i am going on a Caravan tour to Costa Rica in May 2012. i am looking for advice from those who may have done this tour. what should i be prepared for, any special suggestions, what type of clothing to pack? any thoughts would be appreciated

onebag.com mdtravelhealth.com CR bug spray medical kit
for tummy troubles cutteradvanced.com no AC in some caravan.com rooms.Layers rain jacket with hood light GoreTex hikers for mud trails several pair of GoreTex socks/ Trip Cover cheap wise independent for me columbusdirect.com quotewright.com . Review travel.state.gov for a heads up on safety scams. It is a wonderful country odds are good you will have a great time.

Have fun!

Where are you going on your tour? I'd say that what you pack depends on what areas you're visiting. I usually pack shorts, t-shirts, bathing suit, capris, one pair of long pants, a rain poncho, and a fleece jacket and sweatshirt if I'm going somewhere cool like Monteverde. I also bring a pair of running shoes, a pair of flip flops, and a pair of quick dry water shoes like Keen's. Also bug spray and my own pair of binoculars. You can bring a sundress or casual skirt if you want to, but CR for the most part is very casual.

From our experience in Arenal/La Fortuna and Manual Antonio, comfortable, sturdy sandals or shoes are necessary. Both areas has some very hilly places, and also some very gravely streets w/o any sidewalks.

i will be in san jose, tortuguero park, fortuna and guanacaste

You will get up early and come late to your hotel room. To get ready faster, pack your clothes so you can get to them easily, maybe even a set of undies and a t-shirt for every day in a separate plastic bag.

Do you bring enough clothes, or need laundry on the way? You can do a quick wash in the sink - you may need a universal sink stopper for that. Was your things only if you stay in the hotel 2 nights or more - if only overnight, clothes may not have enough time to dry.

Not all hotels may provide shampoo. Any cosmetics (sunblock!!), medicine you might need, bring them. You don't want to look for a pharmacy while the group is doing something else.

Ask others from your group to take your photo, and you will take theirs. You don't want to come home to see only places on your photos. Remember to take photos in different clothes, or you will look like you wore one shirt every day

Costa Rica lives and works on her own time. Don't expect activities and meals be always on schedule. Have snacks with you, just in case. Are you a coffee drinker? Normally in Costa Rica coffee is only for breakfast, not lunch or dinner.

I traveled with a different group, but I saw Caravan (and traveled with Caravan to Mexico) - you will have fun! It's a good travel provider.

Make sure to bring binocs, insect repellent, extra batteries and memory cards for your camera. Do not pack heavy denim blue jeans, but lightweight, quick drying clothes. You can get the zipoff pants that can be worn as shorts or long pants.

You'll have a great time!

Washcloth. Lots of places don't provide them. There's a great product that I stocked up on, Purex 3-in-1 (dry) laundry washing sheets. (Cut them in half for washing smaller loads in basins.)They weight nothing, smell good, and don't leak!