My sister is about to take a trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks. She will be flying on an airline. She wants to travel light (hiking pack) and will be there for a month and a half. She is in a Spanish speaking program that teaches the language while you are in the country. Obviously she doesn't want to take alot of cameras and GPS stuff because there is a risk of it being stolen. If anyone has suggestions on what basic equipment she should take it would help alot.

PS- she will need rain gear for it is the rainy season there!

On my trips to Ecuador, aside from the medical supplies we carry, I have used the following items on more then one occasion:

Water Filtration system(s)
Leatherman Wave
Duct Tape
Several flashlights – both LED and incandescent/ w extra batteries
Stainless Steel wire
SAK
Wire ties
Hand sanitizer and wipes
Toilet paper
Sun Block
Insect Repel

I'm assuming were not talking about in the jungle.Cottom underwear, fast drying clothes, any favorite toiletries/
hygeine items that she can't live without. Multiple flashlights, with extra batteries and bulbs. One should be suitable for reading and one should be a key chain size light. A small FAK and SAK or multi tool makes sense. Either a hidden around the neck or inside the pants pouch, as pick pockets are many.Shoes she can walk in, hat and sunscreen/lipbalm for the beach.

Just out of curiosity, what have you used stainless steel wire for?

Sorry, it took awhile to reply. I have been out sick the last few days and am now just getting caught up on the forum.

The wire was used to hold together an exhaust system we damaged while traveling on some pretty rough mountain roads. The repair was made while sitting on a 300+ foot mountain face of a one-lane road, in complete darkness. Pete