What to Pack for Your Dental Tourism Trip

Packing for a dental tourism trip is slightly different from a regular vacation. You need recovery supplies, comfortable clothes for swollen-face days, and a few things you might not think of. Here's everything, organized by category.

Documents & Money

• ☐ Passport (valid for 6+ months beyond travel dates)
• ☐ Flight confirmation (digital and printed backup)
• ☐ Hotel reservation
• ☐ Dental clinic contact info (address, phone, WhatsApp)
• ☐ Treatment plan/quote from clinic
• ☐ Dental X-rays (digital copies on phone + emailed to yourself)
• ☐ Credit cards (2 different cards recommended)
• ☐ Some US cash ($100-200 for emergencies; USD widely accepted)
• ☐ Travel insurance documents (if purchased)
• ☐ Health insurance card (just in case)
• ☐ Emergency contact list

Recovery Essentials

These are the items specifically for dental recovery:

• ☐ Travel neck pillow—sleeping propped up reduces swelling
• ☐ Ibuprofen/Advil—anti-inflammatory for swelling (clinic may provide)
• ☐ Acetaminophen/Tylenol—pain relief option (can alternate with ibuprofen)
• ☐ Sensitivity toothpaste (Sensodyne or similar)
• ☐ Soft-bristle toothbrush—gentle on healing gums
• ☐ Lip balm—lips get dry from procedures
• ☐ Small mirror—checking your new smile
• ☐ Reusable ice pack (or buy frozen peas there)
• ☐ Straws—easier drinking with numb mouth (avoid after extractions)
• ☐ Protein powder—easy nutrition when eating is hard
• ☐ Any current medications—enough for entire trip + extras

Clothing

Medellín weather is 70-80°F year-round. Pack light, comfortable layers:

• ☐ Loose, comfortable shirts—you'll want easy dressing on swelling days
• ☐ Button-down or zip-up top—easier than pulling over head post-surgery
• ☐ Comfortable pants/shorts
• ☐ Light jacket or sweater—evenings can be cool, AC can be cold
• ☐ Comfortable walking shoes—you'll explore when feeling better
• ☐ Sandals/flip-flops—hotel, quick outings
• ☐ Underwear/socks for full trip
• ☐ Sunglasses—it's sunny, and they hide puffy eyes
• ☐ Hat or cap—sun protection
• ☐ One nicer outfit—for celebrating your new smile at the end

Electronics

• ☐ Phone + charger
• ☐ Power bank—long days out
• ☐ Headphones—entertainment during recovery downtime
• ☐ Tablet/laptop (optional)—Netflix during recovery days
• ☐ Camera (optional)—phone is usually enough

Note: Colombia uses the same outlets as the US (Type A/B, 110V). No adapter needed!

Toiletries

• ☐ Toothbrush (soft bristle)
• ☐ Toothpaste (sensitivity formula recommended)
• ☐ Mouthwash—alcohol-free (Biotene is gentle)
• ☐ Deodorant
• ☐ Shampoo/conditioner (travel size or buy there)
• ☐ Skincare basics
• ☐ Sunscreen—Medellín is at altitude, sun is strong
• ☐ Lip balm with SPF
• ☐ Any prescription medications

Nice to Have

• ☐ Small daypack/backpack—for exploring
• ☐ Reusable water bottle—stay hydrated
• ☐ Spanish phrasebook or app—Google Translate offline works great
• ☐ Books/Kindle—recovery day entertainment
• ☐ Snacks from home—soft protein bars for early recovery
• ☐ Playing cards/travel games—if traveling with someone
• ☐ Small notebook—jot down questions for dentist

What You DON'T Need

• ✗ Power adapter—Colombia uses US plugs
• ✗ Excessive cash—cards work everywhere; ATMs available
• ✗ Fancy clothes—you're recovering, not clubbing
• ✗ Heavy jackets—it's 70-80°F year-round
• ✗ Full-size toiletries—buy there or use hotel's
• ✗ Expensive jewelry/watches—leave at home for safety
• ✗ Lots of makeup—you'll be too swollen to care

Phone Setup Before You Go

• ☐ WhatsApp installed—this is how you'll communicate with clinic
• ☐ Google Translate—download Spanish for offline use
• ☐ Google Maps—download Medellín for offline navigation
• ☐ Uber app—works in Medellín
• ☐ Rappi app—food delivery for recovery days
• ☐ Clinic contact saved—name, number, address
• ☐ International plan or eSIM—check with carrier or get Airalo/Holafly eSIM

Day-of-Procedure Bag

Pack a small bag for procedure day with just:

• ☐ Phone and charger
• ☐ ID/passport
• ☐ Payment method
• ☐ Lip balm
• ☐ Sunglasses (for light sensitivity after)
• ☐ Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dental debris on
• ☐ Hair tie (if applicable)—keeps hair out of the way
• ☐ Headphones (some procedures are long)
• ☐ Light snack (for after, if allowed)

What to Buy There

Don't overpack. These are easy to find in Medellín:

• Full-size toiletries (pharmacies and grocery stores everywhere)
• Extra phone charger if needed
• Soft foods (yogurt, soup, smoothie ingredients)
• SIM card if you want local data (Claro has best coverage)
• Additional OTC medications (same brands available)
• Ice packs (or frozen peas from any grocery store)

Carry-On vs Checked

For a 5-10 day dental trip, you can probably do carry-on only. But if you check a bag:

Always carry-on:

• Passport and documents
• Medications (in original bottles)
• Electronics and chargers
• One change of clothes
• Basic toiletries

If your checked bag is lost, you can still get to your appointment and manage until the bag arrives.