Costa Rica May 1 - 11: Packin'
 

Hi Fodors forum!

My wife and I are headed to our honeymoon to Costa Rica from May 1 - 11. We're spending our time in Arenal (at the lost iguana) and the Oso Penninsula (at bosque del cabo). Our activities are not set, but we plan on getting our fill of hiking, zip lining, rafting repelling, etc.

Regarding attire/things to pack, if anyone has guidance, we'd be appreciative. For example, are hiking boots a must? Will we need to bring insect repellant? Should we bring an umbrella? raincoats?...or just get wet! Will we be wearing mostly shorts or jeans?

thank you!

Congratulations! I can't offer advice specific to that area but I have a few bits that might help. I'd avoid jeans - heavy and hot and take forever to dry. I like to take fabrics that "wick": shirts (short and long-sleeved), long pants that zip off to shorts, even socks and underwear. My best advice is to pack really light (just a loosely filled carry-on each). My CA packing list and another helpful site are linked below. Happy trails!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...2&tstart=0
www.onebag.com

Exciting getting so close isn't it? Leaving myself the 2nd, will be at Bosque 10th-15th.

I really wouldn't bring jeans, they are heavy and will get a dampness to them, especially at BdC. Nor an umbrella, if you have a light rain jacket or poncho though would be great. Btw, Bosque provides umbrellas. Personally I love my hiking shoes (not boots) they are basically a tennis shoe with better traction. I also bring a pair of flip-flops and a pair of water shoes (Salomon Techs). You can bring brung spray or buy it there but it's a must have, just in case.

Not sure where you're from, but pack as if you were going to walk around somewhere in Florida in summertime :) I would avoid geavt cottons or anything with a thick material. T-shorts, tanks, shorts etc. Bring clothespins so you can attempt ;) to dry things.

Have a great time!

You're going to have a great time and you're leaving really soon! How exciting! Congratulations on your wedding as well!

As far as packing, we were there about the same dates last year and in Arenal and also Bosque del Cabo. Definitely - you don't want to bring jeans. It's too humid and they weigh too much, I assume you're taking a domestic flight to BDC? We mostly wore shorts, although it does get cooler at night, and sometimes capri pants and a light jacket were necessary, in Arenal. My husband like the pants that zip off into shorts. That way he had less to pack and could have pants or shorts depending on the weather. We didn't pack or need hiking boots for any of the hiking we did. Both of us wore Keens and they worked really well. They dry fast if you should get wet in the rain, which you may :) and also if you walk through some small streams. You really don't want to pack an umbrella either. I think BDC has umbrellas in their reception area, I'm not sure, but many of the hotels seemed to have them available for the guests. We didn't use any while we were there, but just had hooded jackets or ponchos. We packed bug spray, but other than the night hike at BDC, we really weren't bothered by any bugs. We rarely needed it. I like the bug repellant wipes.

Have a great honeymoon!!! You're going to two wonderful areas!

Oops - forgot to say my list is #15 on the Thorntree FAQ thread.

Well if you want to do all the things you've listed, then you will need the hiking boots and insect repellant. And you never know when it is going to rain. A rain coat is better when you are caught outside during the activities but if you are just going for dinner in the evening, then an umbrella will suffice. It won't rain as much as during the wet season. As for shorts or long pants - if you are the kind that attracts mosquitos like me, I would cover up as much as possible. I just need one mosqito bite to make me miserable. We took light cargo pants with us which could zip off into shorts when it was too hot. Just remember it is a tropical climate - hot in the day and cool in the evening. Jeans would be ok for the evening.

Won't be long now! I know you must be getting excited. First a wedding and then a wonderful honeymoon.

Costa Rica is very casual. Shorts, capris are what you will be wearing mostly. Have a long sleeved shirt for the Arenal area just in case. I have needed a little extra there on some trips. Other trips were really warm. I like to put a casual sundress on in the evenings sometimes after showering or even a skirt. It just feels good to me after hiking. Not a must do. Hiking boots are way too heavy for most people down there. Running shoes are just fine if they have good traction. Old ones even better if you will be getting into mud. If you got some bed linens for your wedding shower, take them out of the zippered plastic bag if they came in one and bring a couple to keep the dirty shoes in. Have a pair of shoes or two to change into after hiking. Sandals are fine for around town and your lodges. Even a pair of cheap plastic thongs are fine. Lots of pretty ones out there too and don't take up much room.

Throw a couple of spare ziplock bags into your suitcase. A couple of larger plastic bags as well for damp or just dirty clothes. Try to take the clothes out and dry them so they don't mildew. I would only keep them in the plastic for transport purposes. A couple of small packages of tissues.

Insect repellant....yes, and use it if there are bugs around.

Lots of sunscreen. Even for cloudy days.

Don't forget a couple of small flashlights. They will come in handy at Bosque del Cabo.

Small packable rain jackets or even a couple of cheap ponchos are fine.
Jeans are a no no as they just won't dry. It always seems strange to me to say that because the Costa Rican men wear them all the time but for traveling they aren't a good idea.

Last but not least a couple of pens and a notebook so you can come back and tell us all about the trip.

