning to go hiking in Patagonia, it can get pretty cold even in the summer, and in cold weather, your body heat will often escape from your extremities first. To prevent that, you are going to need to pack several warm socks for your trip. Wool socks are highly recommended in this regard.
Wool Beanie: Your ears are also one of the places on your body that will easily get cold, so be sure to pack a wool beanie that you can wear outside when you are out exploring the Andes Mountains.
Wool Gloves: Again, to keep your hands warm, get wool gloves to prevent heat from escaping your peripherals in places like Patagonia or Huaraz in South America.
Wool Scarf: Last but not least is a wool scarf. With long pants, a wool beanie, socks, and gloves, the only area left where your body heat can escape is through your neck, so get a wool scarf and wear it when it's cold outside.
Swimwear: There will be many chances for you to go swimming in South America, like the beach camping spot in Tayrona National Park in Colombia or snorkeling with sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands, so be sure to pack one for your trip.
What Backpack to Bring To South America?
A Large Backpack: If you are planning to visit South America for more than a week, I highly recommend that you carry at least a 40L backpack to hold all the travel essentials while you are on the move.
I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. They are durable, very light, and have a lifetime guarantee. Get the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack for men and the Osprey Aura AG Backpack for women if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that will last you a lifetime. I have the Osprey Atmos myself and I love it!
A Daypack: You are also going to need a daypack to carry all your travel essentials for the day, such as a water bottle, camera gear, jackets, etc. Depending on how much you want to carry, I found 25L to be a good capacity for a daypack.
I personally use Herschel Supply's Little America bag as my daypack, and I love it. It is pretty affordable, very comfortable to wear, and stylish as hell. If you are looking for a stylish daypack to go with your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.
Should I Get a Travel Insurance for South America?
Yes! South America is not well-known for its safety. In fact, you will notice that the locals rarely walk alone at night except in the party and nightlife areas. Even then, they will often opt for an Uber ride instead of a short walk as it is safer.
Personally, I didn't experience any problems once during my 6 months in South America, but many of my friends did, with one getting their bag stolen on a bus in Ecuador and another being robbed while crossing the border in Colombia. Travel is unpredictable; that's the way it is. For your own peace of mind, I highly recommend you get travel insurance for your trip.
Travel insurance is not expensive, and if things go wrong, which is often the case when you travel, at least you will have the insurance to cover the costs that may arise. If you are looking for travel insurance providers, consider browsing through HeyMondo for regular trips or World Nomads for adventure trips and find the right travel insurance that fits the trip you are planning.
Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To South America?
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a lifesaver for backpackers and light travelers out there. I used to travel without one, and it was often a mess in my backpack. I would frequently find something I had been looking for months later, after I came back from a trip.
With packing cubes, that is no longer a problem as everything is nicely organized into its own cubes, and I can take things in and out of my backpack without messing up other things in it. I highly recommend you buy 4 packing cubes for your trip.
Microfiber Towel: It is easy to dry, lightweight, and small enough to pack in your daypack. It is great to pack for when you plan to go to places like Tayrona National Park in Colombia or swimming in a lagoon in the Amazon Rainforest.
Water Bottle: It is always important to keep yourself hydrated when you go traveling, and you would do Mother Nature a great favor if you bring your own water bottle instead of buying a plastic water bottle every time you are thirsty.
I highly recommend the Lifestraw Filter Bottle, which will also help filter the water for you to make sure the water is safe to drink. It is hard to know where the water has to go through to get to you in South America, so it is better to be safe than sorry and filter your drinking water with the Lifestraw Filter Bottle.
Padlock: If you are planning to stay in hostels in South America, you will be sharing a space with other travelers, and you are going to need a padlock to secure your belongings in a locker at a hostel when you are out and about. Most of the time, the hostel will provide a locker for free if you have your own padlock, so it is best to pack one just in case. I highly recommend Master Lock Padlock.
Insect Repellent: This is extremely essential if you plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest or even Machu Picchu. The forests of South America are unforgiving places, and if there is free food walking around in their habitats, the insects will not hesitate to swarm you. I highly recommend getting the Repel 100 insect repellent, or you can get the local one at one of the many mom-and-pop stores you find around South America.
What Camera Gear to Bring To South America?
Sony a6600: This camera is what I carry for most of my trips around the world. The Sony a6600 is very compact and light, while the capabilities are more than enough to take excellent photos and videos for my travels. Combine it with the lenses I use below, and you have one hell of a capable yet lightweight camera gear that you can carry anywhere with you.
