I vividly remember putting together our first packing list for Central America and Mexico.
We were simultaneously afraid to overpack and afraid to under pack, afraid to forget something important, afraid of getting tired of hauling everything around, afraid of losing essential items…
Suffice it to say, we’re a lot more confident in our packing abilities now!
After more than a combined 9 months spent traveling around Latin America, more than 4 years of full-time travel, and even more global backpacking beyond that, it’s safe to say that we’ve gotten the hang of this packing list thing.
This Mexico and Central America packing list is based on our original packing list from 2016… but has been heavily updated based on what we have learned along the way while backpacking through Latin America and around the world over the last decade!
Setting off to go backpacking and struggling to put together your first Central America and Mexico packing list?
This is the one we wish we had!
Table of Contents
- How We Structured This Packing List for Central America
- The Absolute Essentials for Central America + Mexico
- What to Pack Everything For Latin America In
- 9 Extremely Useful Things to Bring to Central America + Mexico
- Other Useful Travel Gear for Central America
- What to Wear in Central America and Mexico For Women
- What to Wear in Central America and Mexico For Men
- Toiletries for Your Mexico + Central America Packing List
- Read More About Backpacking Latin America
How We Structured This Packing List for Central America
This list is structured primarily for those planning a backpacking trip to multiple countries in Central America (or even the rest of Latin America) that lasts one month or longer, however, it’s also easily adaptable for shorter journeys.
It also speaks to our personal preferences: we unabashedly check our bags on flights and do not pack incredibly lightly, so if you’re hoping for a carry-on-only trip, this is not the packing list for you!
If you’re planning a more resort-style trip that sticks to the coast, you may also want to check out our recommended beach vacation packing list for suggestions tailored to your travel style.
We also highly recommend perusing our international travel checklist and, if you’re starting your journey far from Central America, our list of long-haul flight essentials.
The Absolute Essentials for Central America + Mexico
Passport — The most obvious, and yet most important item for your packing list for Mexico and Central America: good luck traveling without it!
Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without insurance–anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.
Traveling to Mexico and Central America is generally safe, of course, but it also likely involves stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out new adventures in a foreign land… where you may or may not speak the language.
We got a lot of peace of mind from having our policy active during our overland trip from Mexico City to Panama!
Shop travel insurance for your Mexico/Central America backpacking trip today!
Visas (If Needed) — Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and beyond do not need visas to travel to Mexico or Central America, but as with any destination, it’s best to double and triple-check requirements before leaving on your trip.
Bear in mind that Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras operate under a shared border control agreement (CA-4).
Think of it as something similar to the Schengen Zone, where travelers who don’t need visas can enter one country and then travel freely between all 4 for up to 90 days.
Money — Each of the 8 countries covered in this packing list for Central America and Mexico has its own currency and tends to be a cash-based economy, so be prepared to have a lot of physical bills and coins on your hands!
The easiest way to get cash in Mexico and Central America is to withdraw it from the ATM.
We recommend bringing two debit cards (each hooked up to a different account) and two credit cards.
Don’t forget to put travel alerts on your cards so that you don’t accidentally end up locked out of your accounts!
Proof of Onward Travel — This one is a bit tricky, but I’m putting it right here at the top because it can end your trip before it begins.
Technically, all countries in Central America, plus Mexico, require proof of booked onward travel in order to visit–in other words, border agents (and airlines) want to know when you’re committed to leaving.
If you’re visiting as a backpacker on a long-term trip, you may not have this.
Some countries are stricter than others, but at a bare minimum, you’ll want to have proof of onward travel for any destinations you’re flying into (as airlines are responsible for fulfilling this requirement), and for Costa Rica, as they are sticklers about it.
Bus tickets sometimes, but do not always, count as proof of onward travel.
Airline tickets are safest, and it’s much better to have them printed (you may want to print a few copies of any booked tickets before leaving) than to show them on your phone.
If you choose to travel without proof of onward movement, you’ll probably be fine in most cases (Costa Rica being the exception), but travel at your own risk–you never know when a border agent will demand to know when you’re leaving their country.
What to Pack Everything For Latin America In
During our initial round-the-world trip, Jeremy carried the Gregory Zulu 65
Both backpacks served us well for years of full-time travel, including plenty of days spent being thrown on top of chicken buses in Central America and under ADO buses in Mexico.
