Brazil - Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, in January
For advice on what to pack for your holiday in South America, choose your destination country from the list below:
Argentina
What you pack really does depend on whether you are spending time in Buenos Aires or the countryside. There is so much to do in Argentina from skiing to riding gaucho style to beaches, that as much as anything else you need to pack for the area and the activities you plan to enjoy.
Belize
Belize has a Caribbean laid back feel and is unsual for South America as the official language is English.
Bolivia
Casual clothes are going to work best here.
Brazil
When packing, keep in mind that cities like Rio and São Paulo are big, fashionable, cosmopolitan cities and you will feel more at home if you avoid baggy jeans in favour of a smarter casual look.
Chile
Chile extends 2,600 miles but has an average breadth of between 100 and 200 miles, so what you pack really does depend on where you are planning to visit. There is something here to suit everyone from skiing in the Andes, to beaches, to the amazing Easter Islands.
Colombia
Our advice for men and women alike would be to concentrate on trekking/outdoor clothing.
Costa Rica
A lot of what you are likely to do in Costa Rica is related to conservation and the rainforest, so lightweight, but rainproof clothing is essential.
Ecuador
When you're travelling around in Ecuador, it's best to dress in layers that can be shed as the day really heats up. Merino wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
Galapagos
Leave your glamorous clothes at home, and take casual skirts or trousers, t-shirts, and a fleece for the cooler nights.
Guatemala
Guatemala, whilst a small country, is amazingly diverse. If you're travelling around, it's best to dress in layers that can be shed as the day really heats up.
Mexico
There is so much to see and do in Mexico; whether you are trekking and plan to see a good deal of the country and its archeological sites, or enjoying a beach/water sports trip, your clothing checklist will depend to a large degree on what you are planning to do.
Nicaragua
Our advice for men and women alike would be to concentrate on trekking/outdoor clothing and fairly lightweight but sturdy walking shoes.
Panama
What you pack really does depend on whether you are spending time in Panama City or the countryside.
Paraguay
Casual clothes are the normal attire.
Peru
When you're travelling around in Peru, it's best to dress in layers that can be shed as the day really heats up.
Uruguay
What you pack for Uruguay really does depend on whether you are spending time at the beach or in the countryside.
Venezuela
Venezuelans love to dress up and accentuate their best features – this is not a modest country but it is very stylish.