Packing List & Rain Gear

What You Absolutely Need

Costa Rica has extremely diverse climate zones — from hot beaches to cool cloud forests. A well-thought-out packing list saves nerves:

Clothing

• Rain Jacket (light, packable): A MUST, even in the dry season! It rains almost daily in the cloud forest and highlands.
• Hiking Boots (waterproof): Essential for national parks, volcanoes, and the Río Celeste. Flip-flops are NOT enough.
• Quick-Drying Clothing: Cotton never dries in the tropical climate — synthetic materials are better.
• Long Pants & Sleeves: For jungle hikes (mosquitoes, snakes) and cloud forest (cool!)
• Swimwear: At least 2 sets — they hardly dry during the rainy season.
• Warm Layer: For Monteverde (18°C), Irazú (5–10°C!), and evenings in the Central Valley.

Equipment

• DEET Mosquito Spray (30%+): Tropical DEET from the pharmacy, not the mild European kind
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Costa Rica bans environmentally harmful sunscreens in national parks
• Dry Bag: For boat tours (Tortuguero), rafting, and rain hikes
• Binoculars: Almost essential for bird watching — without binoculars, you'll see quetzals and toucans only as dots
• Flashlight/Headlamp: For night hikes and lodge paths without street lighting
• Adapter Type A/B: Flat, two-pin US plugs. Available in most lodges, but better safe than sorry