Costa Rica packing list: The ultimate guide for travel essentials

What clothes should you pack for a trip to Costa Rica?

Don't overthink the dress code too much when you pack for your Costa Rica vacation — it's a laid-back destination. The only thing that you should keep in mind is the weather. From January to April, it's a dry season in Costa Rica, so go for tank tops and shorts, and don't forget your flip-flops. If you travel during the rainy season (May to November), slip a light rain jacket and some quick dry clothes into your baggage. To make your packing easier, we've prepared some tips.

Clothing tips

The general rule is to pack lightweight clothes made of breathable fabrics. They'll lighten your backpack and keep you cool and comfy as you explore hot and humid Costa Rica.

For casual wear, pack linen, hemp, or silk shorts, shirts, and dresses. Avoid cotton clothes, they absorb moisture and dry slowly, which can make you catch a cold quickly. Also, slip a light jacket or hoodie into your luggage for dinners in open terraces. For day activities at the beach, bring at least two swimsuits and a breezy shirt to cover yourself in a beach bar. And don't forget a hat!

If you want to hike, don’t forget about long hiking pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt to protect yourself from bug stings and hot sun. Some outdoor gear shops have UV-protective shirts, hats, and pants that block harmful rays and keep you cool at the same time. If you're aiming for higher altitudes, like Monteverde or San Gerardo de Dota, bring a thicker jacket — temperatures tend to get cooler there.

Whether traveling during the rainy or dry season, you can expect showers at any time of the year in Costa Rica. So pack a lightweight and waterproof jacket or poncho and long pants. Don't worry about rain boots, though. They're cheap in Costa Rica, and you can donate them to a local after you're done.

Shoes

Pack flip-flops and water shoes for the beach, hot springs, and waterfalls. For casual outings, bring comfortable walking shoes or lightweight sandals.

Also, take good care of your feet during jungle adventures — nothing ruins a hike like blisters. Invest in quality waterproof hiking boots or sturdy trainers and be sure to break them in before your trip. Socks matter a lot, too. Pack a few pairs of cushioned hiking socks. Still, even the best socks might betray you, so if you feel friction on your feet during a hike, apply a thin layer of vaseline — you'll finish the hike without blisters.

Essential toiletries, medications, and health products

Some of your favorite toiletries and essential medications may be hard to find in a foreign country. Toss what you need in your backpack — you'll thank yourself later.

Sun protection

Sunscreen in Costa Rica is pricey, and the selection is pretty limited. So bring your own favorite sunscreen product with at least SPF 30 or higher, especially if you're fair-skinned or burn quickly. Remember to reapply multiple times a day. Since Costa Rica is close to the equator, the sun is way more aggressive there than you might be used to and might burn you much faster than at home.

Opt for reef-safe sunscreens without octinoxate or oxybenzone — they're much kinder to marine ecosystems. Also, carry some aloe gel to soothe your skin if you accidentally fall asleep at the beach.

Insect repellent

Befriend a bottle of insect repellent in Costa Rica — you'll need it all year round, whether lounging on the beach or trekking through the rainforest and national parks. Mosquitoes, no-see-ums, ticks, chiggers, and buffalo gnats are just some of the thousands of bugs that sting badly. Plus, insect-borne diseases, like malaria, dengue fever, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are not the kind of souvenirs you want to bring home from Costa Rica.

You may want to avoid repellents with DEET. While this chemical is very effective against bugs, it can cause skin irritation or rash. Plus, DEET doesn't dissolve in water and may harm aquatic animals. Instead, get a natural insect repellent free of harsh chemicals and spray yourself generously.

Interestingly, a spray repellent is not the only way to protect your body from bugs — you can get permethrin-treated pants to ward them off. They're convenient and eco-friendly!

TIP: Even with the best repellent, bites happen. Pack an after-bite cream or gel to soothe mosquito stings.

Toiletries and medications

You will need most of these products when visiting Costa Rica:

• Travel-sized toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap, deodorant, face cleanser, and moisturizer.

• Toothbrush and hairbrush.

• Razor and shaving cream, if needed for your shaving routine.

• Feminine hygiene products. Pack enough, especially if you're going to remote areas where they might be hard to find.

• A small bottle of hand sanitizer that will come in handy at picnics.

• If you rely on any medicine or medical devices (EpiPens, inhalers, or diabetes supplies), pack extra. 

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (antihistamines for allergies, antidiarrheals, and motion sickness pills).

• A mini first-aid kit with essentials like band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tweezers (for splinters or ticks), and alcohol wipes.

Go-to accessories

These items aren't essential, but they can definitely make your trip more enjoyable:

• Quick dry travel towel. Terry towels get soggy and take ages to dry. Pack a couple of microfiber towels that dry in a snap.

• Travel umbrella. Rainy season or not, you know it's gonna rain in Costa Rica. Prepare for tropical showers with an umbrella that folds neatly to fit into your bag.

• Camera. The jaw-dropping landscape, sunsets, and wildlife will be worth at least a couple of your film camera shots.

• Binoculars. Bring binoculars to get a close peek at sloths, monkeys, or tropical birds without invading their personal space.

• Reusable water bottle. To stay hydrated 24/7, keep your reusable water bottle close. Tap water in Costa Rica is drinkable, so you'll be able to refill it anytime. Plus, you'll do a lot for the environment by refusing single-use plastic bottles.

• Flashlight or headlamp. Pack a flashlight or headlamp with a couple of spare batteries to navigate the dense jungle and save yourself from stepping on anything squishy.

• Portable power bank. A power bank can be a lifesaver when your phone suddenly dies while exploring the jungle. 

An eSIM to stay online

Staying connected in Costa Rica is as important as a good sunscreen or mosquito repellent. If you want to avoid queuing by the SIM card vending machine at the airport, an eSIM like Saily is a convenient and affordable option. Simply download the eSIM app, purchase a data plan for Costa Rica with a few clicks, and activate your eSIM upon landing. It's as easy as it sounds!

However, not all phones support eSIMs. If your phone is new, you're probably all set for an eSIM experience, but if it came out before 2018, you may want to check whether your phone is eSIM compatible.

Travel documents

While some of these travel documents aren't necessary, others are essential to reach the sandy shores of Costa Rica:

• Passport and visa. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay. Also, check if you need a visa to enter Costa Rica (US and EU citizens don't need it).

• Health documents. Check if you need any vaccinations (like hepatitis A or typhoid fever) and bring the vaccination documents along. If you're carrying prescription medications or medical devices, bring a doctor's note to avoid any problems at customs. 

• Driver's license. If you plan to rent a car, bring your driver's license and make sure it's valid.

• Money. It's always handy to have some local cash on you while traveling. Bring some Costa Rican colons and US dollars. 

• Travel insurance. This is an important one. Travel insurance will cover any medical expenses if a dog bites you, you fall off a bike, or you get dengue fever (we hope not) and need emergency care.

• Proof of return travel. You won't be able to enter Costa Rica without a return or onward travel ticket. Immigration officers will require proof, so be ready! You can print the tickets or have them on your smartphone.

• Accommodation reservations. Another thing immigration might ask is proof that you have a place to stay. Have your hotel reservations prepared after you land.

• Backups. Make paper copies of your most important documents (passport, travel insurance, driver's license) if you lose your original ones.