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The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List

Packing Tips for Costa Rica

Visiting Costa Rica is filled with a lot of decisions. The reason for this is because Costa Rica has so much to do and is so different in each of the places you might be visiting.

Some of Costa Rica might be cooler weather, another part more rainy, and then you might have full sunshine. Some of Costa Rica are rural ecolodge adventures, while other parts are much more modern with all the home amenities.

The best advice is to play it safe, and while you shouldn’t overpack, you should come prepared with the items on our Costa Rica packing list.

Passport (Check Expiration Date)

It would be best if you had a passport to enter Costa Rica. Make sure it does not expire in the next six months.

Scanned Copy of Passports

Always carry a few copies of your passport. These copies should be stored separately from your original passport.

Copy of Trip Itinerary

Please print out your trip itinerary, so you have a copy on your phone and store it in your back somewhere. This should have numbers of guides, hotels, or companies you will be traveling with.

Trip Insurance Information

Your trip insurance should have a phone and ID number you should have written down and stored in your phone and a second area.

List of Emergency Contacts Set Aside from Phone

Day Pack

Get yourself a good day pack. Since most backpack trips in Costa Rica are just half-day tours, you probably don’t need one with a ridiculous amount of pockets, but if you can afford a water-proof day back, it’s certainly worth it.

If you can find a day pack with an interior dry area to keep your wet items separated from your dry things, that would be ideal.

Water Bottle

Get yourself a good water bottle. You will be more dehydrated than you think, and drinking all day, every day is a must.

We recommend the hydro-flask as our favorite bottle for adventure that can take a good beating and will last you for many more adventures after your Costa Rica trip.

Portable Charger

An excellent portable charger that can preferably charge multiple devices. A charger with a rubber coat that will protect it from a minor amount of moisture is best.

Don’t forget the cables and adapters!

Two Bathing Suits

You need to know that nothing will dry in Costa Rica. You will want to start training on putting on a wet bathing suit or bring a few extras.

Quick Dry Travel Towel

Great item to have in your day pack. This probably won’t dry either but still good to have.

Buff

Nothing feels better than soaking a buff in a waterfall and then putting it over your head. It helps lower your temperature, and you will be glad you have it.

Flashlight/Head-Lamp

Costa Rica has 12 hours of darkness every day of the year. A good headlamp is practical for seeing where you are going, but some of the most epic night hikes with naturalists happen in Costa Rica.

If you show up with a good headlamp or flashlight, you will be the talk of the town among the naturalist for sure.

Light Rain-Jacket

Make it a light jacket so you don’t get hot but make sure it’s a good one because it can take a beating with good tropical rainfall.

The jackets that can fold up into a bit of pouch are ideal for hanging on the side of your day pack.

Breathable Clothing

The moisture and the humidity will have you glad you are in some breathable clothing.

If you get the right clothes, you can even wear pants and long sleeves and not feel hot.

Bug Spray

Always good to have some bug spray. Fortunately, the insects in Costa Rica don’t like the taste of all tourists, but the few they do enjoy tend to do a number on. But bug spray will do the trick.

It is also essential to bring this in your checked luggage and don’t try and buy it down here because it is three times the price.

Sunscreen

Probably the essential item to bring. One of the reasons is the bug spray, which is because it is costly here.

The second reason is that you are close to the equator and you will get very sunburnt.

We like to use zinc oxide on our faces when working, but most visitors use no lighter than 50SPF.

Dramamine

If you get car sick and don’t like curvy mountain roads, you will probably want to have some Dramamine nearby.

Adventure Water Shoes

This is up there with sunscreen. Make sure you have a  good water shoe that is tried and tested.

If you ask us, there is no perfect water shoe for Costa Rica; the closest we have seen to perfection is the Brewer 2.0 from Astral.

Sandals/Flip Flops

These are also a must because you will get your regular shoes wet and always want something to walk around with dry.

Make sure your sandals or flip-flops do not store moisture. We prefer something like crocs (I know they are not in style anymore), but they are better than leather straps that stay wet all week.

Hat & Sunglasses

A good hat to keep the sun out is a great idea and also sun-glasses. If you wear prescription sunglasses, make sure you have the next item.

