Costa Rica Packing List: What to Pack for Your Trip

Between the colourful metropolis of San Jose, the calm waters of the Caribbean coast, the limitless blue of the South Pacific coast, and the surreal cloud forests across the total nation, few vacationers will discover themselves dissatisfied by Costa Rica.

Experiencing the quintessentially Costa Rican “Pura Vida,” (the straightforward life) of this spectacular nation is simply magical.

This small nation in Central America is extremely various and scenic, providing many assorted actions to swimsuit all vacationers.

Costa Rica could be a lot greater than a easy seaside trip: you’ll be able to hike by the rainforests of Corcovado National Park, go white water rafting down the Rio Naranjo, and revel in water sports activities like browsing on the famous breaks of Tamarindo, and so many extra!

Depending in your plans whereas there, you could want plenty of completely different journey gear. Don’t neglect that there’s additionally a moist and dry season, and whereas days could be sweltering, nights can get fairly chilly.

Needless to say, many vacationers get overwhelmed with what to pack for Costa Rica. As one in all our favourite locations, we’ve put collectively a Costa Rica packing guidelines right here to make sure you have an epic time with out worries.

See Related: Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica & Things to Do

What to Pack for Costa Rica – Costa Rica Travel Tips

If you’re exploring Costa Rica quickly, you’ll in all probability want a couple of objects greater than T-shirts and shorts. Let’s check out what must be in your Costa Rica packing listing past the everyday suitcase full of garments.

Travel Insurance

First of all, it’s by no means smart to go away for a visit with out a high quality journey insurance coverage coverage. This is particularly true when headed to a overseas nation like Costa Rica, the place you could take part in water sports activities, climbing deep within the jungle, or doing in any other case excessive actions.

Not to say the truth that the US State Department considers Costa Rica to be a comparatively dangerous vacation spot, with an “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory.

It’s a lot better to be protected than sorry, and also you don’t wish to end up paying out of pocket for any medical care payments from minor to main. We’d suggest a bundle from SafetyWing, respected journey, and medical incident insurance coverage supplier.

SafetyWing is made for digital nomads and frequent vacationers. Ensuring these shoppers makes them a top-quality supplier as they look after these more than likely to want it.

Unique and useful qualities of their providing embrace the flexibility to purchase a coverage even when your journey has already began, youngsters could be included on their guardian’s coverage totally free, and long-term month-to-month packages.

Long-term month-to-month packages additionally cowl time again at residence, making this an all-around glorious service for journey addicts worldwide.

See Related: Important Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance

The Right Travel Credit Cards

Besides travel insurance, this can be the following most necessary software in your pockets! It is crucial to journey with a superb bank card or, realistically, a number of bank cards which you could select from strategically.

One of the simplest ways to save money and get free flights is through the use of loyalty factors and miles. Every time you swipe a bank card, you ought to be incomes these factors and miles. You can earn further by realizing which bank card to swipe and when.

For instance, when shopping for flights and staying at accommodations, use co-branded playing cards for the airline or lodge chain with a purpose to get bonus factors and perks like standing recognition.

For normal purchases or should you don’t have a co-branded card, you’ll be able to’t go improper with playing cards just like the American Express Platinum Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Each buy will get you loyalty factors that can be utilized on just about any journey buy.

See Related: Best Travel Credit Cards (Ranked!)

Flip-Flops

Flip-flops are important for me when happening a tropical vacation. You don’t wish to be caught having to go to the memento retailers to discover a pair of flip-flops in your measurement which can be more than likely overpriced and received’t maintain up longer than a couple of days.

These Reef Women’s Cushion Breeze Flip-Flops are gentle, inexpensive, and high-quality (these Reef Men’s Cushion Phantom Flip-Flops will do exactly advantageous for the fellas).

These will maintain ft comfy all day and received’t offer you blisters like some cheaper flip-flops. They additionally maintain up by the water, making them an ideal companion on a seaside day.

Besides the superior high quality, these flip-flops are available in a number of fabulous colours. They’re excellent for each a day of out of doors actions and informal nights out.

Rain Jacket

May to mid-December is Costa Rica’s wet season. It’s often known as the nation’s inexperienced season due to the breathtaking lush flora you can see right now of 12 months.

If you’re planning to go to throughout this time, rain jackets are very important to bringing with you – otherwise you danger having to trudge round in moist garments! Huge downpours can occur at any time, so even when rain isn’t within the forecast, it’s all the time a good suggestion to be ready.

