Packing List for Costa Rica: Rainforest, Volcanoes, and Beaches
Everything you need to pack for Costa Rica covering rainforest hiking gear, beach essentials, wildlife viewing equipment, and clothing for tropical heat and cloud forest cool.
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Clothing for Tropical Climate
Pack lightweight moisture-wicking shirts and shorts
Cotton stays wet for hours in Costa Rica's humidity. Synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics or merino wool dry quickly and resist odor. Bring 5-6 shirts and 3-4 pairs of quick-dry shorts for a week. Earth tones help you blend in for wildlife spotting.
Bring long pants and long-sleeved shirts for jungle hikes
Long sleeves and pants protect against mosquitoes, thorny plants, and sun on rainforest trails. Lightweight convertible pants that zip off into shorts offer versatility. Tucking pants into socks prevents ticks on trails in Corcovado and Monteverde.
Pack a reliable rain jacket or poncho
Costa Rica's green season runs from May through November with daily afternoon downpours. Even the dry season from December through April brings rain in cloud forests. A packable rain jacket with sealed seams weighs under 300 grams and fits in any daypack.
Bring a warm fleece or hoodie for cloud forest elevations
Monteverde and the Cerro Chiripo area sit above 1,500 meters where temperatures drop to 12-16 degrees Celsius, especially in the morning mist. A midweight fleece or hoodie adds essential warmth. The temperature difference between coastal lowlands and cloud forests is 10-15 degrees.
Pack swimsuits for beaches and hot springs
Costa Rica combines ocean beaches with volcanic hot springs like Tabacon near Arenal Volcano. Bring 2-3 swimsuits so one is always dry. Sulfur in hot spring water can discolor light fabrics, so use an older swimsuit for thermal pools.
Footwear
Bring waterproof hiking boots or shoes
Rainforest trails in Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, and Arenal are muddy year-round. Waterproof hiking shoes with aggressive tread prevent slipping on wet roots and river crossings. Trail runners work for lighter hikes but lack ankle protection on uneven terrain.
Pack sturdy sport sandals for river crossings and beach towns
Sport sandals with heel straps handle water crossings, beach walks, and casual town exploring. Flip-flops are fine for the beach but impractical for anything involving movement. Costa Rica's rivers and waterfalls require footwear you can walk in while wet.
Bring rubber rain boots or plan to rent them
Corcovado National Park and Tortuguero require knee-high rubber boots for flooded trails. Many lodges rent them for 3,000-5,000 CRC per day. If you plan multiple jungle treks, bringing your own packable rubber boots saves money and ensures proper fit.
Wildlife Viewing and Outdoor Gear
Pack binoculars for bird and wildlife watching
Costa Rica has over 900 bird species including toucans, quetzals, and scarlet macaws. Compact 8x42 binoculars fit in a daypack and make the difference between a distant blur and a clear sighting. Nature guides carry spotting scopes but personal binoculars let you scan on your own.
Bring a camera with a zoom lens for wildlife photography
A 200mm zoom lens or longer captures monkeys, sloths, and birds at realistic distances. Wildlife rarely cooperates by standing close. A camera with decent low-light performance handles the dark rainforest canopy where only 2-5% of sunlight reaches the floor.
Pack a quality headlamp for night walks and early birding
Night jungle walks reveal a completely different ecosystem of tree frogs, tarantulas, and kinkajous. A headlamp with adjustable brightness and a red-light mode avoids startling nocturnal animals. Early morning birding starts at 5:30 AM before dawn.
Bring a dry bag for boat rides and river activities
River rafting, mangrove boat tours, and water taxis are common Costa Rica transport. A 10-20 liter dry bag keeps electronics, documents, and spare clothes safe. The Tortuguero canals and Osa Peninsula are only accessible by boat.
Health and Protection
Pack DEET or picaridin insect repellent
Mosquitoes carry dengue and, in lowland areas, occasionally malaria. DEET concentrations of 25-30% or picaridin-based repellents provide the best protection. Apply at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Reapply after sweating or swimming.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
Costa Rica's Caribbean and Pacific coasts have coral reefs and marine life that chemical sunscreens damage. Mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen protects both you and the ocean. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming. The tropical sun at latitude 10 degrees north is intense year-round.
Pack a basic first aid kit with blister treatment
Include adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister pads, and anti-diarrheal medication. Jungle humidity softens feet and increases blister risk on long hikes. Moleskin applied at the first sign of rubbing prevents full blisters. Pharmacies in San Jose and major towns are well-stocked.
Bring rehydration salts and water purification
Heat and humidity cause rapid dehydration. Rehydration salts replace electrolytes lost through sweat. Tap water is safe in most of Costa Rica, but rural areas and Caribbean coast may need purification. A UV purifier or purification tablets provide backup.
Electronics and Travel Essentials
Pack a US-type power adapter if coming from outside North America
Costa Rica uses US-style Type A and B plugs at 120V. European and UK travelers need an adapter. Power outages are common in rural areas and during storms, so a portable charger is a worthwhile backup.
Bring a waterproof phone case for all activities
Zip-lock bags work in emergencies, but a proper waterproof phone case handles rain, river spray, and beach splashes. Costa Rica involves water in nearly every activity from waterfalls to hot springs to zip-lining through rain.
Pack a reusable water bottle with insulation
Staying hydrated in tropical heat requires constant water intake. An insulated bottle keeps water cold for 6-8 hours. Costa Rica's tap water is generally safe, and many eco-lodges have filtered water stations for refills. Reducing plastic use aligns with the country's sustainability values.
Bring a small daypack for daily excursions
A 20-25 liter daypack carries water, rain jacket, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, and snacks for daily adventures. Waterproof or with a built-in rain cover is essential. Hip belt support helps on longer trails in Corcovado and Rincon de la Vieja.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I not pack for Costa Rica?
Leave heavy jeans, dress shoes, and formal clothing at home. Skip full-size toiletries as eco-lodges often provide biodegradable options. Avoid bright colors and white for jungle hikes as they spook wildlife and stain instantly in mud. You will not need an umbrella as a rain jacket is more practical on trails. Most visitors overpack. Costa Rica life is casual and outdoorsy.
Do I need malaria medication for Costa Rica?
Malaria risk in Costa Rica is very low and limited to the Limon province on the Caribbean coast. Most travelers do not take malaria prophylaxis. Dengue fever spread by daytime mosquitoes is the bigger concern. Pack insect repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk. Consult your doctor before the trip for personalized advice.
What luggage works best for Costa Rica?
A 50-60 liter backpack or soft duffel bag handles the varied terrain better than a hard suitcase. Small domestic flights on Sansa Airlines have a 14 kg luggage limit in soft bags only. Internal bus storage racks are small. If you plan internal flights, pack light and bring a compressible bag.
Is it cold in the Costa Rica cloud forest?
Cloud forests like Monteverde sit at 1,400-1,800 meters elevation where temperatures range from 12-20 degrees Celsius with persistent mist and drizzle. It feels significantly colder than coastal areas. A fleece, rain jacket, and long pants are necessary for cloud forest visits. The temperature difference from the Pacific lowlands can be 15 degrees within a 2-hour drive.