Costa Rica Expedition Packing Guide

Another key piece of equipment. Like your rucksack, think of these as an investment; a good pair of boots can last for many years. Please ensure that your boots are comfortable, strong, and that you have practiced walking in them before you arrive.

• Please buy or borrow your boots as soon as possible, and break these in by going for walks. You may get blisters at first when wearing them in, but it is easier to deal with blisters at home where you can dress these in a sterile and clean environment. We recommend doing at least a few short walks (up to 5 miles) in your boots to wear them in properly.
• If you already have a pair of good quality walking boots that fit and are comfortable then bring them, just check all the stitching and that the sole is still firmly attached to the boot.

If you are buying or borrowing some things to think about are:

• They are a good fit and comfortable. If you’re not used to wearing boots, they will feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you walk in them the more they mould to your feet.
• That they are a good quality; you don’t want your boots to fall apart halfway through your trek.
• That they give you ankle support. The boot must come up over your ankle; a lightweight ‘traveller boot’ or ‘walking shoe’ won’t provide enough support when walking over rough terrain/working on construction sites.
• That they fit in both length and width. Different brands suit different foot types, so tryout different brands and styles on to find which fits the best.
• The material of the boot. Both leather and suede/mesh, waterproof/non- waterproof boots have their pros and cons, and it comes down to personal preference.
• That they are not Timberland/Caterpillar style work boots. These are unsuitable for hiking.
• If you have US style military boots (Wellco), take extra care to wear them in properly. Unless you already own a pair, we do not recommend buying this style of boot.

You won’t want to be in your boots all the time, so you’ll need an alternative. It’s essential to always have something on your feet. Open toed sandals must have toe and ankle straps to keep them on your feet and allow them to dry out. They can be worn for washing in, and rivercrossings.

Due to the change in weather throughout the year in our programme countries, and the difference in altitude of our different projects (particularly the trek phase) we recommend the following sleeping bag temperature level:

• Costa Rica – Comfort Level 2-3 seasons (-5°C to 5°C).

Some people feel the cold more than others, so choose a higher temperature range accordingly. Down sleeping bags are not suitable because they are harder to dry out and deteriorate in wet and humid conditions so try to borrow or buy a synthetic one if possible.

There is a low risk of malaria and dengue fever in Costa Rica, however a mosquito net is essential.

• We recommend trying to get a box shaped net, as it is the easiest shape to put up because it can be attached by all four corners to walls or rope.
• The net must be impregnated with permethrin which further protects against mosquitoes. Most new nets will have been pre-dipped but, do check before you buy. If you have an old/untreated net you can buy a bottle of permethrin from outdoors shops so that you can treat it yourself (this can be cheaper than buying a new net).
• Tie long pieces (minimum 2 meters) of string to each corner of the net to allow you to hang it more easily and save time on your first attempt.

Try to bring both hard bottles (such as a sports bottle) and collapsible containers with a 1 litre capacity allowing you to purify the water easily (1 puritab = 1 litre of clean water). You should bring enough to carry at least 3 litres.

• Collapsible water bags are good because they take up less space when empty and you can drink from them without having to remove them from your rucksack – great when on the go, walking and short on time and space in your rucksack.
• Although water filter bottles are now widely available, whilst you are on Expedition you will be asked to always drink the purified water, if you have a filter bottle this just means that your water will be double purified.
• Bladder type reservoirs are also good, especially for the adventure challenge phase.

This is an essential piece of equipment as there will rarely be electricity on project sites. A head torch allows you to work hands free, it is a lot easier than a handheld.

• You’ll need to bring spare batteries – they may not be available in country, particularly if they are not AA batteries.
• You will have the opportunity to purchase batteries during changeovers, but unable to get these when on project site.
• Torches with LED bulbs are great as they use less battery power.
• A head torch with a red-light capacity is useful, as it attracts fewer flying insects at night
• It is worth bringing a cheap back up hand torch, in case you lose your head torch

It’s likely going to be bright and sunny at some points. Ensure that the lenses have effective UV protection. It is worth bringing a hard case for them.

You should always have a copy of your essential travel documents kept separate from the originals; having them will greatly help should your documents get lost or stolen.

