Central America Packing List (Ultimate Men’s & Women’s Guide)

Before hitting Central America, you may have visions of lush rainforests, Caribbean beaches and snorkelling amongst colourful fish off the Mesoamerican barrier reef.

This is an adventurous part of the world. But, it is also incredibly diverse. 

So, be sure that you pack prepared for any boat party, beach day or volcano hike that may come your way!

Consider the Climate

Central America has distinct wet and dry seasons. It is true that much of the year, the weather is HOT. 

However, do not forget that the mountainous regions exist, and you’ll suffer if you forget to bring some colder clothing options. 

Do a quick check of the exact region you are heading to here before you go. 

Decision Checklist

Should I bring it? 

You can use this decision checklist to determine whether you should pack an item of clothing 🙂

This is the exact process I go through in my own head when I am deciding what to bring. 

The Golden Rules

• Comfortable
• Light, breathable fabric: cotton, silk, linen, bamboo, merino (cold climate)
• Versatile: mix & matchable – can be worn with other items and may have multiple uses
• Quick drying
• Easy to wash (no dry clean items!)
• Not sentimental: okay if lost, broken or stolen, laundry services may lose a thing or two, white items may turn a funny shade of yellow by the end of it …

If you are like me, you will have a couple of things you want to bring because they are so pretty.

You may dream of bringing your favourite corset top or vintage jacket along.

But realistically, you can only wear them out for a quick dinner in the evening, as they are difficult to walk in, hot, bulky, uncomfortable or made of stiff/itchy/hot material.

These difficult-to-wear and occasion-specific items are going to take up valuable space in your luggage.

Although I am one for a Pinterest-worthy outfit, try your hardest to make sure that the pieces you take are truly comfortable. 

Your holiday will be more enjoyable for it!

So, let’s jump right into it. 

Bags 🎒

Luggage 🔖

• Main backpack (50-60 litres)
• Carry on small backpack (to wear on the front)
• Bumbag / day bag
• Wallet (with ID & cards)
• Passport wallet (with passport of course)
• Waterproof bag

The waterproof bag will be essential if you are wanting to take electronics or your phone on a boat trip, dive day, boat party etc.

Compartments 🗄

• Packing cubes (essential)
• First aid bag
• Shoe cover/slip (keep your shoes away from your clothes)
• Toiletries bag
• Makeup bag
• Laptop case
• Bikini/underwear/socks & jocks organiser
• Tote bag for groceries
• Jewellery roll or insert
• 2 x dirty laundry bag

I like 2 x laundry bags so that while one is away being washed, I can start using the other. You can stick with just one if you prefer.

Equipment 🗜️

Tools ⚓️

• Carabiners
• 2 – 3 x combination padlocks (wire rather than solid)
• Bike lock
• Rain cover for backpack
• Portable clothesline
• Steripen

We use the bike lock to secure our bags to a bench/railing if we are sleeping in an airport or in a sketchy place. After having my laptop stolen from my private villa in Ibiza, and witnessing others having their own stuff stolen, I will never not take extra steps with locking my belongings in any way I can. 

The steripen is our personal choice to safely treat water. I don’t feel comfortable buying loads of single use plastic water bottles, but I’m also not taking any chances after I contracted giardia and then IBS from a dodgy water source in South East Asia a few years ago. Trust me – you want to be safe with your water.

Sport 🥋

• Gym band / wooden rings / exercise aid of your choosing (only if you wish)

Women’s Clothing Packing List

Colder Weather 🗻

• 1 x rain/wind shell jacket
• 2 x long sleeve tops
• 1 x cargo pants or comfy trousers
• 1 x hoodie/sweatshirt

Tops 🥼

• 2 x scarf tops (if you wear these)
• 6 x tank top/crop top/bandeau
• 2 x baby tee 
• 1 x loose tee
• 1 x nicer top

I like to take the scarves because they take ZERO room and can look great for most occasions. I just thrift mine!

Bottoms 🥡

• 1 x loose beachy pants
• 4 x shorts
• 1 x bike shorts
• 1 x skirt/skort
• 1 x light maxi skirt

I go for a skort as I find it more comfortable and multi-purpose. Mix up the skirts, skorts or shorts depending on what you personally wear.

