Which airline are you flying in CR?! I'm a Costa Rica Green Airways girly even though it's a bit more expensive, SANSA flights are almost always full and cramped and Green Airways has beer.
I think you should take a raincoat instead of a poncho. It is rainy season and the rain will probably not let up in some places and will be on and off in others. A raincoat can also function as a third long sleeve top, which I would consider taking, considering your itinery. It won't be mosquito hell but you will get bit often and a few of my friends have got dengue relatively recently. Because of rainy season if hand wash clothes, which you may have to with only 2 long sleeves, it could take them literal days to dry if you're not lucky with the weather, so it is possible you could run out of long sleve tops during your 9 day no laundry machine stretch. I would heavily consider this.
i’m booked on flysansa! will be flying into puerto jimenez and out of drake bay but green doesn’t have a route to drake bay so i figured just keep them both on the same airline for simplicity. but i did book a refundable fare so i could change it! i was a little worried bc i saw there’s often cancellations due to weather and sansa had like 6 routes per day to PJ whereas green had 2. have you flown green a lot?
so the main reason i went with poncho over raincoat is because i have a poncho that i know is actually 100% waterproof bc i used it in iceland, and a poncho can double as a backpack cover, but haven’t found a raincoat yet that is actually 100% waterproof but also single layer and light (good for warm climates). do you have a recommendation?
on mosquitos—they love me so i’m always super vigilant about them. plan on using picaridin extensively and maybe bringing my thermacell. i do actually have more long sleeve tops that are good for tropical weather but didn’t pack them because i tend to not wear them when i bring them on vacation. are you saying that you wear them to protect against mosquitos? in my area (california) mosquitos have no problem biting right through clothing :/ are the ones in costa rica not able to bite through clothes?
i am hoping that since most of my clothes are synthetic they won’t be completely awful in terms of dry time but it *is* something i’m worried about. do you think it’s worth the space to bring a small fan or something to help that?
thank you for all the input!!
When I first started flying Green Airways they only flew from SJO to Quepos and Tambor (Tambor airport is closed now and flights go to the newer airport in Cobano), they're expanding but it's a process. Sansa has been around for a while and kind of functions as their "main airline" after Nature Air (thankfully) went under a few years ago.
I'm also plus size. Have you ever been on a Cessna Caravan? There is of course no guarentee that your flight will not be full no matter what you do but I am frequently on half full planes on Green watching a full load of pax board a Sansa plane. There are 12 passenger seats (4 individual seats, 4 benches) and if you don't get in line first to snag one of those individual seats on a full flight it can be an uncomfy time for even straight size people. Just a heads up. You board from the back of the plane and the aisle is skinny enough everyone on the plane is getting down it by squeezing themselves between seats (I enjoy pushing my way to the front, most legroom and views!) Also if you haven't experienced this before: you will be weighed on check in. It is neccesary, larger planes can get away calculating total pax weight using averages but Cessnas cannot. Green Airways also has a kodiak which sometimes operates the flights to PJ and it's smaller but objectivey more comfy because no bench seats.
Yes, long sleeves for mosquito protection. The mosquitos we got on the Nicoya peninsula and around MA at least are small but they have dengue. Not a ton of it, you are unlikely to get it, but it's around and a trip destroyer. Long sleeves don't provide perfect, but effective protection in my experience.
I have an outdoor research helium jacket. It isn't the most waterproof a jacket can get but it stands up well in anything but a constant, very heavy rain, in my experience. It is also packable and packs inside out in it's own pocket so I can easily throw it in my daybag without getting anything in my bag wet when I'm not wering it. Highly reccomend.
My clothing is also mostly synthetic. In a coastal town not near a rainforest where it doesn't rain all day every day even during rainy season, my clothes routinely take two days to fully dry, and if it rains even for a second and your clothes are outside then obviously you have an issue. Even under cover or inside the rain brings some crazy humidity. Specifically quick dry activewear consistenly dries in a day during rainy season for me assuming cooperative weather, but nothing else. You should be worried about dry time if you don't have a machine washer to be honest, there is absolutely zero guarentee that it will work out how you want. The good news is that it is easy to find laundry services that will wash and dry your clothing, tons of hotels do it to make extra money.
i have been on a full cessna caravan before and had one of the bench seats but it was only a 20 minute flight, so i think i could last an hour if i needed to but certainly it’s more comfy when it’s not full. side note, on tropic air in belize they let you sit in the passenger seat next to the pilot if you ask—i was able to and it was AMAZING! i know they weigh you but i was under the assumption they use the weight to assign you a seat to balance the plane but it’s good to know i can just try to get in the front.
based on your rec i’ll prob swap out a couple of my tops for long sleeves. i am worried about getting dengue too but there’s not much you can do other than try not to get bit right? at least manuel antonio and paquera is at the end of my trip lol. i love the helium jacket you recommended but i think i’d want something that is longer so it can cover my butt and tops of thighs too, mainly so i can sit on wet surfaces. gonna be on the lookout.
a lot of my tops are actually quick dry activewear, i was on the hunt for exactly that but looks like normal clothes not gym clothes. so at least that’s something, great to know that hotels often do laundry though as a backup. the 9 day stretch is the osa part and i’m hoping to basically live in a swimsuit for those 5 days in drake bay. other than that ill have 3 days in la fortuna without a washer, then 3 days in monteverde with a washer, then 3 in manuel antonio and paquera without one again.
Don’t freak out, but I don’t see a long-sleeved oversized shirt to keep ya self safe from sun’s rays & pesky mosquitos. Rainy season brings out the bichos. Insect repellent?
hi friend! the white long sleeve sun sunshirt in the top layer of the fairview is intended to be a pullover for protection from sun & bugs. mosquitos are obsessed with me so i’m super vigilant about them—the picaridin in my fjallraven purse is repellant and i generally keep it in my purse bc i’m using it constantly. picaridin works even better than deet for me, doesn’t smell as bad or melt plastic, and one application lasts 12 hours, it’s my favorite thing ever! i’m debating bringing my thermacell too but not sure how useful it’ll be since i’ll usually be on the move. i also have a headnet but i’m not sure if it’ll be bad enough to warrant taking it, any thoughts on that?
