The rainforests of Costa Rica offer lush greenery and exotic wildlife. What else does it offer? Rain.

As our Costa Rican instructors say, you haven’t really experienced Costa Rica until you’ve gotten caught in the rain.

To help you enjoy the rain, here are some tips to stay dry:

Gaiters:   Gaiters are worn over the shoe and lower pant leg. They protect water from getting in your boots and also prevent moisture from wicking up your pants. When buying gaiters, make sure that they go up your calf, the shorter ones may not be long enough to keep you dry.

Pack Cover:   Nothing is worse than not having a dry change of clothes once the rain has stopped & you’ve set up camp. To prevent everything in your pack getting wet, buy a pack cover which completely covers your bag. Also, line your pack with a garbage bag. This way, even if your bag gets wet, the contents will be protected.

Waterproof boots:   Waterproof, not just water-resistant, boots are a necessity in the rainforest. If you don’t buy waterproof boots, make sure that a waterproof solution can be applied to make the boots waterproof. One tip: avoid boots with lots of seams, as they are more likely to absorb water.

Here are some other suggestions:

• Try to wear clothing from synthetic materials, rather than cotton or wool, to ensure that your clothes will dry as quickly as possible.

• Don't get wet from the inside out! Breathable, layered clothes are helpful to minimize sweat.

• Make sure the cuffs of your baselayer aren't exposed, or they'll wick moisture up your sleeves.