They also comfortably fit everything on our packing list for Central America and Mexico with room to spare (including some superfluous items that I’ve removed from this updated list).
Several years later, Jeremy swapped his bag for the popular Osprey Farpoint 55, which is even more convenient (being able to unzip the whole bag, as opposed to just loading from the top and bottom, is such a great feature).
If you’re generally a light packer, you can probably comfortably go down 10 or more liters from the sizes we purchased, but we personally liked having the flexibility of the extra space.
You’ll also want to bring a day bag with you! We use and love (a slightly older version of) this anti-theft backpack from Pacsafe.
We didn’t own it at the time of our initial Central America backpacking trip, but we’ve had it for years now and can’t imagine traveling without it these days!
9 Extremely Useful Things to Bring to Central America + Mexico
Reusable Water Bottle & Water Purifier — You’re definitely going to want to bring a reusable water bottle (this is my current go-to) and a purifier system with you to Central America and Mexico!
We used our Steripen, which kept us safe for years, but LifeStraws and similar are all the rage now, and we might opt for one of those these days.
We’ve used our Steripen in more than a dozen countries over the years, including throughout Mexico and Central America, and never gotten sick from the water.
Pacsafe
The safe allows us to store our most valuable belongings (passports, laptops, etc.) in our room without fear of theft. Simply fill the safe, attach it to the sturdiest thing in the room (usually a pipe), and head out for the day with peace of mind.
We opted for the large version (12L) to be able to store our laptops.
Travel Adapters for Central America & Mexico
The exception to this is some plugs in Belize, which are on the British system. We got by without adapters there (hotels tend to lend them out if necessary), but you can opt to pick some up before arriving if you prefer.
Pocket-Sized Pack(s) of Tissues
Dry Bag
You’ll want to have a dry bag on your Central America and Mexico packing list!
A dry bag will allow you to safely bring your electronics, passports, etc., onboard without fear of damage, and will even allow you to swim to shore from a boat with your camera if you plan to visit any islands via boat!
Reef-Safe Sunscreen — Sunscreen can often be more expensive on the road than at home, especially in beach areas. Better to bring at least some of your own!
Bug Spray
Sea Bands
Frm winding bus rides through mountain ranges, to hours spent bouncing along gravel roads, to ferries across choppy lakes and seas… the region is rife with opportunities to get motion sick, and I was constantly grateful to have both my Sea Bands and medication with me.
Portable Phone Charger — For long bus rides when one round of charge on your phone simply isn’t enough.
Other Useful Travel Gear for Central America
Phone and/or Camera — We have been using our Sony a7R III for several years now and adore it, but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works (and these days, your phone is probably plenty).
Just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories!
Phone Tripod and/or Camera Tripod — If you’re traveling with a group and want to ensure that you get pictures of everyone together, a tripod will allow you to snap non-selfie photos easily.
True, it’s a bit of a pain to carry and not advised in busy areas, but the memories are priceless, and the photos you end up with are generally so much better than the ones you get by asking a stranger to snap a photo for you.
Not traveling with a camera? This inexpensive phone tripod gets packed on our trips and does a great job.
Waterproof Phone Case — Want to be able to take photos when actually swimming at the beach?
Bring a waterproof phone case along with you! We own these. They’re inexpensive, easy to pack, and make taking photos at the beach far simpler.
Tote Bag — Incredibly light and easy to pack, a tote bag can serve as a grocery bag, beach bag, laundry bag, or just about anything else.
They’re incredibly handy and we highly recommend adding one to your packing list for Central America and Mexico.
Swim Goggles
We’ve been carrying ours ever since we started backpacking and consider them a must-have in beach destinations.
Diving Log Books — If you already have a diving certification and plan to do some diving in Central America or Mexico, definitely bring your logbook!
If you aren’t certified yet… Utila is a great place to get started exploring the underwater world! We got our PADI Advanced Open Water certifications there and loved the experience.
Combination Lock
Purell Hand Sanitizer
Money Belt
It got cumbersome to constantly carry around, and we prefer to keep valuables in our Pacsafe these days.
