Expert: Sandra - 6/9/2009

Question
Hi,
I am a 29 yr old female who will be traveling in South America for 2 weeks in June.  I will be staying in the major cities...Rio, Buenos Aires and Santiago.  Activities will be touring, dining out etc...I know its going into their winter there so I was wondering what kind of clothes to pack?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Alisa.
I can only speak from experience about Brazil.

It is now June and it has been somewhat more rainy than usual in many parts of Brazil, so you might want to pack a folding umbrella, or plan to buy a cheap (R$10) umbrella in Rio if necessary.

Pack casual clothes (shorts, Tees, lightweight skirts, maybe a sundress) for touring during the day, and comfortable shoes/sneakers and sandals for walking. Dining out can be casual if you wish. If you plan to go out to clubs at night, maybe to Lapa to hear and dance to some live samba, you will see that Cariocas (natives of Rio) dress up. Women often wear brief, slinky dreses, the highest of heels and dangly earrings. You don't necessarily have to pack extra clothes and shoes, but could wear something more simple, a skirt or sundress. For other clubs in Lapa or elsewhere that feature hip-hop style of music, dress accordingly, as you would at home for that kind of club.

It is not likely to be what you might consider cold, even though it is winter. At night a skirt or light cotton trousers coupled with a thin sweater would do. During the day, on the heights (Corcovado, for example), you might want to carry the sweater to use, even if you are dressed comfortably for the street in shorts and a short-sleeved top.

Have a great trip.