BEST Costa Rica Packing Checklist • What to Put on in Costa Rica

Are you questioning what to put on in Costa Rica? We have been, too, earlier than we landed in San Jose in the course of the evening. The excellent news is that Costa Rica is an accessible vacation spot to pack for a trip with some technique.

Costa Rica could appear to be a small nation, but it surely’s a land of various climates, terrains, and temperatures, and there are lots of issues it’s important to take into account when placing collectively your Costa Rica packing record. The environments range so much, from the steamy jungles of the Osa Peninsula within the South to the cool cloud forests of Monteverde or the arid seashores of Guanacaste.

With this Costa Rica packing record, you’ll be capable of pack the proper issues in your suitcase so that you don’t find yourself with pointless gadgets or, worse, neglect one thing necessary.

Gown in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an informal vacation spot, and the nation has no costume code. Most touristic locations are alongside the coast, so the common Costa Rica outfit consists of shorts, a shirt/tank high, and sandals.

In the direction of the nation’s heart, temperatures are cooler, so we advocate you put on close-toe footwear, lengthy pants, and a lightweight jacket. In the event you plan to go to greater elevation locations like Monteverde or Arenal, you’ll wish to pack a jacket and lengthy pants.

Locals in Costa Rica are fairly informal, but it surely’s commonest to put on pants in cities. It goes for each women and men. It’s additionally considerably uncommon for locals to put on leggings or yoga pants, so ladies would possibly get some seems should you put on them.

What Baggage To Deliver To Costa Rica?

Hardshell Suitcase

Journey Backpack

Earlier than we leap into what to put on in Costa Rica, let’s chat baggage. I’ve two bag suggestions for a visit to Costa Rica. You’ll be able to go for a conventional hardshell suitcase with 4 wheels or a journey backpack. Suitcases with 4 wheels are greatest as the flexibility to roll sideways down the aisle of a prepare, or a sidewalk makes life so much simpler. We favor hardshell because it does a greater job at safety and safety.

Our favourite hardshell suitcase is the Delsey Helium Aero 25″. Nevertheless, should you’ll be doing quite a lot of strolling to and out of your lodging in Costa Rica, you could wish to steer clear of a rolling suitcase, as there could also be some dust paths you’ll should stroll.

Journey backpacks are nice for younger backpackers, digital nomads, or minimalists! They’re additionally nice if you wish to save on any checked bag charges your air service would possibly cost you.

If paying for taxis or automobile leases makes you hesitant, you’ll both have to e-book lodging close to public transport or have a backpack. Our favorites are the Peak Design Journey Backpack and the NOMATIC Backpack.

Costa Rica Packing Checklist

Sun shades

Make sure that to guard your eyes from the solar because you’ll probably spend quite a lot of time within the solar in Costa Rica. There are a lot of sun shades choices, and everybody ought to personal at the very least a pair. It’s greatest to make sure they’ve UV safety for the well being of your eyes.

We first invested in high quality polarized sun shades with a pair of SMITH Optics Lowdown 2. It’s a model title you’ll see so much in Costa Rica, in surf cities, because it’s well-liked with surfers — and ski bums like us.

Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle

Costa Rica has glorious water high quality with an abundance of rainfall. Nevertheless, we prefer to journey with a water bottle that purifies water in Central and South America. The Grayl water bottle system purifies water vs. filters. A air purifier removes viruses and nearly removes all threats of waterborne diseases.

Fast Dry Journey Towel

We at all times advocate you pack a journey towel for almost each vacation spot. Fast-dry towels are nice while you’re out exploring Costa Rica. You’ll be able to take an impromptu dip within the ocean, dry off, and head for earlier than some fish tacos and an Imperial (native beer). 

A towel can also be great while you hike to certainly one of Costa Rica’s quite a few waterfalls, because the towels are sufficiently small to throw in your daypack and go away room for extra gadgets. Most lodges don’t admire you taking their towels alongside for day journeys.

The largest grievance about journey towels is that they typically really feel nothing just like the plush cotton towels at house. Nevertheless, with the PackTowl, you may neglect about all of that as a result of they got down to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical options of a journey towel. It’s fairly candy, and we extremely advocate the towel!

