COSTA RICA PACKING LISTS

PLEASE NOTE – Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.

On some programs you will need to pack additional items that are not on this general packing list. Please make sure you read the notes for every program you are participating in which can be found on each specific program’s webpage. Students who are participating in multiple programs should pack the contents of the general Costa Rica Packing List plus any special items listed for their specific programs. There will be laundry available for students traveling for multiple weeks and it generally costs between $6-10. 

PLEASE DO NOT OVER PACK!

Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag

• Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet that can be hidden under clothing is a good idea.
• Photo Copy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Water bottle (Nalgene)
• Medications (Must alert staff)
• 35mm camera, digital camera, and/or disposable camera - Costa Rica is a wet environment so please have a good case that keeps your camera safe from elements like rain and dirt. Be aware that cameras can easily get broken, lost, or stolen in Costa Rica so only bring a camera which you are prepared to part with.

• Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

CLOTHING ITEMS - Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.

• 2 long pants (1 pair of lightweight pants, 1 pair of jeans for horseback riding)
• Underwear (5 to 7)
• Socks (7 to 8) - Lightweight quick dry athletic socks like Smartwool are the best.
• T-Shirts and tank tops and sports shirts (3-5 cotton t-shirts + 3-5 quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene) approximately 10 t-shirts total
• 1 light sweater/sweatshirt
• Rainproof Jacket (1)
• Shorts (3-5 pairs of shorts) -Please be conservative regarding length
• Swim Suit (1 or 2)
• Athletic Shoes - Shoes that dry quickly, you can hike short distances in and protect your feet are best. Shoes will get muddy and dirty so don’t get too attached to your footwear.
• Sandals and/or Flip-Flops – a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water like Tevas or Chaco brand sandals work great. Flip flops are also very useful.
• Hat for Sun
• 2 towels (NOT white) - Large travel towels are great!
• One nice casual outfit for Final Dinner (not too fancy or bulky)
• 1 pair of pajamas

TOILETTRIES (Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag)

• Shampoo and Soap (preferably with little or no fragrance because of bugs) *you can find non-fragrance and biodegradable soap at natural food stores and outdoor adventure stores. Dr. Brauner’s and Mountain Suds soaps are both good.
• Non-Fragrant Deodorant
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush
• Sunscreen (2 bottles of strong Sunscreen)
• Insect Repellant (1-2 bottles 35% DEET)
• Anti-itch Cream (1 Benedryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
• Hand Sanitizer (1 or 2 small bottles per week)
• Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia PLASTIC BAG

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
• Watch or Clock with an Alarm
• Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (2) *for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
• Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
• Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a small personal kit is always helpful)
          - Band aids
          - Triple Antibiotic Ointment
          - Medical Tape
          - Moleskin or preferred blister care
          - Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
          - Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
          - 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
          - 2 Gauze dressing
          - 5-8 After Cuts and Scrapes Wipes

*Note: See the following link for ideas on small, personal first aid kits:
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=300&seriesNav=Dom&kit=302&kitNO=0125-0292

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Spanish/English dictionary
• Deck of Cards
• Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet fish, etc.
• Frisbee, Aerobee, Hackysack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball