Let me save you from the packing mistakes I’ve watched hundreds of volunteers make before arriving in Cusco to start their programs. Some people show up with three enormous suitcases full of things they’ll never use. Others arrive with basically nothing and spend their first week frantically buying essentials they should have brought from home. Most volunteers fall somewhere in between, overpacking some categories and underpacking others in ways that create unnecessary stress.
Packing for volunteering in Peru is different from packing for a two-week vacation. You’re not hopping between hotels with luggage services and tourist infrastructure. You’re living in a homestay or volunteer house, working at community placements, potentially traveling around Peru on weekends, and managing your belongings for weeks or months. You need practical items that work for Cusco’s specific climate and altitude, for your particular volunteer program, and for the lifestyle you’ll actually be living.
This isn’t going to be one of those generic travel packing lists that recommends bringing 47 things you don’t need. This is the honest, practical, based-on-real-experience guide to what you actually need when volunteering in Cusco, what you can skip, what you can buy locally, and how to pack smart for your specific situation.
Before we get into specific items, let’s establish some fundamental packing principles for volunteering in Peru.
You’re going to be doing laundry weekly, so you don’t need three weeks of clothes. Most homestay families do laundry for volunteers once a week, or you’ll have access to washing machines in volunteer houses. Some volunteers hand-wash clothes in between. Either way, plan for about one week of clothing, maybe ten days maximum. Bringing more just means heavier luggage for no benefit.
Cusco’s weather is weird and layering is everything. The altitude and equatorial location create a climate where mornings are cold (near freezing), afternoons are warm and sunny, and evenings get cold again. It can be 5°C (41°F) at 6 AM and 20°C (68°F) by 2 PM. You need layers you can add and remove throughout the day, not heavy winter gear or purely summer clothes.
You can buy a surprising amount in Cusco, often cheaper than at home. Toiletries, basic clothing, snacks, phone accessories, and many practical items are available at stores and markets throughout the city. Don’t stress about packing every possible thing you might need. When in doubt, leave it out and buy it in Peru if necessary.
Airlines have baggage limits and you’ll want space for souvenirs coming home. Most international flights allow one checked bag (23 kg / 50 lbs) and one carry-on. Pack light enough that you have room to bring back Peruvian textiles, gifts, and whatever else you accumulate during your volunteer program without paying expensive overweight baggage fees.
Your specific volunteer program affects what you need. Teaching volunteers need different items than medical volunteers or construction volunteers or those working with animals. I’ll note program-specific items, but think about your actual daily activities when deciding what to bring.
These items are literally non-negotiable. Without them, you can’t volunteer in Peru or you’ll face serious problems if emergencies arise.
Passport with at least six months validity beyond your planned departure date from Peru. Some countries require this six-month buffer. Check your passport expiration now, not the week before departure. Getting emergency passport renewals is expensive and stressful.
Copies of your passport stored separately from your actual passport. Scan or photograph your passport photo page and email it to yourself, save it in cloud storage, and carry one printed copy in your luggage separate from your actual passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, having copies makes replacement at your embassy dramatically easier.
Visa if required for your nationality. Most countries (US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, etc.) get 90 to 183 days in Peru automatically as tourists, which covers volunteer programs. Check specific requirements for your nationality. If you do need a visa, sort this out weeks before departure.
Travel insurance documentation with policy numbers and emergency contact numbers. Print this and save digital copies. You hopefully won’t need it, but if you do need it, you’ll need it urgently and won’t have time to search through emails.
Vaccination records showing any required or recommended vaccines. Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re visiting jungle areas. COVID vaccination documentation if still required (regulations change).
Emergency contact information for family back home, your volunteer organization’s local coordinator in Cusco, your country’s embassy in Lima or consulate in Cusco, and your travel insurance emergency line. Write this down physically, don’t rely solely on your phone.
