What to pack for Costa Rica?
 

My trip isn't until Feb. 2009 but I'm asking this now because summer stuff is on sale and it's the best time for me to shop for my trip. From the research I've done I've found that light weight fabrics that dry quickly are the best. So far I've bought a few pair of quick dry Columbia shorts, one pair quick dry convertable pants that zip off into shorts, a pair of Teva sandals and a small flashlight with a compass. Will I need a light rainjacket for Feb.? I'm going to Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. I'm planning on T-shirts and shorts for day but would like to wear a casual sundress or skirt for evening. Is that too dressy for CR? I'm also bringing a swimsuit and coverup for MA. Is there anything else I should think about getting for my trip? I hope this isn't a silly question, until this trip I haven't had a need for outdoor/adventure clothing (except skiwear)so I don't have anything! And I would be very out of place wearing my city clothes in CR! Thanks!!

Hi, solo; if you check out www.costa-rica-guide.com you can get a good idea of what the weather will be like when you're traveling. February is the dry time of year. As far as clothing, I've always packed shorts, capris, and casual slacks. We always travel in July, so I do bring a rain poncho, and also something long-sleeved for in the evenings when the temps drop. Monteverde was quite cool and rainy for us in July, but you'll probably have much better luck in February. As far as evening wear, CR is an anything goes type of place; if you want to bring casual sundresses and skirts, it would be perfectly fine, but if you want to stay casual, that's fine too. Just be sure to have comfy shoes. I brought a pair of high heels on our trip to Manuel Antonio, and that was so impractical. I'd also bring some sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Wear long pants or capris if you plan to go ziplining because those harnesses will make your shorts ride up.

It sounds like you're well prepared for Costa Rica. Even though you're going in February, I would take a light rain jacket. We were there in Feb last year and had a huge rain storm. Even though it's the dry season, Costa Rica can still get rain. It will be cool in the higher elevations, so bring a jacket. You don't need hiking boots, but a pair of good hiking shoes will be needed for hiking in the rain forest.

I've been to CR 3 times and this is my packing list:

t-shirts
3 pairs of shorts
hat
2 swimsuits
1 pair of sneekers
a few pairs of socks
flip flops
if you're planning hardcore hiking, take boots
Small medical kit
Small sewing kit
Toiletries
Sunglasses, spare glasses, contacts
Sunblock
Bug spray
Small compact Umbrella
Roll of toilet paper (remove the center)
Small flashlight
Camera
Guidebook (Lonely Planet or Moon guide)
Journal/writing materials
Spanish/English dictionary
Paperback books
Deck of cards
Frisbee
Some zip lock plastic bags

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I never would have thought to take an umbrella or rain jacket since I'm traveling during the dry season. I just bought a pair of Keen hiking shoes for my hikes - have heard great things about them.
I am going to pack light - which will be a first for me, as will a vacation without fancy clothes, jewelry and make-up! :)

I always bring a hefty trash bag as well, to put away damp, musty, dirty clothes as well as a few clothespins.

I usually bring 1 pr of capris or cargos, several prs of shorts and light t-shirts, plus a rain jacket (ll bean makes a great one that folds up smaller than melon), couple bathing suits, a sundress, flip-flops, hiking shoes, flashlights, bug spray & lots of socks.

My CA packing list is #14 in the FAQ thread on the Thorntree forum if you're interested:

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

Happy trails!

The plastic bag suggestion is a great one. I had wet shoes and socks that wouldn't dry, so nice to have a plastic bag to slip them into. I also tucked dessicant packages into my camera bag to keep the moisture out.

I'd also suggest bringing a spare set of batteries just in case you're far away from a store and your camera batteries give out during a wildlife viewing opportunity. And some travel detergent if you plan on doing your laundry yourself, something biodegradable so that it doesn't harm the pipes at your hotel room.

I also brought my travel hairdryer (one of my friends asked me to) which ended up being unnecessary as all the places we stayed at had hairdryers, but I used it to dry my water shoes (having scheduled water activities back to back) from the comfort of the balcony rather than standing in the bathroom the whole time (the hairdryers were fastened to the wall and couldn't be brought out which made sense).

Oh, my travel hairdryer is about the size of a stapler so it took up very little space.

If you can get the clothing treated with anti-insect repellent, it's a great purchase.

Hey solo,

Have been to the areas you are travelling to and would suggest a lightweight jacket or top for the nights in Monteverde....it can get chilly. We also bought ponchos in Monteverde due to the wetness just to keep the camera extra dry. I still take more than I need for some reason, but I take 2 swimsuits, keens, flipflops (the glittery ones by reef are great...i live in them in the summer at nighttime), a few pairs of shorts, one or two pairs of lightweight pants, t-shirts, camisole type tanks w/ the built-in bras (great for MA because it is hot!)and i always take a few "beach type skirts or sundresses" for night....very casual ones but they make me feel a bit more girly-girl :)lol....the plastic bag is a must because you will probably have wet clothes that will get funky and may not dry completely. I would DEFINITELY recommend extra batteries or an extra lithium battery for your camera (depending on the type)...the humidity seems to zap my camera battery much faster...guide book, map, bug spray, sunscreen, i use my camera bag as my purse, a backpack, and definitely a small flashlight. volcanogirl is right about the ziplining "attire" and the dessicants for the camera bag....they are a great suggestion, I also always take a ton of ziplock bags wherever I go, and they have come in handy for covering the camera as well. Have a great time!!!

Thanks again for such great advice - so many things I would not have thought to take - like a jacket or zip lock bags. Steph - I was so happy to hear that casual sundresses or skirts are ok. After many days in shorts and T-shirts I'm sure I'll be dying to be a bit "girly - girl" for at least a couple nights! I think I will need to bring my hairdryer as I'm staying in some budget places that won't have one. But I am excited that I got a room at Hotel Silencio del Campo in Arenal - it looks great. I just booked my airline ticket so it's offical - I am going!!!! I am so excited I don't know how I'm going to wait 6 months......:)

One more question - I noticed a couple people mention taking a frisbee and a roll of toilet paper??? Why? I'm not a frisbee player and will I need toilet paper for the hikes? Thanks!!

Maybe the Frisbee is just for downtime? We've never gone anywhere that didn't have toilet paper. I think you'll love Silencio del Campo; it gets rave reviews.

Regarding Monteverde, I actually had to wear a fleece jacket at night, and I'm pretty warm-blooded. I was glad I had packed it! Same thing at the Peace Lodge - it was 55 degrees when we were there, and we saw people in shorts who hadn't packed anything else to wear.

I always take a couple of small tissue packets and keep one in my backpack.

The no toilet paper issue made me smile. Takes me back to La Fortuna, 2006, the only time I encountered a restroom without tp. Husband was across the street, only people around were a couple of guys outside the door. Desperately I dug through my backpack and came out with only one option--husband's sock.

I repeat: small tissue pack in the backpack! :)

Thanks for cracking me up, shillmac!

solo, we have encountered a couple of toilets that didn't take toilet paper at all. They provide a trashcan next to the commode for that purpose - that freaked me out! Not sure if they would take socks or not - lol! :)

There were one or two places that had simply run out of bath tissue, so I was glad to have brought those wet naps - Cottonelle and some others make them in travel packs - they're similar to baby wipes except that they come in packets as opposed to the big tubular jar. They're about a $1 or so for a 10 sheet pack at Walgreens or Target.

Jill: a sock! ;-D

Really, vgirl? We always use the trash next to the toilet! Everytime we get home, I find myself dropping tp in the floor next to the toilet!