YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Packing advice

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Packing advice - Costa Rica (long) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:38:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Jaime on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028512 Sun, 19 May 2019 01:55:30 +0000 Jaime 2028512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As they say, I am rubbish with packing posts, but have a wonderful time! Sara L. on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028316 Sat, 18 May 2019 15:48:23 +0000 Sara L. 2028316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the advice! Elizabeth - I have shorts, sundresses and tops for casual evenings.   Sal - I think I'll swap one pair of hiking shorts for longer pants in case of cool temps and bugs. Staysfit - I definitely need bug bite remedies! I'm the only one in my family that gets bit but I'm some sort of bug magnet. My husband and kids never get mosquito bites even when I'm covered in them. I have water sandals that I can take. I don't really have light weight long bottoms that I can use for hiking but I have long athletic leggings that I could take. I think I'll swap out a pair of shorts for the longer leggings. Liesbeth -You're right that I forgot some sort of warmer jacket!  I have a fleece hoodie on my kids' packing list but I didn't think about one for me.   Jessikams - I might add another 1 or 2 tops for evenings.   Jessikams on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028192 Sat, 18 May 2019 10:13:43 +0000 Jessikams 2028192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Don’t you need more tops? You have lots of bottoms but very few tops. Liesbeth on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028176 Sat, 18 May 2019 08:23:22 +0000 Liesbeth 2028176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve been to costa rica, same locations, loved it!! I don’t remember exactly what was where, but you’re right that there are many differences in climate between locations. I would definitely add one warm sweater for higher regions that can get cold at night. We had 1 night at the highest ridge crossing from coast to coast and actually lit the fireplace that night. Hiking in monteverde I also wore a lightweight fleece I think. All your clothes must be able to handle down-pours (shoes!). If you want to line-dry, take into account that things will need 48 hours to dry with the high humidity. So multiples are a good idea! Some places have lots of mosquitoes but I seem to recall that was mostly on the swampy east coast that I don’t see on your list. So apart from a warm topper and maybe one pair of full-length hiking trousers for bug infested (but beautiful!!) forests, I’d say you have a good packing list! I’m jealous :). Have fun! Staysfit on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028089 Fri, 17 May 2019 23:29:56 +0000 Staysfit 2028089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I would bring a first aid kit with remedies for various types of insect/spider bites, and allergic reactions to plants. We are repeat travelers to Costa Rica......I personally would skip shorts and capris when hiking anywhere in Costa Rica. See my first suggestion to understand why..... I bring light weight long sleeve and legged sun precaution clothing and use for most everything. I like to kayak in a long sleeve Pacifica SPF 50 shirt and swim shorts or leggings from Athleta. Closed toe water shoes are always nice as well, like Keens, or Merrill’s. They can work like flip flops and protect your feet if you end up in any of the natural spring pools near the Arenal volcano. They have rocky bottoms, ouch! Sal on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2028010 Fri, 17 May 2019 19:50:34 +0000 Sal 2028010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fab trip!! How exciting. I agree with Elizabeth - I think three hiking bottoms is enough - if you have laundry facilities. One for each top. Aside from that - it is pretty much what I would take for that trip exactly!! I always end up with four shoe options somehow!! Elizabeth P on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2027950 Fri, 17 May 2019 16:59:32 +0000 Elizabeth P 2027950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Sounds like an amazing trip.</div><div> </div><div>My initial thought is do you really need four bottoms for hiking?  But then I realized you don't really have anything for casual evenings, or hanging out, so maybe you'll be wearing your hiking gear for more than just hiking? </div><div> </div><div>Love the idea of a swimdress for water activities.  Hmmmm.... </div> Sara L. on "Packing advice - Costa Rica (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/packing-advice---costa-rica-long#post-2027946 Fri, 17 May 2019 16:33:03 +0000 Sara L. 2027946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We're going to Costa Rica for 10 days next week.  I'm traveling with my husband, my 3 boys, and my brother.  We're going to be flying into San Jose, then driving to the Arenal Volcano area, than going to Tamarindo on the coast for some beach time, then Monteverde for the cloud forest, then back to San Jose.  We're staying in VRBO or AirBnB rentals and should have laundry facilities in Tamarindo.    I'm probably overpacking but we're going to be doing an assortment of activities - hiking, kayaking, beach stuff, city stuff - that I feel like I need a lot of different types of clothing.  Also it's cooler (around 70 degrees for the highs) in Monteverde than Arenal and the beach (mid 80's).  Below is my list.  Anything I'm missing?  Anything I should leave at home?   I thought in capsules for this: #1 Hiking (all teal, black or grey) 1 long sleeved shirt (teal) 2 short sleeved shirts (teal) 2 capri pants (black, grey) 2 shorts (grey) #2 Beach (black/white stripes, floral) Coverup (black/white striped) Long sleeved rash guard (black/white striped) 2 bikinis (teal floral, black) 1 swim dress (useful for water activities like kayaking) #3 City - These all mix and match together 2 shorts (pink, denim) 3 tops (striped floral, taupe tank, flamingo tank) 2 sundresses (green floral, coral t-shirt dress) #4 Miscellaneous Rain jacket (pinkish purple) I'm going to take 3 or 4 pairs of shoes - running shoes (I don't own actual hiking boots), flip flops for the beach, 1-2 pairs of sandals (depends on what will fit in my luggage) Not shown 2 hats - foldable straw hat for the beach, baseball type for hiking Grey long sleeved tee to layer under rain jacket if I get cold, wear in the evenings    Black leggings for pajamas, evening wear #5 - I made sure everything fit in my small carry-on luggage.  I still need to pack socks, underwear, and pajamas but there's plenty of room to squeeze those items in.  I'll also pack sunscreen and bug spray.