costa rica tours for families

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Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests

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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Explore the wilderness with wildlife experts who help you spot sloths, monkeys, and other local creatures on a jungle river-rafting adventure and a canal boat cruise in Tortuguero National Park

Go coastal during your two-night stay on the Gulf of Papagayo where snorkeling adventures open your eyes to an underwater world alive with tropical fish, manta and eagle rays, coral, sea urchins, pufferfish, turtles, trumpetfish – and dolphins

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

On-tour air included (1 flight).

Zip line adventure for extraordinary views of Arenal Volcano and the lush rainforest canopy 

Guided pineapple tour includes tastings of field-fresh pineapples and pineapple treats

Hands-on demonstration in making chocolate

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

World Travel. Family Discovery.

Life is pretty colorful on a Costa Rica family vacation, where even butterflies like the electric-blue morpho make visitors gape in awe.

Your family's adventures in the rainforest.

Days 4 and 5

Adventures in an eco-paradise

Since its last noticeable activity in 2010, Costa Rica's cone-shaped Arenal Volcano has been "sleeping," but it's still a breathtaking sight – especially when seen from the bird's-eye view you'll have during your thrilling zip-line ride over the rainforest canopy at Sky Trek Adventure Park (voted "Best Zip-lining Tour in Costa Rica" by Travel + Leisure). And if that's not enough adventure for your family, board a river raft for a Class II rafting trip through the jungle; try to spot turtles, sloths, monkeys, iguanas and other wildlife along the riverbank that call the Sarapiqui region home.

Costa Rica & the Greatest Wildlife on Earth

insideTauck Presentation

Join us for a presentation from Tauck partner Tim Martin, TV executive producer, wildlife photographer and conservationist.

Tim will be speaking about the "greatest wildlife on Earth," a journey from Costa Rica's Caribbean to Pacific coasts. He'll speak about the conservation efforts and restoration of forests along with insight into the diverse wildlife of this destination – an overview of Costa Rica and his 20+ year filmmaking experience.

Watch Video

Feathered friends at the Toucan Rescue Center

Wildlife friends on the mend.

While they often tend to be elusive in the wild, you can see an exotic parade of animals and birds during your guided visit to the Toucan Rescue Ranch, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of jungle and rainforest animals. You'll meet a variety of furred and feathered friends that reside at the ranch… including sloths, monkeys and parrots, and of course, the toucans they successfully breed here.

Eco-discoveries in Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero and its wonders.

The canals of Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park are lined by a wildlife-rich tropical rainforest that howler and spider monkeys, three-toed sloths, toucans, great green macaws, tapir, ocelots, jaguars, river otters, grisons, frogs and bulldog bats call home. As you cruise these waterways with our local guides, you'll also find coconut trees, orchids, heliconias and other flora that add tropical color everywhere you look. And since the park is also one of the world's top nesting grounds for endangered green sea turtles in summer, if you're traveling with us in July and August, you can make a special trip to the shore at night for a chance to watch these remarkable critters climbing out of the sea to lay their eggs on the black sand beach.

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Paradise found in costa rica.

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort offers the unique combination of the energy of the Arenal Volcano, the heat of the Tabacon Hot Springs and the purity of the surrounding rainforest, blended into what many have described as "paradise" or "the eighth wonder of the world". The four elements of nature are present in this unique luxury hotel and resort, featuring the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest and the fertile earth of the of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region. Located at the base of the Arenal Volcano, this luxury resort is recognized as a member of The Leading Hotels and The Leading Spas of the World. It is a Signature Travel Group preferred hotel, and has been recognized and named to numerous travel publications and the recipient of many accolades.

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All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

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Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Intercontinental costa rica at multiplaza mall.

San José, Costa Rica

Aninga Lodge

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

La Fortuna, Costa Rica

El Mangroove

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Your journey

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Costa Rica. You will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Costa Rica to determine what travel documentation is required.

The company that operates your Day 4 flight requires that your passport information be provided to us prior to your departure. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your tour.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Note: For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk; a signed liability waiver will be required.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN:  If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $299  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $350 per person

89-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for your pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS

Space constraints and weight limitations aboard the flight from Tortuguero to Arenal require you to bring no more than 25 lbs (11.3 kg) of luggage. Therefore, we will provide you with a duffel bag (18 x 12 x 11 in, or 46 x 30 x 28 cm) to carry your clothing and personal items for your two-night stay in Tortuguero National Park. Your remaining luggage will be safely stored with the driver on the coach in the town of Cariari.

If you reside in the continental U.S., the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Costa Rica.

If you reside outside of the continental U.S. or in Hawaii or Alaska, you will receive your duffel bag upon arrival in San José because customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of your duffel in advance.

Children will also receive a Tauck Bridges backpack in addition to the duffel!

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide water on the motor coaches.

Costa Rica is a smoke free country. No hotels, restaurants or bars have smoke areas.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS  

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country. These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here  and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here . You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site. It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.

This Costa Rica family adventure is a very active tour. Our activities include visiting national parks, biological reserves, rainforests and villages. You should be in good health and able to climb into and out of small boats, river rafts, and planes, and also be able to walk reasonable distances over unpaved and uneven terrain.

The Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica in San Jose has an elevator. Aninga Lodge comprises 32 comfortable jungle rooms stretched along a wooden boardwalk and El Mangroove Hotel suites are situated within two to three-story buildings.

Some roads to beaches and other rural locations are not paved and some out-of-the-way destinations are accessible only by these roads. Roads into, in, and out of the mountains are unpaved and bumpy.

The itinerary includes several early morning starts and leaves little scheduled free time.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN AND MOBILITY ISSUES: This Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate oxygen tanks, wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Oxygen tanks are strictly prohibited in many foreign countries on regional flights aboard small aircraft, such as those intra-tour flights featured on this Tauck journey. Likewise, the very limited cargo capacity on such flights prohibits the transport of wheelchairs or motorized scooters.

Guests should also bear in mind that the infrastructure in many foreign countries, particularly in developing countries, often presents severe and even insurmountable challenges for those with walking difficulties or other mobility issues. The responsibility of the Tauck Director is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey! You can view the reading list  here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

Your adventure in Costa Rica is casual. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Comfortable, cotton clothing is suggested. High temperatures and humidity in most areas make lightweight clothing practical. Long pants and long sleeves are suggested for sun and mosquito protection. Evenings in all hotels and lodges are casual with no specific dress code. Casual resort wear is appropriate for dinner on the last night of the tour.

Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes have good ankle support as the walking trails can be wet and muddy.

The Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower Costa Rica, Tabacón Resort and Spa  and El Mangroove provide valet laundry services; the Aninga Lodge does not.

If you book a summer departure and wish to view the nesting turtles in Tortuguero National Park, you will need to adhere to certain clothing rules and guidelines. Please be sure to bring a black or navy blue long-sleeved, lightweight shirt and pair of pants, and closed-toe shoes. The carrying or use of cameras and video recorders – even those equipped with infrared lights - is strictly prohibited when viewing the turtles. The guides will not allow your participation in the walk if you do not abide by these rules, as light-colored clothing and camera equipment frightens the turtles and disrupts their approach to the nesting sites. Restrictions are necessary to conserve and protect the turtles' beach nesting sites and assure their annual return.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

We recommend you pack the following items for travel to Costa Rica:

• Comfortable, cotton clothing
• Shorts and long pants
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• A light sweater or jacket for the evenings
• Lightweight waterproof slicker
• IMPORTANT: Dark clothing for the viewing of the turtles at Tortuguero NP (July - August only)
• Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
• Shoes that can get wet for rafting, not flip flops
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Collapsible umbrella
• Small backpack for long walks
• Pre-moistened towelettes
• Adequate personal toiletries and sundries
• Reusable zippered plastic bags or other waterproof bags to keep important items dry during rainy excursions
• Travel journal
• Tauck Bridges backpack and duffel
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

Each child 17 and under will be sent a complimentary backpack from Tauck Bridges! If the child resides in the continental United States, the backpack will be sent to his or her home approximately two weeks prior to the tour departure date (please note backpacks cannot be sent to P.O. boxes). If the child resides outside of the continental U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, the backpack will be waiting on arrival at the first hotel on your itinerary.

Costa Rica's tranquil environment offers stable, tropical weather where the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year. Average high temperatures range from 75 to 80ºF (24 to 27 ºC) in the Central Valley and 85 to 88ºF (29 to 31ºC) in the Northern Subdivide and the Caribbean regions. Rain is common throughout the year, with more frequent rain occurring in the "wet season" which is typically from May through October.

Central Valley (San José): From November to April the total average rainfall is 10.7 in (272 mm). During the rainy season the total average rainfall is 60.1 in (1,527 mm). April and November are considered to be transition months. In July, there is a diminishing of the rainfall due to the "veranillo de San Juan", a few weeks of hot dry weather that breaks up the rainy season.

• Northern Subdivide and the Caribbean (Tortuguero): These regions do not have a true 'dry season' since the rainfall here is approximately 138 in (3,515 mm) per year. Regardless of when you visit, plan on encountering some rain.

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here .

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FAMILY VACATIONS

As one of the world’s greatest destinations for family vacations, Costa Rica invites to you and yours to discover the natural beauty and welcoming culture of Latin America’s ecotourism gem. Our expert guides can’t wait to introduce you to these endless treasures, sharing the hidden secrets of one of our favorite custom trips ever.

KIDS: SMILE FOR FAMILIES

From lush, green jungle to white sand beaches, Costa Rica is the ultimate playground.Taking the family on vacation is all about making memories. The family vacations are the most enjoyable, you will have an awesome time and will be with the people you love the most.

TEENAGERS: ADVENTURES  

For the family vacations, this destination has to offer entertainment options and activities to amuse travelers of all ages, as well as a selection of dining and lodging that can accommodate groups. It has everything for budding nature-lovers and adventurers. We’ll look into an active volcano and go whitewater rafting. There’s a walk on hanging bridges up into the forest canopy, and wildlife. Let us save you time so you and your loved ones can relax more!

FAMILY AND MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAVEL:

Expeditions offer extraordinary experiences for travelers of all ages. Traveling around Costa Rica with parents, siblings, kids, grandkids, and assorted family members can be an enriching assortment of shared experiences. Not without its challenges, multigenerational travel is a goal for families who seek togetherness in your vacations. Shared experiences make lifelong memories and are a wonderful legacy to leave with your grandchildren!.

Costa Rica Family Vacations Designed By Families For Families

Costa rica family vacations designed by families for families, family caribbean adventure.

Pura Vida! Join our award-winning Caribbean Costa Rica Adventure! Traverse the mist-enshrouded Talamanca Mountains to discover the isolated lowland rainforests and white sand Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica that are the indigenous territory of Bribri and Cabecar Indians and Afro-Caribbean residents.

PACUARE RIVER, ARENAL VOLCANO AND GUANACASTE

Rated one of the top rivers in the world, you’ll experience the intimate nature of the rainforest as you raft right through it. The warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly colored plants, animals, and birds indulge your senses on every level.

MULTI SPORT VOLCANO & BEACH

Explore local rainforests, volcanoes, and tropical beaches on our action-packed Costa Rica family adventure designed for families with children 8-years and up. Discover the fun-loving native culture of rural Costa Rica as family-friendly local guides share their skills and passion with you.

Beautiful People

Big variety of flora and fauna.

Not only is Costa Rica one of the world's most family-friendly destinations, but it also boasts a sensory overload of unspoiled scenic beauty, a fantastic variety of flora and fauna and of course a scrumptious array of local dishes and fresh tropical fruits.

Reasons Kids Love Costa Rica Travel Tips

Adventures for all ages.

Kids need to interact with their environments, not just look at them. When yours get tired of hiking through pristine jungles, schedule a family friendly adventure to mix things up a little. We spent the day at a hot springs warmed by a volcano and explored a riverfront cattle ranch on horseback. For families with older children, Costa Rica o!ers river rafting, stand up paddle boarding, surfing, and zip lining too. For those who don’t mind their wildlife on the creepy and crawly side, there are even night tours of the jungle.  

ABUNDANT ANIMALS

Costa Rica packs a lot of wildlife into its borders, though you may need some help actually seeing it. With a good guide and a pair of binoculars you’ll almost certainly see toucans, bats, sloths, monkeys, and colorful poison dart frogs. There are also caiman, iguanas, lizards, turtles, coatis, and snakes. Finally, Costa Rica is home to six species of wild cats, though they are rare and very good at hiding.

WARM, SAFE OCEANS

Whether you visit the Pacific or Caribbean side, Costa Rica is far enough south that the water is warm enough for swimming all year. With climate change, the weather patterns of the past aren’t as reliable as they used to be. That said, if sunny conditions matter to you, the high season (roughly December through April) will generally be hotter and drier, while the green season (May through November) will be slightly cooler with a couple hours of rain every day.  

EASY ACCESS JUNGLES

Over 25% of the country has been set aside as a national park or preserve. As you’d expect, some of the loveliest areas are remote, but many others have parking lots, canopy bridges, and paved paths.

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Here, spend the days experience the flora and fauna, elsewhere, get in touch with the land by rappelling, rafting, swimming, horseback-riding, and even surfing all over it.

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Costa Rica, with its lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and pristine beaches, is a paradise for families seeking adventure and nature exploration. Planning a family tour of this Central American gem can be a challenging task, given the abundance of activities and destinations to choose from. To help you make the most of your trip, here are 5 unique itineraries crafted by our local travel experts for your Costa Rica family tour. 

How to plan a family tour of Costa Rica

Best family activities in costa rica, family tour #1: a self-drive caribbean adventure, family tour #2: costa rica express animals & beaches, family tour #3: tropical costa rica, family tour #4: costa rica beaches & volcanoes, family tour #5: costa rica eco-adventure, book your costa rica family tour today, travel ideas for costa rica, created by local experts.

