Clothes For The Rainforest: Your Amazon Jungle Packing List

(updated July 2024)

It’s essential to pack the right clothes for the rainforest if you are planning a trip to the Amazon. What do you bring when you need clothing that is functional, comfortable, and durable? It’s understandable to struggle with what to pack for the Amazon rainforest, I know I did! Whether you are planning an Amazon Rainforest tour or Amazon cruise, this jungle packing list will help you prepare your clothing, equipment, and jungle gear.

When packing for the Amazon Rainforest, it is important to consider the tropical climate and flora and fauna in the environment. Sweat-wicking, performance fabrics will help you stay cool. Long sleeve shirts and pants protect you from potential disease carrying insects and injury from plants.

I have spent time in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and Peru, plus the jungles of Costa Rica and Belize. In this article, I will share the tips for what to wear in the rainforest for jungle travel. This guide will share what to pack, plus what to leave at home before you visit the Amazon jungle. 

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Facts About the Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is an expansive 2,300,000 square miles reaching from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. It occupies land in eight countries: Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Columbia, Ecuador, Suriname, French Guiana, and Venezuela. The Amazon’s 1.6 billion acres of dense forests are one of the most biodiverse areas of the world and it contains millions of plant and animal species. Known as the “lungs of the planet” rainforests are an important producer of the world’s oxygen.

Climate of the Amazon Rainforest

Despite its size and expansive location, the climate of the Amazon is relatively consistent. Its location near the equator means it is HOT and HUMID year round. Typical temperatures hover in the 80’s Fahrenheit but can reach the 90’s during the day and 70’s at night.

The Amazon rainforest receives torrential rainfall – between 1,500 mm and 3,000 mm per year. Much of the rain falls between October and May. Precipitation can vary slightly between the rainy and dry season. Obviously, you should plan for rain in the tropical rainforest.

What To Consider Before You Pack For The Amazon

Despite the heat and high humidity, wear long sleeves and pants to protect you from sun, plants and insects during your visit to the jungle. Critters from mosquitos, bullet ants, frogs, spiders, scorpions and ticks all thrive in the jungle heat. You definitely want to stay covered and use insect repellent on every inch of uncovered skin. Keep in mind, insects can bite through thin fabrics, so choose thick enough clothing for the rainforest. The best rainforest outfits will be sweat-wicking and fast drying performance fabrics.

Packing Light For the Jungle

Typically, resorts in the Amazon suggest packing light. It’s too cumbersome to haul 50 pound suitcases in boats and up muddy hillsides to the lodge. Therefore, you will need a small backpack or duffel for your gear. Check the rules and restrictions of your lodge before you buy anything. We were only allowed 22 pounds per person and the rest of our luggage was in storage during our stay.

For a durable backpack, we purchased Osprey DayLite day packs for our whole family. They fit our gear for the Amazon. Also, they are small enough to meet the size requirements for visiting Machu Picchu.

A trip to the Amazon is a rugged adventure, so your clothes for the rainforest will be wet, muddy and hot. During our trip, I was a sweaty mess with makeup dripping off my face with unruly hair from the humidity. Do yourself a favor- leave your favorite outfits at home and pack minimally.

Amazon Jungle Packing List

Every individual has different needs, so tweak this Amazon jungle packing list to fit what works for you. Plan to be hot, sweaty, and sticky from sunscreen and bug spray. It felt amazing to shower before dinner and put on something comfy. I like a fresh set of clothes after excursions, so I included both daytime and nighttime outfits each day.

Our program lasted 4 days and three nights. Here are the clothes I packed for the rainforest:

• 3 daytime long sleeved tops
• 3 pairs of daytime pants
• 6 pairs each of socks and underwear
• 3 sports bras
• one regular bra
• 1 set pj’s (we wore short sleeves under the mosquito net)
• 1-2 button up lightweight long sleeve shirts
• 1 maxi skirt or long dress (read my other blog post for more warm-weather dress ideas)
• 1 pair flowy pants for evening
• 2 tank tops for evening
• 1 pair sneakers
• 1 pair flip flops
• thin rain jacket or poncho
• baseball cap or hat with strap for windy boats
• bathing suit
• plane outfit I wore to the location and the first evening (pants/t-shirt/bra/underwear fedora hat)

Essential Clothes For the Amazon

As mentioned previously, pants and long sleeve tops will give you the most protection during your treks through the jungle. Loose fabrics and tropical weight jungle clothing will keep you cool and comfortable. Unless you are doing more rigorous hiking or camping in the jungle, you do not need specialized Amazon hiking gear.

