Costa Rica is one of our favorite destinations. Here are a few key items you really need to include on your packing list. With these products Costa Rica adventure will be even more amazing than you expected!
5. Swimming Shoes
There are many beautiful waterfalls to visit throughout Costa Rica. Some of them you will have to do a hike to reach. The hike is not too rough for most, my step father hiked to and from Llanoz de Cortez Waterfalls with a bad knee without any issues. But if you want to keep your feet from hurting wear swimming shoes while on your hike to the waterfall and swimming in the it.
4. Goggles/Snorkel
Bring your own goggles and snorkels. I am not the most patient person when it comes to waiting for things. Many resorts and excursion companies provide snorkels and goggles but -there is waiting in line, setting them to fit. We have saved time on many snorkeling excursions and got snorkel with entire stretches of ocean for ourselves while the others were waiting for goggles.
3. Gopro Camera
Quit thinking about it and go ahead and buy one. I have owned a GoPro since the release of the Hero 3 and when the Hero 4 came out I had to get my hands on one. They make recording and photographing your adventures easy and the quality is amazing.
2. Bug Spray
If you plan on doing any hiking, ziplinging or any tours through the rainforest (Which I highly recommend you doing) you should wear bug spray. We wore bug spray any time we were not at the resort. It prevented us from getting bitten many times others were not so lucky.
1. Sunscreen
Do not forget the sunscreen. Sunscreen is ridiculously overpriced no matter where you go. Obviously the shops around the resort are going to be higher priced but we ventured away from the resort and the steep prices for sunscreen continued. We even asked the locals about it and they said that is just how it is. Even the locals pay the same price for sunscreen. Luckily some other family members shared their sunscreen with us. Some friends had purchased a bottle of sunscreen for $40 USD which would have cost around $5 USD here in the states.
Do you agree with our list of the top 5 things to bring to Costa Rica? Anything you think we should add? We would love to hear your opinion in the comments below.
For more Pura Vida Costa Rica please check out some of our other Costa Rica Posts!
Looks like you had a fab time – I spent 4 months in Costa Rica back in 1997 (oh dear that makes me feel old!) and absolutely loved it, I would love to go back!
Marianne, I would absolutely love spending 4 months in Costa Rica! Our time went by way to fast. We have actually dreamed about purchasing a vacation home someday.
We stay at a place called Casa Acuario in Guanacaste and it’s just beautiful! Lots of photo ops with monkeys, green parrots and lovable iguanas…we recently bought new snorkelling masks that are full face masks with a GoPro mount; a must for underwater Costa Rica photography!
Wow I just looked up Casa Acuario it looks like a beautiful place to stay! Also I have seen those full face masks. My step brother bought one and let me try it in a swimming pool. It was very fun! Do they work great in the ocean?