Costa Rica: Coast to Coast

From paradise beaches, scenic narrow waterways and magical rainforests, Costa Rica has much to offer. Head east and discover the tranquil Caribbean Sea, head west for the tumultuous Pacific Ocean and surfer’s paradise.

Discover Northern Costa Rica

This self drive itinerary allows you to explore the Central and Northern highlights of Costa Rica: from the active volcano Arenal to the cloud forest of Monteverde and the beaches of Guanacaste with plenty of surf & yoga - discover why they call it the land of Pura Vida - pure life!

A self drive Caribbean adventure

It's time to discover Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in your own rental car: From Boca Pacuare, where the turtles come to lay their eggs, to the unique culture of Cahuita and the beaches of Puerto Viejo! Your trip will finish in Turrialba, home of the main archaeological monument in our country.

Beaches and Volcanoes

Escape to Arenal for volcanoes, waterfalls and wildlife reserves. Enjoy gentle hikes or partake in adrenaline-fuelled river rafting. Then journey down to Costa Rica’s Central Pacific for some sand and surf fringed by dense forest that’s teeming with wildlife.

From the Cloud Forest to the Beaches

On this amazing trip, you will explore the Cloud Forest and rural life of Dota, including a community visit to get to know the real Tico life before heading to the incredible Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park with its stunning biodiversity, and then the amazing beaches of Manuel Antonio.

Tropical Costa Rica

Visit volcanoes, take a dip in a hot springs, drift lazily along the country’s waterways and seek out wildlife in tropical lowland forest. Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystem beholds a whole host of natural treasures.

The Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Ready to plan your family tour of Costa Rica ? Begin by crafting a budget, securing flights and accommodations, curating an array of family-friendly activities, and ensuring all travel essentials and health precautions are meticulously organised . 

As you journey through Costa Rica's rich tapestry of landscapes and attractions, always prioritize safety and effective communication for a truly remarkable experience.

For the easiest experience, consider hiring a trusted company to do your planning and booking for you. Our  tailor-made trip service makes travelling easy, Our trips are created by local travel experts and are easily customised by you to suit your family’s interests. 

Before diving into our itineraries, let's explore some of the best family activities Costa Rica has to offer. These activities are sure to create lasting memories for your loved ones:

Walk Across Arenal Hanging Bridges

For a thrilling family bonding experience, venture into the heart of the Arenal rainforest . Suspended high above the forest floor, the Arenal Hanging Bridges offer an unparalleled perspective of the lush canopy and its vibrant inhabitants. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the diverse wildlife and breathtaking views along this suspended trail.

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park , known for its white-faced capuchin monkeys and stunning beaches, is a must-visit destination for families. Hike the park's well-maintained trails, keeping an eye out for sloths, iguanas, and colourful birds. After your nature walk, enjoy a relaxing Day at the park's pristine beaches, perfect for swimming and picnicking.

Go on a Boat Tour

Costa Rica's coastline is teeming with marine life, making boat tours an ideal family adventure. Hop on a boat tour in regions like Tortuguero or the Gulf of Papagayo, where you can spot dolphins, sea turtles, and even humpback whales (seasonal). The whole family can bond over the excitement of wildlife encounters in their natural habitat.

Manuel Antonio Beach © Shutterstock

Visit Animal Rescue Centers

Educate and inspire your kids by visiting one of Costa Rica's animal rescue centers. Places like the Sloth Sanctuary and the Jaguar Rescue Center provide a chance to get up close and personal with rescued wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and big cats. These visits promote conservation awareness and allow your family to support vital conservation efforts.

Hike to the Waterfalls

Costa Rica boasts numerous stunning waterfalls set within lush landscapes. Take your family on a hike to destinations like La Fortuna Waterfall or Nauyaca Waterfalls. The hike itself is an adventure, and the reward is a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear pools beneath the cascading waters.

Try Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking

Exploring the underwater world of Costa Rica is a thrilling experience for families. Head to the Pacific coast for snorkelling adventures, where colourful fish and coral reefs await. Alternatively, embark on a sea kayaking expedition in areas like Drake Bay or the Golfo Dulce, providing an opportunity to paddle alongside dolphins and sea turtles.

Sun rising over the Playa Blanca beach in Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Embark on a  10-day family road trip along Costa Rica's enchanting Caribbean coast in your rental car. Explore Boca Pacuare, a nesting site for turtles, immerse in the vibrant culture of Cahuita, and unwind on the sandy shores of Puerto Viejo. Your journey concludes in Turrialba, home to a significant archaeological monument.

Itinerary overview 

Explore Costa Rica's diverse landscapes in a 10-day adventure. On this trip you will drive through lush valleys,  and navigate the Costa Rican Amazonia by boat. There are plenty of opportunities to encounter wildlife on this trip. Relax on Caribbean beaches, visit conservation projects, and explore volcanoes and historical sites before departing from San Jose.  Read more.

• Welcome to Costa Rica!
• Drive to Horquetas
• Pick up your rental car at the airport
• Drive to Sarapiquí
• Boat trip on the Costa Rican Amazonia
• Travel to the river port and take a boat to Boca Pacuare
• Explore the canals and the lodge
• Learn about the complex Eco-system
• Exploring Barra De Pacuare
• Floating trip on the canals to see wildlife
• Visit the sea turtle conservation project (seasonal)
• Return by boat through the canals to your car
• Head to the South Caribbean
• Visit an iguana conservation project
• Enjoy the Caribbean,beaches
• Hike in the marine and coastal refuge
• Board a boat to search for dolphins
• Observe three species of dolphins
• Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center for injured and orphaned animals
• See a variety of animals, including monkeys and sloths
• Learn about wildlife conservation
• Drive back to the valleys
• Visit Guayabo National Monument (optional)
• Arrive in Turrialba
• The Wildlife Refuge The Marta
• Explore the protected area and its biodiversity
• Visit historical coffee plantation ruins
• Drive to San José
• Visit Volcán Irazú, the highest volcano in Costa Rica
• Explore the volcano and its craters
• Drop off your rental car at the airport
• Depart from San Jose

Eager to embark on this Costa Rica family tour? Secure  your booking now .

Costa Rican sloth © Lukas Kovarik/Shutterstock

Arenal volcano, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Commence your  10-day family adventure at Arenal Volcano, known for its waterfalls, hot springs, and hanging bridges. Then, venture to Monteverde's unique cloud forest for thrilling canopy activities and wildlife encounters. Conclude your trip with beachfront relaxation in Manuel Antonio.

This 10-day Costa Rica itinerary includes arrival at SJO International Airport, and relaxation in hot springs. From there, you will visit natural attractions like La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano National Park. 

From Day 5 on you have the chance to see the sights of Monteverde with canopy tours and wildlife viewing. The trip concludes with a catamaran tour before departing from San Jose Airport.  Read more.

• Arrival at SJO International Airport
• Transfer to La Fortuna
• Evening relaxation in Hot Springs
• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
• Traditional lunch by the river
• Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
• Explore the rainforest canopy on hanging bridges
• Enjoy natural hot springs
• Experience hydro-massage and relaxation
• Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde
• Cross Arenal Lake by boat
• Enjoy scenic views
• Explore Monteverde in the afternoon
• Morning canopy tour with panoramic views
• Coffee and chocolate tour
• Learn about coffee production
• Explore Santa Elena town
• Night visit to Monteverde Reserve
• Witness nocturnal animals and biodiversity
• Guided tour with flashlights provided
• Transfer to Manuel Antonio
• Stop for sightseeing and snacks
• Optional visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
• Free afternoon at the beach
• Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
• Guided nature walk
• Spot wildlife including sloths and monkeys
• Enjoy the beach and park trails
• Afternoon catamaran tour on the Pacific Ocean
• Enjoy sunset views
• Snorkel and spot marine wildlife
• Goodbye Costa Rica!
• Transfer to San Jose Airport

Ready to set off on this voyage? Confirm  your booking .

La Fortuna waterfall, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Tortuguero canals, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Embark on a  week long family adventure to explore volcanoes, unwind in soothing hot springs, leisurely cruise along scenic waterways, and embark on wildlife quests in lush tropical lowland forests. Costa Rica's rich and diverse ecosystem offers a myriad of natural wonders that will captivate the entire family.

This itinerary includes arrival at San Jose's Juan Santamaría International Airport, followed by a journey to Tortuguero with wildlife exploration. From there you’ll visit tTabacon Hot Springs, and go canopy zip-lining in Manuel Antonio. 

Your family will not forget a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. The trip concludes with a transfer to San Jose Airport for departure.  Read more.

• Arrival at San Jose's Juan Santamaría International Airport
• Departure from San José to Tortuguero via Braulio Carrillo National Park
• Breakfast in Guápiles
• Boat ride to Tortuguero National Park
• Visit Tortuguero village and Conservation Corporation's visitor centre
• Early morning boat outing through Tortuguero's canals
• Wildlife spotting and bird watching
• Visit Tabacon Hot Springs
• Relaxing soak in natural thermal springs
• Enjoy various temperature pools and waterfalls
• Dinner at Tabacon Resort
• Canopy Titi Tour in Manuel Antonio
• Zip-lining through the forest canopy
• Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour
• Guided hike through the park's trails
• Wildlife and natural specimen sightings
• Beach visit within the park
• Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José airport
• Approximate 3-hour drive back to San Jose
• Departure for onward flight from San Jose Airport

Take this trip without the hassle of planning and book.

Zipline in Adventure © AdobeStock

Tabacon Hot Springs River at Arenal Volcano, Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Embark on a  family getaway to Arenal, where you'll discover volcanoes, enchanting waterfalls, and captivating wildlife reserves. Whether you prefer leisurely hikes or exciting river rafting, there's something for everyone. 

Afterwards, venture to Costa Rica's Central Pacific region for sun, surf, and pristine beaches surrounded by lush forests filled with vibrant wildlife, creating an unforgettable experience for your family.

Itinerary overview

This itinerary includes arrival in San Jose, visiting Poás Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Gardens on Day 2, followed by an adventure in Arenal Park on Day 3. 

Day 4 involves a transfer to Manuel Antonio, where you'll explore Manuel Antonio National Park on Day 5 and enjoy ocean kayaking and snorkelling on Day 6 before departing from San Jose Airport on Day 7.  Read more.

• Arrival in San Jose
• Free time 
• Visit Poás Volcano National Park
• Explore the impressive Poás Volcano crater
• Visit Botos Lagoon
• Continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• Enjoy hummingbird observatory and butterfly garden
• Sky River Drift Arenal Park adventure
• Tubing tour through the rainforest
• Canopy cables, high fall, and river tubing
• Transfer from Arenal to Manuel Antonio
• Relaxed morning at your Arenal hotel
• Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour 
• Wildlife spotting, including sloths and monkeys
• Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling 
• Transfer to Quepos dock
• Sea journey, paddling past islands and inlets
• Stop at a hidden bay for snorkeling
• Chance to spot marine life like sea turtles
• Return to base camp for a homemade meal
• Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José airport for departure

Craving this getaway? Don't hesitate –  book it today .

Volcano Poas, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

La Paz Waterfall located just outside San Jose Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Bring your family to Costa Rica and experience its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, diverse wildlife, and captivating national parks. Despite its small size, this country offers an incredible range of natural wonders, making it an ideal destination for an  unforgettable eco-adventure with your loved ones.  

This itinerary begins with arrival in San Jose, followed by visits to Poás Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Gardens on day 2. Day 3 involves a flight to Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula, and the following days include rainforest hikes, wildlife tours, beach visits, ocean kayaking, and a catamaran tour. 

You’ll then return to the Central Valley and conclude your trip with a  departure from Costa Rica on day 12.  Read more.

• Enjoy a typical buffet lunch
• Hike the trails in lush tropical rainforest
• Educational animal exhibits
• Flight to Puerto Jiménez
• Transfer to your hotel on the Osa Peninsula
• Rainforest hike and night exploration
• Explore the heart of the rainforest
• Experienced local guides
• Night walk to discover nocturnal creatures
• Early Nature Tour
• Morning truck tour for wildlife sightings
• Birdwatching and mammal sightings
• Continue rainforest exploration
• Relax on the white sand beach
• Free afternoon to enjoy the beach and the hotel
• Nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park
• Guided nature walk in the famous national park
• Wildlife spotting including sloths and monkeys
• Beach visit and exploration
• Iguana Tours Ocean Kayak & Snorkeling
• Open-seat kayaking and snorkeling adventure
• Explore the ocean coastline
• Snorkeling, swimming, and snacks
• Ocean King Catamaran Adventures
• Afternoon catamaran tour with nature viewing
• Chance to see humpback whales and dolphins
• Transfer back to the Central Valley
• Return to the Central Valley
• Cloud Forest Adventure
• Explore a pristine creek and waterfalls
• Learn about the cloud forest ecosystem
• Participate in the Plant-a-tree experience
• Visit an organic farm
• Departure from Costa Rica

Humpback whale on Marino Ballena Parque Nacional, Uvita, Costa Rica © Shutterstock

Costa Rica is waiting for you, and our local experts are here to plan exceptional family adventures.  Get in touch with us whenever you're ready to travel, and we'll create a personalised family itinerary that you can fine-tune until it aligns perfectly with your preferences. Don't forget to explore our existing Costa Rica itineraries for inspiration!

