GUATEMALA trip 2021-22
PACKING LIST & INSTRUCTIONS
This year’s trip to Guatemala will expose students to a wide range of climates and
settings. Please read and follow the following instructions and guidelines to make sure
you are prepared.
Luggage
Students are allowed to bring:
• 1 checked bag: a duffel bag (60-80+ liters) is ideal for carrying clothes, footwear
and other personal items. Students will not have to carry their bags long
distances, but duffels are easier to move and pack in vehicles than their square
rolling cousins.
Duffel bags are particularly useful, as they are also ideal for local immersion trips
and other CCS activities.
• 1 carryon bag: a good daypack is essential. This should be large and
comfortable enough to carry a water bottle, camera, journal, jacket, sunscreen,
etc. during day hikes and other activities.
Essential Gear
Students are required to bring:
• Water bottles: 2 x 1-liter water bottle
• Headlamp
• Waterproof Rain jacket
• Layer: a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings (e.g. down jacket or fleece)
• Warm Socks
• Hiking boots / shoes: you must be comfortable walking around in the volcanic
highlands and the low-lying plains. These shoes should have firm soles and
covered sides and toes.
• Water shoes / equivalent: participants are required to have shoes that will keep
their feet protected when walking in the water (mangrove tour), which are
different than comfortable shoes like flip-flops to wear on the beach. Old tennis
shoes are ideal.
• Sneakers / casual shoes
Camping Gear
Students are required to bring:
• Sleeping bag: rated to 40 degrees (will get cold when we’re in the mountains).
Participants need a sleeping bag and should also bring a sheet to use when we’re
on the coast and temperatures are warmer at night
• Sleeping pad: a comfortable pad will keep you comfortable throughout the trip
(inflatable pad is recommended)
Clothes
For Travel – Students are expected to wear presentable and appropriate attire whenever
we are traveling in public. The right travel clothes will make it easy for us to visit
everywhere from downtown Guatemala City to a roadside restaurants along the highway.
This is a basic guideline:
• Long pants or a long skirt (loose fitting)
• A comfortable, non-revealing t-shirt or similar top
• A warm layer
For Lake Atitlan – This is a traditional part of the country, where we will have to be
sensitive to local norms but also ready to jump in the lake. We want everyone to be
comfortable, both physically and in the context of the surrounding culture.
This is a basic guideline:
• A pair of lightweight long pants or a long skirt
• A comfortable, non-revealing t-shirt
• A warm layer for the mornings and evenings
• A bathing suit on underneath your clothes or packed in your day pack
For El Hawaii – El Hawaii has a warm climate all year round. We should expect hot
days and comfortable nights. T-shirts and shorts are appropriate everywhere and bathing
suits are allowed on all beaches.
This is a basic guideline:
• Shorts or lightweight pants (good for hiking or hours in the sun)
• A comfortable t-shirt or light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection
• A rain jacket for storms or for cool evenings
Based on these guidelines, we recommend the following list:
• Long pants: bring 2 pairs of light, quick drying long pants, and 1-2 pairs of
warmer, durable pants
• Shorts / bathing suits: bring 2 pair of quick drying shorts and at least 1 bathing
suit to wear.
• Collared shirt / nice top: bring at least one collared shirt or nice top to wear to
dinner in Guatemala City or to meetings with various people during the trip
• Long sleeved shirts: bring 2 long-sleeved shirts to wear in the mountains, when a
fleece or sweatshirt would be too hot and a t-shirt too cold
• T-shirt or short sleeved shirt: bring 4-5 t-shirts or similar short-sleeved shirts
• Warm layer: bring at least two layers so that you can adjust as the climate
changes
• Socks: bring 4 pairs of warm, durable socks (hiking socks or similar) and 3 pairs
of regular athletic socks
• Underwear: bring enough underwear for 10 days of travel
• Towel: bring a towel to use throughout the trip
Toiletries & Personal Items
It is important for students to bring all the toiletries and personal items they will need
during the trip. We will not have time to shop around for things you need everyday.
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Soap & shampoo: most of the hotels will offer these products, but not all. For
those who want to bathe when we’re in the village or in the jungle, please bring
eco-friendly soap and shampoo
• Razors
• Towel
Additional Gear
This is optional but generally useful gear that students can choose to bring.
• Camera: brings extra batteries and ample storage
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Pillow
• Sunglasses
