Top Regrets from a Digital Nomad and University Student Backpacker in South America

Jun 2, 2024 | Digital Nomad | 0 comments

As a digital nomad and university student backpacker, packing for a trip to South America can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you have everything you need for work and study, while also being prepared for adventure and exploration. However, there are always items that you regret packing and wish you left behind. Here are some of the things that I regret packing to South America:

1. Too many clothes: One of the biggest mistakes I made was packing too many clothes. South America has a variety of climates, from hot and humid in the Amazon rainforest to cold and windy in the Andes mountains. I packed too many outfits, thinking I would need a different one for every day. In reality, I ended up wearing the same few comfortable and functional pieces over and over again.

2. Heavy books: As a university student, I thought it would be a good idea to bring along some heavy textbooks for studying. However, this added unnecessary weight to my backpack and took up valuable space. In the end, I hardly used them and wished I had just relied on digital resources instead.

3. Bulky electronics: While it’s important to have your laptop and phone for work and communication, I regret packing bulky electronics like a DSLR camera and external hard drive. They added unnecessary weight to my backpack and were not as practical as I had hoped. I ended up using my phone for most of my photos and regretted lugging around the extra gadgets.

4. Fancy toiletries: I packed a lot of fancy skincare and hair products thinking I would need to maintain my usual beauty routine while traveling. However, South America has a different climate and lifestyle that made it difficult to stick to my usual routine. I ended up using basic toiletries that I could easily find in local stores and regretted bringing along so many unnecessary products.

5. Excessive gadgets: As a digital nomad, I thought it would be necessary to bring along a lot of gadgets like a portable charger, power bank, and multiple adapters. While these items were useful at times, I regretted packing so many of them and wished I had just stuck to the essentials. They added unnecessary weight and clutter to my backpack.

In conclusion, packing for a trip to South America as a digital nomad and university student backpacker can be a challenging task. It’s important to pack smart and only bring along the essentials. Avoid the mistakes I made and focus on bringing practical and versatile items that will make your trip more enjoyable and hassle-free. Learn from my regrets and pack light for your next adventure in South America.