Trip Preparation

Packing List

Luggage: Less is more here

  • A duffle bag/roller bag or small suitcase
  • A daypack and/or backpack that will be with you daily

Clothing: Participants will need to prepare for multiple activities

  • Many accommodations, including homestays, have laundry services

Everyday clothing/Traveling Clothing:

  • 2-3 pairs of comfortable pants-one pair of jeans
  • 2-3 pairs of comfortable short (Costa Rican women don’t typically walk around town in shorts (only at the beach). Instead pack light weight skirts/travel skirts & capri pants
  • 1 long-sleeve t-shirt
  • 3-5 short-sleeve shirts (1 or 2 tank tops are okay for women)
  • 1 sweatshirt/light fleece (for airplane & cool nights)
  • Raincoat
  • 6-8 pairs of underwear/boxers
  • 2-4 pairs of socks
  • Shoes you wear in the summer - these shouldn't be new (flip flops, comfortable sandals)
  • Your feet tend to get wet, so an extra pair of shoes is recommended

Adventure/Sport/Beach Clothing:

  • Quick dry shorts
  • Quick dry t-shirt(s)
  • Quick dry long-sleeve shirt
  • Bathing suit/board shorts (2-piece suits for females are fine)
  • Closed-toed water shoes for river—teva-type/chaco-type will work
  • Tennis shoes and/or light hiking boots
  • Towel (for beach and adventure activities; hotels provide bathroom towels)
  • Women: sarong (optional)

Toiletries:

  • toothbrush & toothpaste
  • travel-sized shampoo & conditioner
  • travel-sized soap
  • comb/hair brush
  • bug spray
  • sunscreen
  • hand sanitizer
  • razors for shaving
  • vitamins and/or prescribed medication
  • glasses/contacts/cases/saline solution
  • feminine products (they have them there, but it is nice to have the kind you normally use)

Miscellaneous: 

  • hat & sunglasses
  • 1-2 plastic bags for wet cloths and/or shoes
  • reusable waterbottle
  • small umbrella
  • small flashlight/headlamp
  • travel alarm clock
  • paperback book
  • journal
  • photos of your family & home town (applicable to student groups)

Basic First Aid Kit: Costa Rica Explorations provides a comprehensive first aid kit for each student group. Safety is our number one concern.  

If you would like to bring a small first aide kit on your own, here are our recommendations:  adhesive bandages, gauze & adhesive tape, elastic bandages, antiseptic, cotton swabs, disposible gloves, tweezers, scissors, antifungal and antibacterial ointments/creams, 1% hydrocortisone cream, anti-itch gel/cream for insect bites and stings, aloe gel for sunburns, pain or fever medication, stomach upset /diarrhea medication, respiratory medication, anti-motion sickness medication, medicaiton to address allergic reactions,  moleskin for blisters, digital thermometer, saline eye drops, first-aid quick reference card

Electronics: Bringing electronics is ALWAYS a risk!

Cell Phones -- Do work in Costa Rica; however, there are typically large international fees.  Travelers can easily buy a calling card in Costa Rica and can call families from their hotel and/or homestay.  Calling cards are very reasonably priced in Costa Rica. You can also purchase a pre-paid SIM card at the airport. 

Cameras – You will definitely want to remember this experience for the rest of your life.  You can bring a disposable or a regular camera, again at your own risk! We recommend putting your camera in a waterproof container.

Computers - Wifi is accessible in many locations throughout Costa Rica; however, theft is also prevelant throughout Costa Rica.  There are security boxes within many hotel rooms, but sometimes not large enough to fit a laptop. Students should not bring their laptops! We will visit Internet cafes, most hotels have Internet, and some homestays. 

-Make sure that if you do chose to bring electronics that they are stored in waterproof containers/ziplock bags.  It rains in Costa Rica and most likely you will be caught in the rain without warning. 

Electrical outlets are the same as the US. 

-Don’t forget chargers and/or memory cards!