Costa Rica! Your travel reservations are complete and your itinerary is finalized. You are finally packing for that dream vacation that you had always longed for. From watching sloths in the wild to walking on hanging bridges, from hiking in tropical forests to experiencing beach sunsets with a chilled cerveza, it is all going to happen. But how do you get started for the trip? What are the right things to pack? We have got you covered! In this post, we bring to you an exhaustive Costa Rica packing list with all the items that you must bring, from the essentials to the little knick-knacks.
With this article, we hope not just to prepare you with packing for Costa Rica, but actually help you during the process of packing too. That is why, at the end of this article, we have included a Costa Rica Packing FREE Checklist that you can refer to while packing.
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To fuel your Costa Rica wanderlust further, check out this YouTube video we made about the highlights of this beautiful country. Fair warning, you may be tempted to pack your bags right after you finish watching! 🙂
Luggage
Needless to say, the most important thing for any packing list is the luggage itself. Apart from your main luggage, we recommend bringing a daypack and a dry bag for your Costa Rica trip.
Suitcase or Backpack
Depending on your style of travel, choose a backpack or a suitcase.
Waterproof Daypack
Carry a daypack for your daily tours and outdoor adventures. We use our daypacks for carrying our valuables (wallets, keys), spare chargers, raincoats, insect repellents and water bottles. Since it can rain anytime in Costa Rica, it is best to use waterproof backpacks as your daypack.
Check out these waterproof backpacks and sling bags that you can use as daypacks. Click on the images below to check prices, availability and delivery information.
Dry Bag
There are no dearth of water activities in Costa Rica. Whether you are surfing the waves or soaking in the hot springs or hiking to the stunning waterfalls or kayaking in the lakes or rafting in the rivers, there is a very good chance you will get wet. So, a dry bag is an absolute essential on your Costa Rica packing list to securely store your belongings during all the water adventures.
Here are some options for dry bags. Click on the images below to check prices, availability and delivery information.
Documents
These are obvious items that you will need for any international trip. But we still included it in the packing list so that this serves as an exhaustive checklist for your Costa Rica trip.
Passport
Passport with at least 90 days validity at the time of entering Costa Rica.
Visa
Citizens of US, Canada, UK and EU are exempt from visa for Costa Rica. Review this list to check if citizens of your country need Costa Rica tourist visa. If you do need Costa Rica tourist visa but are in possession of a valid visa issued by US, Canada, UK or EU, then you are exempt from the visa requirement.
Air Tickets
Not just the tickets for your trip to Costa Rica, make sure you have your ticket ready for the onward journey from Costa Rica within 90 days of arriving in the country.
Travel Insurance
Purchase travel insurance as you would want to be protected against any unwanted mishaps.
Ideas for Costa Rica Vacation Itineraries:
Clothes
A vacation in Costa Rica is all about immersing yourself in nature and going with the flow. You can keep the same theme for picking the clothes for your trip: outdoors-friendly, casual and comfortable.
Within a short span of a few days in Costa Rica, you may be visiting hot and humid beach towns and mountain villages at higher altitudes with cool climate. So, it is important to pack according to the climatic zones you are going to visit.
Quick-Dry Tops/T-shirts
With so many rainforest and cloud forest areas spread across the country, typical Costa Rica itineraries include a lot of hiking. It could be in the national parks or in the private reserves, and the hikes could vary greatly in length and difficulty. For hiking in humid weather, quick-dry tops/t–shirts are your best friends.
Quick tips:
- Let 1 or 2 of your quick-dry t-shirts be long sleeved.
- Use neutral colors for jungle hikes when you are in the lookout for wildlife.
Click on the images below to view options of quick dry t-shirts.
Quick-Dry Pants
With the same logic, pack a couple of quick-dry pants. We recommend full length pants for hiking in the forests. They protect your legs from unwanted bruises in case your knees brush past some thorns or shrubs or rocks.
Check out these options for moisture wicking hiking pants. Click on the image to check details of these pants and explore other brands and designs.
Quick-Dry Shorts
For hiking to waterfalls or in national parks where the forest is not too dense, like Arenal Volcano National Park, quick-dry shorts should work. We also like to use such shorts for walking on beach trails.
For women, in addition to shorts, I also like to pack a skort (for women), that offers the flexibility of shorts and lends the style of skirt. Click on the images below to browse and buy shorts for men and women.
Casual Shirts & Pants (For Men)
You are likely to be spending only a day or two in and around the capital city San Jose. For those days, dress up a bit with casual shirts and pants, and you will be ready for any occasion, whether a walking tour of the city or fine-dining at a mirador restaurant or for pub hopping.
