What to Pack for Costa Rica- Essential Packing Guide

When packing for Costa Rica, the first thing to consider is what time of year you’ll be going. Most people travel during the dry season, which lasts from December to late April.

I highly suggest packing a lightweight rain jacket no matter what time of year you visit Costa Rica. Especially if you will be there during the rainy season, or plan to visit the rainforest, rain storms and mist happen regularly! My rain jacket kept me dry on long hikes in La Fortuna.

Planning to visit La Fortuna?
Check out the TOP places to stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica!

I never have gotten so much use out of a towel than on my trip to Costa Rica. Typically, I am against packing any towels since you can get them at your accommodations. However, many hotels throughout Costa Rica will charge you if you don’t return a certain amount of beach and bath towels. Plus, with rainforest hikes, hot springs, and waterfalls, it came in handy having a darker color towel to dry off with after a quick dip. This one really does dry fast, and is super light-weight! It easily fit in my carry-on or backpack.

Unfortunately, one downfall of Costa Rica is that it’s known for having some pesky mosquitos. Be sure to pack insect repellent with a high level of deet in it. This typically helps repel even better.

This specific insect repellent not only works specifically for mosquitos that carry the Zika virus, but also protects you from gnats, ticks, biting flies, and other obnoxious pests.

This is ideal to pack for trips to the beach or pool. Throw some sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, water, and a good book to read and be on your marry way! If you already have a beach tote, make sure that it can fold up or lay flat so you are able to easily fit it into your carry-on.

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This organic mosquito itch relief stick is perfect for traveling! If you are going to a place known for having lots of mosquitos, be sure to pack this just in case. It doesn’t take up much room, and will help SO MUCH if you get some itchy bites. No one wants to go into a long travel day covered in mosquito bites, but if you do happen to get some, you’ll be glad you packed this!

I absolutely LOVE traveling with a cross body bag. It’s so easy to throw essentials in while being hands-free to take photos or go exploring. It’s perfect for dinners out, window shopping or going for long walks! Plus, it feels nice and secure being close to your body but not having to carry it around.

The airplane hat is not-surprisingly my favorite option, but there are tons of sun hats or baseball caps for every style imaginable! I typically pack a cap of sort because it doesn’t take up as much room in my luggage. Whether you prefer a large stylish sunhat, or an old beat up cap, be sure to bring something that can shade your face if you start to get too much sun. You’ll be grateful you packed it!

This day and age, having a reliable and compact charging power bank is SO important. This way you can ensure all your electronics will be fully charged. Enjoy your podcasts and phone games on the plane without having to worry about your phone dying before you call a taxi once you land. I mean, you have to stay fully charged to be able to capture all your travel memories on your phone!

Plus, it’s compact enough to keep in a backpack or purse when you are exploring a new place.

Costa Rica is a very eco-friendly country, which I LOVE. Although some areas say it’s acceptable to drink the water directly from the faucet, I would be sure to ask your accommodation. Even if they say it’s fine, I would still proceed with caution. The last thing you want is your stomach hurting during your precious vacation time. This water bottle is perfect for peace of mind since the straw filters the water! Plus, you won’t be using more plastic than you need to. Win, Win!

If you plan to go outside of beach towns, you’ll want to bring some hiking shoes or comfortable sneakers with you! Whether you are doing an Arenal Volcano Hike, or making your way through the rainforest in Monteverde, these will keep dry while also supporting your feet on bumpy terrain.

I will tell you from experience that the Costa Rican sun is sneaky! Even between clouds, those UV rays are strong. Being fairly close to the equator, it’s easy to get a nice crisp sunburn if you aren’t careful. Be sure to pack some travel-sized sunscreen and lather up more than you think you need to. If you’re super worried about getting sun burnt, I recommend a higher SPF, and getting out of the sun during the peak hours of the day when the sun is the strongest. (Use this as an excuse to grab some lunch between 12 pm to 1 pm.)

These are essential to pack for Costa Rica! They are waterproof, and easy to slip on after you get out of a pool, hot spring, or the ocean. They are surprisingly comfortable and easy to clean too, which is perfect for sandy or rocky terrain.

These specific ones are super lightweight, which is perfect if you are traveling with a backpack!

Every place I travel, I take my Northface backpack with me. Not only is it ideal for long plane rides, but I also love to bring it on hikes! This specific model is super comfortable and has padding along the back so you can walk all day without feeling any back pain.

A bathing suit cover-up is a must-pack item for Costa Rica! This is the perfect item to be able to throw on after swimming in waterfalls or hot springs. Plus, if you’re going to a beach town, it’s great to have in case you get a little too much sun, or just want to wear while exploring coastal towns.

This is a must pack for Costa Rica. The sun is super strong, so having a nice pair of sunglasses will help protect your eyes. Not only is it essential for those sunny days, but even when the sun isn’t bright, it isn’t uncommon to have a crazy glare. These sunglasses will help cut out any glare so you can see even better.

This one seems rather obvious, but make sure you don’t forget to pack a bathing suit. No matter what part of Costa Rica you plan to visit, I can guarantee you’ll find yourself enjoying the water. From swimming in insanely beautiful waterfalls, to catching some waves in the Pacific, Costa Rica is a DREAM for those who love the water!

My all time favorite travel product! Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a two week trip, you can be sure I’ll have this bag with me. It has sections for shampoos, soaps, razors, make up, toothbrushes and everything else you can think of. You can either hang it to save space in small bathrooms, or fold and keep out on a vanity!

Not only are these waterproof pouches fun for taking under water with you, but they are also perfect for beach days or visiting waterfalls and hot springs. They serve as a protective layer to keep your phone safe from sand and water. I’ve seen some incredible photos that people have taken while using this pouch on snorkel trips!

Just be sure to test the pouch prior to using. (I suggest securing a napkin inside and putting it fully under water. If the napkin is wet after a couple of minutes, maybe re-think putting your phone in!)

The sun can be super hot in Costa Rica. For this reason, wearing loose-fitting clothing will be super beneficial! Flowy garments allow air to circulate, keeping you cool and comfortable in the warm and humid conditions, while also allowing you to move around easily for outdoor activities and exploring!