When traveling to Costa Rica, you should bring clothes for both hot and cold weather. Also, bring sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, and a hat. If you plan to visit the beach, bring flip flops, a towel, and a swimsuit.
Costa Rica Packing List
Wondering what to pack for your trip to Costa Rica? Perhaps you can’t decide what essentials you’ll need for your adventurous trip? This (Rio De Janeiro packing guide can be used here too) and informative packing list will help you decide exactly what to prepare for Costa Rica.
Here are few things to consider before packing your bags:
-
What kind of activities will you be doing?
-
Will you be hiking, surfing, or swimming?
-
Do you have any allergies?
-
Are there any insects that bother you?
-
Do you want to bring a camera?
-
Do you prefer shorts or long pants?
-
Do you like wearing sandals or sneakers?
-
Do you own a bathing suit?
-
Do you wear glasses or contacts?
-
Do you travel with children?
-
Do you need prescription medication?
-
Do you require medical attention during your stay?
-
Does your luggage fit into an overhead compartment on the plane?
-
Do you intend to go on excursions?
Costa Rica Essential Packing List
-
Clothes – Bring at least one pair of shorts, two pairs of pants, three shirts, one dress shirt, and two dresses or skirts. You may also want to bring a jacket in case it gets chilly during the day.
-
Shoes – Bring comfortable, flat shoes that are easy to walk around in. Flip-flops are not recommended because they do not provide adequate protection against sharp objects on the ground. Sandals are acceptable if they have a good grip. Also, consider bringing a pair of water shoes and closed toe hiking boots depending on your preferred activities.
-
Sunscreen Lotion – Bring enough sunscreen lotion to last throughout your entire stay. It is important to reapply every few hours.
-
Insect Repellant – Bring bug spray as well as a mosquito net to prevent nasty mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes are prevalent in Costa Rica.
-
Hat – A wide brimmed hat is essential when visiting Costa Rica. The sun can be very strong and direct.
-
Money – Bring cash in US dollars and euros. Credit cards are generally accepted but some businesses don’t accept them.
-
Phone – Bring an international phone card so you can make calls from local pay phones. Internet access is available at most hotels and restaurants.
-
Camera – Bring a digital camera with memory capacity of at least 10 GB.
-
Books – Bring books to read while relaxing by the pool or on the beach.
-
Electronics – Bring a portable charger for your cell phone or a portable battery pack.
-
Documents – Bring copies of all your documents including passports, visas, insurance papers, etc.
-
First Aid Kit – Bring bandages, antibiotic cream, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any other first aid items that you think you might need.
-
Insurance – Make sure you have travel health insurance. Check with your current policy to see if it covers medical expenses abroad.
-
Passport – Carry your passport with you at all times. Keep photocopies of your passport in a safe place.
-
Travel Gear – Bring a flashlight, binoculars, extra batteries, and a small sewing kit.
-
Water Bottle – Bring a water bottle to refill whenever possible. Bottled water is expensive.
-
Guidebook – Bring a guidebook to learn more about the country before you go.
-
Other Important Items – Bring anything else that you feel like you might need.
-
Emergency Contacts – Write down emergency contacts such as your hotel concierge, doctor, dentist, and airline.
-
Extra Clothing – Bring additional clothing just in case you get too warm or too cold.
-
Miscellaneous Items – Bring toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair dryers, razors, nail clippers, makeup, etc.
What To Wear In Costa Rica – Women’s Clothes
When packing for Costa Rica, women should consider bringing:
-
Pair of shorts
-
Pair of jeans
-
Tops
-
T-shirts
-
Dresses
-
Skirts
-
Swimsuits
-
Sweater or jackets
-
Underwear
-
Shoes
-
Socks
A light sweater or jacket will keep you warm during the day, but if it gets chilly at night, you’ll want something warmer. Bring comfortable walking shoes so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in the sand.
What To Wear In Costa Rica – Men’s Clothes
Men should pack accordingly:
-
Pants
-
Shorts
-
Pair of jeans
-
T-shirt
-
Jackets or sweater
-
Casual pants
-
Sandals
-
Shirt
-
Socks
-
Hats
-
Beach wear
The climate in Costa Rica varies from tropical to temperate, so it’s important to dress appropriately for the temperature. For example, if you’re going to be visiting beautiful beaches, wear shorts and a T-shirt. Bring comfortable walking shoes, too.
If you are planning to take part in any organized activities, you must check what they require. Some activities may not allow certain things, such as hats, shirts, shorts, or sandals.
