Hi,

My fiance and I are going on our honeymoon to Costa Rica (Jaco and San Jose areas with a LOT of driving around on day trips). Please tell us what we should pack, such as that laminated map everyone keeps talking about and Deet spray... List everything you were glad you packed and what you wish you had brought with you but didn't.

Also, any advice you have on making a 10-day Honeymoon at Villa Caletas and Vista Del Valle a smashing success? I'm really nervous as this is the first trip I have ever planned on my own (fiance was NOT helpful at all!) outside the US and I want us to have fun

Thanks,

Alina.

First of all congratulations! I am sure your honeymoon will be great. Here is my list of things to pack that we were glad to have:
- flashlight
- scented travel candles
- unless you speak good Spanish, a small dictionary and/or a phrasebook
- mosquito coil (we used it all the time when sitting out on the balcony or terrace in the evening)
- lots of sunblock and a hat (and aloe vera gel for sunburn)
- USD in small denominations for tips
- waterproof watch

Have a great trip!

Calculator.
Camelbak - especially if you're going hiking/horseback riding.
Sandals with heel straps.
Spare contact lenses / glasses.

I also strongly recommend using the SEARCH THIS FORUM to locate the several threads which address this identical issue.

Hi,
We just returned from Costa Rica on Monday. There were actually only two items that I wished I had taken with me besides the other often mentioned items on this site. Those items were washcloths and paper towels! I bought both after we got to Costa Rica. Hope you have a wonderful honeymoon! Carol

Iza, are mosquito coils cheap and easy to find in Costa Rica, or is it better to buy them in the USA? Where did you buy yours?

Haven't seen those coils since we were in the Caribbean 20 years ago and the bugs feasted on my little son's face. Not sure whether they were mosquitoes or some kind of flies. He looked like he had the measles, but it was bugs, the locals explained! The mosquito coils fixed the problem.

They sell mosquito coils at the ubiquitous WalMart. I believe they are about $3 and they are definitely small enough to fit in a backpack. Well worth it!

Don't forget to bring anti-itch cream (for all the bug bites you will get) and a pack a ball point pen in your purse so you can fill out immigration papers quickly.

Have fun and congrats!!

Things I was glad I had: Lysol Spray, Febreeze spray, travel pack of baby wipes (no, we didn't have a baby with us but they are great for cleanups), travel pack of Ponds makeup remover wipes, a scented candle (although the hotel provided those in the room and bathroom),travel alarm, travel pack of Woolite for handwashables. Nothing earthshaking on this list, but all was good to have along. Best of luck!

I love It !! Truly curious though , what on earth did u use the febreeze and lysol on ..... or dare I ask !! lol . ( hubby uses febreeze the odd time on stinky sandals ... lol ) Faith .

Benadryl - in the event of an alergic reaction - this year was the first time I forgot it and the only time I needed it.

Icy Hot Patches - come in handy for those tired, achy, strained muscles.

Koozie cup - drinks get hot real fast

And I never go anywhere without my insulated coffee cup. Now I want my drink hot!!

Sarong - either take or buy there, great obviously for beach wear, but doubles for beach towel or beach blanket.

Binoculars
Small Flashlight
Ziplock bags
Extra Batteries for your camera
2nd that washcloth suggestion
Travel Journal or at least a little notebook to jot down everything

Ok and I have to add - try the Deet before you travel, if you have never used it.

It is always nerve racking to plan a trip, especially on top of planning a wedding. Just go and enjoy.

I love using different sizes of zip-lock bags to hold my little pharmacy and beach kit .... we take band-aids , polysporin (eye and topical ) , tylenol , benadryl , immodium , gravol , afterbite lotions , Off Botanicals ,and just the Kids Off with 6% deet , lots of sunscreen, a bit of laundry soap in a zip with a few clothes pins , wet-ones , a couple of back-packs with lots of pockets I would not do without ..... We use them aS our carry-ons then our beach packs etc. Oh !! Health , protein bars for snacks .... Faith .

We went on one of those canopy tours and I ended up getting mud on my shirt/shorts (couldn't get it out). So if you're going on one of those tours where you ride zip lines between the trees, you should probably wear something you don't really care about. Other than that, binoculars, mosquito repellant and comfy shoes. Have fun!

2 main things pop into mind right away...bug spray and breathable, light clothing-long pants and long sleeves, that could get wet and dry quickly and are comfortable and not too hot. And at that time I didn't have a good camera, I would bring one of those now too.

I second the snacks and mini-pharmacy that faithie mentioned. Many times we were saved from going hungry in Belize by our snacks (trail mix, protein bars, chips, etc). Came in especially handy for those times when dinner was at a set time and we wanted a little snack between lunch and dinner. The mini-pharmacy may sound like it would take up a lot of space but many things you can take out of their containers and only take as much as you think you need (I didn't take 100 band-aids ). Instead of a bottle of alcohol I took individual alcohol swabs.