PARAMETERS:
Link to list of all countries packing lists
Here are some pics of what I packed and a detailed list, hopefully it comes in handy for some people. After months of searching for the "perfect" packing list by reading countless blogs I came to the conclusion that I could only use them as suggestions. Even the Peace Corps list. It all comes down to what YOU think is best for your 27 month service. When I first started making a preliminary list, and started getting everything in order, I thought I end up way over the weight limit but I was way under (only about 70lbs total). Happy packing and don't stress too much (I actually quite enjoyed it)
Everything in Red is what I have corrected after being in country for almost 21 months. Hope this helps future PCVs, feel free to contact me with specific questions.
- Checked bags should not exceed 100 pounds total & maximum weight allowance of 50 pounds for any one bag.
- Combined linear dimensions of checked baggage may not exceed 107 inches & larger piece of luggage is not to exceed 60 linear inches.
- Carry-on bag may not exceed 45 linear inches. You are allowed one carry-on item and a personal item such as a briefcase
Link to list of all countries packing lists
Here are some pics of what I packed and a detailed list, hopefully it comes in handy for some people. After months of searching for the "perfect" packing list by reading countless blogs I came to the conclusion that I could only use them as suggestions. Even the Peace Corps list. It all comes down to what YOU think is best for your 27 month service. When I first started making a preliminary list, and started getting everything in order, I thought I end up way over the weight limit but I was way under (only about 70lbs total). Happy packing and don't stress too much (I actually quite enjoyed it)
Everything in Red is what I have corrected after being in country for almost 21 months. Hope this helps future PCVs, feel free to contact me with specific questions.
Detailed list of EVERYTHING I BROUGHT to Staging in D.C and Nicaragua: 1. Luggage:
- Hiking Daypack: Gregory 45L (pic above) (This is perfect size for traveling in country anything bigger gets annoying. I use my backpack to travel mostly though, draws less attention)
- Rolling Duffel: Eagle Creek Load Warrior 28 (Pic above)
- Carry On: Backpack and Pillow (pic above) (I pretty much travel with my backpack and not my hiking backpack)
- Underwear: 16 (You'll be glad you bring a lot, hand washing destroys EVERYTHING)
- Bras: 4 Sports Bras: 2 (wish I'd brought more sports bras! Since being in country I've had 3 more sent form the states)
- Socks: 11 pairs (I'm glad I only brought black ones, they hide the dirt better)
- Jeans: 2 pants, 1 capri (Wish I'd brought more jeans! Cannot stress how it really is the professional wear for education volunteers, I have since bought 3 in site quite cheap but finding the right size is tough)
- Capri: 4, 1 black, 1 brown, 1 khaki, 1 patterned
- Athletic shorts: 2 (As a female, I only wear shorts in my house)
- Skirts: 4, 1 pencil, 3 maxi
- Dresses: 4, 1 long, 3 knee length (wish I'd brought more long ones at the beginning. I have since invested in more)
- Tanks: 2 (wish I'd brought more for lounging around in my house, have since invested in more)
- Undershirts: 7
- T-shirts: 7
- Blouses: 7
- Long sleeved: 2 (there are some pasts of the country that are chilly, glad I brought these)
- Mid-Sleeve:2
- Fleece Jacket: 1 (BRING A JACKET! No mater your site you will come across parts of this country that get pretty chilly)
- Jacket 2, 1 rain jacket, 1 cotton (Bring a good rain jacket, it rains half of the year...when there isn't a drought)
- Cardigan 2
- Pajamas: 2, 1 pants, 1 capri (Glad I brought a pair of pants for those chilly nights up north)
- Swim suit 1 top
- Jewelry: lots of earrings/ 2 necklaces
- Hat: 4, 1 baseball, 1 beret, 2 fisherman hats (the baseball cap is the most useful for environment volunteers)
- Scarf: 2 (to be honest I wear mine quite often on trips OUTSIDE my own site but because I used them in the states a lot, I have since added 2 to my collection)
- Leggings: 2 (both mine are pretty much done after so much hand washing and sun drying, wish I'd invested in a good pair)
- Belt: 1
- Flats: 2 (These go quickly, most sites you'll be walking A LOT...in lots of DIRT roads. My shoes don't survive long)
- Shower sandals: 1 (I have since invested in 2 more in country, these are a MUST!!!)
