Packing for a year-long trip through Central & South America

(updated Aug 2009) Here is all the stuff we are took for 14 months on the road. We scaled down while traveling - moving through hotter & colder climates we ditched stuff. Kyle cut his stuff about in half.

It´s down to the knitty gritty of our undies and personal items, but we figure someone might want to see it... Read about our trip and where we are now at http://www.bessieandkyle.com

My advice, as a woman, for packing for a trip like this is balancing practical with familiar stuff on the road, and less is definitely more!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• traveling
• backpacking
• packing

[cabossf1]

2 much stuff

i'd have left the laptop at home

anchorman in south america????

no comprende amigo???????

[bessieandkyle]

we used the laptop a lot actually - we got wi-fi a lot in hostels, at least 80% of the time, and we run an online business.

the movie might seem unnecessary, but in hindsight it was worth it. When you're on the road that long, you need a good movie when you're stuck in bed.

[bryanldu1]

can u tell me what type of gps u are using and can u track it from the internet ..

[bessieandkyle]

this is one of things we ended up not using. It was a Garmin hicking sort of thing. A gift before we left, and we sent it back with a family member.

We did end up tracking our trip using Google maps, which is on our website.

[littlejon3G]

I like the fake wallet idea. Just put old store cards in it. Have you been to UK??

[bessieandkyle]

Luckily we never had to use it, but we always carried it. We almost always stuck to local recommendations of where not to walk at night, etc, and we had no problems. I tell all my friends traveling to carry one.

We've actually both lived a few months in Eurpore, Bessie was in london 3 months.

[jaguarandi2]

i dont understand what these white ppl think they are doing by invading our home latin america.

[Disbeat123]

i agree with other on way to much things. Seems  like you dont want to leave home. Travel and experience Culture Shock by leaving the gadgets. You dont really need two pairs of sandals. You are just causing more wiieght on your back. Two pairs of wardrobe is more than enough, three if you want to look extra good. But who cares, your in another country. I know this from experience. All in all hope you learned what not too take and had fun. -Anthropologist

[avalanchesoul]

quasimodos! that's a good one. i've heard of people bringing hair dryers to the tropics. i even saw a girl in high heels in a dirt road village.

[snurglersons]

what i like to call "quasimodos" when i'm backpacking...i see these poor folks all over the world

[avalanchesoul]

the number one thing all travelers will tell you after their first time traveling is to bring half the amount you think you need. i've traveled and i will say that is 100% true. i had a smaller bag than anyone else i met and next time i take off i'm taking even less. i'm aiming for a large school backpack. it really does make a difference. sorry but bringing a movie is ridiculous. why not see a movie in town instead? travel is about experiencing everything another culture has to offer.

[07kandinsky]

Very helpful, thank you so much! :)

[cabossf1]

no your right sir i do apologise if i've caused any offence..ppl r different and if your running an online business then you gotta take 1

anyway i am totally admirable towards you both and aspire to do what you guys have done and go travelling nxt year.i have drawn so much inspiration from ppls travel diaries on youtube including your own

anchorman is funny but 2 much will ferrell will turn you in2 a madman like him.

think il take a billy connolly dvd