Checklist for a great stay in Costa Rica

• A valid passport and a photocopy of your passport. Costa Rican visa, if required. (Visas are not required for citizens from the US, Canada, and most Western European countries. Check with a travel agent ahead of time to make sure.)
• No vaccinations are required. Check with your local health department for recommendations.
• Health and travel insurance
• Backpack or weekend bag
• Insect repellent & sunscreen lotion
• Sweater
• Camera and lots of film (expensive here)
• Sports clothing; lots of shirts/t-shirts as you will want a daily change of clothes in the tropics.
• Comfortable shoes
• Beach towel & swim wear
• Umbrella and lightweight raincoat or poncho
• Pen and paper or notebook
• Prescription medications; spare glasses or contact lenses
• Small alarm clock
• Waterproof moneybelt or belly belt
• Flashlight
• Some pocket money (USD in small denominations) for the first few days. Travelers checks in US dollars. (Don’t bring other currencies.)
• Dictionary (English-Spanish/Spanish-English dictionaries are for sale at ILISA)
• A small present for your host family (optional)