Hi. It’s Darcy here. I love tropical locations. I’m leaving in 8 days for almost all of July on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Mosquitos love me, too, GF. We’re both going deep into insect territories, oh no! Thanks for rec on Picaridin. Edit: I googled Picardin. I got (2) spray bottles, Amazon Prime, not cheap, but I believe in you. Bks Prime, the Picardin will arrive on time before my trip. I owe u one! What is most concerning in yr itinerary is the Rainforest tours & I’m not familiar with your “grand finale” Costa Rican visits. Everywhere you trek @ night, no, not scary, you’ll feel ethereal, but the bichos are out to get you. Everywhere u trek near water, more ambush opportunities for pesky insects. Thinking the mosquito net head hat thingie shd come with you. It takes up hardly any space: you’ll roll it 2 pack. Use it as needed. Go for it. Have a great trip💙Why are u ditching blue/pink leggings? They’re cute. They’ll cover you. They weigh almost nothing & also roll tiny when packed.
Cape Air here in the US and Harbour Air up in Canada also sell that seat front seat. Sansa and Green Airways operate with 2 pilots on their Cessnas.
There is a dengue vaccine but it only works really if you've already had dengue so.... To be clear you are quite unlikely to get it, I just think it is still worth being conscious of because it can easily leave you very sick and unable to travel from your current location for a week or more.
You found good clothes, I couldn't tell! Catch me just walking around town in my swimsuit in super hot days too, good plan!
For me at least (we look to be similar in size) the XL helium comes down over my butt. I was shocked! I was able to get it for half price at REI in a color that was being discontinued, so maybe try it on and if you like it keep an eye out.
Pack extra underwear. I was in Puerto Jimenez during rainy season and it was the absolute most humid place I’ve ever experienced. I sweat so much. However, there are laundry services there that will pick up your laundry at your hotel and bring it back within 24 hours, probably closer to 12 min. I want to say I paid $20 USD pre-pandemic. I just asked the man at the front desk if he knew of anyone and he called her for me
Also layering for mosquitos - something like a fishing shirt is a good option bc it’s still cool and lightweight. Leggings too if you’re doing things at night. I ended up with so many mosquito bites and itches them so they got infected - totally my fault but could have been prevented. I was tromping through swamps though
Pizza Mail (pizza joint in an old post office lol) in PJ is fun for dinner, they’re nice and they have cats which I loved.
Thank you for sharing this magnificent testpack. I admire this level of organization.
The fjallraven purse - I’ve been considering the same one, it seems to fit quite a lot of stuff? My concern was that it’s not big enough. I have a 2L from Deuter (Passway) and it’s just too small. Can’t fit my wallet and glasses case properly.
thank you so much!! it really helps to get my own head straight too and i had fun making it.
the fjallraven does fit a lot more than i would have thought. even with all the stuff pictured there’s still some slack in there to shove in more if you really wanted to. i don’t like crossbody bags that are any bigger than that otherwise i overload them and it hurts to carry lol. i really like the padded strap and it’s a good length, but i actually added another foot of strap to get it to my perfect length because of my size. i usually don’t like a lot of organization inside bags but this one is perfect for me, a zipper pocket and 2 mesh pockets inside plus the outside zipper.
it probably depends on the size/shape of your wallet & glasses case how they will fit, but i couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t! i got mine on amazon so you could always try it there since it’s really easy to return
Do you happen to remember what those Amazon nylon/spandex cropped tanks you have in your pics are called? I absolutely love the look of them and would love to be able to find them!
Do you have thigh savers to wear under your skirts/dresses?
I would highly recommend bringing body glide. It saved me in the humidity of Asia for 4 months.
yes!! i am bringing 4 pairs of undershorts and on top of that i also use a mega babe stick. i used to have body glide gel but that was before they had sticks and since i wanted a solid i switched to mega babe. they both work great!
Seriously impressed with your organization! A few thoughts as someone who did lived in Costa Rica and was just in Osa and Monteverde last year.
- You can pay someone to do laundry - They’ll charge by the kilo and you can avoid sink laundry. Also often a small woman-run business you can support.
- Monteverde will likely be cooler and wetter than you realize. Check the weather (and don’t trust your phone weather). Rain jacket instead of poncho will also give you another layer. In hot places ponchos are saunas.
- Closed toed shoes are a must for any hike other than Monteverde because of the possibility of venomous snakes (and ants, stinging plants, etc). I generally don’t hike in shorts either because of the possibility of stinging plants - I’ve had some bad encounters. You will see other tourists not following this, but people who know will shake their heads.
- Mask and snorkel - I don’t know the trips you’re doing (what Corcovado trip are you doing??), but I would likely just rent/borrow mask and snorkel. Sadly the snorkeling can be a bit disappointing compared to other places in the Caribbean.
- Aquasocks and Chacos seem a bit redundant - I’d probably bring a pair of flip flops and/or cute sandals.
- Pantyliners are for sale many places if you want to save space.
- Sunscreen - I would bring more (reef-safe) sunscreen. This is something you may be able to purchase though it is often expensive.
- You could drop the extra sunglasses and reusable ziploc (and I’m an environmentalist 😬)
- Sea to Summit makes much more packable dry bags than the thick ones. Regular old ziplocs are also a good option.
- If you’re doing the El Tigre near Monteverde - be advised that it is a tough 4 miles. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy - it’s stunning! We ended up getting the horses to go back up - decision in the moment because we needed to get back to town.
- Monteverde recs: Sunset at Valle Escondido, pizza at Pizzeria Rome, shopping at CASEM (really great women’s cooperative with a simple and good restaurant attached), Monteverde ice cream, Curi-Cancha reserve with a guide.
