The Costa Rica Packing List Every Traveller Needs!

When looking for new places you might be interested in visiting, finding destinations you’ve never even thought about going to is the best way to go. This is a move that’s going to help you get out of your comfort zone and make you think on your feet – and that’s the best way to see the world and have amazing experiences!

However, finding locations that are thrilling and unexpected might not always be easy, but if you’re imaginative and ready to think outside the box, you may be able to reach a solution that’s going to surprise you in the best way possible.

Costa Rica is exactly one of those ideas that may not be your first pick in the world – but once you go there and see this place for yourself, you’re going to want to go back whenever you can!

Take it from me. I first visited Costa Rica for Christmas and New Year in 2020, picked up a Costa Rican boy who travelled alongside me throughout the year of 2021, and now we’re back here in early 2022 again, exploring more of what Costa Rica has to offer.

If you want to enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest, you’ll have to make sure that you have all you need by your side, and that’s why figuring out what to pack for Costa Rica in advance is always a great way to go. In case this is something you’d like to do as well, here are several things to pack for Costa Rica, as well as a few items you mustn’t forget when planning your visit.

JUMP TO: 
That Time I Was Held Like A Prisoner In A USA Airport..
Costa Rica Itinerary 7 Days – The Road Trip Everyone Needs To Go On

What To Pack For Costa Rica

What to wear in Costa Rica – Clothing

After reaching Costa Rica, you have to make sure you have everything you need while you’re staying there, and your biggest concern will be – what clothes to pack for your Costa Rica trip?

This place is known for unpredictable weather and even though it has two seasons – the cold, rainy, winter season lasts from May to November, and the hot, dry, summer season is from December to April – things can change in a matter of minutes. This means you have to be ready for everything and bring lots of clothes with you.

When it comes to choosing the perfect pieces of clothes for Costa Rica and all of its adventurous places, you need to remember one thing – less is more!

This means that you should focus on bringing as many casual pieces as you can – shorts, pants, skirts, blouses, T-shirts and light jackets will be quite enough for your trip and you’re going to have a blast enjoying the nice weather in Costa Rica.

This is the case if you go there during the summer season, of course, but if you decide to go for the alternative solution, don’t worry: winters in Costa Rica aren’t cold, but they’re wet, which means you have to bring clothes that are able to dry really fast.

This means the majority of the pieces you’re packing have to be made from cotton and other natural materials that don’t cause you to sweat and that will be dry in a heartbeat even if you get wet.

Speaking of getting wet, a rain jacket is a must. I prefer rain jackets to umbrellas because having to carry an umbrella while hiking through a forest is going to be a burden. Imagine getting your brolly all caught up with the canopy above you.

Costa Rica is synonymous with gorgeous beaches. You definitely have to equip yourself with a beach packing list, and so things like swimwear, beach towel and quick-dry towel are what you have to pack for Costa Rica.  

What to wear in Costa Rica – Shoes

When it comes to your shoes, you have to keep in mind that Costa Rica is full of places you need to visit and amazing restaurants you have to check out, which means you’re going to be walking all day long.

This is why high heels and brand new sneakers might not be the best way to go – instead, stick to simple solutions like sandals, hiking shoes, and running shoes that’ll work well whether you’re hiking in the rainforest or doing a city tour in San Jose. 

Finally, don’t forget your favourite flip-flops if you want to spend your time at the beach every single day!

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Personal items

After you’ve figured out what to wear in Costa Rica, there’s another issue you have to take care of when – what are some of your personal items you’re going to bring with you?

First of all, check your passport, and don’t be afraid to repeat that process over and over again. If you leave your home without a passport, you can always go back and collect it, but once you reach the airport and start talking to an official, not having a passport might set you back and you could miss your flight.

If you don’t want to jeopardize your trip to Costa Rica because of such a technicality, pack your passport on time and triple-check it before heading towards the airport.

If you’re planning to rent a car, make sure you have an international driver’s license.

If you’re a student, you can often get student discounts on national parks throughout Costa Rica. So make sure to bring a student identification card!

Also, don’t forget those multi-purposeful items that are going to come in handy in lots of different situations – for example, a practical switchblade knife might help you do everything you need, from preparing your meals when you’re in the open to setting up your tent in the middle of a Costa Rica jungle.

Depending on whether you’re an avid animal or bird watcher, you’d want to also take along your binoculars. When I first started travelling, I never thought about it. But the more sightseeing I did, the more I found having a pair of binoculars helpful!

These things are always good to have by your side, but make sure you declare them at the airport and pack them properly because that way you won’t risk having your knife taken away from you.

I never travel without my trusty insulated Hydroflask bottle, which holds up hot and cold water for almost the whole day. I take it to waterfalls, hikes the beach… literally everywhere in Costa Rica!