Credit/debit cards from at least two different banks in case one gets blocked or stops working. Notify your banks before traveling to Peru so they don’t flag your transactions as suspicious and freeze your cards, which happens constantly to travelers.
Cash in US dollars as backup, maybe $200 to $300 USD in various denominations. Dollars can be exchanged for soles throughout Peru, and they’re useful emergency backup if ATMs aren’t working or your cards have issues. Hide this in multiple places in your luggage.
Printed confirmation of your volunteer program with dates, local contact information, and address where you’ll be staying. Immigration sometimes asks what you’re doing in Peru, and having documentation showing your volunteer placement and accommodation makes this smoother.
Any prescriptions or medical documentation if you have ongoing health conditions or take regular medications. Letter from your doctor explaining prescriptions, medical conditions that might require treatment in Peru, and any allergies. Translate this to Spanish if possible.
Clothing for volunteering in Cusco requires strategic thinking about climate, volunteer work practicality, and cultural appropriateness.
Base layers and t-shirts: Bring five to seven shirts. Quick-dry synthetic or merino wool is ideal because they dry fast after washing and manage sweat well. Cotton works but takes forever to dry in Cusco’s climate. Mix of short-sleeve and long-sleeve depending on your temperature preferences. Neutral colors hide dirt better than white when you’re doing volunteer work.
One warm fleece or light insulated jacket for cold mornings and evenings. Cusco’s temperature drops significantly after sunset, and mornings can be near freezing. You don’t need heavy winter parkas, but you need something warm for layering.
Light rain jacket or windbreaker that packs small. Rainy season (November through March) means afternoon rain showers. Even in dry season, weather can change fast in the mountains. Waterproof or water-resistant shell that fits over other layers is perfect.
Two or three pairs of pants. One pair should be suitable for volunteer work (durable, comfortable, okay getting dirty). Jeans work but are heavy when wet and slow to dry. Quick-dry hiking pants or similar are more practical. One pair can be nicer for going out in Cusco. Leggings work for women but bring at least one pair of full-length pants too.
One or two pairs of shorts for warm afternoons and lounging at your accommodation. Not for volunteer work in most placements (cultural appropriateness), but useful for personal time.
Long underwear or thermal leggings for cold mornings and sleeping. Cusco homestays aren’t always heated, and nights get cold. Thermal base layers make mornings and bedtime significantly more comfortable.
Seven to ten pairs of underwear and socks. This seems obvious but volunteers somehow underpack these. Bring enough for a full week plus extras. Socks should include warm options for cold mornings and thinner ones for warmer afternoons.
Two sports bras or regular bras if applicable. Hand-washing delicates works fine in Peru, but having at least two means you always have a clean one available.
One set of nicer clothes for going out in Cusco or if you travel to fancier restaurants or events. Nothing formal, just one outfit that’s a step up from your daily volunteer clothes. Optional but nice to have.
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers that are already broken in. You’ll walk constantly in Cusco on cobblestone streets, uneven sidewalks, and stairs. New shoes cause blisters. Bring shoes you’ve already walked miles in comfortably.
Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes if you plan weekend hikes to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, or other trails. Not necessary if you’re only volunteering in the city, but essential if you’re doing any serious hiking in Peru.
Sandals or flip-flops for around your accommodation, showers (many Peruvian showers are not the cleanest), and casual wear. Tevas or similar strap sandals work better than flip-flops for Cusco’s uneven streets.
Sleepwear that’s warm. Pajamas, sweats, whatever you sleep in, but remember nights in Cusco are cold and homestays often don’t have heating.
Hat for sun protection because UV radiation at altitude is intense. Baseball cap, wide-brimmed hat, whatever you prefer, but bring something. Peruvian sun burns you faster than you expect.
Beanie or warm hat for cold mornings. This seems excessive until you experience your first 5:30 AM in Cusco when it’s freezing outside and you’re walking to catch a combi to your volunteer placement.
