HOPEFULIST'S CENTRAL AMERICA PACKING LIST
 

Questions about what to pack come up periodically so I decided to post my list here instead of always referring people to the Thorntree Forum's FAQ thread. I originally posted it there in June 2005 and, though I've continued to use it happily and successfully for subsequent trips, I've added a few technology updates below it.

Since learning the joy of traveling light I've tried to spread the word. As Rick Steves says:

"The importance of packing light cannot be overemphasized, but, for your own good, I'll try. You'll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags: "Every year I pack heavier." The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels. You can't travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two."

For more opinions and advice about packing light check out these sites:
www.onebag.com
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Some Suggestions:
I can pack everything I need for an extended trip into a carry-on sized bag by choosing clothes that layer. I have a carry-on sized conversion pack (straps tuck away as needed) that has an attached day pack. I pack valuables and some personal items in the day pack and most of the clothes (that I'm not wearing) in the main compartment. Here's what I took to Honduras to accommodate 2-3 weeks inland with high altitude mountain hikes included and 2-3 weeks of beach time; if you're only heading to the beach or low-lying areas you won't need a fleece.

3-4 wicking-type shirts
1 light weight long sleeved shirt
2 pairs of light weight convertible (zip off to become shorts) long pants
1 sarong (skirt, swim wrap, doubles as towel or sleeping sheet)
1 bandana and one silicon-neck-cooler bandana
1 sunhat with strap
1 light weight sleeveless nightgown
2 swimsuits
1 light weight fleece jacket (liner type that can be worn alone)
1 light weight goretex rain coat
uns and socks (incl. 1 neoprene pair I wear under Keens for hiking and under fins for diving/snorkel’g)
flip flops for beach and showers
Keen water shoes for everything else, including lots of light hiking (they have great support and a rubber toe protector); if you're planning hardcore hiking, take boots

Cash, ATM and VISA cards, passport, etc.
Flight and lodging reservations, emails, receipts, etc.
Small medical kit and sewing kit
Cheap watch with alarm
Toiletries and prescription meds
Sunglasses, spare glasses, disposable contacts for diving/rainforests
Sunblock and bug stuff (Cactus Juice and Sawyer's Time Release Deet Formula, baby oil for sand flies)
Water purification pump (I'm a budget traveller)
Collapsible drinking cup
LCD headlamp
Compass
Earplugs
Camera, etc. (and underwater bag or 1-2 underwater disposables)
Smallish waterproof binoculars
Guidebook and copied map pages
Laminated plant and animal i.d. cards
Journal/writing materials
Reading material and Spanish/English dictionary
Small gifts for kids and hosts
Small dice and yahtzee papers
A small, flexible disc (like a frisbee)
Various ziplocks, cable ties, small bungie cords
3-4’ of duct tape wrapped around a waterproof marker
String and a few clothespins or 3-4 feet of braided surgical tubing - great clothesline
Half a roll of t.p. removed from core and flattened

I buy water and reuse the bottle and usually pick up an inexpensive pocket knife when I get there. I like having my own snorkel and mask, but my husband joined me two weeks into the trip and brought them with him; he has to check luggage anyway because of his fishing poles. :)

HERE ARE THE TECHNOLOGY UPDATES:

1) I've moved from film cameras to digital with an underwater bag to a new waterproof digital camera - sweet!
2) I also pack a photo memory card reader so I can blog photos on a trip and leave the memory card instead of the camera when I have a CD made of my photos for backup.
3) I carry a small UV water purifier Steripen instead of a water purification pump system.
4) Instead of a clothesline with pins I braid small-gauge surgical tubing which makes a stretchy, easy to tie up clothesline that doesn't require pins since you can just poke the corners of your clothes into the braid.
5) Instead of packing around guide books I razor out the pages and chapters I need and just pack those. I also make copies of guidebook maps and laminate them so they're handy and hardy.
6) For budget travel and homestays, sometimes I take a silk sleepsack - it has greatly improved my sleep a number of times.

:D Happy trails!

hello, again! Would your Keen sandals be enough for hiking through ATM? I think that will be the most strenuous hike on our trip.

And, I love those neck cooler bandannas - I have two, one with a nice tropical flower print, and the other with tiny martini glasses. Covers all the bases, I think :D

We've booked the ATM trip through Pacz tours and I asked them about the Keen sandals and they said they'd be perfect, but take socks for the bits where you have to remove your shoes.

http://www.pacztours.net/pages/tours/ATM.html

You should ask the Caves Branch folks about their requirements - they may nix sandals. They have some footwear you can rent or borrow but I don't know how much. When we did the Black Hole Drop the trail was muddy and it was a really challenging, strenuous hike.

Thanks for the great packing list. Do you have a favorite luggage company? I'd like to be able to carry on all our "stuff" for a week trip to Costa Rica. Is that possible?
thanks

You shouldn't have a problem fitting your things into a carry-on. My packing list (with just a carry-on) has worked for trips of 5-6 weeks, pretty much the same stuff I'd need for a week-long trip or a months-long one. Be sure to double check your airline's carry-on restrictions. Typically a bag that's 22x14x9 will be fine. Some folks get away with more but, with so many more people checking since the airlines starting charging for checked bags, the airline staff might check more closely. Also, if you're flying carry-on only don't wait to board last - the carry-on space runs out occasionally.

What style of luggage do you prefer?

I'm fond of conversion packs - bags with a good suspension system for actually carrying on your back but with straps that tuck in or zip behind a panel in case you want to check them (which I sometimes do on the way home if my souvenirs won't fit). You can carry them like a suitcase, too, and they often have great ways to organize your things. I like to take a small day pack, too (the personal item you're allowed on the plane) for day trips. There are lots of good brands but the best one I've come across is the Vagabond pack from REI. I think we have at least 10 of those floating around in our circle of family and friends and everyone loves them. Unfortunately, I'm not finding them on the website anymore - really a shame if they no longer make them. Our extended family purchased 4 just last Christmas so there may still be some floating around somewhere.

Check out the bags at REI (online if you don't have a store close); I really trust the brands they carry. Then when you know what you want, try looking at the close-out outlets below. With any pack, comfort is really important - walk around doing house work or cooking with weight in it; if you order online, do it enough in advance you can do this and return a pack that isn't comfortable.
www.rei.com
www.rei-outlet.com
www.campmor.com
www.sierratradingcompany.com

There are also cost effective options that are more like a suitcase with straps (not contoured to your back, straps not padded much, no belt). Here's an example of one that is inexpensive and popular (and on sale today!): http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender...?modelid=15026

And the ones Rick Steves designed/recommends (also on sale!):
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...og&parent_id=8

Some folks prefer bags with wheels but I don't cotton to them - the wheels are heavy, loud, take up precious packing space, and don't work well on cobblestones or typical Central American sidewalks.

Happy trails and keep me posted!