What to pack for Costa Rica

Luggage and bags: Split all your luggage in half as Iberia dont have a very good safety record with baggage

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You need lots of light weight cloths that you can wash as it is very hot and steamy Boots we found very usefull especially in the forrests lots of uneven ground

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: lots of repellants we used deet and came away without any bites

Photo Equipment: Make sure you have plenty of film /storage cards also beware that coming from an a/con room to the outside might cause your camea problems A good zoom is a must

Luggage and bags: expandable duffel bags, small backpack for daily trips

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Rain poncho is a must. You will also need a pair of sneakers, canvas hiking boots or an additional pair of sneakers, flip flops (for the pool area, hot springs or the beach). Make sure you also get a light sweater with you, it may get chili at night.

For the 7 nights we stayed there, I packed a pair of shorts, 2 pairs of convertible pants (I wore one of them on the way to CR), 7 pairs of socks, 3 T-Shirts, 1 long sleeve cotton shirt, 1 hat, 1 pajama, 1 bathing suit, 1 pair of sneakers (I wore them on the way to CR), 1 pair of canvas shoes and 1 pair of flip-flops, 1 rain poncho that I used a lot. I also had a fleece jacket with me that I wore while staying in Alajuela since it got a little bit chili there after 6pm.

My husband had 1 pair of cotton shorts with lots of pockets, 1 pair of convertible pants, 7 pairs of socks, 1 pajama, 3 T-Shirts, 1 swimming shorts, 2 pairs of sneakers, 1 pair of beach sandals, 1 poncho and 1 long sleeve T-Shirt.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: we had lots of stuff with us, just in case we needed it: tylenol, imodium, dramamine, aspirin; band aids, neosporin; 2 of each: travel size shampoo, travel size shower gel, travel size after shave; toothpaste and toothbrushes; deodorant;

Photo Equipment: digital camera and big memory card

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: sunscreen, insect repellent with deet

Miscellaneous: knife for fruit (we bought one from La Fortuna and we used it a lot to eat fresh fruit that we bought), guide book (I used it a lot) and small dictionary with phrases (I used it a little bit, but would have made it without it also)

Luggage and bags: mosquito repellent. We had tons with us and used the 100% deet spray 1 time on the sunrise mangrove boat trip and use a few of the
"OFF!" individual towlettes at dusk, and that was it. Bitten a few times, mostly no-see-ums. Not as bad as the Everglades in January & February! We were mostly in the rain-forest on birding tours.

Photo Equipment: BATTERIES GO DEAD FAST. We had rechargeable batteries that we had to replace at least 2 times a day and recharge every night. You
can't buy any new ones either unless you can find a camera shop and then only maybe.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Good light weight hiking boots were a must.

Luggage and bags: By all means, pack light. If you plan to visit more than one or two cities, it is easier to get around with a backpack rather than a luggage with wheels. You have to consider muddy, unpaved condition of roads unsuitable for wheeled luggage.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring socks that will dry faster. If you plan to hike, your shoes will get muddy. So make sure you pack kind of hiking shoes that will breath, but let least moisture in, and easy to clean. It rains alot in CR, so you might want to bring compact hairdryer to dry damp clothes. And don't forget light rain jacket or coat.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If you have enough time, take Malaria pills before you go. Malaria is one of disease mosquitos carry. And you will be bitten by at lease a few of them. It is important to bring mosquito repellents and netting for your bed(if you plan to stay in cheaper lodgings).

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: rain ponchos
You need runners at least for many of the jungle trips but expect they will get wet
PLUS sandals that can get wet ie Teva type

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: tampons if you use them
insect repellent - remember to reapply after your evening shower. I got more bites during the night (not from bed bugs) than during the day

Miscellaneous: flashlight - if traveling to any off the track places as it gets dark fast and by 5:30

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Light coloured cotton long pants and shirts to wear at night and when hiking. Even though it is warm here the insects are out in thousand. Comfy shoes and cotton socks to wear for plenty of walking.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Lots of strong Mosquito Repellent

Photo Equipment: Film/disks for your camera. Not available in rural areas.

Luggage and bags: backpack or rolling weekender

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: walking sandals, tank tops, light dresses, ponytail holders, sunglasses, tshirts, shorts, sarong, rain poncho, breathable underwear

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, lotion, floss, toothpase, toothbrush, razor, chapstick, face soap...

Photo Equipment: water resistant gear is a must, ziploc bags

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: sunscreen, frisbee, sunglasses, hammock

Miscellaneous: mosquito repellant, band aids, bite spray, baby powder, snacks, journal, pen, money belt, emory board, pocketknife, travel toys/games/cards, maps, spanish phrasebook, cell phone?

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: - a light rainjacket that packs small (useful in case of rain, or windy weather on top of volcanoes or at higher elevations)
- light pants (if going to a cloud forest or higher elevations), actually fast drying hiking pants would be best
- sneakers were fine for all the hiking we did (a lot), but next time I would bring good breathable hiking shoes (not boots)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: - mosquito spray (but we didn't actually need it)
- sunscreen

Photo Equipment: - photo camera and binoculars with the best zoom you can get

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: - plastic bags to line your backpack to keep the contents dry if it rains

If you are going white water rafting:
- water sandals that strap on (so they don't fall off)
- a strap for your sunglasses (or you might loose them)
- waterproof camera

Miscellaneous: - a flashlight (for walking after dark)

If you will be driving:
- a good driving map (www.mapcr.com seems to have the best) - print out the free pdf file or buy one
- a large black plastic bag (if you rent a 4x4 use the plastic to cover the trunk contents that will be visible)
- tire pressure gauge

See a great packing list at the website below.