Before my trip I did a lot of research on what type of shoes were best for the kind of adventure I was going on and the activities I planned to do. Some activities I wanted shoes for included hiking, going on the water, the beach, relaxing and looking nice if I went out at night. I found a lot of different options online, ordered/tried on hundreds of shoes and finally here is what I ended up buying/packing: **Note: I purchased most of my shoes on Amazon or at REI with a prime account you get free 2 day shipping, and they now have free returns for most items. This way I could order the size or shoe I thought I wanted and if I needed something different or didn't want it, returns/refunds were quick and easy. Just a thought if you are an Amazon lover like me!** 1. Teva's Olowahu flip flops (Around $15 on Amazon)- I brought these for comfort, they have been my go to sandals for the last 4 years and I LOVE them, they are comfortable and stylish...the only downfall is the foam is slippery when wet...so far I've worn them just for relaxing around the lodge and easy walks around town...I am happy I packed them. 2. Teva's Original Universal flip flops (Around $25 on Amazon)- LOVE these, they have been great! I can adjust them for comfort or tighter if were doing more hiking...I wouldn't suggest them for any intense hiking but if you are just exploring around town and do some trails you should be okay. They have also been perfect for the beach, but the tan line isn't the prettiest ;) Overall they are super useful and versatile. They work well when wet but aren't great for walking on big rocks in the river...but what shoes are? 3. Ahnu Maia Sandals (I got them for $30 on Amazon, prices change often)- I've been here almost two weeks and I haven't even taken these out of my bag...I love how comfortable and cute they are but I'm not sure if they are necessary? I haven't had the opportunity to go out or dress up yet though...so we will see! But they do come in lots of cute colors and even if I don't end up using them much on my trip, I know I will wear them a lot back home. 4. Ahnu Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoes (non-waterproof version) (I got them at REI on clearance $40.00)- When I bought these I struggled a lot between getting the waterproof or normal version. A lot of reviews I read said the normal version was sufficient, and so far it has been. I submerged my feet in the river with these on and my feet did get soaking but not uncomfortable. When my feet are not submerged they do stay pretty dry. They dry quickly outside too, which is a huge plus! But if you think you will be using them somewhere that is extremely wet all the time, I'd probably opt for the waterproof version. I tried A LOT of hiking shoes and brands before settling on these shoes, the reason I picked them is they were the most comfortable for my feet. So far I would say I am happy I brought these shoes. *Update: after the trip I ended up returning these shoes, I thought they were a great idea, good traction and dry quickly but my feet got achy quickly in them...I don't think that would happen for anyone but I think the arch support was too high for my foot. 5. Toms (Bought these a long time ago)- I brought these because they are cute, comfortable and lightweight to pack...I didn't end up wearing them at all, easy to pack but didn't need them! Would not take on another trip. ** Toms also donates one pair of shoes for every pair purchased...pretty awesome!** I considered bringing my keen sandals, but after I wore them in St. John and found that I got a lot of rocks in them when hiking, I decided not to bring them this time. (Note: I took them on the second part of my trip and they were awesome!) However, I think these shoes could work GREAT for lots of people traveling to Costa Rica or Panama and I would keep them on the list of shoes to consider. If I had more space, I would have brought mine a long and I am sure I would have worn them a few times by now. Shoes I'm considering for the rest of the trip: water shoes or neoprene booties for exploring rivers. I might also bring my nike free runs on the next trip for a light weight daily shoe when I'm not exploring nature...not sure yet though. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
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