What I’m Packing for 3 Months in South America

Hi friends!

The countdown is officially over. Tomorrow, Reid and I are setting off on the adventure of a lifetime: 3 months backpacking in South America! Even as I write this, it still feels surreal. I believe it won’t fully sink in until we land in São Paulo this Friday.

The good news is - we are packed and ready to go! For once, we didn’t leave packing to the last minute. Our bags are ready (cue a big sigh of relief), but let me tell you, packing for this trip was no easy task. While we’ll enjoy the summer warmth in Brazil and Argentina’s cities, we’ll also have to deal with the wild winds of Patagonia, and the rainy season waiting for us in Peru’s Andes. So we will need something for all seasons! 

Here’s a confession, though: when I say we’re “backpacking,” I’m only half-telling the truth. Reid is fully embracing the backpacker vibe, but me? Not so much. I brought a backpack on a few past trips, and like the 31-year-old grandma that I am, I had to deal with pain in the back, hip, and knee ... therefore this time, my trusted blue roller bag is coming along instead. It has survived trips to Kenya, Tanzania, Guatemala and Mexico, so I’m confident it’ll go through this one as well. Either way, I will be carrying a smaller backpack for holding the more valuable things like my camera.

Carry-on or Checked bag: The dilemma

The biggest packing debate was over bag size. Would we bring one or two large bags to hold anything we’d like to take, or try and go minimal Marie Kondo-style with only a carry-on bag and basic necessities?! In the end, we committed to carry-on luggage only. Between multiple flights and the need to stay mobile, it just made sense. No need for any lost luggage drama. Plus, packing lighter also forces us to travel smarter.

It wasn’t easy to decide what would make the cut. We tried to be as strategic as possible: planning a laundry on a weekly basis and accepting that sometimes we’ll need to wear things twice (or thrice!) even if they’re not exactly fresh. Not ideal but hey, we gotta be flexible.

The Packing List: what made the cut

So here’s what’s going in my bag:

Outdoor gear (half my suitcase):

• 2 merino wool T-shirts

• 2 fleece layers

• 2 thermal sets (top and bottom)

• 2 pairs of hiking pants

• 1 neck warmer

• 5 pairs of hiking socks

• 2 leggings

• 1 windbreaker

• 1 pair of waterproof pants

• 1 towel

• Puffer jacket

• Rain jacket

Everyday clothes (the other half):

• 4 summer dresses

• 2 shorts

• 5 T-shirts

• 2 long sleeves

• 1 light cardigan

• 1 heavier sweater

• 1 pair of jeans

• 1 swimsuit

• 10 pairs of underwear

• 10 pairs of socks

• Shoes: sandals, sneakers, slippers (hiking boots will be on my feet for every flight!)

Extras in my backpack:

• Camera and photography gear

• 2 toiletry bags

• Sunglasses

• Water bottle

• Wet wipes (for all emergencies - never travel without them!)

My toiletry bags are all about the basics: mascara, moisturizer, sunscreen, and shower essentials. As a curly-haired traveler, my biggest packing puzzle is hair products. I’m going to try a shampoo bar from Garnier and will likely stock up locally on conditioners as needed.

Wait, that's not all! Reid is carrying more…

Reid is in charge of two key things: portable batteries (bless him, they’re heavy) and a well-stocked pharmacy bag: paracetamol, ibuprofen, looooads of mosquito repellent, even antibiotics! I’m a self-admitted hypochondriac, and you can never have too much Imodium when traveling.

The plan? Be flexible.

We know we’ll probably end up buying or ditching items along the way. Most of the clothes we’re bringing are already well-used, so if they wear out, no big deal - it just makes room for something new.

And right now? It looks like I even have a little space left for souvenirs. Fingers crossed my bag is filled with treasures and memories by the time we’re back!

By the end of the trip, I plan to reflect back on my packing choices - did I bring too much? Too little? What was extra and what was a must? Tune-in early April find out!

Tomorrow, we have a long journey ahead: Barcelona, an overnight in Lisbon, and then finally São Paulo. Wish us luck!