The Rough Guides to Costa Rica and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Costa Rica

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Costa Rica

• Eating and drinking in Costa Rica
• How to get around in Costa Rica?
• National Parks in Costa Rica
• Travel Tips Costa Rica for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Costa Rica
• Papagayo, Costa Rica
• Tortuga island, Costa Rica
• Costa Rica Weather in January
• Costa Rica Weather in March
• Costa Rica Weather in April
• Costa Rica Weather in May
• Weather in Costa Rica in August
• Weather in Costa Rica in June
• Costa Rica Weather in November
• How to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
• How to get from San Jose to Tortuguero
• How to get from San José to La Fortuna
• How to get from San José to Tamarindo

Find even more inspiration here

written by Dre Roelandt

updated 31.05.2024

Dre Roelandt is originally from the United States but lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Dre is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for travelling. They are an in-house Content Editor at Rough Guides.

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Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica With Kids

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Costa Rica, an enchanting Central American gem, offers a ton of fantastic places to visit with kids! One of the main reasons why Costa Rica is an ideal destination for families is its family-friendly culture. Plus, thanks to the country’s wonderful conservation efforts, kids also have the chance to immerse themselves in nature’s wonders while spotting toucans, sloths, monkeys, and brightly colored frogs amidst lush rainforests or along pristine coastlines. For thrill-seekers seeking outdoor adventures suitable for all ages, there is no shortage of exciting opportunities in Costa Rica – from zip-lining through treetops to river rafting. Not to mention, the beautiful beaches! Next time you’re searching for the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids, we’ve divided this list by region and even included places to stay. Keep reading to plan your next adventure to Costa Rica with kids! 

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica’s ​​​​Alajuela Province with Kids

Costa Rica’s Alajuela Province is famous for housing La Fortuna de San Carlos (or, La Fortuna for short). Famous for its access to natural wonders like the Arenal Volcano, be sure to stop here during your Costa Rica family vacation, even if it’s just for a day. Keep reading to find out the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids! 

Among the best places to visit with kids in this beautiful country is La Fortuna, a lively town located at the base of Arenal Volcano. It’s also near the capital San Jose, and provides a gateway to some of Costa Rica’s best attractions, like the La Fortuna Waterfall.

The Arenal Volcano is located within Arenal Volcano National Park, which offers visitors a chance to familiarize themselves with the area with the help of a park ranger. Three main rivers near Arenal provide the perfect setting to go white water rafting , for example. There are also rock rappelling or canopy tours for older or more adventurous kids. Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa also has a 92-foot-tall observation tower in the middle of the rainforest with amazing views of the volcano. Located just outside of La Fortuna, The La Fortuna Waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s most stunning geological wonders. Families can also check out La Paz Waterfall Gardens , which has easy and paved hiking trails plus the chance to spot jungle cats, sloths, monkeys, and frogs along the way!

Don’t forget to check out the famous hanging bridge at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park , go zip lining at Arenal Ecoglide Park , or visit The Butterfly Conservatory . 

Where To Stay Near La Fortuna With Kids

For a truly unique stay, check out Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica . Your kids will adore sleeping in the canopy of the Costa Rican jungle! Want immediate access to healing hot springs? Book your stay at The Springs Resort and Spa . Finally, the Peace Lodge offers a boutique hotel experience within the iconic La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park! 

Check out this list of 15 Amazing Things To Do In Costa Rica With Kids to learn more! 

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province with Kids

Puntarenas Province is home to Quepos, a tiny town on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Famous for its white-sand beaches, native squirrel monkey population, and wonderful views, it’s best known as a way to access the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Here are our recommendations on how to explore this stunning natural area as a family! 

Costa Rica is a country that offers an abundance of adventure-filled destinations suitable for families, and one such place that stands out for its child-friendly attractions is Monteverde. Nestled within the lush greenery of the Cloud Forest Reserve, this enchanting region has something to captivate every member of your family.

At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve , kids will delight in spotting resplendent quetzals, howler monkeys swinging from tree branches, and brightly colored toucans! Near the entrance of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge, you’ll also find the famous Monteverde Ficus Tree, a unique hollow tree. You can also visit the Frog Pond Ranario , where kids can spot different frogs in their enclosures. (It’s a bit expensive for what it is, but it’s a good experience nonetheless.) Selvatura Park is the ultimate adventure destination close to the Santa Elena village, featuring zip-lining, treetop canopies, hanging bridges, and even a butterfly garden. Or, learn more about how coffee is made on a Chocolate and Coffee Tour . 

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is a stunning showcase of Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Located in Quepos along the country’s Pacific shore, this expanse encompasses rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches, and colorful coral reefs. On the drive here, you can stop at the Crocodile Bridge in Tarcoles. Some people consider it a tourist trap, but it’s a great place to spot crocodiles! 

At Manuel Antonio, families can explore with the help of a guide . Guides will have a better idea of how to spot the animals and flora, so if kids are interested in seeing monkeys, lizards, snakes, or sloths roaming free, this is probably the best option. Companies such as Tucanes Tours offer a variety of different ways to see the park, including a combo saddle and paddle tour where you can horseback ride and go whitewater rafting! Or, check out the Jungle Walk Night Tour to see some nocturnal jungle creatures! You can also go deep-sea fishing or book a catamaran tour with Ocean Kings or Brisa Elegante.  

If you want to explore at your own pace and possibly relax seaside, Manuel Antonio National Park contains three beaches where you can spend the afternoon sunbathing with snacks. Playa Manuel Antonio is the most popular one, but families also like Playa Biesanz, Playa Espadilla, and Playas Gemelas. 

Best Places To Eat Near Manuel Antonio National Park

If you need somewhere to eat near Manuel Antonio National Park, check out these suggestions! 

• Emilio’s Cafe offers great views of the park and phenomenal breakfast food, from cakes to eggs and more fuel to keep you going throughout the day. 
• El Avion offers kids the ultimate experience: the chance to eat inside an old airplane! This quirky restaurant serves steak, seafood, etc. but most people come here for the ambiance. 
• El Patio de Cafe Milagro is a casual spot with great coffee for adults and breakfast food that kids will love, plus some more inventive items like avocado soup. 
• Karahe Restaurant , the on-site restaurant at the Karahe Hotel, lets families eat with their toes in the sand. It’s located in Playa Manuel Antonio, so it’s convenient for families visiting the park. 

Where To Stay Near Manuel Antonio National Park With Kids

Need a home base near Manuel Antonio National Park? Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort provides the best of Costa Rica at your fingertips. From beach access with loungers and umbrellas to resident monkeys and sloths to quick access to some of the best hiking in Costa Rica, a stay here will lead to a divine balance of adventure and relaxation. Then, your family may also enjoy Tulemar Resort . This gated, residential resort is centrally located in Manuel Antonio! 

For more suggestions on where to stay, check out these Best Costa Rica Resorts & Lodges For A Family Vacation (All-Inclusive Included) ! 

Dominical/Uvita Area

When planning a family vacation in Costa Rica, the Dominical/Uvita area should definitely be on your radar. Located on the southern Pacific coast, this region is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife. 

Playa Dominical has many restaurants, shopping, and a playground for kids to play. Plus, it’s a great place to go surfing. Kids can sign up for beginner surf lessons with Sunset Surf School Dominical . Playa Dominicalito , Playa Dominical’s little brother, also has low tides that are great for beginners. Or, check out the more secluded Playa Ventanas around a half hour south. For those looking for some adventure, explore Marino Ballena National Park and catch a glimpse of humpback whales during their annual migration season. Another must-visit spot is Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge . Take a guided tour through dense rainforests teeming with wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds! Families can also check out Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary or visit Parque Reptilandia to experience all of Costa Rica’s reptiles in one place! 

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are another must-visit attraction in this area. Accessible via a 3.7-mile hike, families can swim in crystal-clear pools beneath cascades or simply relax amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Uvita Paradise Adventures also offers fun activities like zip lining or tree rappelling. 

Best Places To Eat Near Dominical/Uvita

Need somewhere to eat near Dominical/Uvita? Check out these options!

• Cafe Mono Congo is a cute cafe with great views of the jungle, giving families a chance to spot the famous monkeys the cafe is named after! 
• Gusto offers families Italian food in an authentic setting. It’s a fantastic place if you’re looking for pizza, pasta, etc. in Costa Rica! 
• Scala serves up a variety of seafood that families will love, including lobster! Families craving lobster can also check out La Langosta Feliz , famous for its mariachi bands that play during mealtimes. 
• Aracari Restaurant , located at the La Cusinga Lodge, serves a mixture of local cuisine combined with international flavors. Meanwhile, La Parcela is great for fine dining. 

Santa Teresa

Situated on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa has earned a spot on our list of the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids! While the area’s vibe is better suited for young adults, making it better for older kids, another alternative for families is to stay in nearby Mal Pais, a traditional fishing village. 

Kids will love watching the fishermen come in on their boats in Mal Pais. Playa Santa Teresa is also popular with surfers, as it’s on the Pacific Side and has some hollow, low-tide waves. For this reason, it’s a great place for kids to take surf lessons, whether they’re beginners or intermediate. Check out the Tiqui Surf Academy , Pura Vida Surfers , or some other local-owned surf companies along the beach. Or, if you’re a bit adventurous, take the two-hour hike to Playa Cocalito and El Chorro Waterfall . At the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve , kids can marvel at exotic wildlife species like howler monkeys and coatis while traversing lush rainforest trails. Finally, don’t forget to check out the Montezuma Waterfall , which is accessible via a hike, or visit Curu Wildlife Refuge . 

Looking for more things to do in the area? A 90-minute boat ride from The Nicoya Peninsula, families can visit Tortuga Island to snorkel and see some amazing marine life! 

Here are the 22 Best Tours + Experiences in Costa Rica for Families ! 

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica In The ​​San Jose Province with Kids

San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital, so expect a bustling city filled with historical attractions, delicious restaurants, and shopping boutiques. On the outskirts of the city, in the greater San Jose Province, you’ll also find a few fun outdoor activities for little ones to enjoy. Keep reading to find out the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids!

San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, is another one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids. While the center of the city is charming, there’s not much to do beyond that, so we would only recommend stopping here briefly as part of a larger Costa Rica family itinerary. 

​​One great thing to do in San Jose with kids is to visit the Children’s Museum ( Museo de los Niños). Located downtown, it has interactive exhibits where children can learn about science, technology, art, and history through play and discovery. Another must-visit spot in San Jose is Simón Bolívar Zoo ( Zoológico Simón Bolívar ), which houses over 300 different animal species from all around the world in a naturalistic setting. There’s even a specific children’s discovery area and a reptile area. Additionally, La Sabana Park is an urban oasis perfect for outdoor family fun! Right outside of San Jose, families can also visit Poás Volcano National Park to see the burnt holes where the lava last erupted! Or, visit Tenorio Volcano National Park to see the famous Rio Celeste !

Where to Stay Near San Jose With Kids

Families looking to stay in San Jose Province won’t be disappointed! These centrally located accommodations will put you within a short drive of almost everything on your itinerary. If you’re seeking a glamping experience immersed in the jungles of Costa Rica, try Rafiki Safari Lodge ! Here, you’ll enjoy a 618-acre private reserve along the Savegre River and quick access to Manuel Antonio National Park (less than 20 miles). 

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province with Kids

Nestled along the Pacific Coast, you’ll find Guanacaste Province. About 4-5 hours from San Jose, this area offers a fantastic array of water sports and opportunities to hit the beach, including surfing, deep-sea fishing, and more. Embracing surf and sand along the Pacific Coast is definitely one of the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids!

Among the best places to visit with kids is Tamarindo, a charming coastal town on the Pacific coast. From surfing to exploring nearby national parks, it’s one of the most popular places to make your home base in the Guanacaste region.

Tamarindo Beach is a fantastic place for beginners to learn how to surf with local surf schools like Iguana Surf . Adventurous families can also take an ATV tour, a catamaran tour, or go deep-sea fishing with companies such as Papagayo Sportfishing . For more wildlife encounters, take the youngsters on a thrilling boat tour along Las Baulas National Marine Park , where you can see the sea turtles from February through October. Rincon de la Vieja National Park is home to a volcano that last erupted in 1995; ​​The Las Pailas section features a short hike through the boiling mud pots. If you don’t want to make the drive up to Arenal, the Rio Negro Hot Springs are a fantastic alternative. 

Tamarindo is also an hour away from Liberia, where Costa Rica’s 2nd international airport is. Most people don’t stay here but use it as an access point to the Northern Pacific Coast (Tamarindo, and the Nicoya Peninsula, La Fortuna, and Monteverde). For more things to do near Liberia, hike to the La Leona Waterfall or visit Hacienda Guachipelin & Adventure Center for ziplining and more fun. 

Best Beaches Near Tamarindo For Families

For more beaches near Tamarindo for families, check out these best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids! 

• Playa Langosta is around 1.2 miles south of Tamarindo, but it offers a much calmer vibe. There are some rocks here, so it’s not amazing for swimming, but the sand is very soft and it’s often peaceful. 
• Playa Hermosa is a charming beach town around an hour north of Tamarindo. It has a lovely vibe and plenty of restaurants, shops, and other places for families to explore. 
• Playa Negra is a great destination for kids who love surfing. It’s not much of a touristy beach, but features great waves and breaks. 
• Playa Avellana is a 30-minute drive from Tamarindo, showcasing a long stretch of sand, calm waves, and a tranquil atmosphere. 

Popular among surfers, ex-pats, and immigrants, Sámara is a compact and walkable beach town with a health-conscious vibe. It’s only around a 10-minute walk from Main Street to the beach, aka Playa Sámara, so you could easily vacation here without a car.

Since the waves are mild here, kids can learn to surf through a local surf school like Choco’s Surf School . Families can also take a Kayak and Snorkel Tour to Isla Chora or see the tide pools at Izquerida Beach. Or, go horseback riding on the beach with a company like Explore Samara Tours . Around an hour away, families can also visit Ostional Wildlife National Refuge, one of few places in the world where turtles congregate en masse. Barra Honda Caverns National Park is another fantastic day trip about an hour away. Here, you can explore the Caverna Terciopelo via tour, or go hiking. Families can also visit the nearby Palo Verde National Park to see monkeys, iguanas, and more animals in their natural habitat! 

