Costa Rica Travel Center: Travel Tips:

Costa Rica Travel Tips
Costa Rica Packing Checklist

Costa Rica Travel

Start with a good Costa Rica map and guidebook
Shoes
amphibian hikers or river/reef sandals
hiking/walking shoes
beach sandals/flip-flops
dressy sandals or light-weight dress shoes

Clothes
3-5 T-shirts, 1-2 long sleeved to protect your sunburn.
1-2 dress shirts or blouses
3-4 pairs of shorts. 1-2pairs of quick drying nylon and 1-2 pairs of dressy cotton shorts or tropical weight/length skirts.
active/sports swimsuit and a tanning suit You may also want a beach cover-up.
1-2 pairs of long pants. Something dressy and something for the bush. If you can find a pair you like, convertible pants (zip-off legs) can serve as shorts and long pants.
5-8 pairs of underwear.
2-8 pairs of socks.
Jacket- It is the tropics, but you will need something to keep you warm at higher elevations, or on the open ocean.
bandana
baseball cap or brimmed hat
mesh bag for wet clothes

Toiletries
razor
toothbrush and toothpaste
shampoo and conditioner
brush or comb
antiperspirant
towel
washcloth
tampons
toilet paper
cosmetics
Books & Maps

Besides a good map and guidebook you might want to pick these up.
Costa Rica Nature Guide
Spanish/English Phrase book
Bird Watching Book
Serious naturalists might want Janzen's "Costa Rican Natural History."

Documents
money belt or passport pendant-somewhere to carry your documents.
passport
drivers license
money, credit/debit card, traveler’s checks.
insurance card and contact information.

Plastic bags
A photo of your home or family
Your Internet logon info
address book
Clothesline
Water bottle or bag
Flashlight
A drinking cup
binoculars
Croakies® or other glasses retainer system for your prescription or sunglasses.
pocket knife
mp3 player
zip ties

Health
Personal prescriptions should be filled before you leave home for Costa Rica.
sunglasses
Tampons
Contact lenses and cleaning solutions
If you wear prescription glasses, pack a spare pair

First Aid Kit (Basic)
band aids
eye drops
Imodium® OTC or Lomotil® (by prescription in the US) to treat diarrhea
Dramamine® or other motion sickness prevention
neosporin® (over the counter) or terramycin® (by prescription in the US) to prevent infection of small cuts, scrapes, and insect bites
tweezers- needle point/surgical
tape- waterproof, flexible, breathable surgical tape
insect repellent- > 95% DEET for mosquitoes
pain relievers/fever reducers (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and/or Aspirin)
sun screen- at least SPF 20, waterproof
$US 20 bill
vitamins
whistle

First Aid Kit (Advanced)
alcohol pads & benzalkonium sterile wipes
Aloe Vera gel- 100% pure, no perfume or color added; relieves the pain and speeds the healing of sunburn.
anti-histamine tablets- there are all sorts of new pollens to react to, and these can help control the swelling and pain from insect, spider and scorpion stings.
anti-bacterial soap
anti-fungal cream
codeine and/or valium
Dramamine® or other motion sickness remedy
electrolytes- to ease dehydration due to diarrhea or vomiting.
erythromycin
hemostat
mole foam- to prevent and protect blisters
peroxide based water purification system
scissors
sutures
scalpel or razorblade
sterile surgical gauze
stainless steel nail file
super glue- emergency repairs of equipment and an alternative to sutures
tampons- for the obvious reason, and they also work well in a pinch as relatively sterile absorbent wound packing (o.b.®, no applicator).
thermometer
waterproof lighter

Other things to have handy in your first aid kit
flashlight
eyeglass screws
100 lb. test braided nylon line
spare contacts
emergency contact information
nylon sewing thread & needles
crimp on snaps
phone card
ear plugs
compass

Unpacking List
There is no point in carrying all of your keys.
Wallet contents- If you're going to carry your wallet, you can probably remove ¾ of the contents.
Purse-Look at what's in yours to decide if you want to lug it around, and if there is anything you don't need to risk losing.
Copies of your documents. Minimally a Xerox of your passport, drivers license, credit cards, airline tickets, and any reservations that you've prepaid. You need to leave a set at home in case of emergency.
An itinerary.
Sheets/Sleep sack-great for hostels in Europe, but not necessary in Central America.
If you're visiting from the U.S. or Canada you can leave the electric converters and plug adapters at home. The current and plugs are the same and your appliances should work just fine.

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