Croackies

These are the straps that hold your glasses on. If you plan on doing active water sports, then you want to get the straps that float.

Dry Bags

A small dry bag to have your stuff in when you go rafting or on a float is a good idea. If you need specific medication, your guides can store it in their dry back, but it’s always nice to give it to them in your dry bag.

These also come in handy if you use your phone as your camera.

Medicines

If possible, bring a second set of medications. This is like your passport. It won’t hurt to have some extras in case some luggage gets lost.

Cash

Have some cash separated from your wallet.

Ziploc Bags

This is probably what people end up asking for the most. Bring some good quality Ziploc bags that can fit a bathing suit and your wet shirt.

You should bring one for every day in case you have wet clothes every day. Good Ziploc bags work better than trash bags.

Change of Clothes Put Aside

Keep an extra set of clothes in your carry-on. You never know if your luggage will get lost and show up a day late, so it’s nice to be prepared.

Extra Camera Battery & Memory Card

It never hurts to have a few extra batteries or memory cards.

 

For Travelers visiting during a pandemic, please check for additional items based on the current traveling conditions in Costa Rica.

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POC Camp

The POC camp is an extension of the POC lodge and while the POC Lodge is located with vast views of the Pacuare River Canyon the POC Camp is down on the river’s edge. While it might not have the view of the POC Lodge it sits on one of the calmest sections of the river making the POC Camp home to one of the river Pacuare’s best spots for taking a swim and relaxing on the river’s edge.

POCsito is a favorite among so many of our guests. It is a glamping experience with some of the important comforts of home.

POC Lodge

Started in 2011 is the POC lodge. If you haven’t figured it out by now POC lodge is our own lodge and what we like to call the “baby” of the P.O.C. Adventure Company. We wanted a lodge on our favorite part of Costa Rica which is the Pacuare River and with the help of locally harvested supplies and labor, the POC Lodge was born.

 

This is a 180-acre property that runs over 1 mile of the Pacuare River. Our goal has always been to offer as much comfort as possible without steering too far away from our roots of just roughing it on the river’s edge. Our lodge has hot water, a splash of luxury in the rooms, and 5-Star service and attention to our guests.

Our favorite part about the lodge is that we built a short hike up from the river’s edge. We know we have the best views of the Pacuare River canyon and unfortunately pictures don’t even do it justice.

Arenal Paraiso, Arenal

Have you ever wanted to stay the night at the base of an active volcano? Well here is your chance. The Arenal Paraiso is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano with breath-taking views of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano.

Here at Arenal Paraiso’s, you will enjoy the beautiful property which offers much more than just a view. The property has numerous bungalows that offer a splash of luxury while surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. After a day of adventure, you will love making your way back to relax or hang out in the pool at Arenal Paraiso.

Shawandha, Caribbean 

Located at the edge of the white sandy beaches of Costa Rica sits the Shawandha lodge.  A perfect blend of eco-style luxury along with the sounds of the ocean and vibrant ambiance of the rainforest.

Shawandha lodge is set up with individual bungalows made out of local wood. You will be sure to wake up to the sound of the local residents such as the howler monkeys and green macaws. After your day of adventure, you will have a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful swimming pool at the Shawandha Lodge.

Hotel Villa Florencia, Turrialba

Located in the valley of Turrialba surrounded by sugar-cane plantations and views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano sits an old plantation home that has been renovated into a beautiful small hotel named Villa Florencia.

This is a great hotel with a beautiful pool and plenty of space to take long morning or afternoon hikes. The Villa Florencia hotel is a chance to enjoy luxury while feeling like you stook back in time. While you are in the valley don’t forget to look up as the Turrialba Volcano can often be seen doing small eruptions from across the valley.

Casa Turire, Turrialba

Casa Turire has been one of our favorites since we started. The grounds are some of the lushest you will find anywhere in Costa Rica. Casa Turire sits in the valley of Turrialba surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Turrialba Volcano. The most amazing part about Casa Turire other than its great restaurant and home-made sugar cane ice cream is that it sits on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Angostura offering great morning hikes, birding, or SUPing around the lake.