This beautiful Columbia Women’s Switchback Lined Long Jacket is ideal for a tropical vacation spot. It’s mild sufficient to not make you’re feeling stuffy however waterproof to maintain you dry and heat. I like the attractive Icy Morn coloration, but when blue doesn’t swimsuit you, there are various others to select from.

The boys can even lower a fairly good-looking sprint within the Columbia Men’s Oroville Creek Lined Jacket (particularly in walnut *shivers*).

See Related: Best Things to do in Playa del Coco, Costa Rica

Hiking Pants

Costa Rica is stuffed with fantastic hiking trails, particularly should you’re planning to go to one of many stunning nationwide parks like Arenal Volcano National Park.

Lots of climbing means exposing your pores and skin to the weather, not simply the solar but in addition to crops, dust, and bugs. Mosquitoes could be present in Costa Rica year-round, however they’re most prevalent in the summertime months.

The finest solution to defend your pores and skin from these elements is protecting clothes like climbing pants.

Honestly, a couple of years in the past, you couldn’t discover me sporting climbing pants as a result of the choices had been restricted, and, fairly frankly, they had been simply not cute. I’d normally simply put on shorts and find yourself regretting it as a result of I’m a mosquito magnet.

Thankfully as of late, there are plenty of cute choices like this pair of Capol Women’s Hiking Cargo Pants. These lengthy pants are each trendy and light-weight.

It’s fitted with out being constricting, permitting you to have a full vary of movement. The nylon material is waterproof and gives an important stage of solar safety.

The guys can strive these comfortable, convertible cargo pants from Jessie Kidden. As effectively as being light-weight and festooned with pockets, it may also be transformed right into a pair of cargo shorts. Why pack two clothes when you’ll be able to pack one?!

Hiking Shoes

For hotter climates, I want to go for climbing sneakers versus climbing boots. Hiking boots can get cumbersome, and though they will maintain you completely dry and heat, they generally maintain you too heat.

Hiking sneakers are an important different as a result of they’ll supply nice foot safety and grip whereas maintaining your ft cool.

These climbing sneakers from Adidas Outdoor Women’s Terrex Ax3 Hiking Shoe are comfy even throughout lengthy climbing days and have the nice high quality you’d anticipate from Adidas. Here are the men’s – additionally in the identical Adidas high quality.

They’re excellent for mild hikes, like strolling by the attractive Los Quetzales National Park to get to the quaint village of San Gerardo de Dota, situated within the southern area of Costa Rica. This village really highlights the pure fantastic thing about the rainforest.

See Related: Most Stunning, Unique Costa Rica Animals

Water Shoes

Whenever I plan to discover a spot with rivers and waterfalls, I all the time have to recollect my water sneakers. Otherwise, I won’t be having a superb time.

I’ve delicate ft, so strolling on sharp, slippery rocks is uncomfortable and may also be harmful relying on the place you’re. If you’re something like me, water sneakers are a should.

Costa Rica is residence to probably the most breathtaking rivers and waterfalls, like Corcovado National Park. If you’re planning to go to this park, you’ll wish to embrace water sneakers in your packing list.

These SEEKWAY Water Shoes are splendid for exploring such landscapes. They function a thick, high-quality sole that protects your ft from sharp rocks and scorching surfaces whereas additionally being light-weight and sufficiently small to fold and match into any bag you could be touring with.

Insulated Water Bottle

Personally, I discover an insulated water bottle a should for any journey that includes being out in nature for a superb period of time. Whether you’re spending the day on the seaside or trekking by dense rainforests, there’s nothing higher than taking a sip of ice-cold water out of your water bottle.

The Hydro Flask With Wide Mouth Straw Lid is my tried and true insulated water bottle. I’ve been a Hydro Flask buyer for over ten years and have by no means been dissatisfied by a product.

The straw lid is my favourite function as a result of it makes it really easy to pop up the straw to shortly quench my thirst as a substitute of getting to unscrew a cap.

This water bottle retains your drinks chilly for twenty-four hours or scorching for 12 hours. Hydro Flask additionally gives a lifetime guarantee, so should you ever really feel that your water bottle is not performing the way it ought to, simply register it on-line and ship it again and they’re going to exchange it totally free.

See Related: Best Things to Do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a good way to maintain your suitcase and backpack organized, particularly when you need to pack for various actions and climate. When packing for Costa Rica, I like to recommend packing cubes to prepare your clothes by exercise (going out, climbing, swimming, and so on.) and to maintain soiled garments separate from the clear ones.