A few waterfalls in the area that are worth visiting include the Belen Waterfall and the La Roca Waterfall. Other things to do in Samara with kids include hiking through the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve or visiting the nearby Macaw Recovery Network . 

Click here to read All About Samara with kids for more things to do and where to stay! 

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica’s Limón Province with Kids

Costa Rica’s Limón Province houses the small town of Tortuguero, which is famous for its sea turtle population. From here, you can access the diverse ecosystems within Tortuguero National Park, where you can see these turtles up close! Then, remember to stop in Cahuita during your family vacation to Costa Rica. Here’s what you’ll need to know about exploring Limón Province with kids! 

One of the best places to visit in Costa Rica with kids is Limón, a vibrant coastal province on the country’s eastern side. While the actual city of Limon itself is a bit dangerous, Puerto Viejo down to Manzanillo is beautiful and great for tourists.

Learn how chocolate is made on a Chocolate Tour in Puerto Viejo, where you can taste the chocolate and see the process from bean to bar. Animal lovers can’t miss Tortuguero National Park , the best place to see turtles in Costa Rica. Take a walking tour with a ranger and learn more about the turtles and their history. Or, consider checking it out via canoe for a different perspective . Of course, don’t miss The Sloth Sanctuary! Located near Cahuita, this family-friendly attraction is the world’s only sloth-centric preservation center. Kids can get a glimpse at how sloths live and then even meet some. The Jaguar Rescue Center is also popular among families, as is visiting Cahuita National Park , where you can snorkel and hike. Or, go snorkeling at Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, a beautiful but secluded nature reserve. 

Best Beaches In Limón For Families

If you’re looking for some of the best beaches in Limón, here are some suggestions! 

• Playa Puerto Viejo, aka Chino Beach, is the main beach in Puerto Viejo. As such, it can be crowded at times, but it also has amenities like places to eat nearby. Kids will appreciate the smaller waves. 
• Punta Uva is south of downtown Puerto Viejo and offers a quieter experience than other beaches closer to the tourist strip. It’s a great place to swim with kids because the water is calm and there are also plenty of picnic areas. 
• Playa Cocles is another fantastic and more remote beach just south of Puerto Viejo. It has wide shores, making it ideal for playing and building sandcastles, but not much shade. 
• Playa Manzanillo tends to be more secluded because you can only access it by walking through a small patch of jungle. Still, there’s plenty of space to spread out and it’s a great place for surfing and spotting wildlife like sloths. 

Where to Stay in Limón With Kids

If Tortuguero National Park is your main draw to Limón, you’ll want to stay nearby. Located along the Caribbean coast, the Tortuga Lodge & Gardens provides luxury amenities and stunning views of the Tortuguero River. Eco-conscious families will also love its rustic lodge feel, which was built with the immediate tropical environment in mind. 

Planning a trip to Costa Rica with kids? Read our Exciting One-Week Itinerary In Costa Rica With Young Kids !

Happy Travels!

We hope you liked this list of the Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica With Kids! From volcanos to snorkeling and spotting wildlife, this Central American country truly has it all. Enjoy your vacation to Costa Rica with kids! 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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I thoroughly enjoyed my recent vacation The amazing accommodations, delectable cuisine, seamless transportation, would not have been achievable without the guidance of our exceptional tour guide, Lau. Without the support of TruTravel and Lau, the extensive exploration and diverse experiences within the ten-day duration would have been unattainable for me in Costa Rica.   Thanks to the meticulous planning and personal touch provided by TruTravel and the charismatic presence of Lau, I was able to explore diverse regions of this beautiful country and create memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Lau played a pivotal role in enhancing the overall quality of the journey. She was a perfect blend of enjoyment and knowledge, demonstrating both care and entertainment throughout the trip. She had insightful recommendations for culinary delights and engaging activities.  It is a rare find to come across someone who can effortlessly blend professionalism with genuine care and charisma. This balance contributed significantly to the success of the journey. Lau was able to provide help dependent that was specifically tailored to each person within the group, going above and beyond to make sure we were all satisfied and taken care of. She was also able to provide various information on questions that were presented and we can see just how much she cared about the people she was with.   Lau’s influence transformed this vacation into a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience.

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The Best Costa Rica Itinerary for Families: Easy Planning and Fun For the Whole Family

February 2, 2024 By Sammi 38 Comments

If you plan to visit Costa Rica with kids, here are our Costa Rica itinerary for families. This 7 day Costa Rica itinerary for families has maps and photos to help you plan and is perfect to fit into a 1 week spring break.

We have written two Costa Rica family itineraries in this post. One is a very easy and popular one, going to main tourist destinations and flying in and out of San Jose International Airport (airport code SJO). Another is an itinerary going to slightly less touristic destinations flying in and out of Guanacaste Airport (airport code LIR). Both include beach and rainforest.

This post includes affiliate links.

How to Get Around Costa Rica With Kids

First, let’s talk about how to get around Costa Rica with kids. Our personal recommendation is to rent a car or book private shuttles .

Renting a Car and Driving

Driving is the most flexible way to get around Costa Rica . You can throw all the kids stuff in the car, stop anytime and anywhere and it’s much more comfortable. Go where you want, when you want. Additionally, you have more lodging options.

The downsides are that you have to drive and figure out routes. Also, for some families, it’s just 1 adult who drives the whole time which can be very tiring for them because some routes can be 3-5 hours long.

Type of Car

For a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 young kids, a sedan can work if you are going to destinations that don’t require any type of high clearance car or 4wd. These are places like San Jose , La Fortuna , Manuel Antonio , Tamarindo , Flamingo , Samara, Playas del Coco , Papagayo Peninsula , Jaco and Puerto Viejo (in Limon).

However, a SUV would be best to have enough room for all the kid stuff, child seats and luggage. A high clearance car would also be required if you want to explore or stay at more remote Airbnbs or vacation rentals.

Other things to know: Nearly all car rental companies in Costa Rica offer baby and booster seats for an extra cost. I recommend to ask for a photo of the seats they have so you can check it. However, most Costa Rica car rental agencies do not provide infant seats (less than 1 year) so you will need to bring your own.

Read more about renting a car in Costa Rica and get our car rental discount and extra benefits like free baby and booster seats here!

We recommend booking private shuttles instead of shared. Private is more comfortable and more flexible as you have the entire vehicle to your family. You don’t have to share the vehicles, worry about your kids crying or throwing a tantrum with other passengers or stress about if you need to make an emergency stop to the bathroom.

Then at your hotel, you can book tours with transportation. You will want to pick hotels that are either close to town or have their own restaurant and more amenities.

Private shuttles pros: They pick you up directly at the airport, allow you stop for food, bathroom breaks, can pick up and drop off at vacation rentals and the driver’s usually speak basic to intermediate English. You will have the entire vehicle to yourself so you can spread out in the car. Additionally, private shuttles will bring baby and booster seats for most ages 1+ or 4+.

Tip: Ask them for a photo of the child seats they have because some companies have the seats without locking seat belts or clips.

Price for private shuttles: Usually around $180-220 USD for common routes like San Jose to La Fortuna, San Jose to Manuel Antonio for 1-8 people.

Read more about shuttles in Costa Rica here and if you’d like a quote for a private shuttle, pleas contact us!

Most Popular 1 Week Costa Rica Itinerary for Families (Rainforest, Volcano and Beach)

This 1 week Costa Rica itinerary for families goes to San Jose (Landing at San Jose International Airport) – La Fortuna – Manuel Antonio – SJO Airport. This is an extremely popular itinerary because it’s perfect for families of all ages, especially first time visitors.

Map of this Costa Rica itinerary for families

Click here to see the interactive map with the driving route, hotel recommendations, destinations and things to do.

Day 1 San Jose: Land in SJO, Travel to La Fortuna

As soon as you land in San Jose Airport, pick up your rental car or get picked up by your private driver to go to La Fortuna . This drive takes around 3 hours without traffic but plan for at least 4 hours (more if you are landing around rush hour).

If you are landing after 3 PM, I recommend to stay a night by the airport and then leave early the next morning. It gets dark in Costa Rica at 6 PM everyday and most businesses close around 8/9 PM. It can also take you around 2-3 hours to complete immigration, customs and pick up your rental car in high season. For these reasons, we don’t recommend to drive this route if you are landing after 3 PM, especially in the rainy season. Also, there is a section along the way from the airport to La Fortuna that gets very foggy and curvy with no streetlights.

Even if you book a private shuttle, we recommend to stay in San Jose for the night if you are landing in the evening. You do not want to be arriving in La Fortuna at 1 AM with tired, hungry and cranky kids. Also some hotels do not have 24 hour reception.

You can read this post about driving from San Jose to La Fortuna for tips on this drive.

Recommended hotels in San Jose for families with free airport shuttle and free hot breakfast: Hotel Aeropuerto , Adventure Inn , Hampton Inn & Suites , Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Cariari and Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport Costa Rica . All nice and clean hotels close to the airport. Booking a room at the Adventure Inn? G et 10% off using the promo code “mytanfeet” on their booking page!

Why La Fortuna?

La Fortuna is one of the best destinations in Costa Rica for families. This area has very good tourist infrastructure, a ton of hotels at various price points, many restaurants and a plethora of activities for all ages. It’s one of the best destinations to see the rainforest and volcano in Costa Rica.

Recommended hotels in La Fortuna for families: Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort , Arenal Manoa , Arenal Springs Resort and Arenal History Inn . All very nice hotels with hot breakfast included with beautiful volcano views and a pool or their own springs.

Day 2 La Fortuna: Safari float, guided walk, hot springs

Now begins your family adventure in La Fortuna! Also remember if you want to book any of these tours, get our discount on La Fortuna tours here!

For your first day, our recommendations for family friendly activities in La Fortuna are a river safari float, guided walk and hot springs.

Morning Safari float: This is the perfect wildlife watching tour for families. You float down a calm river for 2 hours while your guide paddles and points out animals. The Peñas Blancas safari float is only a 25 minute drive from La Fortuna so it’s great for a half day morning activity. No walking or strenuous activity.

After Lunch Guided Walk: We highly recommend Rainforest Cafe for lunch. Then for the guided walk, we highly recommend Bogarin Trail (1.6 kms or 1 mile easy and flat trail), Mistico Hanging Bridges ( 3.2 kms or 2 miles, kids have to be at least 6), the Arenal Volcano National Park or Arenal 1968 private reserve. I recommend the latter three for older kids and the Bogarin Trail for young ones.

Then, you’ll go on a guided walk in La Fortuna.

Evening/Night Hot Springs: No trip to La Fortuna is complete without a visit to the hot springs! If you are staying at a hotel that doesn’t have its own hot springs, there are many resorts you can visit. Baldi, Los Lagos, the Springs and Kalambu are excellent for families. All of them have waterslides and Baldi has a dedicated kid section and you can have dinner at the hot spring resort. Read more about the Arenal hot springs here. We also offer a small discount for The Springs Hot Springs Day Pass , this place is awesome for families who are not on a budget. They have a water slide and riverside pools and springs.

Our Personal Recommendations

I highly recommend a guided walk for families because it can be fascinating for the kids to learn about the tropical rainforest and animals. Many Costa Rican naturalist guides are good at engaging and interacting with kids to keep them interested.

Day 3 La Fortuna: Zipline, chocolate tour, hot springs/night walk

Now it’s time for a little bit of excitement! Today you’ll go ziplining for your first activity.

Morning Ziplining: Ziplining is a must do in Costa Rica and La Fortuna has many zipline tours for all ages. Arenal Ecoglide is best for young ones and the little ones will go with a guide. For the older kids, Arenal Mundo Aventura, Arenal Canopy and SkyTrek are great options. We recommend to zipline in the morning.

For lunch, we recommend Pollos Fortueños Restaurant. They have a small playground outside for kids.

After Lunch Chocolate tour: Take a chocolate tour for an interactive and fun 2 hour experience. Guests learn all about chocolate, starting from the cacao trees and to how they process it. Best part of this tour is you will get to sample lots of chocolate!

Then for the night, you can head back to the hot springs or take a night walk . La Fortuna is an excellent place for night walks and kids absolutely love it! They’ll get to search for creatures like insects, spiders, snakes and frogs.

Another Option

We also recommend to check out La Fortuna downtown if you have time. You can hangout at the local park which has a beautiful view of the church and volcano and lots of souvenir stores. Many locals go to this park in the evening so it’s a nice way to immerse your family in a little bit of the La Fortuna life.

If you want to spend some time at the park, first go to the Chocolateria (right by the park) to get a coffee, chocolate, ice cream or pastries and sit in the park to enjoy tour treat. Lots of fun to people watch and the kids can enjoy the local life.

Day 4 Travel to Manuel Antonio

Today you will travel to Manuel Antonio . La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is a 5 hour drive so this will be a long driving day. Along the way, you can stop at Jaco (big surfing beach town) or the Crocodile Bridge . You can read this post on how to get to Manuel Antonio for tips. We recommend to leave before noon so you can arrive in Manuel Antonio during daylight.

Once you arrive and check in to your place in Manuel Antonio, relax and get ready for tomorrow!

Why Manuel Antonio: It is another top destination in Costa Rica with lots of hotels and restaurants and good tourist infrastructure. It is home to a gorgeous national park and beautiful beaches. Lots of beach fun for the kids!

