Elder Missionary Packing List: Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission Guide
Last updated: May 28, 2026
We recently sent out two missionaries and a lot of people have asked us what stuff we sent with our son and daughter.
Packing a missionary to serve a two year or eighteen-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be a little overwhelming especially if you wait until right before they leave. Sometimes missionaries from our church are referred to as a Mormon missionary or a LDS missionary.
This packing list includes items our missionary took and used on his missions based on what he heard from other missionaries who served or are currently serving in his mission or other related missions. It was also influenced by some advice from his friends and acquaintances who recently returned home from serving missions. This item list is specific to an Elder missionary serving in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro South mission.
The list has the normal things found on the missionary packing list like clothing, shoes, white shirts, belts, luggage, bug spray, sunscreen, etc. It also has some other items like power adapters, small pillow, phone charger, MicroSD cards, water bottle w/ filter, itch sticks, hair clippers, home MTC banner, vacuum storage bags, waterproof spray, luggage tracking tiles, small blanket, etc. A few of the things on this packing list like power adapters, etc. will be specific to Brazil.
Also, for Sister missionaries I have this Sister Missionary Packing List for my daughter who recently returned from the Argentina Tucumán mission.
Packing a missionary to serve a two year or eighteen-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be a little overwhelming especially if you wait until right before they leave. Sometimes missionaries from our church are referred to as a Mormon missionary or a LDS missionary.
This packing list includes items our missionary took and used on his missions based on what he heard from other missionaries who served or are currently serving in his mission or other related missions. It was also influenced by some advice from his friends and acquaintances who recently returned home from serving missions. This item list is specific to an Elder missionary serving in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro South mission.
The list has the normal things found on the missionary packing list like clothing, shoes, white shirts, belts, luggage, bug spray, sunscreen, etc. It also has some other items like power adapters, small pillow, phone charger, MicroSD cards, water bottle w/ filter, itch sticks, hair clippers, home MTC banner, vacuum storage bags, waterproof spray, luggage tracking tiles, small blanket, etc. A few of the things on this packing list like power adapters, etc. will be specific to Brazil.
Also, for Sister missionaries I have this Sister Missionary Packing List for my daughter who recently returned from the Argentina Tucumán mission.
Table of Contents
| Item | Amazon Link* | On Elder Packing List From Church (Missionary Portal) | Amazon Name* | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baptismal Clothing - White Belt |  $19.99 on Amazon | Volver Waterproof Rubber Golf Belts for Men Adjustable Cut-to-fit Interchangeable Colors (Clean White) | Clothing | This white belt is waterproof and will not rust. It's a golf belt made of rubber. | |
| Baptismal Clothing - White Dress Pants |  View on Amazon | Willit Mens Golf Pants Stretch Comfy Work Dress Pants 28''/30''/32''/34'' Lightweight Casual Pants Slacks with Pockets White 30W x 28L | Clothing | These white pants are comfortable, wrinkle-free, lightweight, quick dry, and they are opaque so you can't see through them when they are wet. | |
| Baptismal Clothing - White Dress Socks |  $9.99 on Amazon | Forony Mens Dress Socks Soild Dress Socks Size 8-13 Combed Cotton Anti Odor Quick Dry Colorful White | Clothing | These white dress socks are anti-odor, quick-dry, moisture wicking socks. | |
| Baptismal Clothing - White Tie |  $7.99 on Amazon | UETLRO White Ties For Men Solid Pure Color Formal Neckties 3.15" (8CM) Men's Tie Gift Box | Clothing | This white tie is made of Polyester and dries faster than cotton. | |
| Belts (1-2) |  $64.95 on Amazon | Groove Life Groove Belt Black/Stone - Men's Stretch Nylon Belt with Magnetic Aluminum Buckle, Lifetime Coverage - Small (28-32") | Clothing | This was the other kind of belt our son really liked. You can get them in all different colors and designs. It is also lighter than the mission belts and it closes with a magnet. | |
| Belts (1-2) |  $41.95 on Amazon | Mission Belt Men's Ratchet Belt - 35mm Gun Metal Buckle/Black Leather Strap, Medium (33-35) | Clothing | Our son really loved these mission belts. He took two different colors that matched his shoes (black & brown). | |
| Exercise clothing | Clothing | ||||
| Garments (8-10) | Clothing | Stretch Cotton | |||
| Mission T-shirt |  $17.99 on Amazon | Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mormon LDS Mission Missionary T-Shirt | Clothing | This was a fun Mission tshirt we found that our son liked to wear on his p-day. | |
| One set of clothing for activities where regular missionary attire is not appropriate; pants must be full length | Clothing | ||||
