Should I bring a hard-shell suitcase?

No. Infrastructure in Latin America—cobblestone streets, steep hills, and crowded chicken buses—makes wheels a liability. A backpack is essential.

Is it safe to bring a laptop?

If you need it, yes. But keep it in a lockable compartment inside your backpack. Never leave your bag unattended in transit or under the bus unless you have verified it's in a secure luggage hold.

Packing Gear for Backpacking Latin America

Prioritize a 40-50 liter backpack and pack for layering to handle extreme altitude changes and varying climates. Focus on durable, multi-purpose items rather than packing for every possible scenario.

Select the right pack. Choose a 40-50 liter internal frame backpack. Anything larger will be too heavy for buses and won't fit as a carry-on for budget airlines like Volaris or Sky Airline.
Use packing cubes. Organize your clothes into three medium packing cubes: one for tops, one for bottoms, and one for underwear/socks. This keeps your gear compressed and accessible when you're living out of a bag.
Layer for climate shifts. Latin America offers everything from tropical heat to freezing Andean peaks. Pack a lightweight down jacket, a breathable synthetic base layer, and one high-quality rain shell instead of one bulky coat.
Protect your electronics. Carry a universal power adapter with surge protection and a 10,000mAh power bank. Voltage fluctuations are common in remote hostels.
Secure your documents. Carry a slim, RFID-blocking neck wallet for your passport and secondary credit card. Keep your main wallet for daily spending.

Should I bring a hard-shell suitcase?: No. Infrastructure in Latin America—cobblestone streets, steep hills, and crowded chicken buses—makes wheels a liability. A backpack is essential.
Is it safe to bring a laptop?: If you need it, yes. But keep it in a lockable compartment inside your backpack. Never leave your bag unattended in transit or under the bus unless you have verified it's in a secure luggage hold.