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Two Weeks in Costa Rica
Travel and Moving Blog
Costa Rica with Kids: Your Family Travel Hub
Traveling to Costa Rica with kids? You’ve landed in the right place. Welcome to our Costa Rica with Kids Travel Hub. Here, you’ll find tons of information to help you plan and make family memories to last a lifetime.
We’ve been living in Costa Rica since 2013 and have two kids that travel and explore with us everywhere we go. We also do Costa Rica family vacation planning through our travel agency. We hope this guide will help you get off to a great start!
Why Costa Rica Is Perfect for Family Vacations
Overview
So what makes Costa Rica such a great destination for families? It really comes down to the incredible wildlife and beautiful tropical environment. Plus there are some key practical advantages that make traveling here with kids easier.
Costa Rica is home to nearly 250 kinds of mammals and over 800 bird species—and the country is only about the size of West Virginia! Because of this incredible biodiversity, your family is likely to see some amazing wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and toucans.
The country’s year-round tropical climate means you’ll spend most of your time outdoors. You’ll get to explore lush rainforests, discover cool plants and colorful butterflies, and experience different ecosystems all in one trip. One day you might be hiking through humid jungle, and the next you could be in the cool, misty cloud forest.
But beyond all the amazing nature experiences, we’ve found that Costa Rica works so well for families for three main reasons: the culture, ease of travel, and safety.
The Culture
One of the main reasons that Costa Rica is such a family-friendly destination is the culture.
Costa Ricans absolutely love kids, and family life here is paramount. Sundays are devoted to family time; head to any beach and you’ll see multi-generational families barbecuing and playing soccer together.
Family is embedded in the culture so it only makes sense that it is a great place to bring kids. This is one of the main reasons we moved here to start our family.
Ticos (the nickname for locals) are also generally very warm and helpful. They will go out of their way to lend a hand or make an experience that much better.
Ease of Travel
Another big reason that Costa Rica is perfect for families is that the country is set up for tourism. Costa Rica’s tourism industry is well-developed, making trip planning straightforward. You’ll easily find family-friendly hotels, activities, and transportation.
- Hotels are well-equipped for kids, often providing portable cribs for babies and practical bed configurations for older kids. If you’re thinking of visiting with your baby, be sure to read our post, Traveling with a Baby in Costa Rica, for more on what to expect.
- The food in Costa Rica is very kid-friendly overall. Many restaurants, especially in tourism destinations, have kids’ menus for picky eaters.
- For getting around, rental car agencies offer car seats for younger kids, and transportation companies provide them by law as well.
- You’ll also find that English is widely spoken in tourist areas, making communication easy.
Just because tourism is established doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on authentic cultural experiences. The locals take great pride in their country and love sharing their customs and traditions. Even if your guide speaks fluent English, they’ll still teach you about Costa Rica’s way of life and let you practice your Spanish if you want.
🔖Resource: For more information about eating at restaurants, drinking water safety, and other practical tips, read our post, 21 Local Tips for Traveling to Costa Rica with Kids.
It’s Safe
Since Costa Rica is located in Central America, some families wonder what to expect when it comes to safety. Costa Rica is indeed very safe for family travel. It’s considered one of the safest countries in the region, with a stable democracy and no army.
The vast majority of crime is petty theft that you can avoid with basic precautions like not leaving anything inside your rental car or valuables unattended at the beach. For detailed safety information, check out our Safety Tips post.
Family-Friendly Destinations in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has so many amazing places to visit, but some destinations are particularly good for families. These spots have the best combination of kid-friendly activities, family accommodations, and easy accessibility.
Family Destinations Map
Use our Family Destinations Map to see each town’s location and link to our full destination guide. Tip: Click on the top left to open the map’s key.
La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano
The towering, cone-shaped Arenal Volcano is always a big hit with kids, making this a must-visit destination. Beyond the spectacular volcano backdrop, La Fortuna offers the most family activities of any destination in Costa Rica.