Smartwatch

A smartwatch is commonly an ignored journey staple, however having a watch on the highway has change into a should for me. It helps hold me on time once I’m out within the water, on a hike, or catching the subsequent aircraft on a layover.

Costa Rica is a vibrant vacation spot as two of the most well-liked actions are browsing and mountain climbing. A smartwatch can monitor your health and assist monitor your well being vitals. We received our watches earlier than a visit, which have change into part of on a regular basis life. I take advantage of and love the Garmin Intuition.

Shirts

A basic tee won’t ever exit of fashion. We recommend sticking with stable colours like black, white, or gray. There’s additionally the choice of a v-neck for a extra trendy look, but it surely all depends upon private choice.

T-shirts are low-cost, and we prefer to order a brand new pack earlier than every journey as previous shirts look slobbish. In overseas nations, it’s greatest to keep away from graphic t-shirts. Nevertheless, in Costa Rica, they’re completely intertwined with browsing tradition and the laid-back vibes. If in case you have a cool surf shirt, throw it in your bag.

A handful of standard cotton tees are nice however pack a number of athletic shirts for a moist vacation spot. Due to antimicrobial properties, artificial shirts do a significantly better job drying in damp environments and keep away from getting funky. Our absolute favourite technical shirts are the Echo line from Outside Analysis. They arrive in a variety of cuts, together with tank tops and lengthy sleeves good for solar safety.

Lengthy Sleeve Technical Shirt

When eager about what to put on in Costa Rica, bear in mind that you’re in a jungle! There are quite a lot of little critters within the jungles of Costa Rica. In the event you plan on mountain climbing within the jungles or cloud forests, we extremely advocate you pack an extended sleeve technical shirt. The lengthy sleeve Echo is a good selection. Or you may go for a basic technical shirt just like the Columbia Tamiami II.

The Tamiami II presents UV safety and is light-weight, quick-drying, and rugged. It has glorious options comparable to a vented again, entrance pockets, antimicrobial remedy, and mesh panels, making the shirt good for Costa Rica. Columbia is certainly one of our favorites relating to shirts as they make reasonably priced and well-designed garments. You’ll be able to take a look at extra suggestions in our submit about safari shirts.

Rain Jacket

The primary factor you want when eager about Costa Rica clothes is a rain jacket. In case you didn’t know, Costa Rica has a rainforest. It’s a protected guess that you simply’ll see one of many nation’s many showers. If you’re touring to Costa Rica within the moist season (Might-December), a rain jacket is crucial, however I might deliver one any time of 12 months to be protected. The rain is usually short-lived, however you received’t wish to get soaked throughout that point.

Climbing is among the greatest issues to do in Costa Rica, so we prefer to journey with shell jackets designed for mountain climbing. They’re light-weight, sturdy, packable, waterproof, and windproof. Any rain jacket will do, however the top-dollar ones will maintain up and maintain up in inclement climate.

We spend quite a lot of time mountain climbing and mountaineering, so now we have top-of-line Gore-Tex shell jackets. In the event you’re in search of a extra reasonably priced jacket, we’re huge followers of Marmot’s PreCip Eco-Rain Jacket, because it’s an awesome worth. We break down our favourite packable rain jackets on this submit.

Heat Fleece

A fleece depends upon the place you’re touring, however you is perhaps shocked that elements of Costa Rica are cool within the evenings. Many areas are extremely popular with vacationers, comparable to Monteverde, San Jose, and Arenal. San Jose even sees the uncommon freezing nighttime temperature.

It by no means hurts to have a snug fleece for the aircraft that may also double as an additional layer of heat when the temperature drops. Fleece is a superb choice for this as you don’t want a winter jacket for Costa Rica.

We each love Patagonia’s Synchilla Snap T Pullover and suppose it’s among the best fleeces for journey. The fleece has a basic relaxed minimize, good for strolling on the seashore or a comfy night. In addition they make an awesome present for vacationers as they’re a wardrobe staple.

Relaxed Pants

We just about reside in relaxed pants when on the seashore. After sporting a number of completely different pants, we each landed on pants from prAna. Not solely are the pants superior, however we love the corporate’s dedication to sustainable practices.

