The Bare Essentials
Costa Rica is located between 8° and 11° north of the equator so the sun is hot and the UV rays intense, especially around midday. Wearing a hat and sunscreen or simply staying out of the sun between 11:00am and 2:30pm is very important. The safest time for laying out tanning is in the early morning, from about 8:30am - 11:00am, and it is quite effective even then.
The country is located within a Tropical Zone well known for its “Tropical Rain Forests”. Therefore, you can expect it to rain while you’re visiting. Average rainfall per annum ranges from the Caribbean Coast to the Pacific Coast as well as from north to south. The highest annual rainfall is on the north eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera Mountains with of over 5,000 mm per year! Mornings are usually sunny throughout the country, but rain clouds move in quickly in the afternoon. What you need is a lightweight rain jacket that you can carry with you at all times. An umbrella would also be helpful but a little more annoying to carry around. In case you do get wet, the humidity here makes it hard for clothes to dry indoors so try to stick with light, quick drying materials, but laundry facilities equipped with dryers are available in most towns.
Outdoor adventuring and Eco-tourism are among the most popular attractions in Costa Rica. Hiking shoes can sometimes be too hot, and they are quite bulky to bring down here with you. Tennis shoes or other comfortable walking shoes are a better choice. However, do not bring your favourite pair of Jordans because they will get muddy and the volcanic clay can stain light coloured material. Don’t forget your binoculars and maybe a field guide to identify the varieties of birds and other wildlife you will encounter here! Oh, and bug spray.
River rafting and river kayaking is popular in the Sarapiqui Valley. Water shoes or durable, strapped on sandals would be effective, along with a water proof camera that you can secure to yourself while traversing wild rapids.
If you are going to visit regions of high elevation, above 1600m (5200 ft), be prepared with some warmer clothing. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, for example, is a part of this region. The altitude in combination with the mist causes temperatures to be fairly cool.
On the Northern Pacific coast, in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, there is less rainfall and tons of surf. Sarongs, flip flops, bikini, and a board will definitely be required here.