However, if you’d like to bring a money belt to Central America and Mexico, we can recommend this one
Pens — Sounds a bit random, I know, but trust me–there will come a time at some overland border crossing that you will be so glad you added some pens to your Mexico and Central America packing list.
Over-the-Counter Medicine — In addition to the motion sickness medication mentioned above, we personally prefer to travel with Pepto Bismol and some sort of painkiller on hand.
You will be able to find replacements at pharmacies as needed, but it’s nice to have some supplies on hand in the event of illness.
What to Wear in Central America and Mexico For Women
3-4 Dresses Lightweight Dresses — I personally love to wear dresses and tend to wear them during most of my time in cities.
However, if you’re traveling as a solo female traveler, be aware that some women do report increased harassment on the street when they are wearing short dresses (anything above the knee) in Latin America.
That didn’t stop most of the solo female travelers I know from wearing them, since it’s just too hot for pants most of the time, but it is something to be aware of.
Dresses like these are common and what I tend to wear, and long, flowy midi and maxi dresses like this one are a great option as well.
I also always like to have one very casual dress with me that doubles as my cover-up walking to and from the beach.
1 Pair Harem Pants — Lightweight and loose-fitting, harem pants (aka elephant pants in Southeast Asia) are practically a backpacker uniform, and that is because they are incredibly comfortable while also being cool, casual, and reasonably modest for places where modesty is the more comfortable option.
Pants like these are perfect, but unless you truly like buying everything ahead of time, you might want to consider waiting and purchasing a pair (or three) of these during your travels instead.
3-5 Skirts & Shorts — I recommend making at least one of these a pair of fast-drying workout shorts that can be used for hiking or a beach coverup.
1 Pair Leggings or Jeans — These will likely spend most of their time gathering dust in the bottom of your bag, but when you want them, you’ll be so glad to have them!
You’ll want to have at least a few warmer options, especially if you’re planning to climb a volcano in Mexico or Central America.
5-7 Tank Tops + Short-Sleeved Shirts — Aim for comfort: if you don’t want to wear it for several hours at home, you won’t want to wear it in Central America or Mexico.
Loose-fitting tops are great for staying cool, and I recommend bringing at least a couple along.
1 Long-Sleeved Shirt — For cool nights, especially on hiking trips.
1 Light Jacket — When you pay for a bus with a/c in Mexico or Central America, you usually get more a/c than you bargained for.
Come prepared (and avoid freezing to death) with at least one jacket!
1 Fleece Pullover — I am obsessed with my pullover–a discontinued option very similar to this one–and have had it for more than 10 years.
It has stood up to countless day hikes, one brutal climb up Volcano Acatenango, endless bus rides, and travels across 50+ countries.
2-3 Bathing Suits — 2-3 bathing suits should be plenty for the average traveler, but if you’re a particularly enthusiastic beachgoer, you may want to pack some more– they take up very little space, after all.
I recommend bringing at least one more athletic-style suit that you feel comfortable jumping, snorkeling, and possibly scuba diving in!
1 Pair Sunglasses — Avoid expensive ones if you can–the odds of them surviving your trip are fairly low.
10+ Pairs Underwear — Laundry services in Central America and Mexico are easy and inexpensive, but it can be a bit of an event to find a place, deliver your clothes, pick them up a few days later, etc.
We prefer to avoid having to do laundry more than once every 10 days or so, so we tend to go heavy on the underwear.
2-3 Bras — Be sure to make one a sports bra!
Other than that, I tend to carry one nude and one black with me everywhere, and it’s more than enough.
1 Pair Flip Flops — These don’t need to be expensive–it’s better if they’re not–but you’ll want something to bring to the beach (and into the shower if you stay in a hostel).
1 Pair Comfortable Walking Shoes — These need to be casual, durable, cool, and comfortable, able to withstand city visits and also light hiking.
I lived in my Keen Whisper Sandals during our 6 months in Mexico and Central America and absolutely loved them.
They were perfect for everything we did except climb Volcano Acatenango–for that, I desperately wished for my hiking boots.
1 Hat — Sunhat, baseball cap, whatever you like!
Just make sure it’s something you feel comfortable wearing when walking around town and also when you’re hiking or at the beach because the sun’s rays are incredibly strong in Mexico and Central America!
