I pretty much live in Keens. ;) I sometimes also bring low or mid-rise hiking boots (Gortex if wet season)since we hike a lot, and flip-flops.

hope, my hubby's binos aren't super-small, but they are very lightweight. Mine are excellent, but noticably heavier. I'm rooting for you on spying that quetzal.

Wow! This is some really, really great info, especially the suggestion re the specific brand of binoculars --thanks Hope!! I feel so much better now...Can't wait til June!

I was uncomfortable in the simple rain jacket that I took along. It didn't breathe and I was just as wet from the sweat that gathered underneath as I would have been if I hadn't put it on! I wore my keens 98% of the time of the two weeks that we were in CR, no problems to speak of, Best of luck! On a side note, my Father took older good quality binos on the trip and they got condensation in them rendering them useless...

We tuck dessicant (sp?) packs in both our camera case and binoculars case to help absorb the moisture. The packs are usually wet by the end of the trip.

I wouldn't recommend binoculars that aren't waterproof. Especially if it cools off at night or you have air conditioning, the 2nd you leave the room they'll gather condensation. Lots of waterproof options out there.

I live in Keen H20s, too - lovelovelove. They have great traction and fit my feet like good tennies, but dry quickly. Sometimes I wear them with light neoprene socks for sloppy hiking or at high elevation. (Disclaimer: I don't travel to CR but visit CA every summer.)