Costa Rica Clothing

Clothing is one of the cultural characteristics that societies have developed according to climate and the way people live. Costa Rica clothing is not that different from garments in other Central or South American countries, or to the rest of the occidental world, for that matter. Costa Rica clothes are divided into two categories, the traditional dress of Costa Rica and the modern or contemporary fashion clothing. The national costume of Costa Rica is used for folkloric representations, although the men of Costa Rica still use traditional style clothes for work in the fields or Fincas. The Costa Rica costume for women is a long, full, and colorful tiered skirt decorated with rickrack or ribbons on the hem, and a white sleeveless blouse with a wide ruffle that falls over the shoulders placed around the neck. This ruffle is also decorated with rick rack or ribbons and could be further embellished with embroidery or painted flowers. Hair is usually done up in two plaits or in a bun. The main accessory that accompanies the traditional clothing from Costa Rica for women is a flower over one ear. This flower can be chosen freely, but the most elegant option would be to use a Catleya Skinnieri, known as the “Guaria Morada”, Costa Rica’s national flower. Sometimes a straw hat is also used for women, especially when they are representing coffee pickers or farm workers in the dance.

• Layers! Although it is a tropical country, Costa Rica has varied weather patterns throughout the day and depending on altitude. Wear a t-shirt and a long sleeve shirt over it, and always carry a light rain jacket or umbrella with you for the rainy evenings
• In the city, skip the shorts . Yes, shorts are the one thing, besides white sneakers, that will scream “tourist” to anyone that sees you. Leave them for when you are at the beach.
• Pants are your friends . Pants are the one item of clothing that manages to work for almost all weather zones. It is useful as a mosquito barrier in the early morning and evening, keeps you from getting your shins or calves from getting burnt by the sun and it will protect from mud, dirt and scratchy bushes when you’re out on a hike.
• Comfortable shoes. Bring several pairs. It rains in Costa Rica, so take into account that at any time you may be left wearing very wet shoes. Be sensible and bring an extra pair of comfortable closed shoes.

Men’s costume is a solid color pant, usually blue or tan, a white button down shirt, a red cummerbund, and a kerchief tied around the neck. Usually the man will top off this costume with a “chonete”, Costa Rica’s traditional hat. The chonete is made of broadcloth sewn together in several layers to shape it, and you can still see it used almost daily and by most men in the Guanacaste plains. Men use a machete in a tooled leather scabbard, and a rope can also be tied around their waist along the machete. They can have another handkerchief in the back pant pocket, and when there is no chonete, a straw hat may be procured. However traditional clothing is not necessarily what is worn on a daily basis. Most ticos will dress like any contemporary westerner in the cities or towns. So how are you supposed to dress while in Costa Rica?

Fashion-wise, we are more European than American styled. Young teenaged girls are usually seen wearing hip-hugging, low rise blue jeans with form fitting t-shirts, and teenaged boys wearing wide pants with button down shirts or t shirts. Dresses are usually left for special occasions or with the older generations. Clothing is inexpensive in Costa Rica, particularly underwear, so if you wish to go shopping, you may want to go make your rounds in the principal malls and shopping centers for comfort, or downtown in san jose for the best prices. If you have any questions regarding appropriate clothing for a particular destination, don’t hesitate to ask our travel advisors who will gladly point you in the right direction.