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The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List
Wondering what to pack for Costa Rica? Pack your: driver’s licence, hiking shoes, a poncho, wristband mosquito repellent... Your packing list for Costa Rica
Ah, Costa Rica! Two weeks of tropical wonder. I miss it!
This Costa Rica packing list is NOT an excuse for me to get lost in my photos and memories. I promise. It’s rather a helpful packing companion to assist you in preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.
In this article, you’ll find:
- Items I packed and was happy that I did
- Items I didn’t pack and had to buy
- Items that I packed and didn’t need
Let’s get right into it with your downloadable Costa Rica travel checklist.
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Costa Rica travel checklist
Download our free Costa Rica travel checklist before you start packing. It’s printable so you can keep it handy and satisfyingly cross items off the list as you put them in your luggage
What to consider before packing for Costa Rica
You need to know a few things before you start thinking about what to pack for Costa Rica. From my experience as a tourist visiting Costa Rica for the first time, these are the most important to keep in mind:
Costa Rica climate during your trip
Before you start working on your packing list for Costa Rica, figure in which season you’re traveling:
- Dry season: December to April: it’s hot, bright, and sunny.
- Rainy season: May to November: it’s a tiny bit less hot, humid, and rainy.
You’ll need rain gear all year round. During the ‘dry’ season as well!
I came to find that the dry season is not as dry as advertised in the Costa Rica travel guide I consulted before my departure. That’s why I recommend a lot of waterproof gear to protect electronics and documents in the list below.
The activities you’ll be doing on your trip
You’ll have to adapt your Costa Rica travel checklist to the activities you plan to sign up for during your trip.
I know, this can take the spontaneity out of the experience. But, I think it’s better to be prepared than to waste time shopping for things you already have at home but didn’t pack.
You’ll find an activity-based breakdown of what to bring to Costa Rica further on.
Luggage restrictions of your airline
First, check your airline’s luggage size recommendations and choose a case that fits the dimensions. It’s common for airlines to impose a 50-pound weight limit for checked luggage, with the most common bag dimensions being 27″ x 21″ x 14″.
After you pack everything, weigh your carry-on to ensure it’s within the airline’s luggage weight restrictions too.
With that out of the way, it’s time to start packing!
Remember to bring these when traveling to Costa Rica
As soon as I got off my plane and stepped into Juan Santamaría International Airport, “I wish I’d brought this and that with me” entered my daily repertoire. Here are some Costa Rica travel tips I’ve learned from the whole experience.
eSIM card
Buying an eSIM is one of the things I regret not doing before my trip. I ended up paying A LOT for my use of roaming data with my carrier from back home.
I didn’t even realize how much internet I was using just to send my family some photos, check Google Maps, or look up restaurants on Yelp and Tripadvisor. I purposely tried to avoid using social media apps or watching videos—but the megabytes still tallied up real fast.
But, guess what?
Next time, I know I’m buying a Costa Rica eSIM and paying under $3.5 per day for a 14-day plan with unlimited data!
Essential documents
Essential documents to add to your Costa Rica packing list include:
- ID
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Debit and credit cards
- Tourist Visa (if applicable)
- International travel insurance
- International medical insurance
- Vaccination records (if required)
- Costa Rican Colóns (local currency)
Stef’s tip: If you’re planning on staying longer than 90 days, you can consider applying for a Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica. This document gives you the legal right to live and work in Costa Rica for up to a year.
The most important things are in the bag, and there’s so much space left. Let’s take care of that!
Must-have items for your trip to Costa Rica
My advice is not to overpack and keep your Costa Rica packing list lean.
I try to plan my holiday outfits in advance, before packing. This way, I don’t throw random items into my bag and find myself struggling to match them together. I did that once and ended up shopping on the trip, having to make clothing sacrifices to fit luggage allowances upon my return.
I’ve put together an overview of essential items to include on your what to pack for Costa Rica list to remain prepared even while traveling light.
Essential clothing for the dry season in Costa Rica
When packing your outfits for Costa Rica’s dry season, you can include:
- Cover-ups
- Swimsuits
- Linen pants or capris
- Quick-dry shorts and skirts
- Light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings
- Lightweight, breathable shirts and blouses
- Lightweight, long-sleeve shirts for sun protection
- Evening wear for dining out (casual dresses or dressy shirts and pants)
Rainy season clothing for Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s rainy season does what it says on the tin, so be prepared for heavy downpours. Now, depending on the altitudes you’re going to find yourself in, temperatures have the potential to add to the discomfort. In the mountains, temperatures range from 70 to 79°F. Lowlands, however, maintain their temperatures around 79-90°F.
