Packing List

Here are suggestions of items to bring.  Some are optional such as the binoculars, dictionary etc.

Try to pack light—whatever you bring, we have to carry around and live with for two weeks.

Work and casual clothing—plan to dress in layers with a jacket for the top layer and shorts and tshirt for the lightest layer.  I would plan to wear clothes over and over again. Bring comfortable walking shoes.  Don’t wear sandals on job site. Water type boots are highly recommended. Bring two nicer sets of clothing. 

Towel, washcloth, personal care products.  Baby wipes are very helpful.

Light sleeping bag, or sheets and blanket, pillow  We do have bunk beds in the park dormatory.  (Temperature there is from 70 to 80 yearround, except on mountaintops)

Flashlight, batteries, travel alarm, camera, film, binoculars, canteen or refillable water bottle.  Film is cheaper here than down there.

Rain gear, hat, sunscreen, bug spray (with DEET recommended), workgloves, swimsuit.

Notebook, folder, pencils, pens.  Spanish dictionary.

Prescription medicines in the original container!  Over the counter medicines also in original container.  I will have a medical kit with the typically required supplies available. Comfort food or money for treats and soda.  There is lots of prepackaged snack food available for purchase in San Jose but not in Carara so you might want to restock.  If you are highly allergic to bees or anything else, bring your meds with you and notify us of this problem.

About Cash about $150 , more if you plan to do a lot of shopping.  Don’t change money until we get to Costa Rica.   You might pay for a couple of fastfood type meals while we are traveling, perhaps a nicer meal out, and we might get the opportunity to go to a cultural event.   There are ATM’s and its better to get money there.  If you want to go on the zip line (there is the regular and the superman) you can pay for that too.  It averages 35 to 40 dollars.

Passport (extremely important and is required)

Required to bring:  Positive attitude, flexibility and patience, servant mentality, and a good mix of curiosity and acceptance, passport, raincoat (thin and breathable), work clothes, water bottle.  Blue jeans take forever to dry.