What to pack for Colombia in March

26 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Mosquitoes thrive in 84% humidity near national parks and wetlands.

Remote terrain means medical help is hours away by boat.

Tap water isn't safe here. A filter bottle beats buying plastic twice a day.

One outlet at the guesthouse charges nothing without a power bank.

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

Fits overhead on every airline that matters and skips checked-bag lines.

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.

UV hits 7.8 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Twelve hours of equatorial daylight with 84% humidity makes shade essential.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water isn't safe here and diarrhea dehydrates fast at altitude.

Contaminated water causes intestinal problems that derail multiday hikes.

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 border crossings require documents kept safe from theft.

Bags get separated on boats and in crowded transit hubs.

Wet gear and damp clothes need sorting without spreading mildew.

Treat clothes once and it lasts weeks in humid air.

Twenty-three rain days a month finds every seam in boots not treated beforehand.

Lips crack fast in high altitude with relentless UV exposure.

Sunburn and insect bites both need relief that won't worsen skin.

Short cables fit daypacks better than full-length cords.

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

Humidity and rain damage passports left in regular pockets.

Hanging bag keeps toiletries from fungus in 84% humidity.