What to Pack for Travel in Developing Countries

Having just returned from Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, I knew to be prepared, for tap water that may or may not be contaminated, for medical care that may be hours away, for a lack of feminine hygiene products as well as other hygiene issues as I bicycled for two weeks, often picnicking on the road side.  Below is what I carry in the small backpack when I travel to developing countries. The Pepto-Bismol is to prevent traveler's diarrhea; Imodium (or, in a worse case scenario, Zithromax) in case that didn't work. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the best way of disinfecting surfaces, including your hands, which you should do when you touch anything -- especially the paper currency -- and then intend on touching your mouth. Baby wipes are especially useful when the toilet facilities are lacking. Alcohol swabs for wiping down a can of soda just in case. Cups that I found in hotel rooms and other places may or may not be clean so I brought my own. Utensils for my picnics where I enjoyed peanut butter sandwiches -- a high protein source which, along with carbs, is needed when cycling intensely. SteriPen -- it easily slips in your pocket --  to take care of all the potential microbes in questionable water sources


1- Baby Wipes

2- Tampons or sanitary pads

3- SteriPen
(https://www.steripen.com/classic3/)

4- Pepto-Bismol chewable tabs

5- Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

6- Alcohol Swabs

7- Foldable Cup
(https://www.rei.com/product/787278/sea-to-summit-x-mug)

8- Plastic (or bamboo) Utensils
(https://www.rei.com/product/867618/sea-to-summit-delta-cutlery-set)

9- One-dose Anti-Vaginitis Drug: Diflucan
(https://www.drugs.com/diflucan.html)

10- One-dose Zithromax antibiotic
(https://www.drugs.com/mtm/zithromax-z-pak.html)

11- Imodium
(http://www.imodium.ca/products/calming-liquid)

12- Justin's Squeezable Peanut Butter Packs
(http://shop.justins.com/Classic-Peanut-Butter/p/JNB-003004&c=Justins@NutButters)