How to survive humidity in Costa Rica: Don’t pack your underwear!

As the sweat begins to pool on my upper lip, I think to myself – “I’m a Texan, this is ridiculous!”

 

The amount of sweat that I have produced since I moved to Costa Rica seems unreal after living in the desert that is the Texas coast for the majority of my life.

One thing my scattered packing brain forgot to factor into the equation, though, is the increased level of humidity that comes with living in a rainforest.

Whoops.

Why You Don’t Need Underwear in Costa Rica

To be fair, I received gentle warnings from Aaron’s packing list for Costa Rica, which he graciously sent over very early on before I could even fathom putting clothes into a bag.

 

Paying no attention to the list’s blunt instructions that delineate underwear really isn’t a necessity, and a pair or two will suffice– I pack 14 pairs. This makes total and utter sense in my conservative professional brain. I’m a lady, y’all, sheesh!

Arriving at the San Jose airport I make my way over to the Nature Air counter to check in for my flight to Puerto Jimenez. I know full well that my bag is over the allotted weight, thanks a lot cotton pants and 12 days’ worth of lacy underwear, which comes along with my ticket, but I plop my luggage upon the scale regardless.

I contemplate handing out free pairs of underwear to stranded or delayed passengers, but instead, I pay the extra fee to be able to take my bag with me and saunter on to my next flight.
 

I’ve arrived in Puerto Jimenez, disembarking from the plane I can already feel the sweat rolling down my back and crotch and instantly regret wearing jeans let alone underwear.

 

But the excitement of starting my new volunteer life at Blue Osa temporarily distracts me from the possibility that I look like I might have peed my pants. Moving on!

 
 

 
 

As the days roll on and I become situated into life at Blue Osa, my morning routine still involves rolling out of bed, picking up the most suited color panties, and staggering out of bed to take in the view and a deep pull on my morning coffee.

 
As the sun welcomed the day, my “feeling fresh” level soon faded, and I realized that I was barely 15 minutes into the day.

 

Eventually, one Monday reveals itself as judgment day. Although I am hesitant to ditch my underoos, I slip on my yoga pants – sans my dignity, and over the next two months, realize the following reasons you TRULY do not need underwear whilst living in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

 
 

• Humidity levels hover around what feels like 100%, which makes you feel like you’re walking through water every day
• Rainy season = wet undie season — 24/7.
• Pantie lines still exist in the jungle, and worse…the macaws laugh at you daily.
• Your lady/man parts will thank you when a cool breeze only has one layer to pass through.
• One less place for sand to get stuck in – Hurray!

 
 

 
 

So take it from me, the underwear buff, leave the laces, g-strings, thongs, boxers, and briefs at home. You’ll be more comfortable, allowing you a level of freedom you may never have experienced before.

 

Want to experience the underwear-free lifestyle? Come visit Blue Osa!