Advice for adult child travelling to Costa Rica on expedition in July

[Tiredpanda]

Has anyone's child been on an expedition to Cista Rica with Outlook Expeditions? Or any company to Costa Rica?

My son is due to go this July and I just wanted to ask for any advice from experience? I know the itinerary will differ but want advise on weather, what to take or not to take, how your child coped etc. Which insect repellent worked or if they ended up using a sleeping bag or a sheet liner....

Many thanks

Pretty easy to work out. The world and his wife go there. Look at government travel advice and good agents like Audley give weather, so you plan accordingly. Take waterproofs and a waterproof bag. Most insect repellents work. Costa Rica is pretty easy to navigate.

Any reason why your son isn't researching for himself, as he's an adult?

He’s an adult, he can do this for himself!

How old is your son? 18 fair enough, 25 I wouldn’t be researching on his behalf.

Just make sure he gets health/travel insurance.

Oh dear. Another MN post that reminds me of a favourite story from my first year of uni before mobile phones. It was related to me by a friend brought up in the south who enjoyed teasing me about my northern roots. Girl with a strong Yorkshire accent, phoning home one evening from the payphone in her hall of residence: 'Mam, should I soak my knickers?'

He is 18 and diagnosed with Adhd. Executive functioning skills arent great.

Get him to ask the travel company he booked it with? Why did he think he could do this himself when he can’t even organise the packing? Can he really do it but you just have to interfere?

Plan for it to be hot but always take a light waterproof for when it rains. Rain tends to be sudden and heavy but usually doesn't last long.

Take some sort of DEET containing insect repellant. Nothing else works.

Tell him to enjoy himself. Costa Rica is a wonderful country to visit.

I’d get a silk sleeping bag liner which he can use if too hot for a sleeping bag. https://amzn.eu/d/02V2Ubzm but still take a light weight sleeping bag

DEET insect repellent is essential

high factor sun screen and consider UV clothing

hat - essential

here are some good links for is packing hacks

https://amzn.eu/d/03J01pLi
https://amzn.eu/d/0hNI1Elk
https://amzn.eu/d/0h0REABZ

get him an e-sim that will work in Costa Rica and a good power bank for his phone in case he can’t charge it

make sure he’s got travel insurance and a global health card https://overseas-healthcare.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/get-healthcare-cover-travelling-abroad/start

i find Go Outdoors and Mountain Warehouse are the best and most reliable suppliers

has he been provided with a kitlist?

We went in August - DEET for insect repellant, suntan lotion, was about 27C every day with rain each day, heavy at around 4pm, rest sunny. So whatever you would sleep in when hot. Both mine loved it but where with us (ziplines, rainforest, wildlife). My asd DS asked if we could live there after our holiday, saying the UK seemed very boring in comparison.

Check if any vaccinations are required as I think a couple may be necessary such as Hepatitis.and Typhoid

www.passporthealthglobal.com/en-gb/destination-advice/costa-rica/

We went in an August too - it’s rainy season but in effect that’s was just a daily thunderstorm. An easy to fold up rain Mac is a bit of an essential. Everyone else has mentioned the deet and insect bite relief - particularly in the jungle there are lots of mozzies. Also good to pack would be light weight long sleeved tops and loose trousers to cover as much skin as possible! Practical shoes for the jungle are essential (I stupidly wore flip flops one jungle walk and ended up with something growing afterwards under my toe nail!). He should take colones rather than dollars.. dollars are usually accepted but they give you change in colones at a really rubbish exchange rate.

Really? I ask for advice and you felt the need to question why I am asking for advice and why my son is not doing it himself??? As I explained in the above comment.... My son has ADHD and executive functioning skills are not great. Yes it is a challenging school trip but all kids have to start somewhere. And he will hopefully learn a lot on this trip. How do you know he has not done any research/sourcing of items by himself and wanted some help from me because it is overwhelming for him? He is not on Mumsnet or any big groups. And yes he has asked trip leaders but the items they suggested contradicts some information he has got elsewhere from friends who have been. Also as a worried mum, I do not think there is anything wrong with asking on here if anyone else has a child who has been and could offer some advice!!!!

He has got a kit list but some items that were recommended, was recommended also not to bring so a bit confused

Deet, sun cream, sun hat, sunglasses, swim shorts, insect bite cream just in case, water bottle and trainers (protect against crawly things & flip flops\sandals for the beach. Lightweight towel & raincoat. Learn a few words of Spanish. Take us/uk power adapters.

If he meets Americans (very popular with them) don’t mention Trump first!

Did any of your group end up being bitten despite repellent?

Hi @Tiredpanda yes, me ..but that was my own fault as I’m not that keen on deet and swapped in Incognito natural repellent for a day and was eaten alive! We had Bens family insect repellent with us & that worked absolutely fine,no bites with that on & it’s only 30% deet www.dailychemist.com/product/bens-30-insect-repellent-spray-100ml-pack/-

There was a zika outbreak when we were there & dengue isn’t uncommon so though it’s a pain in the proverbial (& my youngest daughter didn’t make this easy!) it’s worth being really vigilant with the bloody stuff (while following the product guidelines as too much of the stuff either isn’t recommended!). We took plug ins for the room too. You mention your son is neuro diverse as is my youngest, I found it tricky explaining the need without raising her anxiety through the roof.

Costa Rica is really magical wildlife wise & there are so many adventure activities (zip lining etc) that it’s perfect for teenagers. I hope he has a great time!