What to bring, or ask us about kids?

In addition to the items listed for adults. Something we have found is that on tours kids want to do as the adults do, if the adults have a backpack, the kids want a backpack as well. We have seen them really enjoy carrying around their own water, a notebook and even a camera in their own small backpack. And we think that’s great.

• Let us know if you need a car seat or booster
• Hotels have conventional cribs, it is uncommon for them to carry Pack N Plays, let us know if you need/want one and we will do our best to accommodate but it will depend on where you are staying
• A good, age-appropriate book: could be anything from a coloring book to a novel
• A couple of games to play; something to entertain kids on long van drives
• A scrapbook or journal where kids can make note of sightings of special animals, plants or people. Nature books or field guides that explain what they are experiencing can be helpful for older children.*
• Crayons, magic markers, pens and pencils.
• Don't forget the important teddy bear, pillow or blanket to insure restful sleep
• While we have a lot of great snacks in Costa Rica, sometimes it's a good idea to bring a couple packages of the child's favorite snack so that you can surprise him/her with it
• Light rain jacket
• Nail clippers, tweezers, cotton swabs, moist wipes (always very appreciated) and Alcoholic hand sanitizer for quick clean-ups.
• Small first aid kit
  • Eye drops
  • Ear drops
  • Itch Away
  • 50 SPF Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sun burn relief
• A camera so kids can take their own pictures.
• Walkie Talkies. Need to call your kids and not sure if they are in the room or at the pool. Call them on your walkie-talkie. Make using them fun and your kids will carry them and keep them charged. You can buy decent ones on Amazon for as little as $15 a unit.
• Footwear: waterproof, light-weight hiking boots, river sandals (Teva-type sandals), tennis shoes. If you do not bring hiking boots for the kids, make sure to bring two pairs of tennis shoes. One pair will stay dry and the other pair will get muddy and wet.

*These are difficult to find in English in Costa Rica and we suggest you acquire them before you leave. Here are two recommendations we can offer for active-learning companion books for the tropics:

• The Remarkable Rainforest, by Tony Albert (grades 4-8). Trickle Creek Books. ISBN#0-9640742-0-6.

• For teens and precocious readers: The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, by Kathryn Laskey. A Gulliver Green Book. ISBN# 0-15-200897-7.