December is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica—just at the tail end of the rainy season, as the sunshine returns to beaches, rainforests, and volcano views. From Pacific Coast surf towns to lush jungle hikes, you’ll be balancing warm temps, sudden showers, and lots of outdoor fun.
Pack for humidity, mud, and beach bliss. Think light layers, waterproof gear, breathable fabrics, and sun protection. Don’t forget insect repellent—this is the tropics, after all!
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Costa Rica in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- San José: 18°C to 26°C (64°F to 79°F)
- Pacific Coast (Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio): 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
- Caribbean Coast: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F)
- Humidity is high – expect tropical showers 🌴
- Rainforest areas are wet, muddy, and hot ☔
What to Pack for Costa Rica in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Water-resistant backpack – jungle & city friendly 🎒
- Lightweight duffle – easier for beach travel 🧳
- Dry bags – protect electronics from rain 💦
- Packing cubes – sort sweaty and clean clothes 📦
- Shoe bags – muddy jungle boots need them 👞
- Waterproof toiletry bag – humidity-safe 🧴
- Travel pouch – for cash/passport in busy areas 💼
- Foldable tote – market finds & beach gear 🛍️
- Laundry bag – dirty clothes separate in damp air 🧺
- Luggage scale – domestic airlines have limits ⚖️
- Travel lock – hostel or cabana safe 🔐
- Quick-dry towel – beach or hostel use 🧻
- Neck pillow – comfy for long drives 🛌
- Sleep mask – early sunrises 🌅
👗 Clothes
- Light tees & tanks (5–6) – breathable cotton or bamboo 👕
- Quick-dry shorts (2–3) – great for hikes & ziplining 🩳
- Loose dresses (2–3) – beach-to-bar flow 👗
- Activewear – for jungle treks & yoga 🧘
- Swimsuits (2–3) – for beach, pool, waterfall 👙
- Swim cover-up – stylish sun protection 🧣
- Light rain jacket – sudden downpours guaranteed 🌧️
- Breathable pants – bug protection & modesty 🧍♀️
- Sarong – multi-use as towel, scarf, wrap 🧕
- Lightweight pajamas – AC-friendly 🛌
- Undergarments – breathable and light 👙
- Sports bra – for adventure days 🏞️
- Moisture-wicking socks – help prevent blisters 🧦
💆 Skincare
- SPF 50 sunscreen – must for strong UV 🌞
- Facial sunscreen – non-greasy for humid weather 🧴
- After-sun lotion – aloe-based if possible 🌿
- Micellar water – easy makeup removal 🧼
- Light moisturizer – avoid heavy creams 💧
- Oil-free cleanser – tropical sweat = clogged pores 🧽
- Exfoliating scrub – use gently 1–2x/week 🧖
- Bug bite cream – for itchy surprises 🦟
- Hydrating lip balm – SPF version 💋
- Sheet masks – refresh skin after sun 🧊
💄 Makeup
- Tinted SPF moisturizer – minimal base 🌞
- Concealer – for hot/humid skin 👁️
- Waterproof mascara – for sweat or surf 👁️
- Cream blush – glowy beach look 🌺
- Highlighter stick – tropical glow ✨
- Neutral palette – sunset tones 🎨
- Brow pencil – minimal daily glam ✏️
- Lip stain – no melt, no fuss 💄
- Brush kit – travel size 💼
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – fight jungle tangles 💇
- Hair ties/clips – for messy buns 🌀
- Clarifying shampoo – sweat + salt fix 🚿
- Moisturizing conditioner – beat dryness 🌴
- Leave-in cream – anti-frizz savior 💁
- Dry shampoo – quick refresh 🌬️
- Mini dryer – optional; most places have them 💨
- Serum or oil – shine and softness ✨
- Fun hair accessories – tropical colors 🎀
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof hiking shoes – muddy trails 🥾
- Flip-flops – beach and showers 🩴
- Comfortable sandals – day trips 👡
- Water shoes – waterfall or surf 🩱
- Wide-brim hat – sun protection 👒
- Scarf or wrap – planes or AC 🧣
- Polarized sunglasses – UV block 🕶️
- Minimal jewelry – avoid flashy bling 💍
- Dry bag purse or sling – beach-to-town 👜
- Packable umbrella – optional, quick showers ☂️
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – required for entry 🛂
- Printed flight & hotel info – internet may fail 📄
- Travel insurance – health & gear coverage 💼
- Driver’s license – for rental cars or ATVs 🚗
- Copy of passport – store separately 📋
- Credit card & USD cash – many spots cash-only 💵
- Vaccination card – check latest requirements 💉
- Local SIM or offline maps – signal is patchy 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Bug bite relief – calamine or hydrocortisone 🦟
- Antiseptic cream – jungle scrapes 🌱
- Band-aids – for minor cuts 🩹
- Motion sickness pills – boat or bus rides 🚤
- Gauze, tape & wipes – compact kit 🧻
- Tweezers – for splinters or stings 🧷
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – carry in original bottles 💊
- Pain relievers – heat headaches are real 🤕
- Electrolyte tablets – for hydration 💧
- Bug spray with DEET – essential 🦟
- Hand sanitizer – jungle or no-sink moments 🧴
- Toilet paper – carry a small roll or wipes 🧻
- Contraceptives – better safe than sorry 📦
- Toothbrush/paste – tropic freshness 🪥
- Razor – personal preference 🪒
- Deodorant – tropical strength 🧼
- Mirror – for remote places 🪞
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone & charger – keep dry 📱
- Portable power bank – long day trips 🔋
- Waterproof phone pouch – beach/jungle protection 💦
- Headphones – for long transfers 🎧
- Camera or GoPro – capture waterfalls 📸
- Universal adapter – Type A/B (US standard) 🌍
- Offline maps – signal may drop 🗺️
- e-Reader or tablet – light entertainment 📖
🎧 Entertainment
- Travel journal – write poolside 📝
- Books – nature or adventure themes 📚
- Download playlists – offline access 🎶
- Card games – great for group travel ♠️
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – energy bars, nuts, fruit 🍌
- Collapsible water bottle – eco-friendly 💧
- Reusable shopping bag – great for markets 🛍️
- Laundry detergent – hand wash beachwear 🧺
- Whistle – jungle or solo hike safety 📣
- Mini sewing kit – tropical wear fixes 🧵
- Sleep aid – for time zone changes 🛌
🌍 Travel Tips
- Pack light – domestic flights have strict rules ✈️
- Use a dry bag on boat tours 🌊
- Wear shoes you can rinse easily 🚿
- Bring small bills for markets & tips 💵
🛂 Visa Tips
- 90-day visa-free entry for many nations 🛂
- Proof of onward travel may be requested 📄
- Print hotel confirmation just in case 🏨
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Sunscreen 🌞
- Bug spray 🦟
- Reusable water bottle 💧
- Cash & card 💳
- Quick-dry towel 🧻
- Water shoes 🩴
👍 Good-to-Have
- Dry bag 🌊
- Snorkel mask 🤿
- Spanish phrasebook 📘
- Portable fan 🌬️
- Beach mat 🏖️