Modest clothing choices because Peruvian culture, especially in community settings, is more conservative than many Western countries. Covered shoulders and knees for volunteer work. Low-cut tops, short shorts, revealing clothes are fine for personal time in touristy areas but not appropriate for community placements, especially schools or working with children.
Volunteers constantly bring items they never use or that create problems in Peru. Learn from others’ mistakes.
Don’t bring your entire wardrobe. I’ve seen volunteers arrive with three suitcases of clothes for a six-week program. You’re doing laundry weekly. You don’t need 20 shirts and 10 pairs of pants. Overpacking clothes just means heavy luggage and wasted space.
Don’t bring expensive jewelry or valuables you’d be devastated to lose. Petty theft exists in Cusco like any city. Leave expensive watches, heirloom jewelry, and anything irreplaceable at home. Bring simple, cheap jewelry if you want accessories.
Don’t bring high-end electronics you can’t afford to replace. Your volunteer accommodation is generally safe, but theft can happen anywhere. Your phone and laptop are probably necessary, but don’t bring a $3,000 camera setup unless you’re prepared for the risk.
Don’t bring hair dryers, flat irons, or high-wattage electronics unless you have voltage converters and adapters. Peru uses 220V electricity. Many electronics will work with an adapter, but high-heat devices often don’t. Plus, Cusco’s dry climate makes air-drying hair quick.
Don’t bring excessive toiletries thinking Peru is a wilderness without stores. Cusco has supermarkets, pharmacies, and markets selling everything you need. Bring enough for your first week or two, then buy more locally.
Don’t pack formal business clothes unless you have specific events requiring them. Volunteering in Peru is casual. You’re teaching kids in classrooms, working in animal shelters, or doing construction projects, not attending board meetings.
Don’t bring a huge beach towel. Quick-dry travel towels work better, pack smaller, and dry faster. Many accommodations provide towels anyway.
Don’t pack books that will weigh down your luggage. Bring one book if you must, but e-readers or phone reading apps are more practical for extended travel and volunteering.
Don’t bring tons of American snacks thinking you’ll desperately miss home food. Cusco has international food options, local snacks to try, and you can find many familiar brands. Bring a small amount of comfort food if it really matters, but this is usually wasted luggage space.
Strategic toiletry packing balances bringing enough to get started with buying most things locally in Cusco.
Bring from home:
Buy locally in Cusco:
Don’t forget essentials:
Altitude-specific items:
Women-specific items:
Health preparation is critical for volunteering in Peru, and some medications are better brought from home even though pharmacies in Cusco are well-stocked.
Prescription medications in original bottles with prescriptions, enough for your entire stay plus two weeks extra in case of travel delays. Bring more than you think you need. Refilling prescriptions in Peru is possible but complicated.
Diamox (acetazolamide) if your doctor prescribes it for altitude sickness prevention. Not everyone needs this, but if you’re prone to altitude issues or want chemical insurance, get a prescription before leaving.
Pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Available in Peru but bring a bottle from home for immediate use upon arrival when you’re dealing with altitude headaches.
Anti-diarrheal medication like Imodium. You will probably get digestive issues at some point. Available in Peru but bring some from home for peace of mind.
Antihistamine for allergies. If you have seasonal allergies or might react to new environments, bring your usual medication.
Anti-nausea medication if you’re prone to motion sickness or altitude sickness. Cusco’s winding roads and altitude can trigger nausea.
Basic first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, blister treatment, tweezers, small scissors, and medical tape. You can assemble this yourself or buy a compact pre-made kit.
Rehydration salts or electrolyte powder for altitude adjustment and if you get sick. These help immensely when adjusting to Cusco’s altitude.
Probiotics might help your digestive system adjust to new bacteria in Peruvian food and water.
Melatonin or sleep aid if you struggle with sleep, because altitude disrupts sleep patterns initially.
Epipen or emergency medications if you have severe allergies. Bring these from home with documentation.
