Costa Rica is famous for its
ecotourism industry and it's critical to understand a
little about the industry before departing. The industry is
growing rapidly and more than one million people arrive each
year in Costa Rica. Traveling without leaving a trace is
more important than ever. The rain forests of Costa Rica are
frail and treating them with respect is important to their
survival. While traveling, leave no trace and take only
photos. Stay on the trails to prevent erosion.
Please note that Costa Rica is hot and humid.
Overheating and dehydration are real possibilities and
should not be overlooked. It's advisable to hike or mountain
bike in a group or with a guide for safety. If hiking
without a guide, be prepared with navigation and maps. Some
national park offices provide trail maps, but this is not
common. Travelers should bring their own maps.
What should you bring?
Each individual has a list of items required for his or
her adventure and it's not the intent of this web site to
tell you what to bring. However, adventure travel in Costa
Rica is unique in that it's very wet and, in addition to a
rain jacket and pants, footwear is critically important.
Costa Rica has a lot of mud, army ants and many streams
and rivers. It's important to be properly prepared for these
conditions. Some considerations to bring for hiking in the
jungle are as follows:
- Hiking boots: Waterproof hiking boots
that are sturdy and offer support and have good traction are
a wise investment for an adventure trip to Costa Rica.
They'll be sure to get wet, but having good quality boots
will make you much happier at the end of a hard day on the
trail. Be sure to be a pair of sports sandals for river
crossings and for the end of the day.
- Rubber boots: During rainy season or in
an exceptionally wet area, rubber boots will make travel
considerably easier. Rubbers boots will protect against
ticks and snakes. They'll provide traction and are easy to
clean. Please note that rubber boots do not offer much
support.
- Sport sandals: Taking a pair of sports
sandals to cross rivers in or for the end of the day is
invaluable. You won't want to hike in these because of the
types of creatures on the ground. There's a fair amount of
debate on the Internet about using sport sandals for hiking
in extremely wet conditions. It could be possible to use a
pair of sport sandals and neoprene socks (or neoprene boots
which would be less comfortable in the sandal) to hike in
extreme wet conditions. Please note: this will not protect
from snakes which can be encountered when hiking.