There’s plenty to choose from: hanging bridges through the rainforest canopy, zip lining above the treetops, rappelling down massive waterfalls, hiking old lava flows, easy rainforest walks, river float trips, and sloth tours. The thermal hot springs are a big highlight in Arenal. You can stay at one of the resorts or just get a day pass.
The town of La Fortuna itself also works well for families. Hotels range from luxury resorts and boutique hotels with volcano views to quaint family-owned cabins and farm stays. You also can find just about any type of cuisine in La Fortuna’s many restaurants.
Read our full destination guide, La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination, for more information.
Manuel Antonio
This rainforest-meets-beach destination is perfect for families because everything is close by, and the wildlife viewing is unmatched.
Manuel Antonio’s main road is lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops—basically everything families need. But what makes the town special is that there’s still plenty of thick rainforest all around. This allows you to easily spot wildlife like white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, and Scarlet Macaw parrots.
For activities, the famous national park has easy hiking trails that are perfect for kids. The town’s beaches are great for swimming and relaxation. Families also love catamaran cruises, mangrove boat tours to see wildlife, zip lining, and visiting the Kids Saving the Rainforest wildlife sanctuary.
Since Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, it offers a variety of restaurant and hotel choices. Although you won’t find any all-inclusive resorts, there are several upscale hotels with resort amenities and beautiful ocean or jungle views. Manuel Antonio also has many options for vacation rentals and more budget-friendly hotels.
Read our post, Manuel Antonio Trip Planning, for additional details.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Located in the high elevation mountains, Monteverde offers a completely different environment from Costa Rica’s beaches and rainforests. This cool, misty cloud forest (around 70°F year-round) creates a magical atmosphere where trees are covered in moss and plants grow in layers.
Originally founded by Quakers, Monteverde is Costa Rica’s premier ecotourism destination. The area is perfect for families looking to learn about and experience nature.
Some of the many family-friendly things to do include cloud forest hikes, hanging bridges, night walks to see wildlife, and wildlife exhibits to see things like sloths, butterflies, and bats. Family-oriented coffee and chocolate tours are also available.
Hotels in Monteverde are more rustic and lodge-style, but you can still find many high-end options if you’re looking for a bit of luxury in the cloud forest.
Read our post, Monteverde: A Forest in the Clouds, for more information.
Guanacaste Beaches
The northern Pacific coast (also called Guanacaste) has Costa Rica’s most family-friendly beaches and good amenities to match. What’s different about this region is its many coves with calmer water and golden sand.
Here are a few of our favorite beach towns in Guanacaste for families.
Samara
Samara is our top pick for most families visiting Guanacaste. Its protected bay is great for swimming with kids. Plus, it has a walkable downtown right along the beach that is just the right size.
Even though Samara Beach is a small town, it still has plenty of restaurants and amenities. Hotels here tend toward budget and mid-range but there are some higher-end vacation rentals as well.
Read our post, Samara: Guanacaste’s Most Overlooked Beach Town.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a lively surf town that’s buzzing both day and night. It offers both beach fun and easy amenities. Kids can learn to surf on the beginner-friendly waves. Another popular family activity is catamaran cruises up the scenic coastline.
With everything from beachside cafes to upscale dining, plus hotels ranging from beachfront resorts to budget hostels, Tamarindo has something for every family. Read our post, Tamarindo: Where Paradise Meets Convenience, for more details.
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet beach escape. The small town is set along a pretty, light sand beach with great swimming. Playa Hermosa has a decent selection of restaurants right in town.
For those looking for more to do, Playas del Coco is just a short drive away and offers more dining and activities.
Read our post, Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste): Costa Rica’s Northern Beauty, for more information.
For some additional kid-friendly beach destinations, read our post, Best Beaches for Families in Costa Rica.
Trip Planning Basics
When thinking about destinations, it’s always a good idea to keep airports in mind. Choosing the right one can prevent hours of unnecessary driving with kids. Costa Rica is small but mountainous terrain and challenging roads can make drives longer than expected.
Choosing the Right Airport
Costa Rica has two international airports. Here’s how to choose between them.