| Pajamas (1): Robe and slippers, as needed | Clothing | ||||
| Plain, light blue dress shirts (1-2) to be worn only in designated areas of the mission as directed by the mission president. |  View on Amazon | &COLLAR Slim Fit Short Sleeve Performance Men's Dress Shirt Blue XL | Clothing | Our son took 2 of these blue &COLLAR dress shirts but never used them because they were not allowed in his mission (even though they were on the packing list). | |
| Slacks (3-5) |  View on Amazon | Lululemon Athletica Men's Commission Pant Classic 34in (Obsidian, 30, Numeric-30) | Clothing | Our son took 4 pairs of these, and it lasted his whole mission. He wore these 95% of the time. | |
| Socks (10-12) | Clothing | ||||
| Suit (1) | Clothing | Our son took 1 suit, but didn't use it very often. | |||
| Sweaters (1-2) | Clothing | Rio was too hot to ever need a sweater, so he never used the one he took. | |||
| Ties (5-6) | Clothing | ||||
| White shirts (8-10) |  $49.99 on Amazon | &COLLAR Men's White Short Sleeve Dress Shirt — Stretch, Wrinkle Free, Stain Guard | Slim & Athletic Fit Button Down | Clothing | Our son took 8-10 short sleeve white shirts which he wore 95% of the time. | |
| White shirts (8-10) |  View on Amazon | &COLLAR Mens White Dress Shirt with 4-Way Stretch, Wrinkle Free, Medium Slim Fit, Long Sleeve Button Down for Men - Range Shirt | Clothing | Our son took 2 long sleeve white shirts for when he wore his suit jacket. He only used 1 of them his whole mission (didn't use suit jacket very much). | |
| Dress Shoes (2) | Shoes | One pair was Hush Puppies | |||
| Insoles (Superfeet) |  $59.95 on Amazon | Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch Insoles (Green) for Active Lifestyle with High Arch Support - Men 7.5-9 / Women 8.5-10 | Shoes | Our son went through three pairs of these. | |
| Shower sandals |  $29.99 on Amazon | KENROLL Non Slip Shower Shoes, Lightweight EVA Bathroom Slides with 7 Drainage Holes, Quick Dry House Slippers for Women Men - KW211 | Shoes | Our son said these are a must. He said there is no way ever that he would go into the showers without them because it was "way too nasty". | |
| Bar soap shampoo |  View on Amazon | Ethique Smooth Sailing Giftpack- Dry Hair Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Set - Vegan, Eco-Friendly, Plastic-Free, Cruelty-Free, 6 oz (Set of 2) | Toiletries & Personal Care | ||
| Contact Lenses (if needed) | Toiletries & Personal Care | Our son took daily disposable contacts | |||
| Contact Solution (if needed) | Toiletries & Personal Care | Not needed because he took daily disposable contacts | |||
| Extra Eyeglasses (if needed) | Toiletries & Personal Care | Also took glasses for when back in apartment or if contacts were bugging him | |||
| Filter Replacements (12) |  $24.95 on Amazon | LifeStraw Go 2-Stage Water Filter Bottle Replacement Filters 1-Year Pack (6 Carbons), for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and More | Toiletries & Personal Care | One carbon filter lasts up to 26 gallons (100 L) - about two months | |
| Filtered & Insulated Water Bottle |  $59.90 on Amazon | LifeStraw Go Series — Insulated Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle for Travel and Everyday Use Removes Bacteria, Parasites and Microplastics, Improves Taste, 24oz Icelandic Blue | Toiletries & Personal Care | The included carbon filter lasts up to 26 gallons (100 L) - about two months. Amazon also sells a silicon base for this water bottle. | |
| Filtered Silicon Base for Insulated Water Bottle |  $9.95 on Amazon | LifeStraw Go Series Silicone Base, 24oz Stainless Steel Accessory, Icelandic Blue | Toiletries & Personal Care | This is the optional silicon base for the LifeStraw Go Series Insulated Water Bottle. It can help protect the bottom of the water bottle. | |
| Filtered Water Bottle (2) |  $75.95 on Amazon | LifeStraw Go Series, BPA-Free Water Bottle for Travel and Everyday Use Removes Bacteria, Parasites, Microplastics, Improves Taste, 22oz 2-Pack; Icelandic Blue and Aegean Sea | Toiletries & Personal Care | One carbon filter lasts up to 26 gallons (100 L) - about two months. When we got this 22 ounce, non-insulated one for our son they didn't have the insulated version. In hindsight, our son now says he would have preferred the insulated version because of how hot it gets in Brazil. Our son used these filtered water bottles his entire mission and had less stomach issues than many of the other American missionaries. | |
| Hair clippers |  View on Amazon | Wahl Men's Cordless Hair Clippers, Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Kit – 2-Hour Run Time, 15-Minute Quick Charge, Self-Sharpening Precision Blades, Hair Trimmer for Men - Model 79608 | Toiletries & Personal Care | Our son took one of these and the Elders would cut each other's hair to save money. The quality of haircuts varied widely. | |
| Personal supplies (shaving supplies, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, shampoo, deodorant, hand lotion, combs, shoe polishing supplies, and so forth) to last the duration of your MTC stay. | Toiletries & Personal Care | ||||
