Backpacking in Costa Rica: What to Pack, Where to Go

Party in Puerto Viejo

PackingWhen packing for your trip around Costa Rica you’re going to want to pack as light and compact as possible. You’re going to be hoping busses, sharing taxis, and walking a lot. The less you have the easier it is to keep up with your stuff at bus stops and other places that may have locals with a thirst for name brand goods. There is really no need to bring anything other than your standard backpacking pack. Anything else is just silly and will be a pain. Try to avoid strapping shoes, tents, and other things to the outside of your bag. They make it hard to walk around town and make it almost impossible to walk on a bus.What to PackTent with Rain Fly- Make sure you bring the rain fly because rain is guaranteed.Sleeping sheet-It never really gets cold enough to want a sleeping bag. So save some  room in your bag and just bring a sheet or fleece sleeping bag.   Sleeping matHiking ShoesSandals3-5 T-shirts, one or two long sleeved for bushwhacking and to protect your sunburn.3-4 pairs of shorts.Swimsuit1-2 pairs of long pants.5-8 pairs of underwear.2-8 pairs of socks.Fleece Jacketbandannabaseball cap or brimmed hatWater bottle or bagFlashlightpocket knifemp3 playerrazortoothbrush with cover, and toothpasteshampoo and conditionerbrush or combantiperspiranttoweltamponstoilet papercosmeticsmoney belt or passport pendantpassportdrivers licensecredit/debit/bank cards- in general VISA is the best, Master Card is good, and American Express is next to uselessCash Highlights:There are so many things to do in Costa Rica, as well as things to do from there. The city of Puerto Viejo is a good base camp for day trips.  If you're staying here, you should definitely check out these things:    -Bike to Mazanillo- Midnight kayak ride- Spear fishing at night- Cliff-jumping- Movies at Hot Rocks- Waterfall in Bribri- SurfingQuick Tips/Suggestions:Every night, there are movies to watch in the restaurant Hot Rocks. They are free for all. They start at 6pm and run until 1am-ish. It's a good way to spend a relaxing night if you don't want to drink.When renting equipment such as boards, bikes, or snorkeling equipment, everywhere is pretty much the same price, give or take a dollar. They all ask that you return the equipment at around 6pm. If you forget to return a bike, they will probably come find your resort and just take it in the night. It's such a small city that it's easy for the owners to do this. It's usually one dollar more to rent anything from your hotel, or one dollar less to rent it in town.There is a party in town every night. The clubs rotate nights so that there is never any competition. All you have to do to find out what club to go to that night is either ask your receptionist or simply ask anyone in town. Everyone in the city goes to the clubs every single night, so they will know exactly what you are talking about.Bring a head lamp instead of a flashlight. They are smaller, lighter and more practical for travel.Carry some extra locks with you because sometimes hostels don’t provide them.The cab drivers are almost always trying to rip you off. Haggle with them for a better price or just walk away. There is ALWAYS another taxi driving by.Best Way to Get Around:The bus ride from San Jose to Puerto Viejo is a little over three hours. It costs less than $6. My advice to you is, if you have a therma-rest sleeping pad, to bring it on the bus with you. The bus ride is very long and very painful. You can use the pad to cushion the seat or use it as a pillow.I don't think there are even any taxis in Puerto Viejo, nor is there any need for one. Rocking J´s is at the opposite end of town from the bus stop, and it only takes about 15 minutes to get across town. Walking is the easiest and cheapest way to go. If you are going to be there for a while, you can talk some of the bike rental guys into charging you a lower daily rate and letting you keep the bike for the duration of your stay. Most other locations have taxis every where you look. They are impossible not to see.