Packing list
Costa Rica Packing List
San Jose runs from 15 °C (60 °F) nights in February to 27 °C (81 °F) days in April, and September is the wettest month, with about 28 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.
What to pack for Costa Rica
Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.
Documents & Money
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get CRC cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for Costa Rica
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Pen for arrival forms
Clothing
Underwear ×8
Per person
Socks ×8
Per person
Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5
Per person
Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking boots
Quick-dry synthetic hiking pants
Quick-dry hiking pants
Water shoes
Sleepwear
Light layer (sweater or hoodie)
Change of clothes in your carry-on
Flip-flops or shower sandals
Swimsuit
Compression socks
Light scarf or shawl for cold planes and buses
Tech & Accessories
Set up an eSIM or roaming plan for data
Install local apps: Uber, DiDi, Waze
Save your two-factor backup codes in case you lose your phone
Download an offline map & language pack for Costa Rica
Phone charger and cable
Power bank
Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)
Travel adapter
Costa Rica uses Type A/B sockets.
Spanish phrasebook
Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord
Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags
Health & Safety
List your medications by generic name, with a doctor's note
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Toiletry bag (deodorant, shampoo, razor)
Prescription medication (with a copy of the prescription)
Glasses or contacts, solution and a spare pair (if you wear them)
Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antihistamine
Small first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Travel wet wipes
Earplugs
Sleep eye mask
Lip balm with SPF
Nail clippers and tweezers
Period products (if you need them)
Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm
Pocket tissues or a small roll of toilet paper
Electrolyte powder packets
Bite relief cream
Motion-sickness tablets or bands
Face mask for the plane
Gear & Activity
Dry bag
Waterproof hiking sandals
Reusable water bottle
Daypack
Zip bags in a few sizes
Packable tote or shopping bag
Laundry bag for dirty clothes
Luggage lock
Anti-theft crossbody bag
Binoculars
Waterproof phone pouch
Snorkel and mask
Mini sewing kit and safety pins
Small flashlight or headlamp
Extras
Reserve hanging bridges tour
Book hot springs entry
Travel neck pillow
Costa Rica guide book
Book or e-reader
Download or print this list
Weather gear by month
A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days, nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer.
| Month | Rain gear | Warm layers | Sun protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Feb | · | · | ✓ |
| Mar | · | · | ✓ |
| Apr | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| May | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Jun | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Jul | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Aug | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Sep | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Oct | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Nov | ✓ | · | ✓ |
| Dec | ✓ | · | ✓ |
Rain gear
- Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella
Warm layers
- Warm insulated jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Thermal base layer
Sun protection
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
What to wear in Costa Rica
By the average daytime high in San Jose.
all year: highs 78–81°F (26–27°C)
Short sleeves by day, a light long-sleeve or thin layer for air-conditioning and evenings.
Costa Rica weather by month
Average daily high and low, and rainy days per month. Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.
San Jose
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 60°F / 16°C | 9 |
| Feb | 79°F / 26°C | 60°F / 15°C | 7 |
| Mar | 80°F / 27°C | 61°F / 16°C | 8 |
| Apr | 81°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 16 |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 26 |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 62°F / 17°C | 27 |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 25 |
| Aug | 81°F / 27°C | 62°F / 17°C | 26 |
| Sep | 80°F / 27°C | 61°F / 16°C | 28 |
| Oct | 80°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 27 |
| Nov | 78°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 21 |
| Dec | 78°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 |
La Fortuna
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 20°C | 12 |
| Feb | 86°F / 30°C | 69°F / 20°C | 5 |
| Mar | 87°F / 30°C | 71°F / 22°C | 4 |
| Apr | 88°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | 10 |
| May | 87°F / 30°C | 72°F / 22°C | 24 |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 71°F / 21°C | 28 |
| Jul | 86°F / 30°C | 71°F / 22°C | 26 |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 70°F / 21°C | 27 |
| Sep | 87°F / 30°C | 69°F / 21°C | 28 |
| Oct | 86°F / 30°C | 69°F / 21°C | 28 |
| Nov | 83°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 25 |
| Dec | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 20°C | 18 |
Tamarindo
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 91°F / 33°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 |
| Feb | 93°F / 34°C | 72°F / 22°C | 0 |
| Mar | 94°F / 35°C | 73°F / 23°C | 0 |
| Apr | 94°F / 35°C | 75°F / 24°C | 7 |
| May | 92°F / 34°C | 75°F / 24°C | 21 |
| Jun | 90°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 25 |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 18 |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 73°F / 23°C | 23 |
| Sep | 90°F / 32°C | 73°F / 23°C | 28 |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 27 |
| Nov | 89°F / 32°C | 72°F / 22°C | 14 |
| Dec | 90°F / 32°C | 71°F / 22°C | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes in Apr–Jan: in those months at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain. Outside them a compact umbrella is enough.
No. Nights stay above 8 °C (46 °F) all year in the cities here; a sweater or light jacket covers the coolest evenings.
Yes. Mosquitoes or other biting insects are a real nuisance or health risk here, so pack a DEET or picaridin repellent and bite cream.
Costa Rica uses type A/B plugs at 120 V. Check your chargers say 100-240 V before plugging in.
Uber, DiDi, Waze.
Next: the trip itself
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Plan my Costa Rica trip →More packing lists
Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated 2026-09-30.