Peru Packing List
Welcome to our Peru packing list!
As one of the most diverse countries in Latin America, Peru will really blow you away with its endless stunning landscapes.
The towering snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The electric sounds of insects singing in the Amazon. Even making friends with local alpacas whilst hiking in the Andes! Peru really does have it all.
Peru Packing List
Once you’re set on Peru, it’s now time to get packing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to best pack for this country.
This includes our general backpacking checklist, what not to bring, as well as an FAQ section where we answer common questions.
Believe it or not, one of the most important parts of packing for a trip to Peru is actually deciding what not to pack. Below we are going to give you a list of things to avoid carrying on a trip to Peru to save you both time and money.
What NOT to bring to Peru
It can be overwhelmingly easy to pack everything in sight “just in case”, however the truth is that you’ll need much less than you think.
Here are 5 things you don’t need to carry with you to Peru:
- Lots of Cash – Whilst it can seem like a good idea to take out all the money you’ll need before, it can cause more problems than benefits. Firstly, you’ll be (and feel) like a bigger target for theft. As well as this, even if nothing happens, you’ll be more anxious than necessary too! A good alternative to this is to take a travel card with you, such as Monzo. Not only does it offer good rates and minimal fees, you’ll also feel relaxed without stacks of cash on you, and can take out only what you need, when you need it.
- Expensive Jewellery – Whilst this may seem obvious (especially on a backpacking trip), you’d be surprised how many people continue to bring lots of watches, necklaces and other eye candy. Of course, you can bring a few, since it’s nice to dress up every now and then, however you need to accept too that it’ll make you a bigger target for theft. And like the point above with cash, you’ll start worrying about them more than necessary too!
- A Massive Backpack – If it’s your first backpacking trip, it can be so tempting to buy the biggest backpack around (and to be fair, it does seem like the best thing to do at the time). However, once you go over 70 liters, it can cause more harm than good. Firstly, the size dimensions and weight is likely to be too big for hand luggage, so you’ll end up paying extra fees when flying. Also, you have to consider the practicality, since an enormous backpack is often heavy – and going to be uncomfortable to walk with.
- Forbidden Items – As you’re stashing things away, pause for a moment… This seems like obvious, but you’ll want to make sure you’re not bringing anything illegal into the country, as you may have to pay fines. You can review what’s acceptable with your particular airline, but typically things like certain foods, blades, harmful substances etc will need the chuck before heading into security.
- All the Nonessentials – Finally we have everything else that you don’t need. We’ll be taking a look at some of these in this guide, but this can be anything that doesn’t serve a need (aside from I’ll look damn sexy in it – but even then your bag has its limits…). This can include things such as a second coat, the third pair of shoes, teeth-whitening appliances etc (all things George for some reason decided to pack and never used). At the end of the day you want to avoid filling your bag up with unnecessary things since you’ll make it heavier and harder to bring back the souvenirs you find.
Got travel insurance for Peru?
Peru Checklist
Below we will share a list of things you need to bring when traveling to Peru.
Now that we’ve left the unneeded stuff in the corner of the room, let’s come back to our backpacks and start packing the right stuff.
We’ll now go through everything that’s necessary for a trip to Peru (for both the ladies and gents):
Part A: Important Items
- Passport
- Phone
- Wallet
- Credit Cards
- Travel Insurance Document
- COVID Certificates / Proof of Vaccine
- Driving License
- First-Aid Kit
- Visa (if necessary)
- Any Medications
- Anything else you Personally CANNOT travel without
Part B: Clothes
- Baseball Cap / Hat
- Polarised Sunglasses
- Scarf
- Thick Coat
- Jumpers (1-2)
- T-Shirts (6 Max)
- Vests (4 Max)
- Playsuit
- Sundress (2 Max)
- Bikini (1-2)
- Swimming Trunks (1-2)
- Jeans (1 Max)
- Shorts (2 Max)
- Hiking Socks (3-4) these for men and these for the ladies
- Ankle / Normal Socks (5+)
- Hiking Boots (1 Max)
- Shoes (2 Max)
- Sandals (1 Max)
Part C: Miscellaneous
- Digital Camera / GoPro
- Drone
- Laptop
- Mosquito Repellant
- Electrical Items
- Travel Adapter
- Sunscreen (the Reef Safe and Cruelty Free kind)
- Toiletries
- Spare Wallet
- Swimming Accessories
- Water Bottle
- Padlocks
- Anything else that’s necessary for you (emphasis on necessary)
And that’s our comprehensive list right there. You’ll find that all of these things serve a definite purpose, and that’s how you need to think when backpacking.
