What to Bring

We’re very pleased that you’re joining us!

Below are some general recommendations on what to bring on your trip, as well as a specific packing list for each activity. Some activities are dictated to some degree by the weather and safety is always a primary concern. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your gear, please reach out to us anytime. We’ll be happy to assist you with your concerns.

Thank you for choosing Grassroots.Travel! If you haven’t booked with us yet, we thank you anyway. We’re grateful that you considered us to be a part of your experience.

For trips to the Baja Peninsula (Mexico)

The climate in the Gulf of California is generally temperate with warm days between 27 to 35°C (81 to 95°F). The water temperatures have an average surface temperature between 14 to 20°C (57 to 68°F). Nights are usually mild, but can sometimes get as low as 16°C (61°F) or below in the winter months. Expect much warmer temperatures in the summer months, with days getting as hot as 50°C (122°F). Sunburn and dehydration, in any climate, are not to be taken lightly.

The Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula is usually cooler, with temperatures lower by 10°C (50°F). Prepare for anything is the rule on these trips. On calm days, of which there are many, a T-shirt and shorts are all you need for a walk on the beach.

Clothing

  • Shirts
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Shorts
  • Swimwear
  • Sweater and hoodie
  • Windbreaker
  • Rain jacket
  • Windproof or waterproof pants
  • Sandals or water shoes
  • Trainers or hiking shoes
  • Socks and underwear
  • Sleepwear
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Handkerchief or bandana

Personal Items

  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturizer
  • Lip balm
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hairbrush
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Personal medication
  • Reading glasses

Others

  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle or thermos
  • Small backpack or day bag
  • Camera
  • Battery or USB charger for cameras and phones
  • Cash

What to bring on snorkeling, paddling, beach excursions

  • Swimwear, worn under comfortable clothing
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Windbreaker
  • Towel
  • Flip-flops or water shoes
  • Waterproof bag for your valuable items
  • Camera, preferably waterproof
  • Snorkel gear if not included in your booking
  • Cash for gratuities if deserving

Additional items to bring on SCUBA diving activities

On top of the above-mentioned items for snorkeling, your dive gear (rental or your own) should include the following:

  • Regulator
  • BCD
  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • Exposure protection
  • Surface marker buoy
  • Whistle
  • Dive computer
  • Whistle
  • Dive light if doing night or penetration dives
  • Mirror, optional
  • Personal locator beacon, optional

What to bring on whale watching, hiking, and nature excursions

  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Sweater and hoodie
  • Windbreaker
  • Convertible pants, or shorts in the summer
  • Trainers or hiking shoes
  • Socks
  • Small backpack or day bag for your personal items
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Handkerchief or bandana
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Water bottle or thermos
  • Cash for gratuities if deserving

Additional items to bring on camping expeditions

In addition to the general packing list above, we also recommend that you bring the following:

Personal Items

  • Bath towel and wash cloth
  • Insect repellent

Others

  • Ear plugs
  • Binoculars
  • Batteries
  • Sewing kit
  • Journal
  • Writing pen
  • Books

For trips to the Antioquia region (Colombia)

The location of Antioquia in the equatorial zone of America influences the average temperatures of its sub-regions, from very high temperatures in the lowlands to very low temperatures in its highest peaks. While some areas of Antioquia have a tropical monsoon climate, its capital enjoys a tropical rainforest climate with subtropical highland temperatures. Generally warm and overcast, the temperature rarely goes above 27°C (80°F) or below 16°C (60°F) in Medellín. It rains throughout the year in this region, with the most rainfall happening in May.

Modest Clothing

  • Shirts
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts
  • Light sweater
  • Rain jacket
  • Long pants
  • Trainers or hiking shoes
  • Socks and underwear
  • Sleepwear
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Handkerchief or bandana

Personal Items

  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturizer
  • Lip balm
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hairbrush
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Personal medication
  • Reading glasses

Others

  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle or thermos
  • Small backpack or day bag
  • Camera
  • Battery or USB charger for cameras and phones
  • Umbrella
  • Cash

Optional items to bring on excursions around Medellín

  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Flip-flops or water shoes
  • Snorkel or dive gear
  • Waterproof bag for your valuable items
  • Binoculars
  • Insect repellent

For trips to the Gobi and the Reindeer People (Mongolia)

Mongolia has an extremely continental climate due to its distance from any sea. Some provinces are notorious for their harsh weather, with bitterly cold winters and unpleasantly hot summers. Temperatures can go as high as 40°C (104°F) or as low as -50°C (-58°F). While the average temperature in Mongolia is barely 1°C (34°F), summers are warm and pleasant in most parts of the country at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F. Nevertheless, expect the weather to change from sunny to cloudy, from getting rain, then hail, and back to being sunny again in one day.

Modest Clothing

  • Shirts
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Sweater and hoodie
  • Windbreaker
  • Rain jacket
  • Convertible pants or long pants
  • Windproof or waterproof pants
  • Trainers or hiking shoes
  • Thermal wear
  • Socks and underwear
  • Sleepwear
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Head net if you can’t stand mosquitoes and flies
  • Gloves
  • Handkerchief or bandana

PERSONAL ITEMS

  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturizer
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hairbrush
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Personal medication
  • Reading glasses

OTHERS

  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle or thermos
  • Small backpack or day bag
  • Camera
  • Battery or USB charger for cameras and phones
  • Flashlight
  • Small packets or containers of your favorite spices if you can’t live without them
  • Cash

Additional items to bring for self-supported camping in Mongolia

  • Camping tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • MSR kitchen
  • Portable kitchen equipment
  • Water purifier
  • Microfiber towel
  • Waterproof bag for your valuable items
  • Binoculars
  • Physical map
  • Compass
  • First-aid kit