While I personally like to bring one from home, hats are also extremely easy to shop for on the road.
Menstrual Supplies — The last thing you want is to be caught unawares in a small town, or worse… on a long bus ride!
Light Makeup — It’s easy to get out of the habit of wearing makeup while traipsing through Latin America–I know I barely wore mine–but it’s always nice to have on hand for days that you want to take photos or just get a bit dressed up.
I recommend bringing whatever you need to put together a basic, everyday look and no more.
Makeup can get heavy quickly, and you might be surprised at how little you use it!
What to Wear in Central America and Mexico For Men
6-8 Short-Sleeved Shirts — Make sure that these are both comfortable enough to wear every day and flattering enough that you like how they look in photos–they’ll more or less be your uniform in Mexico and Central America.
1 Light Jacket — Buses in Central America and Mexico can be freezing, and hikes (especially on volcanoes) can get surprisingly cold. Be sure to come prepared!
1 Long-Sleeved Shirt — For cool nights and hiking trips.
1 Fleece Pullover — Jeremy has had one similar to this for years and loves it.
3-4 Pairs of Shorts — Bring at least one pair of fast-drying workout shorts, and make the rest whatever you’re comfortable wearing on a near-daily basis.
1-2 Pairs of Pants — Latin American men tend to wear pants every day, especially in cities, despite the heat.
Tourists generally don’t (it is really hot), but it’s nice to have some on hand if you plan to visit a nicer restaurant or go on a colder hike.
1-2 Bathing Suits — If you plan to visit the beach a lot, two will allow you to always have a dry one on hand. If beach time is only going to be a small part of your trip, one may be plenty.
1 Pair Flip Flops — For the beach and hostel showers if you stay in one.
1 Pair Comfortable Walking Shoes — You’ll want to make sure these are comfortable enough for daily wear both daily wear and light hiking.
There is a similar men’s version to the sandals that held up so well for me (and wore all throughout Mexico and Central America), and I highly recommend them.
If you plan on doing any intense hiking or climbing volcanoes, you’ll want to bring hiking boots as well.
10+ Pairs of Underwear — AKA, at least one pair of underwear per number of days you hope to avoid doing laundry.
1 Pair Sunglasses — As I mentioned above, avoid putting expensive sunglasses on your Central America packing list and opt for cheap ones instead, because they probably won’t survive the trip.
1 Hat — A baseball cap is perfect, but opt for whatever is comfortable enough that you’ll actually wear it.
Toiletries for Your Mexico + Central America Packing List
For the most part, you’ll want to go ahead and add the same toiletries you use at home to your Mexico and Central America packing list.
If you’re picky about brands, you’ll want to bring enough of your toiletries to last the length of your trip, and if you’re not, then basics like soap, deodorant, etc, are fairly simple to pick up on the road.
Also, don’t forget to top up on a supply of prescription items like contacts and medications before you go!
Read More About Backpacking Latin America
Are you a backpacker making your way through Central America and Mexico like we were during this trip–and maybe even heading into South America, too?
If you found this blog post about what to bring to Central America and Mexico interesting, you might also like these guides:
- 19 Bucket List Worthy Things to Do in Belize
- Our Experience Going to the Dentist in Antigua, Guatemala
- 9 Majestic Waterfalls in Mexico to Visit (+ Map!)
- Playa Blanca: Is Colombia’s Most Famous Beach Worth Visiting?
- The Perfect 3 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
Thanks for making time to share the great article! Very useful for us to start packing for our planned bus travel from Mexico down to Costa Rica.
Nathan and Lucy from Australia
Thanks so much, guys! Have an absolute blast–traveling overland from Mexico City to Panama is still one of our favorite adventures of all time 🙂
Hi, such a helpful post to come across as I start planning my Central America trip!
A quick question on proof on onward travel:
I’m planning to fly from the UK to Mexico and work my way down to Panama over six weeks. I’ll book my return flight before I travel as I have fixed dates, however I don’t have a set itinerary for moving between countries and will likely make some land crossings. Would you expect this flight booking from Panama to the UK to serve as sufficient proof of onward travel when moving entering other countries in Central America (when entering Costa Rica for example)? Or would you recommend arranging proof of travel from each country I pass through?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Char!