This Vagreez 7-Piece Packing Cubes comes with packing cubes of assorted sizes, so you’ll be able to combine and match them to suit into your suitcase or backpack completely. Each dice matches an unassumingly great amount of garments; the smallest measurement can match 5-6 shirts, however I discover that it will probably match greater than six smaller tops.

See Related: Best Travel Backpacks | Efficient Carry-On Options

Light Jacket

If you’re planning to go to Costa Rica between September and November, anticipate the temperature to dip into the 50s at night time. Throughout the 12 months, the temperature could be over 10 levels cooler within the highlands than it’s on the coast, so a lightweight jacket can definitely turn out to be useful.

This Amazon Essentials Long-Sleeve Full-Zip Jacket is tremendous light-weight and simply packable in a backpack for day journeys. It is made with moisture-wicking material, which makes it very appropriate for humid climates like Costa Rica. I like that it’s fitted however nonetheless permits for a full vary of motion.

This lightweight bomber jacket will do properly for the fellas. It’ll assist maintain the wind off and also you received’t be sporting the stereotypical vacationer windbreaker!

See Related: Visiting Las Catalinas, Costa Rica: Best Things to See & Do

Compact Mirrorless Camera

Cameras are important for capturing stunning moments to recollect for the remainder of your life. I’ve all the time loved pictures, however my ardour for it actually took off as I began to journey extra. There’s nothing like getting the proper shot of a shocking sundown or a singular scene.

Manuel Antonio Beach is a superb spot for pictures. Not solely is the seaside simply completely beautiful, however there are additionally cute monkeys swinging from limb to limb within the close by rainforest.

Mirrorless Cameras are an important possibility for touring as a result of they’re much extra light-weight and compact in comparison with conventional DSLR cameras whereas nonetheless producing a high-quality picture. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a superb mirrorless digital camera possibility that will likely be excellent for capturing your Costa Rica trip.

See Related: Best Cameras for Travel Blogging

Waterproof Action Camera

Costa Rica is the most effective place to journey to should you’re on the lookout for a plethora of out of doors actions.

And what higher solution to seize these priceless moments than an journey digital camera?

Some cameras are made particularly for use to seize sports activities and different excessive outside adventures, belongings you’ll positively be doing on this nation stuffed with pure magnificence.

You can’t go improper with a GoPro HERO 10 Black. The GoPro has been often known as the trade chief in waterproof motion cameras for over a decade.

I’ve had a number of GoPros through the years, solely upgrading as a result of their high quality retains getting higher and higher. Their cameras are tremendous user-friendly and produce crisp, beautiful photographs and movies.

See Related: Where to Stay in Costa Rica on the Beach

Camera Gear Organizer

If you’re something like me, your backpack might be a large number of wires and numerous electronics.

When I journey, I should have my digital camera, GoPro, kindle, headphones, and all of the charging apparatuses that include these things. Keeping monitor of all these electronics can get cumbersome and also you run the danger of shedding issues should you don’t maintain them organized.

The OrgaWise Electronics Bag is nice for maintaining your whole electronics, particularly digital camera gear, in a single place. It’ll prevent time and house to have all these things organized in a fashion that means that you can shortly discover no matter you want. Don’t neglect so as to add this to your listing to pack for Costa Rica.

See Related: Best Travel Toiletry Bags | Portable Options for Travel

Day Bag

Hopefully, you intend to spend a minimum of a part of your Costa Rica trip outdoors of a resort. Whether you’re simply planning on exploring San Jose otherwise you’ll be venturing into the Corcovado rainforests, a day pack is a must have.

You can merely use the identical backpack you would possibly already plan to make use of as a carry-on, or you’ll be able to go for a separate day pack that’s compact sufficient to suit properly inside your carry-on.

I’m a fan of the latter as a result of it permits me to get it soiled and probably broken with out ruining my baggage for the return flight.

My day bag of desire is the 4Monster Hiking Daypack. There are three completely different sizes and 9 completely different colours to select from. The better part is that the complete backpack condenses into the dimensions of a wallet- nice for saving valuable suitcase house!

See Related: Most Famous Landmarks in Costa Rica

Dry Bag

A dry bag shouldn’t be essentially the identical as a day pack – and in a moist place like Costa Rica, it’s not a foul concept to have one in all these. This is particularly true should you plan on rafting within the rivers or climbing by the jungles of the nation.