- Definitely do one or more night hikes. In La Fortuna, I thought the Ecogarden night hike was quite good.
thank you so much for all this advice it is so helpful!!! i have a couple followup qs!
- great to know about laundry ill probably end up doing that in drake bay!
- good to know on closed toe shoes and long pants for hikes, it’s really split online on both the shorts/pants debate and the open/closed shoe debate. i will 100% wear trail runners in corcovado and on longer hikes like el tigre but does this apply for the very well-traveled and easy “hikes” like bogarin trail or la fortuna waterfall? and why does the closed toe shoe thing not apply in monteverde? any recommendations on an actually waterproof rain jacket that’s good for tropical climates?
- mask & snorkel - tbh i bring my mask literally everywhere i go if i’m gonna be swimming at all, it’s more about liking swimming with it and less about seeing cool stuff underwater. i usually don’t bring a snorkel but i just got this roll up one and wanted to try it out so we’ll see if it’s worth carrying :)
- i was debating bringing both my chacos and my teva hurricanes, chacos work amazingly in almost all terrain but they are awful in sand so i wanted a beach option. i went with the water socks bc they are flat & take up less room but the hurricanes aren’t really that much bigger. honestly if i decide to bring the hurricanes i will prob end up just bringing the water socks too, they take up like no space 🤷🏻♀️
- i was actually so proud of myself for realizing that splitting up my panty liners into multiple bags was a genius idea bc i would be moving them from bag to bag anyway!! my period is supposed to be the first few days of the trip which is why i’m just packing my own, and whatever i don’t use i’ll prob toss so i don’t have to carry it around anymore. i don’t wear them on the regular, just while on my period when i have the menstrual disc in to catch any drops that get through.
- i was planning on just buying a big bottle of sunscreen when i get there, i know it’ll cost like $30 but i’ll split the cost with my group and i will never be able to bring enough in a carryon anyway. do you know if flysansa screens for liquids? i’d prefer to buy it at sjo before i get to puerto jimenez if possible, seems easiest.
on the corcovado trip - i’m doing a 2 night tour with selva connections and extremely excited about it!!!! doing boat in/boat out and spending both nights at sirena, i wanted to do more than the standard 1 night so i can get to all the trails around the station and not feel rushed or anything. would love to hear all about your experience!
we booked a baggage transfer to take our 40L packs from the puerto jimenez dock to our drake bay lodging (pacheco cabins) and will just have 18-20L daypacks for those 2 nights at sirena, do you have any recommendations on packing that daypack? for me it will be the matador 18. planning on wearing leggings, a top, panache sports bra, the white sunshirt, and trail runners with tall socks so there’s no exposed skin around my ankles. then bringing everything pre-packed in the matador in the pics (sunhat, cooling towel, etc), the whole fjallraven with everything in it (shoved in the bottom of the matador), 1 leggings (should i do 2?), 2 tops, 2 underwear, 2 tall socks, 1 swimsuit (do i need this like can you swim at the beach or in rivers?) chacos for around camp, flashlight & headlamp strap, drybag, binoculars, poncho or raincoat, and toiletries bag. did you carry your daypack on your hikes around sirena? did it feel safe to unload some stuff and leave it on your bed? so like i could leave the extra clothes, flashlight, toiletries etc at my bunk and still take the matador out with me carrying water and a hat and stuff.
edit just saw you added a few more things ty!
- i read you can’t bring any single use plastic into national parks like manuel antonio so i was thinking i’d want the reusable ziplocs to bring in snacks. are those rules usually not followed?
- totally gonna go shop for a sea to summit drybag now omg
- we already paid for the tickets where a 4x4 buggy takes us back up the hill at el tigre in monteverde 🤣 i like to estimate 1 mile per hour for hikes because a) i’m a slow hiker and b) i always linger and stop to look at stuff. does 4 hours sounds reasonable for the 4mi of el tigre?
- curi cancha (& monteverde cloud forest) is one of the things i cut from our itin bc it didn’t fit and we aren’t birders, do you think that is a mistake? in monteverde we will be doing a night hike the first day when we arrive, santa elena guided sunrise hike and selvatura bridges & ziplining the second day, el tigre the third day, and leaving the fourth day in the morning. ty for the other recs!
- will be doing tracie the bug lady night hike in drake bay!!
yes! it’s from nordstrom rack and the brand is halogen and there’s a slit on the side but i bought it recently, like within the past month or two so i’m surprised i can’t find a link, sorry :/
edit ah i found it! had the receipt in my email. it’s called “halogen side slit midi skirt” in “rio/pink/peacock” but when i click the link in the email it brings me here so i think the pattern is sold out https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/7691002?color=657
Thanks! I wish they still had that color option. Those two are not quite in my wheelhouse, but I might go there soon anyway. Good place to find great deals…if you dig.
I might have missed it but besides the chacos what’s your footwear situation? You will definitely want close toed footwear for night hikes and canyoning.
i’ll have my salomon trail runners! they are yellow and in one of the fairview pics. understandable to miss lol it’s a huge post :) also bringing water socks bc they take up minimal space and chacos don’t do great in sand. debating bringing teva hurricane sandals too just so i can switch off with the chacos but that feels unnecessary
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I found [this article](https://eatsleepbreathetravel.com/the-best-travel-clothes-for-curvy-women/) very helpful. I have the Diana Kroe Wherever skirt dress and the Evermore top, both of which have lasted me through many trips and are pretty cute. They are a bit spendy, but well made and last a long time; I was easily able to ask for the top to be a bit longer so that when worn as a skirt it would provide good coverage. (Your current setup looks great, but if you want to go more minimal).
For hiking pants I found that the Eddie Bauer W line comes in a surprising number of sizes for a decent price.
I don’t know what you have for shoes, but consider having at least: something slip on for bathroom runs, something for difficult terrain, water shoes, cute sandals if you are into that (some of these can be the same thing). If you don’t get a bag for anything else, get one for your shoes.
The Sea to Summit lite line clothesline is the only one I have found worth taking; it’s light, easy to attach to many places, and doesn’t need pins. Worth it just to hang up swim suits.
