Ready to pack?
Okay, so the departure date is coming up very quickly and you’ve pulled out the suitcases to get ready. Here is a list of helpful suggestions of things you’ll probably want while you’re away!
These are just a few things that you might not thing of. I have not included personal toiletries on the list because what you bring is your own personal preference.
- A Spanish-English dictionary
- Contact lenses and/or extra pair of sunglasses
- A travel-sized umbrella – Very Important!!!!
- Water bottle
- Personal medications
- Anti-itch cream for insect bites
- Sunburn salve such as aloe vera gel
- Toilet paper or a little travel pack of Kleenex
- Waterproof camera and another camera
- Beach towel – Our hotels will only provide one towel per student and the students will want one to take to the beach/pool with them.
- Travel alarm clock
- Notebook for traveling thoughts and addresses
- Photos of family or friends are good conversation starters
- Address book so you can make everyone jealous by sending postcards – We’ll go to the post office the first week and get stamps and show the students where to mail postcards and letters!
- Sun block with at least 30 SPF. The sun is very strong here, and a sunburn will ruin any trip
- Hat and sunglasses
- Bug Spray 75% DEET – I tend to get eaten alive on the beach in the evening and in the wooded areas. Just a suggestion!!
- A swimsuit or swim trunks of course!
- Sandals sturdier than flip-flops, or shoes you don’t mind being wet in to do some hiking in the rainforest by the beaches and for rafting.
- Walking or athletic shoes with a good tread suggested for walks
Other things to keep in mind as you pack include the following.
- Spending money – No need to change it over to colones before we leave. The only thing the students will need money for on their first day is their trip to the grocery (if applicable). Otherwise, we’ll probably be going to the bank the next day and the students can change over whatever amount they want without a surcharge!
- Dress code at the university – Please do not wear low-cut shirts, short shorts or skirts. Girls – crop pants, long skirts, long shorts or even jeans are appropriate and please err on the conservative side for shirts! Guys – jean shorts, jean, and khakis will work but athletic shorts are not appropriate for school!
- Weekend bag or backpack – The students will want a bag to put their materials in for school each day along with a possible change of clothes for afternoon activities. They will also want something smaller than their big suitcase to pack their things for the weekend.
- Personal entertainment – I-Pods or CD players are fine. As for books and magazines, unless they are for a summer reading list for school, I would recommend that you wait and buy a couple magazines in
Costa Rica to fully immerse yourself in the Spanish language. Bring extra batteries for any camera or CD player that might require them because they are more expensive and a lower quality in
Costa Rica.
Good luck packing and feel free to post any suggestions or questions! I’ll see you all at the airport!! (Girls – No more than two suitcases 50 lbs. each!!!)
