Costa Rica Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on · Checked against official sources
What to pack for Costa Rica: it is hot, humid and often wet, so quick-dry clothes and a light rain jacket beat cotton in any season, and the green season from May to November brings real afternoon downpours. Bring effective insect repellent, a reef-safe mineral sunscreen for the beaches and reserves, sturdy shoes for muddy trails, and a dry bag for the boats and waterfalls. Good news on power: Costa Rica uses the same Type A and B plugs as the US at 120 volts, so US travellers do not need an adapter. Pack casual, pack for rain, and leave room for the wildlife.
Costa Rica essentials at a glance
- Quick-dry clothes and a light rain jacket
- Effective insect repellent
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
- Sturdy trail shoes and sandals
- A dry bag for boats and waterfalls
- Binoculars for the wildlife
- A reusable water bottle
- Swimwear, two sets
Costa Rica is small but packs in rainforest, cloud forest, volcanoes and two coastlines, which means humidity, sudden rain and a lot of wildlife. The clothes that work are light, quick-drying and layered, the shoes need to grip mud, and the thing most people underestimate is the insects. Pack casual and practical, protect against sun and bites, and keep a dry bag handy for the boats, the waterfalls and the afternoon storms.
Clothing and rain
- Quick-dry tops, shorts and trousers · avoid cotton in the humidity
- A light, packable rain jacket
- A fleece for the cloud forest and early mornings
- Swimwear ×2
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun and bugs
- A sun hat
Sun and bugs
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
- Effective insect repellent · DEET or picaridin
- After-sun and lip balm with SPF
- A mosquito head net for jungle lodges
Feet
- Sturdy trail or hiking shoes
- Water shoes and sandals
- Quick-dry socks
Adventure gear
- A dry bag
- A small daypack
- A reusable water bottle
- Binoculars for the wildlife
- A quick-dry towel
- A headlamp for night walks and lodges
Health and money
- Any medication and basic first-aid
- Anti-diarrhoea and rehydration sachets
- Hand sanitiser
- Passport and copies
- Some US dollars and colones, plus a card
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
- A power bank
- A camera with a zoom for wildlife
- No adapter needed from the US · Type A and B plugs, 120 volts
What not to pack
- A power adapter, if you are coming from the US · Costa Rica uses the same Type A and B plugs at 120 volts
- Heavy cotton clothing · it stays wet in the humidity; choose quick-dry
- Chemical sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate · harmful to reefs and restricted in some reserves
- A large hard suitcase · roads and lodges suit a soft, packable bag
- Fancy going-out clothes · Costa Rica is casual, pura vida
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Pack for the green season
From May to November, expect real afternoon downpours most days. Quick-dry clothes, a packable rain jacket and a dry bag mean a shower does not soak your gear or end your afternoon.
Bugs are the real problem, not the weather
Bring an effective repellent with DEET or picaridin, wear long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, and pack a head net for jungle lodges. Mosquito-borne dengue is present, so covering up matters as much as spraying.
Reef-safe sunscreen for the water
Choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Some marine reserves require it, and it protects the reefs you have come to snorkel.
The things people forget
- Effective insect repellent, more than you think you need
- A dry bag for boats, waterfalls and storms
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
- Quick-dry layers, not cotton
What people wish they had packed
- A fleece for the cool cloud forest
- Binoculars for the wildlife
- A headlamp for the night walks
- Water shoes for rocky entries
Frequently asked questions
What should you pack for Costa Rica?
Quick-dry clothes and a light rain jacket, effective insect repellent, a reef-safe mineral sunscreen, sturdy trail shoes and sandals, a dry bag, binoculars for the wildlife and a reusable water bottle. Pack casual and practical, and plan for afternoon rain in the green season.
Do you need bug spray in Costa Rica?
Yes, and a good one. Mosquitoes are active around dawn and dusk and in the rainforest, and dengue is present, so bring a repellent with DEET or picaridin, cover up in the evenings, and consider a head net at jungle lodges.
Do you need a power adapter for Costa Rica?
Not if you are coming from the US or Canada. Costa Rica uses the same Type A and B plugs at 120 volts, so North American chargers fit directly. Travellers from Europe, the UK and Australia do need an adapter.
What do people forget to pack for Costa Rica?
Effective insect repellent, a dry bag for boats and waterfalls, a fleece for the cool cloud forest, a headlamp for night walks, and water shoes for rocky entries.