I looked a various packing tips here (which are extremely helpful!. I noticed that no one mentioned bringing beach towels (or any towels).

We are going to CR for 13 days in June- w/ 5 teenagers. We'll be at Manual Antonio area for 5 days (Arenal and MV before that.) Were renting a vehicle.

We want to pack light. I assumed we'd bring beach towels, since we'll be at beaches in MA, but now I'm thinking they'll take up too much room. ANy advice?

thanks!

Some hotels have towels for beach use. They are not the long, fluffy towels that you would consider to be a beach towel.

I would not pack beach towels. There are many for sale at shops and beach vendors. So if you find you need one, purchase it as a souvenir.

One other consideration that I always pack and can also be purchased is a sarong. For the ladies at least, very versatile - use as beach towel, coverup, dress, skirt.

I did not pack towels. They are so big and bulky. There are beautiful sarongs for sale in several places. (More variety at MA, but cheaper in Arenal last year) I did pack a neat sheet for sitting on the beach.

When we went to Belize 4 years ago (only 3 teen-agers in our case) we each took a beach towel. We bought cheap ones that were big but not thick and they worked perfectly. When I travel by myself I take a medium sized pack towel and a sarong, but on a family trip I'd take the cheapie towels again.

I wouldn't bother. Most hotels that are near a beach, will offer towels, unless you are traveling to the most basic accomodations.

The other folks that mentioned buying towels are right on the money. The towels are not super high quality. But they are usually cheap, and a fun souvenir.

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,

Pat Hewitt
Costa Rica Travel Exchange
Costa Rica Concierge

Yeah, the other posters are right. We needed towels because we weren't where there were hotels or stores, but for most folks that's not an issue.

Have a great trip!

thanks for the great tips! Since MA is the last stop on our trip and the only beach area we're going to, we'll buy some there if the hotel doesn't have 'em.

Packing light is smart, especially with a big group. Beach towels take up a lot of space, so consider these options: microfiber towels, which are lightweight and quick-drying I brought some from GMA, and they’re perfect for beach travel; checking if your accommodation provides towels; buying inexpensive towels locally and leaving them behind; or using multi-purpose sarongs that can serve as towels and wraps.

we'll buy some there if the hotel doesn't have 'em.

That is what I do (for Mexico). But honestly I've never stayed any place that didn't offer them even pretty basic hotels (because they don't want you taking bath towels to the beach -haha).

Whoa this thread is seventeen years old.

Seriously
Interesting first post, looks AI ish.

Too funny!