Pura Osa
Waterproof dry bag (20 L)
The boat from Sierpe to Drake takes spray, and you step out into the waves at the beach. Keeps your camera, phone and passport dry.
See options on Amazon- 1Choose what you need for your trip.
- 2Compare brands, sizes and prices on Amazon.
- 3Receive it at home 2–3 weeks before you fly.
Order before you fly. In Osa, shops are small and far apart, and imported gear costs more in Costa Rica. Shipping to Costa Rica means customs and import taxes, so have everything delivered to your home.
Ready-made kits
Not sure where to start? These are the six things that matter most for each kind of day in Osa.
Corcovado day kit
Mud, heat and wildlife from dawn.
Boat and snorkel day kit
Caño Island, whales and the Sierpe boat.
Green season kit (May–Nov)
Sunny mornings, rainy afternoons.
Rain and boats
Osa is one of the wettest corners of Costa Rica, and many trips start on a boat.
Packable rain jacket
From May to November it rains most afternoons. A light jacket that folds into its own pocket beats a heavy one in the heat.
See options on AmazonLightweight rain poncho
Covers you and your backpack on the trail. Cheap, light and a good backup.
See options on AmazonWaterproof phone pouch
Take photos on the boat and at the beach without risking your phone.
See options on AmazonBackpack rain cover
A tropical downpour soaks a daypack in minutes.
See options on AmazonSilica gel packs
Humidity is close to 90%. A few packs in your camera bag stop fog and mold.
See options on AmazonShoes and clothes
Light, quick-dry and ready to get wet: cotton stays wet for days here.
Sport sandals with a back strap
For wet boat landings in Drake and river crossings. Flip-flops get lost in the surf.
See options on AmazonWaterproof trail shoes
Corcovado’s trails are muddy most of the year and cross several streams.
See options on AmazonWater shoes
Rocky beaches, tide pools and the waterfalls around Ojochal.
See options on AmazonQuick-dry hiking socks
Dry feet mean no blisters on a long day in the forest.
See options on AmazonLight quick-dry hiking pants
Protects your legs from mosquitoes, ants and branches on the trail.
See options on AmazonUPF 50 sun shirt
The tropical sun burns fast, even on cloudy days and on the water.
See options on AmazonWide-brim sun hat
Shade for boat tours, Finca 6 and long beach walks.
See options on AmazonSun, bugs and health
Pharmacies are far apart in Osa: bring the basics with you.
Picaridin insect repellent
Works as well as DEET, without the smell and without damaging gear or clothes.
See options on AmazonReef-safe mineral sunscreen
Zinc-based sunscreen is kinder to the coral at Caño Island and Marino Ballena.
See options on AmazonCompact first-aid kit
In Drake or Corcovado, the nearest clinic can be hours away by boat.
See options on AmazonElectrolyte drink mix
Heat and humidity drain you fast on long hikes.
See options on AmazonMotion-sickness wristbands
The open-sea crossing to Caño Island and whale tours can be rough.
See options on AmazonAfter-bite itch relief
For the bites that get through anyway.
See options on AmazonWater filter bottle
Refill anywhere and leave fewer plastic bottles in remote places.
See options on AmazonWildlife watching
Osa holds about 2.5% of the world’s species. These help you actually see them.
Waterproof binoculars 8x42
The best investment for Osa: they turn a green blur into a trogon or a sloth.
Which ones? Our buying guide → See options on AmazonRechargeable headlamp with red light
Night walks are one of the best experiences in Osa; red light disturbs animals less.
See options on AmazonBinocular harness
Takes the weight off your neck on long, hot hikes.
See options on AmazonTravel camera with long zoom
Toucans, sloths and monkeys are often high in the canopy.
See options on AmazonCamera rain cover
Keep shooting when the afternoon rain starts.
See options on AmazonOcean and snorkeling
Caño Island has some of the clearest water on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.
Snorkel mask and snorkel set
Tours lend gear, but your own mask fits better and does not leak.
See options on AmazonAnti-fog spray for masks
A fogged mask ruins the view of turtles and reef fish.
See options on AmazonRash guard
Sun protection in the water without extra sunscreen.
See options on AmazonWaterproof action camera
For snorkeling, waterfalls and boat rides.
See options on AmazonQuick-dry travel towel
Dries in an hour, even in the humidity.
See options on AmazonSmall planes and off-grid lodges
Domestic flights allow little luggage, and some lodges have power only a few hours a day.
Digital luggage scale
Flights to Drake and Puerto Jiménez have strict weight limits. Weigh before you fly.
See options on AmazonSoft duffel bag (40 L)
Small planes and boats have little room for hard suitcases.
See options on AmazonPacking cubes
Keep dry clothes apart from wet ones.
See options on AmazonPower bank 10,000 mAh
Charge your phone and headlamp when the lodge generator is off.
See options on AmazonPortable solar charger
For off-grid stays in Drake, Matapalo and Pavones.
See options on AmazonUniversal travel adapter
Costa Rica uses 120 V and US-style plugs (types A and B). Travelers from Europe, the UK and elsewhere need one.
See options on AmazonField guides and maps
Read before you go, and carry one on the trail.
Birds of Costa Rica field guide
The Garrigues and Dean field guide is a favorite of many local guides.
See options on AmazonMammals of Costa Rica field guide
Tell a spider monkey from a howler, and a tapir track from a peccary’s.
See options on AmazonCosta Rica travel guidebook
For the rest of the country, before and after Osa.
See options on AmazonCosta Rica road map
Signal drops on the roads to Drake and Puerto Jiménez.
See options on AmazonSpanish phrasebook
In small towns and on the boats, a few words of Spanish go a long way.
See options on AmazonPacking the rest? See our full packing list for Osa, the binoculars buying guide and when to go.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pura Osa sell these products?
No. Pura Osa does not sell or ship anything. Each button opens a search on Amazon, which sells, ships and handles returns. If you buy, Pura Osa may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Can I order on Amazon and have it shipped to Costa Rica?
Some items can ship to Costa Rica, but delivery takes longer, packages go through customs and you pay import taxes and fees. Most lodges do not receive packages for guests. It is much easier to order to your home two or three weeks before you travel.
Why are there no prices?
Prices on Amazon change every day. The links open a search, so you see current prices, sizes and reviews and can choose the brand that suits you.
What if I forget something?
Uvita, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito have supermarkets and hardware stores with the basics: sunscreen, repellent, sandals and ponchos. Choice is small and prices are higher than abroad. In Drake and Corcovado there is very little to buy.
How do you choose what goes in the shop?
Only things that make a real difference in Osa’s rain, boats and forest, based on local experience and on what naturalist guides recommend. No brand pays to appear here.
As an Amazon Associate, Pura Osa earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Pura Osa does not sell products or receive them from brands. Prices and availability are set by Amazon and can change.