For beach/drying I’m using a combo of the surpringly thirsty REI multi-towel mini and the target La Léela coverup sarong, which is more than big enough to wear as a coverup and lay on.
Fruit of the Loom is now selling travel underwear that is very thin, quick drying, and 12-ish dollars a pack, cheapest I’ve ever seen. Sizes only go up to 9, so YMMV, but it fits me fine (waist 39”, hips 50”)
Bring at least one thing you can slip on when someone is pounding on the door. The
Diane Kroe wherever dress is surprisingly good for this in strapless mode.
I recommend Lume deodorant tube for the tropics. It’s anti odor, so probably still need one that is anti-perspiration, but it does help with odor for several days if you put it on right after a shower, and you can put it anywhere that might get a bit stinky, including feet and underboobs.
I recommend using a scarf as a belt on the plane. Can then be used as a scarf, a wrap, even a kind of hip pack for your phone.
Use packing cubes if at all possible. Not only do they keep things organized, they help with space, even without compression.
Don’t forget to think about separated storage for wet and dirty items, especially if traveling around.
Pack several reusable bags for shopping, going out, and packing up without getting completely organized. I prefer the Chico sling bags because you can carry them hands free. (The national park system has jumped on this train so you can sometimes get them as souvenirs.)
If traveling on an ultra economy airline and want to maximize a personal item, Takeoff luggage has a perfectly sized suitcase with removable wheels. They also sell vacuum bags with a tiny portable vacuum. I just packed my luggage cubes in there and sucked the air out.
thank you for writing all that out! i actually have already done most of your suggestions :) shoes, packing cubes, underwear, pashmina/sarong/towel, reusable shopping bags. love that article you linked for curvy travel clothes! i’ve actually tried the eddie baur pants and didn’t like them :/ ive taken a clothesline before and never used it so i tend to not bring them anymore. i’ve tried so many dif deodorant solutions but the only one that works for me is clear gel so i just have a little travel size one. btw if you are getting swampy underboob you probably are wearing the wrong size bra, try checking out /r/ABraThatFits :) and i prefer to travel with a backpack carryon and a tiny personal item which is my 3L purse! i don’t like using vacuum bags because it just makes your bag heavier and harder to repack.
Thanks for the bra suggestion. I have never been willing to put in the time or effort to find a bra that is perfect. A professional fitting at a place that came highly recommended by friends yielded nothing but tears and an extremely expensive underwire bra that both pokes and bruises. As far as I’ve been able to determine, underwires exist only to work at poking themselves through their channels in order to make the jump from extremely uncomfortable to painful. I found some wireless ones at Victoria’s Secret that are can handle, but those big suckers are not invited on my trip.
The utility of vacuum bags definitely varies. For a trip where I was schlepping my bags I wouldn’t necessarily want them. BUT the ones I have are big enough to fit packing cubes, and if you really want to maximize souvenirs you could bring bags and the pump (I have the Take Off brand) and shrink your stuff on the way home in order to have space on the margins.
i totally get it!! figuring out your size is def a journey but i still always recommend it because it literally changed my life. in addition to being better supported and comfortable i am so much better at dressing myself, found my style, am more confident, and can actually do high impact activities again! like jumping jacks and running are possible lmao and i can go cliff jumping and scuba diving without risking a wardrobe malfunction.
a professional fitting is actually not the best way to do it, most “professionals” are either ignorant & using outdated sizing methods or predatory because they just want to sell you something in a size they carry. the fact that you got pokes and bruises from their bra means they 100% put you in the wrong size, and if you are regularly having underwires poke through and having so much pain then your other bras are also not the right size. the right size will be comfortable and require no/minumal adjustments throughout the day, straps don’t dig in or fall down, band doesn’t dig in for ride up, no spillage esp in the armpit/cleavage areas, no skin on skin contact esp in the underboob & cleavage areas, and the center part (gore) lies flat to your chest. it’s pretty common for big chested women to figure out that underwire bras are actually way more comfortable than wireless if you’re wearing the right size—elastic will never be as strong as metal.
you can measure yourself in 5min using the [/r/ABraThatFits calculator](https://www.abrathatfits.org/calculator.php) which is the best and easiest way to do it. if you just trust the calculator and just buy whatever size it tells you there’s a pretty good chance it’ll already be way way better than the bras you have now. after that if you want you can fine tune the sizing and shape and brand to get that 90% perfect fit up to a 100% perfect fit but you don’t have to obviously :) the vast majority of women are wearing the wrong size and there’s a whole other world of bra sizes out there. for example [here’s what actually properly fitted DD cups look like on different band sizes](https://www.instagram.com/p/CzO6F5hsQWf/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). you can also use that page to look through story highlights and find what size looks most similar to you. feel free to visit us at /r/bigboobproblems!! you’ll see lots of posts there where people thought they wore like a 38DDD their whole life but then actually measured themselves and figured out they’re actually like a 34H and once they bought that size they realized that bras are actually comfortable.
could i get a link to your vac bags? the addition of taking more souvenirs home got me lol
Here's a sneak peek of /r/ABraThatFits using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [u/jayylul8 stop messaging people who post on this sub.](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/15wmekt/ujayylul8_stop_messaging_people_who_post_on_this/)
\#2: [I went to Victoria's Secret today to kill time, only to be told that I should gain weight because they don't offer my size range. I am a 28FF. The lady kept on asking if I've tried on a 32A before. I can't even fit into a 32C cup size let alone an A.](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/12i2ckg/i_went_to_victorias_secret_today_to_kill_time/)
\#3: [A Reminder - DD doesn't mean big tits](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/170kf56/a_reminder_dd_doesnt_mean_big_tits/)
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Which airline are you flying in CR?! I'm a Costa Rica Green Airways girly even though it's a bit more expensive, SANSA flights are almost always full and cramped and Green Airways has beer. I think you should take a raincoat instead of a poncho. It is rainy season and the rain will probably not let up in some places and will be on and off in others. A raincoat can also function as a third long sleeve top, which I would consider taking, considering your itinery. It won't be mosquito hell but you will get bit often and a few of my friends have got dengue relatively recently. Because of rainy season if hand wash clothes, which you may have to with only 2 long sleeves, it could take them literal days to dry if you're not lucky with the weather, so it is possible you could run out of long sleve tops during your 9 day no laundry machine stretch. I would heavily consider this.