Their ladies’s Summit Pant is made out of hemp and recycled polyester and presents 50+ UPF safety. They’re good for seashore locations, particularly if you end up in additional conservative areas.

The boys’s Vaha pants are light-weight and weigh nothing in a carry-on bag. They’re a wardrobe staple for nighttime as they’re acceptable for a restaurant and shield legs from pesky mosquitos. One thing to bear in mind for males, most Ticos put on lengthy pants, so it’s a superb solution to mix with out feeling too sizzling in a pair of denims.

Climbing Pants & Shorts

Light-weight pants which are from artificial materials are great to have in your pack. It’s what we put on most days when touring between locations in Costa Rica as they’re snug, antibacterial, and shield our legs from mosquitos.

We advocate neutral-colored pants as they’re nice at hiding dust and might match most shirt colours. What’s nice is that they’re useful past Costa Rica as they’re a journey staple, and we pack a pair in every single place we journey. For glorious mountain climbing pant that’s tremendous snug, take a look at the trailhead pant from Coalatree.

After all, you may’t spend day by day in pants! It’s an awesome thought to pack a few of your favourite shorts for Costa Rica because the climate is heat and humid. Ticos aren’t opposed to shorts, both.

Swim Fits

You’re heading to Costa Rica, so you’ll in all probability hit up a number of of their splendid seashores, so when eager about what to put on in Costa Rica, be certain a swimsuit is in your thoughts. I at all times deliver at the very least two fits to have a dry one to alter into once I journey. For all of that, you’re going to want a showering swimsuit.

One in every of my favourite manufacturers for swimsuits is Andies Swim. Andies Swim makes high-quality swimsuits for lively ladies. Lots of their items are trendy but supportive. So should you’re planning to log on, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, or play seashore volleyball and wish to guarantee your ta-tas keep intact, these swimsuits are for you.

The Quicksilver’s Amphibian shorts are a unbelievable pair of board shorts for males. The fabric seems like heavy cotton, however they’re tremendous light-weight and sturdy. Better of all, they appear nice on the seashore or on the town.

Sandals

Flip-flops are by no means a nasty thought at seashore locations and needs to be on each traveler’s Costa Rica packing record. Our favourite model is Rainbow Sandals, as they final without end and are tremendous snug as soon as the leather-based types to your foot. One other enticing choice for girls is the Yoga Sling 2 from Sanuk.

Climbing Boots/Footwear

Costa Rica is a vacation spot price a stroll within the jungle. We went on many hikes to waterfalls, by means of the forest, and sloth looking out. There’s nothing else I might quite be in these environments than a pair of ankle-high mountain climbing footwear or boots.

Significantly, deliver correct footwear as a result of many critters are roaming round. I nonetheless have nightmares about getting attacked by fierce jungle ants once I mistakenly walked on a path in my flip-flops. We additionally noticed a number of venomous snakes on mountain climbing trails within the Osa Peninsula, so the ankle safety was good to have in footwear.

On high of that, as a result of abundance of rain that falls in Costa Rica, trails are sometimes very muddy with standing water. An excellent pair of mountain climbing boots will turn out to be useful in case you have plans to discover. We love the Merrel Moabs II that is available in each ladies’s and males’s variations.

Water Footwear

These was once tremendous hokey and ugly. Now not as there are a number of producers and shoe corporations who’ve created trendy water footwear. They give the impression of being extra like conventional footwear however are breathable and made with waterproof supplies. 

In the event you plan on many visits to waterfalls and it’s price it to choose up a pair. They may make it easier to grip the slippery rocks and shield your ft from cuts. Take a look at Tropicfeels for a few journey footwear that double as water footwear.

Water footwear are nice should you stroll round Costa Rica rocks, cliffs, or waterfalls. I’ve been caught a number of instances with out them, and my ft have paid dearly for my mistake. The opposite choice can be to deliver alongside a pair of mountain climbing sandals that maintain higher than conventional sandals.

Ladies’s Costa Rica Packing Checklist

Cute Summer time Gown

If you’re strolling across the islands or cute seaside cities, a loose-flowing costume is a good wardrobe selection. I’d go away the denims behind as they’re heavy, restrictive, and sizzling within the solar.

