The Beautiful Cost Of Playa Dominical

What to take?

Start with a good map and guidebook.

It’s unlikely that any two people traveling to Costa Rica would want to use exactly the same packing list. Some would be perfectly comfortable with little more than a swimsuit, some sandals, and a couple of T-shirts, while others might have a forty-pound case of photographic equipment or dive gear. We’ve put together some suggestions to help you make a start.

Don't forget to take a look at the unpacking list because there are some things that it's as important to remember to leave as the things you remember to take.

Obviously, what you take depends on how you are planning to travel, how long you stay, and your personal preferences. We've developed the following list over the course of more than a decade of trips to Costa Rica. It takes into account most of the situations you are likely to encounter: outdoor activities, a little nightlife, being invited into a home or to a special family occasion (more likely than you might think), and a lot of tropical relaxation.

Costa Rica Packing Checklist

Shoes

amphibian hikers or river/reef sandals
hiking/walking shoes
beach sandals/flip-flops
dressy sandals or light-weight dress shoes

Clothes

3-5 T-shirts, one or two long sleeved for bushwhacking and to protect your sunburn.
1-2 dress shirts or blouses
3-4 pairs of shorts. One or two pairs of quick drying nylon and one or two pairs of dressy cotton shorts or tropical weight/length skirts.
active/sports swimsuit and a tanning suit You may also want a sarong or other casual beach cover-up.
1-2 pairs of long pants. Something dressy and something for the bush. If you can find a pair you like, convertible pants (zip-off legs) can serve as shorts and long pants.
5-8 pairs of underwear.
2-8 pairs of socks.
Jacket- It is the tropics, but you will need something to keep you warm at higher elevations, or on the open ocean.
bandana
baseball cap or brimmed hat
mesh bag for wet clothes


Toiletries

razor
toothbrush with cover, and toothpaste
shampoo and conditioner
brush or comb
antiperspirant
towel
washcloth
tampons
toilet paper
cosmetics

Books & Maps

Besides a good map and guidebook you might want to pick these up.

Nature Guide
Spanish/English Phrase book
Bird Book
Serious naturalists might want Janzen's "Costa Rican Natural History."

Documents

money belt or passport pendant-somewhere to carry your documents.
passport
drivers license
money, credit/debit card, traveler’s checks.
insurance card and contact information.


Miscellaneous

Plastic bags
A photo of your home or family
Your Internet logon information
address book
Clothesline
Water bottle or bag
Flashlight
A drinking cup.
binoculars
Croakies® or other glasses retainer system for your prescription or sunglasses.
pocket knife
mp3 player
gifts
zip ties

Health

Personal prescriptions should be filled before you leave home.
sunglasses
Tampons
Contact lenses and cleaning solutions
If you wear prescription glasses, pack a spare pair

First Aid Kit (Basic)

band aids® Butterfly closures are useful to close deep cuts.
eye drops- Artificial tears (e.g. NeoTears®)
Imodium® OTC or Lomotil® (by prescription in the US) to treat diarrhea
Dramamine® or other motion sickness prevention
neosporin® (over the counter) or terramycin® (by prescription in the US) to prevent infection of small cuts, scrapes, and insect bites
tweezers- needle point/surgical
tape- waterproof, flexible, breathable surgical tape
insect repellent- > 95% DEET for mosquitoes, and Avon's Skin-so-Soft® for no-see-ums.
pain relievers/fever reducers (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and/or Aspirin)
sun screen- at least SPF 20, waterproof
$US 20 bill (if you want more emergency cash carry more twenties.. fifties and hundreds are regarded very suspiciously)
vitamins- what ever you normally take
whistle


First Aid Kit (Advanced)

alcohol pads & benzalkonium sterile wipes
Aloe Vera gel- 100% pure, no perfume or color added; relieves the pain and speeds the healing of sunburn.
anti-histamine tablets- there are all sorts of new pollens to react to, and these can help control the swelling and pain from insect, spider and scorpion stings.
anti-bacterial soap
anti-fungal cream
codeine and/or valium
Dramamine® or other motion sickness remedy
electrolytes- to ease dehydration due to diarrhea or vomiting.
erythromycin
hemostat
mole foam- to prevent and protect blisters
peroxide based water purification system
scissors
sutures
scalpel or razorblade
sterile surgical gauze
stainless steel nail file
super glue- emergency repairs of equipment and an alternative to sutures
tampons- for the obvious reason, and they also work well in a pinch as relatively sterile absorbent wound packing (o.b.®, no applicator).
thermometer
waterproof lighter


Other things to have handy in your first aid kit

micro led flashlight- in a night time emergency it might be the only light you have
eyeglass screws- we fix our own after experiencing the Big Screwdriver
100 lb. test braided nylon line
spare contacts
emergency contact information (our names, addresses and phone numbers- in case we're unconscious, and those of our parents, and physicians in the U.S.)
nylon sewing thread and needles
crimp on snaps
phone card
ear plugs- the compressible foam ones are by far the best
compass if you know how to use it.

Unpacking List

There is no point in carrying all of your keys.
Wallet contents- If you're going to carry your wallet, you can probably remove ¾ths of the contents.

Purse-Look at what's in yours to decide if you want to lug it around, and if there is anything you don't need to risk losing.

Copies of your documents. Minimally a Xerox of your passport, drivers license, credit cards, airline tickets, and any reservations that you've prepaid. You need to leave a set at home in case of emergency.

An itinerary.

If you're visiting from the U.S. or Canada you can leave the electric converters and plug adapters at home. The current and plugs are the same and your appliances should work just fine.

Pura Vida!
Come enjoy the rich wonders of Dominical.

Year Round Vacation:

Aloha Villa Dominical Pura Vida is an excellent location all year around, for a Quick Get Away, Vacation, Quaint Weddings, Family Retreats, Healing Retreats, Corporate Retreats, Church Retreats and Executive Functions.


Small Pets O.K. Aloha Villa Dominical Pura Vida is Pet Friendly.