Sustainable Development in Costa Rica
What To Bring

You can expect to encounter weather that ranges from cool and damp (requiring a sweatshirt and windbreaker to stay warm), to intense heat, both dry and humid. Consequently, you should bring clothes that can be easily layered as the climate changes. You will be spending time in the jungle, the dry tropical forest, classroom, & social situations. For this reason, you should bring multiple purpose, easy-to-wash clothing Only bring clothing that can be washed by hand - you will be doing a lot of it!

Cotton clothing is preferable in hot climates. You will want to bring light cotton pants for the field instead of denim - they dry faster and are more comfortable in the tropics Long-sleeve shirts (again, light cotton) help avoid sun and insect problems. (Plan on perhaps three changes of clothes - one or two can be drying while you wear the third.)

Our Costa Rican consultants advise: "very provocative or very informal wear may attract negative or unwanted looks or comments." You are expected to be sensitive to and respectful of local sensibilities. It is a matter of courtesy. Please plan to wear no provocative or revealing clothing except for your swimming suit on the beach. Nor should you bring clothing with "fashionable" holes or any labeling that makes you stand out as "American." Our goal is to blend in, not stand out.

Only private listening devices will be allowed (e.g., no boom boxes or radios without headphones).

Costa Rica has a well-developed business sector from which you can buy almost anything you require. However, brands of items such as cosmetics and medicines may differ from those you use at home. Some categories of items are much more expensive than in the US. If you have particular requirements, bring those items with you. However, remember that your baggage allowance is very limited, and that you probably will want to bring home some souvenirs - keep some space available!

Baggage allowance: 1 large duffle bag, backpack, or suitcase. Period--no exceptions! Remember you must be able to carry your luggage, sometimes for a considerable distance. Should you bring more than the maximum, the course director reserves the right to review your belongings and to store (at your expense) any surplus belongings until the end of the course. However, if you are staying beyond the end of the program, you may bring additional baggage to be stored until the end of the program.

We suggest you include the following items:

1. your passport! (non U.S. citizens may need a visa) It is your responsibility to obtain the proper travel documents. Information on obtaining a U.S. passport may be obtained at: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the program ends.
2. 1 foldable daypack - water resistant (can double as your carry-on when traveling)
3. flashlight
4. camera and film (optional. Film is expensive in Costa Rica)
5. good binoculars (optional, but highly recommended!)
6. pocket knife (do not carry with you on the plane - pack in checked luggage)
7. water resistant (preferably waterproof) hiking boots
8. good walking shoes (e.g., good sneakers)
9. teva style sandals (better than flip-flops)
10. contact lens solution, if you use it
11. vitamins, if you use them
12. rain poncho or other lightweight raingear
13. small umbrella
14. towel and washcloth
15. soap dish
16. tampons (if you use them)
17. insect repellent
18. anti-itch ointment
19. sunscreen (enough for the entire stay - sunscreens above factor 8 are hard to find in Costa Rica)
20. prescription medicine - enough for entire stay. Also bring scientific names of prescription medicines you use in case you should need to buy more and your brand is not available. It is also a good idea to have a copy of your prescription.
21. eyeglasses prescription
22. sunglasses
23. broad-brimmed hat (very important!)
24. 1 -2 sweatshirts/sweaters
25. jacket (windbreaker)
26. swim suit
27. water bottle
28. $30 exactly in cash to be exchanged upon arrival for the equivalent money in colones so that you have some Costa Rican money to start with. You will need extra money for discretionary spending only, as all meals & transportation will be paid for by the program. Bring most of your money in travelers' checks. ATMs for credit cards will be hard to find outside of San Jose (but a credit card, particularly VISA, is good backup if you end up spending more than anticipated. MasterCard is not as widely accepted).
29. money pouch/belt for hiding money and passport (important)
30. notebook, pen, pencil (remember, you'll be in class most of the time) any reading material we send you in advance of the class

NOTE: Participants usually wish that they had brought fewer clothes (and other possessions), relying instead on frequent hand washing of clothing.