The Perfect Costa Rica Packing List

This will be my 5th trip to Costa Rica and I plan on backpacking for the next 3 months. Now I will warn you, I am a pretty light packer. What I’m packing for 2 months is probably what one could pack for a couple of weeks there. Here is the perfect Costa Rica packing list:

Clothing:

• 5-6 Tees & Tanks: Costa Rica is EXTREMELY casual. I recommend taking neutral tees & tanks that you can mix & match. Also, consider taking at least 1 long sleeve tee for cooler areas.
• 2-3 Dressier Tops: For those night outs that you may want to dress up a little.
• 1 Dress: Yep, that’s all you need. Have I mentioned that Costa Rica is very casual? You can totally rock shorts & a tank for a night out, but there might be some special occasions where, I don’t know, you want to feel like the fabulous lady that you are? Cue dress.
• 1 Pair of Jeans: If you plan on spending any time in San Jose or in any cloud forest you will need a pair of jeans as it’s a little cooler in the mountains.
• 3-4 Pairs of Shorts: I prefer a couple pairs of denim shorts, a pair of beachy loose-fitting shorts, and pair of quick dry running shorts.
• 1 Skirt: Take a skirt that can be worn to the beach, but also for an evening out.
• 2 Pairs of Leggings: Perfect for yoga or hiking!
• 1 Light Waterproof Jacket: Again, if you plan on spending time in San Jose or in the mountains you will need a little jacket to keep you warm, preferably waterproof for rainy days. (May-November is rainy season in Costa!)
• 2 Bathing Suits: I know, how are 2 bathing suits even enough for 3 months? But trust me, more than enough. This isn’t Swim Week in Miami. When backpacking the most important thing is packing lightly & being comfortable. I take 1 pair that’s a little sportier & another pair that’s a little nicer for laying out. And don’t forget the wear one, dry one policy!
• 1 Sarong: This will become your beach bestie. I use my sarong as a beach towel & a cover up. Cute & practical!
• 1 Pair of Pajamas: I can’t count how many times I have forgotten to pack PJ’s! Most hostels do not have AC so try to avoid cotton.
• Bras, undies & socks: I’ll just combine these into 1 category. I am obsessed with padded bralettes. So comfortable & perfect for really any occasion! Opt for quick-dry undies & socks.
• Jewelry: Obviously, do not take anything nice/expensive. But I do recommend some costume jewelry you could use to dress up an outfit for an evening out.
• 1 Clutch: Nothing fancy, but something cute and definitely something with a strap.
• 1 Hat: A baseball cap usually works. It’s always handy to have it with you while laying out or hiking.
• 2 Pairs of Sunglasses: 1 nicer pair & 1 sporty pair. I bring my Ray Bans & Oakley’s.
• 4 pairs of shoes:
  • Flip Flops: For the beach obviously, but also for hostel showers. Don’t even think about going barefoot in one of those, please. Havaianas are my absolute fave!
  • Sandals: A pair of dressier sandals for evenings. Trust me, you will not be needing heels. But if you insist, definitely take a pair of wedges. Two words: Dirt Roads.
  • Flats: Although I don’t wear these much in Costa Rica, it doesn’t hurt to have a pair just in case you need a dressier shoe. I recommend a pair of Tieks. They are great quality, super comfy & pair great with anything.
  • Sneakers: This one is obvious. You will need a pair of comfortable sneakers for pretty much any outdoor activity & trust me, so much outdoorsy fun to be had in Costa! I’m in love with my New Balance sneakers. They’re comfortable, cute & can get you through most hikes. Now if you plan on doing some intense hiking I would recommend a pair of hiking boots, but to be honest, I don’t think those are very practical to lug around or really needed in Costa.
  • Shoe Bags: You will want to keep your sandy & muddy shoes in separate bags as not to get your clean clothes dirty.

Packing Tip: Rolled clothing condenses better than folded clothing. Roll it up!

Miscellaneous:

• Backpack: Forget anything on wheels. The infrastructure (aka roads) in Costa Rica are anything but advanced. Think gravel & dirt roads. You will be hopping from bus to bus at times and possibly walking miles from the bus stop to your hotel/hostel. The last thing you need is to be wheeling any kind of suitcase around. I was lucky to snag a Gregory Deva 60 from a friend for like half the price! Always go for comfort over cuteness when picking your backpack.
• Packing Cubes: These are not necessarily a necessity, but it will make your life a whole lot easier when unpacking/packing.
• Day Backpack: An everyday backpack. I pretty much use this as my everyday purse when I’m in Costa. It’s perfect for the beach, hiking, running errands, etc.
• 2 Locks: You will need at least two locks. Keep any valuables in a locker at a hostel and also lock your backpack when you’re not around.
• Towel: 1 towel you can use for showers. Most hostels do not include towels. They are fairly cheap to rent, but it doesn’t hurt to have one. I recommend taking a microfiber towel because it’s absorbent & fast drying!
• Laundry bag: If you’re going for more than 2 weeks you will probably need to do laundry at least once. And of course you can use this to store your dirty clothes before laundry day.
• Toiletries: I recommend taking items you know for a fact you can’t purchase in Costa. For me, this includes my facial products which I am very particular about. But everything else, like soap, shampoo, lotion, etc., I purchase once I arrive.
• Makeup: Take the bare minimum. I can’t live without my Bare Minerals foundation, blush, mascara & lip gloss...that’s it!
• Mini Blow Dryer/Mini Hair Iron: This one is always a debate because I like rocking my natural waves in Costa. But you never know if you want to straighten your hair, so I opt for the mini versions of each.
• Medicine/First Aid Kit: Any prescriptions, birth control, vitamins or just common over the counter pain relievers.
• Feminine Products/Diva Cup: Just bring them. This can be hard to find at times. Or you can purchase the Diva Cup. It’s a life saver & better for the environment!
• Electronics/Tech Gear: For me this includes my iPhone, headphones, chargers (don’t forget these!). This time I’m bringing my laptop, simply for blogging purposes, but unless you really need it, don’t bring yours.

You can purchase these items once you arrive:

• The Rest of Your Toiletries: You can find most of your favorite over the counter beauty products in Costa and it gives you an excuse to visit a local grocery/convenience store! If there is something you absolutely need then take it in travel size.
• Sunscreen & Bug Spray: These are not options in Costa. Stock up! These items can be a little pricey in Costa, but it's one less thing to pack.
• Laundry powder: Yes, purchase the powder because the last think you need is laundry detergent having some fun with your clothes AND electronics.

Am I missing anything? Let me know the absolute items you take when traveling in the comments below!