Trip to Costa Rica!

**Happy Pixel** · 04-12-2006, 09:50 PM

I'm heading to Costa Rica on next saturday! I would really like to bring my Digital Rebel to get some great photos, but the case I have isn't the greatest for travel. I also have 3 lenses and some other things I would like to carry along with me. Any of you have some suggestions as in travel tips or some idea's for a travel pack I could use for my camera?

**NJP3** · 04-13-2006, 12:31 AM

I use this canon backpack
Its nothing amazing but it holds more than a camera and 3 lenses fairly safe,and its super portable... (Ive skied some of North America's most technical terrain with it) And for 50 bucks it can't be beaten

**robbmcaulay** · 04-13-2006, 11:36 AM

Ctranter is in Costa Rica just now with a 30D, i'm sure he'll give you some tips if he gets back in time

@NJP3 - Using that bag is asking to be mugged 'round here

**WannaBe_80z** · 04-13-2006, 01:30 PM

Yeah a big CANON logo on my back is NOT what I would need

**EVPohovich** · 04-13-2006, 01:49 PM

Take you camera as a carry-on, in a dufflebag, backpack or something similar. You can pack it in some T-shirts, towels or socks if you really think it might get bumped around too much.

For river/rafting photos I use a standard, but padded, backpack. I need something small that sticks close to my body for jumping over and onto river rocks. There are many nice packs out there I just haven't found the need for one yet.

I actually use a towel in THIS DRYBAG and some floats to hold my Canon in my kayak. But on a raft (or anything that has the potential for damaging your camera) a Pelican Case is the only way to go. And that thing has saved my 20D a few times, let me tell you.

It got put on a "guide training" boat last season and the dumbass flipped the raft over.....complete yard sale too. When they righted the raft, there was my Pel Case, strapped to the lifeline.....in perfect shape.

I spend a lot of time on the water so having those two items are really a necessity for me. No matter what environment you prefer a decent pack of some kind is really worth the investment. Hell, local discount stores carry padded camera bags that are better than nothing at all, and probably for less than $25.00 USD, I would guess.

**flashpipe1** · 04-13-2006, 02:56 PM

I went to Costa Rica 2 years ago and took my video camera in my daypack with 2 pieces of foam, and it worked great! I was able to carry all my needs for the day in one bag, didn't need a separate bag for the camera, and it was easy to reach in and grab, it was well protected and inconspicous.

We had a GREAT time, LOVED the scenery, the people and the weather...

Enjoy!!!

**Happy Pixel** · 04-13-2006, 04:08 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I do want it as a carry on and the canon backpack looks like the perfect carry on size. I dont trust those people throwing luggage.

If I go with the canon i'm gonna have to make a patch over the canon logo that reads "This is a prop! Nothing in it whatsoever!"

**flashpipe1** · 04-13-2006, 04:13 PM

You might even want to drag it through the dirt, kick it around and drive over it a few times to make sure no one would want to take it...

HAVE A BLAST!!!

**Happy Pixel** · 04-13-2006, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by flashpipe1

You might even want to drag it through the dirt, kick it around and drive over it a few times to make sure no one would want to take it...

HAVE A BLAST!!!

Should I do all that before I put my camera in the bag?

OH YEAH! its gonna be a blast! Its going to be in a group of 23 so I'm sure 1 or 2 of us will be saying hi to the Costa Rican Warden

What did you do for money flashpipe? Did they accept american money?

**flashpipe1** · 04-14-2006, 10:44 AM

Hmm...probably best to drive over it WITHOUT the camera...

As far as $, some places accepted US$, but they don't give you a very good rate. The best thing to do (what we did) is to take colons (Costa Rican currency) out at an ATM, or to exchange $ for colons at a hotel or the airport. You can also pay with a credit card and get good rates, but most smaller businesses don't handle cc transactions.

HAVE A BLAST!!!

**ctranter** · 04-22-2006, 07:47 AM

Coincidence! I've just got back - it was amazing. Didnt actually take as many photos as I thought, if only because although the jungle certainly is full of life, spottin it is a nother thing, coupled with the poor light and fact that it is the dry season. But yah it was great.

Re: kayaking - I did a tour round and took all my stuff... boy was I scared of tipping in.. Im not sure how long I can tread water with my camera bag held above my head

**Happy Pixel** · 04-30-2006, 01:11 AM

Just got back tonight, and it was amazing! Hot as hell but otherwise great. Yeah ctranter I didnt get many pictures either. Too hot to lug a backpack around everywhere. Where did you stay? I was in Tamarindo. I'm gonna try and post some pictures once I get settled into minnesotan life again

**ctranter** · 04-30-2006, 05:29 AM

San Jose -> Bosque de Paz (Private reserve near San Jose) -> Manuel Antonio National Park/Quepos -> Monteverde -> Aranal volcano area.

I assume you were down sort of at sea level? Where it did get hot. But most of the places we stayed were high up in the forests and were actualy very cool.

**Happy Pixel** · 05-01-2006, 10:59 PM

Ok guys! Here are some pics I took. Let me know what you all think!

**lefteyewilly** · 05-01-2006, 11:42 PM

did you and Ctranter go together?

**ctranter** · 05-02-2006, 02:57 AM

He copied me.

**Happy Pixel** · 05-02-2006, 10:12 AM

hehe yeah I was reading my How to stalk ctranter book for dummies, and the #1 suggestion was to follow him into the costa rica.

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