Packing List

So your volleyball team is coming to Nicaragua and you’re trying to decide what to pack. Your suitcase or backpack is filled to the brim and still you feel like you’re forgetting something.

Maybe you’re unsure of the difference between the rainy and dry season.  Or you just want to make sure that you’re being culturally sensitive and causally comfortable at the same.  Don’t worry, regardless of when you plan to visit or how long you’re planning to stay, this list has you covered.

We’ve created a specific Nicaragua packing list for your team. You can print it out and check-it off, save it as a pdf on your computer or e-mail it to your team.

Important Stuff

• Passport
• Driver’s license (for coaches only)
• E-tickets for flights
• Credit cards & ATM card (don’t forget to set the travel notifications on your bank accounts so that your bank knows your traveling)
• The Guidebook on San Juan del Sur to learn more about the country
• $10 USD cash for your entrance Visa to Nicaragua

Volleyball Stuff

• Volleyball shoes
• Knee pads
• All sets of team jerseys and spandex 
• 1 reusable water bottle
• Preferred type of energy bars for snacking
• *Be sure to pack 1 set of volleyball gear in your carry-in luggage in the event that you play a match the day of your arrival.

Donation Items

Your team will visit many schools and non-profits in need of supplies. We ask that teams bring 1 bag per person (or every 2 people) filled with donation items to give to local schools and non-profits. The following list of donation items are needed:

• All types of volleyball gear including volleyballs (both indoor and beach), nets, antennas, kneepads, uniforms,  shoes, ball pumps and needles.
• Sports supplies for all sports, especially baseball, including wooden baseball bats, gloves, helmets, uniforms and cleats.
• Backpacks for school kids (used is fine)
• All types of school supplies including: notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, markers & crayons, math & english workbooks (the types that you can cheaply buy from any drug store and allow kids to practice math problems in the book), and dry erase markers.
• Children’s books for the local library books in Spanish.
• Laptops and tablets.

Clothes

• 1 pair of long pants
• 1 light long sleeve shirt
• 1 pair of close-toed comfortable for walking or hiking
• 1 outfit for going out (dress or nice shirt)
• No more than 7 t-shirts or tank tops
• No more than 5 shorts or skirts
• P.J.’s
• Underwear
• Sports bras
• Socks 

Toiletries

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Hair brush & hair product
• Deodorant
• Feminine hygiene products
• Face wash
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Hand sanitizer or handy wipes
• Razor
• Eye-glasses and/or contacts
• Sunscreen
• Lip-balm (with SPF)
• Nail clippers & tweezers
• Body lotion

Beach Stuff

• No more than 2 bathing suits or swim trunks / board shorts 
• 1 pair of water resistant sandals 
• Long Sleeve Rash Guard if you plan to Surf!
  
• Hat
• Sunglasses 
• Beach Towel

Rainy Season Only

• Light Right Jacket if you’re visiting between June & December
  
• Dry case for your phone
  (I’ve tried a lot of different types of dry bags and SealLine Dry Cases are by far the most reliable bags for rainy season and water sports.)
• Bug spray with DEET

Medical Kit (1 per team)

• Prescription medicine (make a note of active ingredients in addition to brand in case of loss)
• Motion sickness remedy (if susceptible to sea sickness and plan to get on the water)
• Pain relievers
• Calamine lotion
• Diarrhea remedy
• Hydration tablets
• Allergy medicine (& EpipPen if serious)
• Standard first-aid-kit with bandages
• Sleeping aid for travel

*Keep in mind that the pharmacies in Nicaragua are easily accessible and most medication is over the counter.

Electronics

• Laptop only if you have to stay caught up with work or school
• Headphones
• Cell phone
• Camera if you’re using something other than your phone
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Power cords and chargers for all your electronics
• If you’re coming from the US or Canada you do not need a plug adapter.

Not necessary but fun to have!

• GoPro for surfing & zip-lining

Disclaimer: We acknowledge Bring It USA Live has an affiliate relationship with Amazon, however you will not pay extra when purchasing through our direct site links.  When specific brands of products are recommended,  we assure that they are owned, used and tested by Brooke. After living here for almost a decade, she knows what works well in Nicaragua.