These are real items from real trips — water shoes for rocky beaches, bug spray for the jungle, and a power bank that's survived two years of humid air. Nothing on this list is filler.
The pair I wear these days. A grippy rubber sole and quick-pull laces handle rocky tide pools, river crossings and volcanic beaches. I wear them from the hotel to the water and back.
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My daily coffee in Costa Rica. It's well priced and delicious. Try it before your vacation, or bring the taste home after.
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A lockable cross-body bag that sits in front of you on buses and crowded markets. The OZUKO has a hidden back pocket and slash-proof straps — I use mine daily.
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Costa Rica requires proof of onward travel. If you don't have a return flight booked, you'll need a verifiable ticket — border agents check, and airlines ask at check-in.
See the GuideSkip the airport SIM desk. Download Saily before you leave, activate it when you land, and you're on fast local data in minutes. No contract, no roaming fees.
See Full Review Get Saily eSIMThese guides take real time to write and real money to keep online. If one of them saved you from a bad decision or helped you find a hidden beach — consider buying me a coffee.
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Mosquitoes in Costa Rica carry dengue. The jungle lodges and Caribbean side are serious — bring proper repellent, not the grocery store stuff.
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The equatorial sun here is no joke. I keep a spray bottle in the bag for quick reapplication and a sunstick for the face — both reef-safe for Costa Rica's protected waters.
Spray — Amazon Sunstick — Amazon
The snorkeling off Ocotal and Hermosa is genuinely worth it. This Cressi set has mask, snorkel, and fins — quality gear that won't fog up or leak.
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Power cuts happen in rural areas and beaches don't have outlets. The Anker 10000 fits in any pocket and charges a phone twice — I've had mine for years.
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All the gear in one place — plus a few extras I haven't written up yet.
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Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I've actually used in Costa Rica.
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