For most Costa Rica trips, pack light: quick-dry clothes, one pair of closed-toe walking shoes, sandals, a swimsuit, a light rain jacket and one warm layer for the mountains. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent from home, since both cost more here. A carry-on and a daypack are enough for one to two weeks, and laundry service is easy to find. Costa Rica uses the same outlets as the US, so North Americans don’t need an adapter.
This guide is for travelers packing for their first or next Costa Rica trip. It covers a full packing list, what to pack for Costa Rica in July and August and the rest of the rainy season, how to pack by region, and what to leave at home.
| Costa Rica packing list | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Luggage | Carry-on plus daypack for up to two weeks; soft bag if you’ll take domestic flights |
| Clothes | Lightweight, quick-dry; long sleeves and pants for sun, bugs and hikes |
| Shoes | Closed-toe walking or hiking shoes, sport sandals, flip-flops for the beach |
| Rain gear | Light rain jacket year-round; essential May to November |
| Mountains | Fleece or light jacket and long pants for Monteverde, volcanoes and the Central Valley at night |
| Bring from home | Sunscreen, insect repellent, prescriptions, a dry bag |
| Power | 120V, US-style plugs; UK and EU travelers need an adapter |
| Domestic flights | Small bags only; SANSA carry-ons max about 10 lb (4.5 kg), checked allowance depends on fare |
The checklist
Costa Rica Packing List
Clothing
- 4 to 6 quick-dry T-shirts or tank tops
- 2 lightweight long-sleeve shirts for sun, bugs and evening
- 1 pair of lightweight hiking pants and 1 pair of long pants for the evening
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 2 swimsuits, so one can dry
- A fleece or light insulated jacket
- A sun hat and a rash guard for long days on the water
- Underwear and moisture-wicking socks; cotton stays damp in the humidity
Shoes
Three pairs cover almost everything: closed-toe hiking shoes or trail runners, sport sandals that strap on for rivers and waterfalls, and flip-flops for the beach and showers. Waterproof hiking shoes help from May to November. Break in new shoes before the trip. Leave heels at home; sidewalks are often uneven or broken.
Rain and water gear
- A light, packable rain jacket. Heavy waterproof jackets feel like a sauna on the coast but earn their place in windy highlands.
- A small dry bag and a waterproof phone pouch for boat tours, waterfalls and rivers
- A rain cover for your daypack
- A quick-dry travel towel
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen: pack plenty. It’s expensive here, and reef-safe options are limited.
- Insect repellent: pick one with DEET or picaridin. Mosquitoes spread dengue, and the stronger brands are hard to find locally.
- Prescriptions: bring enough for the whole trip in their original containers.
- Motion sickness tablets for winding mountain roads and boat rides
- A small first aid kit with blister pads, antihistamines and after-bite cream
- A reusable water bottle; tap water is safe to drink in most of the country
Documents and money
- Passport valid for your whole stay, plus a copy of the photo page. See do you need a passport for Costa Rica.
- Proof of an onward or return ticket
- Travel insurance details. See do you need travel medical insurance for Costa Rica.
- Two cards from different banks, and a small amount of US cash or colones. See do you need cash in Costa Rica.
- Your driver’s license if you plan to rent a car
Tech and gear
- Phone with an eSIM or local SIM plan. See our guide to power outlets and SIM cards in Costa Rica.
- A plug adapter if you’re coming from the UK or Europe. US and Canadian plugs work as they are.
- A portable charger for long tour days
- A headlamp or small flashlight for night walks and power cuts
- Compact binoculars; wildlife is often high in the trees. See our picks for compact binoculars.
- A daypack for hikes and tours
Rainy season
What to Pack for Costa Rica in July and August
July and August fall in Costa Rica’s rainy season, which runs from May to November on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley. Most days start sunny, with showers or storms building in the afternoon. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and pack for wet afternoons.
- July: often drier than August. A dry spell called the veranillo, or “little summer,” usually falls in late June or July, though its timing changes each year. Costa Rican schools take a midyear break around then, so beach towns get busier.
- August: rainier than July in most areas. The Central Pacific and Central Valley get regular afternoon rain; the South Pacific and the mountains, including Monteverde and Arenal, get heavy rain almost daily.
- The Caribbean coast: follows its own pattern. July is usually one of its wettest months, while September and October are its driest.
