1 – Buy Travel Insurance

This travel trip cannot be overstated.  We have car, health, and homeowner’s insurance because we know – things don’t always go as planned. 

Well, the mayhem of life doesn’t stop when you go on a trip, and you want to make sure you’re covered when it does.   The best laid plans can be thwarted by something outside of your control, but it doesn’t have to stop your fun. 

We recommend several different companies that we have worked for.  You can see them here.

2 – Make Sure You Have A Passport

3 – Think About Activities You’ve Planned

This will help you pack.  Do you have a water activity?  Don’t forget sunscreen or a towel.  Are you going on a zipline or raft?  What clothing will make you comfortable?  What won’t bunch on the harness or stick to the vinyl?

Go through each of your activities for your trip and mentally think what the activity will require – and what would be helpful to have, comfortable to wear, and need to use.  Don’t forget your water bottle!

If you’re not sure what an activity will entail or how you can prepare, you can always reach out to us.  We also have lots of YouTube videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  See specific information and videos from our Activity Page.  Each link on this page is more in depth information or a video.

4 – Put Your Money/Personal Items in Several Bags

This is another good for just in case.  Like not putting all your eggs in one basket, it’s good to not put all of your money, toiletries, and medications in the same location as well. 

This way if the airline loses a bag, or something else random happens – you’re covered and have backups in another location.  For some, this is their favorite travel tip. 

We also don’t recommend bringing a lot of extra money.  It just helps things to not get lost, and there is an extra layer of security in credit cards.   See more information about money in Costa Rica.  Also check that your credit cards do not have a foreign currency fee.

5 – Check with your Phone Plan

You don’t want to come home from your trip only to realize you racked up hefty fees while abroad on your travels.  It’s a good idea to check with your phone company before you leave your home country as some require you do set up an international plan before you leave.

As long as you are aware of what your charges will be and what you can or cannot do.  Costa Rica has a really good wifi system where most hotels and even some transportation has wifi available.  But if you get calls and texts – even if you don’t make them you might be surprised by your next bill.

We love to just put our phone on airplane mode, use the wifi, and WhatsApp to contact friends and family back home.

6 – Download what you’ll need

While the teenagers in our life think this is talking about movies and books – we’re thinking more along the lines of maps and a Spanish Translator.

While it is true that there is wifi many places in Costa Rica – including many forms of transportation, however, it’s not always strong enough to download an app or do much beyond checking your email, social media, or playing a game. 

There will be times when having things previously downloaded will come in handy.   We love knowing where we are and where we are headed, so downloading maps is something we love.

We also love having a Spanish translator.  You can learn a few common Spanish phrases and even take Spanish lessons before your trip.  Further, many people in Costa Rica speak English.  However,  having an easy way to communicate through a translator in your pocket as back up is always a great idea. 

These are our favorites, but there are other things that you use often and might be helpful while you travel.  So ponder what you use ahead of time.  Especially if you keep your phone on airplane mode during your trip.

7 – Pack Soap

This is just a good idea no matter where you travel.  You never know when you’ll need a bar.  We like the idea of conserving and not opening and then wasting the little bar of soap that you get in the hotels, but it’s also saved us at the random rest stop that had run out. 

This is just something we never want to be without, and has made our travels much more pleasant in many instances.

8 – And Garbage Bags

We have loved this so much in Costa Rica.  We love to do a lot of water activities when we come.  There is always a place to change your clothes after the activity – but where do your wet clothes go?

A garbage bag doesn’t take up any room in your suitcase and it can be pulled out or put away as needed.  If your shoes get wet and muddy, Costa Rica is a rainforest and humid.  They might not dry out.  Stick them in a garbage bag and you are good to go.

9 – Don’t Forget Your Water Bottle

If you’ve read all our posts, you know we have mentioned this one before – but it’s important to stay hydrated on any trip you go on.

You are out of your acclimated element.  You are eating likely more salty foods.  You can get dehydrated quickly.  