Recommended hotels in Manuel Antonio for families: Tulemar , Si Como No , Parador , Hotel La Mariposa . All these hotels offer family rooms and breakfast included. Manuel Antonio tends to have more high end, expensive hotels. There are also many vacation rentals in Manuel Antonio.

Day 5 Manuel Antonio Antonio National Park

Morning Manuel Antonio National Park: Today you will visit one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio National Park . You can visit this park on a self guided walk or with a guide. Since you already did a guided walk in La Fortuna, it’s not absolutely necessary to do a guided walk in this park too but you can if you want. This park is home to hundreds of birds, mammals, reptiles and plants!

If you need transportation, we recommend to book a tour as they’ll provide round trip transportation and the national park ticket (which have to be pre-purchased online now). Click here to get our Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour discount!

The kids will love walking through the rainforest and playing in the sand at the beautiful white sand beaches. There is a ton of wildlife in this park with lots of monkeys!

Remember the park is closed on Tuesdays so make sure to plan your days in Manuel Antonio accordingly.

After you’re done, head back to the hotel to relax, shower and nap. In the evening, watch the sunset and have dinner at one of the ocean view restaurants like Cafe Agua Azul, Emilio’s Cafe or Raphael’s Terrazas.

Day 6 Manuel Antonio: Relax, sunset catamaran

Today is a relaxing day. You can enjoy the pool, go to the Espadilla beach or go shopping. In the evening, you can finish off your Manuel Antonio trip with a sunset cruise that departs around 1 PM. They have water slides and a nice lunch spread, lots of fun for the family.

If your family still has the energy, you can go white water rafting (kids must be older than 8 for rafting), take a surf lesson or horseback riding (must be at least 6 years old) for the day. That’ll end your trip off with a bang!

Don’t forget to get our Manuel Antonio/Quepos tours discount here!

Day 7 Travel to San Jose

Today you’ll travel back to San Jose. You don’t need to leave very early so sleep in and enjoy the last few hours in Manuel Antonio before checking out. You can book a hotel by San Jose International Airport and spend your last night getting ready to go home. You can read our recommendations for hotels near SJO Airport with free shuttle (or without shuttle) here.

Day 8 Fly out of SJO Airport

Time to go back home!

If You Have More than 1 Week

For those who have a bit more time, you can add on another destination to this itinerary. Here are some ideas.

• After landing in San Jose, stay a night or two at the Peace Lodge in Vara Blanca before heading to La Fortuna. The family can see the waterfalls and animal sanctuary at La Paz Waterfall Gardens (about 1 hour from San Jose, 2 to La Fortuna).
• After La Fortuna, you can stay a couple nights in Monteverde before heading to Manuel Antonio. (3 hours driving from La Fortuna, then 3.5 hours to Manuel Antonio). You can do more ziplining, visit a bat jungle or butterfly garden or do some more hiking.
• Check our Costa Rica 13 days itinerary !

Another Costa Rica Itinerary for Families

Here is an itinerary if you are flying into Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste and want to visit slightly less touristic destinations. You will get beach, nature, wildlife and rainforest in this itinerary. For this itinerary, it is recommended to rent a car because of the destinations as Guanacaste is more rural with less transportation options.

This itinerary goes to Liberia (LIR Airport) – Samara – Bijagua – LIR Airport.

Click here to go to the interactive map with driving routes, hotel recommendations, destinations and activities.

Day 1 Liberia

Fly into Liberia International Airport and pick up your car rental. Drive 2 hours to Samara , a mellow beach town in South Guanacaste. A high clearance car will be highly recommended for this itinerary, particularly in rainy season.

Why Samara? Samara is a small beach town that has decent tourist infrastructure, beautiful beaches and good restaurants. It’s kind of like Tamarindo (another surfing beach town that’s popular with families in Guanacaste) but less touristy and has less of a party vibe. Great beach town for families and the beach is really fun for kids.

Hotels in Samara for families: Hideaway Hotel , Sol Samara, Samara Pacific Lodge , Villas Playa Samara (all-inclusive). All these hotels have family rooms.

Planning tip: If you don’t want to drive that long, Tamarindo is a good option for a fun and lively beach town as it’s 1 hour from Liberia Airport. Another option is Playas del Coco , a 25 minute drive from the airport which is a more laid back, fishing village.

Day 2, 3 and 4 Samara: Beach, Surf, Ziplining, Kayaking

On day 2, you can hit the beach and join the kids with a surf lesson! Samara is a good beginner surfing beach and you can take a class right on the beach. Usually classes are 4-8 people but you can request a private class for just your family.

On day 3, hop in your car and take the family to explore! There are several nice beaches around like Carrillo . You can also check out the small waterfall, La Roca, just outside of Samara.

On day 4, kayak to Isla Chora (30 minutes one way) and snorkel at the island. This can be done in the morning or afternoon. You can zipline at Wingnuts after or before your kayak. Great fun for the whole family! There are also sunset cruises in Samara the family can enjoy.

Day 5 Travel to Bijagua

Today you will drive to Bijagua . It is about a 3 hour drive. Take advantage of the travel day to stop at a couple of places.

You can stop at the Llanos de Cortes waterfall in Bagaces along the way. Great waterfall for kids as they can swim and play in the pool. Also, it’s only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the waterfall.

Another option is Vandara for volcano hot springs, ziplining, cultural experience, waterslide and more. (2.5 hours from Samara, then 1 hour to Bijagua). Get a discount in our link!

Why Bijagua? Bijagua is the tiny rural town near Tenorio Volcano National Park. Although it’s small, it is a beautiful rainforest area and good place for one or two nights with kids so they can experience a rural Costa Rican town and lifestyle.

Recommended hotels in BIjagua for families: Casitas Tenorio B&B , Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel and Celeste Mountain Lodge .

If you arrive early enough in time, some of the lodges in the area have a working farm and families can take a quick farm tour. Kids can see cows, goats, horses and chickens up close and learn how to milk cows! It’s a fantastic way for kids to experience rural Costa Rican farming life.

Day 6 Bijagua: Rio Celeste Hike

Today you’ll visit the stunning Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park. This 6.5 kilometer hike (4 miles roundtrip) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Costa Rica ! You’ll see the Rio Celeste waterfall and the sky blue river.

The trail to the waterfall is very well maintained and is a paved trail. If you have toddlers or babies, you can bring them in a child carrier backpack. Just make sure you are able to carry them going up and down the steps to the waterfall. Strollers are not allowed in the park.

The entire hike can take around 3, 4 hours.

After the hike, you can have lunch at one of the local restaurants right outside the park. Also don’t forget to visit the Rio Celeste Free Pool so the kids can play and swim in the sky blue river.

Day 7 Fly Out of Liberia International Airport

Bijagua to Liberia International Airport is about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive so enjoy your last few hours in Bijagua and Costa Rica. Make sure to get to the airport 2 hours before your flight.

Important Things to Know About Traveling with Kids in Costa Rica

• If your kids have allergies to food or medicines, make sure to write them down. It will also be helpful to write down the translation in Spanish of the name and active ingredients. Bring all necessary medications.
• If you rent a car, we recommend to get a prepaid SIM card so you can have a Costa Rican phone number in case of emergencies.
• If you are traveling with multiple families for just a few days, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort instead. It is a lot less stressful!
• If you are spending Christmas in Costa Rica or New Years, make sure to book your accommodation and transportation well in advance as those dates book up very fast. (Book at least 4-6 months out).

For more tips, read our post for things to do in Costa Rica with kids.

I hope this Costa Rica itinerary for families post helps you with your trip planning!

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Best Costa Rica Tours for Families (And the Ones to Avoid) in 2024

Looking for the best tours in Costa Rica with kids? You’re in the right place.

Costa Rica has some of the best tour options of any country that are suitable for families. Whether its a guided hike in a rainforest, a chocolate farm visit, surf lessons, snorkel tours – there are so many once-in-a lifetime, memorable experiences to have as a family in Costa Rica.

Having travelled to Costa Rica with kids , we enjoy doing organized tours that give us unique experiences as a family.

I’m going to share with you the best tours in Costa Rica with kids according to area, and what age group they’re best for. I want you to have as amazing time travelling in Costa Rica as a family as we did, to help you plan your Costa Rican itinerary.

So, let’s jump in – best tours for kids in Costa Rica.

How do You Know if a Tour is Truly “Kid-Friendly”?

There are many different kinds of tours in Costa Rica – food tours, adventure tours, hiking or walking tours. How do we know which ones are ‘family friendly’ and which aren’t?

This is what I look for in a tour (in Costa Rica or elsewhere) to determine whether its family-friendly or not:

✅ The tour allows children ✅ The tour has a track record of being welcoming to children and families ✅ The tour is a reasonable length ✅ The tour is engaging and varied A “reasonable” length will of course depend on your chid’s age and temperament. However, overall I wouldn’t recommend doing too many full day tours with children who are much younger than 10 years old.

For young children under 5, I prefer to stick to tours that are 2-3 hour range. With older children and pre-teens, you could probably extend to longer tours. Of course, you know your child’s interests and temperament the best.

With that in mind, here are the best tours for kids in Costa Rica according to region – La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste.

Best Tours for Kids in La Fortuna

La Fortuna is situated just 2.5 hours from San Jose and Liberia

La Fortuna was my favourite area in Costa Rica, and it is perfect for kids. There’s no beaches (which might be a deal breaker for some) but there’s an abundance of rainforest and culture activities that the whole family can enjoy.

If you want to introduce your kids to the rainforest, exotic wildlife, environment conservation, and local activities such as chocolate making, then La Fortuna is the ultimate fun and educational place.

1. Sloth Watching Tour

Age Range: All ages Duration: 1-2 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you or your kids have ever wanted to see sloths, then this is the tour for you. This Sloth Watching Tour takes you to see wild sloths in their natural habitat in the rainforest, just outside of La Fortuna.

Your tour includes a guided tour, and a snack of fresh fruit at the end of the tour.

Book your Sloth Watching Tour here

2. Don Olivo Chocolate Farm Tour

Age Range: All ages Duration: 2 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Don Olivo Chocolate Tour is offered on a family-owned chocolate and fruit farm just a short drive from the centre of La Fortuna.

I did this tour with my family which included a baby of 8 months , and my 9 year old daughter. Our guide was welcoming and allowed us to sample fresh fruit picked off the trees (I recommend coming to this tour hungry!)

There were also some locally-sourced products, jewelry and other unique Costa Rican souvenirs offered at the end of the tour.

Book the Don Olivo Chocolate Tour here

3. Arenal Volcano Night Hike

Age Range: All ages Duration: 2.5 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This tour that leads you on a Night Walk Around the Arenal Volcano i s an experience that you and your kids are likely to remember for a long time.

Walking through the jungle at night allows you to see animals that are not normally active during the day. My daughter enjoyed seeing spiders, tree frogs, bats, and other nocturnal animals.

Your tour includes entrance to the park, transportation and a professional guide.

Book the Night Walk Around the Arenal Volcano here

4. Safari Float in the Jungle

Age Range: 12 months + Duration: 3 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This 3-hour tour is a Safari Float in the Jungle , which means you’re floating on an inflatable vessel through a stream in the jungle. In addition to enjoying the sounds of nature, you might be able to see tropical birds and other wildlife from your float.

The tour includes hotel pickup, a guide, lunch and snacks.

Book your Safari Float in the Jungle here

6. Hiking and Swimming in the Rio Celeste

Age Range: 12 months + Duration: 4 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This tour, Hiking and Swimming in the Rio Celest e , involves a short hike in the jungle followed by optional swimming in the picturesque Celeste River. Your guide will point out wildlife along the way.

The trail is very easy, perfect for all ages. You are brought to the most turquoise blue natural swimming pool with a stunning waterfall.

Book the hiking and Swimming in the Rio Celeste tour here

7. Guided Tour of the Butterfly Sanctuary

Age Range: All ages Duration: 2-3 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s a butterfly sanctuary just 30 minutes west of La Fortuna. There are butterflies, exotic frogs, reptiles and other insect.

This conservatory is dedicated to preserving the populations of these beautiful creatures and providing education and awareness.

Book your Guided Tour of the Butterfly Conservatory here

8. Balsa White Water Rafting Tour

Age Range: 5+ Duration: 5 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This half day Balsa River White Water Rafting tour takes you gliding class II rapids for 10 kms (6 miles) along the river through the jungle.

The cost includes your professional guide, all rafting equipment for kids and adults, transportation, and a Costa Rican casado lunch to finish off the tour.

Book your Balsa River White Water Rafting tour here

Best Tours for Kids in Guanacaste

Most people who travel to the Guanacaste region stay in or near Tamarindo, which is around 2 hours from the Liberia airport

Guanacaste is very popular for families because of the abundance of beaches , and family-friendly resorts. If you’re a beach-loving family primarily, then Guanacaste might be the place for you. There is less in terms of rainforest than there other parts of Costa Rica, but there is still some.

Here are the best tours for kids in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

1. Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari

This boat safari, accommodating to all ages, allows you to relax in a raft as you sail through a river in the jungle, spotting wildlife along the way.

The guide points out crocodiles, monkeys, tropical birds that you can see from the boat.The boat also has a shaded cover which makes it ideal as a tour for young children.

This is unique, relaxing way to explore the rainforest!

Book the Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari here

2. Monkey Jungle Zip-lining

Age Range: Ages 4+ Duration: 1-2 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This zip-lining tour in the tropical jungle in Tamarindo allows you to see monkeys, tropical birds and other wildlife, as well as soar through the air on a zip-line.

A private professional guide and all equipment is included.

Book the Monkey Jungle Zip-lining tour here

3. Family-Friendly Volcanic Mud Hot Springs Tour

Age Range: Ages 2 + Duration: 5 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Miravalles Volcano is known as the “Yellowstone” of Costa Rica with its peak 6,653 feet ( 2,028 metres) above sea level, and is surrounded by lush vegetation, hot springs and mud baths.

