Costa Rica Trip Preparation Checklist

This trip preparation checklist has been prepared by Carrol and Ethelle Henderson and is based on experience with leading over 20 birding tours to Costa Rica. The clothing and equipment listed are suggested for a two-week birding or natural history type of tour.

Clothing

  • Bring light-weight wash-and-wear clothes you can wash out yourself. Bring detergent double bagged in zip-lock bags.
  • 3-4 sets of field clothes (shirts/blouses; pants/ shorts/ jeans, including one long-sleeved shirt)
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Belt
  • Sweatshirt/ sweater/ light jacket
  • Towel
  • Hat or cap
  • Sleep wear
  • One pair walking shoes/ one pair tennis or hiking shoes
  • Rain poncho or raincoat (light weight)
  • Swim suit and beach thongs
  • Wash cloth

Toiletry Items

  • Pack of “wet ones”
  • Deodorant
  • Shaving cream
  • Toothbrush
  • Shampoo, without citronella base
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Comb/ hairbrush
  • Razor/ shaver (Electricity is 110 AC, but some outlets don’t take a wide prong)

Photo and Optic Equipment (optional)

  • Camera with flash unit or video camera
  • Binoculars
  • Camera bag
  • Ziplock bags for camera (dust) and film (moisture)
  • Extra batteries for camera and flash unit
  • Lenses and filters
  • Film: Use 50, 64, 100 ASA for sunlight or flash.
  • Use 200 or 400 ASA for clouds, rain forest, or telephoto lenses.
  • Amount: 6 rolls-casual; 12-average; 20-eager; 30-enthusiastic

Luggage

  • One or two pieces of soft durable canvas-type bags are preferable. You may need to split luggage into two bags for trips to Tortuguero.
  • Close with small padlocks during air travel & storage.
  • Think light!!! The less you bring, the easier your travel will be.

Other Equipment

  • Fingernail clippers
  • Sunglasses
  • Suntan lotion or sunscreen
  • Chapstick
  • Insect repellent (up to 30% DEET)
  • Aspirin
  • Imodium or Lomotil
  • Q-tips
  • Notebook & pens
  • Flashlight
  • Field guide
  • Knapsack/ day pack/ fanny pack or hunting vest
  • Travel alarm
  • Bag of detergent (double bagged)
  • Prescriptions for personal medication, including original container
  • Spending money, at least $350 (NOTE: bills must be new/ no marks/tears!!!)
  • Passport, plus xerox copy packed separate from passport
  • Tip for naturalist guide, ($7-9 per day, basic)
  • Tip for driver, about $4-5 per day
  • Ear plugs for sleeping near noisy highways or near loud surf

Other Optional Items

  • Hunting or fishing vest for gear
  • Spare camera!
  • Mending kit
  • Half gallon and gallon ziplock bags for film cannisters, etc.
  • Canteen or water bottle
  • Lightweight rubber boots
  • Umbrella

Maps

There is one exceptional map for Costa Rica that shows topographical features in great detail. It is published by the US Department of Defense and is referred to as a "Tactical Pilotage Map." These are available for all regions of Latin America and are in a scale of 1:500,000. The specific map for Costa Rica is TPC K-25C. It can be ordered from the Latitudes Map and Travel Store in Minneapolis.