Here is my packing list for my journey with all the equipment I need for a backpacking trip. The list can be used for each country described here on this page – if your travel leads you a little further into the mountains, I trust in your common sense that you might take along more than just a Hoodie .
Mario's List:
Bags & Backpacks
- Daypack
Just stuff everything in, you might need during the flight as hand luggage (Documents & valuables). Then, During the trip, everything you need for your day trip. A robust daypack should have a built-in rain cover - because you certainly want to put also your eletrotechnics in there. You can use a dry bag rucksack instead, yet those aren't usually that comfy. - Trekking Backpack
This is the heart of the packing list: Again, the backpack should be robust, light and spacious with a rain cover. There are several types of backpacks: travel, suitcases and trekking. For my part I'm used to my backpack, and it fits me. Generally the backpack of your choice should fit pleasantly specifically on your back. Therefore, although I can recommend a handful Backpacks (just because I'm a little taller and they can be well adjusted) a consultation in a trekking&outdoor shop is a must.
Optional:
- Dry Bag
Dry bags are a hell of a thing. Made from thick PVC, they can protect all moisture-sensitive devices when you are on a boat. Tightly closed, they are even waterproof and can float on the water surface. Instead of using a daypack you can also get yourself a dry bag rucksack. They are great for trips through the jungle as you won't have to worry about wet stuff while being torso-deep in water .
Dokuments & Papers
- Travel Health Insurance Proof
In some countries (e.g. Cuba) this is required for entry. Best source of information: Homepage of your Ministry of Foreign Affair - Cash
100 USD for emergencies, if there is no ATM at the airport and you have to exchange currency or for Visa on Arrival you have to pay for. Best source of information: Homepage of your Ministry of Foreign Affair - Copies of all important documents
Online in the Cloud (e.g. Dropbox ) - Credit Cards x2 + Possibly a Debit Card
My recommendations - Emergency Numbers
This way you can block your credit cards - Notepad + Pens
- Travel Documents
Flight, hotel & car rental information - Passport
Valid for a min. of 6 months!
Optional:
- Vaccination Certificate
In some countries you have to bring this along - especially if you enter from neighboring countries with higher risk of infection. Best source of information: WHO. This especially means yellow fever - Diving license and Logbook
- International & national driving license
Renting a scooter is generally no problem, when renting a car things are different though. Also: Policemen in some countries are happy to improve up their salary if they happen to find a traveler driving without license... There are also different rules depending on the country, whether a quad/ATV may only be used with a license. - Student Card
There are many perks! - Passport Photos
If you have to apply for a visa - can be also often taken cheaply on spot.
Clothes
You can safely leave the majority of your stuff at home. You can buy clothes for cheap in Asia, but relatively at the same price in American countries. This is a list i can safely get along without any problems or having to buy extra clothes.
- Swimwear x2
1x comfortable swim trunks and 1x speedo over which you can easily put on a wetsuit - Barefoot soles x1
- FlipFlops x1
- Hoodie x1
For colder regions or freezer-AC buses - Sun protective Headwear x1
Cap or Bandana - Short (cargo) pants x2
- Long (cargo) pants x1-2
- Travel Towel x1-2
- Socks x2
- Sunglasses x1-2
Just buy something cheap you won't necessarily miss if you lose it - my record is 2 lost sunglasses 3 weeks - Trekking shoes/Hiking boots x1
- T-Shirts & Shirts x5-6
You can always find laundromats... - Underpants x8
- Laundry bag for dirty laundry x1
Optional:
- Raincoat 1x
Never have taken one with me though - it rained: I got wet, simple. But it also just happened twice that I was really soaked. - Mario
Yes, but I forced him to bring one to Ecuador... for good reason. At 3000m wet means cold too! - Verena - Sarong x1
For Asian countries and temple visits. So you do not necessarily have to lend a sarong for a price you could have purchased one ;)
Tools & TechStuff
- Case for the camera
I'm a fan of rain protection on each piece of luggage, so this case is my favorite - Digital camera, spare battery and charging cable
I prefer a DSLM, here there is an article for cameras - Ducttape
WD40+Ducttape for "There, i fixed it!" - Lighter
- Carabiner
- Sewing kit
- Power Bank
If you happen to have low battery on multiple devices, the smartphone is the multitool of choice you should power up first! - Travel plug with USB port
- Snorkel and mask
A good mask has to fit perfectly - you cannot say this for most masks you can borrow on site. Lend masks for just snorkeling can still be fine, but if you have to clear your mask every 2 minutes while diving you certainly will not enjoy your scuba dive. - Smartphone without SIM lock
A great multitool, though unfortunately with limited battery - if you want to listen to music, you should consider to bring along a classic mp3-player to save battery - SD-cards
- SD-card clip
Lost SD card full of photos are very, very annoying... - Flashlight or headlamp
A luminous FENIX is my flashlight of choice - Pocket knife
Lately, I've been thinking about packing a sturdy leatherman multitool instead - Resealable freezer bags
You can keep your items dry, or you can use on as a sponge bag - Combination locks (keys are easy to lose)
For locking up backpacks or lockers in hostels - Scuba Diver Egg (Drybox)
Go to the beach and not having to worry about your stuff? Get one of those.
