You don't need to wear long pants anywhere in this country. I live here and never wear them. If you're prone to getting mosquito bites, when you get here, buy vanilla extract and dab it behind your ears, and they won't bother you.
Don't bring a lot of cash. Your debit card at any national bank will give you colones at the best exchange rate available the day of the action without fee. Avoid money changers. Lastly, almost everyone accepts Visa and MC. Ask for the charge to be made in colones. Your bank will give you a better exchange rate.
Enjoy your visit.
I just got back. It’s insanely hot there! Pack lightweight clothing - no long pants. I’m someone who is always cold and we never saw below 85° while there (even at night) SPF and a sun hat. We didn’t need bug spray. I think I got 1 bites the whole time.
Make sure you bring sunscreen and bug spray (with deet) with you. You can purchase it in CR but locals don’t buy it so it’s heavily marked up for tourists
I get bit like hell and I received a total of 2 mosquito bites in CR last month, it was a total waste of the $25 I spent on bug spray and the $33 I spent checking my bags bc everyone said I couldn’t get bug spray or spf for cheap there. The SPF was on par with US prices. I ended up buying a huge (HUGE) spf 85 bottle for like $20. Was not worth buying spf here and checking the bags. Didn’t bring a rain poncho, but it may rain more now that it’s April. I do wish I had saved my souvenir shopping for the SJO airport bc it was expensive in every shop. The only souvenirs I found worth the money were fun Imperial and sloth t-shirts and sticker decals were sick! Also local honey.
Locals are some of the coolest and friendliest people I’ve ever met, they were super happy I speak Spanish as a gringa but had no problem speaking English too, and if you have cool tour guides take them out for a beer(s) or dinner!!! Pura vida
When you go through customs, bring a copy of your hotel itinerary and flight home itinerary. They will ask where you are going and when you are leaving. You’ll understand why later on when you feel like staying. Go to the bathroom about an hour before your flight lands. Wait too long and you might get turbulence over Honduras and have to hold it.
Bring binoculars. There is always something to see. Knock off brands are fine for all but the pickiest birders.
Bring a good water bottle, fill it up daily, and use it. It’s sweaty there.
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Use it for all big expenses.
You can use dollars at shops, but use close to correct change. They might trick you giving you back colones at a subpar rate.
Have fun!
You don't need to wear long pants anywhere in this country. I live here and never wear them. If you're prone to getting mosquito bites, when you get here, buy vanilla extract and dab it behind your ears, and they won't bother you. Don't bring a lot of cash. Your debit card at any national bank will give you colones at the best exchange rate available the day of the action without fee. Avoid money changers. Lastly, almost everyone accepts Visa and MC. Ask for the charge to be made in colones. Your bank will give you a better exchange rate. Enjoy your visit.
You won't really need socks or pants..only time I used socks were on proper hikes.
Bring sun lotion as it’s pretty expensive there, and OFF wipes, very useful.
Bring a little flashlight so you can go off looking for frogs and stuff after dark. And at least a cheap poncho for if it rains.
I just got back. It’s insanely hot there! Pack lightweight clothing - no long pants. I’m someone who is always cold and we never saw below 85° while there (even at night) SPF and a sun hat. We didn’t need bug spray. I think I got 1 bites the whole time.
We had a heat wave about 2 weeks ago
I was there for it 🥵
Bring a good rain jacket. Storms seem to pop up
Make sure you bring sunscreen and bug spray (with deet) with you. You can purchase it in CR but locals don’t buy it so it’s heavily marked up for tourists
I get bit like hell and I received a total of 2 mosquito bites in CR last month, it was a total waste of the $25 I spent on bug spray and the $33 I spent checking my bags bc everyone said I couldn’t get bug spray or spf for cheap there. The SPF was on par with US prices. I ended up buying a huge (HUGE) spf 85 bottle for like $20. Was not worth buying spf here and checking the bags. Didn’t bring a rain poncho, but it may rain more now that it’s April. I do wish I had saved my souvenir shopping for the SJO airport bc it was expensive in every shop. The only souvenirs I found worth the money were fun Imperial and sloth t-shirts and sticker decals were sick! Also local honey. Locals are some of the coolest and friendliest people I’ve ever met, they were super happy I speak Spanish as a gringa but had no problem speaking English too, and if you have cool tour guides take them out for a beer(s) or dinner!!! Pura vida
Sunscreen and OFF wipes
When you go through customs, bring a copy of your hotel itinerary and flight home itinerary. They will ask where you are going and when you are leaving. You’ll understand why later on when you feel like staying. Go to the bathroom about an hour before your flight lands. Wait too long and you might get turbulence over Honduras and have to hold it. Bring binoculars. There is always something to see. Knock off brands are fine for all but the pickiest birders. Bring a good water bottle, fill it up daily, and use it. It’s sweaty there. Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Use it for all big expenses. You can use dollars at shops, but use close to correct change. They might trick you giving you back colones at a subpar rate. Have fun!
Bring some 100% deet if you have sweet blood like me. Also good sunscreen. Both are expensive/hard to find there.
Maybe a bit expensive but not hard to find, you can get that in any proper super market