What to Pack for Costa Rica
11 May 2015Packing for warmer climates and beach vacations has always been difficult for me. Costa Rica in particular was even more of a challenge because I was heading there on the cusp of rainy season, which generally stretches from May to November. So, I needed to make sure I had the proper attire for either type of weather.
To make matters even more complicated, the climate in Costa Rica varies by the region you're in! For example, while I was in San Jose, the temperature hovered around 80 degrees, but it got as hot as 97 degrees in Liberia. Yikes! Because of this, I made my packing list around the different activities I would be doing.
- 1 pair Kavu hiking shorts
- 1 pair Puma athletic shorts
- 2 tank tops
- 1 Sports bra
- 1 pair well-worn Keen hiking boots
- 3 pairs socks
- Collapsible water bottle
- Camelbak 50 oz. HydroBak
- Patagonia packable rain jacket
- DEET-free bug repellent (picked from this awesome guide by My Tan Feet)
- Granola bars
- 2 Swimsuits
- 1 quick-dry Columbia dress as a cover-up
- Packable microfiber towel
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof case for iPhone & wallet
- 1 Chambray shirt
- 1 pair leggings
- 1 T-shirt
- TOMS
- 1 pair shorts
- 3 tank tops
- 1 short dress
- 1 maxi dress
- Pajamas (1 tee and 1 pair cotton shorts)
- Unmentionables for the week
- Small cross-body purse
- Sunglasses
And then, of course, I packed the usual suspects.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Cleansing face wipes
- Bar soap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Pure aloe (for sunburns)
- Hair ties
- Makeup
- Deodorant
- Razor
- Small hair brush
- Straightener (I know -- ha!)
- Tylenol
- Benadryl (I'm allergic to bee stings!)
- Travel first-aid kit
- GoPro & charger
- GoPro waterproof handle mount
- Canon ELPH 3000
- Kindle
- iPhone 6 and charger
- External battery
- Headphones
Miscellaneous:
- PacSafe backpack web
- Padlock
- Extra Ziploc bags -- an absolute must!
- Notebook & pen
- Passport & copies
- US embassy information
- Hostel & hotel information
- Credit cards and emergency cash
2 comments
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI will be going in the rainy season too!
What did you wear at night in the different regions? I am wondering about the temperature drops and the atmosphere there after dinner time. Thanks!
Hello! I actually found it to still be pretty warm at night. Dresses or shorts and a tee were totally fine!
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