Optional:
- Adjustable fins + diving boots
Yes, they take too much space away, and I always consider not taking them with me - but I hate full foot fins than you are usually given (also, you can go freely snorkeling without having to borrow some). I have also found the perfectly matching ones for me with which I can dive in currents without any real effort. - Filter for camera
You just need a ND1000/ND64 and a polarizing filter, nothing more. See photo tips - GoPro & m60 housing for GoPro
Let your standard m30 housing at home. The m60 is definitely suitable for diving and doesnt leak while Deep Boarding - Mini carbon fiber Tripod
- Mosquito net
I have never personally needed one - mp3-Player
Instead of having an empty mobile phone battery and being then stuck without GPS somewhere, play it safe: Just use this... - SD card reader
To transfer photos - USB Stick
- Interchangeable lenses for DSLR/DSLM
A good travel-lens of ~20-200mm is generally sufficient, but such lenses as a slightly weak for night shots
Hygiene Products
Many hygiene products cost relatively much more in other countries or are simply just a luxury item. All articles listed here are as rather more difficult to obtain in e.g. Cuba.
- Deodorant
- Shower Gel & Shampoo
In some countries, soap is a luxury item! - Contact lense liquid
- Sponge bag
I started using resealable freezer bags instead - Mosquito spray
- Nail scissors
- Razor
- Sunscreen
Although I often write in my travel journal that I dont get particularly burned by the sun thanks to my complexion, it's stupid exposing yourself to the sun in light-intensive areas without proper sunscreen. UV50! - Handkerchiefs or toilet paper
You'll be just happy to have some if you happen to visit a toilet without any paper - Contraceptive
- Resealable freezer bags
Keeps items dry, or can be used as a sponge bag - Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
Medicine
- Aloe Vera Gel
Lobster are not red by nature , just so you know - Broad-spectrum antibiotic
Or some basic information on which kind you need. In most countries you will get it by the dozen, if you want it or not - Disinfectant spray
- Ibuprofen
Has just the least side effects - Charcoal tablets, in case of poisoning
- First aid kit with bandages and plasters
For some reason it is always me who carries it and Mario who needs it - Verena - Ointment against itching/insect bites with cortisone
- Tablets for diarrhea
You will certainly get an upset stomach at least once per trip
Verena's List:
Bags & Backpacks
- Daypack
Just stuff everything in, you might need during the flight as hand luggage (Documents & valuables). Then, During the trip, everything you need for your day trip. A robust daypack should have a built-in rain cover - because you certainly want to put also your eletrotechnics in there. This is my favorite model. - Trekking Backpack
This is the heart of the packing list: Again, the backpack should be robust, light and spacious with a rain cover. There are several types of backpacks: travel, suitcases and trekking. For my part I'm used to my backpack, and it fits me. Generally the backpack of your choice should fit pleasantly specifically on your back. Therefore, although I can recommend a handful Backpacks (just because I'm a little taller and they can be well adjusted) a consultation in a trekking&outdoor shop is a must.
