Be sure to verify the baggage allowance and weight limits with your airline.

Depending on the ticket purchased, standard international flights typically allow two checked bags, each weighing up to 50 pounds. However, the flight from Lima to Pucallpa may allow only one 50-pound bag if it is not part of a connecting itinerary and was booked separately. 

Long-Term (9 Months) Student Missionary SM Suggested Packing List 

Clothing (enough for about 1 week) – Bring a few things specifically for work (service) as well as 2 nice outfits for Sabbaths and special occasions. If possible, please minimize black clothing, as mosquitoes may be more attracted to dark colors, particularly black. Light-colored clothing is preferable because it may be less visually attractive to mosquitoes.

• 6 pairs of socks – most people generally use flip-flops or sandals and rarely use socks
• 2-3 pairs of jeans/pants – nylon pants ideal for coolness and easy washing
• 4-5 pairs of shorts – appropriate length is knee length or longer
• 6 short-sleeve shirts – non-cotton shirts are recommended due to the humidity For women: 6 short sleeves top. No spaghetti straps.
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• 10 pairs of underwear
• 2 pairs older tennis shoes – they will get dirty fast
• 1 pair of sandals – you can buy flip flops here easily and get sandals too
• 4-5 pairs scrubs – required for medical
• Girls: bras or sports bras
• 1 warm fleece or light jacket
• Rain jacket or poncho – can be bought in Pucallpa
• Rain boots – can be bought in Pucallpa
  
• Church clothing – enough for week-long evening campaigns. The key is to be modest, you need to blend in with the conservative lifestyle!
  • Men – dress pants…brown, black, nice khaki. Button down shirt (short sleeve), tie (optional), and dress shoes. Suits are not recommended. 
  • Women – dresses or skirts knee length or longer. Nylons are unnecessary. Shoulders must be covered at church.
  • NO spaghetti straps.
• Bandanas or hat
• Modest swim suit or trunks – one-piece for women

Toiletries -you can buy most of these in Pucallpa. Bring enough to last you as you get situated. If you don’t want to part with your favorite brand or have specialty items, you should bring them. 

• Chapstick – can be bought in Pucallpa 
• Aloe Vera – for sunburns
• Waterless face towelettes or baby
• wipes –  can be bought in Pucallpa
• Razor and extra blades –can be bought in Pucallpa 
• Special conditioners or hair products
• Special lotions or perfumes/colognes
• Fingernail clippers –  can be bought in Pucallpa
• Contact solution and spare contacts – if needed
• Female hygiene needs: pads and tampons –  can be bought in Pucallpa
• Travel size toiletry bottles refillable for trips
• Lice comb – optional can be bought in Pucallpa 
• Deodorant, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. can be bought in Pucallpa – you can even get some familiar brands (Crest toothpaste and Pantene shampoo). However, if you are stuck on needing a specific type or brand of a product, you may wish to bring it.
• Pepper spray – cannot bring
• Personal medication – put some in your carry-on bag for plane (in case your luggage doesn’t make it)

Other accessories and supplies

• No jewelry
• Sunglasses – can buy cheap made ones in Pucallpa
• Anti-itch cream – for mosquito bites can be bought in Pucallpa
• Sunscreen – can be bought in Pucallpa
• Devotional books/uplifting casual reading
• Pocket Spanish/English dictionary
• English/Spanish bible
• Spanish hymnal – you can purchase one in Peru without music for approx. $3 or with music for $10
• Peru Travel Guidebook – Lonely Planet is great (not necessary)
• Journal – can be bought in Pucallpa
• Thank you notes for donations, care packages, etc.
• Good pens
• Watch
• Small calendar or planner
• Ziploc bags – expensive in Pucallpa
• Ear plugs – (for sleeping, studying)
• Eye mask (for sleeping)
• Headlamp and flashlight – bring a good supply of batteries (batteries can be bought in Pucallpa)
• Large water bottle – hard plastic or metal, at least 1 liter –can be bought in Pucallpa
• Water Filtration Unit – Sawyer Mini recommended – not necessary
• Sewing kit – optional but not necessary
• Seasonings for cooking – some can be bought, but bring your favorites
• Ethnic food – sriracha, Taco Bell sauce, tapatio, tortillas, seaweed, freeze-dried raspberries, etc
• Peanut butter & jelly – it’s just not the same in Pucallpa. Pack the peanut butter and jelly in your checked baggage
• 220 – 110 Converter minimum 50W – check the capacity of the converter/check the volts on what you’re bringing and make sure they are all compatible with your converter. 2 pronged cords work but there are no 3 pronged (grounded) wall plugs at the compound in Pucallpa – optional but not necessary 
• Phone charger , extra Phone charging cable
• Surge protector – rated for 220 – optional
• Laptop – there is internet (excellent for communication with family, it’s not there for movies and gaming)
• Good case to protect laptop – from ever present dust
• Digital camera with memory card
• Flash Drive
• Stethoscope – nurses
• Passport
• Passport Copies – travel with at least two copies of your passport stored in other areas of luggage
• Backpack
• Wallet and/or change purse
• ATM / Debit Card – call bank and let them know you’re traveling
• Instruments – people love to hear you play, especially during church. There is an electric keyboard here and there are music shops downtown so you can buy stuff for your instruments if needed.

Sleeping Things

All can be bought in Peru. Not necessary to bring

• Pillow
• Two sets of sheets
• Light blanket
• Two towels and washcloths
• Laundry bag or pop-basket
• Skirt hangers – girls
• Hammock (optional)

Money

It is impossible to cash Traveler’s checks in Pucallpa, Peru. US dollars can easily be exchanged in Pucallpa but Peruvian banks & stores do not accept bills that have tears, bad creases, folds, marks, or contain writing. It is very important to bring pristine American bills. You may call your local bank and see if it is possible to order “new” bills. Twenty-dollar bills are preferred. You can also use your debit card to extract money from your bank account at home and receive it in the local currency (Peru Nuevos Soles). Be sure to tell your bank you will be in Peru. 

Things you can buy here:

Hangers, clothes pins, laundry soap, bleach, cleaning supplies, most clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc.
Don’t feel like you must bring everything you need to live for the year. Pack light and buy here to support the local economy. Most volunteers list as one of their top-five “would do differently” items as bringing less stuff.

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