Costa Rica - what to pack

[Anonymous]

Heading to Costa Rica in a couple weeks and wanted to see what gear is a must-have vs. a nice to have. We’ll be splitting time between Manuel Antonio and Playa Hermosa and am hearing mixed things about what we need - we will be doing a volcano hike, zip lining and some kind of animal exploration. Do we need hiking boots or are running sneakers sufficient? Can we wear shorts since it’s going to be hot or are pants better? A couple friends have said we need water shoes but I am not entirely sure why since we typically just wear sandals at the beach and we may go on a boat but typically take our shoes off.

We definitely plan to bring ponchos, sunscreen and bug spray. What else is really a must?

[Anonymous]

We didn’t bring hiking boots and didn’t need them - the Manuel Antonio route is fine in sneakers.

We did bring water shoes which were helpful in Arenal for hot springs, but didn’t need those for the beaches either.

Costa Rica’s touristy towns will have much of what you might need if you find you wish you had something you didn’t bring.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone on DCUM not go to Costa Rica?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone on DCUM not go to Costa Rica?

El Salvador is now better to travel to than Costa Rica.

[Anonymous]

I brought hiking boots and was glad to have them. Trails were slippery especially near waterfalls and terrain was uneven. I’d bring athleisure (quick dry, good coverage). especially uv-blocking tops, hats, sunglasses. Definitely have at least some pants/leggings, lightweight long sleeves, as there are some crazy insects. I wouldn’t bother with ponchos. I wore my super lightweight raincoat (Patagonia Houdini) every day and that was perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone on DCUM not go to Costa Rica?

El Salvador is now better to travel to than Costa Rica.

Nope.

Costa Rica has natural beauty that El Salvador, as a tiny country, never will.

[Anonymous]

Costa Rica is the perfect place to bring and wear "travel clothes." Plan for humidity. Skip the cotton.

[Anonymous]

Can you go to Costa Rica without renting a car? For some reason that makes me nervous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you go to Costa Rica without renting a car? For some reason that makes me nervous.

We didn’t rent a car but we paid for a driver (through our hotel) for excursions. Not the cheapest but way less stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costa Rica is the perfect place to bring and wear "travel clothes." Plan for humidity. Skip the cotton.

Yeah, I don’t usually buy special clothing for trips, but I bought some stuff at REI for Costa Rica and was very glad to have it. It’s nothing like our climate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone on DCUM not go to Costa Rica?

El Salvador is now better to travel to than Costa Rica.

Nope.

Costa Rica has natural beauty that El Salvador, as a tiny country, never will.

LOL, you can be a "tiny country" and still have "natural beauty."

Having said that, and having been to both, I'd recommend neither. El Salvador may be a lot safer than it used to be, but lots of "safe" places still aren't tourist friendly and El Salvador remains one of them. For starters, they need to clean it up. There's litter everywhere and it really detracts from the experience.

As for Costa Rica, it's become a victim of its own success. It has focused for so long and so exclusively on international tourism that it's lost all authenticity. It's like a theme park. Everyone who goes there does the same carefully orchestrated thing. Better said, everyone goes there and does the same orchestrated thing.

[Anonymous]

Driving in Costa Rica is half the adventure.

I only bring mesh shoes and flip flops when I go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you go to Costa Rica without renting a car? For some reason that makes me nervous.

We didn’t rent a car but we paid for a driver (through our hotel) for excursions. Not the cheapest but way less stressful.

PP here. This is my point.

[Anonymous]

But agree with the poster right above me. Skip the zip lining and guided eco tours. Rent a car and Do your own thing.

Op - where are you flying into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone on DCUM not go to Costa Rica?

El Salvador is now better to travel to than Costa Rica.

Nope.

Costa Rica has natural beauty that El Salvador, as a tiny country, never will.

LOL, you can be a "tiny country" and still have "natural beauty."

Having said that, and having been to both, I'd recommend neither. El Salvador may be a lot safer than it used to be, but lots of "safe" places still aren't tourist friendly and El Salvador remains one of them. For starters, they need to clean it up. There's litter everywhere and it really detracts from the experience.

As for Costa Rica, it's become a victim of its own success. It has focused for so long and so exclusively on international tourism that it's lost all authenticity. It's like a theme park. Everyone who goes there does the same carefully orchestrated thing. Better said, everyone goes there and does the same orchestrated thing.

DP

But people aren't going to Costa Rica for "authenticity". Costa Rica's appeal is: Proximity (to mid-Atlantic). Safe. Predictable. Orchestrated.

Costa Rica isn't the bad boy you date for excitement and explosive experiences. Costa Rica is the boring, predictable tax accountant - sure he's terrible in bed but he'll make a reliable father.