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In today’s day and age, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be traveling comfortably! There are amazing products that are available to us at our fingertips, and they really can make all the difference! Why wouldn’t we opt for a sand-free microfiber towel, or a stylish hip pack that doubles as both a fanny pack and a purse?
The items listed below have changed how I travel. They make my packing quick and easy and my trip comfortable, since each thing serves multiple purposes. The following items are how I travel like a pro.
For a complete list of our most trusted products, check out the Costa Tica Travel Amazon Storefront.
An Elegant Hardshell Suitcase
Samsonite has an elegant hardshell suitcase, that stands the test of time and is at a great price point. A hardshell suitcase is great for tropical destinations like Costa Rica, as it is mold resistant (if you’re coming for a longer time period) and waterproof, if you’re traveling during the rainy season!
- Pulls smoothly
- Supports a lot of weight!
- Hard shell makes it easy to clean
A Hip Pack that Goes with Everything
One of my favorite purchases, this leather hip back has become my go-to purse when traveling. It goes with any outfit, wipes off easy, and spreads out the weight along your back! No more shoulder pain and you have your hands free!
For a more masculine version, check out this gem! A leather fanny pack for men that looks classy, but is still very practical.
- The perfect size for your phone, wallet, & other necesities
- Goes from day to night
- Comfortable as it evenly distributes weight
A Compact, Waterproof Kindle for Reading on the Go
A Paperweight Kindle has been one of my favorite traveling purchases! It’s lightweight, small enough to fit in a purse, and waterproof! No more crunchy, sandy pages! Can you imagine anything better than relaxing at the beach with a good book at your fingertips?
One Shoe that Does It All
If you’re like me, you might struggle with finding a sneaker you can wear from day to night. For the ladies, these Hokas are perfect for dressing up a cute, casual outfit, and are comfortable enough to spend the day exploring, or standing in lines at the airport. The male version of this sneaker is just as comfortable and sophisticated. They’re great for hiking and are some of the best running shoes out there. There’s a variety of colors, as well.
Check out my full list of recommended shoes for Costa Rica here.
- Perfect for walking long distances
- Comfortable to run in
- Cute with a skirt or casual shorts!
A Portable Speaker that Packs a Punch
Elevate any pool or beach day with your favorite music! This compact JBL speaker is easy to cart around, just clip it on the side of your bag. It’s sand-proof and waterproof and has some serious sound, at a great price!
- Completely waterproof
- Small & lightweight
- A variety of cute colors
- High quality sound
The Best Backpack for Traveling with Your Work Things
If you’re someone who brings along their work when traveling, this elegant, leather work bag is a game-changer! It keep you computer, documents, and work accessories separate and easy to get to! It also has a suitcase strap for handsfree travel in the airport! For a more masculine version, check out this bag, as seen in my full list of the best bags for Costa Rica here.
- Slim & elegant design
- Plenty of pockets to keep your things organized
- Easy-to-clean leather
- Suitcase strap
Waterproof, Ocean-Proof, Sunscreen-Proof Jewelry
This jewelry brand is available on Amazon for easy returns. It’s at a great price point, because if offers quality items that stand the test of saltwater, chlorine, sunscreen, and any other products you might use. However, it is not too expensive that you would be afraid to travel with it! Purchasing a travel set of jewelry that I can wear in the ocean, pool, and anywhere in between has been a great decision. It makes packing my jewelry a breeze!
- Waterproof - perfect for the beach or pool!
- High quality look and feel
- Adorable designs that go with everything
All-in-One Charging Cord
One of the easiest ways to simplify your travel gear is to get an all-in-one charging cord like this! With just one item, you can charge all of your devices, from your Apple Watch to your Kindle! The one below even has a USB adapter! Pair this with a car cigarette lighter adapter for your rental car and you are all set!
- Perfect for your Apple Watch, iPad, Airpods, Phone, & Kindle!