On this tour, you will spend can spend most of the day relaxing in the mud-baths and hot springs as you enjoy rainforest and volcano views and likely even see some wildlife.

The tour price includes your entrance ticket to the Miravalles Volcano National Park, a lunch , and pick up and drop off from your hotel.

Book your tour of the Miravalles Volcanic Mud Hot Spring s here

4. Day trip to the Heliconias Rainforest

Age Range: 6+ Duration: 9 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heliconias Rainforest

Because this is a longer tour, I’d only recommend it if you think your child could handle it. There are a lot of varied activities; walking across hanging bridges which are 115-130 feet off the ground, visiting a butterfly garden , and a lunch .

You’ll of course see wildlife, such as sloths and monkeys in their natural habitat.

Hotel pick up and drop off is included in the cost!

Book your Heliconias Rainforest tour here

Best Tours for Kids in Monteverde

Montverde is 2 hours and 20 minutes from the Liberia airport, and 3-4 hours from San Jose. The drive here isn’t easy because of the winding roads and rugged terrain, but its worth the journey. Read my post about driving in Costa Rica.

Monteverde means “green mountain” in Spanish and the place fits the name – its up in the mountains, surrounded by lush, green jungle.

Most of the tours is Monteverde are not young-child friendly, as they involve adrenaline activities like zip-lining, or very long (full day) hikes in the jungle.

But, there are a few great tours for kids in Monteverde. Here they are:

1. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Morning Walk

There are many benefits to heading to the cloud forest first thing – fewer crowds, and higher likelihood of seeing wildlife.

Going with a guide means that you’re more likely to spot wildlife, and have access to professional equipment to see wildlife that is otherwise too far away or hard to see.

Book your morning walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest here

2. Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour

Age Range: 7+ Duration: 2.5 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Learn first hand how coffee, chocolate and sugar cane are made on this family-friendly guided farm tour (for ages 7+) outside Monteverde.

On this tour, you will briefly learn about the process of turning plants into chocolate, coffee and cane sugar, and be able to try plenty of samples.

Book your Chocolate, Coffee and Sugar Cane tour here

3. Sky Walk Tour from Monteverde

Age Range: All ages Duration: 3 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sky Adventures Monteverde Park is a privately owned rainforest that was grown specifically to preserve the biodiversity and wildlife. It has six hanging bridges in total; the highest one is over 900 feet off the ground.

In this tour, you will walk across the hanging suspension bridges that allow you to walk across and get incredible views of the jungle and see wildlife. You’ll do some easy hiking in the rainforest where your guide will point out wildlife to you.

Book your Sky Walk Tour from Monteverde here

Best Tours for Kids in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is in southeast Costa Rica, about a 3 hour drive from the San José airport.

Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to go in Costa Rica if you’re looking for a mix of rainforest and beaches.

Here are the best tours offered for kids in the Manuel Antonio region.

1. All Ages Hiking Tour of Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest national park in Costa Rica at 4,000 acres, but its also the most famous. Its bursting with beautiful flora and fauna and an abundance of wildlife , and has some of the most family-friendly beaches in Costa Rica, which you’ll have an opportunity to experience at the end of your tour.

My daughter and I were very impressed on our tour of Manuel Antonio, and one of the highlights was getting to swim in the beach in the end.

There are many different tour offering for Manuel Antonio (and you’ll see others while you’re there.) What we like about this one is that they specifically advertise themselves as family-friendly, and have patience for kids of all ages.

Book your Hiking tour of Manuel Antonio National Park here

2. Manuel Antonio Chocolate Tour

Age Range: 5+ Duration: 2.5 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Take the kids to learn about where their favourite food really comes from – a cocoa plant, and how it goes from being a bean into the chocolate that you can buy in stores.

This experience is very hands-on, so the whole family will likely learn new things!

Book your Manuel Antonio Chocolate Tour here

3. Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio

Age Range: 4+ Duration: 3 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The younger they start, the better! If you’re a surfer or have always wanted to surf, then this is a great opportunity for the whole family.

This tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel, surfing lessons from friendly instructors, and a snack of refreshing coconut water and fruit.

Book your Manuel Antonio Surf Lesson here

4. Night Tour of Manuel Antonio National Park

Age Range: 12 months + Duration: 2 hours Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While Manuel Antonio can get pretty busy during the day, its a different story at night when there are much fewer tours and many more nocturnal animals.

This tour includes transportation to and from your hotel in our near Quepos, (we stayed at Parador ), and a 1.5 guide tour. The guide will have a flashlight to be able to show you animals and insects that you would otherwise miss.

Book your Night Your of Manuel Antonio National Park here

Best Tours for Kids in San José

The international airport in San Jose is called the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

Not everyone spends time in San Jose while they’re in Costa Rica but there are a lot of things to do there

1. Wildlife Walking Tour of San José

This kid friendly tour in San Jose takes you to see wildlife that can be spotted throughout the city. You’ll see sloths, tropical birds and lizards. Binoculars and telescopes are provided and all ages are welcome!

Book your Wildlife Walking Tour of San José here

2. Braulio Carillo Rainforest Adventure from San José

Braulio Carillo Rainforest is a jungle just north of San José. It has both rainforest and cloud forest which is a rare ecosystem.

On this tour, you’ll visit a hummingbird garden, a butterfly garden, and even get to ride in a floating forest tram that gives you a bird’s eye view of the jungle.

Book your Braulio Carillo Rainforest Adventure tour from San Jose here

Tours to Avoid in Costa Rica with Kids

I want to caution you about a few things to look out for when booking tours for kids in Costa Rica. Here are some things to keep in mind.

❌ High-adrenaline rush tours

There are so many adventure tours in Costa Rica; white water rafting, zip-lining, bungee jumping. I’m not saying to avoid them completely . These kinds of activities are a lot of fun, and generally safe to do in Costa Rica.

However, be sure to check any weight and height requirements prior to booking these trips. Even if the strips say that they are “suitable for kids ages 5+ or 10+”, that doesn’t mean that your child will qualify based on size.

Read the fine print of any tour you book so that you don’t face disappointment on the morning of your tour.

❌ Guided tours with toddlers

Based on my experience going on a few guided tours in Costa Rica, I would set expectations very realistically before signing up for a guided tour with a toddler.

Many of the guided tours say that ‘all ages’ are welcome, and often kids under a certain age (usually 2 or 3) are free of charge. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the tour is best for this age group. There’s a difference between allowing toddlers, and being toddler friendly.

We brought our 8 month old baby to Costa Rica, but if we’d come when she was 18 months, it would have been a very different trip.

Of course, if you want to do the tour and your child is allowed on the tour based on age – I’d say DO IT.

I do believe that travelling with toddlers is a gift that comes with ups and downs. I would just say to adjust expectations and know that not all tours without age requirements are necessarily geared to people of all ages.

A caution about Jungle Tours: While its uncommon, it is possible to be bitten by various bugs that hang out in the jungle – mosquitos, sandflies, and various aunts. Be sure to wear sunscreen, mosquito stickers and ideally long sleeves in the rainforest in Costa Rica. Jungle tours are my favourite activity in Costa Rica, so I’m not recommending against them, but want you to be cautious have the right gear, especially if you have kids with you. Read my post on Bugs in Costa Rica.

The Bottom Line about Choosing Tours for Kids in Costa Rica

I have carefully experimented and chosen the tours that I think are the best tours for kids in Costa Rica (bearing age in mind of course) and I believe that when you consider your child’s age, temperament, and in some cases weight and height, then your family will make precious memories on these tours.

If you’re travelling to Costa Rica during the high season ( December or March especially, which are the most popular months) then I recommend booking the tours and hotels you want in advance , as they fill up fast.

Costa Rica Family Tours FAQs

Here are the most commonly asked questions about going on tours with kids in Costa Rica

Which side of Costa Rica is better for kids?

The west coast of Costa Rica is much better for kids. Areas like La Fortuna, Monteverde, Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio National Park are all very family-friendly with many great activities to do as a family.

How many days in Costa Rica is enough?

How many days you spend in Costa Rica depends on how many activities you want to take part in. There’s beaches, rainforest, and sports like white water rafting, and so many more. Overall, I would recommend spending at least one week in Costa Rica.

Is Costa Rica safe for a school trip?

Yes, Costa Rica is a safe place for a school trip, not to mention very educational. As a former elementary school teacher and mom, I admire how much there is to learn in Costa Rica, and the fact that its a safe place to do a variety of activities with kids.

Best Tours for Kids in Costa Rica: Conclusion

Costa Rica, in my opinion, is one of the best places for a family vacation. It has some of the most amazing, family-friendly tours that are as fun as they are educational. I love the vast access to lush rainforest, exotic wildlife in their natural habitat, and most importantly the commitment that Costa Rica has to sustainability.

Many of the family-friendly tours in Costa Rica allow you to bring babies under 2 years old for free. Admittedly, some of these tours are much easier done with older children (I know from travelling through Costa Rica with our baby) so I want you to keep in mind that depending on your child’s age and temperament, you might have to adjust your expectations for the tour.

There are many tours in Costa Rica that are exclusively for adults – related to beer , gastronomy, or high adrenaline rush activities, but I hope that this article has showed you how much fun you can really have in Costa Rica with your kids!

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There are few places on earth as magical and transformative as Costa Rica for a family vacation. Small children go wild over all of the beautiful bugs and large mammals that they’ve only ever seen in picture books. Big kids love jumping waves and zip-lining in the jungle. For teenagers and young adults, traveling through Costa Rica feels like an introduction to international travel as they pay attention to the local customs, figure out how to buy a soda in Spanish, raft down a white-water river, and so much more. Days are full of adventure and experiences, and evenings are spent as a family, recalling the day’s highlights.

This article will help inspire you with the benefits of a Costa Rica family vacation and also give you our top insights about where to go and what to do when planning a family itinerary .

Is it a Good Idea to Take a Family Vacation to Costa Rica?

YES! Time and time again, we have seen how a well-planned vacation to Costa Rica has countless benefits for a family:

• A week or two in Costa Rica will positively impact your kids’ mindset, travel experience, cultural perspective, education, and sense of adventure. There is no better way to positively impact all of that at once for your kids than to come to Costa Rica on a family adventure vacation.
• A family adventure in Costa Rica will be healthy because it will allow your family to participate in healthy activities and eat healthy food.
• The trip will be educational because you will have close encounters with so much wildlife you will talk about it for days to come.
• The trip will be entertaining because you and the family can do once-in-a-lifetime activities like ziplining through the rainforest or soaking in volcanic hot springs.
• A family adventure in Costa Rica will provide rich exposure to a different lifestyle, and your family will be able to take it all in while also taking time away from the phones, computers, and tablets.

The Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica with Kids

When traveling to Costa Rica with kids, we suggest you consider choosing destinations that offer a wide variety of adventure activities to meet everyone’s bucket list, are easily accessible, and are relatively close to each other, so you don’t have to spend too much time in the car. Below is a list of our favorite kid-friendly destinations around the country.

One of our favorite places to visit in Costa Rica is Arenal , in the northern plains of the country. The communities around this active volcano, like La Fortuna , rose from the ashes – literally – in the late 1960s and built an incredible array of attractions and activities for people of all ages and preferences. In Arenal, you can go stand-up paddling in the morning, zip-lining in the afternoon, and, in the evening, soak in the hot springs under the stars. It is a place that has something for everyone.

Tip: Our Costa Rica Rainforest-to-Beach Family Vacation Itinerary includes the best activities and accommodations in the Arenal area.

Near Arenal is Monteverde , a mountain town populated by Quakers who immigrated there in the 1950s to develop a peaceful community with an emphasis on organic farming. The Quaker community worked to protect the cloud forest, and as a result, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was established. It is a steep climb up curvy mountain roads to reach the town, but there is nothing quite like the silent mist of the cloud forest and the unique flora and fauna of Monteverde.

Tip: Monteverde is the first stop on our Costa Rica Collection Family Itinerary . It allows families to submerge in the cloud forest and feel the powerful benefits of nature on their very first night in the country.

Manuel Antonio

In terms of beauty, accessibility, adventure activities, and accommodations, it doesn’t get much better than Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific. Located just 2.5 hours west of the Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela/San Jose, Manuel Antonio is easy to get to while also feeling like a totally exotic destination. Its rainforest cliffs hide boutique accommodations high up above the sparkling Pacific Ocean. And the Manuel Antonio National Park will guarantee that your family has close encounters with monkeys, sloths, coatimundis, iguanas, and plenty of sea and bird life.

Tip: Manuel Antonio is one of our favorite beaches to visit, which is why we include it in our Rainforest Escape Family Itinerary . It allows you to experience rainforests and beaches all in one place.

If your family is a little more travel-savvy and you want something off the beaten path, Drake Bay in the South Pacific is one of your best options. Just getting there feels like an adventure as you either need to book a 1-hour domestic flight to Drake Bay’s small landing strip in the middle of the jungle, or you will need to travel to the small south Pacific town of Sierpe and then take a small boat for one hour around the bay. However, once you arrive, you will be immersed in lush jungle life in beautiful eco-lodges. For day trips, you can either take a guided hiking tour of Corcovado National Park or go snorkeling/scuba diving off Isla del Caño. We typically recommend this trip for families with older kids (10 and up) since some adventure activities have an age restriction.

Tip: Check out our Remote Costa Rica Adventure Itinerary if you want to consider this part of the country.

