In every couple, there is one person who packs for the trip and one person who absolutely hates it! Packing for a trip is stressful and is not everyone’s cup of tea. And if you are taking an international trip, the stress is even more. Now if you are planning to travel to Costa Rica and wondering what to pack, we have got you covered!
There are many microclimates in Costa Rica. And when it’s raining in one part of the country, it can be dry in another part of the country. Some areas are wetter than others, while some are hotter than others. Therefore, information about Costa Rica's weather can get confusing. This is why we have prepared a comprehensive list of what to bring to Costa Rica, along with what not to bring. Our list talks in detail about why and where you would need the item and specifications, if any. So let’s begin with our Costa Rica packing list!
Items To Include In Your Costa Rica Packing List
Our packing list for Costa Rica includes items that are essentials and some items that are good to have, but not everyone would need them. We have also included some items that should be left at home because they are either not needed or invite unnecessary attention. Read on!
What to pack for Costa Rica: Essentials
1. Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen in Costa Rica is very important. As Costa Rica lies on the equator, the sun is very strong here. You can easily get sunburn and skin rashes when exposed to direct sunlight even for a few hours.
When going for hikes or other outdoor activities, apply sunscreen 20 minutes before exposure. And remember to reapply every 3 hours. You should carry a minimum of SPF 30, but if you are prone to getting sunburn, SPF 50-70 is recommended. Also, a reef-safe sunscreen would be great for water activities and swimming in the ocean.
2. Hat/Cap
No matter the season, it can get very sunny during the daytime in Costa Rica. So always pack a hat or a cap for your outdoor activities and excursions. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to sunburn, buy a hat with a neck flap.
Tip - Take extra care of your hat/cap while on motorized boats as they can be easily blown away.
3. Hiking Shoes
In Costa Rica, you have to hike in most of the tourist attractions. So whether you are going to a national park, a waterfall, or a volcano, there are high chances you will have to walk a lot. Therefore, carry a good pair of hiking boots with you. Even better, if they are waterproof! If your boots are too heavy, better to carry a good pair of sports shoes.
4. Swimwear
There is no dearth of serene, pristine beaches in Costa Rica. So naturally, the ocean seems inviting! Pack nice swimwear or two because you will need it not only for beaches but also for hot springs and waterfalls.
5. Poncho/Raincoat
The rainy season lasts from May to November in Costa Rica. So if you are visiting during these months, there is a high chance you will encounter rain. Carrying a poncho or a raincoat is a must as this will ensure you can carry on with your activities even if it’s raining.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean that there is no need to carry a poncho during the dry season. Places like Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna, and national parks like Braulio Carrillo National Park are some of the wettest places in Costa Rica, even when it’s dry in the rest of the country. So always carry a poncho with you!
6. Light jacket
Costa Rica has many microclimates. One place can be dry and the next can be rainy, windy, or cold. Also, places like Monteverde can be cold during the night. So carrying a light jacket is a good idea. It will safeguard you against all kinds of weather.
7. Mosquito Repellant
Costa Rica is known for nasty mosquito bites! And there are many mosquito-borne diseases here. So, whether you are sitting on a beach, hiking in a national park, or relaxing in your hotel room, you can get bitten by mosquitos. So always wear a mosquito repellant.
8. Waterproof/Dry bag
Whether you are caught up unexpectedly in rain, going for water activities, or hiking to a waterfall, a waterproof bag will come in handy. Some waterfalls, like La Leona waterfall, will require you to cross water pools to reach the waterfall.
When we went whale watching 2 years ago, our tour guide collected mobile phones from all of us and kept them in a dry bag. We were clueless as to why he was doing that. Soon we realized that the boat was picking up speed and crashing through the waves. We were all wet within seconds! But, it’s better not to rely on a tour guide to protect your cell phone ;)
9. Medicines & First Aid Kit
This should definitely make its way to your packing list for Costa Rica. There are a lot of options for outdoor activities and adventure sports in Costa Rica, so there are chances of injuries. A first aid kit will come to your rescue in such situations. Sometimes, pills have to be taken as a precaution. For example, motion sickness or sea sickness.
A few years ago, Prateek had a minor accident while surfing in Tamarindo, and thankfully we were carrying a first-aid kit and medicines, so I was able to give him immediate attention. In another instance, before going whale watching, we were instructed by our tour guide to buy a sea sickness pill from a pharmacy. I was carrying my own Therefore, I didn't have to visit the pharmacy.
10. Beach Towel
A beach towel is great for relaxing on the beach. Just spread the towel wherever you find a nice spot, under the sun or in the shade! This way you wouldn’t have to rent a beach chair from a restaurant.
A beach towel can also act as a picnic blanket when you stop to admire a view or decide to sit near a waterfall!
What to pack for Costa Rica: Good-to-have
1. Sarong
If you are a female, carrying a sarong would be nice too! Sarong has multiple uses other than a swim cover-up. It also acts as a towel, a picnic blanket, a shawl, and a privacy screen.