Add these for July and August
- A reliable, packable rain jacket
- Waterproof or quick-dry hiking shoes and an extra pair of socks
- Zip-lock bags and a dry bag for electronics
- Extra insect repellent; dengue cases tend to rise in the rainy season
- Fewer cotton clothes; they won’t dry overnight
Temperatures stay warm. August averages run about 69°F to 89°F (21°C to 32°C) on the Pacific coast, 71°F to 86°F (22°C to 30°C) on the Caribbean coast and 62°F to 77°F (17°C to 25°C) in San José and the Central Valley. For more on the season, see what to do in Costa Rica during the rainy season and the Costa Rica weather forecast.
Dry season (December to April)
The Pacific side and the Central Valley are mostly dry and sunny, and Guanacaste is hot. Focus on sun protection: hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and more sunscreen than you think you need. Still bring a light rain jacket for Monteverde, Arenal and the Caribbean, where it can rain in any month.
By region
Packing for Costa Rica by Region
| Region | What to add |
|---|---|
| San José and the Central Valley | Long pants and a light jacket for cool evenings |
| Monteverde and the highlands | Fleece, long pants, waterproof jacket; it’s cool, misty and often windy |
| Arenal and La Fortuna | Rain jacket, swimsuit for hot springs, sandals for waterfalls |
| Guanacaste and the Pacific beaches | Extra sunscreen, hat, rash guard, light breathable clothes |
| Caribbean coast | Rain jacket, repellent, light clothes |
| Osa Peninsula and Tortuguero | Long sleeves, strong repellent, dry bag; pack small for boats and small planes |
Planning hikes? See our guide to hiking in Costa Rica and our Monteverde travel guide.
Small planes and boats
Packing for Domestic Flights and Remote Areas
Small domestic planes have tight limits. On SANSA, your checked allowance depends on the fare you buy, so check your confirmation. Carry-ons can weigh up to about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) free and must fit 12 x 20 x 8 inches, and checked bags can’t exceed 30 x 18 x 13.5 inches. Excess bags fly only if there’s space and may arrive on a later flight. Surfboards and other sports gear have their own rules. See Costa Rica domestic airlines.
Places like Tortuguero and parts of the Osa Peninsula are reached by boat or small plane. Pack a soft bag you can carry on a dock, and ask your San José hotel to store extra luggage if you’re coming back through. See how to get to Tortuguero.
Leave it
What Not to Pack for Costa Rica
- Expensive jewelry and watches: they make you a target and you won’t need them.
- Single-voltage 220V hair tools from the UK or Europe: they won’t work on 120V. Bring dual-voltage models or skip them.
- Jeans for daily wear: heavy and slow to dry. One pair for cool evenings is plenty.
- A week of outfits per week of travel: laundry service is easy to find.
- Single-use plastic and drones for national parks: Manuel Antonio bans both, and other parks have restrictions.
- Lots of cash: cards work widely; carry enough for small purchases and park fees.
Avoid these
Common Packing Mistakes
- Packing only beachwear and freezing in Monteverde.
- Bringing a big hard-shell suitcase on a trip with domestic flights or boat transfers.
- Relying on cotton clothes in the rainy season.
- Waiting to buy sunscreen and repellent in Costa Rica.
- Skipping a rain jacket because it’s the dry season.
For more planning help, see our Costa Rica travel tips.
FAQ
Costa Rica Packing FAQ
What should I wear in Costa Rica in August?
Light, quick-dry clothes for warm days, a rain jacket for afternoon showers, closed-toe shoes that can get wet, and a warm layer for the mountains. August is in the rainy season, so plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Do I need hiking boots for Costa Rica?
Not usually. Trail runners or light hiking shoes handle most park trails. Bring waterproof boots only for muddy rainy-season hikes or tougher treks like Corcovado or Chirripó.
Do I need a rain jacket in the dry season?
Bring a light one. Monteverde, Arenal and the Caribbean coast can get rain in any month, and a jacket also blocks wind in the highlands.
Can I buy sunscreen and bug spray in Costa Rica?
Yes, but sunscreen is expensive, reef-safe options are limited, and strong repellents can be hard to find. Bring both from home.
Do I need a power adapter in Costa Rica?
Not from the US or Canada. Costa Rica uses 120V and US-style plugs. Travelers from the UK and Europe need a plug adapter and dual-voltage devices.
How much luggage can I take on Costa Rica domestic flights?
Not much. On SANSA, the checked allowance depends on your fare, and carry-ons are limited to about 10 pounds. Pack a soft bag and check the limit on your confirmation.
The short version
Pack light: quick-dry clothes, three pairs of shoes, a rain jacket and one warm layer.
Bring sunscreen, strong repellent and your prescriptions from home.
In July and August, plan mornings outside and pack for wet afternoons.