Can't really add much here! A lot of this stuff you can buy as needed, but a fancy towel is a good tip for sure. Central and South America is really humid, so your normal cotton towel is going to get really gross really fast. If you don't bring a towel, than stick with renting towels from the hostels, because it just isn't worth the nastiness of wet luggage.

Key things I packed: head torch, hiking boots, mosquito repellant, vegemite (yes I'm Aussie!), microfibre towel, good quality goretex rainjacket, aluminium water bottle, ear plugs and anti-malarial tablets. I also wished I had a Visa credit card or debit card cos Mastercard wasn't accepted at a LOT of places.

Hi Stephanie, Here is my list: Official/Important Papers □ Passport, U.S. □ Copies of first page of passport (2) □ Airline tickets, □ Insurance documentation □ Passport photos (4) □ IDs □ Currency (New) □ Valid credit/ATM cards □ Travel Plans/Reservations □ Memory Stick w/travel information Travel Gear □ Backpack and cover, □ Small bag for laundry □ Pack tags □ Lock/keys (2) □ Passport carrier □ Wallet Sleep Gear □ Travel Pillow □ Sleep sack □ 550 Cord Outerwear □ Rain jacket □ Fleece jacket or Thermal Top Clothing □ Travel Clothes □ Zip-off pants □ Travel Shirts □ Sleep shorts □ Swimsuit □ Synthetic Long-sleeve T-shirts □ Synthetic T-shirts □ Synthetic underwear □ Hiking socks □ Nylon Belt/Nylon money belt □ Sun hat with brim (cap) □ Bandanas □ Neck Band Footwear □ Hiking boots □ Sport Sandals □ ID tags, complete Other □ Travel Books □ Travel Journal □ Pens/Pencils □ Map(s) □ Binoculars □ Compass □ One-quart water bottle □ Hydration replacement □ Flashlight □ Water filter □ Energy snacks □ Sunglasses and retainer strap □ Sun block and lip balm with high SPF □ Insect repellent and netting □ Toiletry kit □ Quick-dry towel (2) □ Personal first-aid kit □ Medicines/vitamins/supplements * □ Hand sanitizer gel □ Plastic bags, multiple sizes □ Watch □ Camera □ MP3 Player and Speaker □ Multi-tool, Gerber w/case □ Ear-plugs □ Batteries □ Toilet paper * Antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin 500 mg. Anti-Diarrheal, Loperamide Hydrochloride 2 mg. Anti-Malaria,Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg. Ibuprofen 200 mg. Multi-Vitamins Water purification tablets Good Journeys! Cheers:)

I agree with water purification tabs. You can get the ones that have iodine and then the vitamin c tab you put in after its purified (takes out the iodine taste). The bottles are tiny and easy to take with you. I also pack a small laundry line to hang the things you want to hand wash in your room or your travel towel or wet clothes. packs small and i find a thousand uses for it. And lastly, I always bring a silk sleep sack. Again, packs small. But it keeps you from having to sleep in nasty beds and adds warmth if you are in a colder place (adds about 10 degrees F to the average sleeping bag!).

i know this may be a little bit paranoid, but dehydration tablets are a must! or at least pick up some water cleaning solution at the local market before you head out so you're not feeling ill (Betadine is a trusted brand and available in most places)

Don't forget some pencils/pens or mini notepads for the kids! Better than candy or money. The kids are too cute.

Hey Stephanie! Assuming you're going to be gone for a few months at least? I can tell you I packed m travel backpack and daypack for Central. It was about a 55L backpack, so not too huge. I always kept important things on my body in the daypack. There wasn't much you can't buy there, so take it easy o clothes, as you can buy some along the way, like in Guatemala...lots to buy there. A little travel pillow or something is handy for long bus / train rides. Depending where you're going a sleeping bag probably would be a waste of time in Central. Bring some good hiking boots though, because thre are volcanoes and jungles to climb / walk through! In South, same thing, unless you're camping in the Andes where a sleeping bag may be needed. Bring a rainjacket and a couple or armer items as it can get cool at night in the highlands. Don't underestimate how often you'll need a headlamp / flashlight. You probaly won't need a big, bulky converter for your electronics..(if they accept different currents) just a small, compact adapter with different prongs. Learn some spanish too...it helps a lot!

Well it depends WHERE are you going...you put Rivas which is a beach area in the Pacific side of Nicaragua...and has nothing to do with South America. If you going to be in a hotel just (as thumb of rule in places outside the city and depending on the country) avoid to use tap water and drink only bottled water. Get something for stomache and normal tylenol. But normally the small grocery stores sell everything. A couple of batteries as well since they can be expensive on places outside the main city. Unless you go to a jungle camp I will follow some of the advices here...but is your trip, so feel free to pack whatever you want if you going to checked bags. I actually have seen more spectacular bugs in the South US than in Central America so far and I don't use OFF in my house.

thank you so much ^.^