Late final yr, on the day after Christmas, we headed out on a household trip to Colombia. Packing for a post-Christmas journey is annoying sufficient, however packing for a multi-city Colombia journey provides an entire degree of complexity. Throughout our journey, we stayed in three lodges throughout three cities with three distinct climates.

In case you are contemplating a household trip to Colombia, this is what to incorporate in your packing listing (and an summary of the objects we packed and used).

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What to Pack for Colombia: What Really Labored for Our Household

Variations in Areas

Earlier than creating your packing listing, contemplate the locations you’ll go to in your Colombian trip. On our journey, we visited three distinct areas: Bogotá, the Espresso Area, and Cartagena. The typical temperatures had been about 65 levels in Bogota, 85 within the Espresso Area, and 95 in Cartagena, and these are typically pretty constant.

Examine the typical temperatures of every place earlier than packing. There are additionally wet seasons that you need to be conscious of which will have an effect on what you pack and what you intend for actions.

What to Pack for Garments

As soon as you already know the typical temperatures, you may know what sort of garments to deliver (spring, summer season, and so forth). For our multi-city journey, I discovered that layers labored nice. I packed pants, skirts, two pairs of shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and two sweaters. I particularly love merino wool garments for this sort of journey, and my favourite model is Unbound Merino. As a result of we had been celebrating New Yr’s Eve in Cartagena, I additionally packed a black gown.

You may want to consider the particular actions you might be doing earlier than you pack. As an example, you may need one thing dressier if you happen to plan to go to extra formal areas or eating places. I discovered Bogotá and Cartagena to be particularly cosmopolitan, and a few eating places had gown codes (e.g., males in pants and closed-toe sneakers).

Solar and bug safety are additionally components. Some areas, together with Bogotá, are at excessive elevation, so be certain that your pores and skin is protected. Lengthy-sleeved and SPF clothes can actually assist. It is also good to have a hat, no matter the place you’re going.

In case you are climbing, particularly at decrease elevations, you may need to contemplate packing garments that assist defend you from bugs. Throughout our forest hike at Proyecto Titi, I packed insect-shield socks (discover them on Amazon right here), that had been extraordinarily snug. We additionally wore long-sleeved shirts and lengthy pants, despite the fact that Cartagena may be very sizzling and humid.

As a result of we left for Colombia from our residence in Boston, I did pack a jacket. Nonetheless, I did not find yourself needing it through the journey. If we had been touring through the wet season, I might have packed a light-weight rain jacket. We packed umbrellas, however because it was the dry season, we did not want them.

Toiletries

As with all worldwide journey, you may need to be sure you pack all of the toiletries you want. There are many pharmacies situated within the bigger cities and vacationer areas, but it surely’s all the time simpler to pack what you might be accustomed to.

You may additionally need to embody insect repellent and sunscreen in your luggage. If you’re going to snorkel, be certain that the sunscreen is reef-safe.

I particularly just like the Sawyer model insect repellent. It is available in each lotion and spray, however I discover the spray is essentially the most handy. You may buy it on Amazon.

I additionally all the time pack my little necessities equipment when touring. You by no means know when you might want certainly one of these things throughout your travels.

Electronics and Units

Colombia makes use of the identical electrical retailers as the USA, so that you need not deliver adaptors. We had been additionally pleasantly stunned to see that our mobile phone service coated Colombia, so we may use our telephones as regular with no extra fees.

In case you plan to snorkel or hike, you might need to deliver specialty cameras for these actions. For snorkeling, you may desire a waterproof gadget, and for climbing, a digital camera with a zoom lens is a good possibility.

Whereas we did not deliver binoculars for our hike, I do want I had. Nonetheless, if you do not have a hike deliberate, you most likely do not want them.

One gadget that did turn out to be useful is a private fan. I saved it charged and in my bag whereas in Colombia’s hotter climates. You’ll find mine on Amazon. It additionally works as an influence financial institution.

Footwear

Figuring out which sneakers are greatest for any household trip is usually a problem. Footwear can take up a variety of house in your suitcase, so you do not need to pack too many.

For basic sightseeing in Colombia, you may need snug strolling sneakers which can be good on each slippery and tough surfaces. Lots of the girls on our Adventures by Disney Colombia tour group (together with me) wore OnCloud sneakers every single day when strolling round.

For climbing, I introduced climbing sneakers from Amazon for my Costa Rica journey, which additionally labored out effectively for Colombia. You’ll find them right here. I might additionally suggest shoe luggage to maintain the remainder of your baggage contents clear if you happen to occur to get mud or dust in your boots.

In case your plans embody seashore or pool time, you may additionally need to pack applicable sneakers. I packed flip-flops, that are simple to tuck into your suitcase and seashore bag.

What to Pack For Cash

Colombia makes use of the Colombian peso. Whereas most shops and eating places accepted bank cards, avenue distributors usually accepted money.

I might suggest altering a small sum of money while you arrive – both at a cash change location or by utilizing a reliable ATM. You may additionally need to verify whether or not your bank card fees a overseas transaction charge. If it does, you might need to look into getting one that does not cost a charge. Overseas transaction charges can add up shortly, so it is best to make use of a card that does not cost them.