Packing for Peru: My Essentials
I’ve traveled from Canada to Peru five times so far and feel like I have the “packing for Peru” bit down now. I try to pack as light as possible when it comes to clothes, the rest of the space goes to gifts, and then there’s the matter of “the hand-carry essentials”…
- Phone card. Phoning is the easiest way of contacting family when I’m in Vancouver, during my layover in the US, or in Peru, without needing to worry about switching SIM cards or making sure there’s enough load on my cell phone. I’m in the habit of buying Nobelcom phone cards because they’re so easy to purchase online, use, and recharge online. All you need to note down is the toll-free phone number and PIN. A perk? My family in both Canada and Peru can easily follow the English-Spanish bilingual instructions too, so I can give them my leftover minutes.
- Universal electric adapter. In Peru, you’ll find both Type A (flat) and Type C (round) plug types while you only see Type A and Type B (3-prong) in North America. Furthermore, electrical outlets in Peru are set at 220 instead of 120 volts typical of Canada and the US. I’ve already had 120-volt electrical equipment smoke up from imploding after plugging them in directly here!
- Kindle Fire (and charger). Whenever I have free time, I like to fill my brain with knowledge. In packing light, the Kindle is now my technology of choice over my iPod — having my ears plugged disconnects me from the airport environment I so love. The Kindle Fire also allows me to connect to free WiFi to check for important emails!
- Toilet paper. I don’t just mean Kleenex for sniffles here. This is about survival skills and how toilet paper isn’t usually provided in washrooms in Peru. As a side note, you’re supposed to throw your used toilet paper in the garbage instead of flushing it down the toilet, which can clog the system.
- Sunblock. Although my skin very rarely burns, the Andean sun was out to teach me a lesson. They say being so high up in the Andes not only puts you physically closer to the sun, but that Peru also has one of the highest UV radiation doses in the world because of a thinner ozone layer at the equator. My first time here when I didn’t use sunblock, I ended up developing a photosensitive skin condition that didn’t disappear until I returned to Canada. Since then, I use SPF 70 sunblock for children and “skin intolerable to light.” I figure this will help me avoid wrinkles in the future too. Win-win!
- Debit card. In Peru, it doesn’t cost a thing to withdraw from Scotiabank ATM machines and my bank doesn’t charge me anything from their end based on the level of my chequing account. I’ve found that I get the highest amount by withdrawing in American dollars and exchanging the money into nuevos soles at the local currency exchange, which gives better rates.
- Spiral notebook (and pen attached to the spirals). A writer, observer, and wanderer needs her notebook. It reminds me to keep my eyes and ears open to my surroundings and to harbor a heart of reflection, especially during all the waiting time typical of traveling. Observations become blog posts and stories, real or imaginary.
- Camera (with battery, memory card, and charger). Recently, I’ve been trying to take out my camera less often because I find that being in the mindset of photo-taking and visualizing how I want a moment to be remembered can take away from the actual experience. Nevertheless, there are those moments that words can’t describe when a visual reminder can often be more powerful.
Vinny T
That´s very informative info, Samantha. I´ll second your choice about toilet paper. That´s pretty elite stuff in Incaland and sometimes not easy to acquire. So toilet paper is really something the traveler to Peru should never forget, and always keep in hand when wandering around to help prevent some nasty and potentially embarrassing moments. I´m not too much into electro gizmos, but I have a funny feeling that i´ll be getting a kindle soon. i usually have a suitcase filled with heavy books to lug around when traveling. i´m hoping that the kindle will help me to avoid that . As usual, thanks for another informative and thought provoling post.
Samantha Bangayan
Haha! I know what you mean about “nasty and potentially embarrassing moments.” =P
Wow! It must be so heavy to carry books around. In the past, I’d always bring one book that I could read over and over again when I travel. And I thought I wouldn’t take to the Kindle at all because I don’t like reading PDF books on my computer, but the Kindle is so book-like that it’s perfect! =)
Bryce Christiansen
Hi Samantha,
Hope all is well with you. In a few weeks I will be packing for Mexico. Although my trip is just for a week, I still see myself bringing many of the same things. I really like my Kindle Fire as well. It’s the perfect device to keep near a bed. I like to read or watch something on Hulu almost every day.