How to Choose a Special Accommodation for Your Family

In a country with over 3,000 hotels , there are many options for places to stay. There are treehouses in the jungle, bungalows on the coast, cabins in the mountains, and everything in between. No matter how packed your trip is, you will always have those early and late hours of the day at your hotel, so you will probably want to make the most of that time to connect with your family and even with other families. And, if you have budgeted some time to relax with no activities, it’s all the more reason to make sure you will be spending your downtime in a place that has excellent amenities and a high-quality team.

Below are some of the questions that we hear frequently and what we tell our clients.

Airbnb, hotel, or all-inclusive resort?

Airbnbs can be an excellent way to meet a local family (especially if the family lives nearby on the same property, as is often the case), have access to the full amenities of a house, and avoid large groups of tourists. However, in the larger tourist towns, Airbnb properties are bulk-managed and will not provide you with an opportunity to meet locals. Also, we have heard lots of stories and read lots of reviews of Airbnb houses that promise one thing and deliver another. Ultimately, it is too much of an unknown variable for most families who want to ensure a peaceful and easy trip to a foreign country.

There are a handful of all-inclusive resorts within Costa Rica that can undoubtedly provide peace and ease; however, clients often tell us that after a couple of days there, they feel restless and bored. While there are some exceptions, in general, we avoid using all-inclusive resorts in our itineraries because they are large and sacrifice too much of the authenticity of the experience.

Our favorite category of accommodations are our boutique Casual, Premiere, and Upgraded accommodations , which have been hand-selected because they provide families with a personalized experience in a distinct and beautiful environment, are community or family-run, and are clean, safe, and comfortable.

Close to town or more remote?

In general, accommodations further away from town will give you more up-close access to nature. Except for San Jose, we recommend that you look for properties that are

15-20 minutes away from the bus and motorcycle noise of town centers.

Choosing a more remote property will typically mean that the property grounds are more extensive, which means it is more likely to include a garden or a pool. Imagine enjoying a great cup of Costa Rican coffee early in the morning as you spot hummingbirds frantically flying from one flower to the next, or a toucan eating a banana, or a coatimundi roaming the gardens right in front of your room or your breakfast table!

Large hotel or small?

Choosing the size of the hotel will depend on what you and your family are looking for. Large hotels will likely have more amenities, such as multiple pools and larger grounds for exploration. However, there will also be more tourists, and it is more likely that the property is owned and operated by a large corporate entity. Smaller hotels are more likely to be locally owned and to have elements of the local environment, along with the expected amenities. In general, we look for boutique properties that have demonstrated their taste and their commitment to a positive traveler experience.

A lot of the accommodations that you can find in Costa Rica pride in where they are located and, therefore, are carefully designed to fit the surroundings without leaving aside comfort and safety. What comes out of that detailed process is unique lodges and hotels that enhance the beauty surrounding them. They become part of that environment.

The most important qualities to look for in a kid-friendly hotel

As you look at hotels, we suggest that you prioritize the following qualities:

• Breakfast included
• Pool (if in a low-elevation location)
• On-site concierge or support desk
• Plenty of greenspace for exploration
• Location (15-20 minutes from the center of town to cut down on noise)

Our Top 10 Kid-Friendly Activities

Costa Rica sometimes feels like a huge playground for children and the young at heart. It is impossible to run out of beautiful places to explore – from hidden waterfalls to misty forests to secluded beaches.

We typically recommend that you schedule one adventure activity per day, along with a few days at the end of your trip, to relax in a peaceful rainforest hotel or beach lodging. Most family adventure itineraries will include a canopy/zip-line tour , a visit to some hot springs, and some time at a breathtaking family beach on the Pacific or Caribbean. But below, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 kid-friendly activities that may make your trip just that much more special.

• Climb a volcano like Poas , Arenal , or Irazú
• Explore the central market or the boho neighborhoods of San José
• Visit a local farmer’s market on a Friday or Saturday and see how many fruits and vegetables you can identify
• Enjoy the healthy food and return home with a new diet of fresh fruits and simple meals
• Dip into a Catholic mass in the local church to observe – these are typically held in the morning (8 or 9 am) and in the afternoon (4 or 6 pm)
• Paddle fast on a whitewater rafting tour down some of Costa Rica’s beautiful mountain-to-beach rivers
• Purchase artisan products or locally produced coffee. Remember, haggling is not common in Costa Rica.
• Sip on some Costa Rica Coffee and take a coffee farm tour
• Head down to the neighborhood soccer field (“plaza”) on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and cheer for a local soccer game
• Take a slow walk as a family down a country road and pay attention to the sounds and smells

If you want more insight into what activities to include in your family adventure to Costa Rica, check out this article: Things to Do in Costa Rica .

Have Questions? Contact us!

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you still have questions or want to hire our services. We would be thrilled to help and ensure you have the best possible family vacation in Costa Rica.

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John Rabenau has been working in the eco-tourism & adventure travel industry in Costa Rica since 2002. He has worked in a variety of capacities from Outdoor Educator & Principle Guide to Itinerary Design Manager & Business Owner for numerous organizations. He has grown Costa Rica Escapes into one of the most reputable Costa Rica travel agencies since its creation in 2006, hosting more than 5,000 people with custom vacation itineraries.

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Family Vacation Classic

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

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Our 7-night Family Vacation Classic includes two top Costa Rica family destinations. Begin at Arenal Volcano, the adventure capital of Costa Rica, where majestic views and hot springs keep everyone entertained. Hike over hanging bridges beneath the hulking Arenal Volcano and look for wildlife. Then visit Manuel Antonio National Park and play on warm, white sand beaches on the lush rainforest coastline.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

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Pricing is valid through the date listed for each itinerary (all pricing is subject to change until booked and confirmed). Holiday season supplements apply for Christmas, New Years, Presidents Day, and Easter travel dates. Green season specials and/or lower rates may apply for May to November travel dates.

All itineraries are land only and international airfare is quoted separately. Itinerary adjustments may be necessary depending on your international flight schedule. For example a late arrival will usually require a night near the airport in San Jose.

Please call one of our experts at 800-827-9046 to discuss your travel details.

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Our private vacation packages include accommodations, in-country transportation, and day tours to make your vacation hassle-free. Due to high demand, we are not offering individual day tours at this time. All vacation packages require a 7-day minimum.

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You Can Learn to Surf in Just One Week at This Boutique Hotel in Costa Rica

From personalized surf lessons to community building, Surf Synergy gives guests a unique experience.

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Activities and amenities, family-friendly offerings, accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay.

Courtesy of Surf Synergy

From the second I landed at the airport in San Jose, I was part of the Surf Synergy family.

A family on my shuttle was also heading to the resort, and while the immigration line was painfully long, we immediately shared snacks and got to know one another. This was their third — maybe fourth — time coming to the resort, and it showed. They knew the driver by name, the owners, and even the animals that hung around the resort. This signified what was to come for me: becoming part of the family. 

While surf lessons in Costa Rica are a dime a dozen, Surf Synergy offers an exceptional experience. I was immersed in the Surf Synergy lifestyle for a week, which embodied wellness, family, connection, and mindfulness. At Surf Synergy, I was encouraged to unplug, join in, get to know my neighbor, and leave my comfort zone. 

I had never surfed before, but it was always on my list of things to try. I was eager to give it a go but apprehensive, too — would I be any good at it?

When I met my coach for the week, Miguel, I attempted to set his expectations low, but he met me with enthusiasm and encouragement, and it was hard to be negative. If I was overthinking the wave, he could tell. If I was in my head about the last fall, he knew and reminded me, “One good wave makes the whole day.” When I finally caught that wave, he was the first to celebrate with me. By the week's end, I was standing up and riding waves and celebrating with the entire group of coaches and other guests. 

This sense of community among staff and other guests makes Surf Synergy such a special place. With group activities and communal meals, everyone felt like long-time friends. I joined extra hikes and stayed longer after meals just to “hang out” with my peers, and the daily review of our surf lessons celebrated how much we all improved.  By the end of the week, I, too, knew the owners, the dogs, and even the chef’s name. 

There is much to say about my time there, so my full, detailed review of Surf Synergy is below.

Surf Synergy

• The new villa is luxurious and offers several different housing combinations for hosting groups of different sizes.
• The surf camp is incredible and offers attention you won’t get in lessons elsewhere.
• The food is delicious, and all ingredients are local, if not grown out of their garden.
• The surf package enables guests to become friends and fosters a sense of community.

The primary offering at Surf Synergy is the Surf Bungalows, where I stayed. These rooms can come with one king bed or three twin beds. The bungalows offer a simple yet comfortable space to return to between all your activities. The beds were firm and great for my tired body after a long day of surfing. Rooms are also filled with natural light and have a semi-outdoor shower with local and organic toiletries that smell amazing — my favorite was the banana conditioner that saved my hair after many hours in salt water.

While coffee and tea are always available in the main building, each room includes a chorreador , a traditional Costa Rican coffee maker with locally-ground beans. Each bungalow has a hammock and a porch that's shared with the neighboring room. All the bungalows have Wi-Fi, but there's no TV, as Surf Synergy wants to encourage guests to log off, embrace mindfulness, and enjoy the surrounding nature.

However, for true luxury, guests can stay in the newly opened Casa del Cielo, an 11,000-square-foot villa that can be rented in many different configurations. The house can sleep up to 24 guests, with a penthouse corner king room, a penthouse suite, and a bunk room featuring queen beds. The villa also includes a private infinity pool, a living room with retractable glass doors so you never have to miss any action outside, an outdoor kitchen and grill, and a fireplace and game room. It also includes a 75-inch TV, allowing for large groups to entertain.   

Surf Synergy isn't done growing yet. Expansion continues as they build more hotel-style guest rooms that offer that signature Surf Synergy mix of bohemian and luxury.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

All meals are included in the surf packages — but this isn’t your standard all-inclusive food.

The menu changes daily and is listed on the chalkboard in the main lodge. Meals ranged from breakfast tacos to pork loin and ceviche to Mexican buffets, all with dietary restrictions accommodated as needed. Meals are served family-style so everyone joins the table to eat at the same time. Surf Synergy grows most of its fruits, vegetables, and herbs on-site and uses eggs from its personal chicken coop. Any ingredients that are not grown on the property are sourced from local vendors that are listed on the menu board.

The lobby also includes a 24-hour self-serve coffee and tea bar, and alcohol is available for purchase. Beer and wine are available, as is a full bar — including the best mojito I've ever had, which happened to be sugar-free.

The main activity is in the name: surfing. The week-long package includes five in-depth surf lessons. Each guest has their own personal coach, and lessons are filmed for an end-of-day video review. It may sound daunting to watch in public, but I loved the group video replay. Everyone was incredibly supportive and cheered each other on all week. It was also highly motivating to see how much every person in the group improved in just a few days. 

How quickly my group improved was also a testament to the coaches and how much they cared. The head surf coach, Marcel Oliveira, chooses the other coaches based on skill and personality. “Sometimes we give therapy out in the water," he told me, recounting an experience with a guest who was terrified of the ocean and spent most of his first lesson digging his nails into Oliveira’s arm. By the end of the week, the man was standing up on the board all on his own. 

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never made it to the deep end of the pool or if you’re a seasoned surfer who wants to step it up to the next level — there's a coach and a beach to fit your needs. There are six different beaches within reach of Surf Synergy, all with varying levels of waves. Novices might start on Jacó Beach, where the water is 82 degrees year-round, with no rip tides, rocks, or sea life. More intermediate and experienced surfers can try the bigger waves at nearby Hermosa Beach. 

Also included in the package are daily yoga lessons in an open-air yoga studio with a lovely view of the surrounding mountains, an initial on-land surf lesson, a breathwork lesson, and an ice bath. During downtime, guests can use the saltwater pool and the open-air gym. Guests can also borrow one of the bikes, free of charge, to enjoy the beaches, go into town, or explore the area. 

Other amenities include daily videos and photos of all your activities and a weekly sum-up video. Surf Synergy also offers complimentary private airport transfers and can help to set up several excursions, including crocodile tours, horseback riding, Manuel Antonio tours, and more. 

While there is no official spa, the yoga deck turns into an outdoor massage studio. One massage or bodywork session is included in the surf package, but more are available for purchase.

The surf package can be adapted for all ages; whether your family member is 8 years old or 80, the coaches can adjust lessons, boards, and beaches accordingly. There are also bunk rooms available in the Casa de Cielo.

Surf Synergy not only takes sustainability very seriously, but the resort also makes it a point to invest in the surrounding community. No single-use plastic is used at the resort, and guests are given a refillable water bottle during their stay. As mentioned before, most food is grown on the premises, and anything not grown there is sourced from local vendors. Surf Synergy also has a community program that encourages guests to donate clothes, school supplies, and other items to the resort, and they then give those items to community-based programs. Surf Synergy also hosts local events, like artisan markets, that unite the community and guests.

Surf Synergy is located in Jacó, Costa Rica, which is about 90 minutes away from the San Jose airport. They offer a free airport shuttle to and from the resort. Bikes are also available to borrow for free to explore nearby attractions. The staff is also incredibly helpful in giving rides to nearby areas if given enough notice.

While this boutique resort isn’t connected to any major loyalty program, many events or themed weeks can add even more to the experience. Surf Synergy will often host pro surfers who give specialized lessons or specialized weeks like Longevity Week, which focuses on health and wellness training, and Gay Surf Week, which welcomes and highlights LGBTQIA surfers.

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I spent 12 days seeking Costa Rica's highlights, from the Cloud Forest to the Nicoya Peninsula. I'd revisit 3 places in a heartbeat but one tourist trap I'll never fall into again.

• My partner and I spent nearly two weeks in Costa Rica for our birthdays this year.
• We tried to see the highlights of the country as we visited Arenal, Monteverde, and Paquera.
• Here are 3 activities I'd do again in a heartbeat, and 1 tourist trap I'd skip if we visited again.

