Wondering what to put on your Costa Rica packing list? Less than you think — but the right things. This is the list we share with our guests for the northern zone: rainforest, volcano and hot springs. Save it for your trip.
The golden rule: light layers, quick-dry everything
In northern Costa Rica the weather changes several times a day — bright sun, tropical downpour, mountain mist. Heavy cotton is your enemy; quick-dry synthetics are your best friends.
The essentials
- 2 swimsuits — one will always be damp, and the hot springs call both morning and night
- Sandals with grip — for pools and wet paths
- Trail shoes or light hiking boots — for the volcano, waterfalls and Río Celeste
- Rain shell or poncho — more practical than an umbrella under the canopy
- Biodegradable repellent and sunscreen — out of respect for the forest and the waters
- Dry bags — for phone, camera and the wet clothes on the way back
- A light sweater — mountain evenings cool down
- Binoculars — this is bird paradise; don’t leave them home
What you can leave behind
- Towels for the springs — included for guests at El Tucano
- Hair dryer, iron — the rooms cover the essentials
- Stacks of cash — USD is widely accepted and the hotel takes cards
- Formal wear — the forest sets the dress code here
The smart first-aid kit
Motion-sickness tablets if mountain roads affect you, personal medications, blister plasters for hikes, and aloe gel. Anything else is available in Ciudad Quesada, minutes from the hotel.
Bag packed — now the destination
If your list includes “thermal river running through the rainforest,” you know where to point the car: browse our 7-day itinerary, pick your room, and book direct for the best rate, taxes included.