I also wanted to stop by because we just launched our People Profiler web app and would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks,
Bryce
Samantha Bangayan
Lucky guy! =) I’ve never been to Mexico before. I hope you take tons of pics! =) And hey, I’ve never heard of Hulu before. Always learning something new from you, Bryce! Thanks!
Looking forward to checking out your People Profiler!
Cat Alexandra @ Internet Marketing Success
Hola Sam,
I think it sounds like you got the essentials nailed down.
I think it says so much about you how most of the room you save in your packing is for “gifts.” 🙂 That made me smile. That’s pretty special right there.
Little things we take for granted in Canada and the States, like nice toilet paper, are some of those things that really do make life more enjoyable. It is all the “little things,” as you put it, that make it so rich…nice toilet paper included.
As for the radiation…I wonder if something like a QBC (Quantum Balance Crystal) may be a nice investment for you for future trips. I always wear one on my person (I have many different kinds of things for this actually, not just the QBCs) to help reduce the likelihood I’m affected by the harmful energies like EMFs, microwaves, et cetera. Just a thought on that…these wouldn’t take up lots of space in your luggage because it’s basically just an organic resin pendant with the crystals that you wear around your neck or maybe carry in a pocket.
Well, I hope that the exploring in Peru is as enriching as I imagine it to be. Enjoy and take lots of pics!!
Cat 😉
Samantha Bangayan
Aww! Thanks for the compliment, Cat! =) Truthfully, the “room for gifts” bit is partly a habit that I learned from my mom. We used to visit the Philippines during summers when I was a child and we would always carefully plan and pack a gift for everyone single one of my relatives there (and there’s tons of them!) =)
I am SO intrigued by the QBC! Thanks for telling me about it! I’ve even been thinking about using sunscreen more times a day because I’m still getting burned a bit. I’m so glad we’re in touch, Cat! =)
Cat Alexandra @ Internet Marketing Success
You’re so welcome! I think you deserved the compliment! 🙂 It sounds like your sweet Mom taught you some wonderful love and consideration for others. It’s these little things that add such flavour to life!
I am glad you liked the info on the QBC! I have been so happy with mine. You will probably notice it around my neck in some of my videos. I am always wearing it on my person in some way because I have found it to be so beneficial to me.
I think that the sunscreen is a good idea (so long as it’s from high integrity and natural ingredients – organic preferably). Sun exposure is good for us, but with ozone concerns, we must be careful.
I’m very happy we’re connected too, Sam. 🙂 You’re one of those people I just feels like a good old friend to me. Hoping for a long and lasting friendship of sharing and caring!
Have a beautiful week!!
Cat
BrowsingRome
Hi Sam,
As a regular traveler, I usually have these items in my bag. One thing I don’t have is the Kindle. I think it is a get idea especially as it’s so portable but I love the feel of a physical book. My sister has been trying to convert me since the Kindle first came out but I have resisted. Call me old-fashion! To be fair, I carry the Ipad with me and that’s just to connect for a short period each day.
One thing that I do carry with me is an empty bag for trash or motion sickness. It always comes in handy and doesn’t take any space at all. Oh, and something else, wet wipes or antibacterial hand sanitizers! Yes paranoid too 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
I hear ya, Diana! I love physical books too and continue to buy/read them. I may not have ever transitioned partly to the Kindle if my parents hadn’t bought me one for Christmas! =) In fact, I’ve heard that the iPad can be pretty similar since you have a library on there too.
Ooh! Good idea about empty bags! Sometimes, when I remember, I pack extra ziplocs or bags folded into triangles. You’re right that they can be so randomly useful! And you’ve reminded me about the hand sanitizer that I have in my purse and never use. =P
Stuart Nager
I would never have thought of packing toilet paper. Good to know. As to a kindle, I have a tablet, and before I start traveling again in the next year I’ll try it out instead of all the books I usually carry for the plane.
Samantha Bangayan
Hehe! =) I figure it’s always best to pack lighter when possible. My shoulders thank me. =P
Daniel
Welcome again to Peru.
I live in Tacna in the south of Peru.
What to pack on your trip? I take as little as possible.
Samantha Bangayan
Thanks so much, Daniel! It’s great to meet other Peruvians from around the country! Love your philosophy about packing light. =)
The Pepperrific Life
Whenever I travel, I never forget to bring paracetamol, Vit. C, even diarrhea meds.. you’ll never know 🙂
I love the idea of a spiral notebook. There’s nothing like going old school when it comes to writing. I’d choose that over those electronic tablets (I’m not even sure what they’re called!) any day.