Of course you don’t need to go full Bear Grylls, so you can take some comfort items here and then, but just keep an eye on the space you have left.
Another thing to add here, is that many of these things you can top-up whilst on the road, so there’s really no need to buy 6 bottles of sunscreen before leaving!
Peru Packing List
Here we’ll take a look at some of the most trustworthy items we travel with. Simply put – we don’t leave home without them! You’ll find they’ll come in convenient in a variety of different scenarios when traveling through Peru.
Pacsafe Coversafe X100 Waistpack
Product Features:
- Keep Money Safe
- Comfortable on the Skin
- Good Value for Price
Petty theft can be a problem when backpacking Peru, and South America in general. Whilst wearing a wallet is okay, this money belt is the ultimate safe way to travel. It’s even handier in situations such as long bus rides where you’ll sleep, given it’ll be impossible for someone to try to rob you without you noticing.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 30L
Product Features:
- Perfect for Daytime Exploring
- Very Spacious
- High Quality Design
A high quality day pack is an essential when travelling through Peru. This bag by Peak Design ticks all the boxes, with sizeable compartments as well as theft-deterrent zips to keep your things safe. It’s also weatherproof too, built to withstand the many different environments you’ll face when traversing this Latin American nation.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Traveller Pillow
Product Features:
- Very Comfy
- Perfect for Long Trips
- Weighs Very Little
A travel pillow is always ideal, and this one does the job well. Not only is it easily foldable and lightweight, it’s also made out of a really comfy plush design. In other words, you won’t want to put it away after! Of all the travel pillows we’ve tried, this has been our overall favourite.
Danner Mountain 600 Full-Grain Leather Hiking Boots
Product Features:
- Perfect for Long Hikes
- Adaptable for Multiple Terrains
- Looks Stylish
Peru is a paradise for hikers, and here there’s all kinds of adventures to suit all gustos. That’s why a serious, high-quality pair of hiking boots is an essential. The ones we’ve recommended above do the job well, and cover you well whether walking along wet fauna in the jungle, or climbing over slippery rocks in the mountains.
KEEN Terradora II Waterproof Low Hiking Shoes
Product Features:
- Comes in Various Styles
- High Traction for Solid Grip
- Lightweight
Don’t let these hiking shoes fool you – whilst they look no different to regular sports shoes, these boots have insane grip, making them perfect for demanding hikes. You can use them in pretty much any context, whether on snow, sand, rocks or jungle foliage.
Backpacker Poncho
Product Features:
- Reliable and High Quality Materials
- Takes up Little Space
- Lightweight
One thing you won’t want to forget to bring when coming to Peru is a poncho! In some parts it can rain heavily, whilst at other times there can be sharp showers which can catch you off guard. This lightweight and easily foldable poncho is perfect to whip out in times of great need.
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank
Product Features:
- Compact and Light
- Use with Various Electronics
- Full Charge in a few Hours
Of all the power banks you can find today, this one wins it for us. Not only can you charge your phone to full power in just a few hours, but you can also charge your laptop too. Since most power banks only have a single output, this multi-functional device is perfect for those brining several gadgets.
SealLine Skylake Dry Pack
Product Features:
- Intuitive Sealing Design
- Convenient and Compact Storage
- Removable Shoulder Straps
Peru really is a perfect country for adventure travel, and there’s a good chance you’ll be off exploring through jungles or along rivers. This dry pack is perfect for keeping your things dry with an air-tight seal, especially when heading to Peru during the wetter months.
Peru Packing List FAQs
Peru Packing List
And that’s all for our guide on what to pack for Peru.
This stunning country is full of varying landscapes, and as such you’ll want to bring a range of clothes for each scenario. That’s on top of the usual travel essentials, as well as any other miscellaneous items you may need too.
In this guide we’ve covered everything you’ll need to pack for a trip to Peru, what not to pack, as well as answering some of the most common questions.
If you want to read more Peru travel tips, George has written a stellar piece on things to know before traveling to Peru which will is filled with wisdom.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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