Costa Rica Packing List (18 Things You Might Forget to Bring)

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If you’re not sure what to pack for a trip to Costa Rica, don’t worry. I’m a flight attendant, A.K.A. a professional packer, and I’ve designed the perfect Costa Rica packing list for you.

Costa Rica boasts a myriad of outdoor wonders, so you want to prepare for exploration with all the right gear. This list includes everything from footwear to camera equipment and other essentials for Costa Rica’s amazing destinations. Time to check off these boxes!

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Travel Essentials for Costa Rica

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

Travel Backpack

I always opt for a backpack over a suitcase in Costa Rica. Getting around on wheels can be difficult in this rugged country, unless you plan to stay at a resort with bag service.

My Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite has carried me through Japan, France, and Albania, and it won’t falter any time soon. With this thing, I can pack for 10 days, including my laptop. It’s spacious and durable, and it fits in the overhead of any airplane (score on the budget airlines that try to get you on bag fees).

Check out Abigail’s full backpack review if you need more convincing!

Filtration Water Bottle

You need to stay hydrated in Costa Rica since it’s such an outdoorsy destination. Long hikes and beach days combined with harsh sun and hot weather mean you’ll need lots and lots of water.

The Grayl Filtration Bottle is my go-to when I travel out of the country. I also recommend this first on my Grand Canyon Packing List because it even makes river water safe to drink. It’s essential to have clean water when exerting yourself, so go eco-friendly with this incredible reusable filtration bottle.

Hiking Sandals

Hiking sandals are the way to go in Costa Rica. While hiking boots or shoes are also a great option, the amount of waterfall and ocean hikes that involve stepping in water makes these durable Teva sandals the winner for me. I wear them so much that I think I have a permanent Teva tan on my feet!

Trek through running water and cool off at the end of a gruelling hike without having to worry about soggy socks. These shoes stand the test while providing sturdy support for your feet. Try to break them in a bit before your first hike to avoid discomfort.

Bathing Suit

A bathing suit is a must in Costa Rica. You don’t want to show up unprepared for some of the best beaches and surfing in the world.

Jolyn is my go-to brand for any kind of athletic activity in the water. I used to wear this swimsuit during my lifeguarding days because it stays in place no matter what. This is the best suit for catching waves on those perfect Pacific beaches in Costa Rica. 

Insect Repellant

The tropical climate of Costa Rica makes it lush and beautiful, but it also means one thing is inevitable. Bugs. The humid weather makes the country the ideal breeding ground for mosquitos and other pesky insects hungry for your tasty skin.

Protect yourself with Medella Naturals super safe insect repellent made without harmful chemicals. This product is pricier than brands like OFF!, but it’s made with cleaner ingredients that repel more insects and are better for the planet.

Waterproof Camera

The beauty of Costa Rica demands to be photographed. And with so much to explore underwater, you should bring a waterproof camera to snap shots below the surface.

I take my GoPro HERO13 Black everywhere with me, especially when I plan on swimming or surfing. It’s super affordable (compared to large DSLR cameras) and it takes incredible 4K photos and videos. I love how easy it is to pack, too. I recommend this tiny-but-mighty camera over all other electronics for a trip to Costa Rica.

Daypack

A daypack is essential if you plan to do some exploring in Costa Rica (which, let’s be real, is the reason you’re going to Costa Rica). You need something trustworthy to carry your water bottle, camera, and other little necessities. 

Take along the Osprey Daylite Pack to carry all your essentials in Costa Rica. This day pack is comfortable, affordable, and fits a ton of stuff. It’s the perfect bag to bring along while you’re out hiking volcanoes, exploring Costa Rica’s national parks, or galloping seaside on horseback.

First Aid Kit

Even the littlest injuries can cause pain that takes away the focus from your travels in Costa Rica. 

Be proactive with this great little travel first aid kit from PTEROMY. It’ll come in handy for the smaller cuts and dings that need a bit of patchwork along the way.

Dry Bag

Costa Rica offers plenty of damp activities, in case you haven’t noticed. A dry bag keeps you from worrying about soaking your belongings when you’re wandering through the jungle landscapes.

Keep your things safe from dirt, waterfalls, bugs, and sweat with a HEETA dry bag. It also comes in handy when you need to pack a wet bathing suit for your travels home.

Reef Safe Sunscreen

The Costa Rican sun is no joke. If you’re not careful with your skin, you will burn after just a bit of exposure. Protect yourself on land and in the water with Blue Lizard’s reef safe sunscreen. I used this for the duration of my time in Costa Rica and I didn’t burn once! It’s my favorite brand on the market.

Snorkeling Gear

The snorkeling in Costa Rica is excellent. Local vendors know tourists rarely come prepared with their own gear, though, so equipment rentals can be pricey.