The best things I packed for Bosque del Cabo were: quick dry socks, a little bit of laundry soap, a thin rope for a clothesline, and clothespins. Also, an idea that came from one of the regulars on this forum (sorry, can't remember who): a bandana - great for wetting in the cool streams, then tying around my neck to keep me cool.

Congratulations! You will have an awesome honeymoon.

Hi, t - congrats on your wedding! We've stayed at both the spots you're going to and loved them. Most places in CR supply umbrellas; I remember that the Lost Iguana does, so I'd just pack one of those lightweight rain ponchos. We got some of those cheap ones that fold up into a little pouch and used them. Much more practical than an umbrella. We didn't have hiking shoes/boots - just wore good running shoes and Keen's. We packed insect repellent and sunscreen. As far as clothing, shorts and capris with t-shirts, and one long-sleeved top, bathing suits - no jeans, too hot and heavy. Have fun!

Felicidades y buen viaje!

tdrucker -

We'll be there at the exact same time. We're going May 1 - 10, staying in Arenal first, then moving to BdC during the last four days of our trip. Sounds like we'll see you there!

As far as what we're packing, we got heavy duty DEET from REI (98%), Salomon techamphibians for hiking footwear, we're bringing water resistant hooded jackets. NO denim, but bringing khaki shorts, lightweight capris (for me, the woman), and some "workout" type clothing with mesh wicking material. I'm also bringing a pair of flops, bathing suits and cover ups, and a lightweight dress/skirt for evening.

Another - absolutely no jeans.

To add to your list:

Benadryl tablets - (the one time I did not take them, I had a reaction to something!, husband had to go knocking on doors to find some)

Extra batteries for your camera - very expensive and hard to find in the Osa and recharging was almost impossible.

Icy Hot Patches - for that very sore muscle

Wash Cloths - I carry a few of the really thin cheap ones. Don't read this much, but I really want a wash cloth!

We stayed at both the Lost Iguana and Bosque del Cabo as well -- you're going to have a great trip!

We mostly wore T-shirts, shorts and Keens/Tevas. Regular cotton T-shirts were fine though my son prefers the quick-dry ones. We wore lightweight long sleeves a few days in Arenal. I took a sarong and it worked great as a bathrobe.

Lost Iguana provides hair dryers while you can't use them at BdC, so no need to bring one.

BdC doesn't have any clocks in their cabinas so you may want to bring a small travel clock.

Small flashlights are strongly suggested; bring one for each person.

A lightweight backpack for BdC was really handy. If you do either of the beach hikes, you'll want to take water, maybe a snack, sunblock, towels, etc.

We brought repellent and sunblock but both are readily available in CR. If you're only bringing carry-ons and are limited for container sizes, you can certainly plan to purchase larger bottles there.

I may be the one who mentioned the bandana. They work great for hot hikes and are automatic for me when packing.

I have a travel box that has nothing but the useful things that I must have like flashlights, travel clock, wash cloths, tissue packets, bug spray, etc. I makes packing so quick and easy and I can tell right away if I am out of something.

Sarongs can double as a skirt or a beach blanket. They are light and dry quickly.

Donna, I am with you on the wash cloths. I always pack a few really cheap ones. We have used them for ourselves and for cleaning muddy shoes.

I vote for the Solomon techs too. They are so comfortable for hiking when worn with a really super thin footie.

Hi Forum Members!
This is the wife of "tdrucker" and I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your wonderful, and helpful advice.

I was excited about our trip before, but after reading all of your posts, I'm really stoked!!!!

One last question has come up for me. I have a CamelBak that I often use for hiking. Will there be a place for filling it up? Or should I just bring a fanny pack and carry a water bottle(which is easier to fill up but not as helpful as a camelbak)?

Thanks so much for all of your help!!!!

Hi, rene - at BdC, you can't drink the water in the cabins, but they have a spout at the bar where you can fill up anything you want.

I drank from the cabin taps :o - I was doing an experiment :D But yeah, they always have a huge water jug ready for filling. I just buy one bottle of water and keep refilling it. I have a small backpack with mesh holders on the side to make it easily accessible. Have a great trip!

The water at the bar that you can use is purified for drinking. I use the tap water all the time for brushing my teeth and have had no problems.

If you are used to the camel bak then bring it. I have often thought about buying one for hiking down there. I use a fanny pack with 2 bottle holders now. It comes in handy for hauling bug spray and sun screen as well as other things.

tully, you rebel!

We used cabin water to brush our teeth too with no issues. For drinking, we just refilled our water bottles at the bar like everyone else.

The only sign I have ever seen that said the water wasn't potable was atop Irazu Volcano. Anywhere else, we drink away.

We, too, had great luck with the bandanas. About a year ago, we went with 6 others and I bought a bandana for everyone. In March, they came in VERY handy! I was there again in July and didn't need that extra bit of coolness at all. The air was great--cool and breezy.

I've gotta admit I frequently wear my favorite pair of capri jeans (not heavy, but jeans) on the plane. I also wear them when in the central valley area, in and around San Jose.