One of the most important things to pack for your trip to Costa Rica is sunscreen. Costa Rica is a tropical country just 8 to 12 degrees north of the equator so the sun is very strong.
Like what we’ve done with testing out the best mosquito repellent for Costa Rica, here are our recommended sunscreen in Costa Rica.
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Best Sunscreen in Costa Rica
First and foremast, if you can, pack your sunscreen.
Why do I suggest packing sunscreen? Well first, sunscreen in Costa Rica is one of the more expensive items so if you can, bring it.
Second, I prefer natural or organic reef safe sunscreen to help protect Costa Rica’s waters since we go into the ocean often. Many commercial sunscreens use Oxybenone, which is not only harmful to coral reefs but to humans as well. I try as much as possible to use sunscreen that is not only good for humans but also good for the ocean.
Though there are some reef safe and organic sunscreens coming up in Costa Rica, the selection is still not huge. Furthermore, these ones tend to be more expensive in Costa Rica.
Don’t forget to read about Costa Rica weather so you know what to expect.
Below are our recommendations.
Raw Elements
This sunscreen uses 23% Zinc coverage, making it extremely safe to use. It feels a little greasy when you first put it on but rub it in well and you don’t feel anything.
Raw Elements is non-nano, organic and non GMO so if you’re concerned about using harmful products or chemicals, this is the best. It’s been rated the #1 sunscreen by the EWG and I wish I discovered it earlier!
They also have tinted sunscreen sticks and and a facial moisturizer.
Sun Bum
We love Sun Bum and even though you can find it in Costa Rica, we stock up whenever we are in the US because it’s expensive in Costa Rica. The mineral sunscreen is great.
We personally use the Sun Bum SPF 70 lotion, Mineral sunscreen SPF 50 and SPF 50 sunscreen face lotion.
Supergoop!
I use Supergoop! exclusively for my face. It’s light, doesn’t smell and feels nice on the face. I use it as a daily sunscreen when I’m not going into the ocean.
Why Use Coral Safe Sunscreen in Costa Rica?
If you plan to go in the ocean, PLEASE use coral safe sunscreen (mineral based). Many sunscreen ingredients such as Oxybenzone actually bleach and damage coral reefs.
Cylcopentasiloxane/Cyclomethicone are 2 other ingredients in beauty products that has been proven to be toxic to the ocean organisms. In fact, there are some places in the world like Hawaii that bans the sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone and octocrylene. (I wish Costa Rica would too, hopefully one day).
The mineral sunscreens we like that are reef safe are Raw Elements, Stream2Sea and Sunology. None of them uses Oxybenzone.
There is a Costa Rican sunscreen brand called Derma Clinic which offers lotions and sprays that are coral friendly. You can find this in most supermarkets in Costa Rica.
Other Sun Protection Methods
Besides lotions, we also have a couple other items to help protect us from the sun.
Rash Guard
I love rash guards and they’re great for more than just surfing. We wear ours when we’re snorkeling (to protect from the annoying stinging jellyfish), swimming, fishing or boating.
This is definitely necessary if you book a fishing charter, surf trip or all day boat trip.
Chapstick with SPF
I bought two SPF chapsticks last time I was in the US and they have helped prevent any dryness or burn on my lips. You can find SPF chap stick at the pharmacies, not the supermarket. They sell a Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic SPF 15 one.
SPF Clothing
If you burn easily, then I highly recommend to bring sun protection clothing. Rash guards, SPF shirts, hats with UPF, etc. Seriously, the sun is strong here! And even if you grew up in Florida or California or if it is cloudy, cover up and use sunscreen.
As for clothing, Yeison has this exact SPF shirt which he bought on Amazon and he loves it. It’s light, comfortable and a pretty good price for Columbia.
This particular shirt has the Columbia Omni-Shade UV protection and protects against both UVA and UVB. He ended up buying 5 more of these exact shirts in different colors! Perfect for hikes in the jungles of Costa Rica.
I have a visor with SPF 30 which gives extra protection to my face. Mine is Marmot which I absolutely love but many of the outdoor brands have one.
After Sun Soothing Gel
Oh no! You got burned! If you didn’t bring anything for burns, you can find some after sun gels at the supermarket. There is a Costa Rican brand called Bioland that has after sun gel which works really well.
Buying Sunscreen in Costa Rica
If you need to buy sunscreen in Costa Rica and want to get a natural reef safe one, you can go to the macrobiotica stores. Some of them sell artisan natural organic sunscreens made by locals and they’re usually reef safe. We used to use one called Sombra which cost around $15 USD a tin.
You can purchase sunscreen at any supermarket, pharmacy and grocery store in Costa Rica. Many surf shops will have sunscreen too.
Want more posts about traveling in Costa Rica? Here you go!
The ultimate packing list for Costa Rica
Tammy says
Hi Sammi,
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. We purchased Stream2Sea sunscreen, applied it, went to the beach and after riding in our rental car, we noticed it got on our armrests, seats and the back of the car (opening/closing liftgate). So far we have not been able to wash it off. We even tried dishsoap. So buyer beware.
Lucas says
Hello!
I have a question regarding reef safe sunscreen, is it necessary when not swimming in the ocean?
I’m wondering because if water from homes/hotels ultimately flows into the ocean, it seems like the sunscreen would end up in the ocean anyway.
Thanks!
Sammi says
If you’re not going in the ocean I don’t think so
Robin says
Thanks for the great information! I just ordered several things by clicking through your page to Amazon.com – I hope I did it right and you get the tiny commission!
Sammi says
Hi Brigitte,
That is a very interesting point – I’ve honestly never thought about that since we now mostly use natural mineral sunscreens like Kiss my face or the zinc oxide surfer sunscreens that uses physical sunblocks. We also use a rash guard with SPF so that cuts down on our use of sunscreen when we’re in the water. The article says it’s best to look for a sunscreen that uses physical sunblocks instead of chemical, so zinc oxide and titantium dioxide are OK – I’d follow that article’s advice and get one of those. And of course, buy it before you go to CR because I’ve never seen any kind of natural sunscreen in the stores, always the chemical ones.
Patty Mucha says
While in Costa Rica I chanced to buy No-Ad # 85…It was fabulous… I am very fair and often burn…At a beach for a week I did not have any signs of burn…in fact I wondered if I was even getting a tan…but I was, a very soft gentle one…you might consider mentioning that brand. I don’t recall if it was expensive…
Sammi says
Hi Patty! I actually did mention No Ad as one of the brands you can find in Costa Rica. Glad to hear it worked for you!
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Sammi,
Fabulous list! I use screen here and there but do the vampire thing here in Bali lol!
We do beach walks at 4 PM or later because the sun is heading down. Little sun, means little burning. If we are doing the day beach bit regularly we stock up on sunscreen in New Jersey because wow does it get SO expensive in many parts of the world. Locals just cover up in SE Asia with long sleeves and pants, and hats, so sellers know that tourists are the main folks buying the screen stuff, and jack those prices up 😉
Ryan
Amy says
I acutally have 3 of the ones you listed and you are totally on point on them in terms of their efficacy for face and body and sports vs not! If kiss my face ever stops making their face sunscreen I have no idea what I will do! :$ Great list!