| Prescription eyeglasses, if needed. Contact lenses are discouraged because of the risk of corneal injury or infection | Toiletries & Personal Care | Our son took daily disposable contacts | |||
| Teeth Whitening Strips |  $22.99 on Amazon | Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips Kit - 9 Treatments (1 Month) - Peroxide Free - Enamel Safe for Whiter Teeth - Whitening Without The Sensitivity - Dentist Formulated - Sensitivity Free | Toiletries & Personal Care | These are great for keeping teeth white and they work with sensitive teeth. | |
| Toiletries Bag |  View on Amazon | Osprey Ultralight Zip Organizer, Shadow Grey | Toiletries & Personal Care | ||
| Tweezers |  $23.87 on Amazon | Tweezerman Petite Tweeze Set with Travel Case - Point and Slant Tweezers, Tweezers for Travel (Black Case) | Toiletries & Personal Care | ||
| Adapter - 3.5 Headphone to USB C Adapter |  View on Amazon | Anker USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter, Male to Female Nylon Cable for Samsung S20/S20+/S20 Ultra, Pixel 4/+ 4XL, and More Type C Devices | Electronics | Adapter if needed for wired Earbuds | |
| Adapter - USB A to USB C Adapter |  $8.99 on Amazon | Anker USB C Adapter (2 Pack), USB C to USB Adapter High-Speed Data Transfer for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020, Samsung Notebook 9, Dell XPS and More Type C Devices | Electronics | Adapter if needed for charging your Phone with a USB-A cable. Most phones these days have a USB-C connector on them. | |
| Adapter - USB C to USB A Adapter |  $12.99 on Amazon | Elebase for Apple Watch SE 3 Adapter,USB to USB C Adaptor 4 Pack,Type C Female to USB A Male Charger Connector for iWatch 11 10,iPhone 16 15 Plus Pro Max,iPad 8 8th 9 9th 10th Air 4th 5 5th Mini 6 6th | Electronics | Adapter if needed for charging your phone with a USB-C cable and a USB-A charger plug. Most missionary phones these days have USB-C connectors on them. | |
| AirPods charging case that is USB-C |  $17.99 on Amazon | Wireless Charging Case Compatible for AirPods Pro 1st & 2nd Generation with USB-C Charging, Air Pod Pro 1 2 Charger Case Replacement with Bluetooth Pairing Sync Button，with Type-C Charging | Electronics | We didn't know if AirPods or wired earbuds, but AirPods weren't allowed in his mission, so we were glad he didn't take any. Probably wired earbuds so he doesn't have to charge them. | |
| Batteries (for flashlight) |  $9.89 on Amazon | Energizer MAX AAA Batteries (12 Pack), Triple A Alkaline Batteries | Electronics | ||
| Bluetooth Keyboard |  $52.24 on Amazon | iClever Foldable Keyboard, BK08 Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad, Aluminum Build, USB-C Charge, Equipped with Stand Holder and Carrying Bag, Portable for Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Silver | Electronics | ||
| Cable - Case for cables & adapters |  $8.99 on Amazon | AGPTEK Case Holder for Apple Pencil, Slim PU Leather Carrying Case Pouch Cover Compatible with Apple Pen Accessories, USB Cable, Earphone,Samsung Stylus iPad Pro Pen/Pencil, Recording Pen, Gray | Electronics | ||
| Cable - USB C to USB C charging cable (1 ft) |  View on Amazon | Anker Powerline III USB C Cable(60W,1 FT),USB C Charger Cable for MacBook Pro 2020, iPad Pro 2020,iPhone 16/15 Series,Switch,Pixel,and More(USB 2.0,White) | Electronics | To charge phone | |
| Cable - USB C to USB C charging cable (3 ft) |  View on Amazon | Anker USB C Cable, Type C Flow Cord, Fast Charging for iPhone 17 Series, MacBook Pro 2020, and More (USB 2.0) (100W) (Yellow, 6ft) | Electronics | To charge phone | |
| Camera - If you bring a camera, it should be simple and inexpensive as cameras are easily damaged or stolen |  $549.99 on Amazon | OM SYSTEM Olympus Tough TG-7 Black Underwater Camera, Waterproof, Freeze Proof, High Resolution Bright, 4K Video 44x Macro Shooting (Successor Olympus TG-6) | Electronics | Maybe take this, maybe not | |
| Earbuds (wired) |  $27.45 on Amazon | GG-FF-1 | Electronics | Get these inexpensive wired earbuds or maybe take AirPods if the mission allows them. | |
| Earbuds Case |  $9.99 on Amazon | MAIRUI Wired Earbud Case Earphone Headphone Cord Organizer Earbuds Wrap Soft Silicone Magnetic Holder Storage Tangle Free Cable Winder(Blue) | Electronics | Case if needed to hold wired earbuds | |
| Inexpensive Watch |  $70.00 on Amazon | Freestyle Shark Classic Clip Sea N Sand Unisex Watch FS101136 | Electronics | ||
| Memory Card Case |  $7.91 on Amazon | 36 Slots Memory Card Case Water-Resistant Anti-Shock Memory Card Wallet for 24 Micro SD SDXC SDHC TF Cards and 12 SD SDXC SDHC Cards | Electronics | ||
| Phone - MicroSD Cards |  View on Amazon | Samsung PRO Plus microSD Memory Card + Adapter, 512GB microSDXC, Up to 180 MB/s, Full HD & 4K UHD, UHS I, C10, U3, V30, A2, for Android Smartphones, Tablets, GoPRO, and DJI Drone (MB MD512SA/AM) | Electronics | Take 2-4 of these 512 GB cards in case a lot of photos/videos are being taken. It's nice for them to be different colors to make it easier to tell them apart. | |
| Phone Charger - Battery Charger (Portable - Medium) | Electronics | This charger is medium sized and has been useful when they are on long bus rides to the mission office, etc. | |||