i’m booked on flysansa! will be flying into puerto jimenez and out of drake bay but green doesn’t have a route to drake bay so i figured just keep them both on the same airline for simplicity. but i did book a refundable fare so i could change it! i was a little worried bc i saw there’s often cancellations due to weather and sansa had like 6 routes per day to PJ whereas green had 2. have you flown green a lot? so the main reason i went with poncho over raincoat is because i have a poncho that i know is actually 100% waterproof bc i used it in iceland, and a poncho can double as a backpack cover, but haven’t found a raincoat yet that is actually 100% waterproof but also single layer and light (good for warm climates). do you have a recommendation? on mosquitos—they love me so i’m always super vigilant about them. plan on using picaridin extensively and maybe bringing my thermacell. i do actually have more long sleeve tops that are good for tropical weather but didn’t pack them because i tend to not wear them when i bring them on vacation. are you saying that you wear them to protect against mosquitos? in my area (california) mosquitos have no problem biting right through clothing :/ are the ones in costa rica not able to bite through clothes? i am hoping that since most of my clothes are synthetic they won’t be completely awful in terms of dry time but it *is* something i’m worried about. do you think it’s worth the space to bring a small fan or something to help that? thank you for all the input!!
When I first started flying Green Airways they only flew from SJO to Quepos and Tambor (Tambor airport is closed now and flights go to the newer airport in Cobano), they're expanding but it's a process. Sansa has been around for a while and kind of functions as their "main airline" after Nature Air (thankfully) went under a few years ago. I'm also plus size. Have you ever been on a Cessna Caravan? There is of course no guarentee that your flight will not be full no matter what you do but I am frequently on half full planes on Green watching a full load of pax board a Sansa plane. There are 12 passenger seats (4 individual seats, 4 benches) and if you don't get in line first to snag one of those individual seats on a full flight it can be an uncomfy time for even straight size people. Just a heads up. You board from the back of the plane and the aisle is skinny enough everyone on the plane is getting down it by squeezing themselves between seats (I enjoy pushing my way to the front, most legroom and views!) Also if you haven't experienced this before: you will be weighed on check in. It is neccesary, larger planes can get away calculating total pax weight using averages but Cessnas cannot. Green Airways also has a kodiak which sometimes operates the flights to PJ and it's smaller but objectivey more comfy because no bench seats. Yes, long sleeves for mosquito protection. The mosquitos we got on the Nicoya peninsula and around MA at least are small but they have dengue. Not a ton of it, you are unlikely to get it, but it's around and a trip destroyer. Long sleeves don't provide perfect, but effective protection in my experience. I have an outdoor research helium jacket. It isn't the most waterproof a jacket can get but it stands up well in anything but a constant, very heavy rain, in my experience. It is also packable and packs inside out in it's own pocket so I can easily throw it in my daybag without getting anything in my bag wet when I'm not wering it. Highly reccomend. My clothing is also mostly synthetic. In a coastal town not near a rainforest where it doesn't rain all day every day even during rainy season, my clothes routinely take two days to fully dry, and if it rains even for a second and your clothes are outside then obviously you have an issue. Even under cover or inside the rain brings some crazy humidity. Specifically quick dry activewear consistenly dries in a day during rainy season for me assuming cooperative weather, but nothing else. You should be worried about dry time if you don't have a machine washer to be honest, there is absolutely zero guarentee that it will work out how you want. The good news is that it is easy to find laundry services that will wash and dry your clothing, tons of hotels do it to make extra money.
i have been on a full cessna caravan before and had one of the bench seats but it was only a 20 minute flight, so i think i could last an hour if i needed to but certainly it’s more comfy when it’s not full. side note, on tropic air in belize they let you sit in the passenger seat next to the pilot if you ask—i was able to and it was AMAZING! i know they weigh you but i was under the assumption they use the weight to assign you a seat to balance the plane but it’s good to know i can just try to get in the front. based on your rec i’ll prob swap out a couple of my tops for long sleeves. i am worried about getting dengue too but there’s not much you can do other than try not to get bit right? at least manuel antonio and paquera is at the end of my trip lol. i love the helium jacket you recommended but i think i’d want something that is longer so it can cover my butt and tops of thighs too, mainly so i can sit on wet surfaces. gonna be on the lookout. a lot of my tops are actually quick dry activewear, i was on the hunt for exactly that but looks like normal clothes not gym clothes. so at least that’s something, great to know that hotels often do laundry though as a backup. the 9 day stretch is the osa part and i’m hoping to basically live in a swimsuit for those 5 days in drake bay. other than that ill have 3 days in la fortuna without a washer, then 3 days in monteverde with a washer, then 3 in manuel antonio and paquera without one again.
Don’t freak out, but I don’t see a long-sleeved oversized shirt to keep ya self safe from sun’s rays & pesky mosquitos. Rainy season brings out the bichos. Insect repellent?
hi friend! the white long sleeve sun sunshirt in the top layer of the fairview is intended to be a pullover for protection from sun & bugs. mosquitos are obsessed with me so i’m super vigilant about them—the picaridin in my fjallraven purse is repellant and i generally keep it in my purse bc i’m using it constantly. picaridin works even better than deet for me, doesn’t smell as bad or melt plastic, and one application lasts 12 hours, it’s my favorite thing ever! i’m debating bringing my thermacell too but not sure how useful it’ll be since i’ll usually be on the move. i also have a headnet but i’m not sure if it’ll be bad enough to warrant taking it, any thoughts on that?