While the day pack talked about above is water resistant, you’ll really feel a lot safer if you get moist with a totally waterproof bag. It could be an actual disgrace to lose a treasure trove of pictures out of your digital camera or telephone earlier than your journey even ends.

A dry bag doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution, and you’ll find nice ones just like the OMGear Waterproof Dry Bag for a really affordable value. With twelve completely different colours and 4 sizes, there’s one for everybody; and it comes with a water-proof telephone pouch as effectively. It’s a superb funding for many vacationers to Costa Rica.

See Related: Best Beach Bags With Cooler

Contact Lens Supplies

If you put on contact lenses, be sure you pack further provides with you, particularly should you’re touring to a world vacation spot like Costa Rica.

There are fewer issues worse than shedding contact and never having a backup pair, or realizing you’ve run out of contact resolution and never with the ability to discover an open pharmacy.

Believe me; been there, executed that.

This Renu Contact Lens Solution pack comes with two giant contact resolution bottles, two travel-size contact resolution bottles, and two contact lens circumstances. Everything you may presumably want in a pinch! I additionally prefer to maintain a minimum of two pairs of contacts with me whereas touring.

See Related: Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit? (A Guide for Travelers)

Head Lamps

Don’t make the error of hitting the paths in Costa Rica with out some headlamps for everybody in your group!

While it’s important for night time climbing, the best-prepared explorers would possibly even select to convey a few of these on day hikes for the off-chance if one thing goes improper, they usually find yourself out within the sticks later than anticipated.

It’s finest to go along with a battery-powered lamp just like the Energizer LED Headlamp Flashlight as a result of it’s super-duper vivid. Think about packing spare batteries too!

Warm Hat

Early mornings are a good way to get among the most beautiful beaches like Tamarindo all to your self.

I’m a morning particular person, and I like waking up earlier than the solar and getting the reward of watching a fantastic dawn on the seaside. If you’re visiting within the winter or wet season, mornings in Costa Rica can get a bit chilly, so it’s good to have a couple of objects to maintain you heat.

This Carhartt Men’s Wool Blend Cuff Beanie is cute and useful. Anyone can put on it, and the wool mix makes it a beautiful heat hat to have throughout these cool mornings. It will certainly maintain your ears hotter than your seaside baseball cap if it’s chilly.

See Related: One-Week Costa Rica Itinerary – See & Explore It All

Bathing Suit

A washing swimsuit is an absolute should for any journey to this tropical paradise. There are so many actions to be executed on the seaside, from swimming to browsing to paddle boarding, that you just’ll positively must convey a minimum of two pairs of swimwear.

Whenever I journey on a seaside trip, I all the time prefer to have another sporty bathing swimsuit and a minimum of one cute bathing swimsuit, however actually, in all probability extra like three or 4 cute ones. This Nike Women’s Hydrastrong Fast Back One-Piece is the proper mix of cute and useful. It’s comfy and supportive for all-day motion whereas additionally giving off that Baywatch vibe.

If your man received’t look too shabby in these good-looking Nike trunks both!

Reef-Safe Sun Protection

You’ll be having tons of enjoyable within the solar when visiting Costa Rica, however it’s necessary that you just defend your pores and skin whereas out within the parts.

And if you’re touring to stunning locations with pure landmarks like reefs, it’s necessary to coach your self concerning the atmosphere you’ll be in and the best way to trigger the least quantity of damaging influence whereas nonetheless having fun with the pure magnificence.

Reef-safe solar safety is made with out chemical substances which can be recognized to poison the coral reef and different marine wildlife. My favourite reef-safe sunscreen is the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray. It’s water resistant and received’t depart you with that sticky feeling that many spray sunscreens do.

See Related: Best Beaches in Costa Rica (Top Spots Ranked!)

Bug Spray

Due to the overall humidity of Costa Rica, you’ll be able to sometimes discover mosquitoes and annoying pests at any time of the 12 months, regardless of which a part of the nation you’re visiting. Like sunscreen, bug spray is simply as necessary to convey to guard your self in opposition to the weather.

It’s finest to convey these two objects with you as you’ll in all probability spend double the quantity or extra should you had been to purchase them in Costa Rica.

OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent is my go-to in opposition to numerous bugs and mosquitoes. It dries fairly shortly and in addition protects in opposition to tick bites. The odor of this one isn’t as sturdy and bothersome as another manufacturers I’ve tried.