Rainforest Clothing For Women:

• Lightweight long sleeved tops– we bought these from amazon.com
• Long sleeve Lululemon tops- Back in Action Long-Sleeve Shirt. I bought three of these and loved the Dolman sleeves for comfort and keeping cool.
• Affordable Women’s UPF 50+ UV Shirts– these are soft and sweat-wicking
• Prana Pants– these are comfy and thick enough for protection from the jungle
• Vuori Weekend Jogger– These are the best jungle pants. I love these thin, stretchy joggers. They have a fitted cuff to keep mosquitos out.
• REI Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2– these are another awesome pair of pants for the rainforest
• Budget-friendly leggings– my daughter wore these leggings in the jungle. She found them to be a little hot, but for the price you don’t have to worry if they get ruined.

 Men’s Rainforest Attire:

• For Men try Lululemon Long Sleeve Shirts– my husband raved about this tropical weight shirt perfect for jungle hiking.
• Under Armour Long Sleeve– these are light weight and sweat-wicking
• Affordable Balaef UPF shirt from Amazon.com
• Under Armour Tech Short Sleeve Shirts
• Stretchy Prana pants– these are light, stretchy and comfortable jungle trousers
• Prana Brion Pants– this is another favorite pair of pants for men
• Under Armour leggings– my son hates pants, but he wore these leggings under basketball shorts. We sprayed the outside of them with repellant to be cautious since they are thin fabric.

Footwear for the Amazon

If you are doing simple jungle treks, running shoes will provide adequate traction and comfort. For long hikes or rainy conditions, consider waterproof hiking boots. Make sure shoes are broken in before you visit to prevent blisters. In addition, some lodges provide tall rubber boots for muddy conditions. 

• Vans water resistant shoes– my son liked these for the jungle
• Columbia Waterproof hiking shoes for women have great traction to prevent slipping
• Merrell hiking shoes for men are comfortable and light

Seeking Stamps Tip: Don’t make the mistake I made with short socks. Even with DEET, my ankles were covered with nasty swollen bites. Wear long socks at all times.

Jungle Gear For the Amazon: Outerwear

There’s a reason they call it a “rainforest”- you might get torrential downpours during your jungle travel. Therefore, you should include a waterproof rain jacket or poncho with your clothes for the rainforest. Personally, I think an umbrella is a pain to carry, so I suggest leaving that at home. Evenings can get occasionally chilly, so bring a light jacket or sweater. Mosquitos are especially nasty at dusk. I liked having light button up shirts to wear over tank tops to protect my arms, but stay cool.

• Columbia Women’s Arcadia waterproof jacket– we never used ours, but they will be handy if it rains. This runs true to size.
• Men’s waterproof rain jacket– this jacket is packable and lightweight.
• Long sleeve button-up shirts
• Light cardigan/sweatshirt

Pack Necessary Sun Protection in the Amazon

You may find shade under the jungle canopy, but bring sun protection as well. Long sleeves and pants will help keep you protected from the sun during your jungle travel. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and hats, especially when you are on the water.

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF
• Wide brim hat with strap for boat rides- I liked the functional Columbia Bora Booney Hat
• Wide brim packable fedora– This is my go-to travel hat that’s packable and stylish
• Sunglasses- I wore these Gucci sunglasses for a little style
• Buff neck cover to protect your neck and absorb sweat
• Shirts with UV protection

Clothes For the Rainforest: What to Bring For Relaxing in the Amazon

After exploring in the jungle all day, chances are you will have some time for relaxation in the evenings. Some additional clothes to wear in the rainforest you might consider are:

• Maxi skirt for evenings
• Short sleeve tops
• Tank tops
• Bathing suit
• Shorts
• Pajamas 

Electronics You Need to Pack For the Amazon

Depending on your accommodations in the jungle, power may be limited. We stayed at an ecolodge, and power was not available for several hours during the day and overnight. Therefore, power banks were essential rainforest gear to keep your phones, cameras and watches charged. After dark, you will want portable flashlights for your room and headlamps for jungle trekking. 