I like to put on a cute summer time costume in Costa Rica. Select a basic costume like an uncovered shoulder high or a slip costume, and go together with mild colours for a basic look. You can too go for a extra bohemian seashore type which I really like! My favourite attire come from Salty Crush.

Yoga Pants

What to put on in Costa Rica? Positively take into account yoga clothes! Costa Rica is a vacation spot for health-conscious folks; with that, yoga is all around the islands. Many of the huge resorts even provide yoga lessons within the morning or night.

Pack at the very least two pairs of yoga pants in your suitcase. My absolute favourite yoga pants and sports activities bras come from a women-owned model names Handful – you received’t discover greater high quality for the value – belief me!

Males’s Costa Rica Packing Checklist

Linen Shirt

It’s our favourite merchandise to put on once we journey. Linen is as sensible as it’s trendy. It’s nice because it tends to dry sooner, really feel lighter, and deal with sweat higher than its cotton counterparts. Pair a linen shirt with sandals, shorts, denims, or footwear, and even go barefoot. It should at all times work.

A flexible piece of Costa Rica clothes that appears good for each sexes and works on the seashore or a restaurant. It’s good for glorious resort put on, however you received’t really feel misplaced strolling round a sleepy surf city. It’s powerful to seek out first rate linen shirts on-line, however I really like the standard of J. Crew’s linen shirts.

Chinos

If in case you have plans for an evening out at a resort, then plan to have costume pants like chinos. It’s a basic look that, when mixed with a costume shirt, has a basic look. I at all times pack a pair of those pants in my bag! It’s a stable selection for resort put on if that’s the place you’ll spend your time in Costa Rica. In any other case, it’s greatest to depart them at house as surf cities are very informal.

Bluffworks makes a speciality of males’s journey garments and makes some superior pants, shirts, and blazers. Their journey garments are all snug, wrinkle-resistant, and stain-resistant. Wonderful for journey!

Baseball Cap

I normally advise vacationers to keep away from the baseball cap, besides there are a number of areas the place that’s an exception, like in Costa Rica. I like to put on hats as they assist hold the sweat and solar out of my eyes on a sizzling sunny day. On the very least, you’ll expertise some sizzling and humid climate in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica Packing Checklist Equipment

Insect Repellant

Costa Rica has year-round heat climate and many rain, which is a breeding floor for mosquitos. They love handy round forests, ponds, lagoons, or anyplace with nonetheless water. We advocate packing a bottle of insect repellant with DEET in it so that you’ll scare away these annoying biting demons.

And in a worst-case situation, it reduces the probabilities of Dengue Fever — though it’s uncommon in Costa Rica. Do not forget that DEET can destroy plastics, so thoughts your sun shades or digital camera when making use of.

Sunscreen

Pores and skin most cancers is for actual! Don’t neglect your SPF when touring round Costa Rica as you’re near the Equator. We advocate ordering some on-line earlier than leaving the home, as you will see a lot greater costs in Costa Rica.

We extremely advocate getting an eco-friendly solar cream that doesn’t include dangerous chemical substances. They’re mineral-based and normally solely price a number of {dollars} extra to assist shield our oceans. In the event you’re not going to swim within the ocean, simply go together with a dependable title model — granted, runoff typically nonetheless ends in our oceans.

Hand Sanitizer

Strolling round and taking part in on a regular basis actions in Costa Rica can get fairly soiled. Whereas Costa Rica is among the cleanest and greenest nations we’ve ever seen, many native soda retailers nonetheless lack hand cleaning soap within the restroom.

It grew to become a reoccurring theme to seek out hand cleaning soap nowhere. You’ll be able to’t go improper bringing some hand sanitizer and child wipes in your bag — take into account it a journey important anyplace you go.

Binoculars

In the event you’re happening a jungle trek in Manuel Antonio or Corcovado Nationwide Park, a pair of binoculars will definitely make it easier to see wildlife higher. Binoculars give you the prospect to view wildlife significantly better than your naked eye – and also you’ll probably see plenty of wildlife in Costa Rica.

Yoga Mat

In Costa Rica, you’ll hear the phrases “Pura Vida” many instances. Pura Vida means Pure Life, which isn’t only a saying however a approach of being within the nation. You’ll discover many yoga studios round Costa Rica, and I might extremely advocate going to a couple. I introduced a journey yoga mat, so it’s on our Costa Rica packing record so we are able to observe wherever.