Watch out for the sun! In a tropical climate, sunglasses and a cap are always a must. I never leave home without them.

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Bags

A dry bag is especially useful if you’re going to spend time at the beach or are doing water tours like white water rafting or waterfall-chasing. It keeps your belongings dry and salt-free!

I’ve found that having a hiking bag while visiting national parks in Costa Rica is especially useful for bringing along things like your water bottle, trail snacks, insect repellent, rain jacket and more. Pick one that’s packable, lightweight and water-resistant, especially those that can pack into the size of your palm!

If you’re staying in shared accommodation like hostels, you probably want to also carry a luggage lock to safeguard your belongings when you’re out and it’s unattended.

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Skincare

One of the problems some people may have when travelling to Costa Rica is its hot climate and the fact that this place might be too hot for some visitors.

This means that you need to pack some skincare products that will help you have the best time possible and prevent potential problems and issues with your sensitive skin.

This might not be at the top of your must-have list, but it’s still one of those things that are crucial for your overall experience and all those memories you’re going to bring back home.

So, when thinking about what to pack for Costa Rica first, start with a strong mosquito repellent that’s going to keep you safe and protected against all those nasty and boring flying creatures you’re going to see everywhere you go. You should stick to a product you normally use at home instead of trying something new and unknown.

Doctors in Costa Rica won’t have a problem in case something bad happens to you, but this will ruin your trip and cause you tons of stress you don’t need at all, so just go for products you’ve already used.

Also, don’t forget to bring tons of sunscreen with you as well! This is particularly important if you’re heading toward Costa Rica in the middle of the hot season because things might get hotter than you can imagine.

That’s why you should bring sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, depending on your skin and the problems you may be experiencing under the sun.

You might always want to talk to your doctor and hear their recommendation as well – this might not be your favourite thing in the world and you may have to invest a lot of time, energy, and patience doing that, but when it comes to protecting your health, these are the things you simply have to do.

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Money

Finally, even though this might seem like the oldest tip in the world, you should think about the money you’re bringing with you and how you’re going to deal with it.

Lots of people don’t like carrying cash with them when they’re travelling, even though this is the easiest way to handle your transactions whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re going. From bars and restaurants to supermarkets and other stores, paying in cash is a quick way to pay for your purchases and continue with your day.

However, if you’re not a fan of taking cash with you and having to count it over and over again just to make sure that you haven’t lost some of your money, you should take your debit and credit cards with you instead.

I highly, highly recommend Wise. It’s a multi-currency debit card that acts as a debit card and Paypal all in one. When you spend with Wise in the local currency, you don’t get charged extra fees like you do if you use a credit card.

Also, as someone who works remotely and receives payment from all over the world, it allows me to be paid in the client’s local currency while also not losing out on the exorbitant fees that Paypal charges.

Get fee-free transfer of up to 500 GBP here.

This is the simplest solution out there and just as quick and easy as using cash, but you have to make certain you don’t lose your bank cards while you’re travelling.

If your bank is present in Costa Rica, you may be able to solve the problem in case that happens and retrieve your money, but if that’s not the case, you could lose all your cash, and that’s never a good way to spend your trip. So, keep your wallet by your side and try to avoid getting robbed!

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Medications

Speaking of doctors and their orders, this is another thing you can’t forget when packing for Costa Rica. Your medications might come in very handy in different scenarios and could end up saving your life in the long run, so don’t forget to bring all those things you may need in the middle of this amazing country.

When it comes to these things, there are 2 groups of medications you need to take with you – the medicines you’re already taking every single day, and the items that are perfected for all those travelling enthusiasts around the world.

The medication you’re taking all the time includes the items prescribed by your doctor and these are the things that will protect your health and save your life while you’re in Costa Rica. This is particularly the case for all those patients suffering from all those diseases that affect their liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, glands, and other organs in their bodies.

Again, before you hit the road, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor and make sure you have all your medications with you.

When speaking about the second group of items, you should pack medicine that might help you deal with simple viruses, cold, flu, allergies, muscle pain, toothache, diarrhoea, and other simple problems that might be solved in a matter of hours.

You should also keep a look out for the kinds of travel vaccinations required for the countries you’re intending to visit.

In case none of these helps you, you should visit a local doctor in Costa Rica, which is why you need to get your travel and medical insurance certificate before you go and make sure you know where it is at all times. For long-term travellers, I always recommend Safetywing for its affordable, long-term cost.

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Cameras, batteries, e-book readers

Since visiting Costa Rica will probably turn into one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do in your life, you need to capture every moment of this experience and keep it in your memory for as long as you can.

