What to Pack
What to pack on your Costa Rica adventure vacation
2023 Pack list
Let’s get ready for your Costa Rica adventure
Packing List – adventure items
Below is what we consider our bare minimum packing list for a comfortable Pacuare experience.
Swimsuit or board shorts x 2
Clothing that can get wet and is quick-drying
Sunglasses & chums
Whether they’re a nice pair of sunglasses or not, we suggest Chums/Croakies to make sure they stay on your head.
Hat
Helmets are required for rafting, but hats are nice for the hikes
Water bottle
With a handle or top that can be clipped with a carabiner.
Sunblock & chapstick
Please make sure it’s Reef Safe sunscreen.
Adventure footwear
Anything that won’t fall off your feet such as Chacos, Tevas, or Astrals.
Packing List – for the lodge
Similar to our adventure list above, we consider this to be the bare minimum. A nice attribute of the location of Rio Vista Lodge is that our luggage is shuttled to the lodge for us. Because of this, you are more than welcome to bring much more than the suggested list below. Bring whatever will make you comfortable during your visit.
Portable charger
Good for phones and headlamps.
Change of clothes
Comfortable clothing for after rafting. A sweatshirt or hoodie is a good idea too.
Headlamp
Flashlight or headlamp. Your phone light will work okay, but a dedicated light is better.
Bug spray
Bugs are not common at our lodge, but you’ll want to bring bug spray just in case.
Light rain jacket
A light rain jacket won’t get hot and packs small.
Quick dry towel
Lightweight and small these are a must
Toiletries
Small but important!
Flip flops
Or any comfortable shoes to change out of your wet ones.
The Miscellaneous List – small but important items
Dramamine
Costa Rica has windy roads, so if you’re prone to getting car sick, Dramamine is a safe bet.
GoPro & accessories
Not a requirement but nice to have for whitewater rafting and our zipline course.
Ziplock Bags
Handy to have for wet items on travel days
eSIM travel data
An eSIM for your cell phone is the most affordable option to use cell data while abroad. From our experience, Manet has good rates and coverage in Costa Rica.