Your Perfect Packing List for Lima, Cusco, and the Amazon in Peru

Peru is definitely one of our favorite countries that we’ve visited on our year-long world tour. It varies so much from destination to destination, though, from the high mountains to the surfer’s coastline, the cosmopolitan capital city, and the dense and hot jungle. You should definitely come prepared, or else you might miss out on some of the most fun activities!

One important note: If you’re thinking about what to wear in Peru, resort wear might come to mind because of Peru’s long coastline. However, the beaches in and around Lima are not great for lounging with a tropical cocktail. The Pacific waves are cold and forbidding, and Lima is basically just a desert marching up to the ocean, so palm trees are not a thing. Forget the sun dresses. Anyway, Peru has way more magic than just a beach. Trust me.

In Your Backpack

• Backpack – This one can can go from the city to a hike, and the back pocket is hidden from pickpockets, which is a huge plus!
• Camera and lenses, extra battery, battery charger, extra memory cards – I love my compact but powerful Fuji x-t10, with a wide angle lens for landscape, architecture, and room shots; and a 50 mm lens for portraits and food.
• Lens bag and camera bag
• Mini travel wallet – there’s lots to choose from at O My Bag
• Passport
• Portable phone charging battery and charging cord
• Reusable water bottle – you can’t drink the water in Lima, but many hotels will have a place for you to refill your water.
• Wide-mouth reusable coffee cup with sealable lid – Can be used for coffee, coca leaf tea, or also as a to-go container in a pinch for soup, fruit, snacks, etc.
• Hand sanitizer – It’s common in Latin America that the public bathroom wherever doesn’t have any soap available. Or, if you’re like me, that you’ll want to pet a friendly stray cat or dog!
• SPF chapstick
• Chico reusable bag with stuff sack
• Earbuds
• Portable spork – so you don’t have to use disposable one. Make sure it’s plastic so it doesn’t get confiscated by airport security
• Mini bottle SPF moisturizing day cream – It’s so great to have this in your backpack or purse at all times, because it’s sunny in Lima and very sunny and intense in the mountains, and you’ll find yourself walking around and think, oops! Should have put on sunscreen! Here are my favorites.
• Reusable handkerchief

Your Core Peru Packing List

• Long-sleeved tee – I like these from Amour Vert, or Saint James
• Button down blouse – A recycled polyester one from H&M, this one at Belvele, Tradlands, or find a variety at Grammar
• Merino wool hoodie – A dark grey color ensures if you layer it under a scarf or poncho in the city, no one will know it’s for hiking.
• 2 tanks to wear underneath your button downs – I like the scoop necks from Groceries Apparel
• Pants – I like these crisp ones from Vetta
• Midi skirt – I got one in a jersey cotton in Lima, and wear in in hot casual weather as well as the city.
• Comfortable high-waisted jeans – Here’s my roundup of my favorite denim brands
• Black leggings – These are my tried and true favorites – comfortable, flattering, versatile.
• Lightweight long outdoor pants – for hiking, and you can layer the yoga pants underneath them if it’s cold. Or wear them by themselves in the Amazon.
• 4 pairs wool socks – Merino wool keeps your feet cool or warm, and wicks away odor and sweat.
• Belt – Nisolo’s Noemi belt is just the right vibe and comes in several neutral colors.
• Sandals – I personally like my Pons Avarcas, because they offer more protection than typical sandals and are super comfy.
• City-style tennis shoes – Veja is the best eco tennis shoe brand, hands down.
• Flat or low-heeled boots 
• Flatpack Chila Bag from Noa Trade – A fresh take on the traditional Colombian purse, you can flat pack this in your suitcase but it holds a lot!
• Mini cross-body purse – I’ve started carrying a mini crossbody purse when I travel , because it gives me quick access to my passport, wallet, and tickets, without me having to take off my backpack. And then I can wear it out to drinks. O My Bag has a ton to choose from.
• Packable wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses – here’s my shopping guide to the best eco sunglasses
• 3 bras and 8 pairs of underwear. Here’s my 5 rules for packing undies for travel.
• Basic Toiletries 
• Sunscreen – Here’s my guide to non-toxic sunscreen.

Add These if You’re Going to Lima

Lima is a cosmopolitan capital, where the most popular activity is seeing a few tourist sites, shopping, and having dinner at one of the dozen amazing restaurants celebrating Peru’s diverse cuisines. Also, it gets warm during the day but can drop in temperature at night, so pack layers!

• A cute top for going out to dinner or a cocktail bar – I like the selection from Apiece Apart.
• A cardigan 
• Flats – either Hobes shoes or pointed-toe flats by Rothys
• 1 surfing bathing suit – If you like surfing, Lima has great waves! Check out Greenlee, Koru Swimwear, or Abysse.
• 1 lipstick – I like Jane Iredale lipstick in red
• Mascara
• Eyeliner
• A day-to-night dress that is either long-sleeved, or can have a long-sleeve tee layered underneath – I like Ode to Sunday, or Vetta
• Kayu clutch — I’ve had mine since 2011, so I can tell you it’s not only cute but durable. You can dress it up or down, depending on the activity.
• Tights – If you’re going during the winter, bring Swedish Stockings to wear under your dress.

Add These If You’re Going to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu

When you get to Cusco, things get more casual, and cold – you’re up high in the mountains, remember? You’ll be doing a lot of walking and hiking, so you definitely need to be prepared. (Though, there is a couple of outdoor outfitters in Cusco, in case you forget something.) Also, the sun up here is very, very intense and the air is dry. You’ll see that a lot of locals have skin problems – dry, red cheeks – from exposure. Make sure you protect and moisturize your skin as much as possible! But don’t worry about packing gloves and a hat – there are plenty of yummy alpaca accessories to buy in Lima and Cusco.

• Trail running shoes – So much more packable than hiking boots, I wore these to hike Machu Picchu and to the Rainbow Mountains. In black, these aren’t super dorky looking, so you could pack them instead of the city sneakers if you don’t have space for both, and are smaller and lighter than hiking boots. Just add wool socks to make them warm in cold weather and dry quickly if you have to tramp through a muddy stream.
• Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket –  This comes with a stuff sack, so it packs up small but is warm enough for the very cold hikes in Sacred Valley
• Thick, cozy sweater – You’ll want to arrive with something warm to wear at night, but do save space for a lovely alpaca poncho!
• Sports bras
• Baseball cap – to protect your face against the blazing sun.
• Cozy pajamas
• Solar lamp by Luci or headlamp – Great for if you’re doing an overnight outside of Cusco, or doing the Inca Trail
• Travel first aid kit – Get a basic one, then add in medications you’ll need, like altitude medication, ibuprofen, Imodium, etc.
• Ultra moisturizing night face cream – My night regenerative balm from Apoterra was a lifesaver.
• Body lotion 

Pack These If You’re Going to Peru’s Amazon Rainforest

If you’re going to the jungle, you might be going for the wildlife, or something a bit more mystical. But both require a few extra items in your suitcase! Also, be prepared for rain. Because when it rains in the jungle it pours. For hours.

• Dry bag(s) – it might rain, a lot.
• Rain poncho – ditto
• Lightweight, long, tight-weave cotton pants  – protect yourself against bugs, etc.
• Teva’s or other water shoes that strap on
• Caftan dress – It’s basically a giant mosquito net for my body, which is amazing for when you’re just hanging out at the lodge. I love this one at Accompany.
• Head lamp or Solar lamp by Luci
• Trail running shoes – So much more packable than hiking boots, and lightweight
• Bugspray – My absolute favorite
• Long lens – for capturing wildlife up close