The Ultimate Packing List for Your Manuel Antonio Adventure (Plus Top Recommendations)

Preparing for your unforgettable adventure in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica To further streamline your experience, here’s our definitive packing list, zeroing in on what you really need. From a trip to the idyllic beaches, jungle or just some nature to take in, you need this varied complete guide to have everything you need for a trip of a lifetime!

Essential Travel Documents:

• Valid passport
• Visa (if applicable)
• Travel insurance documents
• Photocopies of important documents (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
• Emergency contact information
• Confirmations for your reservations (for accommodations, tours, transportation, and so on)

Best of the best: Organize all important documents in a slim, waterproof travel wallet or pouch for accessibility and protection.

Clothing:

• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing (t-shirts, tank tops, shorts)
• Long-sleeve shirt and pants for additional sun/bite protection
• Swimsuits
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear
• Tarp or lightweight rain jacket or poncho
• Pullover or light jacket for chilly evenings
• Shoes or sandals with good grip that are comfortable for hiking
• Water shoes (for exploring tide pools or crossing rivers)
• Open footwear for the beach/casual end of the spectrum
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Bandana or buff (flexible for sun protection, sweatband or cooling off)

Guidance: If travelling to the tropics, you’ll want moisture-wicking, breathable clothing, such as merino wool and synthetics, for maximum comfort.

Toiletries:

• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash (in travel sizes)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor and shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Reef-safe and biodegradable sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Lip balm with SPF
• Pads for cleansing or wipes for facial
• Ladies sanitary / feminine hygiene products (if used)
• Prescription medications
• Travel-sized first aid kit
• Anti-itch cream (for bug bites)
• Medicine for motion sickness (for boat rides or twisty roads)

Elite recommendation: Switch to eco-friendly, biodegradable toiletries to lessen your footprint on the planet, and go for solid toiletries (think shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets) that will save you space and help the environment by cutting back on plastic waste.

Electronics:

• Smartphone and charger
• Portable power bank
• A waterproof phone case or pouch
• Headphones or earbuds

These additional items may be useful Camera and accessories ( extra memory cards, battery and charger, waterproof case)

Travel adapter (if needed)

Dry bag or waterproof backpack for electronics

Best product advice: Make sure to get a good portable power bank that will keep your devices charged on long days of epic adventure and exploration.

Adventure Gear:

• Daypack
• Bundle with a collapsible water bottle or hydration system
• Travel-sized binoculars
• Headlamp or flashlight (and spare batteries)
• Snack bags or any boxes to store your snacks
• Travel towel
• Waterproof bags or ziplock bags for wet clothes
• Sleeping Bag Pillow or Lightweight One
• Snorkel gear (if desired)

Best of the best: A comfortable, rugged daypack with padded straps and a ventilated back panel to stay cool and comfy as you tour the world.

Miscellaneous:

• Travel journal or notebook
• Pen
• Guidebook or maps
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife (only in checked luggage)
• Duck tape (for when you need to make emergency repairs)
• Sewing kit
• Laundry detergent strips or travel-size packets
• Clothes line or bungee cord (for drying clothes)
• Local currency and credit cards
• Reusable shopping bag

Top Tip: Pack a lightweight, foldable reusable shopping bag to limit plastic waste and easily transport souvenirs or groceries on your travels.

Entertainment:

• Books or e-reader
• Travel or playing cards
• Small art supplies (sketchbook, pencils, etc.)
• Movies, TV shows or podcasts downloaded for offline viewing/listening

Best at the end: Fill up your e-reader or tablet with plenty to read, including travel guides and Costa Rica-set novels to get you into the local scene.

Sustainable Travel Items:

• Reusable cutlery set
• Collapsible food container
• Water bottle with filter for clean refreshment on-the-go3
• Solar-powered charger
• Biodegradable wet wipes

Best advice: Choose a reusable water bottle with a filter — it will help you charge up on potable water while cutting back on single-use plastics.

Personal Safety Items:

• Whistle
• Personal safety device or alarm
• Travel-sized pepper spray (follow the laws in your area)
• Copies of emergency contact information

Hot tip: A whistle or personal alarm are handy tools for attracting attention and scaring off potential threats in an emergency.

Travel Comfort Items:

• Inflatable travel pillow
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Compression socks (for long flights or bus rides)
• Lightweight travel blanket

My best advice: Spend the money on a high-quality compact travel pillow so you are comfortable on long-haul trips and arrive well rested for your adventures.

Now that you have this all-inclusive packing list — plus our best tips — you can prepare for your Manuel Antonio adventure and sink into the beauty and daring of this gorgeous place. Always pack according to the type of activities you will be doing and try to find sustainable, eco-friendly products for any of those things as they might act as an argument for protecting our earth. Travel safe, and have a memorable Costa Rica experience!