What to pack for Cabuya and Cabo Blanco
Written by Cabuya CR EditorsChecked 4 min read
In short Pack water shoes for the low-tide walk to the island cemetery, proper hiking shoes for the Cabo Blanco trail, strong sun protection and insect repellent, and some cash. Add a rain jacket and a dry bag from May to November, and plan to carry all your trash back out of the reserve.
Pack for rocks, trails and heat
A trip to Cabuya usually mixes three things: walking over sharp, wet rocks to the island cemetery, hiking a steep forest trail in Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, and slow, hot days by the sea. Pack for all three and you'll be fine. The village has small supermarkets for basics, but don't count on finding specialist gear here.
Shoes
- Water shoes or sport sandals with a grip. The walk to Cabuya Island crosses sharp, slippery reef, sometimes through knee-deep water. Flip-flops slip off and bare feet get cut.
- Hiking shoes or trail runners. The Sueco trail in Cabo Blanco is about 4.5 to 5 km each way, with steep climbs, roots, loose gravel and small river crossings. It gets muddy from May to November.
- Sandals for the village. Most evenings are relaxed and casual.
Sun, heat and bugs
- Sunscreen, ideally reef-friendly. You'll be in the sun a lot, and you may snorkel over reef.
- A hat and sunglasses. The island has no shade at all.
- A light long-sleeved shirt for sun and for mosquitoes at dusk.
- Insect repellent, especially in the green season and on forest trails.
- A reusable water bottle. The Cabo Blanco ranger station has a water tap where you can fill up before the hike. Carry plenty on the trail and on the island walk.
Rain gear (May to November)
From May to November, rain usually comes in the afternoon and evening, and September and October are the wettest months. Bring:
- A light rain jacket or poncho.
- A dry bag for your phone and wallet on boat trips, river crossings and sudden downpours.
- Quick-dry clothes, since cotton takes a long time to dry in the humidity.
Cash and cards
Bring enough cash for your stay. Some small places in and around Cabuya take cards, but not all do, and at least one long-running restaurant has been reported as cash only. Local buses, small sodas and tips are easier with cash. It's simplest to get cash before you reach the tip of the peninsula.
For the reserve
Cabo Blanco is an "absolute" nature reserve, the strictest level of protection in Costa Rica. Visitors may use only two trails, and the rules are simple:
- Carry out all your trash. Bring a small bag for it.
- Pack food and water for the day. Playa Cabo Blanco has rustic rinse showers but no shops.
- Don't sit under manzanillo trees near the beach. Their sap irritates skin.
- Bring binoculars if you have them, for birds and the seabird island offshore.
The reserve opens Wednesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 4 pm. If you plan to hike to the beach, arrive by about 11 am.
Handy extras
- A headlamp or small flashlight. Village streets are dark at night.
- Snorkel gear, if you have your own, for calm days off the island and nearby beaches. Tours supply it too.
- A small first-aid kit with plasters for reef scrapes.
- A light daypack for the reserve hike and the island walk.
- Basic Spanish phrases or a translation app. Cabuya is a Costa Rican village first, and Spanish helps.
For boat trips
Snorkel trips to Isla Tortuga and fishing or whale trips from Cabuya beach spend hours on open water. Add:
- A dry bag for your phone, wallet and car keys.
- Seasickness tablets if you're prone to it, taken before you board.
- A towel and a dry layer for the ride home, when the wind can feel cool after swimming.
- Plenty of sunscreen, reapplied after every swim. There's little shade on small boats.
Tour operators usually supply snorkel gear and lunch, but ask what's included when you book. See tours from Cabuya.
A quick checklist
- Water shoes or grippy sport sandals
- Hiking shoes or trail runners
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Light rain jacket and dry bag (May to November)
- Quick-dry clothes and a swimsuit
- Headlamp or small flashlight
- Cash for small places, buses and tips
- A small bag for carrying out trash
- Daypack, small first-aid kit, any medicines you need
Dressing for the village
Cabuya is relaxed and casual. Shorts and sandals are fine almost everywhere. It's still a small Costa Rican village with families and a working cemetery, so cover up a little when you leave the beach, and dress respectfully on the island, where people come to visit their relatives' graves.
What to leave at home
- Valuables you don't need. Don't leave anything in a parked car at beaches or trailheads.
- Your drone, unless you've checked. We couldn't confirm Cabo Blanco's drone rules, so ask the rangers before you fly anywhere near the reserve.
- Heavy luggage, if you're flying to Cóbano. Small planes have tight weight limits. See getting to Cabuya.
Where to stay in and around Cabuya
Live prices from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and more.
Frequently asked questions
What shoes do I need for Cabuya Island?
Water shoes or sport sandals with good grip. The reef is sharp and slippery and you may wade through knee-deep water.
Can I buy supplies in Cabuya?
Yes, the village has small supermarkets for food, water and basics. Bring anything specialized, such as good shoes, medicine or reef-friendly sunscreen, with you.
Should I bring cash to Cabuya?
Yes. Not every place takes cards, and small sodas, buses and tips are easier with cash. Get it before you reach the tip of the peninsula.
What should I bring to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve?
Hiking shoes, plenty of water, food for the day, sun protection, insect repellent and a bag to carry out your trash. Avoid sitting under manzanillo trees.
The places in this guide
-
Isla Cabuya
Isla Cabuya is a small island just off Cabuya's beach that serves as the village cemetery. At low tide you can walk out to it over the rocky reef in about 10 to 15…
-
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco
Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve covers the forested southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, a short drive past Cabuya, and was Costa Rica's first protected area when…