| Phone Charger - Battery Charger (Portable - Smallest) |  $22.99 on Amazon | ANKER Portable Charger, Nano Power Bank with Built-in USB C Connector, 5,000mAh Portable Charger 22.5W, for iPhone 17/16/15 Series, Samsung S22/23 Series, iPad Pro/Air, AirPods, and More | Electronics | Our son said this charger was handy because he can take it with him every day. | |
| Phone Charger - USB C Charger (small for portable daily use) |  $16.99 on Amazon | Anker Nano Charger, USB C GaN Charger 30W, PIQ 3.0 Foldable PPS Fast Charger for iPhone 17 / 16 and more series, Galaxy, iPad, Compatible with MagSafe | Electronics | Small for charging phone | |
| Phone Storage - USB-C SD Card Adapter |  View on Amazon | Anker USB-C and USB 3.0 SD Card Reader, PowerExpand+ 2-in-1 Memory Card Reader with Dual Connectors, for SDXC, SDHC, (Micro) SD, MMC, RS-MMC, Micro SDXC, Micro SDHC, and UHS-I | Electronics | Use this to copy photos off phone onto SD or MicroSD card | |
| Sim card remover |  $5.95 on Amazon | 2PCS Specially Sized Sim Card Tray Opening Removal Tool,Eject Pin Tool for Samsung Galaxy S10/S20 /S21/Galaxy S22 Ultra ,S23 Ultra,S24 Ultra,S25 Sereies/Galaxy Note 20 Ultra/Z Fold 5 6 7 /and Tablet | Electronics | This is a little tool used to eject the Sim card and memory card tray on their phone. This is needed when missionaries move to different areas and need to swap SIM cards. They can also use this to add or change a MicroSD Memory Card in their missionary phone. | |
| Small LED Flashlight |  $19.97 on Amazon | LED Flashlight High Lumens, Mini Tactical LED Flashlight 2 Pack, 5 Modes Zoomable Beam, Battery Powered (Batteries Not Included) for Camping, Hunting, Home & Emergency, Compact Small LED Flashlight | Electronics | ||
| Bath towel (1) |  $16.99 on Amazon | Rainleaf Microfiber Towel Perfect Travel & Gym & Camping Towel. Quick Dry - Super Absorbent - Ultra Compact - Lightweight. Suitable for Trip, Beach, Shower, Backpacking, Pool | Travel Items | Take the microfiber 60 x 30 inches. Lightweight and dries really fast even in the humidity. | |
| Bedding: Sheets and pillowcase (1). Please be prepared to pay US$40-50 or its equivalent in local currency upon arrival in the mission field. The mission is responsible for all other bedding | Travel Items | ||||
| Blanket (Lightweight Travel Blanket) |  $25.00 on Amazon | SAGEFINDS Airplane Travel Blanket | Compact Throw Blanket for Camping and Hiking | Converts into a Pillow | Travel Gift | Soft Jersey Knit | Fits in Backpack | Attaches to Luggage | Travel Essential | Travel Items | Lightweight blanket that worked well in Rio | |
| Clothes hangers (9) |  View on Amazon | Stow-N-Go Folding Travel Hangers, Iron, 3-Piece Set, Black, Maximize Storage Space, Minimize Wrinkles, Pack Clothes Neatly | Travel Items | ||
| Hand towel (1) | $8.99 on Amazon | Rainleaf Microfiber Towel Perfect Travel & Gym & Camping Towel. Quick Dry - Super Absorbent - Ultra Compact - Lightweight. Suitable for Trip, Beach, Shower, Backpacking, Pool | Travel Items | Take the microfiber 24 x 12 inches. Lightweight and dries really fast even in the humidity. | |
| Laundry Bag |  $8.99 on Amazon | DuomiW 2 Pack Mesh Laundry Bags, 24 x 36 Inches Heavy Duty Drawstring Bag, Factories, College, Dorm, Travel and Apartment Dwellers, Black | Travel Items | ||
| Leatherman Tool (small, lightweight, no knife) |  View on Amazon | LEATHERMAN, Style PS Keychain Multitool with Spring-Action Scissors and Grooming Tools, Built in the USA, Black | Travel Items | ||
| Luggage - Large Backpack / Carry-On |  View on Amazon | Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Travel Backpack - Carry-On Compliant Luggage with StraightJacket Compression and Padded Laptop Sleeve - Durable Pack for International or Urban Travel, Graphite Purple | Travel Items | For transfers and airplane | |
| Luggage - Large Suitcase (2) |  $209.99 on Amazon | Samsonite Freeform Large Checked Luggage with Dual 360° Spinner Wheels - TSA Lock, Airline-Approved - Lightweight Durable Polypropylene Expandable Hardshell - Black | Travel Items | 31.1" x 20.95" x 13.78", 9.5 lbs. including wheels and handles. Each bag must not exceed 62 total dimensional inches or 157 total dimensional centimeters (total dimensional measurements = length + width + height). The maximum weight allowed for each checked bag is 50 pounds (22 kilograms). | |
| Luggage - Small Carry-On (1) |  $149.99 on Amazon | Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage with Spinner Wheels - Hardshell Suitcase - TSA, Airline-Approved - Expandable Hard Shell, Smooth Rolling Wheels for Lightweight Travel – Black | Travel Items | We were trying to not take this carry-on and only take the backpack carry-on, but we had to buy this last minute to fit everything in. Best for transfers if you don't have to take this 3rd luggage piece. | |
| Luggage Locks |  $13.95 on Amazon | TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks, Re-settable Combination with Alloy Body, Black 2 Locks. | Travel Items | ||
| Luggage Scale |  $10.99 on Amazon | Etekcity Luggage Scale, Travel Essentials, Digital Weight Scales for Travel Accessories, Portable Handheld Scale with Temperature Sensor, Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds, Battery Included,Orange | Travel Items | ||