Running Shoes

Running sneakers can serve a number of functions on the subject of the world of journey. They’re nice when you’ve got an extended day of strolling deliberate and are additionally a snug possibility when transiting by completely different airports and journey hubs.

I like sporting trainers once I’m exploring a brand new city or tourist destination, just like the Monteverde Cloud Forests Reserve.

Running sneakers are the proper alternative for numerous outside actions. Trail runners additionally make a terrific, versatile addition to your packing listing as a result of you should utilize them in numerous conditions, and they’re normally light-weight and compact.

Everyone has their most well-liked model of trainers; mine is Adidas. These Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes are absolutely the most comfy trainers I’ve ever worn.

They are tremendous comfy to put on on lengthy strolling days open air and are the proper journey sneakers to put on whereas dashing by airports.

The similar could be mentioned for these Lite Racers, also from Adidas.

First Aid Kit

It was that first assist kits would are available in cumbersome onerous plastic circumstances and be stored solely in your house and automotive, however now you’ll find them in all kinds of sizes and take them with you on the go.

Personal first assist kits can typically be ignored, however when you get a big scrape or maybe a thorn caught in your hand, you could end up wishing you had the instruments with you to repair your self up.

This Mini First Aid Kit matches within the palm of your hand however holds over 110 items, together with bandages, gloves, gauze, and even an emergency foil blanket. It’s the proper measurement to maintain in your suitcase always so that you just’re by no means with out it.

See Related: Best Activities in Costa Rica: Top Outdoor Adventures to Consider

Cell Phone Power Bank

This merchandise is a vital one for any journey and may most positively be on any Costa Rica packing listing. No one enjoys working out of battery, and moreover lacking out on among the most stunning Caribbean coast photograph ops on the continent, being phone-less generally is a security hazard.

My primary alternative for an influence financial institution is certainly the Anker PowerCore 13000. I’ve used one in all these for years, and it’s significantly spectacular. I’ve gone days with out charging it and have nonetheless been capable of get various full recharges.

It appears to cost telephones even quicker than a conventional wall outlet, and it doesn’t cease at telephones – my GoPro and Kindle have been refueled in a jiffy by this lifesaver as effectively!

Travel Umbrella

Hopefully, it doesn’t rain in your journey to Costa Rica, however it definitely would possibly, particularly if you’re visiting between May and December. It’s simple to forestall getting caught within the rain by coming ready with an umbrella that’s simple to journey with.

Besides maintaining you dry, a superb journey umbrella can double as a supply of shade on distant seashores the place you could not be capable of discover any.

You in all probability received’t be touring with a full-sized seaside umbrella, and as unorthodox as it might be, you’ll admire a bit little bit of aid from that Costa Rican solar.

Don’t make the frequent mistake of going low-cost on an umbrella. They are means too simple to interrupt throughout their first use. Something just like the Repel Umbrella is of excellent high quality, giant sufficient for many safety, sufficiently small to stash in your bag, and offered at a superb value.

See Related: Essential Women’s Travel Accessories

Commonly Needed Medications

If you’ve been there, . It’s by no means enjoyable to want drugs whereas on trip. And it’s means much less enjoyable to want it, not have it, and never be capable of discover it.

Some individuals chuckle at me after they see the pharmacy that I journey with, however I don’t remorse it one bit. Whether I get hit with a migraine, need to get on a ferry on tough seas, or, particularly in Central America, undergo from meals or waterborne sickness, I’m ready.

Your listing of medicines would possibly embrace extra, however a superb place to begin is to incorporate painkillers akin to Advil, motion sickness prevention tablets, Imodium, antacids like Tums, and others.

If you’ve got a bunch of those like me, take into account an organizing case just like the StarPlus2 Large Padded Pill Bottle Organizer to be sure you can maintain monitor of all of it.

Wet Suit or Rashguard

The waters of Costa Rica are normally not tremendous chilly. However, a rash guard or wetsuit can serve a number of functions. They additionally look nice on everybody!

Rash guards assist defend in opposition to sunburn, and plenty of of them even have an SPF ranking. They are additionally nice for making a barrier in opposition to your pores and skin and a surfboard, scuba gear, or different water sports activities tools you would possibly use in Costa Rica.

For the women, the Roxy Whole Hearted Long-Sleeve is a high-quality and great-looking rash guard that may assist vacationers get probably the most out of their Costa Rica adventures. A terrific possibility for males is the Quiksilver Standard Solid Streak Long Sleeve.

See Related: Best Surfing Spots in the World

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