Compared with your average “gringo,” I’m pretty fortunate. From 19-21 years old, I lived in Costa Rica while on a service mission for my church. Even decades later, ever since my kids have been old enough to go, it’s been our family’s top adventure destination. When you’re battling equatorial heat and sun, and surrounded by unimaginable beauty, it’s absolutely essential that you’re ready for the unexpected. In Costa Rica, nature has a way of sneaking up on you, and if you aren’t ready, you might miss something spectacular. Here’s my breakdown of all the gear you need for a Costa Rican getaway in the jungle.
Let’s start with the right clothing. The sun that close to the equator is intense and the humidity can make you feel like you’re drowning, so lightweight protection is key. But adventure might be around the next corner, so you can’t be limited either. Changing into a swimsuit might not be an option when you stumble on the perfect beach or waterfall, so shorts are a must, but they need to be perfect. This took a lot of experimenting. A belt is a no-go—too heavy. Most board shorts don’t cut it either, because the pockets aren’t functional enough for all-day, everyday adventuring.
Enter the Kuhl Kruiser Short. These lightweight shorts go from eating out to swimming at the beach and back to shopping around town without skipping a beat. The back zipper pocket keeps my wallet safe and sound and there’s even an extra super, low-profile phone pocket when you need a little more space. And the best part is that they dry crazy fast, even in the extreme humidity of a tropical jungle. I bring two pairs of these shorts and wear them for everything.
If I have the option to wear my shade rather than applying sunscreen, I take it. The ultra lightweight and protective Matagorda Shirt by Howler Bros fits the bill perfectly. It’s so light, you barely feel it, but it keeps the sun at bay with weightless long sleeves. The Matagorda also features a handy microfiber glasses cleaner and a zippered pocket I love for stashing my sunglasses.
I discovered Bedrock Cairn Sandals many trips to Costa Rica ago, back when they were pretty new. I took a risk on them because I really wanted adventure sandals with chunky Vibram soles, like Chacos had way back in the day. So, I took a risk and haven’t looked back. I’m still on that first pair and they’re going strong. They’re perfect for climbing lava rock trails and trekking through rivers. These are on my feet about 90% of the time when I’m down south.
But there are times when closed toes are a must. Sometimes, for me, it’s for sun protection, and other times it’s because the terrain has crossed a line to warrant something a little more secure. But lightweight, quick drying, and robust are still solid must-have qualities. The Danner Trailcombers get the job done perfectly. They are really comfy, super lightweight, dry fast, and also have grippy Vibram soles for extra stability on slippery rocks and fallen trees.
Headwear is a must for me because I have a lot of hair. A breathable but stylish hat, like the Howler Bros Feedstore Snapback, is my go to. First, I’m a sucker for camo. Second, the 100% mesh fabric makes it feel like you’ve got nothing on. Lastly, the comfy, integrated sweat band helps keep my eyes a little more dry.
There are times when more flexibility is needed, however, and that’s where the Cantonment Kerchief becomes the best hair accessory I have. I can pull out of my pocket and tie my hair out of my face, keep sweat at bay, and look pretty dang cool in my humble opinion. Though I’m also a bit biased, as I’m also one of the cofounders of the brand. I always have one in my pocket and an extra one that will almost certainly end up around my head. I use them for everything from cleaning fruit, cooling off, collecting shells at the beach, to wiping sweat. So yeah, bring a Kerchief or two!
Next is the perfect bag. I’m serious about bags. I can’t stop buying and testing them and this bag… this one is perfect. The funny thing is that this is the same bag I used everyday, for two years, 25 years ago as a missionary. But it took me a few trips as an adventurer to go back to what I already knew. The classic Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack is the best hot weather adventure bag ever made. Period. In the tropics, backpacks are known for creating nasty sweat marks from shoulder straps. So a backpack is a no-go for me. While a traditional messenger bag just can’t handle the intense scrambling the terrain demands.
For bumming around town and at the beach, I just have the Mountrainsmith casually slung over my shoulder. But when things get serious, its beefy and super comfy waist belt comes out from hiding and the Lumbar Pack cinches tight into your lower back and hangs on for dear life. It’s got an easy access pocket on the front and back, two huge bottle holders, pockets on the waist belt, it’s got it all. Lastly, I have two sizes, this 9 liter version and an even bigger one. I highly recommend this slightly smaller size. You just don’t need a lot of stuff in a tropical climate and this size has more than enough room.
Over time, I’ve learned that in addition to a Kerchief, it’s wise to have a little microfiber towel in your bag at all times. You just never know when you’re going to need to cool down in a swimming hole and they double as a really nice cooling rag. I love this basic 12” x 24” Rainleaf Towel. It dries me off just fine and takes up almost no room. They come in a ton of sizes so if you think you need one a little bigger, go for it.
My favorite part of being in Costa Rica, by far, is the wildlife. We’ve seen everything from tapirs to monkeys to kinkajous and you need to be ready, all the time. Sometimes you’ll be driving down the road and some unknown creature will be crossing overhead on one of the thousands of animal bridges made to protect them. The right binoculars are key. You want them powerful but not too bulky. I have some big ones that I love, but they just get heavy lugging them around all day. And I have lightweight, cheap ones, but they just don’t do a good enough job. I want to see the individual feathers on those toucans! These Vortex Diamondback HD 10x32 are the perfect balance. Small, but mighty. And the Vortex brand stands behind their product while offering great value for the money.
One place I really like to cut costs is with sunglasses. I know. You get what you pay for. But I really do lose them all the time! I bring along a couple pairs of these PolarSpex polarized sunglasses and I’m never worried. You need sunglasses in Costa Rica, and this is a great way to say a little without sacrificing too much.
As you know, a great watch is always a must. It needs to be bulletproof and, of course, it needs to look good. Despite Costa Rica feeling incredibly safe, it’s always smart to travel light so you don’t have to worry about your stuff. I find myself rarely ever bringing more than one watch. My Benrus Type I Class A is the perfect solution for these conditions. This thing is tough, built for way more than I can throw at it, especially when paired with the Matte Supreme Mil-Strap by Crown & Buckle. The sterile dial draws no attention at all, which means I am always comfortable with it on my wrist. It’s so easy to read and the lume lasts all night, which really helps when you wake up to the sound of who-knows-what out there. And, while I’m on vacation, I love not having a date staring me in the face. I don’t even want to know what day it is!
There are other things that I love to have with me but didn’t make the must-have cut. Waterproof playing cards, a Kindle e-reader, a good water bottle, a great camera, and a nice pocket knife. Just always be ready for adventure and a great time and Costa Rica will never disappoint.
- Matt Hein, Cofounder at Cantonment