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens: This lens stays on my Sony a6600 camera 90% of the time. The focal length of 16mm and 55mm allows me to capture wide shots for landscapes as well as up-close street shots of the local people, respectively. If you are looking for one lens to rule them all, this is it.
Sony 10-18mm F4 Lens: This is also another lens I often carry on my trip. The 10mm minimum focal length gives me an ultra-wide field of view, which allows me to take some really nice photos of the interior of churches in South America. If you want nice pictures of colonial architecture in South America, this lens is the one to get.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 Lens: When I travel, I often like to do street photography and take photos of the locals. One of my favorite lenses to use for travel portraits is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens, which comes with a wide aperture of F1.4. This allows me to shoot some really beautiful people with stunning bokeh. I love this lens and highly recommend it if you enjoy taking photos of people.
DJI Mavic Mini 2: For a travel drone that is lightweight and highly capable, you just can't beat the DJI Mavic Mini 2. It weighs only 249 grams and is smaller than an iPhone when collapsed. If you are looking for a travel drone to carry with you in South America, you will love the DJI Mavic Mini 2.
GoPro Hero 9 Black: If you plan to go to places like the Galapagos Island, having an action camera like the GoPro Hero 9 will allow you to capture some really cool shots in places where it might not be a great idea to bring an expensive camera, especially underwater. So, be sure to pack one with you.
What Electronics to Bring To South America?
Macbook Air: If you are looking for a lightweight but highly capable laptop to travel with, I highly recommend getting the new Macbook Air with the powerful M1 chip. It is not too expensive, extremely compact and light, and you can do everything from browsing the web to photo editing all on one machine.
Power Bank: In this day and age, you will most likely be relying on your phone a lot more than you think when you travel, from navigation to booking accommodations. You are going to need to keep your phone and other electronics juiced up with a power bank.
Plus, the lithium batteries used in your cameras and phones can be drained much faster in places like Patagonia, where it's cold. So, having a power bank should help keep these devices juiced up for when you need them. I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for your trip here, which should be enough to keep all your electronics charged throughout the day.
Travel Adapter: No matter where you are from, you are going to need a travel adapter that will allow you to adapt your electronics to the power outlets in South America. I highly recommend the Unidapt 61W Universal Travel Adapter, which should cover most types of power outlets out there.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: If you do not want to carry a camera around while you travel and are looking for a phone that has the best camera you can get, buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone is extremely powerful, and you can do everything on it from navigation to taking excellent photos with its 3-camera setup. You just can't beat the iPhone when it comes to phone cameras.
Toiletries Packing List:
Do not forget to pack all the toiletries you need for your trip. Most of the time, you can buy them in convenience stores in South America for cheap, but things like sunblocks can be quite pricey here, so you will probably save more by buying them beforehand.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Sunblock
- Chapstick to prevent dry mouth
- Moisturizer to prevent dry skins
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand Sanitizer (very important during this COVID time)
- Wet Wipes
- Nail Cutter
- Travel Medical Kit (pain killers, band airs, etc.)
- For Men: Shaver
- For Women: Make-up, menstrual cup, and other lotion if you need.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for South America
- Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South American continent? Here is the ultimate 6-Month Backpacking Itinerary for South America.
- First time in South America? Check out the 20 Best Places to Visit in South America.
- Only have one month? Why not spend that month in Colombia? Here is a complete One Month Backpacking Itinerary for Colombia.
- If you love wildlife, Ecuador is one of the best places in the world for you to visit. Here is a complete One Month Backpacking Itinerary for Ecuador.
- Peru is, hands down, my favorite country in South America. It has everything from great food to stunning mountains to climb. Here is a complete guide on how to spend One Month Backpacking in Peru.
- Bolivia is home to Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, and it would be a shame if you miss it. Here is a One Week Backpacking Bolivia Itinerary.
- Chile and Argentina are best traveled together, so you can see everything in Patagonia in one go. Here is a complete guide on how to backpack through Argentina and Chile in 2 months.
- If you want to just visit Patagonia only, here's a 2-week Patagonia itinerary for hikers and backpackers.
- You can watch all my travel videos in South America here: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
- To see all articles about South America, check out my South America Travel Guide Section.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
That sounds like a lot of of essential things. How heavy was your backpack and would 40L fit all of it? I think it'd need to be a bit bigger?
Hey Magdalena,
It surely is. I backpacked through South America for 6 months with a 60L backpack (11kg) and a 25L day pack (5 - 7kg with lots of camera gear), with the large one on the back and the smaller one on the front. I will drop by big backpack in a hostel and explore each place with a day pack.
It was the perfect setup for long term traveling in my opinion and I would recommend you the same setup for your trip.