Could you travel through Central America for nine days with only two carry-on backpacks? I did it for an adventure-packed trip through Belize and Guatemala with G Adventures. I even managed to squeeze in my camera gear and a full-size travel tripod.

After pulling everything I might take and laying it all out, I followed one of my favorite packing rules: remove at least 10 percent. Even after doing that, I still packed too much. I should have taken out at least another 10 percent.

Here’s how I packed for Central America, what I carried in each backpack and what I would leave at home next time.

I carried the Ebags Mother Load TLS Weekender Convertible Backpack and Osprey Celeste Everyday Pack.  These were the same two packs I took for 10 days in Cambodia last December.

Why Backpacks Work Well in Central America

For this trip, I carried a Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack as my main bag and an Osprey Celeste daypack as my personal item. Osprey Celeste is discontinued, but the Osprey Hikelite 28L is an excellent alternative.

I had used the same combination for a 10-day trip to Cambodia.

Backpacks are particularly helpful when you’re changing destinations and using multiple forms of transportation. They’re easier to manage on boats, shuttles and uneven streets. Many smaller hotels in Central America also don’t have elevators, making a backpack much more practical than dragging a roller bag up several flights of stairs.

Before using two backpacks as carry-on luggage, check your airline’s current size and weight restrictions. Don’t overstuff the smaller pack since it needs to fit beneath the seat as your personal item.

The Secret to Packing Light

The key to traveling with backpacks is using every compartment wisely without stuffing them so full that you can’t find anything.

Eagle Creek Compression Cubes were my MVPs on this trip. They saved space, kept clothes organized and prevented everything from emerging as a wrinkled mess. They were also useful for separating dirty clothing as the trip progressed.

I packed items by category and placed anything I needed during the flight or immediately after arrival in the smaller backpack.

Here’s everything I packed for 9 days in Central America.

What I Wore on the Plane

My travel-day outfit included:

• Jean capris
• A black T-shirt
• A lightweight sweater wrap
• Tennis shoes

Wearing my bulkiest shoes saved room in my main backpack. The sweater rolled up easily and fit inside my daypack when I didn’t need it.

What I Packed in My Main Backpack

My larger backpack held most of my clothing, shoes and adventure gear.

Clothing

• Three T-shirts
• Two pairs of capris
• Two pairs of shorts
• Two skorts
• One pair of long pants
• Two sets of pajamas
• Two workout outfits
• Two sports bras
• One regular bra
• Six pairs of underwear
• Three pairs of socks
• One lightweight sweater and tank
• One long-sleeve shirt
• One shawl

I didn’t wear the long pants, shawl or long-sleeve shirt. I also only needed one skort and one pair of shorts. For a warm-weather trip, lightweight pieces that dry quickly are far more useful than multiple “just in case” outfits.

Swim and Water Gear

• Two swimsuits
• Board shorts
• A cover-up
• A sarong
• Water shoes
• Chacos
• Flip-flops
• A waterproof floating phone pouch
• A lightweight towel

I didn’t need both the cover-up and sarong. One would have been enough. That became a recurring theme: when two items serve the same purpose, take the one you’re most likely to use.

Rain and Outdoor Gear

I visited during the rainy season, so I packed a poncho, travel umbrella and rain jacket. On this particular trip, I didn’t need all three, but rain protection is important in Central America, especially during the wetter months.

I also carried a headlamp, lightweight hoodie, packable jacket and an inflatable solar light. The solar light came in handy when the power went out in Flores, Guatemala.

Toiletries and Other Essentials

My toiletries included sunscreen, insect repellent, after-bite relief, lotion, makeup and small laundry packets. I also packed a travel hair dryer, round brush and travel-size straightener.

A small medical and wellness pouch held vitamins, electrolyte powder and basic remedies in case I got sick. Keep medications in clearly labeled containers and carry essential prescriptions in your personal item.

What I Packed in My Smaller Backpack

My smaller Osprey backpack held valuables, electronics and the things I wanted within easy reach.

Travel Documents and Valuables

• Passport
• Wallet, cash and credit cards
• Travel insurance information
• Trip itinerary
• Crossbody purse
• Money belt

I placed the most important items in the padded compartment closest to my back. That pocket could also be locked when the backpack was left in a hotel room.

Camera and Tech Gear

• iPad
• Sony camera
• GoPro
• Phone microphone
• Lightweight tripod
• Charging cables
• Portable phone charger
• Extra memory cards

I used a lightweight sun-protection shirt as extra padding around some of my camera equipment. It protected the gear without requiring another bulky case.

The one thing I forgot was my floating GoPro handle. Luckily, another woman on the trip had an extra.

Easy-to-Reach Essentials

The front pockets held:

• Snack bars
• Cough drops
• Tissues and wipes
• Hand lotion
• Mints
• Sunglasses
• Headphones
• Phone charging cable
• Luggage locks

I always carry snacks. Delayed flights, long transfers and early departures have taught me never to depend entirely on finding food along the way.

Do Laundry During the Trip

Packing for nine days doesn’t mean taking nine days of clothes. About halfway through the trip, I hand-washed capris, shorts, underwear, bras and a sleeveless T-shirt.

A few detergent sheets or packets take up almost no room and can dramatically reduce how much clothing you need. Quick-drying fabrics are particularly useful in humid climates, where heavier cotton pieces can take longer to dry.

What I Would Leave Home Next Time

Despite traveling with only two backpacks, I still overpacked. I could have eliminated:

• One headband
• One pair of shorts
• One skort
• Two pairs of underwear
• One pair of socks
• One hat
• Either the cover-up or sarong
• The shawl
• The long pants
• The long-sleeve shirt
• At least one piece of rain gear

Individually, those items don’t seem like much. Together, they would have freed a surprising amount of space.

Final Tips for Packing for Central America

For an active trip through Belize and Guatemala, traveling with backpacks was the right choice. I could move easily between locations, keep my hands free and avoid wrestling with a suitcase on stairs or uneven terrain.

The biggest lesson was simple: pack for what you know you’ll do, not every scenario that could possibly happen. Choose clothes that mix and match, use compression cubes, plan to do laundry and limit duplicate items.

I carried the larger backpack on my back and wore the smaller pack in front while moving between destinations. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. Everything I needed for nine days in Central America, including my camera gear, traveled with me in two backpacks.

Check out this post for my current two-bag setup. If you’re heading to Italy, here’s my packing list for 9 days there. If you’re interested in some of my favorite places to visit in Central America, check out this post.