hi there,
I'm going to CR on the 15th for 3 weeks. I'm planning on backpacking, budget styles, throughout central and Pacific coast mostly, taking buses where possible, hitchhiking where necessary, doing a lot of surfing, hiking, whitewater rafting, beaching, etc. so I'm starting to get stuff together: rain gear, good hiking shoes, bug repellent, the basics. but to cover all bases, I just thought I would put it out to you fine folk to let me know what item(s) the average traveler would overlook? any packing tips for a trip such as the one I'm about to embark upon? Thanks in advance!
- Neil
wowisnow
1
dkt2u
sounds like you have most of the basics down. If you haven't considered it yet, you might want to pick up a masquito net for sleeping. Other than that you should be fine with the basics. The rainy season has not been severe and we are having a normal season with mostly sunny morning and early afternoons and then it clouds up around 3 or 4 in the afternnoon. We might get some rain in the evening or during the night, but still not typically during the day. We live in Esterillos Oeste 22km south of Jaco on the Central Pacific. If you make it through Oeste, look us up at the Lowtide Lounge by the beach. The first beer is on Dave and Kate.
2
ticotim
Forget the Hiking boots, they wioll be hot, and the socks will smell and the leather and socks will never dry, and mildew. Get a trekking shoeor Teva type sandal.
A small poncho that folds into itself, the size of a coconut, and small umbrella, a hat, and SPF 45.
The Moon handbook is best for off the beaten path and smaller venues.
You should not need to hitch anywhere, unless a lone coastal road and you missed the busses. Most surf shops know people going to other areas, and you can picth in for gas/beer and get a ride that way.
3
nyc_girl_115
Pack light! Since you're going backpacker-style, you don't want to lug around a 50 lb rucksack.
Sounds like you have the basics down. There are very few things you can't get in Costa Rica. So if you need an extra T-shirt or swim trunks, you can buy it there (at prices comprable to the US). Bug spray, shampoo, etc, also -- same brands as back in the US.
For specialized or specific-brand gear - it's better to bring in your own. Lightweight raincoat (or you can buy the cheapy $1 yellow ponchos there...) I brought a pair of flip flops and hiking shoes (low-rise Goretex shoes). But I prefer to keep my toes covered because I'm clutzy - some people were fine in Tevas/Chacos.
Have a great trip!
4
costaricaguide
I agree with the above with a couple of small exceptions
On the list of things you can pick up after you're there--Bug Spray. You can get DEET everywhere, but it's almost always 10-15% in huge aerosol cans which are a pain in the neck to carry around, not to mention a h*** of a mess when the stupid button gets pushed as you shove your pack into the bus rack and the DEET begins to eat its way through the nylon...
Pick up a tight sealing 1 oz. 99.5% bottle before you head down and it'll easily last the whole trip.
The other thing is that in my humble opinion ponchos are absolutely useless.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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