This affordable mask from DIPUKI will completely elevate your beach time in Costa Rica. Experience a vibrant underwater world full of brightly colored fish, stingrays, and crustaceans. You might even see dolphins if you’re lucky! Plus, this mask won’t take up a ton of space in your bag.

Portable Charger

You never know when you might need a charge while traveling. I always recommend this solar powered charger from Mregb because it’s virtually impossible to run out of juice (ahh the power of the sun) and it can charge multiple devices at once. Your phone and cameras will never die! Oh, and it has a cute little built-in flashlight in case you need it in the dark.

Travel Umbrella

The rainy season takes up over half the year in Costa Rica. Even outside of those months, Costa Rica’s tropical location lends to light showers on a sometimes daily basis. You may experience rain every day of your trip, depending on when and where you stay in Costa Rica. Keep dry with this packable travel umbrella from Trenovo.

Checklist of Other Costa Rica Essentials to Pack

• Passport
• Rain slicker
• Toothbrush
• Toiletries
• Hair ties
• Brush/comb
• Deodorant
• Aloe vera gel
• Sunglasses
• Wallet
• Scuba certification card (if planning to scuba dive)
• Hand sanitizer
• Phone charger
• Camera charger
• Ibuprofen
• Medications
• Airplane pillow
• Headphones
• Book(s)

Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a tropical country with little seasonal variety. There are only two seasons in Costa Rica – dry and rainy. Temperature-wise, it’s almost always warm. 

You want to stay cool and dry with casual and comfortable warm-weather clothing like shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, and sandals. A bathing suit is a must, as mentioned above. Here are some more basics to pack for your trip:

Beach Coverup

If you’re extra cautious about sun exposure, you should add a coverup to your beach bag. They’re lightweight, stylish, and help keep your skin from burning once you’re out of the water. This crocheted coverup is super flattering and perfect for wandering beach towns between ocean dips.

Rash Guard

One thing I almost always forget to bring to beach destinations is a rash guard, and I always pay for it later. This affordable rashguard from Body Glove is a must to prevent sunburn and irritation while you’re out there shredding the waves. Trust me, you’ll be super grateful you brought it after a long day of surfing!

Sun Hat

The trend for sun protection continues! Wear a protective hat during your outdoor jaunts around Costa Rica. I recommend one with UPF UV protection, like the ZOORON Sun Hat. This will keep you cool and protected from the hot sun. It also comes in a ton of different colors and costs under $10!

Hiking Shoes

Solid hiking shoes are very important for your trip if you plan to navigate the land on foot. As I mentioned before, I find sturdy hiking sandals are usually sufficient thanks to the amount of water-centric trails in the country.

But if you know you’re going to do some super heavy-duty hiking up volcanoes and the like, these hiking boots from Columbia are my recommendation for a successful summit. They’re a bit bulky, though, so you may want to wear them or tie them to the outside of your bag on the plane to save space on packing.

Bandana/Neck Gaiter

This is one you wouldn’t normally consider, but it’ll come in handy if you do any outdoor activities. ATVs, horseback riding, and hiking all involve kicking up a lot of dust. A bandana or gaiter around your neck like this Finvizo Neck Gaiter will save you from inhaling impurities along the way.

Other Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Costa Rica

So what clothing, shoes, and accessories should you pack for Costa Rica? Here is a quick clothing checklist: 

• 2-3 pairs of shorts
• 3-4 tank tops
• 2-3 sundresses
• 1-2 swimsuits
• 1 rashguard
• 1 beach coverup
• 1 sun hat
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of sneakers/hiking shoes
• 1 pair of water shoes
• 3-4 sports bras
• 7 pairs of underwear
• 4-6 t-shirts
• 3-4 pairs of socks
• 1-2 bandanas

Costa Rica Packing Tips

Prepare to get sweaty

Costa Rica is hot and humid year-round. Prepare for a sweaty awakening and bring items that will help you stay cool and comfortable.

Bring comfortable footwear

Parts of Costa Rica’s rugged landscape can only be explored on foot. Prioritize your feet by bringing high-quality hiking footwear and durable socks so you can go the distance.

Casual is the way to go

Costa Rica is a very casual country. While it’s fun to get dressed up for dinner one night of your trip, I don’t recommend bringing many head-turning outfits, heels, or flashy jewelry. The vibe is laidback and people don’t really care what you wear.

Find a laundromat so you can pack less

If you plan to be in Costa Rica for more than five days, look up a laundromat near your accommodations so you don’t have to pack 5+ sets of clean clothes. This will save space in your bag and lessen the hassle of packing.

Leave your valuables at home

I lock up my passport and big bills in my hotel room in Costa Rica. While I don’t feel it is a particularly unsafe country, I try to minimize losses by keeping a small amount of cash in a crossbody bag while out on the town or at the beach.

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🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

You’re now prepared to arrive in Costa Rica with all of the essentials and then some! For more ideas on what to pack for Costa Rica’s shores, see our complete beach packing list.