In Nov. I am going to Costa Rica to see birds and animals..so jungle not cities. Do I need boots? or will good traction Merrill Tennis shoes work? what about sandals? Water shoes? I have foot issues so not everything is comfortable for long walks. I've heard the trails are muddy and slippery, but maybe not in mid Nov? We will be in the mountains, and on the beach in the Carribean..any information would be helpful.

Bring what's comfortable and more than one kind so you have a choice and make the call depending on conditions. This applies everywhere there's a question.

I always bring a pair of running shoes, a pair of waterproof quick dry Keen's for wet conditions, and a pair of flip flops to wear around the cabin and around the pool.

That's what I mean. There are some jungles where open shoes are a poor choice, then boots or running shoes. And always flip flops for slippers, showers and anywhere you'd like to barefoot but better not.

Some hotels make rubber boots available to guests for hiking purposes. Beyond that, one pair of laced sneakers, one pair of sandals and one pair of waterproof shoes for beach wear.

Carol

Not specific to CR, but my go to shoes are Keen Newport H2Os - more comfortable than tennies for me (my podiatrist approves), they have terrific traction, and can be rinsed off (and washed in a machine back home). I pack a pair of lightweight neoprene socks for high altitude hiking/more protection. Generally I wear those and pack along flip flops and that's it. Just my 2 cents' worth...

I have feet that are fine if I take of them and taking care of them requires a change of shoes, not 1 pair worn all the time. The OP mentions "issues", doesn't say what they are, but I can circumvent my own issues with shoe rotation. That, and the other possibilities I mention, are why it might be good to have a choice. If you don't need lots of changes of clothes for upscale restaurants then an extra pair, just in case, shouldn't be a problem.

If you do encounter muddy slippery trails, ask your lodge about walking sticks. A lot of them have them, and it makes it easier to hike in wet conditions.

I can't help with your choices, but I would never travel anywhere with only one pair of shoes. Too much could go wrong.

If you don't count flipflops as shoes, it's worked for me through almost 20 trips to CA, mostly at least 3-4 weeks each, mostly including a variety of elevations, lots of hiking, and beach time. I like to pack light.

Maybe I should count my flipflops as shoes, though - the sort I buy are surprisingly great for my feet if I'm not walking extensively because they don't 'flop' and they dress up ok.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...7L._UX575_.jpg

hopefulist, I am not doubting it works well for you. You have loads of experience traveling this part of the world.

I'm just saying for me I would HATE having to put on the same pair of shoes day after day for an entire month. My secondary concern is that if something went wrong and I'm out in the middle of nowhere (strap broke, etc.). Then you'd be down to only a pair of flip flops.

Keens happen to work for everything I like to do (hiking, ruins, rafting, rappelling, cobblestones, etc.) and are sturdy - not going to break. But it mainly comes down to how comfortable they are for me - I don't want to put anything else on my feet. I wear Keens nearly every day at home, too. When I travel I pick 1 pair and then pick neutrals and colors that work with that pair. Trying to keep my clothes and personal items under 15 pounds, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. To each her own!

I, too, wear mostly Keens, but it's a question of the feet, not the shoes, when it comes to what works. If you have easy feet then, yes, one pair would likely do. But even as well as Keens work for me, my feet suffer fatigue wearing one pair all the time.

Also, in damp climates especially, I find it necessary to make sure shoes are completely dry, so sometimes that means not wearing a pair for an extra day. Synthetic materials help in that regard but my feet usually prefer the give of leather. So a variety is the answer. Maybe not for everyone, certainly, but you cannot advise against it for those of us who need more. I'd rather have far fewer clothes than less than adequate shoes. My trips depend on happy feet.

Hopefulist--i can't read the brand on those sandals--can you tell us? I'd like to find some that don't flop.

I used Keens and similar Merrills in CR, plus old weightless crocs for the cabina.

Agreeing w/ MmePerdu's strategy, I would rather skimp on clothing. I figure I can wear the same 2 tshirts pretty much endlessly without harm or discomfort. Something goes wrong with your only pair of shoes on a trip, when you aren't somewhere you can buy a replacement, and you're basically screwed.

Also there are things I do (or don't do) for trips to places I am extremely familiar with, that would not necessarily be advice I'd give to a newbie. Along the lines of not buying travel insurance, or whatever.

Like I said, to each her own - I would never advise against doing what you need to do to have happy feet.

Guess for me, part of 'happy feet' is packing really light. I looked back through my photo sets and I've been wearing the same magenta pair of Keen Newport H20s on my trips since 2010, black or red ones before that. I throw them in the wash when I get home and set them in the sun to dry - they still look new unless you look at how much tread of worn off the bottom.

emmajm: I usually buy my Teva Olowahus at REI when they come on sale, but here's a link that shows the variety of colors.
http://www.amazon.com/Teva-Womens-Ol...dp/B0017LNKBW/

They are amazingly comfortable for me - no flop and not much bend which are great attributes for my (always hovering in the wings) plantar fasciitis - and they come in lots of colors. The cushy insole does pack down over time so I buy new ones when they come on sale. They even work for when I dress up.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stacey...57646816162239

Happy trails, all!

I often travel only with Keens and flip-flops, but in Costa Rica I sometimes add a good pair of hiking shoes,partially as a defense from thorns, bullet ants, venomous snakes and the like.Some properties will loan you rubber boots which offer ultimate protection, but not ultimate comfort.

Trying to walk on a muddy slippery trail on any type of flip flop is madness. Have never tried it in Keens or strapped sandals but if that mud gets between the footbed and your foot it can be difficult.

The guides wear rubber boots (galoshes) for a reason.

El nino effect would end the rainy season by mid november in most of the country. the caribbean would be ending its summer by that same time.

Now, this effect has concentrated the rainfall in a few short months so the trails might be in worst shape than expected. Only Guanacaste will have less rain than normal for the last part of the winter.

Dress accordingly and have a great time. if you need to buy a cheapo pair of flip flops wait till you get here and look for the brand kam lung, it is inexpensive and you can throw them away when you leave.