| Luggage Strap |  $6.99 on Amazon | Luggage Straps for Suitcases TSA Approved, Travel Accessories to Connect Two Suitcase, Add Bag Luggage Straps for Carry On Your 3 Luggages Adjustable Buckle Belt, 2Pack Black | Travel Items | ||
| Luggage Tags |  $12.88 on Amazon | Silicone Luggage Tag with Name ID Card Perfect to Quickly Spot Luggage Suitcase (Plane 5Pcs Orange) | Travel Items | ||
| Mesh Zipper Bags (Water-Resistant) |  $29.99 on Amazon | pack all 3 Pcs Water-resistant Material Zipper Pouch Set, Mesh Zipper Bags for Storage, Travel, Office (Orange) | Travel Items | ||
| Neck Pillow for Airplane |  $39.99 on Amazon | Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow – Straps to Airplane Seat – Ensures Your Head Won’t Fall Forward – Relax with Plush Memory Foam – Quick-Dry Fabric Keeps You Cool and Dry (Indigo)… | Travel Items | Probably don't need this, but it would be nice on the airplane. | |
| Packing Cubes |  $26.99 on Amazon | GOX Premium 5-Piece Packing Cubes Set for Travel, Lightweight Durable Luggage Organizer Bags with Double Zipper Mesh Top, 1 Large 2 Medium 2 Small, Nylon, Space-Saving Suitcase Storage (Blue) | Travel Items | ||
| Pillow for Bed (memory foam) |  $29.91 on Amazon | Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Pillow – Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Airplane Sleeping, Hiking, Backpacking & Outdoor Use - Small & Portable for Adults, Car, Camp & Tent | Travel Items | Our son said the pillows that were in his apartments were really bad and were kind of like a thin bag full of cotton balls. He used the pillow he got on the flight to Rio his whole mission, so we sent this pillow with his sister on her mission, and she was glad she took it. | |
| Pillowcase for Small Pillow (14 x 18) |  $7.99 on Amazon | NTBAY Microfiber Toddler Pillowcases with Envelope Closure, 2 Pack 100% Brushed Microfiber Super Soft Travel Kids Nursery Pillow Cases, 14"x20" Fits Pillows Sized 12"x16" 13"x18" 14"x19", Navy Blue | Travel Items | This is the pillowcase that fits the above small pillow (Wise Owl Medium) | |
| Power Adapter (for apartment, less ports) |  $19.99 on Amazon | Ceptics Brazil Power Plug Adapter Travel Set, 20W PD & QC, Safe Dual USB & USB-C 3.1A - 2 USA Socket - Compact & Powerful - Also Use in Peru, Chile - Includes Type C, Type N Swadapt Attachments | Travel Items | Need C, and N types | |
| Power Adapter (for apartment, more ports) |  $49.99 on Amazon | Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit 2 USB-A, USB-C US Outlets, 20W/QC 18W Power Delivery, Surge Protection, SWADAPT Compatible for Europe, UK, China, Australia, Japan Perfect Laptop (WPS-5B) | Travel Items | Need C, and N types | |
| Power Adapter (small for portable daily use) |  $5.69 on Amazon | 6 Pack US to Europe Plug Adapter - Type C European Travel Adapter, Wall Plug Power Converter for Europe (White) | Travel Items | Small Type C for charging phone | |
| Power Adapter (type N for Ceptics SWadAPt) |  $6.99 on Amazon | Ceptics SWadAPt Type N Attachment Only - Works with Ceptics SWadAPt Compatible Devices - Actual Unit Sold Separately, Model Number: SWADAPT-11C | Travel Items | This is the Type N for the Ceptics SWadAPt compatible devices. You need this if you get the larger Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit | |
| Power Adapter Case |  $14.99 on Amazon | Aproca Case Compatible with Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit, Portable Storage Bag for Accessories -Grey (Case Only) | Travel Items | Case to hold the Ceptics world travel adapter and cables | |
| Power Adapter Type C (portable daily use) |  $15.99 on Amazon | Ceptics European Travel Plug Adapter - 5 Input with 20W PD-QC 3.1A Dual USB-C and USB - Light Weight - USA to Any Type C Countries Such as Italy, Iceland, Austria and More (PTU-9C), White | Travel Items | Type C with USB C to charge phone | |
| Raincoat: Lightweight |  $116.00 on Amazon | MARMOT Men's PreCip Eco Lightweight & Waterproof Rain Jacket, Steel Onyx - Latest Collection, Medium | Travel Items | This waterproof rain jacket folds up nice and small into itself. | |
| Sewing Kit |  $5.59 on Amazon | Sewing Kit, Sewing Kits for Adults, OKOM 68Pcs Thread for Sewing, Sewing Supplies, Sew Kit for Home,Traveler,Small Mini, Basic, Beginner, DIY, Needle and Thread Kit, Gift for Mother and Grandma | Travel Items | ||
| Tracker - Apple AirTags to track luggage (iPhone Only) |  View on Amazon | Apple AirTag (1st Generation) - 4 Pack. Keep Track of and find Your Keys, Wallet, Luggage, Backpack, and More. Simple one-tap Set up with iPhone or iPad, Bluetooth | Travel Items | Apple AirTags can only be found by iPhones and you need an iPhone to register the AirTags. We didn't send any of these with our son to Brazil because there is a smaller percentage of iPhones in Brazil compared to the United States. A larger majority of people have Android devices in Brazil currently. The missionaries in Brazil also have Android devices (although I don't know if the missionary phones have the Google Find My Device capabilities turned on, but other people walking by will have it activated). Check to see if there are a lot of Android devices in your mission and if there are a lot then these would work well. If the person who will be tracking the luggage (parent or guardian) uses an iPhone but there aren't many iPhones in the missionary's mission, I would recommend using the above Tile trackers since they can be tracked by both Android devices and iPhones. These trackers have replaceable batteries. The batteries are supposed to last about 1 year so your missionary would need to replace the batteries at some point. | |
