Travel

The one-bag philosophy isn't minimalism for its own sake — it's freedom. Carry-on only means no checked bag fees, no waiting at baggage claim, and no lost gear on the way to the trailhead. The rule: if it doesn't fit in a 40L pack and serve double duty, it stays home. Start with layers, not volume. The 40L benchmark is real. Osprey Farpoint 40, Cotopaxi Allpa 35, or any well-structured travel pack in that range will clear carry-on requirements on every major airline. Know the

One: what's the weather actually like during your week, not the average? Costa Rica's 'dry season' is December to April nationally, but Pacific vs Atlantic vs central highland microclimates vary wildly. Check a weather station, not a travel blog. Two: what's the one thing every guidebook gets wrong about this place? Ask a local or dig into Reddit — r/CostaRica, r/travel. The crowd corrects the guidebook. If three locals say the same thing independently, trust it over whatever

Almonds, dark chocolate, a couple medjool dates, and beef jerky. That's it. High calorie, no refrigeration, clears security everywhere. Add a nut butter packet and you've got a full meal's worth of fuel in your hip pocket. Leave the energy bars for the people who haven't figured this out yet. Why this combination works: almonds and jerky cover protein and fat. Dates give you fast carbs without the sugar crash. Dark chocolate adds magnesium and something that actually tastes g

Skip TripAdvisor's front page and go straight to Google Maps. Filter by 4.5 stars, open now, and sort by most reviewed. Then scroll past the top five — the sixth or seventh result is usually where the locals actually eat. No tourist pricing, no watered-down version of the dish. Two more moves that work everywhere: ask your hotel's housekeeper or the person behind the counter at the grocery store. Not the concierge, not the front desk — they're paid to recommend the places tha

Lightweight rain jacket — not optional. Quick-dry hiking pants that double as dinner pants. Merino wool base layer — one is enough. Chacos or trail runners, not both. Buff or neck gaiter. Sunscreen SPF 50 minimum — the UV index here is no joke. Leave the jeans. Bring your curiosity. Tech essentials for Costa Rica: 10,000mAh power bank (outlets are scarce on trails), a dry bag for your phone (everything gets wet in the rainy season), offline maps downloaded via Maps.me or Gaia