What to Pack for the Amazon Rainforest

While most everyone can easily pack for a beach weekend, preparing for a trip to the Amazon is confusing to many people. We all know that there will be intense heat, humidity, and mosquitos, but how best to prepare for this? Here are our best recommendations for trips to the Amazon Rainforest, whether it be vía Rurrenabaque in Bolivia or Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos in Peru.

Fast-drying clothing is ideal, especially in light layers. At times, you will be under dense canopy that blocks much of the sun. At other times you’ll be very exposed, such as when traveling by boat along the Amazon River. Make it easy for yourself by covering some skin- there’s a reason that light linen shirts with long sleeves are so popular for jungle travel. A gauzy scarf that you can use to cover your neck or head in strong sunshine is also useful. Make sure to pack a warm layer for evenings as well, especially if there have been reports of friaje, a cold period lasting a few weeks that hits the Amazon every few years. For this layer, a light, water-resistant jacket is ideal.

Small plastic bags are indispensable- you want to keep rain and humidity off of your travel documents, camera and electronics, etc. In fact, if you have the option of taking a backpack that has a clip-on rain cover, go that route! A rain poncho is a smart choice that doesn’t take too much room, as are extra pairs of socks to wear while wet socks dry.

A pair of hiking boots and some rubber sandals or shoes that you can get wet should be sufficient for shoes. When the trip includes some wetlands, as in the Bolivian Pampas, rubber galoshes to wear over your shoes are generally provided by the tour operator.

When it comes to packing everything up, a sturdy backpack is best, with a small daypack for short treks or canoe rides.

Aside from the necessary toiletries (toothpast, toothbrush, toilettes or an antibacterial gel) and any personal medications you may take, there are a few other items that you may find useful:

• Sunblock & insect repellent with DEET
• Anti-itch cream for insect bites and sunburn salve
• Flashlight or headlamp and batteries
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars (these are great for spotting wildlife that gathers riverside while traveling by boat)
• Hat for sun or rain
• Water bottle
• Pepto-bimol in the case of stomach problems
• Ibuprofin or other painkiller
• Swimwear

Pirwa Travel offers a variety of rainforest tours, both in the Bolivian Amazon and the Peruvian Amazon. There’s even a Pirwa Hostel in Puerto Maldonado, where many tours of the Peruvian Amazon begin.