The Complete Packing List

Packing info that may come in handy for you or my future self.

I like to organize things by function / frequency of use, because I am that sort of crazy. But its worth the effort when you are living out of a bag.

Toiletry bag #1 - meds:
- Tylenol/Advil
- Pepto and Tums (also put a roll in my daypack)
- Tylenol PMs or Nyquil (emergency sleep aids)
- Bandaids, moleskin (for blisters), gauze, Neosporin
- Mosquito-killing arsenal: repellent with 35% DEET (small), repellent with less or no DEET (larger size), cortizone for bug bites, bug spray for clothes and mosquito nets
- Tampons, backup (hard to find there)
- Nail clippers and nail file
- Laundry detergent, small package (for emergency sock washing)
- Emergen-C or vitamin / hangover cure of choice

Toiletry bag #2 - regular toiletries:
- Your basic toiletries (deodorant, lotion, toothbrush, hair brush, hair bands, etc).
- All purpose liquid soap (camping stores) is nice to have, for hands, backup body wash, washing water bottle, etc

Toiletry bag #3 - shower stuff:
- I separate shower stuff into a separate water resistant bag for easy transport to showers.

In a ziploc or other bag, kept in a handy spot - electronic stuff:
- AC Adaptor
- backup batteries for anything requiring them (flashlight)
- chargers for camera, etc, as needed
- More memory cards for your camera
- Flashdrive, potentially useful

In a handy part of your bag, like the outside or top pocket - general purpose items:
- Iodine (for purifying water...this is the first time I am bringing this, for Central America)
- Travel / quick-dry towel
- Silk sack sleeping "bag" (can buy there ...nice-to-have but not necessary)
- Plastic bags of all sizes
- Padlock for zipping bag shut or for lockers (I rarely use, but always bring)
- Mini roll of toilet paper and/or tissue packs
- Swiss army knife with bottle opener
- Flashlight or headlamp (great for places with no electricity, but I dont have one)
- Sunblock (better to bring from US)
- Extra pens
- Extra books and notebooks (I had trouble finding good books to swap in Asia)
- Playing cards (learn rules to games! well I never do, but it would be useful)
- Water-proof jacket and/or poncho
- Mini umbrella? (nice-to-have but not necessary)
- Water-proof cover for your bag? (nice-to-have but not necessary)

Day pack / purse:
- Passport (for initial flight day, but then I usually keep at the hotel front desk)
- Tissues (which double as TP in times of need)
- Anti-bacterial hand stuff (dont forget to remove before flying)
- Tums (they are a cure-all, im convinced)
- Mini sunblock is nice to have if you come across it, rather than carrying a huge bottle (remove before flight)
- Camera! and related equipment
- Lonely Planet
- Notebook (small/thin, nothing heavy)
- Pens
- Bandana or scarf useful for covering up or random towel use
- Ipod? (I brought mine to Asia and it was useful but I am not bringing it to Central America. I am more worried about crime there and I will be on less long bus trips, and there for a shorter time, etc. Plus I have a lot to read)
- Water bottle? (buying water in plastic bottles is unavoidable but in asia enough places offered filtered water refulls that I think its worth bringing)
- Phone? (unlocked that can take a foreign SIM card. Used mine in Asia but decided to rent a phone in Central America)

Organized into a few packing cubes* - clothes:
- Bottoms - a combination of the following not to exceed approx 6 pieces :) Lighteight pants (potentially the ones that convert to capris), pair of jeans, capris, shorts (less socially acceptable in many developing countries), a jersey skirt and/or sundress for night time or bathing suit cover, comfy pants/capris for sleep or yoga
- Tops: a few tshirts (I may pick up some quick-dry ones), 1 tank top for layering or westernized beaches (not really socially acceptable to wear otherwise), 1 long sleeve shirt, one fleece, one light-weight hoodie (for hoodie addicts)
- for completeness - underwear, sports bras, socks
* packing cubes rock

Floaters:
- Shoes: hiking shoes or running shoes, flip flops for shower and walking, more sturdy walking sandals
- Mesh bag (not a big regular sized ones) for dirty clothes
- Copy of your passport (keep somewhere in your bag)
- Extra cash and extra credit card (keep somewhere in your bag. Good for when (1) you lose you wallet in Italy and need a way to eat or (2) get stuck in a small town with no ATM and need to exchange your stash for local money at a sad exchange rate).
- Cheap watch which can double as an alarm clock

Other to-do:
- Call credit cards re. international travel
- See if a visa is required for any countries
- Check for special vaccinations needed
- Make a list of important phone numbers if you arent bringing your cell phone