A Costa Rica family vacation is a dream for everyone because this is like a huge adventure park, with volcanoes, wildlife, and fantastic cultural experiences for all ages.
Someone once said that the reason we travel is to find the inner child awe in us… Is there a better place to do that than Costa Rica? A place where the whole family goes back to its roots and simply enjoys the fun of being alive, carefree, and easygoing in the midst of an exuberant nature that says “Yes!” to all of it!
Now, in order to really let yourself unplug from stress and get into the family vacation in Costa Rica fully, you must cover all corners that can cause you unneeded anxieties.
And the first thing to consider is that there are different families, as there are different people in the world.
Probably the first question that pops up is: Who is coming on the family trip to Costa Rica?
Is it mom, dad, and small children?
Or maybe teenagers and children?
Maybe the grandparents are the ones organizing the whole trip and three generations are coming, or perhaps it is just you and your kid.
Whatever the case, we are analyzing each, with its perks, its downsides, the best places for a family trip in Costa Rica, and what is appropriate for the different ages.
What do you need to know about while planning your Costa Rica family trip?
There are so many facts we don’t know about! When traveling abroad with children, you don’t want surprises. You can find answers for your questions, but there are some things that are as important but you don’t know about.
For instance, we can talk about the temperature of hot springs and how it affects people with high blood pressure, or, for instance, do you know which are authentic wildlife rescue centers and which are the non-as-good sort of zoos?
But then this takes me to a third question: Are you planning this on your own or using a travel agency?
You may think that I want to sell my services to you, and of course I do, but that is not the primary reason to tell you: Use a travel agent. A real one, certified, local, and with authentic experts that will support you all the way from the planning to the wrapping up.
A travel agent will not only make your life easier but also know where the best places are for your kids, the age limits for the tours, the areas where you can find a pharmacy, and will get you an excellent bilingual pediatrician if it comes handy.
I am not a travel agent, but I can point you to the best for support and guidance to design a fantastic Costa Rica family vacation.
The itinerary:
The itinerary for your Costa Rica family vacation must be focused more on the children than on the parents. Mainly because, as any parent knows, the vacation can turn into hell for everyone if the routes are too long or too bumpy (or both!), if someone in the family gets sick when driving on winding roads, or if the destinations you choose cannot give you a special diet or activities that can entertain your kid.
For a seven- to ten-day itinerary, it is much better to choose from one to three destinations. Staying more than two and, if possible, three nights in each place will make your driving time considerably less, and you will hear fewer times the classical “Are we there yet?”
So, where are the best places for a Costa Rica family vacation?
All of Costa Rica is great for a vacation with children or teens; however, is your family prepared for some of these places?
How does your family handle heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and unknown food?
It is important to find destinations that won’t create conflict just by being there.
For instance, for a family who is totally used to nature and loves the wilderness and all that it includes, repellent and sunscreen will solve some of the issues, and that will be enough for the whole family to enjoy.
However, if you think that the kids won’t eat the coconut-cooked rice and beans (Caribbean style), take them to places and hotels where you can find both traditional Costa Rican food and pizza, hamburgers, or hot dogs.
All Inclusive Resorts
Probably one of the best ideas to please everyone and have a vacation yourself is to go to an all-inclusive beach resort. These wonderful places where there are tons of food, drinks, ice cream, and sodas, great swimming pools, and where kids can go for scavenger hunts and other great games.
However, yes, some of you reading might already be thinking? Why travel all the way to the adventure and nature hub of the Americas to get locked in a hotel that won’t really let the children know that they are in a foreign country?
So, let’s say you are not into an all-inclusive resort—at least not for the whole trip.
Then think about a combination of destinations that will have some wilderness with great rainforest lodges—the sort of places where toucans are easy to spot and monkeys wake you up howling every morning. And then, a beach hotel where to relax on a hammock while the kids are well taken care of and are having fun.
Now… What if your answer to this is: I want the children to see nature, experience watching free wildlife, and live great adventures like rafting or ziplining?
Then, definitely, you should ask your travel agent about the different destinations given your family characteristics.
Babysitter or not?
If the kids are under five, yes indeed!
Either you bring your own babysitter to watch after the children while hiking on a night tour or rafting on a Class IV amazing river. Or, you can ask your travel agent to get someone for you either for the whole trip or in each of the places.
Pure Nature Destinations in Costa Rica
Some of these locations would be: Tortuguero, Corcovado, Dominical, Cahuita, Punta Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Sarapiqui, Rincon de la Vieja, Rio Celeste, Bijagua, Santa Teresa, and Golfo Dulce.
Probably the best to experience Costa Rica, and if your family is into real raw nature, this is it!
However, some of the most amazing nature realms of the country are precisely that because they are quite remote. Places where you won’t easily find pizza, hot dogs, or burgers in the corner, and most likely are hot and humid.
So, if even though you think this sort of place is great for your family to see, think about flying throughout the whole trip.
Getting to the SJO airport and taking a local flight that will take you to and from (as well as between) these magnificent places will grant you a more intense nature experience and less “Are we there yet” annoyance time.
A word on Costa Rican food
Costa Rican classical food is based on vegetables, rice, beans, and different types of meat. It’s super tasty and the ingredients are very fresh, but in some places this is the only choice there is. If your kids have allergies or intolerances, is important to consider this point also.
You can also check the Tortuguero vs. Corcovado post here.
Costa Rica Family Vacation for the Different Ages:
From babies to 5 years old in remote rainforest lodges:
Not a great idea unless you bring a babysitter with you to watch after them while you are hiking in the forest or kayaking in the canals.
For small children, the heat can be exhausting, the long driving and boat hours to get to any of them, the mosquitoes and humidity will grant that the children will become annoyed and annoying.
5 to 18+
Oh yes! If they are into nature, they will enjoy it! Very much indeed!
Nevertheless, consider flying to these distant locations; not even the most passionate kid will enjoy a trip that can last five hours.
Please also remember these are not places to let the children play in the gardens of the lodge without supervision; from ants to snakes, all kids have to be watched after, and it is much better if they have things to play with in the rooms or common areas of the lodges.
More touristic areas:
These would be: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Herradura, and some of the Guanacaste beaches like Tamarindo or Papagayo Gulf (with their breathtaking resorts and extraordinary rental variety).
In every single country, you will find the classic places no one wants to miss. The Eiffel Tower, the Niagara Falls, or the pyramids. In Costa Rica, these places are a few and very well known and popular to go with children.
They all offer great accommodations, fantastic restaurants with great sorts of different options, and are not isolated in mostly all cases. Plus, the array of activities is almost infinite in all of them.
These destinations are great for all ages, and you will find babysitters in the hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs.
You can find a complete series and a podcast about these destinations here
These areas might not look as adventurous or as immersed in nature as the others, although some of them are. In Costa Rica, conservation is not an idea; it is a lifestyle, and even in the most touristic of places, you will find it all over the place.
But of course, you will also find, at times, loud music or noisy large groups in bulky and also noisy buses.
Conclusion
Planning a family vacation to Costa Rica is a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and create unforgettable memories together. From exploring lush rainforests to relaxing on pristine beaches, this country has something for every family member. Don’t let the planning become a burden; a local travel agent can help make your experience much more enjoyable and stress-free.
If you’re ready to start planning your family adventure in Costa Rica, feel free to send me a note or fill out the form below. Your dream trip awaits!
