Started Packing for Costa Rica
and I have to admit, the below ‘Costa Rica Packing Checklist’ I found on this travel site kinda sorta scares me a bit! Especially, the First Aid section.
After weeks of planning, we decided on a pretty ambitious 2 week itinerary covering lots of ground along the Pacific Coast.
In between the zip lining, white water rafting and volcano spotting, I plan to make like a sloth and do a lot of this so maybe a carry-on is doable? Haha, who am I kidding!
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.
underwear.
socks.
PJs or a long T-shirt
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
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 – hard to find
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.
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) -Yikes, hope we won’t be needing any of these but if it’s anything like our St. Barths experience then we just might!
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
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.
Now for the magic trick of fitting it all into a carry-on. I do like a nice challenge!
#Travel #costarica
