Packing List For Costa Rica

Packing List For Costa Rica
Kamalika
Kamalika 
Updated
| 4 min read

The stunningly rugged Central American country of Costa Rica with its dense rainforests, misty mountains, gorgeous beaches along its Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, and the warm and hospitable culture of the ‘rich coast’, is a true haven for adventurers and nature lovers. Packing for this spectacular destination can be quite tricky as Costa Rica, despite being a small country, has 12 life zones, each with its own microclimate. Thus your packing will largely depend on the places that you are covering and the activities you are interested in doing like exploring the hot and steamy jungles, hiking up the cooler northern mountains, or sunbathing in the sandy beaches! No matter what you have in mind for Costa Rica, scroll down here for a comprehensive packing list that will help you pack smartly and be ready for anything while exploring the beautiful country!

1. Casual clothes

Casual clothes
Source: Pikrepo

There is no dress code in Costa Rica, so better leave behind your formal clothes and pack comfortable t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, dresses for traveling around the coastal areas. However, for the cities, you may consider long trousers and a sweater. If you are setting off for the higher elevation areas like San Jose or the cloud forests of Monteverde, then pack trousers and a lightweight jacket as well as it can get cooler there, especially at night.

Female casual wear (by TITAME)

Price: USD 16.99 - 19.99

Amazon

Men's casual wear (by Next Level)

Price: USD 1.99 - 58.99

Amazon

Visited this place?

2. Rain-proof jacket or raincoat

Costa Rica is the land of the rainforests, thus it is prudent to carry a rain-proof jacket or raincoat no matter where you go in the country, even in the dry season. The rainy season in Costa Rica lasts from May to November but in many areas, it may rain at any time of the year. Raincoats are a must-pack if you are going to the mountainous regions or anywhere on the Osa Peninsula.

Visited this place?

3. Appropriate shoes

Hiking shoes
Source: www.pexels.com

While the beaches in Costa Rica may tempt you to pack only flip-flops, but if you are keen to go hiking and trekking in the mountains and rainforests, you should definitely pack good quality hiking shoes or sturdy walking shoes. Hiking sandals are a good bet for this country as they are fast-drying, allow your feet to breathe and can enable you to walk more comfortably than closed shoes.

Visited this place?

4. Beach essentials

Beachwear
Source: www.pexels.com

Sunglasses and swimwear are essential items for traveling to Costa Rica for an amazing time on the beach. You can also pack colorful sarongs which apart from beach cover-up, can also be used as a beach towel, blanket or pillow cover! Don’t forget your wide-brim sun-hat or visor for a sunny day at the beach. You can also buy these at the souvenir shops strewn around the country.

Visited this place?

5. Sunscreen

Sunscreen
Source: www.pexels.com

A good sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is an important item in Costa Rica for the beaches as well as for the tropical rainforests and mountain areas. It is better to carry your own sunscreen as imported sunscreen may be expensive in Costa Rica and you may not get your trusted brands. Remember to pack your sunscreen in a ziplock bag to avoid spoiling your clothes even if it pops open in your suitcase

Visited this place?

6. Towels

Beach towel
Source: www.pexels.com

Towels are nowadays provided in almost all places but carrying your own towel is always a good idea. A light towel in your day bag can be handy when you are hiking in the rains or the sweltering heat in Costa Rica. A microfiber towel is a great option as it is lightweight and quick dry. You can carry your own beach towel or rent it from the beach shops or hotels.

Visited this place?

7. Insect repellent

Repellent
Source: www.pexels.com

Remember to pack a strong insect or mosquito repellent in travel-friendly size for traveling to Costa Rica. The rainforested country is home to a large variety of insects and the coasts are specifically infested with mosquitoes. It can be quite difficult to go hiking in the wilderness without a bug spray.

Visited this place?

8. Portable first aid kit

First aid kit
Source: www.pexels.com

Always carry a portable first aid kit and medicines in your day pack for emergencies. It will be useful for minor cuts, scrapes or stings during your hiking adventures. You can pack additional items like tweezers, nail clippers, and gauze bandage as well in your medical kit. Pack some medicines for prevention against stomach upset or mild fever so that you can get better quickly and continue exploring Costa Rica.

Visited this place?

9. Electronic gear

Electronic Gear
Source: www.pexels.com

Don’t forget to take your smartphone and associated electronic paraphernalia like external power pack to recharge your mobile phone on the go, travel adaptor plugs, memory cards. For timeless memories of Costa Rica, pack your camera with spare batteries, chargers, and spare memory cards. Additionally, you can pack a tripod for your camera or a selfie stick for your smartphone. Most importantly carry a waterproof phone case for hiking in the rain and a dry bag for your camera to enable you to create memories even in adverse conditions.

Visited this place?

10. Spacious yet light-weight backpack

Backpack
Source: www.pexels.com

Invest in a spacious yet light-weight backpack for carrying on your day excursions or hiking. It is advisable to carry a rainproof one for protecting the contents during hiking in the rain. Use the backpack for carrying essentials like your rain jacket, water bottle, camera, insect repellent, etc. You may also choose to carry a dry bag or mesh bag for wet clothes at the beach.

Visited this place?

And you are good to go

These packing tips are a helpful guide for packing the essentials for traveling to the beautiful rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica. Apart from the items on the list, here are some additional items that you may choose to pack — a Spanish phrasebook for referring to commonly used phrases, a spacious beach bag for carrying all you need at the beach, and a flashlamp or torch for finding your way in the dark. Carry your belongings in sturdy lightweight luggage and you can also invest in packing cubes which are inexpensive and quite helpful in organizing your clothes. Pack smart and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime at Costa Rica!

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Dreamer and a traveloholic, Kamalika loves traveling to off-beat destinations and capturing the experiences through her pen and camera.

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Costa Rica
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.