What to Pack for Costa Rica 🐒 | Complete Costa Rica Packing List

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Whether you’re exploring cloud forests, hitting the surf in Tamarindo, or hiking through jungles to volcanic hot springs, this Costa Rica packing list has everything you need for a smooth, safe, and adventurous trip through paradise.

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Weather Overview 🌡️

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, not traditional four seasons.

• Dry season (“summer”): Dec–April: Hot, sunny, low rain
• Wet season (“green season”): May–Nov: Lush, humid, daily rain showers
• Temps year-round: 21–32°C (70–90°F), cooler in highlands

➡️ Key tip: Always pack for heat, humidity, and rain—even during dry months.

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What to Pack for Costa Rica 🎒

Dressing Etiquette:
Costa Ricans (“Ticos”) dress modestly but casually. Swimsuits are fine at the beach, but not in towns or restaurants. For national parks and activities, practical and respectful clothing is appreciated.

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🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools

🧳 Carry-on suitcase – Lightweight, hard shell is best
🧳 Checked luggage – For longer stays or bulky hiking gear
🎒 Waterproof daypack – Essential for rainforests & waterfalls
👜 Crossbody or anti-theft bag – Secure & small for cities
🧼 Packing cubes – Separate dry/wet/hiking/beach gear
👟 Shoe bags – Dirty boots and flip-flops stay isolated
💄 Makeup bag – Lightweight & sweat-proof essentials
🛁 Hanging toiletry bag – For shared eco-lodges or hostels
📁 Document organizer – Passport, health docs, tour receipts
🛍️ Foldable tote – Market shopping or beach snacks
🧺 Laundry bag – Trust us, you’ll need this
🔒 TSA lock – For hostel lockers or checked luggage
🧖 Quick-dry towel – Beach, hostel, or hot springs
💤 Neck pillow – Long rides from San José
😴 Sleep mask – For early sunrises or jungle roosters

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👗 Clothes

🧥 Rain jacket (1) – Lightweight + waterproof with hood
👚 Tank tops / moisture-wicking tees (3–5) – For jungle humidity
🧘 Activewear (2–3 sets) – For zip-lining, yoga, and hikes
🩳 Hiking shorts / lightweight pants (2–3) – Breathable and quick-dry
👗 Sundress or casual dress (1–2) – For dinners or beach towns
🩱 Swimsuits (2–3) – Ocean, waterfalls, and hot springs ready
🧥 Light sweater / hoodie – For cool nights in Monteverde
👖 Casual pants / leggings (1–2) – Travel or dinner-friendly
🛌 Pajamas / loungewear – Light and comfy
🧤 Underwear (7+) – Quick-dry is perfect
👙 Bras (3–4) – Sports + everyday
🧦 Socks (5–6 pairs) – Include moisture-wicking or wool
🎩 Hat / cap – For sun protection
🧣 Bandana or buff – For sweat, dust, or bugs

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💆 Skincare

🧼 Cleanser – Gentle on sweat and sunscreen
🌸 Toner – Refresh after jungle days
🧴 Lightweight moisturizer – Humidity-safe
🌞 Reef-safe sunscreen – Face + body SPF 30+
🧽 Makeup remover – Wipes or micellar
🌿 Exfoliator – 1–2x/week
👁️ Eye cream – For hydration in sun & wind
💦 Facial mist – Hydration boost
🧖 Sheet masks (1–2) – Post-hike recovery
💄 Lip balm with SPF – Jungle + sun = dry lips
🩹 Spot treatment – Humid climates can trigger breakouts

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💄 Makeup

🧴 Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – Lightweight is key
🖌️ Concealer – Keep it minimal
🌫️ Setting powder – Optional
🌺 Cream blush – For a natural glow
🌟 Highlighter – For beach evenings
👁️ Waterproof mascara – Sweat + rain = smudge-proof
👁️ Brow gel – Simple + defined
💄 Tinted balm – Color + SPF
🖌️ Minimal brushes – Only the essentials
🌟 Setting spray – Optional but helpful

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💇 Hair

💇 Wide-tooth comb – Must after swimming
🧷 Hair ties, clips, scrunchies – Jungle-proof styles
🧴 Leave-in conditioner – Sun + sea + sweat
🧴 Dry shampoo – Jungle to dinner in a snap
💧 Frizz serum – Tropical air = frizz
🧴 Hydrating shampoo + conditioner – Travel size
💇 Blow dryer – Skip it, embrace beach waves
💇 Flat iron / curler – Optional
🎀 Accessories – Hair scarf, wrap, or headband

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👠 Shoes & Accessories

🥾 Hiking shoes / trail runners – Waterproof or fast-drying
🩴 Flip-flops or slides – For beach, hostel, and showers
👟 Sneakers – Optional if not hiking heavily
🥿 Sandals – Casual walking, restaurants, or cities
🧦 Wool socks or performance socks – For hiking comfort
🧢 Hat / sun cap – Wide-brim or baseball
🧣 Light scarf or bandana – Dusty trails or chilly buses
🕶️ Sunglasses – Polarized = best for water
⌚ Waterproof watch or fitness tracker – For hikes & tours
💍 Jewelry – Minimal; keep it simple
👜 Waterproof belt bag or small backpack – Great for jungle days

