Packing for Costa Rica during the rainy season with three generations in tow is a puzzle. You need rain gear and sunscreen in the same bag. This Costa Rica packing list is what we brought on our 9-day trip through La Fortuna, Rio Celeste, Tamarindo, and Monteverde, tested on horseback, in hanging bridges, on ATVs, and everywhere in between.
I should note: we like to pack light and only bring what fits in a carry-on and our “personal item”
My Costa Rica Packing List
Passport
Obvious, I know, but don’t forget it. Be sure to double-check it doesn’t expire within 6 months of travel. Also, if you got it renewed recently and you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, then make sure your passport number is updated with it. We learned this the hard way!
Camera and lenses
My Canon R6 is always my travel companion. With it, I brought both my Canon RF 24-240 (only because the 100-400 I ordered did not arrive on time). This lens did the job; if wildlife is your jam, bring a longer lens. I also brought my favy fav, my Canon RF 10-22 lens. Costa Rica throws everything at you: wildlife you need reach for, waterfalls and jungle you need width for. I carried it all in a Tenba BOYB that fit perfectly in my Aloha Keep it Light Backpack. Shout out to this backpack, super light and water-resistant, just what I needed.
Osmo Pocket + Osmo Action
Between tubing, hanging bridges, and hikes through the rain, I wanted something I wasn’t afraid to get wet or bounce around. The Osmo Action came with us on the water and the Osmo Pocket handled everything else.
Portable charger
Long travel days between Panama and Costa Rica meant devices were always low. A good portable charger tossed in the carry-on is non-negotiable.
Charger dapper
My favorite travel hack is keeping a little bag with a power strip and all my chargers packed and ready to go, so you’re not hunting for outlets in every new place. I use a JuJuBe Be Dapper, but a Dopp Kit from Aloha Collection would also work. The long and skinniness of it make it good for the power strip
Sunscreen
I filled reusable, carry-on-friendly bottles instead of packing full-size sunscreen. Saved space and kept us from having to buy it there, where it’s pricier. Also meant I could use the brand I like, which is Hawaiian Sun, it smells great and feels super light.
Bug Spray/Wipes
We used Off wipes instead of spray, so there were no liquid restrictions to worry about, and it was easy to hand to the kid without a cloud of spray in her face. Spray is good too. Have something; while the bugs were not as bad as I was expecting, there were still plenty, and you will want to prevent as many of those little buggers (pun intended) as possible. When they do get through, I can recommend getting a Heat-it. It’s a little device that connects to your phone and heats up to zap the itch from your bites. It works pretty well, and Quitch Stickers for after. These are great at keeping things from rubbing against those bites and making them worse.
Plane snacks and activities
I don’t rely on airline food. Though Copa’s was quite good. I always pack snacks like bars, gummies, chips, a PBJ and whatever else. Just in case. They keep the kiddo busy too. Speaking of keeping her busy, I like to pack activities for the plane. Stuff like books, a puzzle book, crayons and a coloring book, or small toys. Oh, and of course, her iPad.
Small towels
We brought a few coral fleece washcloths for quick spills and messy little faces — more useful on a family trip than you’d expect. I started to carry them when Bean was a baby and found them so handy that I just keep one or two on me when we are out and about.
Outfits
We packed about 9 quick-dry, breathable outfits per person. Between hot springs, mud on the trails, and rain, you’ll go through clothes fast, and quick-dry fabric means less laundry stress mid-trip. Lightweight pants are a great idea for keeping bugs off and nice for Monteverde where it is cooler. If you can get an accommodation with a washer and dryer, it’s so handy!
Rain jacket
This was the MVP of the whole trip. I have a lightweight, packable Columbia rain jacket and wore it constantly — Rio Celeste, the hanging bridges, Panama City’s downpours. If you get one thing on this list, get this.
Hoodie
Lightweight, good for cooler evenings in the mountains (Monteverde gets chilly) and layers nicely under the rain jacket if needed.
Footware
I brought hiking sandals for hiking and also some trail-worthy sneakers, and a pair of flip-flops for the beach and around town. I found the hiking sandals the most useful; they were comfy, not too hot, and I didn’t mind if they were wet.
Swimsuits + rash guards
Bring a few of each: you’ll want a dry one on hand most days between hot springs, pools, and beach stops. Rash guards are great extra sun protection for tubing and ATV days.
Jammies
Something light and breathable. Costa Rica’s humidity makes heavier pajamas miserable at night. Of course, the little and I brought our matching Little Sleepies.
Towel
I like to travel with quick-dry Turkish towels. They are packable, light, and they don’t hold sand or hold onto moisture the way a regular towel does. These are just knockoffs of the fancy ones, but I wanted cheap ones I wouldn’t be sad to lose.
Water bottles
We each had a reusable bottle (we love our Owala Sways). These are great to refill at the airport after security, and you’ll save a fortune buying bottled water. Also, most of the natural parks do not allow single-use bottles at all, so you will want to have a reusable one.
Hat
A breathable hat matters more than sunglasses most days here; it’s nice to keep the sun out of your face, breathable cuz it’s hot, and you don’t want your head to sweat. I really like this Columbia one.
Tote
A lightweight tote for beach and pool days. Easy to toss towels, sunscreen, and wet swimsuits into without worrying about your regular bag getting soaked. Bonus: you can use it as an extra carry-on for souvenirs on the way back!
Phone lanyard
Between tubing, ATVs, and hanging bridges, I didn’t want to worry about dropping my phone. A cheap lanyard solved that. I liked this one; I used it as a wrist strap or tethered to the waist of my pants
Wrap Up
Costa Rica during rainy season is a packing balancing act if you want to keep it to just a carry-on. You need to be ready for sun, rain, mud, or all of it in the same afternoon. The rain jacket and quick-dry clothing did the heaviest lifting for us, but honestly, everything on this list earned its spot in the suitcase at some point over our 9 days. Pack light on the “just in case” items and heavy on the quick-dry ones, and you’ll be set for whatever the jungle throws at you.
Read the full story of our 9 days in Costa Rica,
