Going to Costa Rica for 3 months - Jan to Mar. What is a bug repellent that actually works on the bugs down there?

I honestly use more bug repellent here in FL than I did in all trips to CR. I usually take Off Deep Woods with deet and never had any issues. Some say Avon Skin So Soft works well with bugs but my first trip I ended up pouring it out as the smell made me nauseous.

I'd say if you're gonna be there 3 months, just buy some there.

I haven't been to CR, but in Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala we've had great success with the Controlled Release product listed here:

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/sawyer...lent/index.htm

It's hard to predict what areas will be mozzie free and which will be full of the critters, so it's nice to have something effective within easy reach.

Happy trails!

Cutter Advanced w/Picaridin, very effective, comes in a tiny spray bottle that you can keep in a pocket. We used this during our trip in August (which included Tortuguero) and the bugs stayed away. We also wore hats treated with repellent from Ex-Officio that may have helped, too.

I use Sawyer time released lotion w/ deet, but except for a trip to Puerto Viejo in rainy season, I've rarely needed it.

Sandy

We were there in Feb-March on the west coast and brought Deet. We were in the rainforest, cloudforest, and on the beach as well as in San Jose during our 3 week stay. We only encountered biting insects once at the Bahia Drake Aerodrome sitting in the shelter waiting for a late plane. Nasty little no-see-ems that left us covered in red bites before we found the Deet.

We have used 3M's Ultrathon (DEET)world wide.
M

Avon Skin So Soft!
dont buy the local product ÒFF`it doesnt work!

In the Belize rainforest, we used one from the camping section of Wal-Mart. Can't think of the brand but it was a Outdoor Sportsman, is in a green can, and was 29 Deet. I got the small cans of it - very convenient to carry while hiking.

We found that 3 M's Ultrathon was the best.

Definitely bring repellent from the US and a lot of it. I also suggest bringing a mosquito net that's been treated with repellent. It sounds like overkill but my fiance contracted malaria in costa rica so I suggest taking a ton of it with you. We got the good stuff from REI- Sawyer I think- it was good but it didn't last long and we had to buy Off which was way overpriced. I like Skin So Soft because they come in huge bottles but wouldn't imagine it would be strong enough. By the way, the bugs were worst in Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula.

Good luck.

Sukiduper--Did your fiance get malaria in CR recently? What area did he travel to?