Manduka has a light-weight journey yoga that we now use for journey. It’s not as sturdy as an everyday yoga mat, and it may be painful on onerous surfaces. Nevertheless, we prefer it on a comfortable carpet, on the seashore, on a towel, or over a yoga studio’s public mats for a extra hygienic expertise.

Hammock

Costa Rica is undoubtedly a simple place to lounge round and do nothing. A journey hammock that you would be able to string up between timber or railings is superb for these instances while you wish to loosen up. It’s good for these instances while you wish to loosen up in nature.

The ENO hammock was the unique producer. Now, yow will discover many low-cost ones on-line as they’re simple to fabricate in China, and other people love to purchase and promote them on Amazon. I’d simply persist with the unique.

Headlamp

After driving throughout Africa, we received within the behavior {that a} headlamp is rarely a nasty thought. Our Petzl headlamp got here in useful once we did evening walks within the jungle, trying to find frogs, and staying at a treehouse neighborhood off the grid and with out energy.

Dry bag

Dry luggage are nice should you’re going to be spending time on the seashore. They may shield your telephone and every other electronics from the ocean, or extra importantly if it begins to rain.

Gum Boots/Wellies

They might have additional rubber boots so that you can borrow should you’re staying at a lodge or guesthouse. We discovered this at a few locations, however this isn’t assured. These are additionally tremendous particular, however they’ll turn out to be useful should you’re chasing nature, like within the Osa Peninsula or some cloud forests.

Most certainly, touring with these cumbersome boots isn’t definitely worth the trouble. Don’t neglect a tall pair of socks for these jungle treks. In the event you do, deliver them!

Daypack

We chased a brand new waterfall day by day, hiked by means of the rainforest, or loved the seashore. You can too get an inexpensive foldable backpack that may do a superb job securing your issues.

Spanish Phrasebook

We discovered that the majority Ticos might communicate English very nicely, however working towards your Spanish in Costa Rica doesn’t damage. Right here’s a small pocket-sized one.

Costa Rica Packing Checklist Electronics

Digital camera

A high-quality digital camera is a crucial packing merchandise for Costa Rica if you’d like some nice pictures throughout your trip. The one digital camera we universally advocate is the Sony RX 100 or the Fuji X Collection.

They make a number of fashions at completely different worth factors, however utilizing a point-and-shoot digital camera that anybody can function is straightforward. It additionally takes very good pictures with a 20mp decision and full guide controls.

GoPro

A GoPro is the proper digital camera to deliver to Costa Rica; you’ll see them in every single place. Costa Rica has loads of adventures, from browsing to mountain climbing or ATV Excursions to Snorkeling.

Don’t danger bringing a elaborate digital camera to the seashore and getting sand in it. And even worse, water. We simply picked up the GoPro Hero 10 and have cherished it to this point. The Hypersmooth movement seize is a complete game-changer. Simply be certain to connect it to a wrist strap so it doesn’t get misplaced!

Energy Financial institution

I really like touring with an influence financial institution to make sure my telephone by no means dies. More often than not, I don’t have to apply it to lengthy flights as among the extra glorious airways present leisure techniques with USB ports! We additionally be certain to discover a charging level throughout layovers, however attending to a brand new metropolis with out your lodge reservations and map generally is a vital ache within the ass.

Kindle Paperwhite

Whereas I really like having an ideal e-book once I generally journey, it’s simply not sensible due to the load. I’ve just lately switched to a Kindle Paperwhite, which is small and compact, plus it has a backlight for studying at evening with no harsh glare.

You Want This to Journey to Costa Rica

Journey Insurance coverage

We by no means journey with out journey insurance coverage with Heymondo.  Natasha is a bit anxious and would quite keep protected than be sorry. Heymondo presents glorious flexibility and nice plans!

You by no means know if the more serious might occur whilst you’re overseas, and your insurance coverage plan at house typically is not going to cowl medical emergencies overseas. Or, in case you have misplaced baggage, delayed flights, or a canceled journey, journey insurance coverage can step in to save lots of the day. Having the peace of thoughts that now we have a great backup plan helps us sleep at evening.