The Ultimate Chile Packing List

Planning a trip to Chile? Time to start getting ready! One of the most important things is to determine what you'll be taking with you for your journey. We've put together a clear and comprehensive packing list for you. This way, you'll be well-prepared and won't forget anything.

Climate and Travel Seasons

Chile is an incredibly long and narrow country, stretching over 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) in length, while being only 188 kilometers (117 miles) wide at its broadest point. Chile experiences four seasons that are opposite to those in Northern America and Europe, as it is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Due to its vast length, Chile has a wide variety of climates and landscapes.

The northern part of Chile has a desert climate, making it warm year-round. Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool winters. The far south of Chile has a tundra climate, characterized by cold winters and slightly warmer summers. In winter, temperatures often drop below freezing (32°F), while in summer, they can reach up to 10 degrees Celsius (50°F). On Easter Island, there is a subtropical climate with year-round temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius (68°F).

There is no single best time to visit Chile due to its diverse climates. The best time to visit northern Chile is from May to October. For southern Chile, the best time to visit is between November and March. January and February are the most tourist-heavy months.

Traveling with a suitcase or backpack

The first choice you have to make when you go on a trip is whether you opt for a suitcase or a backpack. There are advantages to both, and the best choice depends on your travel itinerary, the activities you'll be doing, but mostly on your personal preference.

The biggest advantage of a backpack compared to a suitcase is that you can carry it on your back. In Chile, you won't always find good sidewalks and paved roads, especially when traveling to more remote places outside of major cities, so a backpack can be the obvious choice. On the other hand, traveling with a suitcase is much more comfortable. You don't have to carry a suitcase on your back, making it more relaxed for longer walks.

An important difference is that a suitcase is heavier than a backpack. With a suitcase, you quickly reach the maximum weight for checked baggage. A backpack can be packed heavier, but it often has less space than a suitcase.

A backpack offers a lot of flexibility, but in most places, you can travel just fine with a suitcase. For example, in locations with only unpaved roads, you can usually take a taxi. It may be challenging to move your suitcase only in places where there are no taxis and no paved roads. So, consider your route carefully and choose what's best for you.

We often travel with our Eastpak travel bags. These have all the benefits of a suitcase, but they are essentially wheeled bags. This results in a lower weight than a suitcase, allowing you to bring more.

Tips for Your Packing List

Bring layers of clothing that are easy to carry for higher-altitude areas.
When traveling to Chile, it’s important to consider which season you’ll be in at specific locations and plan your packing accordingly.
Pack plenty of warm clothing if you’re heading to southern Chile. Even during the Chilean summer, it can be chilly.

General

Passport + copies
Visa
Credit card(s) (with sufficient monthly limit)
Debit card (worldwide)
Cash
Driver's license
Medical passport
Vaccination passport
Copies of important documents such as health insurance, travel insurance, emergency numbers, contact information for family/friends
Passport photos
Boarding pass
Backpack/Daypack
Rain cover (for backpack/daypack)

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Tip: For some countries, you may need an international driver's permit, or it can be useful to have one just in case.