What to pack for Chile in December

UV index of 12.4 burns skin in minutes without protection.

Glare off water and pale rock at 549 m altitude strains unprotected eyes.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Mountain terrain and water access create cuts, scrapes, and minor injuries quickly.

This country runs on Type C or L. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Overhead bins are tight on regional flights between mountain towns.

Day hikes into parks need a pack for water, sun gear, and layers.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Anything heavier than linen is a mistake at 84°F.

Fourteen hours of daylight means long days of heat and sweat on mountain trails.

UV hits 12.4 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Coastal access and warm highs of 84°F make swimming appealing most days.

Rock and dirt terrain near parks demands shoes that shed water and sand quickly.

The sun beats down for 14.4 hours straight across open mountain terrain.

Cold water at 3pm is worth the weight.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

One rain day per month means water is scarce on dry stretches.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

International travel and mountain terrain mean bags move between many hands and places.

Packing tight saves space in a small carry-on for a long trip.

Coastal access and mountain streams mean water is always near your gear.

One rain day means clothes dry fast, so frequent small washes work.

Mountain roads are loud and long, and flights connect distant parks.

Mountain terrain and national parks demand traction and support on steep ground.

Wind at 17 km/h dries lips fast at this altitude and latitude.

Winding mountain roads are the default route between destinations.

Tap water is safe, but hands touch many surfaces in transit.

Sun exposure and insect bites both happen here and both hurt.

Multiple devices need charging and outlets are sparse in remote mountain areas.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Border crossings require proof of identity at multiple points.

Luggage passes through several airports and transport hubs on the route.

Long daylight hours shift sleep schedules on the road.