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, below 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
- 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
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 esssentials 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.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should be sufficient for most places, but you may want to check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in Costa Rica. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- If you plan to visit a church, make sure to bring appropriate clothing
- Theft can be a problem, so pack theft protection, including locks for luggage and a money belt or pouch. We recommend this one
- Appropriate museum wear
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- Desamparados visitors often do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for Costa Rica, Costa Rica by month
January
If you vacation in Costa Rica during January, you are likely to notice 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:
- Bug repellent
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- Light footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- If you're going to the beach,
February
February here is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sandals
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Shorts or short pants
- Bug repellent
- Dresses
- Light footwear
- If you're going to the beach,
March
If you go to Costa Rica in March, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts or short pants
- Bug repellent
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Light footwear
- Skirts
- If you're going to the beach,
April
April in Costa Rica is a perfect temperature. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Light footwear
- Bug repellent
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We like:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Windproof umbrella. This one is an excellent one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your belongings remain dry. We recommend: this one
May
If you vacation in Costa Rica during May, you may see that it is a perfect temperature.
Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Dresses
- Sandals
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Light footwear
- If you're going to the beach,
June
June in Costa Rica is a perfect temperature and somewhat rainy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 60s F (low 20s C) to high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- Skirts
- Bug repellent
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain coat to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Windproof umbrella. This one is a great one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things stay dry. We recommend: this one
July
If you are traveling to Costa Rica in July, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature 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:
- Dresses
- Bug repellent
- Light footwear
- Sunscreen lotion
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Shorts or short pants
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We recommend these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is an excellent option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things stay dry. We suggest: this one
August
August for Costa Rica is a perfect temperature and somewhat 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:
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen lotion
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- Light footwear
- Dresses
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We like these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is an excellent choice.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things don't get wet. We like: this one
September
If you are traveling to Costa Rica in September, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature and very 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:
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Bug repellent
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Shorts or short pants
- Light footwear
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain poncho to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We recommend:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is a perfect one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things remain dry. We like: this one
October
Traveling to Costa Rica in October, you will notice that it is warm and very 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:
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Light footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- Shorts or short pants
- Bug repellent
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain coat to layer with another jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We recommend:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Windproof umbrella. This one is a great option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your bags don't get wet. We recommend: this one
November
November in this region is a perfect temperature. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains a bit less than half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Dresses
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- Light footwear
- Sunscreen lotion
- Skirts
- If you're going to the beach,
- A rain jacket to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We like:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is an excellent one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things don't get wet. We suggest: this one
December
Traveling to Costa Rica in December, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Daytime temperatures are in the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Bug repellent
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sandals
- Light footwear
- Dresses
- Skirts
- If you're going to the beach,
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