Central America Packing List
Welcome to our Central America packing list!
Central America is tiny compared to its giant continental neighbors, however, make no mistake about it; any trip through here is going to be memorable!
With idyllic beaches, fiery volcanoes and mysterious jungles all waiting, Central America is a must for those seeking adventure.
After you’ve booked your flights, it’s now time to start thinking about what you’re going to want to bring with you.
Central America Packing List
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to bring with you when heading to Central America. We’ll also look at what’s best left at home, as well as answer some of your own burning questions too.
What NOT to carry to Central America
Whilst most guides get stuck in with what you should bring, we think it’s even more important to prioritize what you shouldn’t!
Your backpack has limited space, and as such, you’ll need to think carefully about what will come in handy, and what is surplus (better left at home).
Here are 5 items that we recommend NOT to pack for Central America:
- Lots of Books – Reading is a great way to learn, and also to pass the time (especially since you’ll be hopping on buses between destinations on the regular). However bringing lots of books is a bad idea, since they take up lots of space and also tend to be quite heavy. You’re much better off downloading a reading app or buying a Kindle. This way you’ll bring less with you, and paradoxically, have access to more books than before!
- An Oversized Backpack – Bigger isn’t always better, and when it comes to backpacks this is certainly the case. Trust us, a 50-60l backpack is more than enough for what you’ll need. Any larger, and you’ll start bringing too many nonessentials. Not only will it be heavier for you to carry around, but you also may have to pay additional baggage fees too.
- Lots of Cash – Many travelers will know this by instinct, but still, there’s some who insist on carrying stacks of cash around with them. As well as becoming unnecessarily anxious about your backpack (since all your money is in there), you’ll also find it more hassle too, since every country here has different currencies anyway. You’re better off just taking out cash locally when you need.
- Too Many Flashy Accessories and Jewellery – Again you’d be surprised, but many people still take lots of expensive jewellery around with them. Whilst some is okay, you need to remember that many parts of Central America carry a risk of petty theft and robbery. And a gringo walking around wearing watches with their phone in their hand is just asking for trouble!
- Brand New Shoes – Even more so if they’re white! Remember that in Central America, the walkways and hiking paths are going to be less maintained, so there’s more chance of getting spoils on your brand new shoes. Even more so, you’re going to be walking around a lot whilst exploring, so it’s best to take something that’s more comfortable and you don’t mind getting worn and (somewhat) torn.
Central America Checklist
Now it’s time to add in the finishing touches for your trip to Central America. The following list is a good place to start, where we’ll cover both some essentials and other items worth packing.
Part A: Important Items
- Passport
- Travel Insurance Document
- Phone
- Wallet
- Credit Cards (Travel Cards preferably)
- Driving License
- Visa (if necessary)
- First-Aid Kit
- Any Medications
- COVID Tests (depending on the country)
- Anything else you CANNOT travel without
Part B: Clothes
- Baseball Cap
- Polarised Sunglasses
- T-Shirts (5 Max)
- Vests (4-5)
- Jumpers (2)
- Coat (1 is enough)
- Rainproof Jacket / Poncho (can replace coat if staying more time in wetter areas)
- Playsuit
- Sundress (2-3)
- Bikini (1-2)
- Swimming Trunks (1-2)
- Jeans (1-2)
- Shorts (3 Max)
- Ankle / Normal Socks (Aim for 7; these are pretty easy to lose, unfortunately)
- Shoes (1-2)
- Hiking Boots (1 Max)
- Sandals (1-2)
Part C: Miscellaneous
- Toiletries
- Mosquito Repellant
- Travel Adapter
- Laptop
- Digital Camera / GoPro
- Drone
- Sunscreen
- Electrical Items
- Water Bottle
- Swimming Goggles
- Snorkelling Equipment
- Padlocks
- Spare Wallet
- Anything else that’s necessary for your trip
Given there are many different activities you can do in Central America (snorkeling, hiking and island hopping, to name a few), you’re going to want to really think through what else you may need.
The list above is a good place to start, however, it also depends on where you want to visit and your own particular needs. If you’re only heading to Guatemala, then you’ll want to bring more layers rather than beach weather. Spending a month in Costa Rica? Light and breathable clothing will be your best amigos.
Central America Packing List
Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 30L
Product Features:
- Perfect for Daytime Exploring
- Very Spacious
- High Quality Design
A high quality day pack is essential when heading to Central America. Given it’s your daily go-to, you’re going to want something both robust and spacious. This Day Pack by Peak Design ticks both boxes, and is a great bring on any backpacking trip.
Pacsafe Coversafe X100 Waistpack
Product Features:
- Keep Money Safe
- Comfortable on the Skin
- Good Value for Price
Safety is very important when traveling in Central America, and this includes keeping your things safe too. A money belt is a great way of protecting your most valuable possessions, given petty theft can be a common issue in these parts.
Danner Mountain 600 Full-Grain Leather Hiking Boots
Product Features:
- Technical Hiking Function
- Lightweight Design
- Stylish Look
This region is full of awesome hikes, so you’ll need a high quality pair of hiking boots (trust us – this is not the place to go cheap just to save!). These leather boots by Danner do the job perfectly, and given they are so robust, we see them more as a long term investment rather than a quick buy. For the ladies, these hiking boots by KEEN are an awesome choice.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveler Pillow
Product Features:
- Very Comfy
- Perfect for Long Trips
- Weighs Very Little
Bus rides are a common feature of a trip through Central America, so you’re going to want to make them as comfortable as possible. This Travel Pillow is essential, seeing as it’ll save you some back and neck pains that were otherwise pretty easy to avoid in the first place.
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
Product Features:
- Compact and Light
- Use with Various Electronics
- Full Charge in a few Hours
A decent power bank is an essential on any backpacker itinerary, regardless of where you’re heading or what you plan to do. And this Power Bank by BioLite is our favourite, given you can charge pretty much everything with its flexible adapter input (rather than the standard ones that just charge your phone).
SealLine Skylake Dry Pack
Product Features:
- Intuitive Sealing Design
- Convenient and Compact Storage
- Removable Shoulder Straps
Rains are a common thing here in Central America, so your main objective out and about is to keep your things as dry as possible. This Dry Pack by SealLine offers the wearer lots of space to stash away valuables and other things you’d rather not ruin, and also has comfortable shoulder straps for you to wear for long periods of time.
GoPro MAX
Product Features:
- Best Definition and Quality Possible
- 360° Spherical Capture
- Ultimate Stabilisation
A GoPro is a really awesome way to document your travels, and if you’ve never owned one before, you’ll be blown away by the quality and opportunities available to you. And given the unforgettable landscapes you’ll be seeing in Central America, we would recommend getting one of these before heading here so you don’t miss out on some truly epic shots!
Backpacker Poncho
Product Features:
- Reliable and High Quality Materials
- Perfect for Longer Hikes
- Takes up Little Space
Many parts of Central America are prone to rainy weather (some places will outright drench you, regardless of when you visit!). A high quality Poncho such as this one is therefore needed to keep you dry, whilst your Dry Pack will keep your things dry.
Central America Packing List FAQs
Central America Packing List
And that’s all for our guide on what to pack for Central America.
With everything from colourful jungles to white sand beaches, this small and underrated region really does pack its own punch. In fact, most travelers who come end up staying for much longer than planned!
In this guide we’ve covered everything you need to know about packing for a trip to Central America. This includes everything from what clothes and toiletries to bring, to the things that are best left at home. We’ve also answered some of your most burning questions too in our FAQ section.
See our backpacking Central America guide for more travel tips and advice.
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