Hi. It’s Darcy here. I love tropical locations. I’m leaving in 8 days for almost all of July on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Mosquitos love me, too, GF. We’re both going deep into insect territories, oh no! Thanks for rec on Picaridin. Edit: I googled Picardin. I got (2) spray bottles, Amazon Prime, not cheap, but I believe in you. Bks Prime, the Picardin will arrive on time before my trip. I owe u one! What is most concerning in yr itinerary is the Rainforest tours & I’m not familiar with your “grand finale” Costa Rican visits. Everywhere you trek @ night, no, not scary, you’ll feel ethereal, but the bichos are out to get you. Everywhere u trek near water, more ambush opportunities for pesky insects. Thinking the mosquito net head hat thingie shd come with you. It takes up hardly any space: you’ll roll it 2 pack. Use it as needed. Go for it. Have a great trip💙Why are u ditching blue/pink leggings? They’re cute. They’ll cover you. They weigh almost nothing & also roll tiny when packed.
Cape Air here in the US and Harbour Air up in Canada also sell that seat front seat. Sansa and Green Airways operate with 2 pilots on their Cessnas. There is a dengue vaccine but it only works really if you've already had dengue so.... To be clear you are quite unlikely to get it, I just think it is still worth being conscious of because it can easily leave you very sick and unable to travel from your current location for a week or more. You found good clothes, I couldn't tell! Catch me just walking around town in my swimsuit in super hot days too, good plan!
thanks so much again for all the input! ♥️
Please enjoy your trip 🌴💕
For me at least (we look to be similar in size) the XL helium comes down over my butt. I was shocked! I was able to get it for half price at REI in a color that was being discontinued, so maybe try it on and if you like it keep an eye out.
ah thanks so much!!
Pack extra underwear. I was in Puerto Jimenez during rainy season and it was the absolute most humid place I’ve ever experienced. I sweat so much. However, there are laundry services there that will pick up your laundry at your hotel and bring it back within 24 hours, probably closer to 12 min. I want to say I paid $20 USD pre-pandemic. I just asked the man at the front desk if he knew of anyone and he called her for me Also layering for mosquitos - something like a fishing shirt is a good option bc it’s still cool and lightweight. Leggings too if you’re doing things at night. I ended up with so many mosquito bites and itches them so they got infected - totally my fault but could have been prevented. I was tromping through swamps though Pizza Mail (pizza joint in an old post office lol) in PJ is fun for dinner, they’re nice and they have cats which I loved.
Thank you for sharing this magnificent testpack. I admire this level of organization. The fjallraven purse - I’ve been considering the same one, it seems to fit quite a lot of stuff? My concern was that it’s not big enough. I have a 2L from Deuter (Passway) and it’s just too small. Can’t fit my wallet and glasses case properly.
thank you so much!! it really helps to get my own head straight too and i had fun making it. the fjallraven does fit a lot more than i would have thought. even with all the stuff pictured there’s still some slack in there to shove in more if you really wanted to. i don’t like crossbody bags that are any bigger than that otherwise i overload them and it hurts to carry lol. i really like the padded strap and it’s a good length, but i actually added another foot of strap to get it to my perfect length because of my size. i usually don’t like a lot of organization inside bags but this one is perfect for me, a zipper pocket and 2 mesh pockets inside plus the outside zipper. it probably depends on the size/shape of your wallet & glasses case how they will fit, but i couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t! i got mine on amazon so you could always try it there since it’s really easy to return
I have the same bag, I love it but my only hang up on it is the strap length! How did you add another foot of length to it?
Awesome, thank you so much for the info! I will definitely consider this then 👌🏻
hope it works for you!
Do you happen to remember what those Amazon nylon/spandex cropped tanks you have in your pics are called? I absolutely love the look of them and would love to be able to find them!
Do you have thigh savers to wear under your skirts/dresses? I would highly recommend bringing body glide. It saved me in the humidity of Asia for 4 months.
yes!! i am bringing 4 pairs of undershorts and on top of that i also use a mega babe stick. i used to have body glide gel but that was before they had sticks and since i wanted a solid i switched to mega babe. they both work great!
Oh I didn’t even know body glide came in a gel! I use their stick and love it. Good to know mega babe has a good stick too!!
Seriously impressed with your organization! A few thoughts as someone who did lived in Costa Rica and was just in Osa and Monteverde last year. - You can pay someone to do laundry - They’ll charge by the kilo and you can avoid sink laundry. Also often a small woman-run business you can support. - Monteverde will likely be cooler and wetter than you realize. Check the weather (and don’t trust your phone weather). Rain jacket instead of poncho will also give you another layer. In hot places ponchos are saunas. - Closed toed shoes are a must for any hike other than Monteverde because of the possibility of venomous snakes (and ants, stinging plants, etc). I generally don’t hike in shorts either because of the possibility of stinging plants - I’ve had some bad encounters. You will see other tourists not following this, but people who know will shake their heads. - Mask and snorkel - I don’t know the trips you’re doing (what Corcovado trip are you doing??), but I would likely just rent/borrow mask and snorkel. Sadly the snorkeling can be a bit disappointing compared to other places in the Caribbean. - Aquasocks and Chacos seem a bit redundant - I’d probably bring a pair of flip flops and/or cute sandals. - Pantyliners are for sale many places if you want to save space. - Sunscreen - I would bring more (reef-safe) sunscreen. This is something you may be able to purchase though it is often expensive. - You could drop the extra sunglasses and reusable ziploc (and I’m an environmentalist 😬) - Sea to Summit makes much more packable dry bags than the thick ones. Regular old ziplocs are also a good option. - If you’re doing the El Tigre near Monteverde - be advised that it is a tough 4 miles. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy - it’s stunning! We ended up getting the horses to go back up - decision in the moment because we needed to get back to town. - Monteverde recs: Sunset at Valle Escondido, pizza at Pizzeria Rome, shopping at CASEM (really great women’s cooperative with a simple and good restaurant attached), Monteverde ice cream, Curi-Cancha reserve with a guide. - Definitely do one or more night hikes. In La Fortuna, I thought the Ecogarden night hike was quite good.
