The Top Ten Things to Bring on a Trip to Costa Rica
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, chances are that you will be visiting the popular Guanacaste province, in which many of the major resorts operate. However, even if you are travelling to San Jose to visit volcanoes, or to the south pacific to explore undiscovered destinations, these are the top 10 items that you should consider bringing with you.
Bug Repellant
There are bugs in Costa Rica that you will have never seen before. Big noisy bugs such as the cicadas and small annoying bugs like the "no-see-ems". The bottom line is that some of these bugs bite and you will want to be prepared. Although you can buy bug repellant when you get there, it can't hurt to have some on hand.
Sunscreen
The sun is intense in Costa Rica, particularly during the dry summer months of December, January, February and March. Don't risk getting a burn by going without sunscreen. Be sure to pack at least an SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen.
Lightweight clothing
They don't call it the rainforest without good reason. The coastal areas of Costa Rica
are warm, moist, and humid. What this means is a whole of lot of sweating. Be prepared by packing lightweight clothing made out of fabrics such as cotton and breathable nylon. Some fabrics even contain an SPF factor making your wardrobe part of your sun protection.
Solid shoes
If you plan on doing any adventure tours during your stay, which is typically the norm in this eco-adventure country, plan on packing a pair of sturdy hiking-type runners. Although you will want sandals for the beach and for daywear, when you are taking a jaunt through the rainforest you will want your feet to be protected.
Sunglasses
This goes without saying. Where there is sun, you will most certainly want a good pair of sunglasses.
Guide book
Unless you are booking into an all-inclusive vacation package, you will want to bring with you at least a basic guide to Costa Rica and map. Particularly if you have rented a vehicle and will be exploring the coastline or central valley on your own, having a compass to guide your trek will make finding those vague Costa Rican addresses a little more bearable.
Swim suit
Who would come to Costa Rica without a swimsuit? Make sure it isn't you. The beaches are beautiful and the weather is perfect. One thing you will most definitely be doing at least once is going for a swim.
US dollars
Although the national currency is the colon, US dollars are accepted in most locations. Your best bet is to bring enough US money with you for your trip and change what you need into colones upon your arrival. To figure out how much something costs, take the value in colones, multiply by 2 and divide by 100. For example, if something costs 2000 colones, it is approximately $4.
Immodium or other medications
If you have a tendency towards a weak stomach, do the honorable thing and bring along the medication that you know will help. By the same token, if you tend towards allergies, you may want to pop a Claritin in your suitcase as the flora and fauna can be intense and unexpected.
Camera
Of course you will want a camera to capture all the sights and sounds of your trip. Be sure you have lots of room on your memory card before you leave and ensure that your battery is well charged. There is wildlife in Costa Rica that you will never see back home, and it would be a shame to miss a photo opportunity because you ran out of space on your camera.
All in all, these are some important items to bring with you to Costa Rica. What should you leave behind? Your cell phone! Cell phones from North America are not compatible in Costa Rica and will be useless once you hit the ground. If you must stay in touch with home, buy an inexpensive calling card or seek out Skype in an internet caf. Happy travels!