- Includes USB adapter for rental car use
- Perfect for USB or Type C outlet blocks
- Skip the untangling of several separate cords
Reusable Water Bottle that Keeps Your Drink Cool
Yeti is my tried and true brand for all my drinking needs in Costa Rica. The ice in my water bottle lasts all day, and the top below keeps the sand out of my drink at the beach! I also love a good thermos to take my coffee with me on the road trips between destinations. An 18-26oz Yeti water bottle has been a great size for me. It’s practical to travel with and lightweight! The chug cap has been my favorite top. There are no straws that can collect mold and the covered mouthpiece keeps my drink safe from the sand on the beach!
- Keeps the sand off of the mouth of the water bottle
- Keeps your drink cool all day long
- Perfect size for traveling
- Save money & save the planet!
The Ultimate Travel Backpack
The right bag can make all the difference, and this Bagsmart backpack has changed my life! It has a clamshell opening design like a suitcase which makes it easy to get exactly what you need without pulling everything out. It also has a ton of pockets to keep your things organized. The straps are padded and it even comes with a small bag that matches! Whether you’re saving money with carry-ons or backpacking, this is a great bag to consider. Amazon has a beautiful champagne color and a jet black backpack; each comes with a matching fanny pack!
- Clamshell opening makes it easy to find what you need
- Tons of pockets to keep you organized
- Comfortable straps
- Includes a strap to slide onto your suitcase
A Good Skin Care Travel Kit
Our skin experiences a lot of changes when we travel, which can make it dry and irritated. That’s why a good travel skin care kit is essential! Peach & Lily is a Korean skin care line that is one of the most reputable companies on Amazon. The Peach & Lily Travel Kit has everything you need to for hydrated skin, in just the right sizes. The serum in this kit is one of my favorites!
- A hydrating cleanser, serum, and cream are perfect for the changes your skin faces when traveling
- Travel sizes to bring on the plane
- Formulated for glass skin
A Snorkeling Mask
It might seem like overkill to pack a snorkeling mask for your trip to Costa Rica, but if you’re planning to spend time at the beach (or have kids), you won’t regret it! Costa Rica has tons of beautiful beaches with calm, crystal-clear water. These beaches are the perfect spot to snorkel! You can see pufferfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and an octopus or two right past the waves! Cressi is an Italian snorkeling mask company that has comfortable, high quality masks with a wide view for both children and adults.
- Made with high quality silicone so it feels soft on your face
- Easily portable
- Wide-frame goggles so the sides are not obstructive to your view
A Good Beach Hat
A beach hat is a must when traveling to Costa Rica, but a hat that rolls up is a luxury! You don’t have to worry about it getting bent up in your bag, this hat folds up so small it can fit in your purse!
For the men, this elegant hat comes in many different colors and offers great sun protection! It’s great for a boat tour, hiking, fishing, or just hitting the beach!
- Wide brim offers full sun protection
- Rolls up so you don't have to worry about it bending in your bag
- Folds up so small that you can bring it with you everywhere
Compact, Quick-Dry Towel with Its Own Matching Bag!
A quick-dry, microfiber towel makes for great beach gear! Sand does not stick to this material like normal beach towels. This towel below also includes a matching bag which makes it easy to cart around. It is compact and lightweight.
- Compact and lightweight
- Sand falls right off of it
- Dries quickly and absorbs a ton!
A Waterproof Bag
Just what you need for catamaran tours, beach days, and waterfall excursions, a completely waterproof bag has been one of my favorite purchases! When rolled up, this bag is completely waterproof (and not see-through like some other bags), and even includes a waterproof phone pouch!
- Completely waterproof
- Includes a waterproof phone case
- The bag is NOT transparent, so it conceals what you are bringing along
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Bring to Costa Rica
Packing for international trips is made easy when you find products that just make sense. Each one of these items serve more than one purpose for a trip to Costa Rica. They are also top-of-the-line products, without the over-the-top price tag.
Each item listed here has impacted how I traveled, cutting down on the time I spend packing and the amount of things I bring. I hope they do the same for you!
Traveling to Costa Rica soon? Make packing a breeze with our ultimate packing list.
Wondering where you should go in Costa Rica?
Check out the 10 Must-See Places in Costa Rica.
Looking to plan your own trip to Costa Rica, but not sure where to start?
Check out the Costa Rica Planning Guide.
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