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🧾 Documents & Essentials

🛂 Passport – Must be valid for 6+ months
📄 Copies of passport + travel insurance
🪪 Driver’s license + IDP – If renting a car
📃 Travel insurance – Highly recommended
📲 Printed flight info & hotel confirmations
🏨 Tour receipts – Print or screenshot
🗺️ Offline maps – Signal is weak in remote areas
💳 Credit + debit cards – Alert your bank
💵 Local cash (colones + USD) – Many places are cash-preferred
📇 Emergency contacts – Paper + phone
🖊️ Pen + travel journal – Jot down wildlife & memories
📘 Spanish phrasebook or app – Not everyone speaks English
🔑 House keys – Keep safe
👛 RFID wallet – For peace of mind

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🩹 First Aid

🩹 Bandaids – Hikes + sandals = blisters
🧴 Antiseptic cream – For bug bites or scrapes
🧻 Antiseptic wipes – Clean any wound
🩺 Bug bite relief stick – Calming the itch
✂️ Travel scissors – TSA-safe
🦶 Blister pads – Trekking essential
🌡️ Digital thermometer – Optional
✂️ Tweezers – For splinters or ticks

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💊 Health & Hygiene

💊 Prescription meds – In original bottles
💊 Pain relievers – For soreness or headaches
🤧 Allergy meds – Dust, pollen, or bites
💊 Stomach meds – For travel tummy
💊 Motion sickness – For winding roads and boats
💊 Vitamins – Daily travel boost
🩸 Feminine hygiene – Bring your preferred brands
🧴 Hand sanitizer – Jungle & town essential
🧻 Wet wipes – Multi-use
🦟 Insect repellent (DEET or natural) – Crucial
💊 Birth control – Bring supply
👁️ Eye drops – For dust or dry air
🪥 Toothbrush + paste – Travel-size
🧴 Mouthwash + floss – Optional
🧴 Body wash – Earth-friendly if possible
🧴 Deodorant – Tropical strength
🪒 Razor + shaving cream – Optional
💅 Nail clippers + file – Helpful
🌸 Light perfume – Rollerball
🧻 Pocket tissues – Restrooms may not have TP

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📱 Tech & Electronics

📱 Phone + charger – Download WhatsApp
📸 Waterproof camera / GoPro – For waterfalls & rafting
🔋 Power bank – Long tour days
🔌 Charging cables – All your devices
🔊 Waterproof speaker – Eco-lodges = vibe
🔌 Travel adapter – Type A & B (U.S. plugs work)
📶 Local SIM or eSIM – Cheap & easy for GPS
📖 Kindle or book – Great for jungle downtime
🎧 Noise-canceling headphones – Bus and plane friendly

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🎧 Entertainment

📚 Books / Kindle – Nature, thrillers, travel reads
🎧 Podcasts – For long shuttle rides
🎬 Downloaded shows – Wi-Fi can be weak
📓 Journal – Jungle moments + wildlife lists
🃏 Card games – Great for groups or downtime
📰 Costa Rica travel guides – Hidden gems galore

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🎒 Extras

🥜 Snacks – Protein bars, nuts for hikes
💧 Reusable water bottle (filtered or with purifier)
🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – For beach towns or markets
🧴 Biodegradable laundry soap – Rinse out hiking clothes
🧵 Mini sewing kit – Repairs in the wild
📢 Safety whistle – Solo travelers
🧼 Lint roller – For black clothes in dusty towns
🦶 Footrest pillow – Long transport comfort
👟 Shoe freshener – Jungle funk is real
💤 Sleep aid – Jungle noise is wild at night

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✈️ Travel Tips

✔️ Pack for rain—even in dry season
✔️ Use a dry bag for phones + cash on excursions
✔️ Say yes to bug spray + sunscreen, always
✔️ Avoid flashy gear or jewelry in cities
✔️ Wear shoes with grip and quick-dry fabrics
✔️ Tipping is optional, but appreciated

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✅ Must-Haves for a Smooth Trip

🧥 Rain jacket
🥾 Waterproof hiking shoes
🧴 Sunscreen + bug spray
👙 Swimsuits + towel
🎒 Waterproof daypack
💧 Water bottle with filter
📱 Phone with offline maps
🧘 Moisture-wicking clothes
💳 Credit card + USD/cash
📄 Passport + copies

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👍 Good-to-Have Items

💧 Liquid IV or electrolytes
🧴 Aloe vera gel
📶 eSIM or local SIM
📸 GoPro or waterproof phone case
☔ Packable umbrella
🛍️ Extra tote bag
🧣 Light scarf or wrap
🎧 Noise-canceling earbuds
🧼 Eco soap + travel detergent

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