Packing for Costa Rica can seem perplexing at first but really once you decide when you will be traveling to the Central American country and whether you will be visiting the Pacific or Caribbean coast, the sandals, sundresses and sunscreen will slide easily into your suitcase.
The Pacific and Caribbean coasts are opposite as far as rainy and dry seasons. When it is rainy season on the Pacific side in the summer months, it is dry season on the Caribbean side. And when it is rainy season on the Caribbean side during the winter months, it is dry season on the Pacific side.
Don’t be turned off by the term “rainy season,” either. I visited the Pacific coast during rainy season in June and I would highly recommend visiting during that time. Rainy season also means lush, green and flowery season. So while you may see torrential rains for an hour or so during the afternoon (often times around 2 p.m.), the gorgeous green mountain views (rather than brown and dusty views) in my opinion are worth a bit of rain.
The greens and blues of a Costa Rica rainy season.
So what do you pack?
Clothes
Casual, casual, casual. Costa Rica is very casual and follows a Pura Vida or Pure Life motto, so don’t pack a million dresses, maxis or rompers. One, maybe two, are fine. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive that is more resort casual for dinner, than you may want to consider a few more dresses but otherwise, keep it cas.
If you plan to do any sort of adventure activity like zip lining or horseback riding, bring a pair of outdoor pants, like hiking, cargo or trail pants like these from Columbia. Jeans would be too hot and yoga pants don’t offer pockets or much padding so outdoor pants, either long or capri length, are the best option. Still bring the yoga pants though too, you’ll want them for lounging around or for the plane.
Tank tops and cotton T-shirts are a good idea.
A rain jacket that can easily fold up into your day bag is smart for rainy season.
A long sleeve T-shirt or long sleeve workout shirt like this one from Champion is a good idea if you plan to hike into the mountains or visit a volcano. Both are at a higher altitude which also means cooler temperatures. While the weather is mostly hot and humid in Costa Rica, the mornings and evenings can sometimes see cooler temperatures.
Footwear
Sneakers are best for adventure excursions and flip flops are ideal for everything else. A good pair of water shoes or hiking shoes that are meant for the water too like Keens are also good to bring. If the beach is your only destination, you won’t need these but if you plan on hiking or white water rafting, Keens are ideal. They aren’t the prettiest shoe (frankly I think they are straight up ugly) but you’ll still want them. I cheaped out and brought a lesser brand and had blusters instantly. I immediately wished I was sporting ugly, comfy Keens on my unhappy feet. Function over fashion when in Costa Rica. Really, that’s the main point to remember when packing. Your Instagram pic will be awesome no matter what you’re wearing….you’re in freaking Costa Rica, hello!
Accessories and Essentials
Bring more than one bathing suit. The humidity is no joke in Costa Rica. So if you don’t enjoy putting on a wet bathing suit in the morning, bring a minimum of two. If you plan to do any adventure activities that involve water, like whitewater rafting, you may want to consider a one-piece bathing suit or at least a bathing suit that you feel completely secure in. You don’t want to be fiddling with your top when you accidentally fall out of a raft because you should have been paying attention and paddling through the giant rapid. Mmmhhmmm, don’t do it! Wear the mom-bathing suit. Mom’s don’t fall out of rafts!
Bring a hat or hair covering, even if you aren’t a hat person. Again, the humidity is insane and your hair will not stay cute for long. Also, it’s good protection from the sun. Speaking of protection from the sun….bring sunscreen! Cover yourself in it each morning and then repeat throughout the day.
Bug spray is important if you plan to go into the rainforest or mountains. If you’ll be sticking by the sand most of the time, the bugs should steer clear but it’s always nice to have bug spray handy just in case.
Randoms
Day Bag: Bring a collapsable day bag like this one to take on adventures or just to the beach. It fits a lot and is perfect when you need to bring a change of clothes.
Reusable Water Bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated but Costa Rica is also very eco-friendly and encourages reusable water bottles over plastic water bottles. Bottled water is easy to find and purchase but do the eco-system a favor and bring your own bottle. It’s also safe to drink the water in Costa Rica (depending what section of the country you’ll be staying). If you have a sensitive stomach stick with the bottled water.
Travel Towel: A full size towel that folds up nicely and fits in a day bag is good to have on hand, whether you’re rafting or get caught in a rain shower.
Ziplock bags: Throw a couple in your suitcase, you never know when you may need them. You can use them for wet bathing suites or dirty shoes or to prevent your new souvenir bottle of rum from breaking and leaking all over your clothes.
Dry Sack: This dry sack bag is perfect for wet weather. It can easily fit a change of clothes and a camera while keeping everything perfectly dry.
Phone Bag: If you don’t want to lug around the full Dry Sack but don’t want your phone getting wet either, bring a phone cover bag like this one. It protects your phone from the elements but allows you to continue using it as well.
Leave at Home
Leave your heels at home! I’m not kidding when I say this country is casual. Again, unless you’re staying at a luxury resort, there is no need for heels. Function over fashion.
Hair dryer — your hair will be wet always mostly from sweat (and your hotel will likely have one just in case).
Minimal make-up and hair products are needed, unless of course you have melt-free make-up that will not slide off your chin as soon as you exit air conditioning. Humidity is not your beauty friend.
Electrical convertors or adaptors, the outlets are the same as the United States.
Related: Expand Your Comfort Zone in Costa Rica
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