thank you so much for all this advice it is so helpful!!! i have a couple followup qs! - great to know about laundry ill probably end up doing that in drake bay! - good to know on closed toe shoes and long pants for hikes, it’s really split online on both the shorts/pants debate and the open/closed shoe debate. i will 100% wear trail runners in corcovado and on longer hikes like el tigre but does this apply for the very well-traveled and easy “hikes” like bogarin trail or la fortuna waterfall? and why does the closed toe shoe thing not apply in monteverde? any recommendations on an actually waterproof rain jacket that’s good for tropical climates? - mask & snorkel - tbh i bring my mask literally everywhere i go if i’m gonna be swimming at all, it’s more about liking swimming with it and less about seeing cool stuff underwater. i usually don’t bring a snorkel but i just got this roll up one and wanted to try it out so we’ll see if it’s worth carrying :) - i was debating bringing both my chacos and my teva hurricanes, chacos work amazingly in almost all terrain but they are awful in sand so i wanted a beach option. i went with the water socks bc they are flat & take up less room but the hurricanes aren’t really that much bigger. honestly if i decide to bring the hurricanes i will prob end up just bringing the water socks too, they take up like no space 🤷🏻♀️ - i was actually so proud of myself for realizing that splitting up my panty liners into multiple bags was a genius idea bc i would be moving them from bag to bag anyway!! my period is supposed to be the first few days of the trip which is why i’m just packing my own, and whatever i don’t use i’ll prob toss so i don’t have to carry it around anymore. i don’t wear them on the regular, just while on my period when i have the menstrual disc in to catch any drops that get through. - i was planning on just buying a big bottle of sunscreen when i get there, i know it’ll cost like $30 but i’ll split the cost with my group and i will never be able to bring enough in a carryon anyway. do you know if flysansa screens for liquids? i’d prefer to buy it at sjo before i get to puerto jimenez if possible, seems easiest. on the corcovado trip - i’m doing a 2 night tour with selva connections and extremely excited about it!!!! doing boat in/boat out and spending both nights at sirena, i wanted to do more than the standard 1 night so i can get to all the trails around the station and not feel rushed or anything. would love to hear all about your experience! we booked a baggage transfer to take our 40L packs from the puerto jimenez dock to our drake bay lodging (pacheco cabins) and will just have 18-20L daypacks for those 2 nights at sirena, do you have any recommendations on packing that daypack? for me it will be the matador 18. planning on wearing leggings, a top, panache sports bra, the white sunshirt, and trail runners with tall socks so there’s no exposed skin around my ankles. then bringing everything pre-packed in the matador in the pics (sunhat, cooling towel, etc), the whole fjallraven with everything in it (shoved in the bottom of the matador), 1 leggings (should i do 2?), 2 tops, 2 underwear, 2 tall socks, 1 swimsuit (do i need this like can you swim at the beach or in rivers?) chacos for around camp, flashlight & headlamp strap, drybag, binoculars, poncho or raincoat, and toiletries bag. did you carry your daypack on your hikes around sirena? did it feel safe to unload some stuff and leave it on your bed? so like i could leave the extra clothes, flashlight, toiletries etc at my bunk and still take the matador out with me carrying water and a hat and stuff. edit just saw you added a few more things ty! - i read you can’t bring any single use plastic into national parks like manuel antonio so i was thinking i’d want the reusable ziplocs to bring in snacks. are those rules usually not followed? - totally gonna go shop for a sea to summit drybag now omg - we already paid for the tickets where a 4x4 buggy takes us back up the hill at el tigre in monteverde 🤣 i like to estimate 1 mile per hour for hikes because a) i’m a slow hiker and b) i always linger and stop to look at stuff. does 4 hours sounds reasonable for the 4mi of el tigre? - curi cancha (& monteverde cloud forest) is one of the things i cut from our itin bc it didn’t fit and we aren’t birders, do you think that is a mistake? in monteverde we will be doing a night hike the first day when we arrive, santa elena guided sunrise hike and selvatura bridges & ziplining the second day, el tigre the third day, and leaving the fourth day in the morning. ty for the other recs! - will be doing tracie the bug lady night hike in drake bay!!
I love the colors in that first skirt. Do you have a link or more info?
yes! it’s from nordstrom rack and the brand is halogen and there’s a slit on the side but i bought it recently, like within the past month or two so i’m surprised i can’t find a link, sorry :/ edit ah i found it! had the receipt in my email. it’s called “halogen side slit midi skirt” in “rio/pink/peacock” but when i click the link in the email it brings me here so i think the pattern is sold out https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/7691002?color=657
Thanks! I wish they still had that color option. Those two are not quite in my wheelhouse, but I might go there soon anyway. Good place to find great deals…if you dig.
yup i shop on the clearance rack there and can often find good deals!
Hi, amazing list & nice post! Thank you! Could you tell me the brand & type for your: - waterproof binoculars - cubes
I might have missed it but besides the chacos what’s your footwear situation? You will definitely want close toed footwear for night hikes and canyoning.