Insect repellent with DEET if you’re visiting jungle areas or doing wildlife conservation volunteering.
Sunscreen though as mentioned, buy this locally because you’ll use a lot and it’s heavy to pack. But bring a small tube for immediate use.
You’re volunteering in Peru, not disconnecting from civilization entirely. You’ll need certain electronics for communication, documentation, and entertainment.
Smartphone with international plan or ability to use local SIM card. You’ll use this constantly for maps, communication with your volunteer coordinator, translation apps, photos, and entertainment. Make sure it’s unlocked if you plan to use a Peruvian SIM card.
Phone charger and backup charging cable because cables break and you don’t want to be without charging capability.
Portable power bank for charging phone when you’re out all day. Cusco has electricity but you won’t always have access to outlets during long volunteer days.
Universal power adapter for Peru’s Type A and C outlets. Most electronics work with voltage conversion built in, but you need the physical adapter. Buy one that works in multiple countries if you might travel elsewhere in South America.
Laptop or tablet if you’re taking Spanish classes and need to do homework, or if you want to journal, work on projects, or stay connected with longer writing than phone typing allows. Not essential but many volunteers bring them.
Camera if photography is important to you. Phone cameras are excellent nowadays, but if you’re serious about photography, bring a real camera. Just be aware of theft risk and careful with expensive equipment.
Headphones for entertainment during downtime, long bus rides, or when you need to tune out your volunteer house or homestay for a bit. Noise-canceling headphones are luxury but worthwhile if you have them.
USB flash drive with scanned copies of important documents. Old school but useful backup.
E-reader if you read a lot. Carrying physical books while volunteering and traveling is impractical. E-readers hold thousands of books in minimal space.
Waterproof phone case or bag if you’re doing programs involving water, working with animals that might be messy, or just want protection during Peru’s rainy season.
Financial logistics for volunteering in Peru require planning and redundancy.
Two different credit or debit cards from different banks. If one gets blocked, stolen, or stops working (which happens), you have backup. Notify both banks about your Peru travel before departure.
Some US dollars in cash in various denominations, maybe $200 to $300 as emergency backup. Hide this in multiple places – some in your luggage, some in your daypack, some in your accommodation.
Money belt or hidden pouch for carrying cash, passport, and cards safely when traveling or in crowded areas. Wear this under clothing for security.
Small wallet or purse for daily use with just the cash and cards you need that day. Don’t carry everything valuable all the time.
Zippered pocket pants or clothing for storing money and phone while walking around Cusco. Pickpocketing happens in crowded tourist areas.
Know where ATMs are located in Cusco that work with your cards. Major banks like Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP), Scotiabank, and Interbank have reliable ATMs. Withdraw from ATMs inside banks during daytime for safety.
ATM withdrawal strategy: Take out larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees, but not so much that carrying it around creates risk. Most ATMs in Peru limit withdrawals to 400-700 soles at once.
Your particular volunteer work affects what you should bring to Peru.
For Teaching Volunteers:
For Medical Volunteering:
For Animal Care Volunteering:
For Construction Volunteering:
For All Volunteers:
These aren’t essential but volunteers consistently say they were glad to have them.
Journal or notebook for processing your experiences, learning Spanish vocabulary, or just having paper when you need it.
Small photos or mementos from home to show your host family and share your culture.
Zip-lock bags in various sizes for organizing, protecting items from moisture, carrying snacks, storing dirty clothes separately, or dozens of other uses.
Duct tape or repair tape wrapped around a pencil to save space. Fixes everything temporarily.
Safety pins and rubber bands because these random small items become surprisingly useful.
Small sewing kit for emergency clothing repairs.
Laundry bag or mesh bag for keeping dirty clothes contained.
Earplugs and eye mask for sleeping in hostels or if your volunteer house is noisy. Cusco dogs bark all night.
Deck of cards or small game for downtime with other volunteers or host families.
