Outlook Expeditions

[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

Hi, I was an expedition nurse in Costa Rica, it’s a few years ago but it remains one of my life highlights.

What part is he going to? The weather can vary quite a lot from the dry North West, the surprisingly chilly cloud forests and the very humid Caribbean coast.

What sort of expedition is he on? If it’s one through the tropical rain forest then he’ll need dry bags, a mozzie net and mosquito repellent (highest concentration of deet). When I’ve been on jungle expeditions I have taken 2 sets of clothes- one for the day which is wet all the time and one for in camp that stays dry. Long trousers and long sleeved shirts are essential. Probably 3 pairs of socks (1 wet, 2 dry) and anti fungal foot powder.

Light weight sleeping bags are good- I like square ended that zips all the way round (hot feet). I also took a rectangular sheet bag for extra warmth or for use by itself.

If he’s on a jungle expedition then I really recommend getting some ex army jungle boots (they drain the water and dry fairly quickly). Leather boots stay wet the whole time. Goretex boots aren’t great as his feet will get constantly wet if he’s in and out of rivers.

That’s a few things I found to be essential.

So he lands in san Jose. Will raft down the rio reventazon. Then Tortuguero national park from La pavonia to Tortuguero village. They will go to the jungle. Then rincon de la viejo. Trekking for a few days at the rincon de la viejo national park, covering 144 sq kilometers of land from green pastureand to dense jungle, to dry open volcanic landscape.camp for a few nights then mountainous terrain towards monteverde, cloud forest region. Then to la fortuna. Thank you so much for the info! My son has adhd so not great at executive functioning skills. He is also anxious about going although he chose to go so all the info from you will be so helpful in preparing him!

That itinerary sounds amazing. Rincorn is one of the most beautiful places that I have been. I was there in the dry season so it was quite arid. It will probably be wetter when your son is there but from his itinerary it sounds like he’ll be ok with a good pair of walking boots as he’ll be walking in open land and it doesn’t sound like his feet will be submerged in water too much. Make sure he looks after his feet- and dries them properly.

He’ll have an amazing time, it’s such a beautiful country with friendly people. I would love to go back.

The 3 days he will be rincon de la vielja area, they will ne camping. Woukd he need a sleeping bag? Or is it best even if he doesnt, to still bring one? School suggested a cotton sheet too as it can be hot. Is it hot at night in this region? How likely is it to get bitten by mosquitoes?

Do they not tell you what to take? The organisers should have a list.

They do but advice elsewhere was different for some of the items. Thats why wanted to check