Costa Rica Packing List for Women: One-Week Clothes, Shoes & Toiletries

Packing for Costa Rica isn’t as simple as tossing sundresses and swimsuits into your suitcase. Between the beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, and mountains, you’ll experience multiple microclimates. So your packing list really depends on where (and when) you go.

I have lived in Costa Rica since 2016, so I have had plenty of experience in what is important to bring for a trip here.

I created this Costa Rica women’s packing guide to cover what to wear, essential gear, and smart travel tips for both the dry and rainy seasons.

✅ Updated for 2025 travel trends
✅ Includes my favorite lightweight, quick-dry travel staples
✅ Lnks for tried-and-tested travel gear I actually use

Alright, let’s get packing!

Clothing for Costa Rica

Before we get into what to pack for Costa Rica clothing, I need to give you a bit of a safety warning. Costa Rica is a generally safe country, but petty theft does occasionally happen. 

It is best to not be overly flashy with your Costa Rica outfits. If you look like you could have a lot of money, you might be more of a target. 

This goes for jewelry and accessories as well. Sometimes the more simple the better.

OK, now back to the topic you came here for, clothing for Costa Rica!

Packing for Costa Rica means thinking beyond bikinis. The mix of beaches, rainforests, and cool mountain towns means you’ll want lightweight, quick-dry, and versatile clothing.

I created this list with the idea that you will be visiting for one week. Adjust accordingly if visiting for a longer period of time.

👙 Swimwear

• 2–3 swimsuits — one for tanning, one with support for activities, and a one-piece for water sports.
• UV rash guard (long or short sleeve) — essential for snorkeling or surf days. Keep in mind that Costa Rica isn’t that far from the equator and the sun is intense.
• Beach cover-up — something easy to throw on for lunch or walks.

☀️ Tops & Layers

• 7+ quick-dry tanks or tees — solid colors mix easily with patterned shorts or skirts.
• 2-3 dressy tops for dinners or exploring towns.
• 1 long-sleeve shirt or flannel for mountains or cooler evenings.
• Light cardigan — ideal for air-conditioned restaurants or breezy nights.

👗 Dresses, Skirts & Bottoms

• 1–2 casual dresses — breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to dress up or down.
• 3+ pairs of shorts: at least one sporty (for hiking, ziplining, etc.) and at least one casual (cotton or board shorts. Skip the denim).
• 1 skirt: a midi or wrap style that’s easy to rewear.
• 1 pair of lightweight pants: breathable and water-resistant for jungle hikes or cooler towns.
• 1 pair of leggings: perfect for the plane, lounging, or layering.

🩲 Essentials

• Underwear: quick-dry and breathable fabrics like ExOfficio.
• Socks: above-ankle and blister-proof for hiking.
• Sports bras: moisture-wicking styles that double as crop tops for active days.
• Rain jacket: lightweight and fully waterproof (the North Face Venture 2 is a solid choice).
• Pajamas: lightweight for beach towns, cozy for cooler mountain areas like Monteverde.

💡 Local tip: Costa Rica is casual. Skip jeans, heavy fabrics, and flashy jewelry. You’ll be more comfortable and blend right in.

Footwear for Costa Rica

You only need a few pairs of shoes for a one-week trip. Comfort and quick-dry materials are key.

• Flip-flops: 1 sturdy pair (Teva or Reef). Perfect for the beach or pool; skip cheap ones that hurt on uneven sidewalks.
• Water shoes or hybrid sandals: Great for hikes with stream crossings, waterfalls, or rainy-season exploring. Keen Newport H2s are the go-to.
• Hiking shoes or boots: Bring if you plan to explore jungles, volcano trails, or national parks.
• Optional: 1 pair of dressy sandals for resort dinners.

💡 Tip: Avoid leather—humidity causes mold fast. Stick to quick-dry synthetics or rubber soles.

Check out our guide to shoes for Costa Rica for more info!

Toiletries

Costa Rica’s heat, humidity, and outdoor adventures mean you’ll want compact, leak-proof, and practical essentials.

• First-aid kit: Travel-size version with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and basic meds.
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+): The equatorial sun is intense — bring your own reef-safe formula if you can check a bag.
• After-sun lotion: Aloe vera gel or Sun Bum Aloe Lotion works great for sunburn relief.
• Bug spray: Mosquitoes come out at dusk. Bring a DEET or natural option (no aerosols on planes).
• Blister bandages: For long hikes with new shoes.
• Pain killers: These are always good to have.
• Motion-sickness pills: Handy for mountain roads or boat tours; pharmacies sell single doses if you forget.
• Nail clippers & small grooming items: Always useful on longer trips.
• Shampoo, conditioner & body wash: Travel-size or refillable bottles; available locally if you run out.

💡 Travel Tips:

• The humidity here is no joke. I strongly suggest packing anti-frizz serum or leave-in conditioner if you aren’t looking for that Hagrid hair style.
• Seal liquids in zip-top bags; pressure changes can cause leaks when traveling between mountains and coasts.