San Jose Airport (SJO)
SJO in Alajuela is centrally located and provides easy access to the central Pacific coast, southern Pacific coast, and Caribbean coast. This includes Pacific coast destinations like Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita. For the Caribbean coast, SJO is the closest international airport to Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
SJO is also only about 2-3 hours from the popular destinations of La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest, making it a good all-around airport.
Guanacaste Airport (LIR)
LIR is much closer to beach destinations in Guanacaste along the northern Pacific coast. These include Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Playa Hermosa, Nosara, and Samara.
La Fortuna and Monteverde are also about 2-3 hours from Liberia.
Arrival Day Planning
Most flights arrive into Costa Rica in the early afternoon. With kids, especially younger ones, it’s often easier to stay overnight near the airport before setting off.
If you’d prefer to drive to your first destination the same day, this is totally possible with some careful planning.
Destinations that are reasonably close to San Jose include La Fortuna (2.5 hours), Monteverde (3 hours), Jaco (1.5 hours), and Manuel Antonio (2.5 hours). From Liberia, beach towns like Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal, Playa Hermosa, and Playas del Coco are just 30 minutes to 1 hour away.
Important: We don’t recommend driving long distances between destinations after dark. Remember that the sun sets around 6 p.m. year-round in Costa Rica. You’ll want your flight to arrive early enough to avoid driving in the dark. It typically takes about 1-1.5 hours to get through the airport. If you’re renting a car, allow additional time as all rental agencies are offsite.
When to Visit Costa Rica
Family trips to Costa Rica usually coincide with school vacations. Here are the most popular months:
- December to January: The winter holiday break is the most popular for family travel, especially right around Christmas. Some families even come to celebrate Christmas and New Years in Costa Rica. Hotels and restaurants will often do something special for the holidays, which makes it fun! This is the dry season for much of the country so the weather is usually near-perfect.
- March/April: Spring break is another busy time for family travel. Keep in mind that some beaches can get crowded during Easter Week (Semana Santa). Prices for hotels will be higher that week too. March and April are dry and hot, perfect for a shady jungle trail or dip in the ocean.
- June to August: Summer break is a fun time to visit Costa Rica. These months are during Costa Rica’s rainy season, but most rain happens in the late afternoon, after you’ve enjoyed your activities or the beach. Waterfalls and rivers are flowing and everything is lush and green this time of year. We’ve helped a lot of parents plan graduation trips to Costa Rica for their older kids too.
*For a more complete breakdown of the weather throughout the year, see our Weather Guide.
Things to Do in Costa Rica with Kids
This is the fun part! Your kids will not be bored on a family trip to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a natural playground with diverse environments all within one small country. Your kids can experience rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forests, and beaches during a single vacation.
Wildlife viewing is one of Costa Rica’s highlights, and you’ll have many opportunities to spot animals. Monkeys are commonly seen around hotels and on trails, colorful birds are abundant, and sloths can often be found with a little patience. Nature is very accessible here, with many options for well-maintained trails and easy hikes.
Top Family Activities in Costa Rica Include:
🐒 Wildlife Viewing & Nature Hikes: Spot monkeys, sloths, toucans, and frogs at one of the country’s many national parks or on night tours.
🚣 Safari Floats & Boat Tours: Float along gentle rivers to see wildlife from a unique perspective.
🌿 Hanging Bridges: Walk through the rainforest canopy on suspension bridges for amazing views and wildlife spotting.
🚠 Zip Lining: Fly through the treetops on thrilling zip line tours with spectacular views.
♨️ Hot Springs: Relax in natural thermal pools heated by volcanic activity. This is especially popular in the La Fortuna/Arenal area.
🦥 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Get up close to rescued animals at rehabilitation centers. These are perfect for guaranteed wildlife viewing with kids.
🏄♂️ Beaches & Surf Lessons: Swim, body surf, or take surf lessons (our kids started surfing around age 5!)
💦 Waterfall Visits: Cool off in natural swimming holes at some of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.
