What to wear in Costa Rica is one of those packing questions that sounds simple until you actually start thinking about it.
It’s not one kind of destination. You’re doing rainforest hikes and beach days and boat tours and casual dinners sometimes all in the same 48 hours. Show up with just cute linen dresses and one pair of sandals and you’ll regret it the second you try to do a waterfall hike in slides.
The humidity is the other thing nobody really prepares you for. A dress that looks great at home can look slept-in within an hour of landing. Cotton wrinkles, denim never dries, and anything that traps heat will make you miserable by noon.
So here’s what I’d actually pack — 12 Costa Rica outfit ideas broken down by situation, with exactly how to wear them.
Whether you’re figuring out what to pack for Costa Rica for the first time or just want fresh Costa Rica vacation outfits that make sense for the climate, this covers everything.
For the Beach & Pool
Between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Costa Rica has no shortage of beach time. Four situations, four different Costa Rica beach outfits — here’s how I’d handle each one.
For Hiking & Adventures
Costa Rica’s outdoor activities range from easy nature walks to full-day rainforest treks — and the Costa Rica hiking outfit for each one is pretty different. The gap between a casual trail and a full rainforest day is bigger than most people expect.
For Towns & Markets
Not every day in Costa Rica is an adventure activity. Some of the best hours are just wandering — markets, cafés, local streets. These are the outfits that carry all of it.
For Evenings
Costa Rica evenings are casual — even when you’re at a nice resort. The vibe is warm, relaxed, and just intentional enough. Here’s the range from dinner to sunset drinks.
That’s the full list.
The honest thing about what to pack for Costa Rica is that less is actually more. The place has its own energy and the simplest outfits tend to work hardest there.
You’ll be too busy doing things to overthink what you’re wearing — and honestly, that’s kind of the whole point of going.
Pin it for later — you’ll want this open when you’re packing.
