Besides the obvious – a sense of adventure, a desire to unwind and forget about the stresses and pressures of day-to-day life, and a sturdy pair of shoes – there are a few things that we would suggest you bring to make your stay more enjoyable.
Necessities
- Camera
- Cash (there are no bank machines in Drake Bay–Costa Rican colones and USD are accepted widely and some places take VISA) The closest ATM machine is 22 km away by boat in Sierpe or a 2 hour drive by road to Puerto Jimenez.
- Sunscreen (preferably the type which won’t damage the ocean’s ecosystems)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Bug Spray (no-see-ums can be annoying at dawn and dusk during the full moon )
- Flashlight (the power goes out often, and the sun sets at 6:30 p.m. so flashlights are invaluable)
- Personal hygiene products (especially feminine products)
- Bathing suit
- Light clothing (it is HOT and humid in Drake Bay– temperatures average around 30°C/86°F in the dry season which is Nov-Mar). You will normally only need short sleeved shirts and pants although a light pair of long sleeved clothing can at times protect a sunburn or warm you on a rare cool evening or boat ride.
Extras
- Good quality wine (limited choices in Drake Bay)
- Any specialty food products you may want/need
- Batteries (the ones available in Drake Bay are of poor quality)
- Something to read (the nightlife is fairly laid back, so entertaining yourself is always a good back up plan)
****A few things to note****
- The humidity of Drake Bay makes hair control products redundant. Save the space in your luggage and leave your hair dryer/curler/etc at home.
- We are located in a very sensitive and precarious eco-system, please keep this in mind when visiting – take your dead batteries home with you as they can’t be recycled in Costa Rica, choose environmentally friendly/biodegradable soaps/shampoos/bug sprays/sunscreen.
- The septic systems are very sensitive throughout the country, and quality plumbers are hard to find. Please respect the signage in the places you stay and flush only what is allowed down the toilet. Most places do not want anything other than what is coming out of your body to go down the drain. At La Joyita, our septic system can accept toilet paper, but please, DO NOT FLUSH FEMINIE HYGIENE PRODUCTS
- If Drake Bay is your primary destination, then knapsacks are preferable to wheeled suitcases and high heels both of which don’t function very well in the beach sand or on the gravel roads.
- Inside the cabina is a smoke free zone. The outside covered porch will provide a good place should you desire to smoke.