☕ Chocolate & Coffee Tours: Learn how chocolate and coffee are made (with tastings). We started doing these tours when our kids were toddlers. They’re very hands-on.
🐸 Night Tours: See frogs and other nocturnal animals that come out after dark.
Adventurous families won’t want to miss high-adrenalin activities like waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, and Tarzan swings.
Family Activity Guide
🔖For detailed activity recommendations by category and age group, read our comprehensive post, Things to Do in Costa Rica with Kids.
Family-Friendly Itineraries
We’ve helped plan countless trips to Costa Rica for families. Here are some sample itineraries to help get you started:
Costa Rica with Kids: A 10-Day Itinerary – This family-specific itinerary takes you to the Arenal Volcano region first for some adventure and nature. Then it’s off to one of several beach towns in Guanacaste. Kids love the mix of jungle and beach. And the coast is perfect for some parent relaxation toward the end of the trip!
Costa Rica: Your One-Week Itinerary – This is another kid-friendly itinerary that also visits La Fortuna/Arenal but heads to Manuel Antonio instead of Guanacaste. There’s a lot more jungle and wildlife in Manuel Antonio than Guanacaste so this works well for those animal lovers in your family.
2 Costa Rica Itineraries That Limit Driving – If anyone in your family gets car sick or can’t ride for too long, these two itinerary options are for you. In this article, we give options for one trip in and out of San Jose Airport and another from Liberia Airport.
10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Jungle Hopping, Beaches & Waterfalls – If you have older kids or teens that want a little more adventure, try this jungle-hopping itinerary. It takes the one-week itinerary above and adds a more remote location with cool waterfalls at the end.
Costa Rica Hotels for Families
Overview
Once you have your destinations selected, it’s time to choose accommodations. Costa Rica has everything from all-inclusive resorts and luxury tent camps to remote adventure lodges, eco-lodges, and farm stays.
Vacation rentals are also fantastic for families wanting a kitchen, separate bedrooms, and room to spread out. Costa Rica has tons of Airbnb and VRBO options in most destinations. These work well for longer stays. We often choose them when traveling with our own family. You can do laundry, cook some meals in, and have more space for both kids and adults.
What to Expect at Hotels
Most hotels include a delicious breakfast (a huge plus!) and have family-friendly room configurations. Lots have pools, which is great with kids. Just know that connecting rooms are uncommon. You’ll also find showers rather than bathtubs in most places.
Many families love mixing hotels (for the convenience) with vacation rentals (for the extra space and cooking), especially on longer trips.
🔖For detailed hotel recommendations by region and budget, read our comprehensive guide, Best Hotels in Costa Rica for Families.
🔖For vacation rental safety tips and what to expect, see our post, Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica: Safety and What to Look For.
Getting Around Costa Rica with Kids
Another factor that can overwhelm parents is transportation. Fortunately, there are several options.
Renting a Car
Renting a car is easy and what we recommend for most families traveling to Costa Rica (as long as they’re comfortable driving).
Rental cars are often more affordable than shuttles for a family of four and give you the flexibility to stop and go as you please. That means you can make quick stops to let the kids run around and stretch their legs to break up those longer drives.
Here are some helpful posts with more information about driving:
If you plan to rent a car, be sure to check out our Rental Car Discount through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable companies. Our readers get 10% off and free car seats for kids if you need them.
Shuttle Transfers
If you’d rather leave the driving up to the pros, shuttles transfers are a great option. They connect all major towns in Costa Rica and many smaller ones too. Private and shared shuttles are available.
For families, we recommend private shuttles because the cost is usually similar to a shared shuttle for multiple people. Plus, it’s a better service. With a private shuttle, you have the whole van to yourself and can stop along the way for a meal or break.
Learn more about taking shuttles in Costa Rica with our post, Shuttles in Costa Rica: How They Work and When to Use Them.
We book private shuttles all over Costa Rica and often hear feedback that the driver shared a lot of interesting things along the way. So there’s a cool cultural element too!
To see routes and pricing, head over to our Costa Rica Shuttle Transfers page.
