This article will be most helpful to van travelers beginning their trip in Chile.

Packing up for this trip took a lot of time and thought. By the time we were done, we had 5 checked bags and 2 carry-ons, totalling 210 pounds of weight and costing a crazy $330 in baggage fees (one-way!) (that was also a surprise to us...).

Two weeks into the trip, we feel like we actually packed fairly well, but the climate has been forgiving and there's a lot we haven't seen and done yet. If we had known, what would we have packed differently?

Packing

Almost everything you can find in America you can find in Chile - maybe not the same brands, definitely not as many choices, and for a 20-100% markup on things. There's Walmart, HomeCenter, big grocery stores, even a poor attempt at Amazon (https://mercadolibre.cl), and of course there's always slow, expensive shipping from the US. One of the challenges is that their Walmarts are not like US Walmarts, and you'll still find yourself at specialty shops looking for that one thing or part you need.

Definitely Bring

• All electronics: computers, cameras, and all accessories. Markup here can be over 200%! Not to mention the little challenges like different video formats, keyboard layouts, power supplies, etc.

Consider

• RV Fridge/Cooler: bring it if the brand and quality matter to you. There are knockoff brands down here that work well enough, and for a fraction of the price of a Dometic (but we'll see how long 🤞).
• Camping gear: again, if you don't care about brand, there are camping stores everywhere, and a major Chilean brand (Doite) that feels like Gander Mountain.

Leave at Home, Buy in Chile

• Cooking equipment is the same as in the states

Where to Buy Things in Chile

• Lider is the Chilean Walmart (same company), similar product quality and selection
• Sodimac HomeCenter is like Home Depot, but smaller and with a mix of walmart-y things
• Jumbo CercoSud is similar to Sodimac
• Casaideas is Bed Bath & Beyond / Ikea
• Large malls in Chilean cities don't show the same marks of decline as US malls, and have a good mix of specialty shops. High-clearance parking is often available for big rigs, but it is weirdly not free, even where it seems like it should be.
• Flea markets are available in most cities, and sell many new, packaged products - check them out before a mall shopping spree.
• MercadoLibre for online selection - like the worst of Amazon and Ebay put together.
• Amazon itself - the app will filter for items that can ship to Chile. No experience with this.
• Ebay can ship to Chile as easily as the US for anything coming from China.