Leaving to Costa Rica next week, what do I pack?

Question

I am going to Puerto viejo Limon for 3 days, then going over to Manuel Antonio... I know that I need to pack light since we are travelling by bus. I plan to just take a duffle bag with clothes for the week and bug spray, umbrella, sun block and just general toilettries.. Do you guys have any suggestions on other stuff I may need? Thanks!

Answer 1

I went a few years ago in late July and there was so much rain that they were having land slides on the eastern side of the country. You might want to change your itinerary once you get there if there is a lot of rain and just stick to the west coast. Manuel Antonio and it's neighboring city Quepos is really beautiful. My favorite beach is Samara, which is quite a ways north.
Anyway, what to bring????
Pack light! You won't need much, especially since you are only going for a week.
Comfy walking shoes.
Maybe a poncho for the rain.
Toiletries are hard to come by and expensive so be sure not to forget those things you need.
Film, disposable camera.
Headphones, batteries, that kind of stuff.

Have fun!

Answer 2

If you have some kinds of fishing/camping shirts that are very lightweight, have vents with mesh inside that let the breeze flow through. Also the ones made of nylon are more water repellent. Manuel Antonio is great! Look for Iguanas and monkeys in the trees and try all the beaches.
Fabrics like rayon or ramie or linen are best in these hot humid places. You can also buy cool clothes there cheaply, so leave room for souvenirs. Gore-tex lined shoes are good.
Also flip flops and sandals that you can get wet, like tevas, or athletic amphibian shoes (half sandals/half running shoe).
If you can afford it, splurge on a/c rooms at the coast. It's so humid it's hard to sleep in summer. San Jose and highlands are different, no a/c needed. Be sure to check out a volcano, like Poas or Irasu or Arenal.

Answer 3

I have learned this from my world travels. Don't take anything you can't afford to lose. Things like an expensive camera, watch, diamond ring or just whatever someone would love to steal from you should be left at home. You can get by with a cheap camera and little, if any jewelry. I have a travel custom that has worked well for me in many countries. You should pack your bag on the outbound trip with lots of stuff to eat and that will travel well (Think trail mix, and other nonperishables). As you consume these things on your travels, you have new space available for the inevitable things you will purchase and they will then have a place in your luggage instead of trying to jam all that stuff into your existing space. Your travel dollars can be used on something besides costly food (Like airport junk food). Just look at the travelers returning to U.S. customs to see who knows how to travel well.
Get the "Lonely Earth" travel book on costa Rica and you will be in good shape.

Answer 4

I would bring a few cooler cups (Koozies) and baseball type hats for giving away or trading with Ticos. This week it's been raining for an hour or so in the late afternoon in the southern zone on the Pacific side. You should check the weather for Puerto Viejo tho. It rains a lot more there, and roads get flodded out.

Answer 5

I always pack too much...

Anyway, shorts, and maybe 1 pair of pants if you are going for a serious hike in the jungle. Of course, t-shirts as well. You are going to get wet, sweat, and probably stink anyway, so dont be to ashamed to wear the same thing over again. :)

Bug spray, first aid kit, if you are allergic to bug bites, bring an Epi-Pen just in case, poncho, umbrella, sun screen, camera... I brought a pair of shower shoes on my last trip, and I was very glad I did, as it makes walking on the rocks and nuclear (hot) sand at the beach not nearly as painful.

Also bring a deck of cards to play with friends.
Have Fun!

Answer 6

Hi, I like Sean's list. However, unless you plan on doing heavy hiking in the mountains then a pair of Teva-like sandals will work. I personally use Keens wherever I go. They dry quickly. Make sure your gear is broken in before you arrive. Good luck, carlos

Answer 7

A flashlight will come in handy as it gets dark when the sun goes down at 6:30pm. A small first aid kit might come in handy, mosquito repelant with DEET is a must.

Answer 8

Hey there!
I would take lots of portable hand wipes, lotion and susnscreen too! Your skin will need remoistening and cleaning very often in Cosra Rica! (trust me, I went there last year!)
Good Luck, and have fun!!!!!

Answer 9

bottles of clean water, jackets, long pants as well as shorts, lots of bug spray, a lantern, a handy first-aid kid and a tent if you're going to camp. hope u enjoy our country!!

Answer 10

bring a great smile.... take care and enjoy