| Tracker - Chipolo POPs to track luggage (Android & iPhone) |  $89.00 on Amazon | Chipolo POP Tracker Tag - Colorful, Compatible, Loud Bluetooth Tracker with Call Your Phone & Out of Range Alert, Works with Apple Find My or Google's Find My Device - 4 Pack (Color Mix) | Travel Items | These trackers can be used by both iPhones and Android devices. They can be registered on either the Apple network or the Google Find My Device networks...but not both at the same time. The nice thing about these ones is for them to be tracked out in the mission field, it doesn't require an app to be installed on the phone of the person walking near the trackers...they just need to have either an iPhone or an Android device with the Apple or Google tracking capabilities turned on which is normally turned on by default. These trackers have replaceable batteries. The batteries are supposed to last about 1 year so your missionary would need to replace the batteries at some point. | |
| Tracker - Tiles to track luggage (Android & iPhone) |  $76.81 on Amazon | Life360 Tile - Bluetooth Tracker, Keys Finder and Item Locator for Keys, Bags and More. Phone Finder. Both iOS and Android Compatible. 4-Pack (Colors) | Travel Items | We put tiles in our missionary's luggage to keep track of their luggage. Get ones to last more than 2 years and don't require your missionary to change the battery. The Tile Mate 3 lasts 3 years. Others have had success using Apple AirTags and the new Android Find My Device trackers would probably work as well. One downside to these Tile trackers is it requires other people near the trackers to have the Tile app installed on their iPhone or Android device. We have noticed that in the smaller cities of Brazil not many people have the app installed while the larger cities with more people track the devices more frequently. | |
| Travel Tie Case Organizer |  $22.99 on Amazon | LeanTravel Tie Case Organizer for Travel with Storage Bag for Cufflinks, Color Grey | Travel Items | Organizer for ties to keep them wrinkle free during travel to different areas in the mission. The description says it fits 6 ties, but we were able to fit more like 10 ties. | |
| Travel Tie Hanger |  $11.88 on Amazon | 3-Pack Non-Slip Velvet Tie Hanger Organizer Rack by Home Basics | 360° Rotatable Hook | Holds 12 Ties Each | Versatile for Belts and Scarves | Slim Design | Travel Items | This lightweight travel tie hanger organizer was handy for our son to be able to hang up his ties to keep them wrinkle free. | |
| Umbrella (1): Sturdy, solid color |  $14.99 on Amazon | Windproof Compact Umbrella for Rain - 42” Travel Umbrella, Portable, Strong, Collapsible to 11”, Automatic Open Close Button, Vented Double Canopy with Fiberglass/Steel Frame, Wind Resistance to 55MPH | Travel Items | ||
| Vacuum storage bags |  View on Amazon | 12Pack Small Vacuum Storage Bags, New Air Valve Space Saver Vacuum Sealer Bag for Clothes, Comforters, Blankets, Bedding, Hand Pump Included, Two Vacuum Ways | Travel Items | These were helpful to fit everything into the suitcases. We didn't send the vacuum piece with our missionary because you can still get the air out of the bags without it, and we didn't have room for it plus it wouldn't work anyway in Brazil because of the voltage. | |
| Wash cloths (2) | Travel Items | ||||
| Bug Repellent Lotion |  $20.88 on Amazon | Sawyer Products SP5642 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, Lotion, 4-Ounce, Twin Pack,White | Medical | Our son said he used 1 bottle per month. The 2 oz bottle is out of stock. | |
| Bug Spray for Clothes - Permethrin |  $35.10 on Amazon | Sawyer Products SP6572 Twin Pack Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Trigger Spray, 24 oz,Yellow | Medical | I think we used 4 spray bottles for our son's clothes before he left. | |
| Cold-eeze (sugar free) |  $10.49 on Amazon | Cold-EEZE Sugar-Free, Natural Wild Cherry Zinc Lozenges, Homeopathic Cold Remedy, Shortens the Common Cold, Sore Throat, Cough, Congestion & Post Nasal Drip, 25 Ct | Medical | For sore throats and cough | |
| COVID tests |  $31.54 on Amazon | iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 5 Tests per Pack,FDA Authorized OTC at-Home Self Test, Results in 15 Minutes with Non-invasive Nasal Swab, Easy to Use & No Discomfort | Medical | Maybe take these | |
| First-aid kit: Supply of current prescription medications, multi-vitamins, cold and allergy medication, decongestant, thermometer, fever reducer, pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch cream, anti-fungal cream or spray, band-aids, 25-35% DEET mosquito repellent, and a medical ID bracelet, if needed. Pack your insect repellent in your checked luggage or it will be confiscated by airport officials |  $8.88 on Amazon | General Medi Mini First Aid Kit, 110 Piece Small First Aid Kit - Includes Emergency Foil Blanket, Scissors for Travel, Home, Office, Vehicle, Camping, Workplace & Outdoor (Red) | Medical | ||
