Day trips from Tamarindo are long. You leave early, spend part of the day on the road, and often change climate along the way: the coast is hot and dry, the slopes of the volcanoes are cooler and wetter, and a river or a mud bath will soak whatever you are wearing. This list is for those full days. For the two-hour mangrove tours next to town, our short what to bring on a boat or kayak tour is all you need.
The basics for any long day
- A small daypack you can carry on a trail. Leave the big suitcase thinking at the hotel.
- Water bottle, refillable. Guanacaste is hot, and you will drink more than you expect.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Insect repellent.
- Cash and a card. Bring some colones or small US bills for snacks, souvenirs and tips; rural places do not always take cards.
- Phone charger and a power bank. A full day of photos and maps drains a battery.
- A dry bag or zip bags for your phone, documents and money.
- A full change of clothes, including underwear, left in the vehicle or at the bottom of your bag.
- A plastic bag for wet clothes, so the rest of your bag stays dry on the way back.
- Your medicines, and a copy of your ID if you prefer not to carry your passport.
- Something for motion sickness if you get carsick. Mountain roads to Bijagua, Tenorio and Rincón de la Vieja have curves; ask your pharmacist or doctor what to take and when.
Check what your tour includes before you pack food. The sloth tour in Bijagua includes breakfast and lunch, and the Cañón de la Vieja combo includes lunch. For the other trips, bring snacks and ask us what to expect.
What to pack by destination
| Destination | Wear | Add to your bag |
|---|---|---|
| Rainforest: Bijagua, Río Celeste | Hiking shoes with good grip, light long pants or quick-dry shorts | Light rain jacket, binoculars, repellent, a spare pair of socks |
| Volcano, mud and hot springs | Swimsuit under your clothes, closed shoes for the trails | Towel, sandals, an old dark swimsuit for the mud, change of clothes |
| Caves: Barra Honda | Closed shoes with good grip, clothes that can get dirty | Water, a clean shirt for the ride back |
| River boat: Palo Verde | Light, breathable clothes, hat | Binoculars, sunscreen, repellent, plenty of water |
| Rafting and tubing | Swimsuit, quick-dry clothes, sandals with a back strap or water shoes | Towel, full change of clothes, a strap for your glasses |
Rainforest days: Bijagua and Río Celeste
The area around Tenorio Volcano is much greener and rainier than the coast, and it can rain there in any month. Trails get muddy, so shoes with real grip matter more than anything else on this list; sneakers with smooth soles slip on wet roots and stairs. A light rain jacket packs small and is better than an umbrella on a narrow trail. Swimming is not allowed in the river inside the national park, so you do not need a swimsuit for the hike itself. If you are going to see sloths, binoculars help a lot: they often rest high in the trees. Read more in our Bijagua guide and in why Río Celeste is blue, and see the Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano hike.
Volcano days: mud baths and hot springs
For the Miravalles and Las Hornillas tour or the adventure combos at Rincón de la Vieja, wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you do not need to change twice. Choose an old, dark swimsuit: volcanic mud can leave marks on light fabric. Take off silver jewelry before the hot springs, because sulfur in the water can darken it. A towel, sandals and a full change of clothes make the ride back much more pleasant. Our guide to hot springs and mud baths near Tamarindo explains what to expect.
Cave days: Barra Honda
The descent into the Barra Honda caverns comes after a hike, and the caving equipment is included. What you bring is simple: closed shoes with good grip, clothes you do not mind getting dirty and water for the trail. Leave rings and loose items at the hotel, and pack a clean shirt for the trip back. More details in Barra Honda caves: what to expect.
River days: Palo Verde
The Palo Verde boat tour is less physical, but the Tempisque lowlands are among the hottest places in Guanacaste in the dry season. Light, breathable clothes, a hat with a brim, sunscreen and plenty of water are the priority. Binoculars turn the day into a bird show. Not sure whether to choose it over the mangroves? Read Tamarindo Estuary vs Palo Verde.
Wet days: rafting and tubing
On rafting and tubing you will get completely wet. Wear a swimsuit and quick-dry clothes, never cotton jeans. Flip-flops come off in the river; use sandals with a back strap or water shoes. Glasses need a strap, and your phone is better left in the vehicle or in a real dry bag. Pack a towel and a full change of clothes for afterwards. See our guide to rafting and tubing near Tamarindo.
Tips for the day itself
- Pack the night before. Day trips start early and nobody packs well at dawn.
- Eat a light breakfast if you get carsick, and sit near the front of the vehicle.
- Keep the change of clothes separate from the wet bag so it stays dry.
- Less is more. Everything you bring, you carry on the trail.
Short on time, or want an easy day before a long one? The estuary boat tour and the mangrove kayak tour take about two to three hours, right next to town. When you know your dates, book online or contact us and we tell you exactly what to bring for each trip.
Updated November 10, 2026 · Written with the Conchita Tours guides.
Questions
Do I need hiking boots for a day tour in Guanacaste?
Not heavy boots, but shoes with good grip. For Río Celeste, Bijagua and Barra Honda, sneakers with a deep tread or light hiking shoes work well; smooth soles slip on wet trails.
Should I bring cash on a day trip from Tamarindo?
Yes. Bring some colones or small US bills for snacks, souvenirs and tips, because rural places do not always accept cards. Carry a card too.
What should I wear for volcanic mud baths?
An old, dark swimsuit, since the mud can mark light fabric. Bring a towel, sandals and a full change of clothes, and take off silver jewelry before the hot springs.
Is lunch included on full-day tours?
It depends on the tour. The sloth tour in Bijagua includes breakfast and lunch, and the Cañón de la Vieja combo includes lunch. For other trips, ask us when you book.
How do I keep my phone dry on rafting or tubing?
Leave it in the vehicle or carry it in a real dry bag. A zip bag is fine for a boat ride but not for a river where you will get completely wet.
