What to Bring to Guatemala

This is probably one of the hardest questions to answer because it almost always varies according to the individual. The most important thing to remember is that most of the things you can get in the States you can find in Guatemala, especially in the capital. The best way to answer the question, “What should I bring?” is to ask yourself, “What can I not do without for the next 5 or 10 months?”

Most importantly, TAKE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! Usually taking only your favorite outfits seems to be enough, since those outfits tend to be worn over and over. Most people regret that they packed too much. Listed below are general clothing suggestions for women and men.

Women		Men
3-5 pairs of pants (including 2-3 pairs of jeans)		3-5 pairs of pants (including 2-3 pairs of jeans)
6-8 shirts		6-8 shirts
1-2 casual skirts		1 set of semi-formal clothes
1 nice outfit for formal occasions		1 outfit (e.g., suit) for formal occasions
7-8 pairs underwear		7-8 pairs underwear
modest bathing suit		modest bathing suit
pajamas		pajamas
jacket, fleece, sweatshirt		jacket, fleece, sweatshirt
1-2 pairs of comfortable shoes (walking shoes, tennis shoes)		1-2 pairs of comfortable shoes (walking shoes, tennis shoes)
1 pair flipflops for shower		1 pair flipflops for shower
1 pair sandals		1 pair sandals
1 pair comfortable dress shoes		1 pair comfortable dress shoes
personal items (socks, bras, slips, shorts, gym clothes, etc.)		personal items (sock, undershirts, shorts, gym clothes, etc.)

Other Suggested Items

The following items are not required, but are strongly recommended to make your experience much more convenient:

laundry bag
batteries
film
passport holder or money belt
travel alarm clock
umbrella
travel hair dryer and curling iron
any medication or prescriptions you are currently taking
Pepto Bismol and cold medicine (e.g., Pseudaphed)
small flashlight (pocket size)
towels and wash cloths
Spanish dictionary
contact solution
spare pair of glasses and contacts
insect repellent
sun block and after burn lotion
feminine hygiene products (you can get the basics in Guatemala, but if you prefer certain brands or tampons, you should bring a supply with you)

Planning Your Wardrobe

When planning your wardrobe you need to consider the weather, care requirements for your clothing, and the limited luggage space available. Choose clothing that is neat, comfortable, and easy to care for. You will frequently be traveling on buses or other transport, so choose clothing that does not soil easily and requires little time to maintain cleanliness. As a general rule, clothing that requires dry cleaning should be left at home. Do not bring more clothing than necessary. Remember you need to be able to carry your own luggage at airports and on field trips.