My partner and I decided to splurge on a vacation to Costa Rica for a milestone birthday celebration this year. We spent 12 nights traveling across the western side of the country, trying to soak up as many of the Central American country's highlights as possible.

Costa Rica boasts 5% of the world's biodiversity , with white sand beaches and lush jungles to explore — a huge draw for us as animal lovers. It's also home to a small Blue Zone on the Nicoya Peninsula , where the region's residents are said to live longer, healthier lives than average.

Ultimately, we spent time in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose, the volcanic hot springs of La Fortuna in Arenal, the cloud forest of Monteverde in Santa Elena, and the beaches of Paquera and Montezuma in the Nicoya region for a taste of the coastal life. While there were moments when we felt our experience was a bit too polished and gimmicky, the trip as a whole was full of incredible wildlife encounters and stunning views I haven't seen anywhere else in the world.

I'd hop on a plane tomorrow to go back if I could, but there are some things I'd skip on a return trip.

Rafting Rio Celeste in Arenal

Our first main stop was La Fortuna, in the shadow of Volcano Arenal — one of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. While this area has plenty of hanging bridge tours and night walks to spot wildlife like sloths and glass frogs, rafting down the Rio Celeste allowed us to see the jungle from a different perspective.

We traveled at the end of May, the start of Costa Rica's wet season, so we encountered fewer tourists than were usually present during our trip. This paid off especially well for our rafting excursion, where we were the only two people on the tour besides our guide.

For about two hours and $75 each, we navigated class II and III rapids — intermediate difficulty, with white caps up to three feet and some obstacles in the way — on the Rio Celeste, taking brief breaks to swim in the beautiful, clear water. We also took drone footage of curious howler monkeys who watched us from the shore.

Our guide pointed out local birds and fish, helping us stop our raft when there were sights we wanted to linger on. Once we were done on the water, we enjoyed fresh fruits and a hot lunch of empanadas, which was included in the tour's cost.

Hiking El Tigre Waterfalls in Monteverde

Hiking in the cloud forest of Monteverde quickly topped our list of things to do while we researched our trip. If I could have extended our stay longer, this is the one thing I'd want to do more of, mostly to see more of the incredible wildlife in the Puntarenas province.

High in the mountains, about 30 minutes from the artsy township of Santa Elena, we went on a self-guided hike to see the El Tigre Waterfalls. The 8-kilometer hike takes you through a humid jungle over several hanging bridges and offers stunning views of nearly a dozen waterfalls — but the animals were the highlight.

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We saw massive butterflies, multiple species of hummingbirds and frogs, a toucan, motmots, a concerningly large snake , and glimpses of monkeys in the branches above.

Even in the cooler month of May, it was wildly hot in the jungle, so while the trekking wasn't physically challenging, we opted to catch a 4x4 up the mountain on the last leg of the trail — adding $20 to our $46 entry fee. For a little more than three hours of hiking, it was still a less expensive way to spend the afternoon than other tour options, and it once again felt like we had the trails to ourselves, only crossing paths with a few other groups the entire time we explored.

Bioluminescent kayak tours in Paquera

There are only a handful of places in the world where you can spot bioluminescent algae conditions year-round, and the coastal waters of the Nicoya Peninsula are one of them.

This tour was magical, even in less-than-ideal conditions for the glowing to appear. We shared a kayak and paddled out into the darkness with an enthusiastic guide who explained the chemistry behind bioluminescence and helped us find secluded coves to see the light produced by algae in the water.

The algae likes warm, still waters that get lots of light during the day. When it is charged with enough energy from the sun, it glows bright blue. In less-than-ideal conditions, it can appear greenish or white.

Our algae, which hadn't totally "charged," glowed an eerie white as our paddles broke the water's surface. It couldn't be captured on camera — but that's all the better, according to our guide, who encouraged us to be present in the moment, stepping out of our kayaks in a shallow cove to catch the algae in our shirts and watch it glow against the fabric and our skin.

At $36 each, perhaps we could have explored the coastline ourselves with a rented kayak, but the unique experience left us both feeling like it was one of the best parts of the trip.

Are coffee and chocolate walks worth it?

Costa Rica is known for its coffee and chocolate, so it's nearly impossible to drive through any main stretch of road without seeing signs for tours showing how the products are grown and cultivated.

They're not worth it. Any questions you have about the process can be answered at the gift shop where the tours end, and you're likely to get a free sample regardless of whether you paid for a 2+ hour tour.

We chose to take a night walk that included a coffee and chocolate tour. Our guide (for $60 each) walked us around the grounds of the coffee grove, explained how chocolate was made from cacao beans, and then sent us out with flashlights to look for wildlife in the dark.

While we bought chocolate for our friends and family as souvenirs, we didn't glimpse any exciting animals or glean any particularly interesting knowledge from our guide, so the tour stood out as a pricey decision we could have skipped without losing out on anything.

Overall, our Costa Rican adventure was beautiful, full of incredible sights, exciting excursions, and delicious meals I won't soon forget. If you're planning a trip , skip the highly curated outings to explore the country's less popular attractions — and be quick with your camera; the jungle won't wait.

Watch: Vanishing island forces hundreds of Indigenous families to abandon homes

• Main content

Costa Rica Packing List for Families

O ur extended family, spanning multiple generations, is fortunate to have had the opportunity to embark on several dream vacations to Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s accessibility from the United States and diverse attractions make it an ideal choice for travelers of all ages.

As you plan your trip, you might find yourself pondering what essentials to bring along. Rest assured, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Costa Rica packing list for your convenience, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your adventure. From clothing, and shoes to medicines and accessories find all you need to bring to Costa Rica right here!

Costa Rica really has it all — from the rain forest to sandy beaches and turtle hatching to sloth viewing. You will need different items for different areas of the country. Even if you visit Costa Rica during dry season, there will still be a chance of rain. So, this list works for both rainy season and dry season. Whether traveling with just adults, or visiting Costa Rica with kids your packing lists will be similar.

Insider Tip: Spend time both in the rainforest such as the Arenal/ La Fortuna area , and at one of the many beautiful Costa Rican beaches .

Top Costa Rica Packing Tips

Shoes for costa rica.

In the rain forest you will want hiking shoes , rain boots or some other form of sturdy close toed shoes. This will prevent you from hopping around like a kangaroo when you spot a tiny little dart frog, like one of our fellow sloth tour members did.

I also brought along my non-slip, quick drying water shoes that transition well between beach and streets. Of course, sandals or flip flops will also work for the beach.

Generally the dress code is casual. If you are in the city, you might want to pay more attention to how everyone else is dressed. But in the tourist areas, people seem to wear what is comfortable to them.

Keeping Dry in Costa Rica

Depending on where and time of year you travel in Costa Rica, you are likely to encounter rain. Be sure to pack quick dry clothing. Bring a lightweight rain jacket ! And, we recommend investing in a waterproof bag for camera equipment and anything else you need to keep dry. I purchased a 100% waterproof bag that came with a waterproof cell phone case.

What Else Do you Need for the Rain Forest?

Guided tours for animal watching will provide either a telescope or binoculars. But chances are that you may stay at a resort with animal watching right out of your hotel room. In hindsight, we would bring binoculars for the kids.

Insider Tip: Be sure to include Arenal and La Fortuna on your Costa Rica itinerary. It is the ultimate animal viewing destination.

Light is Limited and Power can be Finicky

Light is limited at night everywhere in Costa Rica. While the flashlight on your phone may work, a more powerful flashlight or headlamp will be your best friend. During our first stay on Playa Potrero , our power went out one night. We were lucky to have some friendly expat neighbors who brought us candles and other lights on our first visit. Since we’ve always packed headlamps which are fun for the kids too.

Bug Spray, Sunscreen and Medicines

You will also want to bring powerful Mosquito repellent and sunscreen as these products are limited in Costa Rica and are more expensive. Tap water is safe to drink in all but the most rural areas of Costa Rica. But we still brought along Imodium and Pepto Bismol just in case. We were glad to not need it. It also never hurts to have some Benedryl with you if anyone in your families has allergies.

All of these items can be purchased in Costa Rica, but at a premium. Also bug spray, in particular, is essential. We went through a couple of bottles and wanted a strong variety.

Women will also want to make sure to bring their feminine hygiene products as you likely won’t be able to find your favorite brands, and again it will be available at a premium.

If you travel with kids, you know that their preferred pain medication may be one of the most important items you pack. Our youngest will only take Children’s Tylenol Dissolve packets. So we don’t leave home without them.Phone and WiFi Service in Costa Rica.

Phone and WiFi Service in Costa Rica

If you have a cell phone that has been fully paid off and you are in good standing with your carrier they are required to unlock your phone with a couple of exceptions. If you bring an unlocked phone, you can purchase a SIM card at a Walmart or local Merkado in Costa Rica. Activate that service and pre-pay for minutes.

In addition, now that the new iPhones offer dual eSim, you can just sign up for a second eSim online without having to purchase a physical card. But you do still have to have an unlocked phone to use this feature.

If you don’t have access to an unlocked cell phone you can still put your phone on Airplane Mode and access WiFi to use most features other than calling.

And, some car rental place will also rent or even include a local cell phone or WiFi modem.

There are plenty of options.

Maps for Costa Rica

One of our top tips for traveling in Costa Rica if you rent a car, and don’t have data through your cell phone is to also rent portable WiFi. With this we were able to run both Google Maps and Wazee off of two different cell phone. Wazee is more accurate. But both were wrong at different times, so by using both you will likely be able to find your destination. You will not pack this, but rather rent it from the car rental company. But it was a life saver. And, when the power went out in our condo, our portable WiFi still worked.

But we did also purchase and pack a waterproof map, just in case.

Insider Tip: For an upscale luxury beach town experience, be sure to check out Las Catalinas, even if just on a day trip. It is a cute walking town with a beautiful beach, delicious restaurants and even upscale shopping.

Most Unique Item Packed

Our last trip to Costa Rica was to Las Catalinas which is a beach town know for paddle boarding. As we flew Southwest where bags fly free, I actually packed my inflatable SUP and brought it along. I was so happy to have been able to just head out on it whenever I had some down time. Of course, staying on one place for the week was key. I wouldn’t have brought it along had we been traveling around the country.

Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List

If you stay in a villa or rental with a washer and dryer, I’d recommend not over packing. Bring the essentials. But don’t be afraid to do a load or two of laundry.

• Cash, Cards and ID
• Cell Phone (unlocked)
• Hiking Shoes
• Rain Jacket
• Fast Dry Clothing
• Beach Essentials
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Chargers & Power Banks
• Flashlights or Headlamps
• Waterproof Bag
• Waterproof Cell Phone Case
• Undergarments
• Toiletries including feminine hygiene products for women
• Bug Repellent
• Imodium, Pepto Bismol, Pain Reliever

Download our printable Costa Rica packing list PDF here!

Let us know in the comments below if this printable packing list is helpful!

Download printable Costa Rica packing list in PDF format HERE!

The post Costa Rica Packing List for Families appeared first on Insider Families .

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6 Southern Zip Codes That are Just as Cheap as Mexico, Portugal and Costa Rica

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If you have friends or family who have been looking for places like Mexico or Costa Rica to find affordable housing outside the United States, you’re not alone. They may even have inspired you to look at similar locations for a possible move to find a cheaper place to live.

Before you settle on a place like Mexico, Portugal or Costa Rica, here are six Southern ZIP codes where you can find equally cheap housing options.

To find out which ZIP codes have homes for less than $100,000, GOBankingRates isolated the 50 largest Southern ZIP codes that had 2024 home values fitting the criteria. Keep in mind you may be able to find even better deals by searching in the ZIP code of your choice.

1. 39209 (Jackson, MS)

If you’re looking for a fun Southern city with affordable housing, you might want to explore Jackson. The 2024 home value here is about $64,000, according to Zillow .

Jackson, the state’s capital and largest city, has been described as having a soulful atmosphere filled with museums, restaurants, and an exciting nightlife scene.

2. 71109 (Shreveport, LA)

You may know Shreveport has great food – but this Louisiana city has much more to offer. The 2024 home value in Shreveport is about $39,000, according to Realtor.com .

Not only will you find affordable housing and great restaurants in Shreveport, you’ll find a welcoming city full of Southern charm. According to ApartmentGuide , “Welcome to the charming city of Shreveport, where Southern hospitality meets vibrant culture and rich history.”

3. 71202 (Monroe, LA)

Another place to check out Louisiana for cheaper living is Monroe. According to Explore Louisiana, Monroe is full of Bayou charm and cultural delights.

How affordable is Monroe? According to Payscale , housing expenses are about 27% lower than the national average, utility prices are around 17% lower and gas prices are about 15% lower than the national average.

4. 38106 (Memphis, TN)

Who wouldn’t want to live in the birthplace of the Blues? Not only will you find Southern Charm in Memphis, but you’ll find affordable living and nice neighborhoods.

Memphis offers a dense suburban feel with lots of parks. As you might expect, the city is home to lots of families and young professionals.

5. 31903 (Columbus, GA)

According to Explore Georgia , “Set along the Chattahoochee River on the border with Alabama, Columbus has become a popular spot for outdoor lovers with the longest urban whitewater course in the world and a zip line across the river.” If outdoor events aren’t quite your thing, Columbus has a thriving downtown.

According to the GOBankingRates analysis, the 2024 home value in Columbus is about $61,000. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable cities in the state.

6. 40212 (Louisville, KY)

The home of the Kentucky Derby and good Southern cuisine may be a place to check out for affordable living. The 2024 home value in Louisville is about $79,000, according to Zillow .

In addition to racing, Louisville has a vibrant arts and culture scene. According to Rent , “The city is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with tight-knit neighborhoods and a strong spirit of volunteerism.”

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