• Passport (the photo page).
• Vaccinations (a copy of the dates you received your vaccinations).
• The overseas contact details of your bank or credit card
• Insurance documents. You will need to take out your own insurance to cover your personal belongings, and health. You should keep a copy of your policy number and emergency contact
• Flight e-tickets (print out a spare copy).

These are waterproof bags (sometimes called canoe bags) that you can put inside your rucksack to keep your kit and clothing dry. You should try to borrow/buy 2-3 bags in a combination of sizes e.g. one small one for things like a camera/notepad etc. Use a larger one for your sleeping bag and a change of clothes. This may seem like a lot of waterproofing, but there is nothing worse than opening your sleeping bag to find it wet at the end of a day’s trekking. A rucksack liner can be used as an alternative to smaller dry bags and should be the same capacity as your rucksack. They are 100% waterproof when used correctly.

Raleigh will provide all your in-country travel, accommodation, and food costs for the duration of Expedition, excluding any day off activities. However, we recommend that you bring some money if you’d like to buy any extras like souvenirs, extra snacks, stamps, toiletries and Raleigh country t-shirts. Please make sure to read spending money policy in detail.

• In the majority of Costa Rica, US dollars (USD) are accepted in larger shops alongside the national currency of Costa Rican Colones
• You are advised to bring USD and then exchange it at the airport, the border or in the local town on changeover (or use an ATM).
• $200 – $300 in USD should be more than plenty to last you the whole Expedition.
• Please check your Flight & Visa Information document for information about any arrival or departure taxes. Departure taxes are often included within the cost of your flight so check with your airline if you are not sure.

• If you bring any debit or credit cards on Expedition, check if you need to tell your bank/credit card company, otherwise they may block your card if you try and use it.
• Do not bring traveller’s cheques as these cannot be exchanged. A travel money card (available from travel agencies and the UK Post Office) is a good alternative to traveller’s cheques and debit/credit cards, as they can be pre- loaded with money with less impact if lost or stolen.
• Remember to budget fully if you are planning on travelling before or after Expedition.

As we have a ‘no phones on project’ policy, so we recommend bringing a small travel camera with you to capture some awesome Expedition moments.

You can bring all types of cameras of Expedition, from cheap disposable ones through to Digital SLRs. If you do take an expensive camera, please ensure that it is insured as Raleigh’s insurance does not cover loss or damage to personal items. Please do not bring expensive or bulky items such as iPads, tablets, laptops etc as we will not be able to store these high-value items. If you do want to bring items like cameras, then you need to be happy taking these to your projects and communities.

• If it takes rechargeable batteries, it is a good idea to bring spares if you have one as it is unlikely that you will always have access to electricity.
• Disposable AA or AAA batteries are widely available in Costa Rica at pretty much any pulperia (small shop).
• Make sure that you bring enough memory cards if using a digital camera
• Make sure that you have a waterproof case. It may also be worth using some silica gel bags to help reduce moisture in humid environments.

In the evening there will be some down time, so it’s great if you can bring games to entertain the team.

A luxury, these lightweight bags cover your whole rucksack and are great for putting your rucksack in for flights, as they stop straps from being damaged. You can also padlock (TSA approved) these for added security. Make sure that the size you buy has a greater capacity than your rucksack. This bag can also be left at Field Base to hold any kit you want to leave behind during your trek.

The temperature at night and in the mornings can be significantly cooler than the daytime temperature, particularly when at altitude; therefore, a fleece or warm top is required. If possible, it should be a fleece material as they are quicker to dry than a thick hoody. Do not bring a thick cotton hoodie to wear regularly as these are difficult to dry in the climate.  

Try and bring 1 reasonably nice pair for travelling and 1 pair that you don’t mind getting dirty on project sites.

• They should be light/medium weight cotton or polycotton, loose fitting and quick drying. Cargo style trousers are good.
• Do not bring jeans for project site, they are too hot, and take too long to dry. Feel free to bring a pair for travelling and changeover if you want.
• Trousers that zip off to make shorts are useful and save on packing space

You must bring at least:

• 4 x pairs of walking socks. Look for ones that are not too warm.
• 4 pairs of normal cotton/sports socks. Good for keeping your feet cooler when still required to wear socks (eg. at dusk to avoid mosquitoes).

As previously mentioned it is worth having clean clothes to come back to a changeover, as well as for special community events and making your flight more comfortable. A casual short/t-shirt with loose trousers ora loose-fitting dress/skirt are good options.