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What to Pack for Uvita

What to Pack for Uvita

Uvita Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica Travel Guide

Warm Weather Wear

Pack plenty of shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops for daytime wear. A light long-sleeved shirt offers Sun protection. Swimwear is a must.

Fabric Choices

  • Materials like cotton blends, linen, or moisture-wicking synthetics manage humidity and dry quickly.
  • Quick-dry clothing helps in higher humidity; consider a second pair of shorts.
  • Lightweight Rain jacket or poncho for rainy season.

Activity-Specific Attire

Casual attire is widely accepted in Uvita. Dress modestly when leaving beach areas; cover up with a sarong, shorts, or t-shirt when entering businesses.

Outdoor Attire

  • Hiking: Comfortable hiking shorts or lightweight Hiking pants with sun protection.
  • Swimming: Multiple Swimsuits or board shorts for drying time.
  • Water Activities: A Rash guard offers sun protection and chafing prevention for surfing, snorkeling, Paddleboarding.

Footwear Recommendations

Water-Friendly Footwear

Waterproof hiking sandals or water shoes for river crossings, waterfalls, tidal pools, and the Whale's Tail. Look for good grip and toe protection.

Keen Newport sandals are a good choice.

Trail & General Use

Closed-toe hiking shoes or sneakers offer protection and support for rainforest paths, especially in muddy conditions. Better for trails or Nauyaca Waterfalls.

Merrell Moab Ventilators are reliable.

Casual & Beach

Flip-flops or comfortable sandals are perfect for casual wear around your accommodation, short walks to nearby shops, or relaxing on the beach. Avoid high heels or formal dress shoes.

Comfortable sandals for light use.

Essential Documents

Travel Papers

  • Passport & Visa: Original passport and visa documents (if applicable). Passport valid for 6 months beyond entry.
  • Travel Insurance: Policy number, emergency contact, coverage summary. World Nomads, SafetyWing, Insubuy.
  • Driving Permit: International Driving Permit (IDP) with domestic license if renting a car.
  • Health Documentation: Yellow Fever certificate (if required). List of prescription medications.
  • Reservations: Printed and digital copies of flight itinerary, accommodation, and tour confirmations.
  • Emergency Contacts: Physical list of family, embassy/consulate in San José, hotel phone number.
  • IDs for Discounts: Student/senior/press IDs (rarely applicable for general attractions).
  • Secure your documents with a Secure travel wallet or organizer.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Costa Rica uses 110V/120V at 60Hz (same as US/Canada). Plugs are Type A/B. A Voltage converter is not needed for US/Canada devices, but a Travel adapter for other regions.

Mobile & SIM Cards

  • GSM networks. Unlocked phones compatible.
  • Local SIM card (Airalo) for staying connected. Kolbi, Claro, Movistar are providers. Kolbi has best coverage.
  • Passport needed to register SIM card.

Gadgets & Apps

Bring a Portable charger or power bank for long day trips.

Recommended Apps

  • Navigation: Google Maps (download offline maps). Waze for real-time road conditions.
  • Translation: Google Translate (offline Spanish pack).
  • Communication: WhatsApp widely used for hotels, tours, locals.

Data & Photography

Camera Gear

Waterproof action camera (GoPro) for water activities and rainforest. Camera with good zoom for wildlife.

Data Backup

Regularly back up photos and documents to cloud storage or an External hard drive.

Protection

A small roll-top Dry bag (Earth Pak) protects electronics from water, sand, humidity.

Health & Wellness Items

Personal Health Kit

A well-prepared health kit handles minor issues without trip interruption. Customize a small kit.

First Aid Essentials

Medication & Hydration

Carry all prescription medications in original containers with documentation. Pack enough for your entire trip plus extra days. Include cold/flu remedies, antacids, motion sickness remedies.

Water & Sun Protection

Altitude & Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness

  • Boat tours (whale watching, snorkeling) cause motion sickness for some.
  • Bring appropriate remedies if you are prone to it.
  • Altitude sickness is not a concern in Uvita or coastal region.

Personal Hygiene

  • Most common toiletries available in Uvita's supermarkets.
  • Bring specific brands of shampoo, conditioner, contact lens solution, or feminine hygiene products from home.
  • Travel-size containers are convenient.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Gear

A Lightweight daypack for water, snacks, and a camera. Hiking poles are useful for muddy or steep trails.

  • Daypack for essentials
  • Optional hiking poles
  • Sturdy hiking shoes
  • Quick-dry clothing

Water Sports Gear

Bringing your own Mask and snorkel ensures a comfortable fit and hygiene. Surfboards and full diving gear are available for rent.

  • Personal mask & snorkel
  • Rash guard & surf leash (if own)
  • Rent surfboards/diving gear
  • Small dry bag

Wildlife Watching

Binoculars are essential for wildlife viewing, spotting monkeys, sloths, toucans, and birds in the canopy or marine life.

  • Binoculars for distant viewing
  • Waterproof action camera for photos
  • Dry bag for electronics
  • Good zoom lens for camera

Rent vs. Bring Decisions

Items to Rent

  • Surfboards, paddleboards, scuba diving gear (bulky, expensive to transport).
  • Local operators Provide quality equipment.
  • Avoid baggage fees for large items.
  • Local expertise on gear use.

Items to Bring

  • Personal snorkel/mask (comfort/hygiene).
  • Small dry bag (Earth Pak) for water protection.
  • Worn-in hiking shoes.
  • Specific medications.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

For long bus rides or shared shuttle transfers from San José, a Neck pillow and Eye mask offer comfort. A Travel pillow like the BCOZZY is good.

Security Items

Eco-Conscious Travel

A Quick-dry travel towel (Microfiber) is lightweight for beaches, waterfalls, or as an extra. Bring specific medications, high-quality insect repellent, specialized hiking gear, and reef-safe sunscreen from home; they can be more expensive locally.

Reusable Items

Sustainable Travel Items

Water Bottle

Reduce plastic waste; many hotels offer refills.

Shopping Bag

Handy for markets; avoid plastic bag charges.

Travel Utensils

For street food and picnics, avoid single-use plastics.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Protect marine ecosystems and your skin.

Destination-Specific Items

For the Rainforest

For Wildlife Viewing

  • Binoculars are essential for spotting distant wildlife.
  • Camera with good zoom for animal photography.
  • Sun protection and insect repellent.

Packing Pro Tips

Pack light, quick-drying clothing. Roll clothes to maximize space and minimize wrinkles. Use packing cubes for organization.

Always pack a small bag with essentials in your carry-on in case checked luggage is delayed.