| If you have any required medications, please bring enough for your training at the MTC and for the first three months of your mission. Not all medications are available in your mission. If you have questions as to whether your medications are available, please contact the mission office well before you enter the MTC | Medical | Need to get allergy pills, fish oil, vitamins, pro-biotic, ibuprofen, DayQuil, NyQuil, pepto-bismol pills, Tums, cough drops | |||
| Itch Stick |  $26.90 on Amazon | Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief Stick, 6 Count | Medical | Our son used these when he forgot to put his bug lotion on. | |
| Moleskin for blisters |  $7.23 on Amazon | Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Padding ROLL, 1 roll // Thin, Flexible Cushioning & Pain Relief - Cut to Any Size - Doctor Recommended - 24 Inches X 4 5/8 Inches | Medical | ||
| Pepto Bismol Tablets |  $8.47 on Amazon | Pepto Bismol Chewable Tablets, Upset Stomach Relief, Nausea Relief, Heartburn Relief, Indigestion Relief, Anti Diarrhea Medication for Adults - 5 Symptom Relief, 48 ct | Medical | ||
| Sunscreen (30+SPF) and lip balm (30+ SPF) and ointment for heat rash if you will be serving in a warm climate or have sensitive skin |  $36.98 on Amazon | Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Body Spray - Broad Spectrum Moisturizing Sunscreen with Vitamin E - Hawaii 104 Act Compliant (Made without Octinoxate & Oxybenzone) - 6 oz (Pack of 2) | Medical | Good for arms, legs, and neck | |
| Sunscreen Spray |  $16.99 on Amazon | Sun Bum Original SPF 45 Sunscreen Mist - Broad Spectrum Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen Spray with Vitamin E - Hawaii 104 Act Compliant (Made without Octinoxate & Oxybenzone) - Travel Size - 3.4 oz | Medical | Works well on the face. Not oily | |
| Sunscreen Sticks |  $12.99 on Amazon | Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Face Stick Sunscreen - Water-Resistant Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen with Vitamin E - Hawaii 104 Act Compliant (Without Octinoxate & Oxybenzone) - Travel Friendly - 0.45 oz | Medical | Small for your bag in case you forget | |
| Thermometer |  $16.99 on Amazon | Forehead Thermometer for Adults and Kids, Digital Touchless Thermometer for Baby, Infants and Toddlers, 3 Color Fever Alarm, 1s Fast Accurate Reading, Non Contact | Medical | ||
| Composition Notebooks for MTC (Blue or Grey) |  $16.99 on Amazon | Rosmonde College Ruled Composition Notebooks 5 Pack, 200 Pages (100 Sheets), 9-3/4" x 7-1/2", White & Black Marble Composition Book, Hard Cover, Sturdy Sewn Binding, School, College & Office Supplies | Study Supplies | ||
| Journals | Study Supplies | Our son took these with Elder Ballam engraved. Bought & engraved at Deseret Book | |||
| Travel Folding Scissors |  $10.99 on Amazon | Fiskars Explore Folding Scissor, Designer Collection, Ultra Lilac, Travel Friendly | Study Supplies | Small scissors | |
| A&W Root Beer Drink Mix |  $6.11 on Amazon | A&W Root Beer Caffeine/Sugar Free Classic On-the-Go Drink Mix Packets - 2 Pk (12 ct) | Miscellaneous | Our son learned some other missionaries were using these, so he asked us to start sending some to him. He mixed them with sparkling water he buys at the local store. | |
| Brazil Flag |  $21.99 on Amazon | XIFAN Premium Brazil Flag 3x5 ft Outdoor, Large Double Sided Heavy Duty 210D Nylon Embroidered Brazilian National Country Flag, Longest Lasting Decoration with Brass Grommets, Bandeira Do Brasil | Miscellaneous | We used these flags at our son's farewell and homecoming open house events. | |
| Carabiners |  $9.99 on Amazon | Heavy Duty Carabiner Clips Lightweight - Small D Ring Clips for Outdoor Camping Hammock Hiking Backpack Keys Dog Leash | Miscellaneous | Our son didn't really use these | |
| Home MTC banner |  $50.00 on Amazon | Welcome to the MTC Missionary Training Center Banner for Front Door - Latter Day Saint Mission Gift | Miscellaneous | This banner was fun to have at our house when our son was doing home MTC. | |
| Missionary Countdown Tracker Poster+C3:C24 | Miscellaneous | I found an image for this on Etsy and printed it out on a poster with a sticky back on it at Walgreens | |||
| Shoulder bags should be in conservative colors with no apparent logos or insignias. (Note: Backpacks are no longer allowed.) Shoulder bags should be waterproof or sprayed with a product to make them water-proof. | Miscellaneous | ||||
| Spikeball |  $119.99 on Amazon | Spikeball Pro Kit (Tournament Edition) - Includes Upgraded Stronger Playing Net, New Balls Designed to Add Spin, Portable Ball Pump Gauge, Backpack | Miscellaneous | Maybe send this later if he wants it and the mission president says it's OK for P-days. | |
| Waterproof spray for bags |  $11.48 on Amazon | Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield, Water Repellent Spray for Outdoor Summer and Spring Gear and Patio Furniture, Fabric Spray for Protection Against the Rainy Spring Weather, 13 oz | Miscellaneous | We used this to waterproof the bags he took |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many suitcases can a missionary take to Brazil?