A water bottle will keep you hydrated and healthy and less grumpy (bonus!). So don’t forget your Water Bottle.

10 – Wear Sunscreen

Even if you’re headed somewhere cold.  One of the coldest trips I ever took – gave me the worst sunburns.  I wasn’t hot so I didn’t even think about sunscreen.  

If you are traveling out of the country, sunscreen may be expensive or not as effective.  I know that is true for Costa Rica, but also for other countries as well.  It’s a good idea to bring from home what you know will work for you.  But don’t just bring it!  Wear it!  Your body and energy level will thank you!

11 – Bring Extra Medication

The last thing you want on a trip is to lose – or run out of your medication.  Our rule of thumb is to bring two weeks worth of extra medication.  That way if anything happens – a delay or loss – we aren’t up a creek.   

This is much more preferable than finding a local pharmacy and trying to make sure our insurance will cover the lost meds and transferring prescriptions.  It only takes once.  Bring extra.

12 – And Maybe your Glasses/Contacts as well

Have you ever stopped an entire community to have them help you look for a contact lost in the road?  Or worn lopsided glasses because you weren’t home?  If not, count yourself lucky but some travel tips are learned the hard way.  Bring an extra pair because these items get broken and lost at home and trips are no different.

13 – Don’t Forget Period Products

Another hard earned lesson.  Sorry boys, buckle up for a life lesson.  You look at the dates, you clear your calendar, get work off, but don’t remember what time of the month it is.  Or maybe the stress of packing throws your cycle off. 

I don’t know what it is, but I always always pack period products.  You just never know and it’s the worst to be without.  We’re going to give you the tips even if they are uncomfortable because one day unfortunately you’ll thank us.

14 – Throw in a Hand towel

15 – Take Pictures of your Luggage

Heaven forbid you lose your luggage and have to identify it from a pile of lost and discarded luggage.  A quick snap on your phone that can then be deleted when you return home can be such a blessing. 

Also, if you have a claim, it can help you to have proof of the value of your claim.    Put your itinerary with addresses as well as your home address inside your luggage.  That way if it is found, they can know how and where to get it to you.  This is a travel tip I hope you don’t ever have to use wherever your wanderings take you.

16 – Let Your Bank Know That You Will Be Traveling

17 – Reach out to the US Consulate

They have a program for this called STEP.  It’s super nice because if anything happens at home or abroad while you are traveling – they will send you information by text or email to let you know what the situation is, what options you have, and the recommended steps to take.

In and emergency – and not so emergency, this program has provided helpful and timely information to avoid disruptions during your travel.

18 – Think About Self Care on Your Trip

Sometimes we want to get the biggest bang for your buck and so you pack it in and kill yourself.  Only to come home and be behind on pretty much everything from being gone.

Make sure to stick to a semi normal sleep schedule for you.  Don’t skip out on meals – and maybe choose some fruits and vegetables while you are at it.  Give yourself some down time in your itinerary.

Forgetting about self care can make for a miserable feeling travel.  Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself and be good to you!

19 – Meet Some Locals While you are There

No matter where you go your life is going to be enriched by the people you meet who have had different experiences than you.

Seek out a lesser known or touristy spot.  Talk to your driver while they give you a ride and see their perspective on the area.  Chat with the waitress or your guide for a tour.  Not only will. your life be enriched, but you might learn of an amazing spot to eat, play, or see that will take your trip to that amazing level.

20 – Once on Your Trip – Lose the Expectations

This is probably the hardest travel tip – but maybe the most important.  You have your itinerary.  You know just how you want it to go and everyone to be. 

But there are going to be hiccups along the way.  Life tends to work out that way where it’s not all roses and perfection.  I had a niece wisely say:   ‘You know whenever you say ‘adventure’ you really just mean something is bad.’  

But go along for the ride.  Enjoy the warts and adventures.  Write about them in your journal.  They are what will make your trip memorable.  That trip with my niece?  It’s still talked about with fondness and we laugh about the ‘adventures’.  Other smoother trips?  Not as much.