Here’s what to bring to Costa Rica if you plan on adding mountain trips to your rainy season itinerary:
- Rain pants
- Waterproof jacket
- Quick-dry clothing
- Moisture-wicking socks
- Insulated layers (for cooler temperatures)
For the warmer regions, I recommend you pack:
- Rain poncho
- Moisture-wicking t-shirts and shorts
Remember, around the coastal area, the weather is still warm and toasty. You won’t need jackets and boots for exploring these parts of Costa Rica, but some sturdy closed toed shoes should definitely be in the bag.
Footwear
Your footwear packing list for Costa Rica will change a lot depending on the activities you sign up for. You’ll find my footwear recommendations for the most popular adventures below. For now, let’s only cover the basics:
- Running shoes
- Flip flops or sandals
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A more elegant pair of shoes or sandals
Electronics
I only brought my phone, an e-reader, and a waterproof camera with me. I wish I were more prepared in this department. Here’s the electronics I didn’t pack but should have:
- eSIM
- Portable power bank
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Portable bluetooth speaker
- Noise-canceling headphones
Now, technically you don’t ‘pack’ an eSIM as it’s all virtual. However, you definitely should add it to your packing list unless you want to pay costly roaming charges or wonder about trying to find a store that sells SIM cards in Costa Rica upon arrival.
My advice: buy the best eSIM for Costa Rica before your flight and stop worrying about finding airport WiFi upon arrival.
Need cellular internet on your next trip?
Use the code MYESIMNOW5 and get a Holafly data eSIM with a 5% discount.
Other essential items for Costa Rica
- Sunscreen
- Wet wipes
- Sunglasses
- Pocket WiFi
- Bug repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Small first aid kit
- Travel-size toiletries
- Lightweight daypack
- Reusable and insulated water bottle
- Non-perishable snacks and energy bars
If you’re not sold on eSIMs yet, check out Holafly’s thorough guide on the best pocket WiFi for Costa Rica. Even though it gets more expensive and potentially complicated than an eSIM, it’s still a better option than relying on your roaming data.
Now that you have all your essentials ready, and your devices connected, it’s time to disconnect and focus on what Costa Rica has to offer to nature lovers and adrenaline seekers alike.
Packing list for different activities in Costa Rica
My initial packing list changed a lot once my friends and I started booking excursions, guided tours, and exciting experiences for our vacation. Of course, I missed some things here and there and wasn’t well prepared for everything we did. Looking back, this is what I would bring along based on destinations and activities:
Beach destinations
I’ve learned that the sun shines differently in Costa Rica. It’s brighter, stronger, and hotter than I ever imagined it could be. No matter what you’re doing outside—be it chilling in the shade, hiking, rafting, or sunbathing—you need sunblock, and lots of it. Apply thick layers every couple of hours.
For me, this started feeling like a chore by day three of being out and about. That’s why my wholehearted recommendation is to bring sun-protective clothing with you too. Here’s my list of Costa Rica beach essentials:
- Bug spray
- Water shoes
- Quick-dry towels
- Wide-brim sun hat
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Thermal water spray
- Waterproof phone case
- A small cooler (for food)
- UV-blocking sunglasses
- Linen cover-ups and pants
- Insulated, reusable water bottle
- After-sun lotion and moisturizer
- Waterproof, reef-safe SPF lotion and lip balm
- Sun-protective long sleeved shirts or swim shirts
- Waterproof bag (to keep your cash, hotel keycard, and other valuables dry)
- Beach umbrella or sunshade (you’re probably better off renting this locally than bringing it from home)
Stef’s top tip: Get yourself a thermal water spray, leave it in the fridge overnight, take it out in the morning, and put it in your cooler. Now you have a portable, refreshing, and soothing misting device at your disposal!
Rainforest and volcano adventures
Costa Rica is the home of over 60 dormant volcanoes and six active ones, all cradled by flourishing vegetation and lush rainforests. It’s one of the world’s most biodiverse lands—inviting for all curious minds and adventurous spirits.
I only managed to visit one active volcano during my trip, the Arenal Volcano, as part of a guided tour. On our way up, we walked through the emerald embrace of the rainforest, by the La Fortuna River. After the volcano hike, the tour guide led the group to a natural thermal river where we all melted into relaxation after a day filled with adventure. Here’s what I brought with with me:
- Extra batteries
- Electrolyte tablets
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Lightweight travel towel
- Swimsuit for hot springs
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Hiking shoes or hiking sandals
- Shelf-stable snacks (energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit)
Cloud Forest hikes
While enjoying the beaches in Nicoya Peninsula, the hot and humid weather made sudden rain showers feel like a gift. I didn’t even bother wearing everything waterproof. It was a welcomed relief.
