Packing for a beach town in the tropics is easy to overthink. After hosting guests from a dozen countries, here's the list we'd hand a friend.
Bring these
- Reef-safe sunscreen (zinc oxide). Regular sunscreen damages coral and some snorkel operators will turn you back at the boat. Buy it before you fly; selection in town is limited and pricier.
- Insect repellent. The villas are screened and treated, but jungle walks and sunset hours go better with it.
- Two swimsuits. One is always wet. This is the most underrated line on the list.
- A dry bag. For boat trips, waterfall days, and phones that want to survive the week.
- One pair of shoes with grip. Waterfall rocks and ATV trails are slippery. Sandals cover everything else.
- A light layer. Boat trips run cooler offshore than you'd expect, and you'll want it in the AC.
- Quick-dry clothing. Cotton stays damp here. You need less than you think: shorts, tees, one nicer outfit you'll probably never wear.
- Motion-sickness remedy if boats aren't your friend. The whale and fishing trips go further out than the snorkel runs.
- Your driver's license if you plan to rent anything. International licenses work fine in Costa Rica.
Leave these home
This is the part guests thank us for. At the villas you don't need:
- Beach gear. Beach chairs, boogie boards, pool noodles, and umbrellas are already here.
- Towels. Bath towels and a separate set of pool towels are stocked.
- Hair dryer, iron, laundry supplies. Each villa has a full laundry room with washer/dryers, detergent, and dryer sheets. Pack half the clothes and run a load mid-week.
- Baby gear. Pack and play with mattress and sheets, high chair, stair gate, pool safety gate, baby bath, kids' dinnerware, and sound machines in every room. Traveling light with a toddler is possible. We checked.
- Adapters. Costa Rica uses the same outlets as the US and Canada, and we keep universal chargers on hand anyway.
Green season addendum (May to November)
Add a packable rain jacket and embrace the flip-flop life. Rain here is warm and usually keeps an afternoon schedule. Nobody carries an umbrella to the beach.
Book your stay at villasdualis.com/book. Questions about what your crew should bring? Write us at stay@villasdualis.com. We’ll give you the straight answer, booking or not.