What to Pack???

Packing Tips Stephanie Williams sent out to travelers prior to last year's trip:

You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage through the airport and from bus to hotel to bus to hotel. . .PACK LIGHT!!!
No more than one suitcase and one carry on bag per person. Seasoned travelers suggest laying out everything you think you need for the trip and then packing half of it. American Airlines has a 50 pound limit per bag you check on and 40 for carry-ons. If you go over the weight, you are charged a fee.


Passport holder
PASSPORT!!!
Parent Authorization form
Spending money

Carry-on bag
Check out this site for new FAA regulations:
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm – put larger bottles in suitcase to check on
Anything you can’t live without for 24 hours!
Medications (Must be in original bottles) and copies of prescriptions
Camera (batteries, charger, memory stick . . .)
Eyeglasses, contacts (a spare pair) and solution, sunglasses
Change of clothes
Small containers of personal hygiene supplies

Travel basics
Tour itinerary
Alarm clock and watch (Very important for keeping us on schedule!)
Raincoat / poncho / small umbrella
Addresses (for mailing postcards)

Toiletries
Bathroom bag: shampoo, brush, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant. . .
Sun block (at least 20 SPF)
Lotion
Shaving items
Feminine hygiene
Make-up
Tylenol, aspirin . . . (Group leaders will have a supply of emergency stuff, also)
Bug spray (with DEET) &/or Avon Skin So Soft

Clothing - Keep these things in mind when packing:
Packing soft-sided luggage will make travel much easier.
Dress in Costa Rica is very casual, so pack lightly.
Weather is going to range from the high 80’s to mid 70’s in the day and can get into the 50’s at night, depending on which region we are in. We are also going to be getting wet (either from precipitation or perspiration)! Clothes that dry quickly are best! I usually wear pants and take my jacket on the plane. It is generally pretty cool and that way I don’t have to pack my bigger items.

Here’s what you need (I got nearly all of my info from this site. If you want more details, please visit: http://costa-rica-guide.com/pack.htm)
Socks, undergarments
Pajamas
Bathing suit / beach cover-up
Shorts (quick drying nylon?)
1-2 pair nicer cotton shorts
Short sleeved shirts
Some sites recommend 5-8; others say you may go through 2 a day! I think I’ll bring enough to have 1 a day and wash in the sink if I need to.
1-2 pair pants (for the jungle and horseback trip)
1-2 long sleeve shirts
light jacket
“It gets genuinely cold in the cloud forest and on volcano rims. We recommend a lightweight pile jacket, and a water and wind resistant jacket that can be folded into its own pocket. The concern isn't so much the weight as the size. If it's small enough to cram in your fanny pack or pocket, you're much more likely to have it when you need it.”
baseball cap or brimmed hat
Shoes (I survived with a pair of Crocs, Teva sandals and tennis shoes)
Amphibian hikers or river/reef sandals (You’ll need these for the rafting)
Hiking/walking shoes
Beach sandals / flip flops
Medium size towel- backpacker towels that resemble a chamois, work great
I am seeing this often on websites. You carry this small, very absorbent, quickly drying towel in your backpack for drying off after a sudden rain shower or when you are super sweaty! I don’t think this is a necessity, but could come in handy.

What NOT to pack! (http://costa-rica-guide.com/)
Leave signs of affluence at home! Costa Rica is generally safe, but common theft does occur. You do not want to look like a good target!
Valuable jewelry
There is no point in carrying all of your keys.
Wallet contents- If you're going to carry your wallet, you can probably remove ¾ 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, driver's license & credit cards. You need to leave a set at home in case of emergency.