The narrative changed as soon as I reached the Puntarenas province and discovered that Monteverde is windy, humid, and cooler than the coastlines of Costa Rica. It was a much-needed break from the scorching heat I constantly found myself complaining about when exploring lower altitudes.
Spoiler alert: Costa Rica gets extremely hot!
In Monteverde, the temperatures ranged between 60.8 and 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which made rainproof gear a necessity. On top of your Costa Rica hiking essentials, take these with you when exploring national parks or the trails of Cloud Forest in Monteverde:
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof hat
- Waterproof pants
- Waterproof socks
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Waterproof bags for electronics
- Gaiters to keep water out of your boots
- Fleece layers for cooler temperatures as you get to higher altitudes
- Silicone spray to transform any textile surface into water repellent fabric
Whitewater rafting
I must confess rafting is not something I dared doing while in Costa Rica. However, my friends did while I sat on the banks of the river taking in the sights (drenched in insect repellent and sunscreen, of course).
I asked my adventurous friends about the essentials of whitewater rafting, and this is what they recommended you take with you:
- River shoes
- Change of dry clothes
- Plastic bag for wet clothing
- Waterproof camera to capture the moment
- Quick drying everything (shirts, pants, socks)
- Duct tape to help you patch any wardrobe malfunctions
- Caps, Sunglasses, and any other accessories must have a strap
Fine dining
While exploring beach towns and rural mountain areas, you’ll do just fine in casual outfits. However, if you’d like a fancier take on local cuisine and are thinking of booking a fine-dining experience at restaurants like Las Ventanas, you’ll need to dress up. Some venues may require closed toe shoes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Collared shirt
- Dressy sandals
- Closed toe shoes
- Pants or dressy shorts
- Semi-formal or formal dress
- Makeup (waterproof and sweatproof products, if possible)
That’s about everything you need to add to your Costa Rica packing list. Before zipping up your bags and heading out the door to start your Costa Rica vacation, make sure you didn’t pack the following items—some of them are prohibited!
What not to bring into Costa Rica
My friends and I stayed two weeks in Costa Rica. I overpacked, there’s no way around it. I brought too many unnecessary things that didn’t leave me enough luggage space for souvenirs. This is what I’d do differently second time around:
Excess clothing and gear
The first thing I’d do is to book hotels with laundry services so I can wash my clothes regularly rather than packing countless tops to stay fresh in the torrid climate. And, instead of bringing my own scuba diving gear, I’d rent it to save space in my bag.
Unnecessary adapters or converters
I’d do more thorough research on supported voltage for my devices. I brought a convertor with me because in Europe the standard voltage is 220 and thought my electronics would not do well when plugged into the 110-volt grid in Costa Rica. I found out afterward that most devices are compatible with both voltages and don’t require any converters or adapters. Needless to say, I ended up not using mine. So, do your due diligence before worrying about electrical compatibility.
Note: Costa Rica uses the same voltage and frequency as the US (110 volts, 60 Hertz), and the electrical outlets are compatible with two-pronged flat plugs.
Fruits, vegetables, plants, and seeds
I’d pay more attention to what snacks I bring along on my flight. I knew about the plants and seeds ban as they don’t want non-native plants to make it into the local environment, wreaking havoc on the ecosystem.
What completely slipped my mind was that fresh fruit and vegetables are in the same boat. The result of this oversight? Let’s just say my fruit salad is in a better place now.
In all seriousness, it’s strictly forbidden to bring any vegetables, fruits, plant seeds, flowers, and meat products to Costa Rica.
With that in mind, you’re all set to take off and see the rainforest, the volcanoes, and the adorable sloths.
Wrapping up your Costa Rica packing list
Forgetting things at home is part of the adventure. No matter how meticulously you plan your Costa Rica packing list, chances are you’ll accidentally leave your bug spray on the kitchen countertop. I know I did.
One thing to not forget is your Costa Rica eSIM. It’s just the easiest and most affordable way to get high-speed internet while abroad. No hidden fees, no daily data caps, no worries.
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Living in Romania's only coastal city, Constanta, Stefania Manea has been in the content marketing space for 9 years. She discovered her passion for writing while studying Maritime Engineering, which led her to switch her career path and join the marketing industry. Since then, she has relentlessly written copy and content for renowned brands in the B2B SaaS landscape, including MarkUp.io, Toggl, MarineTraffic, Route4Me, and Insense. She values creativity, loves horror novels, and occasionally believes in ghosts!
