Costa Rica: What to Pack!

If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica, expect your luggage to be light! Costa Rica has a tropical climate which means it is warm and wet. The best time to travel there, as stated in previous postings, is during the high season which is between the months of December through April. Who wouldn’t want to get away when the weather in North America and the northern parts of Europe are freezing!

Grab your swim suit, hiking boots and jacket… and let’s go!

Costa Rica is a very interesting country is terms of climate and geography. While it has a tropical climate, rainforests and beaches, it has a high elevation causing it to get cold at night and sometimes during the day. It is recommended to bring a jacket for the colder weather at night and some long sleeves to protect against the bush and sunburn as this country is much closer to the equator than you might be used to!

Whether you decide to hang out on the beaches or explore the rainforest, be prepared for both. It is suggested to bring the following:

* Hiking shoes for exploring the rainforest and to protect your feet from the terrain/bush
* Flip flops for the beach
* Dressy shoes for night life and nice dinners
* Short sleeve tee-shirts, for when the weather is hot
* Shorts
* A long-sleeved shirt to protect against sunburn and bushwhacking
* A swimsuit for the beach
* Some long pants for exploration purposes
* Jacket; higher elevation makes night time cooler
* Backpack… good for storing essentials and extra clothes when exploring

Additional items to be packed include:

* Plenty of sunscreen (although rainy, it is still hot and sunny in the summer!)
* Hat (for protection from the sun)
* Sunglasses
* Comfortable hiking/walking shoes
* A water bottle with filter (staying hydrated is important on your trip)
* Universal plug (make sure your electronics are compatible)
* Insect repellents
* Hand sanitizer
* Traveler guides/ maps
* A camera

More importantly, packing summer-type clothing leaves extra room for souvenirs!!

Any little tips you can give our readers on what to pack that you found useful when you traveled to Costa Rica? Anything we missed? Help a traveler out!!