What to Wear in Costa Rica for Any Type of Weather

Heading to Costa Rica and not sure what to pack? Whether you’re planning on hitting up the beaches of Manuel Antonio, hiking through the cloud forest in Monteverde, canoeing through the canals in Tortuguero, or all of the above, packing for such a diverse adventure can be a challenge.

Besides your chosen destinations in-country, you should also consider the weather when deciding what to pack. There are two main seasons in Costa Rica: wet and dry. The wet season goes from May to November, when there are frequent heavy rainstorms, monsoons, and hurricanes. The dry season from December to April also sees some rain, especially at high altitudes, but is overall more sunny and much warmer.

With these factors in mind, here’s an epic packing list to help you prepare for your next adventure in Costa Rica:

What to Wear in Costa Rica: Wet Season (May–November)

I visited Costa Rica during the rainy season, when there are storms almost every day throughout most of the country. It might sound unappealing to visit such an outdoorsy location during this time, but having been prepared for the rain was a game changer and made it all worth it. Overall, I would definitely visit Costa Rica during the rainy season again, as long as I was similarly prepared.

To pack for this time of year, here’s what I recommend:

Clothes: bring layers

Besides preparing myself for the rain, I also had to consider that I would be visiting a variety of climates. From packing beach attire for my days in Uvita and Manuel Antonio to being ready for chilly mountain weather in Monteverde, I had my work cut out for me.

Bringing layers is key. Bring lightweight clothes that can be layered, so you’re prepared for instantaneous changes in weather and various climates alike.

Here’s the clothing I packed for one month in Costa Rica during the rainy season:

With these, I had a multitude of different outfits to choose from without feeling like I had too much clothing with me. Everything I brought matched, so I felt put together while also being comfortable. My absolute favorite thing I brought was my white linen button-down shirt, because it’s such a great layering piece and looks stylish over a simple outfit like the one in the photo above.

Footwear: less is more

Bringing more than two pairs of shoes is a waste of space if you’re going somewhere like Costa Rica. I packed my Blundstones and a pair of Tevas and that’s it. My Blundstone chelsea boots are heavier, so I wore them on…