Missionaries are typically allowed two 50-pound checked bags plus one carry-on and a personal item. However, it is recommended to check with your mission president or mission office for specific guidelines for your mission, as airline restrictions may vary. Keep in mind, missionaries need to haul all their suitcases around with them every transfer so the recommendation from our son and daughter is to try to limit the amount of stuff you take with you because when you get transferred you will need to take this luggage on busses, on Ubers, etc. Two pieces of luggage and a large backpack is ideal because you can drag the luggage with both your hands with your backpack on your back.
What type of clothing is appropriate for elders serving in Brazil?
First review these guidelines from the church. Elders should pack clothing suitable for the Brazil climate. The clothing should be professional and be in conservative colors. Our son's missionary portal said to take one short sleeve blue button-down dress shirt but when he got to his mission he found out they didn't allow blue dress shirts, so he gave that one away to a member. Also consider the seasonal changes - summers can be ridiculously hot while winters can cool down depending on what part of Brazil your mission is in. For our son's mission in Rio de Janeiro, it was REALLY hot during the summer months and stayed pretty warm during the winter months, but every so often it would cool down where he needed some warmer clothing. His body also adjusted to the heat and when it got down to 80 degrees, he was really cold.
What kind of white shirts should I take on my mission?
Our son took 10 white short-sleeve &COLLAR dress shirts and 2 white long-sleeve &COLLAR dress shirts. He also took 2 blue short-sleeve &COLLAR dress shirts because they were on the packing list he received, but when he arrived in Rio he found out they were not allowed so he gave those shirts away to members. Our son really liked the &COLLAR shirts because they were lightweight, comfortable, they wick the sweat away, they dry fast, they don't wrinkle easily, and they breathe better than cotton. This made a HUGE difference in a hot climate like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Do I need to bring my own bedding to the Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission?
This may vary widely depending on your mission, so make sure to check your missionary portal and other resources provided by your mission. Apartments in the Rio de Janeiro South Mission provided basic bedding, but it is recommended to bring your own twin-size sheets, pillowcase, and a light blanket. The "light blanket" our son used was the blanket he got on the airplane on the way to Brazil. One thing he wished he would have taken was a small pillow because most of his apartments had terrible pillows. See the above packing list for a pillow recommendation that worked great for our daughter on her mission.
What electrical adapters do I need for Brazil?
Brazil uses Type C and Type N electrical outlets with either 127V or 220V voltage depending on the region. Some cities even have both voltages in different neighborhoods and buildings. You will need a universal adapter that can handle Type C and Type N. I do not recommend taking a voltage converter. Instead of taking a voltage converter, just make sure your electronics are dual voltage (110V/220V) so they will work in Brazil without being damaged or catching on fire. I have a variety of adapters listed above that worked for our son in Brazil. He took a small one with him in his bag to charge his phone, and had a bigger one for his apartment with a surge protector built in.
How many ties should I take on my mission?
You will want to take one white tie for baptisms and a lot of other non-white ties. Most mission packing lists suggest 5-6 ties, but a lot of elders like to trade ties so take as many as you think you will need. Our son also took this travel tie case to keep his good ties wrinkle free. He also took this lightweight tie rack to hang up his ties. After being in the mission field for a few months, our son asked us to send him some "ugly" ties that he could trade with other missionaries.
Can I take my soccer cleats on my mission?
This question comes up quite a bit. Especially in countries where soccer / futebol / fútbol is extremely popular. The answer to this question is it will depend on your mission and if it would be allowed. Some missions allow missionaries to play soccer with members and friends and other missions do not allow this. Before taking something like soccer cleats, double check with your mission to see if that would be OK. If you are unable to get a response from the mission about soccer cleats you could always wait until you arrive in your mission and then purchase soccer cleats there if they are allowed.
Do you have a similar packing list for Sisters?
Yes, we have this Sister Missionary Packing List that we put together for our daughter who recently returned from an 18-month mission in the Argentina Tucumán Mission.