What to pack for Rio de Janeiro in May

UV index of 6.4 burns exposed skin in under fifteen minutes.

Water glare off the coast and high sun angle cause eye strain.

Coastal humidity at 81% brings insects that carry dengue fever.

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

Nine rain days and insect bites mean cuts and stings happen.

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

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

Eleven-hour days and urban exploring drain batteries fast.

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

Dark by 5:15pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Day trips to the national park and urban exploration both fit in a carry-on that clears the overhead bin.

Urban exploration and day trips to the park need a separate bag.

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.

Eighty-one percent humidity and nine rain days mean sweat clings to skin.

The coast and warm water make swimming the main relief from heat.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Heat and humidity dehydrate faster than thirst signals arrive.

Tap water isn't safe and street food carries risk.

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.

Urban crowds and international travel make theft common.

Airports and crowded transit mean bags get separated.

Multiple outfits for nine rain days fit better organized.

Salt spray and nine rain days corrode electronics; a waterproof pouch keeps them dry and functional.

Nine rain days mean laundry every few days, not weekly.

Eleven-hour days and airport crowds call for audio escape.

Highs of 79°F and urban terrain call for minimal leg coverage.

Lips crack fast in salt air and intense sun.

Tap water carries pathogens that hand sanitizer stops before they reach your mouth.

Sunburn and mosquito bites both itch, but one needs care.

One outlet per guesthouse and multiple devices need charging.

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

International border crossings require a passport on your person.

Shared guesthouses and crowded hostels need locked bags.

Humidity and salt air degrade toiletries; a hanging bag keeps them dry.

Urban noise and eleven-hour daylight make sleep harder.