My dad is exploring buying some retirement property outside the US and Costa Rica is one of the options.
He asked me to go with him to explore the country and get a feel, since I am doing a lot of work travel, I asked him to do the prep and research and I would tag along.
The rough itinerary was to circle the country in about 8 days. The trip included the obvious hot spots
The rough itinerary was to circle the country in about 8 days. The trip included the obvious hot spots
- Rafting Pacuare River, with Exploradores outdoors
- Arenal Volcano
- Jeep, boat jeep transfer
- Monteverde
- Some beach (preferably Manuel antonio, but thinking something closer if time became an issue)
Booking ahead
The only things we booked in advance was the Exploradores rafting trip, one night in SJ (airbnb) and two nights in LA fortuna (arenal volcano), the Backpacker hostel in town. The night before the trip, I met up with my friend Alexandra and grabbed her Lonely planet Costa Rica book, she's been to the country, so, picked up a few quick tips. The rest we decided to figure out on the ground.
The only things we booked in advance was the Exploradores rafting trip, one night in SJ (airbnb) and two nights in LA fortuna (arenal volcano), the Backpacker hostel in town. The night before the trip, I met up with my friend Alexandra and grabbed her Lonely planet Costa Rica book, she's been to the country, so, picked up a few quick tips. The rest we decided to figure out on the ground.
Weather - The weather called for rain every day. Wet season :) This mostly held up to be true.
Book - Lonely planet guide to Costa Rica. Pretty good book, with good tips, etc. Key elements like transport and off the grid stuff didnt get covered as much
Gear and bring list
- $160 in Colognes money (I ended up needing 3x that much)
- Swim shorts
- Long sleeve tshirt
- Lonely planet Costa Rica travel book
- Umbrella
- Deet and sunscreen - I decided to buy there
- Flip flops
- Did not bring a gopro camera (but really should have!!)
- My laptop bag (which is slightly smaller than a 40L)
- My debit and AMEX (in hindsight, some places that take CC, do it as a cash advance)
- Passport
- Drivers license
- 2x Hiking tshirts
- 2x Dressier tshirts
- 3x boxers
- 2x normal socks 1x hiking socks
- Running shoes
- Convertible hiking pants
- Jeans and Polo (did not need either, never dressy enough to need a polo, mostly active stuff and too hot for Jeans. Extra shorts would've helped as my hiking and swim trunks were wet at one point or another)
- Rain jacket
- Sunglasses (suggest polarized, so much lush forest there)
- Hat
- Phone and charger
- A few small toiletries (tooth brush, paste, stuff to shower with)
- Camp towel
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