Traveling to Costa Rica with kids! Sounds wonderful, but maybe you have some questions. Allow us to give you some practical advice on how to best approach planning your trip and what to do once you are here. Pura Vida!
Knowing the roads can be a challenge and children won’t have the patience for long and bumpy rides on the bus, we recommend either renting a car or private transfers. We can provide private transfers throughout your entire trip and ensure a faster and more efficient connection between destinations. You can also opt for renting a car and we can inform you about the most trusted and best agencies to use. Before you do, however, make sure to check out our article on driving in Costa Rica so you know what to expect on the road!
The good thing about Costa Rica is that even a short list of destinations can include every desired activity on the list. In Arenal National Park and La Fortuna, for example, you can go rafting, hiking, waterfall rappelling, canyoning, horseback riding, go kayaking on Lake Arenal, take a canopy tour and amazing zip line, … But you can also soak in the natural hot springs and swim in the La Fortuna Waterfall. Similar adventures can be had in Rincon de la Vieja National Park and here it is also geographically more interesting to visit a beach in the process.
If you and your family are looking for a more varied vacation and want to add some wildlife spotting and a cool hike to the mix? Don’t be afraid of rainy season! Although there is no guarantee how the weather will behave, most showers tend to be in the afternoon, leaving the morning for family activities. So this time of the year is perfect if you plan on combing exciting nature excursions with a great resort of hotel that offers on-site activities for you and your kids. That way you won’t get bored even when it rains! The prices will also go down considerably during the so called wet season and there will be far less crowds. But the biggest perk? Rainy season is when nature truly comes alive!
In order to make the experience all the more special for you and your family, we have various contacts in touring agencies and all of our guides are trained and licensed. Every agency will have its own focus and speciality and we will make sure to select the ones that will meet your family’s needs best and even make sure that no member of the family will feel left out. Do you really want to do a ziplining tour and want your 5 year old to enjoy it as well? No problem. We can put you in touch with agencies that provide tandem rides so you can soar above the forest canopy together! We can tell you about the best beaches for your child’s first surfing lesson and where you will be almost sure to spot a sloth!
Your trip to Costa Rica will not be complete without including some of the most iconic natural destinations on the list. But which ones are right for your family? Here are our top picks for Costa Rica Nature vacations for the whole family!
Explore the fascinating ecosystem of the cloud forest with your family! This is where you can see nature and its passionate desire to grow as well as spot wildlife. You can take a self-guided tour or hire a guide to help you sport the birds, sloths and monkeys. Here you can also take the longest zip-line tour in Latin America (complete with Tarzan swing) and even visit a coffee plantation. The butterfly garden just by the entrance to Monteverde makes for guaranteed sightings of these fast but gorgeous little birds.
Arenal and Rincon de la Vieja have it all… Beauty, adventure, relaxation and an active volcano! Both parks are famous for having amazing adventure tours but also offer natural hot springs for some much-needed relaxation after all the excitement. Both destinations are also a great place for a horseback riding tour with the entire family. You will get a chance to spot many birds and monkeys like the howler monkeys in the area. In Rincon de la Vieja you can follow the many trails heading to the waterfalls where you can hop off for a refreshing dip in the water.
Are you traveling with very young children and are you concerned about rough waters or rip tides? Then the Gulf of Papagayo is the place to be! Playa Panama especially feels like you are stepping into a big pool. This is the perfect place for super safe waters as well as those favoring an all-inclusive vacation!
Offering one of the most gorgeous beaches in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is also a treat for the children who wants to spot all the colorful birds and other creatures this country is known for. Make sure to arrive there early though! It can get very crowded. Manuel Antonio is also a great place for the family out for adventure with rafting trips, zip lines and even surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
We shouldn’t forget about the Caribbean Coast! Tortuguero is one of those magical and slightly remote places in the country. Rather than hiking, you will take a boat tour through the canals and see crocodiles, caimans, many species of birds, monkeys, and of course turtles. The perfect place with a rough around the edges kind of charm and full of life!
A trip to a new country is not complete without introducing your kids to a new culture in the hope their own lives will be richer because of it. Let us tell you about the best ways to enjoy Costa Rican culture with your family and turn your children into aware and wise travelers!
For breakfast, why not all enjoy a Gallo Pinto, a delicious mix of rice, beans and spices served with eggs, cheese, vegetables, whatever you like. For lunch, a Casado is the most traditional dish to savor. Rice and beans are served separately with a salad and meat or fish.
A trip to the farmer’s market can teach you and your kids all about Costa Rican fruits and vegetables. The fruits especially are varied and delicious and can be enjoyed fresh or as a juice during lunch.
One of the best beaches for kids on the Nicoya Peninsula is Playa Samara and the neighboring Playa Carrillo. Samara is colorful and vibrant while Carrillo is peaceful and calm.
This can easily be combined with a family nature vacation in the sense that you can volunteer in natural parks and rescue centers. Visit Tortuguero and learn all about the sea turtles or go to Kids Saving the Rainforest and teach your children the value of reforestation and the environment. Read our article on volunteer vacations for families and learn all about it – from tips for younger as well as older kids!
Visit Costa Rica for a large variety in nature as well as culture!
Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? It is a lot safer when you are properly prepared. We have a safety article on which we expand on natural safety as well as some practical tips to ensure you are ready to go! But be assured that Costa Rica is the safest travel destination in Central America – and also the most beautiful!
Are you getting excited about your Costa Rica vacation? Let us help you devise the perfect family itinerary! From the pristine beaches to the lush jungle and the metropolitan city to the small harbors, we can advise you on everything you need to know about Costa Rica travel!
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