Let me start off by saying I never thought it would happen to me and to be honest I’m a little disappointed in myself for giving in.
But first, let’s take a step back.
Earlier this year, I spent a fair amount of money on the new Allpa 35L backpack from Cotopaxi with the thought “this will be my under 2 weeks and under trip bag.” In the most travel nerd way I was beyond excited. I was actually counting down the days (ordered on their Indiegogo project) until it got shipped. Embarrassingly, I even emailed Cotopaxi (multiple times) to get a timeframe on when it would arrive. Yes I was that excited. The bag is small enough to be a carry on and has enough pockets and room carry basically everything you need (if you know how to pack effectively). At the time, I had a few weekend trips coming up and I wanted to try the new bag out, but alas it wasn’t meant to be and I never got to try it out.
By the the time I got the bag it was clear that Costa Rica was going to be its first trip (for those wondering the bag is awesome and well worth the price/wait). I was excited about the challenge of 11 days and only 35L of space. I’ve always considered myself a pretty minimalist low maintenance traveler but this was a chance to take it to another level. No carry on roller bag for me.
Quick Tangent:
I’ve spent countless hours complaining about people with roller bags and even used the phrase “roller bag people are everything wrong with the world” The mindset between someone with a roller bag and someone with a backpack is similar to the difference in the travel community between a tourist and a traveler. Fair or not, I’ve always considered myself to be in the latter category. So now I finally have a backpack to replace any need of ever using a roller bag again. Happy days are here.
Normally when I travel I rely heavily on public transport. I take trains, planes, and buses whenever possible But after speaking with Jordan. who’d been to Costa Rica twice, he recommended renting a car and driving from place to place. The biggest reason this was appealing is because of the freedom it gives me. It plays right into my “not having a real plan” goal for this trip. I could stay as long in a place as I want and wouldn’t have to worry about missing a train or a bus running late. After weighing both the pros and cons I decided to take his advice and rent a car.
Renting a car may prove to be the best or worst decision of my entire trip. Driving by myself in a foreign country is really the only thing that’s given me any sort of anxiety about this trip. I don’t have anyone to rely on if the car breaks down (I’m not handy), if I get in a wreck, or if I get lost. But a secondary result of renting a car is it allows me extra space- to bring a second bag. Ironically, instead of going the minimalist route on the trip and really utilizing my new Allpa I’m bringing more luggage than I took to spend a month in Southeast Asia- hence the disappointment I feel in myself.
With that said, it would be foolish to not take advantage of the extra room I have; especially since I rarely “bring things just in case” when I travel.
Below you’ll find a list of everything I am bringing with me to Costa Rica for my 11-day trip and which bag I put it in. For the record, I could have gotten by with just the Allpa (at least that’s what I’m telling myself).
Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L (carry on)
Essentials
- Passport
- Global Entry and Priority Pass Cards
- Sunglasses
- Glasses & Case
- Travel Towel
- Travel Pillow
- Sleep Mask
- The Rum Diaries by Hunter S. Thompson
- Notebook
- Toiletries
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Contact solution and container
- Razor and trimmer
- Body wash
- Comb
Tech
- DJI Spark Drone
- GoPro Hero 5 and 3-way stick
- Macbook Pro & Charger
- Apple Earbuds
- Hard Drive
- Battery Pack
- Portable Speaker
- Sennheiser HD 380 Pro headphones
Clothes
- 2 Swim Trunks
- 2 Tank Tops
- Longsleeve Tee
- 5 T-shirts
- 5 pair of boxers
- Surfing Rash Guard Longsleeve Shirt
- 1 gym short
- 2 pair of shorts
- Cotopaxi Rain Jacket
- Long pants (for jungle hiking)
- Hat
- 4 pairs of socks
- Sandals
Deuter 65 L (Checked Bag)
Essentials
- Drone controller
- Bug Spray
- 2 Spray Sunscreen
- Headlamp
- GoPro Accessories
- 2 extra batteries and charger
- Clamp mount
- Additional holders
Because “What If”
- Hammock
- Blanket
- 1 L of Seagram’s whiskey
- Hiking Boots
- 1 pair of socks
- Day Pack
- 2 L Hydration Pack
- Camping Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Beach Towel
- Water shoes
- Nebraska Flag
I truly believe if I wanted to make the one bag work I could have, but I didn’t. Certain things, bug spray, sunscreen, whiskey, etc, I could have bought when I landed, but I know those things are cheaper in the states. With no plan, I have no idea what opportunities may present themselves over the next 11 days so I’m okay giving in to overpacking.
Whether I end up sleeping on the beach beneath the stars, hiking through the Costa Rican jungle, or hammocking on a mountain overlooking a volcano I want to be prepared. Now I have all the stuff I need. If worse comes to worse and I don’t need something I can leave it in the car and not worry about it. I don’t have to carry it around or cram my two bags on a bus or train.
This was a rare chance for me to be over prepared and give into the “what if I need it” urge that I always fight when packing.
I may not even open my 2nd bag, but hey, at least I have it.
The best way to keep up with my adventures is to follow me on Instagram- Todds_Tales.
Stay Gold.
