Costa Rica Packing List for Families: Beach + Mountains
Packing for a country as diverse as Costa Rica can feel overwhelming—especially when traveling with kids. After two trips myself and helping multiple clients plan their Costa Rica itineraries, this is the exact Costa Rica packing list I recommend.
This list is practical, realistic, and fully tested by our family.
Costa Rica is a cultural and ecological haven that is perfect for families. As a travel planner, I love when clients choose to explore everything this beautiful country has to offer. I’ve visited in both the green season and dry season and traveled to multiple regions, so I’ve learned exactly what to pack and what to leave at home.
This packing list covers both seasons and multiple climates (beach + mountains), so you don’t overpack—but also don’t get caught unprepared while enjoying your Costa Rica vacation.
To make things even easier, I’ve included links to recommended items I love in case you need to fill in any gaps before your trip. Bye-bye decision fatigue.
What Do You Need to Pack for Costa Rica?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Comfortable closed toe walking shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
- Bug spray + reef-safe sunscreen
- Swimwear + beach gear (if you plan to visit hot springs or the beach)
- Layers for cooler mountain areas: a lightweight sweater or jacket works perfectly
- Rain protection (especially during green season or if visiting the rainforest): Ponchos or Rainjackets
I made a simple printable version of this list to make packing easier—download it here if you want it handy.
Costa Rica Packing Checklist (Printable)
A simple, family-tested list to help you pack for both beach days and jungle adventures—without overthinking it.
✔ Beach + mountains
✔ Green & dry season
✔ Mom-friendly + realistic
Understanding Costa Rica Weather & Regions
Costa Rica has two main seasons: green season and dry season. Both are great times to visit and make Costa Rica the diverse, unique country adventurers love to visit. Costa Rica is also extremely famous for its lush rainforests, mountains, and beaches which all boast weather differences.
Dry Season (December–April)
- Hot, sunny, and dry (especially on the Pacific coast)
- Dusty in some regions
- Waterfalls less impressive toward the end of the season
Green Season (May–November)
- Afternoon rain showers (often predictable)
- Lush, humid, and muddy on some hikes
- Fewer crowds = more affordable pricing
- Best time for waterfalls
Regional Climate Differences (Beaches & Mountains)
- Monteverde: Cool, misty, and breezy in the cloud forest
- La Fortuna: Humid rainforest climate with frequent rain
- Manuel Antonio: Hot, dry, sunny beach weather
- Rio Celeste: Often muddy during green season
- Tortuguero: Hot, humid tropical rainforest climate, dry season is opposite of Manuel Antonio
Core Packing Essentials (Everyone Needs These)
Clothing Basics
- Lightweight, quick dry tops & tanks
- Quick dry athletic shorts
- Breathable dresses for dinner for the ladies (I enjoy feeling put together for dinner after an active day)
- Golf shorts or simple polos for dinners for the guys
- Swimsuits (2 per person if possible to allow for drying time between uses)
- Women’s bikini, one piece, or rash guard
- Men’s swim trunks or rash guard
- Girls one piece or rash guard set
- Boys swim trunks or rash guard
- Toddler
Footwear
Whether you are hiking Rio Celeste, through Manuel Antonio National Park, or walking down to the beach, proper footwear is a must.
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes (close toed for hikes)
- Waterproof sandals (especially for kids) or flip-flops
Travel Essentials
- Packing cubes and waterproof compression bags
- Rechargeable battery pack: My bestie bought me this one for my birthday and I never leave the house without it.
- Wet/dry bag
- Lightweight backpack or daypack
- Reusable water bottles
- Travel laundry soap
- Sunscreen
Beach & Dry Season Packing List
Visiting Costa Rica during dry season is all about staying cool and protected from the sun. Packing for the beach and dry season is similar, so I have included them together.
Sun Protection
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Ball cap or wide-brim sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Rash guards (less sunscreen reapplying = mom win)
- Packable beach towels (these dry quickly and don’t take up a ton of room in your luggage)
- Waterproof phone pouch (great for waterfalls, rain, and beach days)
- Lightweight cover-ups
Heat-Friendly Clothing
- Linen items for meals out or professional photos if you plan to take any
- Moisture-wicking outfits for hiking
Nice-to-Have Items for the Beach
- Inflatable life vests for snorkeling
- Snorkel Set (leave fins at home to save space)
- Hats
- Beach toys
- Sand-proof blanket
- Beach Tote
Mountain, Jungle, & Green Season Packing List
If you’re headed to Monteverde, La Fortuna, or visiting during the green season, these items make a huge difference in case you get caught in a rain shower:
Rain Protection
- Lightweight rain jackets or ponchos (for each family member)
- Waterproof backpack or cover
- Bug Repellent
Mud + Humidity Helpers
- Quick-dry clothing
- Extra socks
- Waterproof shoes or trail runners (some hiking trails have water hoses at the end to rinse mud off with)
Quick Tip: Avoid cotton—nothing dries quickly in the humidity.
Cooler Climate Layers
Adventure Gear
- Closed-toe hiking shoes
- Bug repellent
- Small daypack for snacks
- Flashlight or headlamp for nighttime jungle walks
Packing for Kids
Everything gets wet, dirty, or both, so keep expectations in check and plan accordingly.
- Extra hiking outfits (I would pack 1-2 extra)
- Snacks from home – My kids love these beef sticks and these suckers for flights and car rides
- Travel games or books checkout this blog for additional ideas on things to pack for travel loving kids that minimize screen time and keep kids engaged!
- Extra towel (in case you have a muddy hike or get caught in a shower and need to wipe off before getting back in the car)
- Baby carrier if you have toddlers/babies
Mom Essentials
- Minimal, humidity-friendly makeup: I usually just pack my favorite mascara, lip balm, and cheek tint
- Dry shampoo
- Crossbody bag
- Swimsuit cover-up you can wear to lunch
- Simple first aid kit and homeopathic medications
What NOT to Pack
- Heavy jeans (they won’t dry if they get wet)
- Too many “cute” outfits (you’ll live in activewear and you can always rewear clothes for dinner)
- Hair tools (humidity always wins 😅)
- Expensive jewelry and watches
Pro Packing Tips
- Use compression packing cubes to save space
- Bring a wet/dry bag for swimsuits and muddy clothes
- Plan to re-wear items when you can like nicer clothes for dinner
- Don’t overpack—aim for one carry-on per person if possible
- If you check luggage, make sure you check hard sided or waterproof luggage so it doesn’t get wet in any showers during layover plane changes!
- Pack laundry detergent sheets so you can do laundry in your sink if needed. This will only work if your items are quick drying though. If you wash cotton items, they will never dry in the humidity (trust me, I tried and failed 😂 )
Ready to pack without overthinking it? Download the printable checklist and make it easy to check everything off.
Costa Rica Packing Checklist (Printable)
A simple, family-tested list to help you pack for both beach days and jungle adventures—without overthinking it.
✔ Beach + mountains
✔ Green & dry season
✔ Mom-friendly + realistic
Final Thoughts
I created this Costa Rica packing list to make things as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the jungle, or the mountains, everything you need is covered here.
I hope this helps make planning—and packing—for your Costa Rica family vacation feel a whole lot easier.
Need Help Planning Your Costa Rica Trip?
Feeling overwhelmed planning a trip to Costa Rica for your family? I’d love to help you create a trip that fits your family’s pace and priorities.
👉 Contact me today to get started.