Optional:
- Dry Bag
Dry bags are a hell of a thing. Made from thick PVC, they can protect all moisture-sensitive devices when you are on a boat. Tightly closed, they are even waterproof and can float on the water surface.
Dokuments & Papers
- Travel Health Insurance Proof
In some countries (e.g. Cuba) this is required for entry. Best source of information: Homepage of your Ministry of Foreign Affair - Cash
100 USD for emergencies, if there is no ATM at the airport and you have to exchange currency or for Visa on Arrival you have to pay for. Best source of information: Homepage of your Ministry of Foreign Affair - Copies of all important documents
Online in the Cloud (e.g. Dropbox) - Credit Cards x2 + Possibly a Debit Card
My recommendations - Emergency Numbers
This way you can block your credit cards - Notepad + Pens (do not forget pens...it is the first thing you'll miss because in most countries you need to fill out immigration cards before landing. So either bring one or learn how to ask for one in as many languages as possible)
- Travel Documents
Flight, hotel & car rental information - Passport
Valid for a min. of 6 months!
Optional:
- Vaccination Certificate
In some countries you have to bring this along - especially if you enter from neighboring countries with higher risk of infection. Best source of information: WHO. This especially means yellow fever - Diving license and Logbook
- International & national driving license
Renting a scooter is generally no problem, when renting a car things are different though. Also: Policemen in some countries are happy to improve up their salary if they happen to find a traveler driving without license... There are also different rules depending on the country, whether a quad/ATV may only be used with a license. - Student Card
There are many perks! - Passport Photos
If you have to apply for a visa
Clothes
You can safely leave the majority of your stuff at home. You can buy clothes for cheap in Asia, but relatively at the same price in American countries. This is a list i can safely get along without any problems or having to buy extra clothes.
- Bikini x2
- Ballerinas/light shoes x1
- FlipFlops x1
- Hoodie x1
For colder regions or freezer-AC buses - Sun protective Headwear x1
Cap or Bandana - Shorts x2
- Long light pants or jumpsuits x2
- Travel Towel x1-2
- Socks x3
- Sunglasses x1-2
Just buy something cheap you won't necessarily miss if you lose it - my record is 2 lost sunglasses 3 weeks - Trekking shoes/Hiking boots x1
- T-Shirts & Tops also some light longsleeve x5-6
You can always find laundromats... - Slips x8
- BH x2
- Sport BH x1
- Laundry bag for dirty laundry x1
Optional:
- Raincoat 1x
Never have taken one with me though - it rained: I got wet, simple. But it also just happened twice that I was really soaked. - Mario
Yes, but I forced him to bring one to Ecuador... for good reason. At 3000m wet means cold too! - Verena - Sarong x1
For Asian countries and temple visits. So you do not necessarily have to lend a sarong for a price you could have purchased one ;)
Tools & TechStuff
- Case for the camera
I'm a fan of rain protection on each piece of luggage, so this case is my favorite - Mario - Digital camera, spare battery and charging cable
I prefer a DSLM, here there is an article for cameras - Mario - Ducttape
WD40+Ducttape for "There, i fixed it!" - Lighter
- Carabiner
- Sewing kit
- Earplugs
Men tend to snore - Verena - Power Bank
If you happen to have low battery on multiple devices, the smartphone is the multitool of choice you should power up first! - Travel plug with USB port
- Snorkel and mask
A good mask has to fit perfectly - you cannot say this for most masks you can borrow on site. Lend masks for just snorkeling can still be fine, but if you have to clear your mask every 2 minutes while diving you certainly will not enjoy your scuba dive. - Smartphone without SIM lock
A great multitool, though unfortunately with limited battery - if you want to listen to music, you should consider to bring along a classic mp3-player to save battery - SD-cards
- SD-card clip
Lost SD card full of photos are very, very annoying... - Flashlight or headlamp
A luminous FENIX is my flashlight of choice - Mario- Pocket knife
Lately, I've been thinking about packing a sturdy leatherman multitool instead - Mario DO NOT TAKE IT WITH YOU ON YOU'RE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE. Verena
- Pocket knife
- Resealable freezer bags
You can keep your items dry, or you can use on as a sponge bag - Combination locks (keys are easy to lose)
For locking up backpacks or lockers in host