Taking a trip to the beautiful countries of Central America? Here is a guide I put together on what to pack. I’ve travelled from Belize to Panama (minus Honduras) with just a bookbag and carry-on suitcase for an entire month. Instead of a carry-on most people also opt for a travelers backpack. I find that you should choose which ever item you’re more comfortable with. Here are the necessities:

Documentation:

• Passport
• Printed copy of passport
• Printed out documents indicating departure for Costa Rica and Panama
• Cash $500 in increments: 50x$1, 30x$5, 10x$10, 10x$20
• Credit and debit cards

It is important to have a copy of your passport incase you misplace it. It is also important to print out tickets proving your departure from Costa Rica and Panama as the immigration agents may deny you entry without proper documentation. I find that carrying the increments of cash on hand was incredibly useful for entry/exit taxes, buses, taxis, street food, local markets, souvenir shopping, etc.

Clothing:

• Jacket/sweater/cardigan for bus rides (wear to airport)
• Light raincoat
• 7 pairs of Socks
• 15 pairs of underwear
• 3 sports bras
• 2 regular bras
• 3 swimsuits
• 3 sleeping t-shirts
• 2 sleeping pants
• 2 pairs of hiking shorts
• 3 leggings
• 1 hat
• 5 thin shirts
• 2 rompers/light dresses (optional)
• Book-bag
• Fanny pack
• 1 sandal
• 1 pair of tennis shoes (wear to airport)
• 1 pair of shower shoes
• 1 pair of summer shades
• Summer towel

The best way to pack your clothing is the fold and roll method. First, pack your larger and bulkier items such as leggings and sleeping clothes to the bottom of the suitcase. Then, pack the thinner items to fill in the gaps such as the thin shirts and rompers/light dresses. Finally, the undergarments to fill the nooks and crannies. As you travel you will accumulate grocery bags. Keep these bags as they will come in handy to separate dirty clothes, shower shoes, and muddy tennis shoes.

Toiletries:

• Skincare items
• Makeup bag
• Deodorant
• Birth control
• Travel sized bug spray bottles
• Travel sized reef safe sunscreen
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Shaving razor
• Tampons/pads
• Travel sized Shampoo/Conditioner/Body wash
• Contact solution
• Contact case
• Extra pair of emergency contacts
• Glasses
• Advil/Antihistamine/Pepto-b/First-aid creme
• Chapstick
• Comb
• Phone charger
• Retainers

I keep the skincare items and makeup items in their own separate bag. I store the bug spray, sunscreen, and shower necessities in a gallon-ziplock bag. I store the medicine in its own sandwich-sized bag. The toothpaste, toothbrush, contact case, and contact solution goes into a separate bag as well.

Technology:

• Spare battery charger
• Books
• Headphones
• Phone charger
• Go-pro and charger (optional)
• 2 TSA approved travel locks

You DO NOT need an outlet adapter for Central American countries if you reside in the U.S. However, if you are planning to travel to Latin America, you may need an outlet adapter depending on the country.

What goes in my book-bag:

• Raincoat rolled up at the bottom
• Books
• Skincare bag
• Toothbrush bag
• Medicine
• Spare battery
• Headphones
• Phone charger
• Comb
• Deodorant
• Passport
• Important documents
• Spare cash
• Pens to fill out immigration forms

It’s important to keep important documents and spare cash on hand at all times. If you are taking buses through Central America, you will have to store your luggage under the bus and cannot access it at border crossings. Thus, having these documents handy is the way to go. Worried about the safety of your items in a book-bag? I use 1 TSA lock for my book-bag and and second TSA lock for my suitcase.

That’s it! Now you’re good to go! The trick is to pick a hostel/hotel with laundry service to wash your clothes mid-way through. Keep in mind, you can always buy most toiletries at supermarkets in major cities. The more you pack, the more you’ll have to carry around.

Have any questions/comments about this blog post or my travels? Feel free to leave them below!