Samantha Bangayan
Hey, I hadn’t even thought about medication. I always take gravol for nausea, but not much else because it’s so easy to buy medicine at pharmacies here. They work like doctors where you give symptoms and they give pills. =P
Hehe! You know, I tried to figure out how to use the Kindle for note-taking, but there’s no easy way. Probably for the better. =)
Paula
All these items would be on my essential list too, but I would have to add lip balm, and flip flops. I’ve learned to never leave home without them. 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
Ooh! Good point about the lip balm! My lips are balm dependent. =P Flip flops are good doubles for home slippers too. =) Love it!
Ward
Cheez-its, turkey gravy and Goldfish (the crackers, not the real fish 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
HAHA! How could I forget munchies? Although I would *never* have considered those three. =) I go for gummy bears!
John Mak
Hello Samantha! First time on your blog and I like it! I like traveling! I am trying to travel almost every year to a different destination. Peru would be an adventure too! Thanks for sharing with us and great to connect with you!
John Mak
Samantha Bangayan
Great to meet you, John! =) What a great idea to travel at least once a year. There’s oh so much to learn about the world!
Julie
Don’t you take any laptop or tablet? How would you post your beautiful pics and stories?:)
Samantha Bangayan
Haha! Of course! =) A laptop for sure. I guess I thought it was a given. =P Thanks for the kind words, Julie!
Noch Noch | be me. be natural.
i’d pack those exact things, but add in my macbook air so i can type my ideas down, and also essential for me, a bear from my bear collection, a different one each time so they all get to travel
Noch Noch 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
Aww! That is too adorable about your traveling bears. Lucky guys! =)
Hajra
More than sunblock; I find that my skin is better with a face wash. I do get tanned easily but my face gets very dirty at times! I have a thing for hygiene! 🙂
Yes, I would pick out all the others too; some essentials that make traveling so much more easier! Thanks for this Samantha! Hope you are well! 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
That’s so interesting! I don’t pay much attention to my face. Maybe I should be washing it more or maybe the sunblock is a protective layer for dirt too. =P
Sherry Zander
It’s always enjoyable to read about the different aspects of your experience in Peru. It is a world away from the comforts and conveniences we have here in the States. I honestly think that some day I will visit there and your posts always remind me that I must be prepared when I do.
Samantha Bangayan
That would be so amazing, Sherry! I hope you really are able to one day! =) Warm hugs to you. Hope you’re doing really well and keeping yourself busy.
Amy
I would definitely pack my eagle creek pack towel. It has come in so handy!! I would also pack my steri pen. Drinking water in 90 seconds wherever you go! I really like your blog! I am adding you to my google reader feed! 🙂 I currently live in Cusco Peru and teach violin.
Samantha Bangayan
I am SOO excited to meet you, Amy! =) Thanks for reaching out! It seems like there are so few expats who choose to live outside of Lima, so I always feel a special connection to those I meet. =) I just checked out your latest post and have SOO much to say about it — I’ll head over to comment in just a bit. =P
I’m really impressed by the Eagle Creek towel and the SteriPen! You are one savvy traveller! =) Thanks for sharing!
Elise
Hey Samantha!
Food! I would pack food, lol. Any snacks that I could not normally get and that wouldn’t need to stay cold 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
I cannot believe I forgot about the food! =P I’m a huge snacks gal too. Gummy bears for me! =)
Abe Palmer
What an appropriate subject to talk about. Four months from this moment, Maria, I, the kids and my son Skyler will be on AA flt 601 on our way to Peru for a Month. I am a planner, half of the fun of traviling is the planning but I am meeting with procrastination with the other family members. I have already told the kids that they need to get use to eating foods they otherwise wouldn’t eat. We will be staying at differant family members homes in Lima and Huancayo and I don’t think Chicken Fettichinni will be served. I remember the first thing I saw after the traditional welcome kiss from the family was Jimmy in the small back courtyard harvesting a sheep for dinner. I told the kids there arn’t any fastfood restaurants (I told a white lie. I just won’t let them go to Plaza Vea). As far as what to pack. We will pack light with personal cloths but plan to meet our max wieght for luggage by bringing unneeded clothing for the kids in Peru. I told the kids their computers and cell phones won’t work there so we shouldn’t have to worry about the power issue blowing something up. But I WILL bring medicians our bodies are used to. In 2009 I got sick and last summer Maria got sick for the first time in all her visits back to Peru. I can’t wait to get there.
