www.CostaRicaTicas.com

excuse my ignorance, but whats are "the Romeros"?...I'm assuming your not meaning the legendary guitar virtuoso family

I recommend bringing Q-Tips and an extra wallet for daily use, leave your regular wallet in your safe.

Ace put together a good list of what to bring in this thread:

http://costaricaticas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=953

Icantstayaway, you are a good guy. Great suggestion that I never thought of.

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I've done many CR trips of 8-10 days, and I just brought 2 pairs of lightweight synthetic hiking/travel pants, plus a third meant for only outdoor activity (walks, hikes, rafting, etc.), and alternated between them, didn't get them wahed, so you're not alone. I never wear shorts in CR, or anywhere actually. For luggage on my last bunch of trips I settled on using jus one 25" rolling suitcase and used a computer backpack (a Jansport Firewire) as my carry-on.

When it rains, it can frequently come down hard, even can have thunderstorms. And yup, it will cool down the temps real quick, and the nights can get a bit chilly in San Jose, so bring a long-sleeve shirt/fleece or two or a sweater, and maybe a light jacket as well.

What about footwear, should I invest in a pair of Gore-Tex?

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If you're too scared to walk between the SL and Amistad and need a taxu, probably not!

But if you're fit enough to walk everywhere (like Amistad-HLH) then a nice pair of Gore-Tex trailrunners can be real handy during the rain. Along with an umbrella, I rarely took taxis, even walking back from Manolo's to the Amistad at 8:00pm.

I dunno, but this thread is funny to me. Pack to Costa Rica like you're going on a trip anywhere else. First time on a plane? Bring some shorts, jeans, shirts, shoes, underwear, socks, etc. I always see this threads and sometimes cant believe grown men are asking guys what they should pack, haha.

I seriously am not trying to sound like a dick but it's just funny to me.

Some people come from a place that is quite different from Costa Rica. I've never been to Costa Rica and thought maybe I was missing some things that CR veterans could help point out.

Los Romeros are the folks who walk to the Basilica in Cartago. Generally does not affect downtown San Jose, but at its height 1/2 of the highway between San Jose and Cartago is closed and filled with walkers.

Some gauze pads, 30 weight ball bearings and 4 quarts of antifreeze preferably prestone. No make that quaker state. C'mon guys its all ball bearings these days.

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I phuck 'em just to see the look on their face.
Klatu, berata, nicto.

one thing i make sure to bring is my oun bath soap.i havent found irish spring down there.

Mr. Firesotorm: "I recommend bringing Q-Tips and an extra wallet for daily use, leave your regular wallet in your safe."

I used to think so too until I god robbed once in San Jose, 11:45 AM, just down the hill from the Del Rey with people everywhere. Was with my novia, two guys came in very quickly from behind. My first instinct was to push my novia to the side & step in front. In that time (1/2 second +/-), a hand went in my right front pants pocket & another in my right rear, wallet pocket.

At the time I used a snakeskin wallet with $5 in it (my throw-down wallet). I kept my small bills (1000C & 2000C) in my right front/strong side pocket. I kept my bigger mills in my left leg pocket (cargo pants) with velcro flaps. Bottom line - they weren't able to get the wallet (that's why I used snakeskin - for the grip) & they got $30 +/- in small bills from my right front pocket.

Afterwards my novia essentially said I was an idiot. I'm a gringo - it's obvious by my shape, size, hair color & eye color & my accent. Doesn't matter what I wear, though I do favor the gringo camisas (Hawaiian shirts). She said they saw a gringo, saw the outline of the wallet & that was it. Good point, really.

Now all I have in my back pocket is a thin plastic holder (from Office Depot to put a few business cards in) with copies of my passport & visa stamp, CRT card and a few business cards. When I carry my ATM card I put that in my other back pocket by itself. Haven't had a problem since, though who knows about tomorrow??

/dddick

I don't think that you are being fair. Granted there are basic clothes that you will wear anywhere, there are almost always some particulars to different countries. Some places you need mosquito netting and mosquito oil or you may get malaria. Other places you may get sunburned or sunstroke without clothes covering most of your body, sun tan lotion, and portable water containers. Some places with a lot of rain, you need raingear. If you are in a rural area, you will probably need hiking boots. Not having some basic item can affect your health or make a trip unenjoyable.

In more developed countries, you can buy these items, but you may not have time to shop or in the case of boots, time to break them in.

People going to a new place don't know if there is something that they should need. I think that they are being wise to ask these type of questions.

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Pura Vida