With the caveat that we haven’t been back to the region in a post-March-2020 era, I would recommend arranging travel showing your exit from each individual country. Some places may accept your return flight from Mexico, but others (like Costa Rica) may not.
We did use an outgoing flight for a handful of border crossings a few years back, but the flight was leaving from San Jose which made things easier.
I suspect that border crossings in the region have only gotten stricter in the last couple of years.
Essentially, it just comes down to your risk tolerance. 🙂
The diva cup is becoming increasingly popular among travelers–I know a lot of women who swear by it!
Yes it is! It’s not for me, but I love that it works for so many people.
Hi Kate and Jeremy,
The blog has been really helpful for me and the packing list is a great starting point. I have a quick question – did you see many people travel with small suitcases? Backpacks are just not possible for me anymore and I also travel with a paddleboard. I’m just wording how challenging it would be in Central America.
Many thanks
M
Hi M! Yes, traveling with a small suitcase is perfectly doable. Backpacks are very common among the 20-somethings traveling in Latin America, but they’re definitely not a requirement! The paddleboard should be doable as well, but be prepared to be charged extra for it on every piece of transportation, and depending on how crowded a given bus is, etc, they may not accept you. I wouldn’t bring it unless you’re incredibly committed to having it!
Hi Kate and Jeremy, loved your blog, very detailed and chick.
My name is Susmit and my wife (Maria) have travelled fair bit ( from UK to Asia to French Polynesia to Canary islands) but never done backpacking trip plus its our first trip to Central and south America, we are thinking of starting our trip in Mexico and making our way through to Costa rica, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and finishing off in Argentina. We wanted to know if you could help us with your experience to answer few of our amateur questions many thanks in advance.
How do you manage travelling and exploring cities as backpackers like where do you actually find safe place to leave your baggage?
do you book all your transport and accommodation before hand or you do it as you go?
If we do not have specific dates in our mind about leaving each country what sort of documents should you present at border checks?
in your experience as couple were hostels good idea or taking private room is your preferred choice?
lastly if you were embarking upon this trip like us with our knowledge how much time and money would you have it in mind?
I understand it’s difficult to be specific to each of this questions as it depends on individual preferences and circumstances but still please try and answer it as specific as possible as how would you do it.
P.S I am Susmit and my wife’s name is Maria we have recently moved to Spain from UK and you are more than welcome to Spain keep in touch.
Thanks,
Susmit & Maria.
Hi guys,
Thank you so much!
We generally leave our luggage in our hotel/apartment for the day and have never had an issue. We do carry our Pacsafe with us for valuables.
No, we don’t book all our places to stay and transport in advance, though we never show up somewhere without a hotel/apartment already booked–just not our style! In Latin America it’s much easier to book transport in particular once you arrive.
Technically speaking, you’ll always want to have “onward travel” to your next country booked to show an intent to exit. Some countries (like Costa Rica) are more likely to ask than others. Some will accept an inexpensive bus ticket that you can buy at the border as intent to leave. We’d recommend planning country by country, each place is different.
We always preferred private rooms to dorms, and in much of Latin America, a basic private room is frequently about the same price as paying for two dorm beds anyway!
Time and money varies dramatically. We’ve generally found by about the 4-6 week mark we’re ready for a break of some kind, but that can easily be 2 weeks in a relaxed location as part of your trip. For money, it varies both with preference and country to country. We have budget breakdowns of what we spent in several Latin American countries that might give you an idea! We spent the least in Guatemala, the most in Belize, and found Mexico to be one of the best values overall.
Hope that helps and that you guys have an amazing backpacking trip!
Love this list and using it to pack for a back packing trip through Mexico. This may be TMI, but I just came back from Jamaica and now I swear by it and since your traveling for months – thought I would share. For that time of the month – Diva cup is the way to go and you don’t have to rush anywhere to buy something. I trialed it for one night/day in US before I departed and it worked wonders while traveling! Just carry lots of hand sanitizer and have your water bottle near by to rinse. Easy to use and it takes such a small space when packed.
The diva cup is definitely becoming more popular with travelers–I know many women who swear by it! 🙂
Awesome packing list, thanks!! I’m going to Nicaragua and Costa Rica in February!
That sounds amazing, we can’t wait to see both of those countries. Have fun!