Costa Rica Packing List
Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying.
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
- Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful)
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments, socks
- Sport bras for women (roads can be bumpy)
- Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
- Rain jacket and pants or rain poncho
- Sun hat with brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
- Belt
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit (and cover up for women)
Footwear
- Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed toe, preferrably waterproof
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip flops
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Baggage
- Suitcase or duffel (20kg/44lb max for internal flights)
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access (rain cover is nice)
- Waterproof plastic bags for storing clothing and gear (ziplocs work)
- Packing cube, compression bag, clear toiletry bag for airplane
- Money belt, security pouch, document organizer
Electronics
Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double bagged if possible).
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, lenses, filters, memory disks (you will not be able to download)
- Video camera, tapes
- Tripod
- Cell phone
- Batteries, chargers
- GPS (for Geocaching)
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Electricity adapter
Toiletries
- Soap
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Shaving supplies
- Nail clippers, file, brush
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Moist towelettes (handi-wipes)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful)
- Hairbrush, comb, mirror
- Small towel and washcloth
- Toilet paper
- Facial tissue
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Q-tips
- Sewing kit
- Feminine products
- Cosmetics
First Aid
You really only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen
- Bandaids/plasters
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Throat losenges
- Vitamins
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
Documents
- Document organizer
- Passport
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Airline tickets, e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of AWR travel itinerary
- Medical insurance card
- Address book
- Business cards
- Make copies of passport, visas, drivers license, airline tickets/schedule, travel itinerary, credit cards (front and back), travelers checks' numbers, frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a travel companion's luggage and email them to yourself (or Google Docs).
Other
- Sunglasses with straps
- Eyeglasses, contacts, solution
- Binoculars
- Pocket knife
- Notebook, pencil and pen
- Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Duct tape
- Matches or lighter
- Clothes line, sink stopper, detergent
- Cash, travelers checks, credit cards (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be newer than 2002)
- Guide books, maps, language books
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season
- Salt, pepper for bland food, flavoring for coffee
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
- Water bottles and Camelback (useful on bumpy roads)
- Steripen, water filter, iodine or chlorine dioxide purification tablets
- Bottled water is also available for purchase at hotels and markets