These are “must-have” items:

• Gopro Hero 11– Without a doubt, I cannot travel without our waterproof Gopro.
• Camera– we just purchased the Sony 7C mirrorless camera and love it
• Memory cards
• Cell phone
• Waterproof watch– Apple watches are our favorite travel watch
• Power bank– to keep phones and cameras charged when the power may be out
• Headlamp– keeps you “hands free” while you walk in the darkness

These are “nice to have” items:

• Travel Flashlight– these are handy for late night bathroom trips (check to see if your resort provides them)
• Universal Power adapter with plugs- don’t zap your electronics, make sure to use a converter for 220V appliances
• Travel Book light– our cabin had poor lighting and this helps when power is out
• mini handheld travel fan– this might be excessive, but I loved this!

Jungle Gear: Accessories For the Amazon

I recommend bringing a small daypack to keep your hands free. You typically want to carry additional water, and bug spray while you trek. Depending on the season of your visit, evenings can become cool. Throwing a beanie in your day pack is great for an easy layer.

These are “must-have” items:

• Ultra lightweight day pack– this Amazonbasics one is packable and affordable
• Insect shield hiking socks– these are sweat wicking and help repel insects (but wear DEET mosquito repellent too). I prefer ones without merino wool to keep cool
• reusable water bottle– I like the space saving collapsible ones

These are “nice to have” items if you have space:

• Lululemon cross-body travel purse– A purse sounds silly, but I travel with this one all over and love it
• Waterproof dry bag– this isn’t necessary, but it keeps phones and camera equipment safe in the boat
• High powered binoculars for wildlife spotting. Our guides had them also, but you might miss out waiting for your turn
• Beanie for warmth- you probably won’t need it, but this is easy to pack in case of cool evenings
• Hair accessories
• Carabiner- to clip a water bottle or hat to your daypack

Toiletries and Medication You Need to Pack For the Jungle

It’s essential to bring toiletries, medications and first aid items with you to the jungle. I forgot the bag with my first aid items and was pretty miserable with itchy bug bites. Make sure you include a few essentials with you.

• DEET insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks
• Malaria pills (if needed)
• Hand sanitizer
• Anti-fog wipes for glasses
• Toiletries/makeup/shampoo/toothpaste
• Plastic bags for muddy jungle clothes
• Flushable wipes/kleenex for hikes 
• First aid items- bandaids, steri-strips
• Prescription medications
• Pepto-bismol or Imodium for upset stomach
• Pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol
• Bug bite ointment, benadryl, hydrocortisone, calamine lotion
• Neosporin
• Dramamine for boat rides
• Small sewing kit
• Nail clippers/tweezers
• Ear plugs- the jungle can be very noisy

Amazon Rainforest Packing List: Entertainment

With limited power in the evenings at some lodges, consider bringing something to keep you entertained.

• Cards
• Travel games
• Airpods/music
• Books

Don’t Forget These Items On Your Amazon Packing List

• Passport (and copies)
• Travel insurance
• Yellow fever vaccination card (if required)

What Not To Pack For the Amazon

Plan for everything you bring with you to the Amazon Rainforest to be wet, muddy, and smelly. Leave your designer clothing and shoes at home (unless you don’t mind them getting ruined).

• Excessive makeup
• Expensive shoes
• Jewelry
• Designer clothing
• Food or drinks that will attract critters
• Bright colors attract insects
• Jeans

Additional Amazon Jungle Packing Tips

Here are a few additional travel tips to keep in mind when packing for the Amazon. First, as I already mentioned, it’s super humid. Don’t plan to wash your clothes for the rainforest during your stay. If you try to hang them to dry, they will just stay damp. If you must wash items, make sure to bring quick dry fabrics.

Also, skip bright colored clothes to avoid attracting insects. Muted grays, browns and greens are best for the jungle.

Clothes For the Rainforest: Final Thoughts

I hope this packing list helped you decide what to wear in the Amazon Rainforest. This suggested jungle gear for the Amazon will help you have an amazing adventure. As you can see it’s important to plan your Amazon Rainforest packing list to ensure you have the essential clothes for the rainforest.