www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey, I'll be Costa Rica for ~10 days and I am trying to figure out what to pack. I would like to pack quite light, I was hoping for a 20 X 12 X 15 (inches) travel bag, which would give an area of 3,600 in^3.

I'll be going for the first two weeks of August, I know its the rainy season, but could I still wear shorts?

So, I was thinking....
-Shirts X 6...will get them washed at a hotel
-underwear/socks
-shorts X 3
-book
-sun screen/tooth brush/medications/misc toiletries
-Camera
-Pen/paper
-Condoms

Anything else I should consider bringing? I haven't gone away for a while now and know I'm probably forgetting a few important things.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

money

You won't get by with just shorts unless all your time is spent at the beach. San Jose is over 3000ft. high and gets pretty chilly at night, especially during rainy season when a late afternoon shower sucks all the heat out of the atmosphere. Definitely pack a couple of pairs of jeans/pants and perhaps even a light jacket for evenings. You will probably need an umbrella but just wait and buy a cheap one here.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Definitely long pants. Maybe one of those cheap 10 toothbrush packs for the chicas. Mouthwash and air freshener for the room. Condoms.

Don't forget to chicaproof your room before and after you leave it. And as always PAY AFTER.

excellent, thanks for the advice.

Generally, how rainy is the rainy season? I heave also heard it rains much less in the north, where I will be the majority of my time.

May I Suggest:

1. LUBE, UNLESS YOU WANNA SPIT ON IT , ALA CUJO
2. MUSIC.
Regards, 911 Driver

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

as far as the rain....very nice in the am until about 2pm then rains until about 6 or 7 ....but you can mostly count on the am being rain free.....the shorts 3 pair can work ...but why not bring at least 1 pair of jeans ....

On one trip last year I was staying at the sportmens for 8 days ....some guy was wearing a pro football jersey (panthers) and my first 2 days I seen him with it on .....and I mean in the am at the sportmens bar watching tv ...then a few hours later would pass him in the lobby...same jersey....then at 1 am at key largo .....

He is a good guy but damm ...change into something else .....then the next 5 days (total 7 days ) same mf jersey on ....I shit you not !!!! hell if I noticed it ...what do you think the girls were saying .....when I chatted with him ...I expected (hoped) that he would have some hard luck story ...about the airlines lost his bag ...or he got robbed ......nope nothing ....
so if that guy
can wear the same thing for 7 days ...3 pairs of shorts ....no problem

Haha, maybe I'm missing something, but I thought that one can usually wear a pair of pants for more then one day. I don't wear shirts two days in a row but its not uncommon for me to wear a pair of jeans for two or three days between washing them.

I thought this was normal? Please tell me quick if it isn't haha.

Is it a down pour? I can handle a bit of rain, here it rains for two weeks non stop.

Also, how common are storms? I wouldn't mind watching a nice storm go down.

Take two cheap umbrellas. If you are like me I will lose at least one during the trip. Depending on your hotel, you might want to take a couple of good bars of soap so you don't have to keep unwrapping the little sh*tty bars that the hotel provides.
Bring more money than you think you will spend or a card good at ATMs. It's amazing how the colones will fly out of your wallet down there. Cojones being sucked=colones being sucked, out of your wallet.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Umbrellas in carry-on will get confiscated.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Oh well, i'll just buy one when I'm there...it can't be that expensive.

Will only credit cards from major banks work?

I have a credit card from a credit union that isn't outside of my province, I also have a debit card from them. The card is visa by the way, just not sure if it matters who the issuing bank is.

Most any should work fine within the networks associated with Visa BUT BE SURE to go by your bank and have them turn your card on in Costa Rica so they don't block it after the first charge comes through from here. I had mine turned on for CR but my first trip to Nica Land, forgot and yep, had to live the frugal life when ATM refused to work on day 2...

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I thought that they were only confiscated by the CR TSA in carry on when you were leaving CR. Got to be careful of those umbrella-wielding terrorists.

_________________
" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

If your airline ticket includes two bags and you are only checking one, then you can fill a second bag with unwanted clothes, shoes, electronics, etc and drop it off at a local charity. I've even used 3 heavy trash bags and checked that. If you cant find a local charity, just give it to any of the local guy that guards cars or security guys. If you have an old suit, they will have a family member tailor it for them. They will be forever thankful.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Buy cheap street umbrella for 1500 c...or go to Rego down by Nica park for better selection. PM me for directions.

lightweight long pants may be good for evening in August. Remember the first few days of August are when the Romeros are walking as well.