Dresses 🫧

• 2 x dresses/jumpsuit/playsuit

Underwear 🧦

• 14 x cotton underwear*
• 2 x wire-free bra
• 1 x bralette
• 4 x socks

People say this amount of underwear is overkill. I say, I am only doing laundry once a week MAX. I wear ultralight undies and they take up NO room.

Shoes 👟

• 1 x Crocs
• 1 x Birkenstocks – white
• 1 x hiking shoes

Don’t come for me with the crocs! I use to be a thongs (flip flops) girl, but I find them impractical to walk around in and it’s hard to ride a bike. Crocs are awesome as they are ultralight. Wear them in the communal showers so you don’t catch any ratchet foot disease. Plus, they can be hooked onto the exterior of your bag with your trusty carabiners!

Hiking shoes NOT hiking boots. My favourite ever are these Merrell ones. They weigh next to nothing, cutest colourway and they can double as dad-sneakers for that Pinterest vibe around town. You won’t stand out as ultra-touristy. 

Sleepwear 💤

• Loose thin t-shirt/cami
• Light PJ shorts
• Sleep mask
• Soft light leggings for a cooler night
• Ear plugs

Beach 🪸

• 4 x bikinis
• Sarong or scarf
• Turkish towel (thin, dries quickly)

Gym 🏸

• 1 x gym shorts
• 1 x gym leggings
• 2 x sports bras

Glasses 🥽

• 1 x sunglasses
• 1 x case & lens wipe

Hats 🌬

• 1 x cap

Accessories 🪞

This is really up to you. Here are some of my suggestions for cute things that take up little room. Don’t pack them all! You will pick up local trinkets along your travels 

• 1 x pair of hoops
• Rings (not expensive)
• 1 x small necklace
• Fabric headband
• Tiny bows/ribbons for plaits
• Watch or Fitbit
• Fabric or shell choker
• Thin belt

Men’s Clothing Packing List

Colder Weather 🗻

• 1 x rain/wind shell jacket
• 1 x hoodie/sweatshirt
• 2 x long sleeve shirt
• 1 x cargo pant or trousers
• 1 x beanie

Tops 👕

• 3 x linen or beachy shirt
• 3 x basic t-shirt 
• 3 x basic tank/singlet
• 1 x fun button up

Bottoms 👖

• 2 x linen or light comfy pants
• 3 x shorts
• 1 x belt

Underwear 🩲

• 10 – 14 pairs (personal preference)
• 4 x socks

Shoes 🥾

• 1 x hiking shoe
• 1 x birkenstock or sandal
• 1 x crocs

Sport 🥋

• 2 x gym shorts
• 1-2 x active tee or tank

Sleep 🛌

• Sleep mask
• PJ top
• PJ bottoms
• Earplugs

Beach 🏝️

• Turkish towel
• 2 – 3 x board shorts (personal preference)

Glasses 🥽

• Sunglasses
• Case & lens wipe

Hats 🧢

• Cap
• Bucket hat

Toiletries 🛁

Products 🚿

• Moisturiser
• Face wash
• Body wash
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Hair oil
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant (we use cream roll-on)
• Makeup remover
• Cotton pads
• Q-tips (ear buds)
• Mini perfume
• Baby wipes

For the ladies:

• Tampons & liners; OR
• Diva cup – this is a perfect option and so many women swear by this now. If you feel like this could work for you, test it out before you leave. Huge benefits include less single-use waste, you won’t get stuck without products, and you can swim and feel comfortable on a multi-day boat trip if needed

Tools 🧷

• Razor
• Spare razor blades
• Hair brush
• Wide-tooth comb
• Hair elastics & scrunchie
• Bobby pins
• Claw clip
• Nail file
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Travel mirror

Extra Items

• Eyebrow Dye (so you can be a little high-maintenance away from home)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray

Sunscreen can be very expensive in some places, so be prepared and take it with you.

Take heavy duty bug spray or you will regret it. My top choice has always been DEET. 

I’ve been doing my own brows for over five years now and I won’t change that just because I’m travelling! My tiny little eyebrow dye takes up no room. I just take it out of the box and put it in a mini snaplock bag.