Small gifts for your host family from your home country – nothing expensive, just small thoughtful items like specialty food, postcards, or local souvenirs that represent where you’re from.
Spanish-English dictionary or phrasebook as backup when your phone is dead or you want to learn without screens.
Carabiner clips for attaching water bottles to backpacks or securing items.
Having the right items doesn’t matter if you can’t pack them efficiently.
Use packing cubes to organize clothing by type. One cube for shirts, one for pants, one for undergarments and socks, one for toiletries. This keeps everything organized and makes finding items easy without unpacking your entire bag.
Roll clothes instead of folding to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. Rolled clothes fit more compactly and you can see everything at once.
Wear your bulkiest items on the plane – hiking boots, heaviest jacket, anything that takes up significant luggage space. You can remove layers once you’re on the plane.
Pack a complete outfit in your carry-on in case checked luggage is delayed or lost. Having at least one full set of clothes means you can function while sorting out luggage issues.
Distribute liquids throughout your luggage rather than concentrating them in one place, in case something leaks. Put bottles in zip-lock bags as leak protection.
Fill shoes with small items like socks, chargers, or other small things that fit inside. Dead space inside shoes is wasted packing space.
Compression bags or vacuum bags save space if you’re struggling to fit everything, though they make items more compressed and harder to organize.
Keep essentials easily accessible – medications, snacks, entertainment, important documents should be in your carry-on or top of your checked bag for easy access.
When you first arrive in Cusco, you’ll be tired, altitude-affected, and not wanting to unpack everything immediately. Have a 48-hour pack strategy with immediately necessary items easily accessible.
First 48 hours essentials:
Everything else can stay packed until you’ve settled into your accommodation, adjusted to altitude a bit, and have energy to properly organize.
Understanding what you can easily buy in Cusco reduces packing stress and allows you to pack lighter.
Easily available in Cusco:
Harder to find or lower quality:
Shopping locations in Cusco:
If you’re volunteering in Peru for three months or longer, some packing advice changes.
Pack lighter initially because you’ll buy what you need over time. You don’t need to arrive with three months of supplies.
Plan for seasonal changes if your volunteer program spans different seasons. Cusco’s dry season (May-September) and rainy season (November-March) require different clothing.
Budget for buying items locally rather than packing everything. Long-term volunteers inevitably buy clothing, shoes, and various items in Peru.
Consider shipping items home mid-program if you accumulate too much stuff. Peruvian postal service works for shipping, though it’s slow.
Bring comfort items from home since you’re here longer. Photos, small mementos, favorite snacks, whatever makes your accommodation feel more personal over months.
Here’s the truth about packing for volunteering in Peru: you’re probably going to get some of this wrong, and that’s okay. You’ll forget something you wish you’d brought. You’ll bring things you never use. You’ll buy items in Cusco you didn’t know you needed. Every volunteer makes packing mistakes, learns from them, and figures it out.
The goal isn’t perfect packing. The goal is bringing enough to be comfortable and functional without overpacking to the point of being burdened by your luggage. When in doubt, pack less. Almost everything you might need is available in Cusco, and managing lighter luggage makes travel easier.
Your volunteer experience in Peru isn’t determined by perfect packing. It’s determined by your attitude, your willingness to adapt, your engagement with your volunteer work, and your openness to the challenges and rewards of living in a different culture. The right mindset matters infinitely more than whether you brought the perfect number of t-shirts.
So pack thoughtfully using this guide as a framework, but don’t stress if you’re not perfectly prepared. Peruvian stores exist. Other volunteers will share supplies. Your host family or volunteer coordinator will help you find what you need. You’ll figure it out as you go, just like thousands of volunteers before you figured it out.
Pack your bags, check your documents, and get ready for your volunteer adventure in Peru. The stuff you bring matters way less than the experiences you’ll have and the person you’ll become through this journey.
See you in Cusco. Don’t forget your passport and warm jacket for the cold mornings.
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