What you bring and don’t bring on your surf camp trip south of the border (we’re assuming you’re not going on a surf trip to Canada, although you could do so) can literally make or break your vacation.

Wrong sunscreen? Uh-oh. I’m lobster red and can’t go outside anymore.

No extra bathing suits? That can be an irritating, chafing affair.

This medium short list is one I’ve put together for surf trips to Costa Rica so that you’ll be more prepared and enjoy your trip more while you’re there. Read it. Pack it. Enjoy!

• Money in USD (There are no ATM’s in Pavones. No one accepts credit cards or traveler’s checks)
• Airline Tickets;)
• Valid passport with at least 3 months remaining before expiring
• Crocks, Gators, Tevas, reef walkers or similar water shoes. MAKE SURE THEY’RE COMFY! You may be tromping up the river to inner tube back down.
• Closed-toed hiking/tennis shoes that can get wet (or we provide rubber boots)
• Athletic socks (soccer socks for shin guards or old school knee high tube socks) if you wish to wear our rubber boots
• Small flashlight
• Light rain jacket (May-Dec)
• Umbrella (May-Dec)
• Beach towels (at least one)
• Yoga clothes (shorts are better than pants here)
• 2 Bathing suits (at least, 3 if possible) so you always have a dry one to put on…People here live in their suits because it’s HOT. If you have more suits, bring them.
• Sunscreen (+5% zinc or titanium dioxide, over 30SPF, “waterproof”) For the body we recommend HIC 2X sunblock, Alligator, Hawaiian Blend Sport with Zinc, or La Roche-Posay Helioblock S Athelios 40 (not 60 SPF). For additional face block (for swimming/surfing) we recommend Vertra, Shiseido Sun Protection Skin Foundation SPF 35, HIC 2X sunblock, Zinka Nosecoat, Headhunter Surf Screen, and UV Natural Sport. Old sunscreens can separate and burn your skin. We do not recommend Coppertone, Bullfrog, or most Banana Boat products. While buying sunscreens remember that SPF 70 can be the same as SPF 30 and is really a marketing scam.
• Repellent (Up to 20 or 30 % DEET should be fine–no need for the military, extra strength melt-off-your-skin stuff.) In our opinion, the best DEET-free, natural insect repellant is All Terrain Herbal Armor.
• Sun Hat
• Sun glasses
• Sarong / pareo
• Beach wear (tanks, shorts, and short skirts) Local Ticas (Costa Rican women) wear very skimpy clothes near the beaches – don’t worry about offending anyone by showing your shoulders and knees.
• Watch and/or alarm clock
• Camera (keep this out on the San Jose to Golfito flight as it is as scenic as they come)
• Any extra batteries, chargers and memory cards for the camera (no need for converters)
• Any medications necessary for known medical conditions

Any questions?

Zinka Colored Sunblock Zinc Waterproof

Great for those extended days out in the sun!! Zinka Nosecoat offers the absolute maximum protection available from the sun`s harmful rays, this formula not only looks cool but it provides the highest sun protection possible. Zinka`s proven formula withstands the most extreme weather conditions performing flawlessly in wind, hot, cold & wet. Zinka Nosecoat works as a sunblock not as a “sunscreen” and is made from zinc-oxide. It doesn’t rub in like most sunscreen, but goes on opaque to be seen and to afford total protection. A clear sunscreen simply cannot provide total protection. It’s clear, the sun`s harmful rays will eventually penetrate the skin. It is the color that stays on the skin that ensures maximum protection by not allowing sunlight to be absorbed by the skin. Zinka is the original nosecoat that was very popular in the late 80′s, early 90′s. Endorsed by Dermatologists and extreme athletes worldwide, Zinka protects and performs! Ingredients: Petrolatum, zinc oxide, beeswax, paraffin, titanium dioxide, mineral oil and fragrance.

Zinka Colored Sunblock Zinc Waterproof Image

Zinka Colored Sunblock Zinc Waterproof Photo

Zinka Colored Sunblock Zinc Waterproof Pic

Zinka Colored Sunblock Zinc Waterproof Pic

Most helpful customer reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Sipder
By Spider
This sunscreen is awesome! I have been an avid surfer, snowboarder and all around outdoorsman for decades now. I have used this product ever since I was a little kid and have always had great success. The colors are always fun to play around with. Colored Zinka makes for great pictures and memories at all your different vacations. Sports events (with team colors), Lake trips, surf trips, it’s endless. I love the fact that through all these years this company has stayed true to putting out a quality product while other sunscreens seem to have watered theirs down to save money. I heard that there are some new sunscreen regulations coming out that will have to upgrade the “other” brands due to the lack of Zinc Oxide in them. This company is the original Zink Oxide and definitely knows what they are doing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
fun and functional
By johnny5
i hadn’t used this since my mom and dad put it on my nose as i was a kid. I stumbled upon the product in a local Big 5 sporting goods store and have been a loyal fan ever since! whenever i wear it people literally ask me where they can buy it. it protects the freckles on my nose and i always lather up my niece and nephews when we go to the park. love this stuff!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Fun meets function!
By R. Goodwin
I purchased Zinka as an additional layer of sun protection for my 8 year old’s nose. He burns easily, and even with sunscreen his nose tends to get more sun that I would like. Last week he was off to daycamp and I knew that he’d be out in the sun all day. Could I rely on him to reapply sunscreen (and do it well), not really. Somehow his nose always comes home burnt, so I purchased Zinka as a fun extra layer of protection. He loved showing up for camp with various colored stripes and/or patterns (yep, he even added in the pink), and at the end of the week his nose was NOT BURNT!!! Even with sprinkler fun! His Zinka was the talk of the camp counselors, envied by campmates and kept his nose pale under its colorful camouflage!

My only mild disappointment, the tubes are pretty darn small… I hadn’t read the description of tube volume and when they were each the size of an average finger I was surprised… but that said I would definitely buy them again when we need a bit of extra fun protection.

See all 4 customer reviews…