"Packing List" Costa Rica Packing List Tip by erikajj

Luggage and bags: Be able to carry everything yourself. An army duffle is perfect with a backpack for the beach.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Sandals that strap on are a much better alternative to flip-flops. You can go right from the beach to a hike in the rainforest and your shoes will not come off in the mud. Any other shoes you bring should also be able to take lots of wet.

It will rain, so an umbrella and rain poncho are very nice to have.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Whoever you are, you need sunscreen. Don't be stupid, anyone can burn in this sun. I brought four kinds: SPF 36, SPF 15, a special one for my face, and another kind for around my eyes and my scalp (after a week or two, I became sensitive to the regular sunscreen on my face).

And you will need BUG SPRAY. And I don't mean just bug spray. I mean go to your hunting and fishing supply store and buy the really smelly, toxic, serious stuff. I am not kidding. For one thing, I never knew mosquitos could be so huge that I could see their stingers. For another thing, mosquitos can carry disease. I brought that yummy-smelling Avon kind and I think I could hear the mosquitos laughing.

Photo Equipment: The more waterproof, the better. If you fall asleep on the beach, the tide will come in and get you all wet. My camera died immediately upon landing back in the states.

Miscellaneous: Bring plastic bags, like huge Ziplocks. I didn't believe it when this was suggested to me and I so regretted not having them. In some areas of Costa Rica, the humidity prevents anything from drying and Ziplocks are handy for beach gear when you have to pack up.