Packing for Costa Rica in the summer can be tricky because it really depends on where in Costa Rica you travel, what types of clothes you need to bring. We tend to think of Costa Rica as hot and rainy all year because of all the rainforest and proximity to the equator, but that is not always the case. The Caribbean and Pacific coasts may be hot year-round, but the mountains that run through the center of the country are actually much cooler than the surrounding coasts.
It’s easy to think you are going to the tropics and will only need shorts and t-shirts, but if you are planning a visit to San Jose or any of the mountains and especially the cloud forest, you will need long pants and a jacket!
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These are some tips for packing for Costa Rica in the summer:
Expect to be hot
Bring clothes that are cool and be prepared with short and t-shirts. Also things like a rechargeable portable fan is a great way to keep cool in places with no air conditioning!
Bring a jacket and long pants
I know I just said to pack to be hot, but it may actually be much cooler than you are expecting in the mountains – and that includes San Jose! Especially if you are traveling to the cloud forest or any of the higher elevations, make sure you check the weather forecast before you go and pack accordingly. This probably means you want layers. It can get warm during the day, but much cooler at night or after it rains. A light jacket or sweater is helpful. Pants that convert from pants to shorts can also help you navigate changing weather conditions without a whole second wardrobe.
Bring a hat
Specifically think about a hat that is waterproof and can help keep you dry in addition to keeping the sun off your face. It can be very sunny in Costa Rica in the summer, but that is not why it is hot necessarily. It often feels hotter than it actually is due to the humidity. A hat that is waterproof is a great way to help keep the rain off you.
Bring a raincoat, poncho or umbrella
I would recommend bringing two of the three things listed above. For the raincoat, make sure it has no lining and it just a raincoat, because it can be both raining and hot. I love my Columbia raincoat – it has lasted many years and comes in tons of fun colors.
I wouldn’t recommend the single use ponchos. Plan something a little more heavy-duty that can be re-worn over multiple days.
Travel umbrellas are very small and compact these days. Just remember, the smaller the umbrella, the less people you can fit under it!
Have a plan for keeping your stuff dry
A waterproof bag is a great idea if you plan lots of water activity. Dry bags are plentiful on Amazon these days and you can get one to suit your needs. But they tend to be a little bulky and are not always the most comfortable to wear. If you have a poncho or a raincoat you can fit a bag under, that is also a solution for dealing with wet stuff in the rain.
They also make cute backpack covers, so you can cover a regular backpack and make it waterproof if it rains!
Bring a good camera
There is tons of wildlife in Costa Rica, but there are also tons of activities. Think about what you are planning before you decide on a camera. If you are doing tons of activities, especially water activities, a GoPro is a great idea so you can have your camera anywhere you go.
If you want to take pictures of the animals, a camera with a zoom is a great choice. It’s really up to you and your planned activities, but it’s definitely a trip you will want to remember so make sure to bring one or the other!
Costa Rica uses US outlets
This makes it so much easier for those of us coming from the US. You don’t have to worry about packing a converter, but I would recommend a block that has multiple types of USB outlets just so you don’t have to bring as many different blocks to charge all the different items.
You don’t have to dress up
Costa Rica is a very casual country. Don’t plan to bring heels or nice dresses. So many of the people who visit Costa Rica are there for active or nature tourism. Don’t worry about bringing nice clothes. You probably won’t feel the need to dress up.
Pack shoes that can get wet in Costa Rica
I love my tevas. I would wear them all the time if I could. Tevas, or other sandals like them, make great water shoes, but also just tourist shoes. They are great because they do double-duty as water shoes and walking shoes, but they won’t mind rain. If you don’t bring hiking boots (and you really don’t have to), think about your tennis shoes getting wet. Either bring old ones or ones that will dry relatively quickly.
Costa Rica in the summer is rainy, but it’s not rainy all day long. Plan to get wet at some point each day, but know that it may or may not be a steady, drenching rain that lasts all day. If it doesn’t rain, expect for it to be swelteringly hot in most, but not all, areas of the country. Pack according to the temperatures of where you are going – don’t just expect the entire country to be hot.
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