Packing tips for your Costa Rica vacation

[Shannon Farley]

Coming to Costa Rica soon on vacation?

Besides planning what you’re going to do, you’re probably already thinking about what to pack.

 

Here are some quick and easy trip tips on what to pack for your Costa Rica vacation. Of course, what you need depends on where you are going and what you will do (check with your travel provider or hotels), but these general guidelines will serve you well.

CLOTHING

• Quick-dry or similar outdoor clothing is the best for Costa Rica’s variable climates. Consider clothes that can be folded or squished into small areas for saving space in your suitcase and for putting into day packs for short tours or day trips. Think: non-wrinkle clothing; irons are not common to find in hotel rooms.
• Comfortable beach-wear and light tropical clothing – for the coasts and lower elevations, which are steamy and tropical.
• At least one long-sleeved shirt, light sweater or fleece for chilly evenings or visits to high elevation places. For instance, a day trip to Volcano Irazú at 11,260 feet (3,432m) will have you running for the warmth of your vehicle of you don’t bring a sweater! Areas of higher elevation, such as Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota, the Irazú and Poás Volcanoes, are much cooler in temperature, especially at night.
• Water-resistant rain jacket or poncho with a hood: it rains in the rainforest! The hood precludes using an umbrella, which is difficult to walk with in the jungle.
• A sun hat or ball cap. This is a must for protection against the hot tropical sun – especially at the beach.
• Comfortable footwear, including good all-purpose walking shoes, light beach sandals, and at least one pair of closed-toe all-terrain sandals or running shoes for adventurous activities.

ACCESSORIES

• Small backpack / daypack for day trips.
• Alarm clock or watch with an alarm.
• Small travel flashlight or head lamp.
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing and bird-watching.
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen – a sports waterproof type with at least 30 SPF is best.
• Insect repellent – go for something strong. Costa Rican mosquitoes and other insects can be voracious. You don’t need malaria medication in Costa Rica, but dengue fever can be prevented with insect repellent.
• Daily hygiene products and personal medication.
• Small travel first-aid kit with band-aids, small tube of anti-bacterial cream or ointment, anti-itch cream, anti-motion sickness medicine, Alka Seltzer, etc. Pharmacies are nearly everywhere, but if you have your own small stash, it is easier.

IDENTIFICATION & MONEY

• Passport – must be valid for at least six months after your trip finishes. Make several copies of the page with your photograph and information; put in several places throughout your luggage. When out on tours, leave your original passport in your hotel safe and carry the copy.
• Valid driver’s license for vehicle rentals.
• Credit cards – Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. Make sure to phone your credit card provider before you travel to alert them where you are going and that you will be using your card – so they don’t block it thinking it is stolen. (Traveler’s checks are hardly ever accepted; don’t bring them.)
• Cash in U.S. dollars – don’t travel with too much for safety reasons, but have enough so you don’t need to run to the bank every day (note that $100 bills are hard to cash except in a bank). Nearly all banks have ATMs where you can use your ATM or debit card (check with your bank as to any foreign currency service charges). Change money in a bank rather than at the airport for a better exchange rate. Never change money on the street or with a private person you don’t know.
• Costa Rican Colones: it is a good idea to carry at least $100 in Costa Rican Colones for buying items in small stores or rural places where dollars won’t be accepted. Using Colones also means you are using the best exchange rate – from the bank – rather than whatever rate the hotel/store/restaurant sets.
• Emergency contact information for someone back home who is not travelling with you. Put this information in your luggage and wallet.

ELECTRONCS

• Cell phone or tablet with internet access (Wi-Fi internet is relatively common in Costa Rica now). Don’t forget the chargers and necessary cables. But before using your phone internationally, find out what your service provider will charge you for that call.
• Camera with extra memory card and batteries. Uploading your photos to an on-line memory database or website ensures you don’t lose your trip memories if something happens to your camera.

Get the best travel information on where to go, hotels in Costa Rica, tours and transportation in Costa Rica from 2Costa Rica Travel. They offer customized Costa Rica vacation packages, and can help with all of your travel plans.

 

Article by Shannon Farley