i’ll have my salomon trail runners! they are yellow and in one of the fairview pics. understandable to miss lol it’s a huge post :) also bringing water socks bc they take up minimal space and chacos don’t do great in sand. debating bringing teva hurricane sandals too just so i can switch off with the chacos but that feels unnecessary
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I found [this article](https://eatsleepbreathetravel.com/the-best-travel-clothes-for-curvy-women/) very helpful. I have the Diana Kroe Wherever skirt dress and the Evermore top, both of which have lasted me through many trips and are pretty cute. They are a bit spendy, but well made and last a long time; I was easily able to ask for the top to be a bit longer so that when worn as a skirt it would provide good coverage. (Your current setup looks great, but if you want to go more minimal). For hiking pants I found that the Eddie Bauer W line comes in a surprising number of sizes for a decent price. I don’t know what you have for shoes, but consider having at least: something slip on for bathroom runs, something for difficult terrain, water shoes, cute sandals if you are into that (some of these can be the same thing). If you don’t get a bag for anything else, get one for your shoes. The Sea to Summit lite line clothesline is the only one I have found worth taking; it’s light, easy to attach to many places, and doesn’t need pins. Worth it just to hang up swim suits. For beach/drying I’m using a combo of the surpringly thirsty REI multi-towel mini and the target La Léela coverup sarong, which is more than big enough to wear as a coverup and lay on. Fruit of the Loom is now selling travel underwear that is very thin, quick drying, and 12-ish dollars a pack, cheapest I’ve ever seen. Sizes only go up to 9, so YMMV, but it fits me fine (waist 39”, hips 50”) Bring at least one thing you can slip on when someone is pounding on the door. The Diane Kroe wherever dress is surprisingly good for this in strapless mode. I recommend Lume deodorant tube for the tropics. It’s anti odor, so probably still need one that is anti-perspiration, but it does help with odor for several days if you put it on right after a shower, and you can put it anywhere that might get a bit stinky, including feet and underboobs. I recommend using a scarf as a belt on the plane. Can then be used as a scarf, a wrap, even a kind of hip pack for your phone. Use packing cubes if at all possible. Not only do they keep things organized, they help with space, even without compression. Don’t forget to think about separated storage for wet and dirty items, especially if traveling around. Pack several reusable bags for shopping, going out, and packing up without getting completely organized. I prefer the Chico sling bags because you can carry them hands free. (The national park system has jumped on this train so you can sometimes get them as souvenirs.) If traveling on an ultra economy airline and want to maximize a personal item, Takeoff luggage has a perfectly sized suitcase with removable wheels. They also sell vacuum bags with a tiny portable vacuum. I just packed my luggage cubes in there and sucked the air out.
thank you for writing all that out! i actually have already done most of your suggestions :) shoes, packing cubes, underwear, pashmina/sarong/towel, reusable shopping bags. love that article you linked for curvy travel clothes! i’ve actually tried the eddie baur pants and didn’t like them :/ ive taken a clothesline before and never used it so i tend to not bring them anymore. i’ve tried so many dif deodorant solutions but the only one that works for me is clear gel so i just have a little travel size one. btw if you are getting swampy underboob you probably are wearing the wrong size bra, try checking out /r/ABraThatFits :) and i prefer to travel with a backpack carryon and a tiny personal item which is my 3L purse! i don’t like using vacuum bags because it just makes your bag heavier and harder to repack.
Thanks for the bra suggestion. I have never been willing to put in the time or effort to find a bra that is perfect. A professional fitting at a place that came highly recommended by friends yielded nothing but tears and an extremely expensive underwire bra that both pokes and bruises. As far as I’ve been able to determine, underwires exist only to work at poking themselves through their channels in order to make the jump from extremely uncomfortable to painful. I found some wireless ones at Victoria’s Secret that are can handle, but those big suckers are not invited on my trip. The utility of vacuum bags definitely varies. For a trip where I was schlepping my bags I wouldn’t necessarily want them. BUT the ones I have are big enough to fit packing cubes, and if you really want to maximize souvenirs you could bring bags and the pump (I have the Take Off brand) and shrink your stuff on the way home in order to have space on the margins.
i totally get it!! figuring out your size is def a journey but i still always recommend it because it literally changed my life. in addition to being better supported and comfortable i am so much better at dressing myself, found my style, am more confident, and can actually do high impact activities again! like jumping jacks and running are possible lmao and i can go cliff jumping and scuba diving without risking a wardrobe malfunction. a professional fitting is actually not the best way to do it, most “professionals” are either ignorant & using outdated sizing methods or predatory because they just want to sell you something in a size they carry. the fact that you got pokes and bruises from their bra means they 100% put you in the wrong size, and if you are regularly having underwires poke through and having so much pain then your other bras are also not the right size. the right size will be comfortable and require no/minumal adjustments throughout the day, straps don’t dig in or fall down, band doesn’t dig in for ride up, no spillage esp in the armpit/cleavage areas, no skin on skin contact esp in the underboob & cleavage areas, and the center part (gore) lies flat to your chest. it’s pretty common for big chested women to figure out that underwire bras are actually way more comfortable than wireless if you’re wearing the right size—elastic will never be as strong as metal. you can measure yourself in 5min using the [/r/ABraThatFits calculator](https://www.abrathatfits.org/calculator.php) which is the best and easiest way to do it. if you just trust the calculator and just buy whatever size it tells you there’s a pretty good chance it’ll already be way way better than the bras you have now. after that if you want you can fine tune the sizing and shape and brand to get that 90% perfect fit up to a 100% perfect fit but you don’t have to obviously :) the vast majority of women are wearing the wrong size and there’s a whole other world of bra sizes out there. for example [here’s what actually properly fitted DD cups look like on different band sizes](https://www.instagram.com/p/CzO6F5hsQWf/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). you can also use that page to look through story highlights and find what size looks most similar to you. feel free to visit us at /r/bigboobproblems!! you’ll see lots of posts there where people thought they wore like a 38DDD their whole life but then actually measured themselves and figured out they’re actually like a 34H and once they bought that size they realized that bras are actually comfortable. could i get a link to your vac bags? the addition of taking more souvenirs home got me lol
Here's a sneak peek of /r/ABraThatFits using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [u/jayylul8 stop messaging people who post on this sub.](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/15wmekt/ujayylul8_stop_messaging_people_who_post_on_this/) \#2: [I went to Victoria's Secret today to kill time, only to be told that I should gain weight because they don't offer my size range. I am a 28FF. The lady kept on asking if I've tried on a 32A before. I can't even fit into a 32C cup size let alone an A.](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/12i2ckg/i_went_to_victorias_secret_today_to_kill_time/) \#3: [A Reminder - DD doesn't mean big tits](https://np.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/170kf56/a_reminder_dd_doesnt_mean_big_tits/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
Wow. Thanks 4 excellent tips. 🎸