Costa Rica is a Central American country that is at the forefront of the world’s efforts to live a greener lifestyle. Presently placed first in the Americas and 5th in the world for the Environmental Protection Index, it is also tops in the Happy Planet Index. It is a hot vacation spot and a popular choice for companies willing to invest overseas. If you are planning to go to Costa Rica, however, there are a few things you should know.
The weather in Costa Rica is very nice and is one of the contributing factors that makes the country amongst the top Central American tourist destinations. There are four different parts to the country in terms of climate. None of them are severe enough for a true winter, but each area is different from the others. Due to the differences in climate, you will need to bring a variety of clothes if you plan on visiting more than one area of the country. Those who intend to stay on and near the beach will have much fewer wardrobe requirements than those who want to explore the highlands or the volcanoes.
Because of the environmentally friendly aspect of Costa Rica, any shirt that promotes living green is a great choice to wear while in Costa Rica. You can have organic T-shirts printed with a variety of green messages. These are sure to be popular choices to wear just about anywhere. Hemp clothing is another wonderful option in environmentally friendly clothing to wear in Costa Rica. Be sure that you have a reusable bag to carry around when shopping as plastic bags are definitely not green.
Despite how advanced the country is in terms of being environmentally friendly, it is still a developing country and as such the clothes that you will see Costa Ricans wearing is not cutting edge fashion. The median household income there is too low to be overly concerned with fashion. However, tourists to the region are a different story. Resort wear is most commonly seen in tourist areas. Clubs and restaurants are often full of individuals on vacation who are dressing up in summer clubbing outfits.
If you are vacationing in Costa Rica it is important to bring along comfortable clothing for warm weather, as well as swimsuits and cover-ups for the beach. Bring some sandals or flip flops to wear on the beach, as well as sneakers or shoes for walking and hiking. It is advisable to bring a lightweight sweater to keep warm when the nights get chilly. In addition, if you are planning to go out for dinner you may want to bring along a jacket for the men, and either long pants or a skirt for the women. There are places in Costa Rica with a dress code. Invest in a large-brimmed hat for in the sun and remember to use sunscreen to protect your face also.
Get prepared for going to Costa Rica. With a little research you will find the ideal wardrobe for anything the country throws your way.