What to pack for a trip to Costa Rica?

rain jacket or poncho (a must-have for the rainy season on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and all year on the Caribbean Coast, where it rains all year round)
- Pants (lightweight cotton or other natural fabrics that dry quickly; jeans are not recommended as they dry too slow)
- Shorts (if you like jeans, you can bring only a pair of lightweight denim shorts)
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Bras
- Underwear
- Swimsuit
- Sarong (optional)
- Socks (bring extra pairs for the rainy season in case your feet get wet)
- Workout clothes.
Costa Rica is a small, but very biodiverse country, that proudly shelters 5% of the existing biodiversity in the world. More than 25% of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory consisting of national parks, reserves, and refuges. It’s a country where you become fascinated by nature and its beauty. You inhale peace in beautiful surroundings where the sloths perch, the rainbow toucans stroll and the evergreen rainforest grows so captivating that you won’t want to leave. If there is a dress style that could harmonize with this destination, then this is the natural fashion style.
The natural style woman is often a discreet person who appreciates nature, ecology, sustainable living, fairness, and authenticity. She prefers a casual style with loose cuts to feel comfortable and relaxed in her clothes, but also to look stylish. The natural dress style is characterized by simplicity, comfort and freedom seen in relaxed fits, and supple, soft, and natural non-fancy fabrics including cotton in all its forms, linen, silk, wool, etc. At the same time, some synthetic fabrics can also be found. The prints are generally small, often irregular and can include flowers, stripes and different patterns that represent nature.
As Costa Rica doesn’t have a strict dress code, the natural dress style, which is comfortable and casual, is the best choice for the entire country. In this case, comfort and simplicity, does not exclude elegance and femininity.
The natural style woman wears dresses and skirts that are straight or trapeze, long or midi, but she favours pants over dresses and skirts. The pants are comfortable, with or without pleats, straight or wide, even very wide, and can be long, midi or short, including baggy pants (waterproof baggy pants are just perfect for hiking in Costa Rica), cropped trousers and Bermuda shorts. The knits including sweaters, cardigans, ponchos are highly appreciated as they are very comfortable. In case of rain, even a rain poncho with hood (a must-have in Costa Rica during the rainy season) is suitable for this style. Choose a sustainable designer rain poncho, that has a good look and quality, instead of a single use plastic poncho. At the same time, you can choose a lightweight waterproof long rain coat with hood to keep you dry when it’s raining. On the images on your right, you can find a large selection of clothing items of natural dress style. We suggest you to opt for skirts, dresses, shorts, tank tops and T-shirts at the beach, and long pants, a warm sweater or cardigan, socks and a jacket if you go hiking at higher altitudes.
The colours of clothes found in the wardrobe of the natural style woman are earthy colours inspired from nature including green, olive, orange, red, blue, taupe, straw yellow, brown and purple. They tend to be warmer and softer, just like the natural things around us, but you can include in your list the colours that suit you best (think of the bright Costa Rica’s birds, including toucans, parrots, and quetzals). If you want to know what clothing colours will look best on you, you can take our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz and find out what is your season type. Based on the results of the quiz, you can buy a seasonal colour palette fan (for example Soft Autumn Colour Palette Fan) and take it with you when you go shopping.
Natural fashion style favours flat shoes over high heeled shoes, including sandals, short boots, comfy sneakers, moccasins, trainers, ballet flats, wedges, flip-flops and even wellington rain boots (suitable for Costa Rica’s rainy season). We suggest you to bring to Costa Rica the following shoes:
- Sandals with straps
- Closed-toed water shoes (for rafting)
- Sneakers (if you are not wearing waterproof hiking boots, be sure to bring two pairs of sneakers)
- Lightweight waterproof hiking boots
- Flip-flops (for the beach).
You may also need wellington rain boots at some national parks, but because they are so bulky, you don’t have to bring them with you. They can be bought in Costa Rica or rented at the parks, if the trails are very muddy.
Natural style bags are first of all useful and practical, and include tote bags, hobo bags, messenger bags, bucket bags and backpacks. If you come to Costa Rica during the rainy season take with you a larger waterproof backpack for hiking. In the city, you can use a small backpack or a handbag. Don’t forget the beach bag.
The jewellery of the natural style woman is very simple and subtle made from gold, silver or natural materials like wood, and can include a pair of stud earrings, discreet necklaces, and bracelets with earth stones. Don’t bring more than one pair of earrings, necklace or bracelet (not too fancy or expensive) that you actually wear on you. In the country, you can find very beautiful handmade jewellery that you can buy and bring home as a souvenir, supporting the local artists.