Men And Women’s Footwear For Costa Rica
The best footwear for Costa Rica is sandals because they will protect your feet from the sun and provide traction on the wet sand. Lightweight hiking boots and hiking pants are ideal if you want to explore the rainforest. Flip flops are great for the beach vacation.
The Perfect Trip To Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical country. A perfect trip includes visiting incredible beaches, hiking through rainforests, and enjoying the nightlife. If you want to visit one of the best places for surfing, then San Jose is the place to be. Costa Rica is an adventure-filled country. There are plenty of other activities to do such as zip lining, horseback riding, and snorkeling.
You can book a vacation package online, but you need to consider the cost of flights, hotels, car rentals, and tours. You should also check out the weather forecast before booking your trip. Many tourists cancel their trips due to the bad weather.
How To Get To Costa Rica
By Air: The international airport in Liberia is called Juan Santamaría International Airport. It has daily flights to several cities in Cancun, North America including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Orlando.
There are also direct flights to major cities in Central America like Panama City, Guatemala City, and Nicaragua City.
By Bus: The main bus station is located in the city center. Buses arrive there from most parts of the country.
By Car: The capital city of San José is about 1 hour away by car. From here, you can reach any part of the country.
The best way to travel to Costa Rica is by air. There are direct flights from many cities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Flights take between one and three hours depending on where you fly from.
When you land in Costa Rica, you’ll need to go through immigration and customs. You’ll then be able to rent a vehicle. The rental companies offer different types of vehicles, including vans and minivans.
Traveling In Costa Rica
Traveling in Costa Rica isn’t as difficult as you might think. Most people speak English and Spanish. However, you may encounter some problems due to language barriers.
There are two official languages: Spanish and English. However, most people understand both languages.
There are several ways to communicate with locals. First, use hand gestures. Second, ask questions about what you don’t understand. Third, look for signs written in Spanish. Finally, try speaking slowly and clearly.
Costa Rican culture is similar to American culture. People dress casually and they like to party. They also enjoy watching sports such as soccer and baseball.
Getting Around Costa Rica
Transportation in Costa Rica includes buses, taxis, and ferries. Buses are used mostly for long-distance trips. Taxis are available throughout the country. Ferries connect islands off the coast.
Buses are cheap and easy to use. However, they are slow and crowded. Taxis are faster and cheaper than buses.
Ferries are used mainly for short trips. They are reliable and safe. They run frequently during peak times.
Taxis are useful if you want to get somewhere quickly. They are also affordable. However, they aren’t always available.
You can buy bus tickets at the bus station or online. Taxi fares vary according to location. You can pay with credit card or cash.
Where To Stay In Costa Rica
You can choose to stay in a hostel or hotel. Hostels are inexpensive and usually located near the main attractions. Hotels are more expensive but offer better amenities. Hotels and hostels typically have dorm rooms. These rooms are perfect for travelers who want to save money. You can share a bathroom with other guests.
You can also choose to stay at a private home. This option offers the opportunity to meet locals who live in rural areas.
Accommodations range from luxury hotels to simple cabins. Some apartments even include kitchens so you can cook your own meals.
Most accommodations provide free Wi-Fi. Internet access is also available at cafes and restaurants.
Best Time To Visit Costa Rica
The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on what you want to see and experience.
In general, if you’re looking for adventure, the dry season (May through November) is the most popular time to travel. This is because it’s cooler than the rainy season (December through April), but still warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities.
The rainy season has its advantages, though. You can expect more rainfall during this period, which means there might be less tourists and better deals on hotels and tours.
You can also visit Costa Rica year round. However, the rainy season is particularly good for bird watching. The dry season is perfect for seeing the beautiful cloud forests and go on whitewater rafting
Costa Rica Travel Tips
Check Your Passports
Make sure that your passport is valid until at least 6 months after your return date. If you lose your passport, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately.
Get Vaccinations
Make sure that you have proof of yellow fever vaccination. It is recommended that you also get vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis.
Carry Proof Of Identity
Bring copies of your driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, and Social Security card.
Protecting Your Personal Information
It is very important to protect your personal information when traveling abroad. Keep all of your passports and other travel documents together with your credit cards and money. Take care of them yourself instead of leaving them unattended in an airport locker.
Avoid Losing Money
Keep your bank account number handy while traveling. Make sure that you know your PIN numbers. Don’t carry large amounts of cash around. Use ATMs only when necessary. Be careful with debit cards; some banks charge fees for using them internationally.
Don’t Leave Anything Behind
Leave nothing behind when you leave Costa Rica. Do not leave anything valuable in your hotel room. If you do, make sure someone knows where to find it.