But, if you’re not a fan of doing that, you can simply take your camera with you, taking as many photos and recording as many videos as you can.

This can be done with your phone, especially if you have one of those new models that come with high-quality cameras, but if that’s not the case, you can always take your camera with you.

Of course, that means you’ll have to pack your camera bags and cases as well, and don’t forget your favourite lenses either because this is the way to take the best photos and make the most of your visit to Costa Rica.

If you’re a fan of taking photos, you’re going to need to pack tons of batteries too, together with your battery charger, because that might be much cheaper and simpler than buying batteries when you get there.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you may need a travel adapter to make sure your battery charger is actually working and that you can charge it once you reach Costa Rica. Luckily, these adapters are easy to find even after you get there, so if you don’t have one, don’t buy it now – do it in Costa Rica, and don’t be afraid to ask the local salespeople to help you find the right model.

Finally, if you’re not in love with photography and recording videos, you might consider taking your e-book reader to you when packing to Costa Rica.

Even though lots of people are still packing books when preparing to hit the road, stuffing your bags and suitcases with books might not be the best idea in the world – not only are books surprisingly heavy, but this also means that you won’t have enough room for your clothes and all your other essential items.

But, if you opt for an e-book reader, you can take thousands of books with you in just one handy little device, and enjoy reading whenever you want! This is a great way to relax after a long and tiring day of sightseeing or hiking, and reading might help you learn more about the local culture and the people around you.

Things to pack for Costa Rica – Your phone

This is something we all have with us no matter what we’re doing – even when going to the toilet or taking a shower – but you’d be surprised to hear how often people forget their phones when travelling.

This is something that happens unwillingly and nobody is happy to go through the troubles of getting their phone back, but since this is the most important piece of equipment you’re going to need whenever you’re going to a foreign country!

This isn’t just a way to stay in touch with your family and friends, but your phone is your navigator, your stopwatch, your camera, your calculator, and your wallet – all packed in one handy little device. This is why you have to make sure it’s always with you, so keep it in your pocket or in a bag that’s always in your hand.

Some of the other things you’ll have to think of are all those accessories that come with your phone – your charger, your headphones, and your protective equipment. These are the things you use at home every single day, so don’t forget them when packing for your trip to Costa Rica.

If you’re planning on doing water activities, then throw in a waterproof phone casing into your Costa Rica packing list.

And if you pack all of these things, you’ll make your trip even better and get back home with tons of memories you’ll share with your friends for months to come.

COVID-19 protection

Being a travelling enthusiast hasn’t been easy during the past two years, and the fact is that lots of people simply gave up travelling because they felt that they won’t be able to enjoy it to the fullest anymore.

The global COVID-19 pandemic changed every single aspect of our lives, but what we managed to do is to adapt to these problems and reached different solutions and ideas that made us safe and that helped us enjoy travelling once again.

However, even though the health situation in Costa Rica at the moment is quite fine as there are fewer cases of COVID-19 right now than there were just a few months ago.

So, when you’re thinking about what to bring to Costa Rica, you should think about your COVID-19 protection and make sure you have all you need to remain safe and healthy while you’re there. You need to learn as much as you can about COVID-19 in Costa Rica before you leave your home, and then act accordingly.

First, check your vaccination and keep in mind that you’ll be able to enter Costa Rica if you’re not vaccinated. In addition to that, don’t forget to bring as many face masks, hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes as you can – you’re going to need these from the moment you enter your plane till you get home safely, so bring your own items and don’t share them with anyone else.

Costa Rica Packing List: A Summary

In summary, bookmark or save this list of what to bring to Costa Rica below:

1. Shorts, Pants, Skirts, Blouses, T-shirts and Light jackets
2. Rain jacket
3. Swimwear
4. Beach towel
5. Quick-dry towel
6. Sandals
7. Hiking shoes
8. Running shoes
9. Flip-flops
10. Switchblade knife
11. Binoculars
12. Insulated bottle
13. Sunglasses
14. Cap 
15. Mosquito repellent 
16. Sunscreen
17. Waterproof phone casing
18. Camera 
19. Camera lens
20. Camera bag
21. Extra batteries
22. Extra SD cards
23. Battery charger
24. Travel adapter
25. E-book reader 
26. Dry bag 
27. Hiking bag 
28. Luggage lock 
29. Disposable face masks
30. Hand sanitisers 
31. Disinfectant wipes
32. Passport
33. International driver’s license
34. Multi-currency card
35. Medication
36. Safetywing

---

With that, I hope you’ve got a better idea of what to bring to Costa Rica with this Costa Rica packing list!

These aren’t all the things you’re going to need in Costa Rica but are the most important ones, so don’t wait any longer – start looking for a plane ticket, book your flight, get your suitcase, and start packing today!