🔖For more transportation information, including general pricing for rental cars and other modes of transport, read our full Transportation Guide.
Family Travel Resources & Help with Bookings
Ready to turn your Costa Rica family vacation plans into reality? We’re here to help! Our travel agency specializes in family trips to Costa Rica.
Rental Car Discount
Save 10% and get free car seats through our partnership with one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental companies.
Tour Bookings
Since 2016, we’ve been personally arranging tours and transportation for families visiting Costa Rica. We recently launched an online booking system that lets you reserve tours directly through our website at no extra cost.
From zip lining and wildlife tours to cultural experiences, we’ve done these activities with our own kids and know which operators work best for families.
🔖Browse Tours or learn more about our Travel Agency
Private Shuttle Transfers
Skip the driving and let us arrange comfortable door-to-door transportation between destinations or the airport. Our drivers often share fascinating local insights along the way.
Video Chat Service
Need personalized advice? Schedule a video call with us to discuss your family’s specific needs, get destination recommendations, and create a custom itinerary.
What Families Are Saying
“Family agrees this was the best trip ever. Arrangements were flawless and that is not an easy grade to attain in travel! We met wonderful people, the tours were all safe and fun and run by local people. Our kids had a fabulous time and the grownups did too. Two Weeks in Costa Rica is the only way to go if you come to visit this amazing country.”
-Linda T.
See More Reviews
Natalie
Verified CustomerWe had a fantastic day with our guide in Tenorio National Park. Our guide was incredible and hiked with us at our pace. My daughter is 7 and was able to keep up easily. We stopped at many points for photos and the river was a vibrant blue. We then traveled about 10 minutes by car for the cooking lesson. It was a blast learning how to cook casada and it was for sure our best meal so far. True authentic Costa Rican flavors. We sat down together and shared a meal after the preparation. Everyone was friendly and eager to teach us. I highly recommend this tour!
Verified review - view original
1 week ago
Anonymous
Verified CustomerThis was my daughters favorite tour while in Costa Rica! We were picked up directly at our hotel and taken to the adventure of a life time. One of the scariest most exciting things we did! The staff were exceptional and always made you feel safe!
Verified review - view original
1 month ago
Dmitry
Verified CustomerFor a whole week we've been trying to get a good look at howler monkey and this trip delivered in spades. The float is mostly calm, you see a ton of local wildlife, and I would recommend doing it in kayaks with older kids. Total strike out on sloth 6 and under stick to the inflatable.
The chocolate sampling in the end was a great highlight to the trip, and our kids could not stop talking/planing their own chocolate creations with the cocoa beans we bought.
Verified review - view original
2 months ago
Jennifer Derksen
Verified CustomerSpending the evening at EcoTermales was a hit with our 4 young adult/teenage kids. The pools are beautiful and so relaxing. We loved trying the various levels. It’s a great activity after a day of hiking! Dinner was good. It was nice to not have to make a decision about where to eat. They have nice bathrooms, changing rooms and provide lockers and towels. All of that just makes it easier to enjoy the pools.
Verified review - view original
2 months ago
Jennifer Derksen
Verified CustomerOur family of 6 had a great morning with Esteban! He was informative and knew where to find all the wildlife. Curi Cancha is beautiful and not over crowded. Having the recommendation from Two Weeks in Costa Rica and booking through them made it a seamless process.
Verified review - view original
2 months ago
Popular Family Tours
Not sure where to start? Here are some of the most popular tours for families visiting Costa Rica. View everything we offer on our Tours page.
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Manuel Antonio National Park (Group Tour)
Price: From: $53.00 +VAT Select options -
Isla Damas Boat or Kayak Tour – From Manuel Antonio
Price: From: $57.00 +VAT Select options -
Arenal Ecoglide Family-Friendly Zip Lining – From La Fortuna
Price: From: $50.00 +VAT Select options -
Safari Float on Penas Blancas River (Group Tour) – From La Fortuna
Price: From: $64.00 +VAT Select options