mccarty33

I've read some of the packing advice on this and other sites, and my wife and I have followed the advice of packing quick-dry clothes, sport sandals, sunscreen, and bug spray. We'll be in Costa Rica (La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio) from late May to early June for a total of 10 days. We were wondering about packing strategies--not so much what to pack, but how much to pack. We get one checked bag free through our airline, and we were planning to each carry-on a backpack on the flight. Since we will be bringing two different types of shoes, bug spray, flashlights, etc., I'm starting to think there won't be a ton of room for 10 full days of clothes between the two of us (I'm assuming my wife will have most of the suitcase anyway . And, I'm not excited about lugging around several bags throughout our travels.

I noticed that our hotel in Arenal/La Fortuna has a laundry service and that there are some smaller laundry services in La Fortuna (and Manuel Antonio??). Do you recommend packing for a full 10 days, or packing for about 5 days and planning to do laundry while you're there? Has anyone used a private laundry mat or laundry service in La Fortuna with any luck? The plan would be to pack 5 days of clothes and wash them right before we leave La Fortuna and head to Manuel Antonio with clean clothes.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

tully

You'd be surprised how much you can pack and still keep it reasonable. Myself, I just finished packing for 15 days, am leaving on Thursday. That puts me, with a duffle bag, at 23 lbs, with a whole heck of a lot of stuff to be honest. That's 8 pr of shorts, 1 pr of capris, 1 sundress, 1 sarong, 9 shirts, a pr of crocs & a pr of hiking shoes. Not to mention all the other stuff - bug spray, camera, advil, shampoo, socks etc. I find packing cubes (from ebags) most helpful, they help me keep in line so to speak and keep everything so nice and neat. You certainly will have laundry available, easiest way thru your hotel although that can add up money-wise. Though since you'll only need 10 days of clothes (think t-shirts and shorts) I would think you should have no problem fitting that into 1 bag. Maybe do a trial run and see?

Cattail

I agree with you, mccarty. Whenever possible, we pack super-light,as we hate lugging around luggage also. Usually not even a check-in bag. We wash clothes or have them washed, and buy essentials along the way. It's amazing how much you think you can't live without, you don't even miss! Wear your bulkiest clothing and shoes on the plane.

If your hotel offers laundry service, that's perfect, as it won't take time away from your vacation. Just remember that it will likely take a day for them to wash and dry the clothes. I have no experience with laundrymats in La Fortuna, sorry.

Remember too, that you're likely to pick up articles of clothing along the way - and it's not so bad to have an excuse to buy a cool t-shirt (spoken from the female perspective)!

hopefulist

I usually travel to CA every summer for 3 or 4 weeks at a time; this summer it will be more than 6 weeks and I pack in a carry-on sized conversion pack (straps tuck away if I want to carry it like a suitcase or check it on the way home. I try to start with less than 20 pounds and that includes a fleece jacket, lightweight rain coat, snorkel, mask, and fins, camera stuff, Spanish study stuff, and a lightweight netbook plus my clothes. I pack great quality sun block and bug stuff and some 1st aid creams in my ziplock and buy tpaste, shampoo, etc. when the little samples I pack run out.

Check out www.onebag.com and, if you're interested, my CA packing list below (#14). Happy trails!
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...hreadID=828622

suze

My experience is Mexico not Costa Rica, but I definitely don't pack enough for every single day. I do some hand laundry &/or drop clothes off at a laundry service halfway thru the trip.

I pack in one 24" rolling duffle bag that weighs around 25-27 lbs. packed, plus a medium sized tote bag as carryon for the plane, that doubles as a beach bag after arrival.

hopefulist

In case anyone's interested, REI has their terrific Vagabond travel pack on sale right now for 35% off - $90 instead of $140:
http://www.rei.com/product/830286/re...ck-special-buy

colibri

Mccarty - I'm just back from 9 nights in CR, kept it very light for Nature Air - 25 lbs. for checked and 10 lbs for carryon backpack.

I did hand laundry and had no problem w/ clothes drying - just the start of rainy season, so loads of sunshine. I'd pack enough for 1/2 of your trip, have had laundry done at lodges on past trips - they are folded much nicer than when I do it!

As others have said, you'll be amazed at how much you can stuff into one bag.

volcanogirl

I used to be a notorious overpacker, but now I can usually get everything I need under 25 pounds. I think you can do it. It's also easy to get laundry done at hotels, and they usually do a good job. I'd recommend throwing in a couple of plastic bags in case you get rained on and your stuff doesn't dry out. I had a pair of running shoes in Monteverde that were wet for our entire trip.

mccarty33

Thanks for the information, everyone! This was really helpful!