What to Wear in Costa Rica: 12 Looks for Every Day of Your Trip

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.

01. Crochet Bikini + White Wide-Leg Linen Pants

I know the linen pants at the beach sounds like a weird call. But hear me out.

A sarong is always retying itself. A skirt gets in the way. Pants just sit there and do their job.

Wide-leg linen moves enough that you’re not hot, the white keeps everything clean against the crochet print, and you can walk straight from the sand into lunch without anyone thinking twice.

How to style it: I’d go with the tortoiseshell sunglasses specifically — they pick up the warm tones in the crochet in a way plain black frames just don’t.

Add the straw tote and honestly stop there. If you start adding jewelry or layering more, you’re fighting the bikini.

02. Olive Green Bikini + Denim Midi Wide Pants

This is the one for when you want to actually go somewhere after the beach without going back to the hotel first.

The denim midi wide-leg is loose enough that sand isn’t a disaster and long enough that you look like you got dressed on purpose.

Olive green on top keeps everything earthy and quiet. Nothing is competing. Honestly I just think this combination is underrated and not enough people try it.

How to style it: Shell necklace at the collarbone — that’s the one thing to add and then stop. More jewelry and you start breaking up those earthy tones.

Birkenstock sandals in taupe, crochet tote. Don’t overthink it.

03. Floral Bikini + White Linen Coverup + Raffia Wedge Sandals

You know those beach days where you end up staying way longer than planned and suddenly it’s lunch and you’re still in your swimsuit? This is the outfit that handles that.

The coverup means you’re actually dressed when you wander into a restaurant. And the wide-brim hat — that’s what makes or breaks this whole look.

Take it away and it’s just a beach outfit. Keep it and suddenly everything looks considered. I’d honestly wear this on repeat.

How to style it: The wedge sandals over flats — that slight height is what tips this from beach-casual into something worth photographing.

If your hair is up, tuck it under the hat. If it’s down, leave it loose. Either way you’re fine.

04. Black Zip Rash Guard + Denim Shorts

Skip sun protection on a boat tour and you will regret it by hour two. The water reflects the sun back at you the whole time — it’s way more aggressive than a regular beach day and SPF alone isn’t enough.

The zip-front is what makes this feel like an actual outfit instead of gear. Black on denim is clean and easy and you don’t have to think about it — which is exactly what you want on a day that’s already a lot.

How to style it: You really don’t need much with this one. I’d keep it to the rectangular sunglasses and striped tote — anything more and you’re overthinking a boat day.

Oh, and tie your hair back before you get on the boat. Not after, when it’s already a disaster.

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.

05. Athletic Shorts + Moisture-Wicking Tank

The casual nature walk outfit doesn’t need to be complicated — and honestly this is the one where I’d go full athletic.

Sports bra, shorts, trail sneakers. Done. I like that the crossback bra keeps you cool without feeling sloppy, and the black shorts have enough structure that you look like you meant to dress this way.

How to style it: You need the backpack on a day like this — water, sunscreen, bug spray all have to go somewhere.

I’d keep the sunglasses on the whole time too. The sun sneaks up on you even on what feels like an easy trail.

06. Bikini Base Layer + Quick-Dry Shorts + Water Shoes

Most people get the shoes wrong on waterfall hike days. That’s just the truth.

Flip flops, regular sneakers, Birkenstocks — none of it works on wet rocks and river crossings. The beige hiking boots are the whole point of this outfit.

Everything else — the ruched cami, the white athletic skort — comfortable, quick-dry, fine. But wrong footwear and none of that matters.

How to style it: The chin strap on the bucket hat is there for a reason — actually use it.

You’re moving through water and wind and the last thing you want is to be chasing your hat down a river. Black backpack, boots laced properly, done.

07. Long-Sleeve Top + Quick-Dry Pants + Rain Jacket

Here’s how a full rainforest day actually goes: you start cool, you get hot, it rains, you’re glad you have a jacket, repeat.

The white windbreaker is what makes this outfit work — not because it looks good (though it does) but because you will absolutely need it at some point.

The blue bikini top underneath means when it gets hot you just tie the windbreaker around your waist and keep going.

I’d never do a full rainforest day without a layer like this — denim shorts keep the whole thing feeling like an actual outfit rather than a gear situation.

How to style it: The hip bag is the move here over a backpack — keeps your water bottle accessible and your hands completely free.

White sneakers are going to get dirty and that’s fine. Just don’t wear anything you’d be upset about.

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.

08. Floral Halter Top + Olive Wide-Leg Pants

I’d wear this to every market on the trip if I could.

The olive wide-leg pants carry the look without needing help. Comfortable for a full day of walking, and the color is doing something — not boring, not loud.

The floral halter keeps it tropical. Everything is pulling from the same green family and none of it is fighting.

How to style it: Shell charm necklace at the collarbone and stop there. Coastal but not costume-y.

Start adding more jewelry and you’ll break up the palette — I always want to add more to this kind of outfit and it never looks better when I do. Birkenstock sandals, straw tote.

09. Graphic Tee + Red Crochet Mini Skirt

The tee has to actually be oversized. Not slightly cropped, not fitted — genuinely big, like you grabbed it without thinking. That’s what makes this work.

The red crochet skirt is loud in the best way. It’s doing all the talking so you don’t have to. Tucked loosely in the front, a little loose in the back, nothing else to figure out.

Honestly this is one of my favorite combinations for a market day — you just grab it and go.

How to style it: A bold skirt plus a statement tee is already a lot — resist the urge to pile on. Tortoiseshell sunglasses, crochet tote, wedge sandals for a little lift. Leave it at that.

10. Crochet Bikini Top + Denim Mini Skirt

Pack a bandana. Seriously.

You’re going to want something for your hair by mid-morning anyway — the humidity does what it wants — and the navy bandana in this outfit is doing double duty.

Tied around the neck, knotted in the hair, looped on the bag handle. It’s the detail that makes the whole look feel put-together without trying.

How to style it: Crochet bikini top as an actual top just makes sense in Costa Rica — nobody’s looking twice. The black platform sandals are what keep this from reading purely beach.

I’d tie the bandana loosely around the neck and call it done — straw tote, that’s 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.

11. Floral Halter Midi Dress + Kitten Heel Sandals

There’s a specific kind of dress that just makes sense the second you land somewhere warm. This is it.

The floral halter midi is easy in a way that actually matters — you put it on and you don’t have to think about it again for the rest of the night. The kitten heel is my pick over flats here.

Resort paths are dark and uneven and a full heel is asking for trouble, but this gives you just enough that it doesn’t read daytime.

How to style it: I’d let the gold drop earrings do the talking and skip the necklace. The woven mini bag, hair loosely down. That’s it — don’t add to it.

12. Brown Halter Maxi Dress + Gold Heels

This one is for when you want to actually look dressed up. Not Costa Rica casual — genuinely put together.

The chocolate brown halter maxi with the side slit is one of those outfits that photographs insanely well in warm evening light. The color is doing something that white or floral just doesn’t — it feels more intentional, more considered.

Gold strappy heels underneath keep it elevated without being overdressed for a beachside dinner.

How to style it: Gold hoops, gold ring stack — lean into the gold fully here, it works against the brown in a way silver never would.

The beige ruched mini bag is the contrast that keeps it from being too much. I always want to add more to an outfit like this and I always regret it when I do.

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.