Summer Dresses (For Women)
Pack a couple of your pretty summer dresses. They will serve you well for both hanging out in the beach towns as well as during your stay in the city.
Here are some options for nice dresses. Click on the images to check details about them and to explore other styles and colors.
Swimwear
Pack all your nice and colorful swimsuits. You will need them at the beach, in the hot springs, at the waterfalls and in the hotel swimming pools. Click on the images below to browse and buy swimsuits of your liking, and add them to your Costa Rica packing list.
Sarong/ Beach Cover-up
Bring a sarong or a beach cover-up dress that will help you get ready swiftly from a swim in the ocean to a lunch by the beach. Click on the images below to check out options for sarongs and beach coverups.
Footwear
From scaling mountains to diving in the ocean, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica. So, it is important to bring appropriate footwear based on the activities that you are going to sign up for.
Hiking Boots/ Sneakers
Sneakers or walking shoes should suffice for hiking in the nature reserves. But if you are going to hike on technical trails, or will be walking for long periods at a stretch, like Cerro Chirripo, definitely use proper hiking boots instead of sneakers.
Hiking Sandals
Costa Rica is blessed with miles of coastlines, Pacific to the west and Caribbean to the east. While there are several beaches that are easily accessible, there are many others that can be reached only by hiking. For such hikes in the beach town areas, pack hiking sandals.
Related reading:
Flip-flops
This is a no brainer. Beach days need the freedom of flip-flops!
Water Shoes
To protect your feet against rocks and pebbles on riverbeds and seabeds, wear water shoes while swimming in the natural swimming holes.
Check out options for good shoes by clicking on the images below. We like the socks style water shoes, but you can navigate on the site to explore other designs too.
Weather Gear
Raincoat/ Rain Poncho
Wherever you go, whichever time of the year, bring a raincoat! This is our best Costa Rica packing tip. Seriously! Despite clearly demarcated rainy season and dry season periods, it can rain anytime in tropical Costa Rica. So, it is better to be prepared than regret.
Click below to check out various rain ponchos and raincoats.
Light Jacket
When you are in the city, the mornings and the evenings can get cool. So, keep a light jacket. This will also come in handy when visiting higher altitude places like Monteverde or the mountain towns in the Talamanca range. In those places, the temperatures are usually much lower. So dress in layers with with long sleeve shirts and light jacket to keep warm.
Warm Jacket
Depending on the places you are planning to visit, you may need to bring a warm jacket too. Example, if you are planning to hike up Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripo, you will need a warm jacket along with several other layers.
Accessories
Now that you have packed your clothes and weather gear, do not forget the small accessories for sunny days.
Sunglasses
Bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
Hat / Cap
A hat or a cap is useful during the long hikes on hot and humid days, or for beach days.
Toiletries & Personal Care
The toiletries bag should contain all your personal care essentials and first aid kit, but there are couple of items that you absolutely need to include in your Costa Rica packing list. Since regular objects may be pricier in Costa Rica compared to other countries (including US), it is better to pack them instead of buying here.
Insect Repellent
The most important item on that list is an insect repellent. Costa Rica is a tropical destination where crawlers and critters thrive. So, to protect your skin against insect bites, apply insect repellent on all exposed skin before venturing out in the wild.
Check out these long lasting repellents against mosquitoes and other insects, with varying concentrations of DEET.
Sunscreen
This is another important item on your Costa Rica packing list. Do not underestimate the tropical sun. Always apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, and reapply every few hours.
If you are going to do some ocean water activities, consider applying reef friendly sunscreen like the ones below. Click to check prices, availability and make a purchase.
Face Wash/ Cleanser
Face Wash or cleanser to remove all the dirt.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.
Deodorant
With all the outdoor activities in the tropical weather, you may sweat a lot. Pack anti-perspirant deodorants.
Lip Balm
Lip balm to avoid chapped lips. I like to use tinted lip balms.
Dental Care Kit
Pack your dental care kit with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss.
First Aid Kit
Wherever you travel, it never harms to be armed with a first aid kit that includes all the basic essentials. Check out travel first aid kits like this one.
Sanitization Kit
The last couple of years have introduced us to an elevated standard of cleaning and sanitization. Although the requirements of masks are gradually being removed from all over the world, it is still a good idea to follow enhanced cleaning practices.
Face Mask
As per government mandate, wearing a face mask is no longer obligatory for entering business establishments in Costa Rica. However, certain establishments are still encouraging their visitors to wear a mask. Also, many residents of Costa Rica are choosing to wear masks in crowded places. So, bring face masks and assess the surroundings to decide whether you need to wear one.
