Costa Rica packing list
Checklist for your suitcase to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a typical backpacker destination, and you see backpacks everywhere. Depending on how you plan your trip, you might find a backpack more suitable than a suitcase.
When it comes to the things that go into your suitcase, it all comes down to the things you wanna do. If you only go for a week of surf retreat to Costa Rica, you don’t need many clothes at all. If you’re travelling from Monteverde to the coast, you want warm clothes and summer outfits.
Here’s a list of things that Charlie found most useful for Costa Rica.
Outdoor and hiking equipment
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Water shoes or reef boots
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella (also used as sun protection)
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (ideally with UV protection)
- Lightweight long hiking trousers
- Shorts
- Quick dry clothes
- Rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Insect repellent
For anything you bring, you should be okay with these things getting dirty and wet.
Surfing
- Long-sleeve rash vest or swimsuit
- Light-weight leggings
- Optional reef boots (there are some rocks, barefoot is fine)
- Zinc sunscreen for the face
- Surf hat
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Lip balm with SPF
- Beach towel
- Swimwear
Cosmetics and Medicine
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Bug bite relief or Cortisone cream
- Allergy meds
- Motion sickness meds
- Prescription medicine
- Contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium tablets
- Pain killers
- Small laundry gel for hand wash
Other useful things
- Inflatable travel pillow
- Shoe bags
- Ziplock bags
- Dry bag
- Waterproof pouch for phone
- Laundry bag
- Flashlight
- Combination lock
- Bum bag/small day backpack
- Refillable water bottle
What you really need depends on your route through Costa Rica and the activities you’d like to do. There are different microclimates, and the weather and temperatures can vary greatly. It is recommended that you check the climate of the places you visit before you travel.
If you’re travelling through the country, a backpack is easier to carry around (e.g. in buses and boats) than a suitcase and try to pack as light as you can. The humidity is high in Costa Rica (even more during the rainy season between April and November) and clothes can catch mould too. Only bring the things you really need and can take care of during your stay. You also find laundry services in every town. If you bring them your clothes in the morning, you can get them back the same day.
