Heading to Costa Rica and not confident what to pack? Whether or not you’re organizing on hitting up the seashores of Manuel Antonio, climbing as a result of the cloud forest in Monteverde, canoeing by the canals in Tortuguero, or all of the previously mentioned, packing for these a various journey can be a problem.
Besides your preferred destinations in-nation, you ought to also consider the temperature when selecting what to pack. There are two most important seasons in Costa Rica: moist and dry. The wet time goes from May perhaps to November, when there are recurrent hefty rainstorms, monsoons, and hurricanes. The dry period from December to April also sees some rain, in particular at superior altitudes, but is general more sunny and a great deal warmer.
With these components in mind, here’s an epic packing listing to aid you put together for your upcoming journey in Costa Rica:
What to Put on in Costa Rica: Wet Year (May–November)
I visited Costa Rica through the rainy period, when there are storms just about every single working day during most of the nation. It might sound unappealing to visit this sort of an outdoorsy location for the duration of this time, but possessing been ready for the rain was a game changer and produced it all worthy of it. Overall, I would unquestionably take a look at Costa Rica for the duration of the wet period all over again, as prolonged as I was likewise well prepared.
To pack for this time of year, here’s what I propose:
Clothing: provide levels
Other than preparing myself for the rain, I also had to look at that I would be viewing a range of climates. From packing seashore apparel for my days in Uvita and Manuel Antonio to getting completely ready for chilly mountain weather in Monteverde, I experienced my operate slice out for me.
Bringing levels is important. Deliver lightweight clothing that can be layered, so you are geared up for instantaneous adjustments in climate and numerous climates alike.
Here’s the apparel I packed for a single thirty day period in Costa Rica all through the wet period:
With these, I experienced a multitude of diverse outfits to pick out from without the need of experience like I experienced too considerably clothes with me. Every little thing I brought matched, so I felt set jointly even though also currently being comfy. My absolute preferred issue I introduced was my white linen button-down shirt, since it’s these types of a good layering piece and appears fashionable around a uncomplicated outfit like the a person in the picture higher than.
Footwear: considerably less is far more
Bringing additional than two pairs of sneakers is a squander of house if you’re heading someplace like Costa Rica. I packed my Blundstones and a pair of Tevas and that is it. My Blundstone chelsea boots are heavier, so I wore them on the airplane and when touring, to maintain my bag lighter. My Tevas are water-resistant and excellent for climbing, in particular if there is a great deal of mud and h2o to walk through.
If I have been to convey just one a lot more pair, I could possibly look at some running footwear, just simply because my Tevas took a prolonged time to dry and I finished up putting on wet shoes just about everywhere. Given that the humidity is so superior in the course of wet time in Costa Rica, items acquire considerably more time to dry. This wasn’t a massive deal to me, but might be to an individual who just cannot stand owning damp ft.
Equipment: continue to keep it relaxed
I opted for the most basic components probable. Just a pair of gold hoop earrings and simple black sun shades were being more than enough to elevate my outfits just a small little bit without getting flashy.
Given that it is not incredibly sunny in Costa Rica all through the damp season, I did not see a will need for a sunlight hat that would take up a large amount of house in my bag. I did bring a baseball cap, just for a bit of sun safety on the times when I went out for hikes.
Listed here are the add-ons I brought:
Toiletries: decide for solids when possible
I’m a single of these tourists that endlessly anxieties about liquids spilling in my bag, so I choose good products typically for that explanation. Having said that, reliable products and solutions are also a excellent plastic-no cost choice and from time to time even previous lengthier than liquid items. For factors like moisturizers, sunscreen, and bug spray, it is harder to locate them in solid kind, unfortunately.
These are the toiletries that I brought for a single month in Costa Rica:
What to Have on in Costa Rica: Dry Year (December–April)
The weather conditions all through the dry season is significantly warmer in several parts of Costa Rica, as there’s a lot more sunshine and significantly less rain to break the warmth. I generally listened to Costa Ricans simply call this season “summer,” even although it begins in December (when it is winter season north of the equator).
As considerably as what to have on all through dry period, the packing listing I advise is very similar to the damp period, but with a couple variations that will assistance get ready you for the warmth and sunshine.
Apparel: quick, breezy, and relaxed
Throughout the dry time, trying to keep amazing is the title of the recreation, as temperatures soar. Bring apparel that are ethereal, dry quickly, and are at ease earlier mentioned all else. Go for materials like cotton or linen, which are extra breathable. To make it less complicated to make outfits that you really want to put on, make confident almost everything follows the same shade plan, additional or a lot less. That way you can mix and match and not truly feel like you are carrying the same outfit every single day.
Here’s what I counsel for what to wear in Costa Rica all through the dry year:
Footwear, add-ons, and toiletries
I do not see considerably have to have for variation in footwear, accessories, and toiletries from damp year to dry year. If I have been heading to Costa Rica all through dry time, I would bring the exact same footwear I brought for moist season. For equipment, I could possibly include a floppy solar hat to safeguard my deal with from the harsh rays on the beach front. My toiletries would remain the identical, but I would bring an anti-chafing stick (my thick-thighed sisters know the drill) and greater SPF sunscreen for my encounter.
Backpack vs. Rolling Luggage
Generally speaking, for any location the most crucial variable when choosing no matter whether to deliver a backpack or rolling luggage is your preferred mode of transportation. If you’re leasing a automobile or only traveling to a person spot for the entirety of your trip, a rolling suitcase may possibly make feeling for you. Even so, if you’re organizing on using public transportation and will be relocating all over a lot that way, a backpack is unquestionably the way to go.
Backpacks & working day packs
For me, it was a match changer to learn backpacks that could unzip like a suitcase. I utilised to dread acquiring to fish out outfits goods from my top rated-loading backpack, which designed remaining arranged a great deal much more of a trouble. I recommend this Osprey 70L pack for extended outings, which zips open the way a suitcase would and comes with a waterproof deal with to guard it from the rain.
Owning a day pack is important in Costa Rica, as there is so significantly to do outside. I put in quite minimal time in my lodging during my month there, leaving early in the early morning and returning in the night. So I introduced anything I desired for the working day with me in my day pack. I have this a person from Everlane, which I love this a person from REI is just as cute and a little bit more compact.
(If you want to come across the fantastic one particular for you, don’t miss out on out on this full guide to picking out a travel backpack.)
Rolling baggage
If you rent a car or truck and are not concerned about lugging your bags all-around, applying a suitcase could be really worth it. Primarily if you go for a tricky shell suitcase, it’s less difficult to preserve your issues organized and secure from finding smashed in transit.
If you are examining a bag, I suggest this difficult-shell rolling suitcase from REI. It’s strong and has anti-microbial technological know-how that inhibits the advancement of micro organism, which is a major as well as contemplating how humid the temperature is in Costa Rica.
If you only want to provide a carry-on, this tricky-shell suitcase is just a scaled-down variation.
Maintaining your items organized
Regardless of whether you deliver a backpack or a suitcase, packing cubes are a must if you want to retain your things structured. I specifically like clear/filthy packing cubes and sets like this one particular, which have a number of compartments.
Right before I utilized packing cubes, it was generally a struggle to hold my bag structured, which can be frustrating when you’re touring from area to location swiftly. Now that I use them, I can’t envision traveling without the need of them. Soon after all, how are you heading to decide what to dress in if you cannot see any of the things in your bag?
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From what to dress in in Costa Rica to what bag to place almost everything in, I hope this guidebook helps you prepare for an awesome trip.
What other objects would you include to your list?
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