- Sturdy sandals: 1 Tevas (I don't use these as often as other volunteers, but that's up to preference)
- Nice Sandals: 2 (same with the flats, I go through these REALLY fast. Have since bought another 2 pairs in country)
- Light walking shoes: 1 Vans (These also didn't survive much on the dirt road, I have since had another pair sent form the states)
- Running shoes: 1
- Toiletries Carry Case for travel (this is a life saver when it comes to traveling in country)
- Shower gel
- Aloe Vera (glad I brought this)
- Toothpaste (2)
- Bobby Pins
- Hair ties
- Travel size Conditioner
- Travel size Sunscreen
- Travel size Lotion
- Nail Clippers
- Floss
- Q-Tips
- Hand sanitizers (2)
- Deodorant (2)
- Travel size Hairspray
- Packet of razors
- Toothbrush and case
- Face Wipes
- Loofa (2)
- Feminine products (3 packets) (girls, tampons are pretty much non-existent in Nicaragua)
- Hair Brush
- Travel size straightner (love this guy)
- Make-up bag (powder, brush, 3 eyeliners, small mirror, tweezers)
- Small Medicine Bag:
- Hydrocortisone creams (2)
- Travel size Bug Sprays (3)
- Vitamins
- Chap sticks (4)
- Vapor Rub
- Pain relief packets (3)
- Alka-Seltzer tablets (4)
- Packet of nutra-life
- Some cough drops
- Laptop, case, charger (originally wasn't going to bring this but SO HAPPY I DID! A computer is a MUST, no questions asked)
- Tablet, charger, case, waterproof pouch (I use my tablet a lot, especially in class)
- Ipod, headphones, charger, usb chord, case
- Camera, case, charger, rechargeable batteries
- Phone, charger (chip we were given did not end up working in country, so now it's put away)
- Flashlight
- Headlamp
- External hard drive (I loved mine while I had it, it was stolen was am so glad I brought it for days I just wanted to stay home and watch a movie)
- Small Backpack (Carried the supplies in here but have since given it away)
- Packets of stickers (5) (kids LOVE these! I go through them super quick and this is all I ask for in my car packages)
- Packet of Color pencils
- Packets of teaching cards (2)
- Duct tape (so many uses, have since had another sent from the states)
- Packets of crayons (2)
- Highlighter packet
- Staples packet
- Small stapler
- Pencil Lead packets (4)
- Glue sticks (3) (can get these in country)
- Binder clips (4)
- Sticky note packets (3)
- Sturdy Scissors (2)
- Hole Puncher
- Small sharpener
- Small container of paper clips and safety pins
- Small container of push pins (Have not used them, don't work on the walls in this county)
- Small whiteboard eraser (PC gave us one so gave this one away)
- Crazy glue
- Packet of Markers
- Towel (make sure it's light and will dry quickly, we travel a lot and no one wants to be carrying a wet towel)
- Cotton sheet set (I'm highly allergic to bed bugs so I brought some, training family will provide some but you may have to get your own afterwards)
- Pillow (No regrets in bringing this, I enjoy a good pillow but it's up to preference)
- Metal water bottles (2) (These things are indestructible, so happy I brought both)
- Life-straw (never used it, PC gave me a filter for my permanent site)
- Sunglasses (2)
- Small umbrella (I have since invested in a much sturdier umbrella, but that small one was good for the first couple of weeks in training)
- Small purse
- Wallet (2) (1 as a dummy wallet)
- Small photo album with pics (Great for shaing)
- Journal
- Small Agenda
- Travel size lint roller (So glad I have this)
- Life supply of earplugs (I can actually sleep through anything so I have since given them away, if you have trouble sleeping bring them)
- Tajin (favorite seasoning)
- Packet of Chia Seeds (you can find chia seeds in Nicaragua quite cheaply)
- Packet of dried chili mango
- Packet of granola bars
- Reusable bag (1)
- Maps of Monterey, California and of North America (cool for sharing too)
- Small flag of the US
- Medium size airtight bag (put my towel, sheets and sweaters into here)
- Books: 2 (Bible, Wreck this Journal) (This journal is hours of entertainment for long trips)
- Movie: 1 (How to train your dragon) pretty much my all time favorite movie. I brought other digital copies this is the only actual physical movie I brought
- Frisbee
- Crazy Train Puzzle Game
- Calendars (These are GREAT for gifts)
- pocket knife, this is so incredibly useful
- Spices from home
- More snacks