What to Pack for your Costa Rica Vacation

A guest guide from Vistas Coronado

You've booked your escape to the Pacific coast — now let's make sure you arrive ready for everything Costa Rica has to offer. After hosting many guests, we've learned exactly what makes the difference between a smooth, barefoot-luxury stay and a mid-trip scramble to the nearest tienda. Here's our honest, lived-in packing list, organized so you can pack in an afternoon.

A quick note: The items we recommend below are things we genuinely suggest to our own guests. A few links will take you to Amazon, where we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only point you toward gear we'd actually pack ourselves.

Start With the Climate

Costa Rica's Pacific coast is warm and humid year-round, with two broad seasons. The dry season (roughly December–April) brings reliable sun and that postcard-blue sky. The green season (May–November) is lusher, quieter, and punctuated by afternoon downpours that usually clear as quickly as they arrive. Either way, you'll want to pack for heat, sun, water, and the occasional warm rain — not for cool weather.

Think light, breathable, quick-drying, and easy to rinse out. Cotton holds moisture and stays damp; technical and linen fabrics are your friends here.

🌊 The Beach & Water Essentials

This is a beach property, so most of your days will revolve around sun and surf.

Reef-safe sunscreen. The tropical sun is stronger than most visitors expect, and reef-safe formulas protect both your skin and the marine life just offshore. Bring more than you think you need — it's pricier and harder to find locally.
→ Reef-Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 on Amazon
A wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses. Shade for your face and glare-free views of the water.
Rash guards. A long-sleeve swim shirt saves you from reapplying sunscreen every hour and is ideal for snorkeling and paddling.
→ Women's Roxy Rash Guard on Amazon
A quick-dry travel towel. Packs small, dries fast, and shakes off sand far better than terry cloth.
→ Microfiber Beach Towel on Amazon
Water shoes or sport sandals. For rocky entries, tide pools, and waterfall hikes.
→ Women's Teva Sandals on Amazon
A dry bag. Keeps your phone, keys, and wallet safe on the boat, at the beach, or in a sudden shower. The single most useful thing you can bring to Costa Rica.
→ Waterproof Backpack on Amazon

🌿 For the Adventures Inland

Costa Rica rewards the curious. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, walking hanging bridges, or spotting wildlife at dawn, a little gear goes a long way.

Lightweight binoculars. Howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, sloths, and toucans are easier to spot than to photograph — binoculars turn a glimpse into a moment.
→ Vortex Diamondback 10x42 Binoculars on Amazon
Insect repellent. Especially in the green season and around dusk.
→ Sawyer Picaridin 14-Hour on Amazon
A packable rain jacket. Light, breathable, and worth its weight when an afternoon shower rolls in.
→ Women's Helly Hansen Waterproof Shell on Amazon | Men's Helly Hansen Waterproof Shell on Amazon
Trail-ready footwear. Closed-toe shoes with grip for muddy paths and uneven trails.
→ Women's On Cloud Waterproof Trail Runner on Amazon | Men's On Cloud Waterproof Trail Runner on Amazon
A reusable water bottle. Costa Rica's tap water is generally safe to drink, so refill rather than buy.
→ Yeti Water Bottle on Amazon

🧳 The Practical Bits

The small things that quietly save the day.

A travel power adapter. Costa Rica uses the same plug type as the U.S. (Type A/B, 120V), so American guests usually don't need one — but travelers from elsewhere will.
→ Anker Power Adapter on Amazon
A portable power bank. Long days out mean a phone that's also your camera, map, and translator.
→ Ridge Power Bank on Amazon
A basic first-aid and medicine kit. Antihistamines, pain reliever, motion-sickness tablets, blister plasters, and any prescriptions.
→ Compact First Aid Kit on Amazon
A packing cube set. Keeps damp swimwear separate from dry clothes and your suitcase civilized.
→ Compression Packing Cubes on Amazon

What You Can Leave at Home

Just as useful as knowing what to bring:

Heavy clothing and layers. You won't need them on the coast.
A hair dryer. Most properties provide one, and the humidity has other plans for your hair anyway.
Excess "just in case" gear. Anything you forget, you can usually find in town — pack light and leave room for the coffee and chocolate you'll bring home.

Our Best Advice

Pack for the life you'll actually live here: early mornings on the sand, long lunches, a swim before sunset, and the kind of unhurried days that made you book the trip in the first place. Bring less than you think, choose quick-drying everything, and don't forget the dry bag.

We can't wait to host you at Vistas Coronado. Pura vida. 🌿

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