Costa Rica, Costa Rica: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Costa Rica, Costa Rica? If you're planning to go to Costa Rica, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Costa Rica
- Important essentials for Costa Rica
- Activities for Costa Rica
- Costa Rica in January: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in February: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in March: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in April: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in May: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in June: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in July: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in August: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in September: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in October: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in November: weather and what to pack
- Costa Rica in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Based on the climate and weather in Costa Rica, the best time to go is March. See below for details.
Important essentials for Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Costa Rica, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards may get worn. An unreadable vaccination card may result in severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.
-
Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks are not available for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
Travel insurance
If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
-
N95 masks to use in crowded airports
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection available.
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is a good plane-friendly choice.
General health necessities
Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle
Some rural areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's useful to take a contaminant filtering water bottle.
-
Travel first aid kit
This one is a great choice.
-
Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
-
Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Costa Rica. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.
-
Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should be sufficient for most countries, but you should check with your hotel.
-
Airplane or car necessities
-
Money/passport pouch
Pickpocketing is an issue here, so wear a money pouch.
-
For families with young children
-
Luggage protection
Theft can be a problem, so lock your luggage. We recommend this lock.
-
Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
What to wear/what to pack for Costa Rica, Costa Rica by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you vacation in Costa Rica during January, you will probably find that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
February
If you go to Costa Rica in February, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
March
If you vacation in Costa Rica during March, you will probably see that it is a perfect temperature and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
April
April in Costa Rica is warm. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Light skirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags stay dry. We like:
May
Traveling to Costa Rica in May, you will notice that it is warm. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
June
In June, Costa Rica is warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Costa Rica, with several of the days of the month having rain.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We suggest:
July
July in Costa Rica is warm and somewhat rainy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C) to high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are a lifesaver in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We suggest:
August
If you go to Costa Rica in August, you will notice that it is warm and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We recommend:
September
September is a perfect temperature and very rainy. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Sandals
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags don't get wet. We like:
October
In October, Costa Rica is warm and very rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Costa Rica, with more than half of the days of the month having rain.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants are a lifesaver in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases stay dry. We like:
November
November in Costa Rica is warm. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains regularly.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a perfect one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We recommend:
December
December for Costa Rica is warm. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Extra socks
-
Light skirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
Activities for Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Costa Rica.
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