Hand Sanitizer
Irrespective of mandates, we always carry hand sanitizers to quickly clean our hands. You can consider buying a combo pack of small travel size bottles, like the one shown in the image below.
Disinfecting Wipes
Bring disinfecting wipes if you prefer to clean surfaces before using the same.
Everyday Electronics
We live in a digital world. So, even when traveling, there are few electronics items that you would want to pack for Costa Rica.
Mobile Phone + Charger
Whether for taking photographs or for storing your travel tickets and itineraries, it is hard to do without mobile phone while on vacation. Remember to bring the phone charger too!
Laptop + Charger
Ok, this one can be an optional item on your Costa Rica packing list. But, if you are a digital nomad or a freelancer or a long term traveler, you will want to bring your laptop and charger.
Kindle
If you like to read while swaying on a hammock under a palm tree by the beach, you will find plenty such opportunities in Costa Rica. To replace the volume and weight of physical books from your luggage, bring Kindle.
Click on the image below to check out current deals on Kindle products.
Power Adapter
You may or may not need a power adaptor for Costa Rica vacation depending on where you are coming from. Costa Rica uses 120V voltage and 60 Hz standard frequency. The power sockets are usually for two pin plugs. So, if you are coming from the US, for example, your cables will work normally – no need to bring a separate adaptor.
But if, like us, you are coming from a country with different power standards, you need to pay special attention. When we moved from India to Costa Rica a few years ago, we needed power adapters for everything, even for charging our phones. For all our international travels, we use and highly recommend having couple of universal travel adaptors that have sockets of different types (for US, Australia, Europe, India etc.), provide surge protector and also has USB outlets.
Click on the images below to view prices and availability and search for similar products.
Camera Gear
Costa Rica is beautiful. You will find several photo opportunities, whether it is a stunning blue waterfall or a dramatic beach sunset or the tropical forests. There are also serious bird photographers who come to Costa Rica to capture on camera gorgeous looking bird species. Whatever your motivation for photography is, bring the right photography gear to Costa Rica.
Camera Bag
We like to organize our cameras, lenses and all related accessories in our camera bag. Choose one that is the right fit for your equipment.
Memory Cards
Bring more memory cards than you think you may need.
Camera + Charger
Carry the camera that you are most comfortable shooting with. But we recommend keeping it light as in Costa Rica, you will be moving around or walking a lot. That is why we are gradually switching our equipment from crop sensor DSLR to mirrorless cameras. They are lightweight, compact and offer better stabilization.
Lenses
If you want to shoot animals and birds, include a telephoto lens. Choose a wider lens for landscape photography. We use 24-70 mm that suffices for landscape, macro as well as videos.
Tripod
With so many waterfalls and rivers in Costa Rica, you can get plenty of silky white shots of the waterbodies. But you will need a good tripod. We like our Peak Design Travel Tripod as it is lightweight, easy to pack and easy to carry.
Check out the options for different materials, carbon filter and aluminum. Click on the images to check current prices, offers, availability and delivery information.
Go Pro + Waterproof Case + Head mount
For all you adventurous souls, bring your action camera for capturing the memories of all the adventure activities you are going to do in Costa Rica. Whether it is zip-lining over the cloud forests or snorkeling in a marine biological reserve or white-water rafting over rapids of different grades, pack your Go Pro. Include the accessories too, like waterproof case for snorkeling and head mount for zip-lining.
Click on the images below to check prices and availability for GoPro and its accessories.
Drone + Remote + Chargers + Batteries
Different countries have different rules and restrictions about flying a drone. Some are so strict that you would consider leaving your drone back home instead of carrying it on your vacation. But Costa Rica is not among them. In fact, flying a drone in Costa Rica is very easy. You just need to avoid flying in the handful designated no-fly zones. Of course, if you do use your drone for photography and videography, you can get such cool perspectives of the breathtaking topography that Costa Rica has. If you bring your drone to Costa Rica, remember to pack the important accessories like remote, batteries and chargers.
Click on the images below to check out various drone options from DJI across proficiency levels, and buy the one that best suits your requirements and preferences.
Costa Rica Packing List: FREE Checklist
Now that you have made it this far, you have earned yourself a FREE packing checklist for your Costa Rica trip.
Click on the image below and save it on your device!
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Can a B1/B2 us visa holder visit coata rica for vocation?
Hi Abhishek. Yes! You do not need to apply for Costa Rica tourist visa if you already hold a valid visa from any of US, Canada, UK or EU. This includes US B1/B2.