- proper hiking or walking shoes/boots that are already broken in (this is not the time to try out some new shoes!)
- sunscreen & a sun hat - even for men!
- bug spray/insect repellent (this will be essential, especially if you're planning a trip to any of the Costa Rica volcanoes, but you can also purchase locally)
- sunglasses (and maybe even a back up pair if you're prone to losing them!)
- hoodie/sweater/jacket if you're heading to Monteverde Cloud Forest or the volcanoes!)
- jeans/quick-dry long pants for rainforest tours
- a good guidebook such as Frommer's Costa Rica 2012 (Frommer's Color Complete, Fodor's Costa Rica 2012 (Full-color Travel Guide)
, or Fodor's Costa Rica 2012 (Full-color Travel Guide)
- if you're traveling, it's very important to have either a detailed Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica
or Costa Rica Adventure Travel Map (Trails Illustrated - trust us, you'll need it
- camera/binoculars
- upload your photos to a cloud site and then you can reuse your memory card without having to purchase multiples
- extra pairs of contact lenses (if you wear them) as they can be expensive to buy/find
- an adapter for a three-prong plug to a two-prong plug (if you're coming from the U.S.)
- a good backpack or daypack but nothing special as you don't want to draw attention to it
- U.S. cash/colones for small incidental purchases but don't carry large amounts of either; take advantage of abundant ATMs and only withdraw what you'll need for a few days
- Pepto Bismal/Immodium - always good to have on hand, just in case - the last thing you'll want to do is go out and buy it if you already need it ;)
- take copies of your passports showing your details/entry stamp but leave the originals in your condo safe; it's also a good idea to keep copies on a cloud server for easy access
For more information on planning your Costa Rica trip, visit Fast Facts About Costa Rica.
