What all do I need in my sleeping bag?

Will I need to bring a sleeping bag and hiking boots to monteverde, costa rica?

• I am touring Costa Rica, working my way up the pacific coast from Quepos, going through the Nicoya Peninsula, and then finally to the monteverde and la fortuna area as my final destinations. I was going to do most of my walking/hiking in a sturdy pair of hybrid sandals that have thick soles and are designed for light to moderate hikes. The advantage of leaving my hiking boots at home is that it reduces my pack weight by 5 pounds and saves alot of room in it as well. However, would it be wise to bring them anyway for better protection against snakes and the rains when i get to monteverde and la fortuna? They are waterproof to protect my feet from the rains, but the trade-off being that they dont have good ventilation for the hot climate of Costa Rica. I know I wont need a sleeping bag for purposes of warmth for most of Costa Rica (I am equipped with a lighter sleeping cocoon/sleeping bag liner) but will I need it for the colder climate of monteverde and la fortuna? Again, I prefer to not bring it, as it saves alot of backpack room and weight. By the way, I am going next week so it will be the raining season and dont plan on doing much if any outdoor camping; mostly staying in hostels and private homes.

• Answer:

  If you don't plan on doing much outdoor hiking it sounds like your hybrid sandals would be suitable for everything else. I've walked numerous properties in shoes or sandals. The only possible trouble would be the rain. In the wet season there will be a ton of rain! It can get somewhat cold if you're going up to higher elevations so take that into the picture. "Cold" in Costa Rica it isn't really cold. Let's say it can maybe feel in the 60's up in the mountains. That's still pretty warm weather. A lot of times if the rain is extreme you can grab a normal pair of rain boots. Unless you're doing some hiking in the very virgin forest areas I wouldn't worry too much about snakes. I would just bring your lighter sleeping cocoon.