The Sh*t You Should Bring to South America as I Am Living it Right Now, list.

This is my Travelling South America Right Now list and this is the sh*t I wish I had as I’ve been living. Firstly, it’s more testing on the body and mind than say, Europe, as you will definitely get some stomach issues at some point, the smog was new to me, and the intense humidity in some cities was something I don’t experience. 

So I am travelling in Uruguay right now and have been travelling for a month and will be travelling for many months to come.

I’ve felt compelled to compile a list of the sh*t a guy should bring to this part of the world. Some of this stuff I have. Some I don’t. And some I have too much of. This is what I think is ideal for smooth sailing! Or in this case, backpacking! 

For what it’s worth I’m 25 and travelling mostly hostel style. This is my 3rd adventure travelling this way. 

Download a lot of travel apps; apps that are for your countrymen in every country, apps that tell you what to do in a given city, and apps that tell you how to get around.

A 55-75 litre backpack with some bells and whistles, hiding spots, maybe an attachable bag, and/or other sh*t. 

1 daypack

1 reusable grocery bag

I also brought about 4 little cloth bags (Crown Royal Whisky) - helps to organize charging wires, gifts and all other kinds of sh*t. 

Practical sh*t 

1 large sunscreen

1 aloe or sunburn cream. 

1 soft and compressible water bottle. 

1 light water filtration pump

1 spfork. 

1 small cub/bowl

1 adapter 

1 portable charger

5 dice,

2 decks of cards 

1 first aid kit bag with bandages, bandaids, disinfectant, afterbite, blister sh*t, and more bandage/bandaid sh*t

1 mini lock (combo style, 3 letter/number style, or key) however I think losing the kill is too much of a risk. 

1 bugspray - I use Muskol. 

1/2 sunglasses

1/2 pair of earplugs

1/2 rags - for your face, balls, hands, and f*cking whatever. 

1 washing bag for t-shirts and undergarments - one that you just add water and soap and roll it around for a minute or so before washing it out under the tap. And f*cking bam! Cleanliness! 

1 waterproof compression sack! - they help smash down your clothes in the pack or can be taken with your valuables down a river!

4 plastic bags for sh*t - sometimes for dirty clothes, sometimes to separate clothes, and can be thrown into the compression sack. 

Or you could invest in pack dividers and other organizing systems. I was too lazy. 

2 pairs of earbuds/headphones 

2 or more lighters. - Even if you don’t smoke, PEOPLE need lighters! You’ll be the man if you keep it with you. 

1 lighter should be a clipper - with their tricks and functions its good to have around 

Bottle opener/pocket knife - risky if you on purpose or by mistake take a knife with you for carry-on in a flight and getting it snagged. 

1 bandana - helps with nippy winds or the beating sun

1 toque/beanie/touque/headcap (or buy an alpaca one in Peru if you go there early in your trip)

1 baseball cap

1 sunhat - safari, cowboy, or whatever. 

1 travel towel that won’t smell. That microfibre sh*t!

PeptoBismal has a got a little bit of everything for your wild stomach and sinus needs!

1 pack of instant Diarrhea Relief! Both from the travel doctor and some simple 

Loperamide Hydrochloride tablets that you can buy at the pharmacy and will save your ass (literally) in the pinch of a 24-hour bus ride!

1 bottle of Advil (aches and pains)

1 bottle of Aleve  (headaches, hangovers) 

Some vitamins. 

1 pack of allergy relieve - it surprised me

1 pack of light sleeping pills for those times you just can’t sleep because of that f*cking guy snoring in your room. - or sleeping vitamins. 

1 face lotion/sunscreen (I use Jack Black - not the f*cking actor). 

2 colons/bodyspray

2 toothbrushes - keep in different places and you never know when you might need one. 

Some f*cking condoms boyzz! Hope for the best. Get the rubber ;) 

Ladies love when you speak English. 

1 All-In-One quality body, face and hair soap. 

1 travel shampoo for that quality wash

1 brush/comb

1 hair oil/gel (Jack Black) 

Optional

1 compressible sleeping bag for 5 Celsius. Came in handy in Patagonia. 

1 small pillow or pillowcase 

Clothes

5-7 underwear - mix of boxers and boxer briefs, for that cool air breeze. Also brought some sports underwear to cup my balls (saxx, 2under, sauce) 

5 pairs of socks - mostly short, a pair of longer. 

May seem like a lot but I don’t regret it. 

1 pair of cargo shorts

and/or

1 pair khakis 

1 pair drawstring pants - for that call ass breeze. 

1 pair jeans if you wish - I didn’t. 

2 pairs of versatile shorts like cargo

1 pair of gym shorts

1 swimsuit

1 wind and rain proof/resistant jacket

1 light hoody and/or warm pullover

1 breathable short or long sleeved dressy/polo shirt for going out

1/2 sleeveless shirt 

5 normal shirts. (Mixed short and long sleeve) 

Shoes take up a lot of space...

1 pair of runners/sneakers

1 pair of athletic sandals

And/or

1 pair of flip flops if you want 

1 pair of skateboard shoes/chill shoes if you want

If you are going to the Patagonia or cold parts of Peru and others- it’s gonna be windy or chilly and you are gonna be cold! 

Also, GO TO PATAGONIA!

1 thermal layer shirt

1 touque

1 longjohns/long underwear/thermal underwear. 

1 light pair of gloves. 

1 pair of Waterproof boots

1 pair of thick f*cking wool socks! Or another warm type if you don’t own them, but you should.  

P.S. GO TO THE PATAGONIA! 

See Perito Moreno glacier. It grows. It falls apart. It’s amazing. It’s f*cking amazing. Stay for an hour or more and your life will be forever touched by the magnitude and awe-inspiring uniqueness of the worlds only growing glacier.