Packing List

SAFETY/PACKING LIST

Cultural Immersion in Costa Rica

Begin finding/acquiring the following items for the experience. 

Money- Yes, there are ATM’s and banks in the little town close to our biological reserve, BUT do not count on these.  Last year the ATM’s worked some days and not others.  You really do not need a lot of cash, but spend wisely.  If you are low on funds and are not sure if that ATM is going to work or not, then do not spend your last $40 on a ceremonial mask.  You will need that $40 to get out of the country.....and for your last few meals.

Sandals- Do not bring them!!!!! One look at the big hairy spiders that lurk all through the gardens will make you a believer!!!!! Trust me, you want something between your pretty pink toes and spiders the size of dinner plates…..I am not exaggerating.

Contacts/Meds- Every year we have someone lose a contact lens and say “I didn’t think I would lose one”.  You will have come a long way to see nothing but a large green blur. Bring extra contacts and extra meds.  There is a hospital very close, but it may take days or weeks to get your specific prescriptions delivered.

Clothes- Do not bring clothes with American symbols, alcohol advertising, or fatigues.  The culture you are going to see is a reserved culture and they do not find it “cool” that you choose to advertise for Budweiser on your shirts, in fact they find it offensive.  At the risk of sounding political, Americans are not universally loved outside of America at this time.  While Costa Ricans are very receptive to Americans you do not want to go and start broadcasting your nationality while in their country.  Being prideful of your country is a wonderful thing, but too much and other cultures see this as being boastful.  Fatigues are a big “no-no” as you will either blend in too much with the forest and we might not be able to find you in an emergency or you will closely resemble a militant.  Either way, very bad idea, do not wear them.

Passport - Bring me a photocopy of your passport in Atlanta (just in case you lose your original).  This is your lifeblood.  You cannot get into or out-of Costa Rica without it.  You also can not move around inside of the country without it. 

Insect Repellant- This is a must.  Even though we will be fairly high in elevation there is still a resident population of mosquitoes and black flies.  While Malaria and Dengue Fever are not known in the areas that we will be visiting, keeping the bugs away is a good idea.  Last year I had pretty good luck with a Citronella based spray.  I do recommend that if you are going to treat your clothes with Picaridin or DEET that you treat all of them…..have some clothes that are untreated; you will feel better if you can give your body a rest from time to time.  Also, if possible, try to get pump bottles rather than aerosol.  The Costa Ricans take their environment very seriously and prefer not to have aerosols in their country. ALSO you want to bring an ant-itch cream….many sunburn aloe creams also have small amount of Lidocaine in them and make the bug bites feel MUCH better.

Sunscreen- It does not matter if you live in Sunny Florida, Beautiful California, are naturally tan, African American, or have never burned in your life.  The Costa Rican sun is powerful and you will get burned!!! SPF 30 is a must for everyone no matter your skin type.  Burned and blistered is no way to spend a trip like this.

Equipment- You will need to bring a waterproof jacket, it rains A LOT. We had 5 feet of rain in the first five days last year….yes, you read that correctly.  You need to bring a quality pair of hiking boots.  These are very important for the rain, the mud and the snakes…..and we are going to get wet, muddy, and see snakes. You need a good flashlight/headlamp.  It gets dark very early and very quickly.  Walking back from dinner it will very likely be dark.  Also, we go on night hikes in the rain forest and a light is always useful.   You most likely want a camera and/or binoculars. We will see all kinds of plant and animal life and these are two ways to see them better.

Climate-Where we are going is called a mountain/cloud rain forest.  It is actually quite cool at night and not always very hot in the day.  Make sure to bring some long sleeved shirts, long pants, and a fleece.  It is a paradise to be able to be in a rain forest and not sweat to death 24/7.  If you are coming from a low altitude area you MIGHT experience some slight altitude sickness.  Talk to us if during the first few days you have trouble sleeping or have a slightly upset stomach. 

Gringo- In the town of San Vito you might get called a Gringo….this is not meant to be derogatory.  It is just what they call “us”.  Same way we get called “Yanks” in Australia. 

Internet- There is Internet on site, but at best it can be intermittent (we are in a rain forest) so do not tell someone that you will e-mail them at exactly 5:00 on Monday…..they may get worried if the net is down and you are unable to make that communication.