Samantha Bangayan
I am SOO excited about meeting you in person, Abe!! =) Haha! I am so amused by how you say that “half of the fun of traveling is the planning.” Many travellers I know take the exact opposite philosophy! =P
Omigoodness, I can imagine what I shock it would be to see the live animal you’re going to eat get slaughtered. I remember what it was like seeing Roy’s mom cut a chicken’s head off in Huancavelica for the first time. Yech! =P
Absolutely love the idea of maxing out the weight with clothes for children here. Medicine is a good idea too! Although, I seem to be able to find all the basic pills I need here (gravol, ibuprofen, pepto bismol).
Can’t wait!! =)
Ruth Porter
Dear Sam,
I love this post. It tells a lot of useful things, but it also says a lot about you and the adventurous way you travel. I liked what someone else said—that it was just like you to leave a lot of room for gifts.
Thanks for these interesting ideas.
Ruth
Samantha Bangayan
Your comment made me smile, Ruth! =) I hardly feel adventurous when I think of backpackers and bungee jumpers, but I have a feeling that the adventurousness you speak of is like the exploratory hearts we share. =)
Thanks for stopping by!
Noch Noch | be me. be natural.
oh i just thought of one more thing – face cream, for after the sun 🙂
Noch Noch
Samantha Bangayan
Ooh! Good one! Skin management for all moments of the day. =)
Giulietta Nardone
Hi Sam,
I agree with Ruth. The post says a lot about your travel style. The less stuff we take, the more we can bring back and that includes memories. The first time I went to Europe as an adult I brought two HUGE suitcases with clothing changes rivaling that of a movie star. And they did not have wheels. At one point, I was dragging my suitcase through Dublin and it was on its side. I couldn’t carry it anymore. I didn’t even care what happened to it because it was such a literal and metaphorical load.
Now, I bring one smaller bag and a knapsack. Sometimes i even think that is too much. Maybe I’ll go on a trip with nothing but my sunglasses and hat. I wear hat all the time to keep my face/neck from burning. Have also gotten a little weirded out by the chemicals and even “natural” blockers. Some of that stuff is in my oil paints!
Fun … G.
Samantha Bangayan
“The less stuff we take, the more we can bring back and that includes memories.” — this is so beautiful, Julie. =) That’s what traveling should be about. Haha! I can hardly imagine you dragging a suitcase through Dublin. What a lesson that was!
You know, even though I try to pack so light, I always find that I still end up packing things I don’t need! =P Great point about a hat! I really need to get used to wearing one!
Penelope J.
Hi Sam,
A lot of good advice! Much of it applies to traveling to other countries. Loved the one about toilet paper. Same is true in Mexico where garbage bins are always overflowing.
I always over pack. Once when a two-week vacation turned into several months, that worked out fine. Often, I’m not sure about the weather or the kind of events I’ll be going to especially when I visit Mexico City where people tend to dress up much more than in casual San Diego.
Samantha Bangayan
Yuck! I’m imagining the overflowing garbage bins in toilet stalls in Mexico. Haha! =P
Me too! I really try not to over pack, but I always seem to later notice that I packed something I didn’t need. =P I guess we end up thanking ourselves during those unpredictable situations when we end up staying longer than planned as you describe! =)
It’s the worst with my travels to Huancayo because I always pass through Lima where it’s super hot to Huancayo where it’s super cold. =) I guess that’s why layers are so important! And I don’t even usually consider the types of events I’d attend. Good point!
Miriam Schalit
What would you bring as gifts for families you may encounter (at Lake Titicaca)? I’ve heard pens and pencils…other suggestions?
I’m going for two weeks at the end of October! Very exciting!
Samantha Bangayan
Great question, Miriam! When I first arrived to work with an NGO, I brought any little thing with a Canadian flag on it (pins, stickers, magnets). North American candies were a big hit too! =) For example, they don’t have smarties or gummies (other than Haribo) here.
Super exciting!! =) Have a great time in October and let me know if you have any more questions! =)