Makeup 🪩

Any makeup you choose to bring is completely your choice! I love makeup and this is just my standard makeup kit contents that I take with me everywhere 🥰

• Lip balm
• Beauty blender
• Sunscreen
• Foundation or BB cream
• Concealer
• Shimmer bronzer (double as eyeshadow)
• Mascara
• Black liquid eyeliner or kohl eyeliner
• Powder
• Eyebrow pencil & gel 
• Lash curler
• Lipliner & lipstick
• Cream highlighter
• Cream bronzer
• Brushes

Other 🧼 

• Quick Dry Towel

Electronics & Technology

Devices 🎧

• Phone
• Laptop
• Camera
• Airpods/headphones
• Powerbank
• Spare SD card (for camera)
• Microphones (if vlogging)
• Go pro or action camera (if you choose)
• Speaker (if you choose)
• Apple Air Tags – put these fellas in your checked luggage in case of any airline screw ups

Medication

First Aid 🩹

• Bandages
• Bandaids
• Iodine
• Tiger Balm
• Bug Spray
• Bite cream
• Antiseptic wipe
• Lighter
• Bug bite zapper (stop scratching!)

You can purchase a pre-made first aid kit. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it! But be sure that you have the above items in it as there is a good chance you or someone else will need at least one item from this list.

Medicine 💉

• Malaria
• Allergy (if needed)
• Paracetamol
• Anti-nausea
• Anti-cold sore (if needed)
• Gastro-stop
• Hydralite

Extras 🃏

Leisure 🎲

• Playing cards
• Pen
• Note/sketch book

Daily Items 🫖

• Hand sanitiser
• Permanent marker
• Neck pillow (if you wish)
• Spice bag
• Fake wallet: old cards and old cash
• Pocket-sized tissue pack
• Spare snap lock bags
• Sewing repair kit (tiny, just enough to fix a button)
• Water bottle (with a loop to clip to the outside of bag if possible)
• Reusable straw/cutlery set

You may have noticed that we are not exactly ultralight packers.

BUT – you will be surprised how this list fits super well with the right organisation.

So, use those different compartments and packing cubes!

Remember:

• A good quality backpack and day bag are a great investment. 

• Sometimes it is better to take items with you (sunscreen, medications) and be prepared, rather than try to pick them up along the way.

• Leave room to buy cute things when you are there!! (clothing, jewellery, accessories etc.)

Central America Packing Tips

Health

Some regions of Central America do have risks of mosquito-borne disease, including Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, Malaria and others.

I mentioned DEET above – this kept me safe through the forests of South East Asia, and was recommended to me by a travel doctor with decades of experience.

It would be a smart move to check-in with a travel doctor before you go away too. 

You might want to check if you need to take any extra medications with you, and ensure you are up to date with your shots (rabies, tetanus etc). 

If you are located in Brisbane, this clinic is incredible. 

Safety & Security

Central America is still a developing region.

There are security items listed on my packing list (bike lock, combination padlocks). 

In some countries that you may visit, displaying expensive electronics, jewellery or fashion may make you a target. Be vigilant and hyper-aware of your presence in public.

Having something stolen from you is a surefire way to destroy the vibe of your trip.
Trust me, my laptop was stolen before, and I was absolutely beside myself. 

Pickpocketing and theft are likely the bigger issues you will come up against. 

When selecting your day bag, be sure to choose something that can be held close to your body, zips or closes completely (no open tote bag), and preferably is anti-slash. 

Dressing casually and adapting to local dress can also help you avoid becoming a target.

What Not To Pack for Central America?

1. A drone: you may get away with it, but some Central American countries have actually banned drones now. It will be taken from you at the Nicaraguan border
2. A bulky coat: multiple thinner layers are better
3. High heels: you will likely regret it due to the uneven trails, cobbled streets and generally chilled out vibe in this region. People dress more casually here
4. Hair tools: see above point – it is a more chilled region than somewhere like the Mediterranean, where you may want to be styling your hair. It is hot and humid and just not worth bringing heat tools in my opinion. This is up to personal choice though.
5. Expensive jewellery or clothing: don’t try to attract unwanted attention!
6. Hiking boots: you just don’t need them! The hiking trainers I take are versatile enough to keep you covered for any outdoor or active situation, and light enough that you can use them for gymming, training etc. They are also cute and chunky so look great with high socks and short shorts!

A final tip? You won’t use everything that you have packed. Lay out everything that you have gathered, and remove a couple of items. We do it every time! You always need a bit less than you think. 

Well – there you have it!

An incredibly long, but hopefully incredibly helpful guide to your complete Central America packing list. We hope this packing list helps you prepare for your next trip!

Have questions? Visited Central America recently? Let us know in the comments below!