A family adventure, a carry‑on packing plan, and the gear she’s relying on.

For most of us, the holidays mean snow (hopefully), wool socks, and maybe one too many shortbread cookies. But for Kim, one of our long‑time team members at Wild Rock, this holiday season looks a little different — think cloud forests, rope bridges, and the kind of wildlife that makes you think you’ve stepped into a page from National Geographic.

This year, Kim and her family are doing Christmas in Costa Rica, a trip sparked by their daughter Anna’s year‑long fellowship there. “It felt like one of those once‑in-a-lifetime chances,” Kim says. “If Anna wasn’t already there, we might not have ever planned something like this. It’s a pretty special way to spend the holidays together.”

Below is a look at how she’s planning this eco‑tourism‑forward Christmas adventure, plus her best tips for lightweight travel packing, and the versatile gear she’s bringing for 12 days of movement, humidity, and exploring.

Why Costa Rica for the Holidays?

With Anna living abroad for the year, the family decided to meet her where she’s at — literally. Instead of sticking to a single destination, they’ll be visiting a variety of areas, each with its own adventure opportunities.

“We’re mostly focusing on eco‑touring,” Kim explains. “This isn’t a beach vacation! We’re planning volcano visits, jungle hikes, cloud forest trails with those iconic rope bridges, and lots of wildlife spotting.” Sloths, monkeys, birds… bats… and probably some snakes she’d rather not meet.

One of the trip-planning strategies Kim recommends came from unexpected inspiration:

“Look at the itineraries of the fully guided tours, even if you aren’t booking one. They give a great overview of what’s possible.”

That’s how they identified experiences like:

• Tortilla‑making and cooking classes
• Coffee and cacao plantation tours
• Lazy river tubing
• Night hikes
• Borrow‑a‑bike programs at some resorts

“And honestly,” Kim says, “we're going to go with the flow. I’m hoping for a few surprises I hadn’t thought of.”

How Kim Packs for Adventure Travel (Especially at Christmas)

Because the family will be staying in different spots over 12 days, packing light is key. “We’re travelling lighter than usual,” Kim admits. “I’m focusing on layers and fabrics that can handle heat, sun, and misty rainforest rain.”

Her packing philosophy for Costa Rica:

• Carry‑on only using the Patagonia Black Hole MLC backpacks
• Merino wool layers that resist odour and dry quickly
• Pieces that move between active days and laid-back evenings
• Nothing fancy; comfortable, functional, tourist-friendly

“We want to be able to be active all day and still fit in for dinner at a restaurant or the resort,” Kim says.

And yes: “Pretty much everything we’re bringing is from Wild Rock.”

What She’s Packing (or Hoping to Unwrap)

For a warm-weather adventure with unpredictable rain and plenty of activity, here are the essentials Kim is relying on:

• Patagonia Black Hole MLC Carry-On Pack
  Her go‑to for minimalist, on-the-move travel.
• Teva sandals
  Great for wet trails, river tubing, or heading out for dinner.
• Tilley Hat
  Reliable sun protection that goes wherever she does.
• Patagonia Fleetwith jumpsuit
  Lightweight, comfortable, classic style
• Icebreaker + merino layers
  Sweat-friendly, stink-resistant, and ready for anything.

And because no family trip is complete without downtime: “We always bring games, but this time we’re travelling so light that it’ll just be a couple of decks of cards.”

Why This Trip Matters

At its core, this adventure is about family time. It’s a chance to gather in a place none of them have experienced, during a season that’s often hectic and rushed.

This Christmas, instead of bundling up at home, Kim and her crew will be trading snow for sloths and shortbread for cocoa farm tours — and leaning into the chance to explore a totally new corner of the world together. It’s not a trip they’d planned years in advance, but one they’re making the most of — and that feels like the best kind of holiday story.

Planning Your Own Adventure Holiday?

Whether you’re dreaming of rainforest hikes, desert sun, or snowy summits, the right gear can make adventure travel smoother, lighter, and way more comfortable.

Explore our Holiday Gift Guides →
Find something for every traveller — the skier, the cyclist, the camper, the kids, and the curious explorers.