Accessories to Pack for Costa Rica

Sunglasses: Essential year-round. The sun is strong even on cloudy days.

Sunglass strap: Keeps them secure during ziplining, rafting, or boat tours.

Hat: A lightweight, packable sun hat (like the Columbia Bora Bora) offers great coverage and breathability.

Gear for Costa Rica

• Pocket binoculars: Great for spotting sloths, toucans, and monkeys high in the trees.
• Zip-top bags: Perfect for wet clothes, snacks, or preventing leaks in your luggage—bring a few.
• Filtered water bottle: A LifeStraw or similar keeps you hydrated and safe; refill it throughout the day.
• Microfiber towel: Lightweight, fast-drying, and ideal for the beach or waterfalls.
• Headlamp or small flashlight: The sun sets around 6 PM year-round—handy for evening walks or jungle lodges.

💡 Tip: Opt for compact, quick-dry, and multi-use items to keep your gear light and functional.

Tech

These items are not necessities, but here are the things we own and use in Costa Rica. 

Camera: A DSLR like the Canon 90D captures incredible wildlife shots, but your phone may be all you need for everyday photos.

GoPro: Great for ziplining, rafting, or snorkeling footage. This is optional but fun.

Smartphone: Most modern phones (like the Samsung S22+) take excellent photos and videos.

Kindle or e-reader: Perfect for downtime by the pool or beach. 💡 Tip: Check out our reading list of awesome books about Costa Rica.

Travel adapter: Costa Rica uses the same outlets as the U.S./Canada; Europeans will need a Type A/B adapter.

Luggage

• Travel backpack: Easier than a suitcase for most Costa Rica trips because many hotels don’t have ramps or paved paths. Great for moving between towns.
• Waterproof daypack: Essential in rainy season or for waterfall hikes. Also awesome when taking boat trips. Doubles as a carry-on for flights.
• Small purse or mini backpack: Longchamp or Fjällräven styles pack flat, clean easily, and look polished for dinners or towns.
• Packing cubes: Not essential, but great for staying organized if you’re visiting multiple destinations.

💡 Tip: Skip hard-shell luggage and opt for aa backpack unless you’re staying put at more high end places.

Packing Tips by Area and Season

As I mentioned above, the weather can vary a lot depending on where you go in Costa Rica.

It may be a small country but there are several different microclimates.

Pacific and Caribbean Coast Packing

In general, the weather in beach towns on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts tends to be hot and humid. You will very rarely need warm layers there.

Mountain Towns Packing

In the mountains (La Fortuna, Monteverde, Alajuela, Cartago, San Gerardo de Dota etc.) the weather can be a bit cooler.

It is good to bring pants and some layers for these areas. Monteverde and San Gerardo are cloud forest towns. It is always best to be prepared for rain there.

Rainy Season Packing

Keep in mind that Costa Rica does have a rainy season.

The rainy season on the Pacific coast tends to run from late April until mid-December.

It is always a good idea to pack a rain jacket and some rainproofing items for this time.

Check out our rainy season packing list! I know this is all a bit confusing. To help you out, check out our Destination Guides for each place you are visiting. Each guide contains a section on the weather by season. This will give you a much better idea of what to wear in Costa Rica for the specific places you might be visiting.

What to Pack for Costa Rica Advice

• If you need to get your clothes washed there are laundromats located all over the country.
• Save your plastic bags when you go to the grocery store here. They are great for putting wet clothes in when it is time to move to your next Costa Rica destination. It’s also never a bad idea to just pack a few gallon-size zip lock bags for this same purpose.
• Definitely copy your passport before coming to Costa Rica and store it in a separate place. I also suggest emailing a copy to yourself. If you lose your passport having a copy makes it much easier to get a temporary one.
• If you want to stay connected with your cell phone you can check what the rates would be from your regular cell phone provider. The other option is to get a SIM card at the airport in San Jose. We have a full post about using your cell phone here. 
• We created an Amazon storefront with packing lists for every area in Costa Rica if you need more detailed lists.
• The grocery stores in Costa Rica have everything you might need. If you are planning to travel only with a carry-on, have no fear! You can buy travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, etc at all larger grocery stores.
• Don’t forget to save space for souvenirs! We have a complete souvenir guide to help you out with that.
• If you are traveling alone and concerned about your safety in hotel rooms, I’ve heard great things about these alarm door stoppers.
• Costa Rica voltage is the same as the US. In other words, if you are traveling from North America you do not need a special adapter for Costa Rica power outlets.
• If you would like a what to pack for Costa rica list for men, head on over here.
• Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before heading here. You never know what could happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Conclusion

And that is all for the Costa Rica packing list for women! You now know exactly what to pack for Costa Rica for clothing, accessories, footwear, gear, and more.

I hope you are now ready to load up your bags and start your Costa Rican adventures in paradise!

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