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I just booked our flight to Costa Rica, and bought a Lonely Planet guide from Amazon. We’ll be there March 1st - 5th (the 5th is our anniversary), and I can’t wait! We still haven’t decided which cities to visit, but let the obsessive research begin!
Miss Apple, who’s visited Costa Rica before with Mr. Apple, reminded me that we need to take a great bug repellent. When Mr. Bee and I visited the Philippines in November ‘05, I got devoured by ginormous mosquitos, and was truly miserable. And when I went camping at Rudd Pond last year, I got over 50 mosquito bites (my friend got over 100 8O) despite using tons of Avon’s Skin So Soft.
So this time I’m going to be prepared. I came across this Slate article that rates 9 different bug repellents based on ease of use, practicality, effectiveness, and natural ingredient bonus. They gave Off! Botanicals Lotion the highest rating, but it was difficult to locate except on this Canadian site. Still this repellent contains DEET, which is a super strong ingredient that has toxicity concerns (in high doses).
Repel’s Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent came in second on the review - it’s a natural repellent that doesn’t contain DEET. (It also rated second place in this review.) Because I have eczema and sensitive skin, I think Repel sounds like a great option. Combined with Repel’s Clothing Insect Repellent, I think we’ll be set to hike through the mosquito filled rainforests of Costa Rica.
Are you travelling to a honeymoon destination that will have a lot of mosquitos? Do you have any bug repellent recommendations?
bullfrog makes a combo sunscreen/bug repellent. i wanted to get that for st. lucia, but never found it 
I bought a combo sunscreen/bug repellant for India, thinking it would be convenient to only put on one thing. But I quickly found out that if you get hot and sweat, the bug spray gets in your eyes and stings like crazy. So I would stear clear of lotion bugspray.
i’m guessing so. i only saw it on tv commercials last summer.
i’m a fan of bullfrog sunscreen, so i thought this would be ideal. i don’t think i’d put this on my face though, my skin would probably breakout.
We went to Belize and used Off Deep Woods. I didn’t get bites when we were in the jungle. But when we got to the cayes, I got gnat bites! I think I didn’t use the Off then. The Off Deep Woods has a lot of deet though.
Long sleeves. Long pants. I’ve also used these bands that you wear on your wrists and ankles. I’m not sure if they’re available in the U.S., as we bought them in London. They were somewhat effective, but nothing is as effective as DEET.
Mrs Bee, thanks for the heads up about that. Bug spray, duh. I’ll probably need that for CR. So the skin so soft isn’t strong enough? Yikes!
I’ve been to Costa Rica twice and been to almost every part of the country, the coast, the mainland, mountains and islands. You will get bitten even with the repellant. One advice is that you’ll get bitten more if you’re cleaner and at night when it gets more humid. So make sure to bring bug bite creams too. I had the best time there. Have fun~!
good advice about the bite cream! considering sting eze and afterbite from drugstore.com.
After vacationing in the Caribbean 4X last year, I have to say that the BEST bug products I used were by Caribbean Blue
http://www.gocaribbeanblue.com
They’re natural (deet-free!) and popular with even the locals (that’s how you know it works). Both the repellent and the afterbite worked wonders for us.
Of course, if you plan on hiking in dense jungles where there are swarms of vicious mosquitos, then the only thing that’ll work is something with lots of deet. but for dinner outside or moonlit strolls, the caribbean blue stuff works like a charm.
I would have to agree with isabella’s comment. You will get bitten even with bug repellent. I spread that repllent thick on my body and face - smell can be a little nauseating. I especially got bit hard at night, when I was horseback riding (but we did the horseback riding in the deep deep jungles of PJ) so if you’re riding along the beach you’re good.
Oh! make sure to wear jeans or long pants while horseback riding or else you’ll get major wedgees (sp?). Good times! These are the minor parts of CR, you’ll love the rest!
Something that has a lot of DEET is a must, the more the better. It’s the only thing that works. The all natural stuff is not effective for the likes of Costa Rica. I second the Off Deep Woods. For some reason, I tend to attract mosquitos more than everyone I know (it’s the “sweet blood” they say). As for Costa Rica - I loved Corcovado and Tabacon Hot Springs/Arenal Volcano. You definitely have to do a canopy tour! Please post pics when you get back!!
The most effective product = Off Deep Woods, I take that on every island vacation spot I’ve gone. when I use it I come back without getting bitten. I literally saw the mosquito fly up to me then leave me. I haven’t suffered any ill effects from using Deet for the short span of 2 weeks every year/other year. Side note: I put sunscreen on all over first before I spray the DEET on. No sun damage + No mosquito bites. (yes, I called the company up to ask how to use it most effectively)
Definitely Off Deep Woods with deet. When I was living in rural Jamaica we used the deet that isn’t as strong on our skin, and a stronger deet percentage right onto our pants and shirts. You can get it at outdoors stores like Eastern Mountain Sports.
I went to Costa Rica a few years ago and came home with over 50 bug bites (mostly on my legs/ankles) even though I used the Off repellent. I think it’s effective, but there are always the times you forget to put it on, it wears off, or you go into the water and it comes off. I agree with the above poster and I think garlic pills will help in addition to the repellent. Have fun, CR is BEAUTIFUL and you’ll have a great time. 
Before going to Thailand our doctor told us we must get a repellent with DEET because of malaria and other diseases that mosquitos carry. They sell a super strong liquid with DEET at REI and other camping stores. She also recommended spraying your clothes and letting them dry before you put them on. Luckily we hardly encountered any bugs.
Although, maleria is not a major threat in CR, so use the repellent as a way not to spend the rest of your vacation itching. I get as bit in CR as I do when I’m hiking in New Hampshire. It’s nature, it happens. I’m so glad so many people love CR, makes me so happy
When I went to St. John’s I was miserable with my 70 mosquito bites! None of that natural stuff worked nor did the Cutters. I found that “Ben’s insect repellent” in 30% deet worked for me in similar humid mosquito infested destinations later though. They make a 100% deet jungle version but that might be a little much. A little DEET is ok for a couple of days. Regardless of the information readers are giving, won’t you have to buy your sprays and lotions in CR with the travel restrictions?
what you eat affects how attractive you’ll be to the skeeters, too. if you eat lots of sweets before a hike, you’ll be more likely to get eaten. also, avoid scented deodorants and perfumes because those attract bugs as well.
as far as bug repellent goes, I’ve had the most success with ‘Off’ with Deet. Deet for a couple days isn’t likely to hurt you. If you live somewhere buggy and use it all the time, then you’d want to watch how much you use it.
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Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
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