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Packing light for various South American climates?

Posted by (Penrith, NSW, Australia) on

My mother (50) and I (22) will be accompanying my father (52) on a business trip in South America.

  • We will be in warm (as in an average temperature range of 15 to 25 Celsius) places like Iguazu Falls, Sao Paulo and Curitiba, during March.
  • We will be in cool (as in an average temperature range of 10 to 20 Celsius), humid places, like Bogota, Macchu Picchu and Cuzco in April.
  • We will also be in La Paz and Uyuni in April, where the average temperature range goes from -5 to 15 Celsius.

What are some tips for travelling light, considering that the places we are going to have a wide discrepancy in terms of temperature?

We already had ourselves vaccinated to MMR, yellow fever and typhoid. We also have a prescription for diamox, to counter altitude sickness.

Posted by
2427 posts

Layers. I would pack a lightweight puffer jacket which compresses really small but will keep you warm when combined with a sweater. Also bring some long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, pants, warm socks and a hat.

Posted by
23267 posts

Mary is correct. We travel through Germany in winter with only minor changes to what we carry from summer. Short sleeve shirts become long sleeve, long underwear, medium weight sweater. Our normal rain/wind breaker jacket because the cold weather jacket with the addition of a down vest and maybe a turtleneck if really cold.

Posted by
7667 posts

We are going to Machu Picchu as well. I have been advised that you should wear some good boots or walking shoes that won't slip. Also, if it rains in MP, you should consider waterproof boots or shoes.

Posted by
6113 posts

If you are hiking to Machu Picchu, you will need good boots. I took the train and managed ok in a pair of lightweight boots that look like sneakers, but have more support. It can get cold at night in some of your locations, particularly at altitude and that’s why I didn’t pack light when I visited for 2.5 weeks. I always take a checked in bag.

As others have said, wear layers. I found a scarf and gloves were useful.

Some of the hotels at MP are very upmarket and all wore smart clothes for dinner.

Try to start at a lower altitude and acclimatise yourself gradually.

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