To make your adventure as awesome as possible, please consider bringing the following:
Essentials (for one week visit)
- Suitcase or backpacking pack
- Reusable water bottle
- Reliable flashlight, headlamp (rechargeable, if possible, or bring extra batteries)
- ZIP LOCK Bags for electronics and important items – It can always rain in the tropics
- Sufficient clothes for one week of humid warm days and cool nights.
○ Swimsuit
○ Travel towel for river, waterfall, and beach (We provide shower towels)
○ Lightweight long-sleeve shirts (2)
○ Short-sleeve shirts or tank tops (2)
○ Lightweight outdoor pants and shorts
○ Underwear, socks, sleepwear
- Good trail shoes and loafers, flip-flops, or other slip-ons
- Umbrella / Poncho (especially during rainy season)
- Sun hat and shades (if needed)
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses (if needed)
- Earplugs (if needed for sleeping in shared room)
- Biodegradable toiletries (please, no synthetic chemicals or bug sprays containing DEET)
○ Eco friendly big sprays
○ Toothbrush and natural paste, floss
○ Organic soap and hair care
○ Other hygiene and personal products
- Cash and credit/debit cards
○ Cash will be needed to pay for any local shopping or optional extras you may wish to book such as special tours or body work
○ Plan ahead! ATMs are only available for withdrawing less than $200 cash in Dominical or San Isidro which is 30+ minutes from many centers.
○ Call your bank or Credit Card Company and let them know where you will be traveling so that they don’t deactivate the card when they see a foreign transaction.
- Passport, travel itinerary, tickets, maps, important phone numbers (Because of the humidity, keep passports in ziplock back)
- Photocopies of passport, credit cards, travel docs, and any important medical information (Costa Rica accepts a photo copy of your passport in most locations except banks)
- Guide to Costa Rica Spanish (if needed)
Optional Ideas
- Light day bag for day trips (a MUST if you have excursions planned)
- Hiking poles / sticks
- Binoculars
- Rain jacket (especially during rainy season)
- Money belt
- Cell phone and camera
- Laptop (Turn on at least once daily to minimize effect of humidity and keep in waterproof bag when not in use)
- Flash drive, headphones, chargers
- Timepiece with alarm
- Waterproof backpack or day bag
- Prepaid phone cards (either for your international plan or local Kolbi SIM card)
- Notebook, journal, and pens
- Art supplies and/or your favorite musical instrument
- Feminine hygiene products
- Any particular yoga mat or other fitness props
- Drivers license, if you intend to rent a car or drive at all before or after your trip