2. Umbrella
It’s a no-brainer that carrying an umbrella is a good idea in Costa Rica. You may be carrying a poncho/raincoat, but there will be many instances where you would wish you’d carried an umbrella too.
3. Earplugs
Are you a light sleeper? It’s very common in Costa Rica to be woken up by the calls of the howler monkeys, the chirping of birds, roosters, and other kinds of animals. Many hotels and resorts here are surrounded by lush greenery and hence wildlife. Some may even have their own farms attached to the property. So do not forget those earplugs at home if you are easily disturbed by sounds.
4. Binoculars
Binoculars come in handy in situations where you cannot see the animal with the naked eye. In Manuel Antonio National Park, it is very common to carry a set of binoculars for watching sloths. In Monteverde, binoculars can help spot birds, and spot wildlife when you are taking a canal tour in Tortuguero.
5. Flashlights/Headlamps
A flashlight is a good accessory for night tours and for walking in the dark. It can also offer some relief during power cuts.
6. Water Shoes
Water shoes are great to have for water activities and sports like whale watching, bioluminescence, river rafting, etc. They dry up quickly and protect your feet from pebbles, shells, and injuries.
7. Fast dry clothes
As the name suggests, fast dry clothes dry up quickly. Therefore, when you are traveling to multiple destinations one after another, you do not have to carry wet clothes with you. This is particularly useful when you are doing water activities or get wet in the rain.
It is also suggested to carry a microfiber towel, as it dries up quickly and is light to carry.
8. Waterproof phone pouch
When we were new to Costa Rica, we used to see everyone carrying a transparent phone pouch with them. We hadn’t been familiar with these back in our home country. We saw people carrying it to hot springs, whale watching, and waterfalls, and clicking pictures comfortably.
We were convinced enough and quickly got waterproof phone pouches for ourselves!
9. Tampons
It is not easy to find tampons here (sanitary napkins are, of course, available). So if you are traveling from outside Costa Rica, you do not want the hassle of having to look for them everywhere. Therefore, carry enough tampons to last for your whole trip.
10. Insulated Water Bottle
Costa Rica promotes ecotourism and environment-friendly activities. One good way to contribute is by bringing your own water bottle. And because it can get quite hot during the day, an insulated water bottle will come to your rescue. It’s also great for carrying beer and other cold beverages.
11. Camera, Drone & accessories
If you are into photography or are a travel blogger, then there is no need to mention that you should carry a camera and/or a drone, and needed accessories. Costa Rica is known for birding and bird photography, so be prepared!
12. Driver’s License
If you are an international tourist and planning on renting a car upon arrival in Costa Rica, please remember to carry your driver’s license.
13. Travel Insurance
It is highly advisable to have travel insurance. Travel insurance safeguards you against many unforeseeable circumstances. In case you are planning to do adventure sports, try and get them covered in your insurance too!
14. Rash Guard shirt
A rash guard shirt is useful for water activities like river rafting, scuba diving, and surfing. These block the sun, prevent rashes, and protect you from the bites of fish and other marine animals.
15. Sunglasses
Now who doesn’t want to look cool in the pictures? Jokes apart, traveling without sunglasses in your backpack is a bad idea. The sun here is very bright and not only do you not want to squint your eyes all the time, but also want to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
What you should avoid packing for Costa Rica
Too many credit cards
You do need to carry all your credit cards. Just one multi-currency credit card is enough! And maybe one extra as a backup. This extra card can be kept off at all times and only turned on when needed.
Expensive jewelry like necklaces, rings, and earrings
Please leave your expensive jewelry at home. You do not want to invite unnecessary attention. Especially if you are taking public transportation in Costa Rica.
Other expensive items
Do not carry expensive watches, laptops, tablets, and other gadgets that cost a fortune. Though Costa Rica is generally safe, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Too many jackets and sweaters
You do not need too many jackets and sweaters for Costa Rica. It is not as cold as winters in the US, Canada, and European countries. A waterproof jacket and a light jacket is all that you need!
Fancy footwear
Do you really need those fancy footwear of yours? Let’s be honest. You will end up wearing hiking shoes, sandals, and/or flip-flops most of the time, so leave those high heels at home. Bring comfortable footwear instead! And for those sun dresses and party dresses, pack a cute pair of sandals.
Final Thoughts
It is important to travel light so that transiting from one place to another is easier and stress-free. You do not want to spend too much time packing and unpacking at the hotel. And when you bring less, there are fewer chances of forgetting something at the hotel. We hope you found our Costa Rica packing list helpful. And that it gave you clarity as to what to pack for Costa Rica, and what to leave behind. If there is anything we missed in the list, please let us know in the comments section below. Enjoy your vacation!
And, do not miss checking out our blog on the best things to do in Costa Rica!
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