What to Pack & Bring: Puerto Maldonado

Season-Specific Clothing

Focus on lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying fabrics (nylon, polyester, light cotton blends). Avoid heavy cotton.

Apparel

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants for sun/insect protection. Opt for light colors.
A Lightweight, packable rain jacket or a simple Poncho and Rain pants for downpours. The Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket is a recommended choice.
Swimwear for lodge pools or safe river areas.

"Friaje" Preparedness

While rare, cold snaps can drop temperatures significantly (May-August). Be ready for cooler conditions.

Unexpected Cool Weather

Pack a light Fleece jacket or a warm long-sleeved shirt.
These items layering for unexpected cool weather.
Comfortable for evenings at the lodge.

Footwear Recommendations

Hiking Boots/Shoes

Lightweight, waterproof, or very quick-drying Hiking shoes with good grip for jungle trails. Trails are muddy and slippery. Look for good ankle support. The Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe is a reliable choice.

Essential for jungle treks

Sandals/Flip-flops

Bring a pair for walking around the lodge, during boat transfers, or for casual wear in Puerto Maldonado town. Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals or simple flip-flops are useful for relaxation.

Casual comfort

Rubber Boots

Most lodges provide rubber boots (wellies) for jungle excursions. Trails are often muddy and wet, making these . Check with your specific lodge about availability. Otherwise, rent a pair locally.

Provided by most lodges

Essential Documents

Critical Travel Documents

Organize your documents carefully. Keep both physical and digital copies in separate places for backup.

Passport & Visa Documentation: Original passport, valid for 6 months beyond departure. Any required visa documents.
Travel Insurance Policy: Printed copy of policy number, emergency contact, coverage details. Digital copy in email/cloud.
International Driving Permit: Not generally needed, but carry if self-driving (rare).
Vaccination Records & Health Docs: Yellow Fever certificate (Yellow Card). List of prescription medications with generic names.

Reservations (Printed & Digital): Flight tickets, lodge bookings, tour confirmations.
Emergency Contact Information: List of family/friends, embassy/consulate details in Lima.
Student/Senior/Press IDs: Discounts rare in this region.
Passport Protector: A waterproof sleeve a dry passport in humidity.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Plan your electronics to stay connected and capture memories while respecting the Amazon's remote nature.

Adapter & SIM

Power: Peru uses 220V/60Hz. Plug types A, B, C. Bring a Universal Travel Power Adapter. Check devices for dual voltage.
Mobile: Most unlocked GSM phones work. Buy local SIM cards (Claro, Movistar, Entel) in Lima or Puerto Maldonado. Connectivity in deep jungle lodges is limited or non-existent.
Charging: Electricity at lodges can be intermittent. A Portable charger or power bank is invaluable. The Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Portable Charger is a good example.

Photography & Apps

Capture the Amazon's beauty and stay informed with the right tools.

Camera & Digital Tools

Camera: Digital camera with a telephoto zoom (200-400mm+) for wildlife. A Waterproof camera bag or dry bag Earth Pak Dry Bag required. Bring extra batteries and memory cards.
Apps: Maps.me or Google Maps (offline maps) for town navigation. Google Translate (offline Spanish pack) for basic communication. WhatsApp is widely used for operators.
Backup: Cloud storage (Google Drive/Dropbox) for photos and digital documents.

Data & Security

Memory Cards

Wildlife photography often many shots. Carry plenty of memory cards.

Cloud Storage

Google Drive or Dropbox are useful for storing digital copies of your passport, insurance, and travel reservations.

Photo Backup

Back up photos from your camera to avoid losing them if a memory card gets damaged.

Health & Wellness Items

First Aid & Medications

Pack a comprehensive first aid kit. The tropical environment can mean quicker infections.

Kit Contents

Standard items: Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze, medical tape.
Pain relievers (Tylenol Extra Strength), anti-inflammatory (Aleve), anti-diarrhea (Imodium A-D), rehydration salts, anti-histamines, Hydrocortisone cream, tweezers.
Prescription Medications: Carry in original containers with doctor's note. Pack extra days' supply.

Prevention & Hygiene

Protect against sun, insects, and maintain personal hygiene in the humid climate.

Items

Insect Repellent: High DEET (30-50%) or Picaridin (20-30%). Sawyer Products Picaridin. Consider Permethrin spray for clothing Insect Repellent Spray.
Sun Protection: High SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen (EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46), wide-brimmed hat, quality Sunglasses.
Personal Hygiene: Preferred brands of toiletries. Biodegradable soap/shampoo for eco-lodges. Hand sanitizer.

Specific Remedies

Altitude Sickness

Puerto Maldonado is at a low altitude.
Altitude sickness is not a concern here.
No special remedies needed for altitude.

Motion Sickness

River boat journeys can be long and swaying.
If you prone to motion sickness, Medication useful.
Consider over-the-counter remedies.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Essentials

Gear for jungle treks to maximize comfort and wildlife spotting.

Small daypack for daily excursions. An Osprey Talon 22 or Tempest 20 is suitable.
Headlamp with extra batteries (Black Diamond Spot 400).
Binoculars for wildlife spotting (Nikon PROSTAFF 3S).
Small Waterproof dry bag for electronics.

Water Activities

Prepare for river and lake excursions with appropriate gear.

Swimwear for refreshing dips.
A Quick-dry towel.
Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for boat excursions.
Water purification options like a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter or Purification tablets for emergencies.

Rent vs. Bring

Decide what to bring and what to rent based on quality and availability.

Rubber boots are often provided by lodges; inquire about availability.
Lodges may have binoculars; bringing your own ensures good quality.
Specialized hiking gear may be expensive or unavailable locally.
Consider an Reusable water bottle; lodges provide refills. A Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle is a good example.

Specialty Items

Amazon-Specific Items

Plastic bags/dry sacks for wet clothes, muddy shoes, or gear protection from humidity.
A Quick-dry travel towel (Rainleaf Microfiber Towel).
A small padlock for luggage or hostel lockers.
Money belt or RFID blocking wallet for valuables.

Convenience Items

Neck pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs for long journeys.
Reusable shopping bag for market visits.
Reusable utensils to reduce waste from street food.
Small denominations of Peruvian Soles for mototaxis and small purchases.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Essential Comfort

Items that elevate your journey and daily experience.

Practical Travel Additions

Earplugs for restful sleep amid potential noise.
Headlamp for night walks and lodge navigation after dark.
Dry sacks for electronics protection.
Reusable water bottle for hydration.

Eco-Friendly & Smart Packing

Items that support sustainable travel and reduce waste.

Sustainable Choices

Biodegradable soap and shampoo (many eco-lodges encourage use).
Reusable shopping bag for local market visits.
Reusable utensils to cut down on waste from street food.
High-quality insect repellent (may be expensive locally).

Specialized Items

Water Filter

A LifeStraw Personal Water Filter or purification tablets an extra layer of safety.

Travel VPN

Consider a NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing.

Camera Gear

For electronics, check B&H Photo.

ESIM

For mobile connectivity, consider Airalo eSIMs.

Other Specific Needs

Sun & Skin Protection

Wide-brimmed hat.
Quality sunglasses.
High-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Money & Documents

Small denominations of Peruvian Soles.
Waterproof passport protector.
Copies of important documents stored separately.

Packing Pro Tips

Pack items you may find expensive or difficult to purchase locally from home, like specific brands of insect repellent or specialized hiking gear.

Embrace layers for changing conditions.

What to Pack & Bring