Costa Rica is no doubt a wonderful place to travel with kids. The culture itself is family oriented. Plus there are tons of things to do with children of all ages. But with all the choices, how do you know where to start?
We can help! We have lived in Costa Rica since 2013 and our two kids (now ages 9 and 6) were born here. Over the last decade, we’ve been figuring out the best family experiences through real trial and error.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give our tips on the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids. We also give our picks for the top family-friendly activities by age group.
Visit our Costa Rica with Kids hub for lots more information about family travel.
List of Things to Do in Costa Rica with Kids
Whether you’re planning your first Costa Rica family vacation or looking for new experiences, below you’ll find activities for all ages and interests. We break it down by category and have noted important details like age restrictions so that you can plan quickly and easily.
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Overview
Costa Rica is an amazing place for wildlife viewing—it’s usually the biggest highlight for families. Since the country is incredibly biodiverse, this should be no surprise.
In the lush tropical rainforests, misty cloud forests, volcano regions, and even steamy beaches, you can find exotic birds and animals. It’s not uncommon to see monkeys from your hotel room, sloths hanging from the trees on hikes, and colorful birds like toucans flying overhead.
Here are some of the many options for wildlife activities.
Hikes/Walks
With an impressive 30 national parks and many more reserves, Costa Rica is a prime destination for hiking. You’ll find options for all ages and fitness levels.
Some of these protected areas offer challenging treks through pristine jungle that are better for older kids. Others have well-maintained, flat trails that even young kids can handle.
A few of our favorite easy walks for families are:
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Ecocentro Danaus (La Fortuna)
- Cahuita National Park
For older kids or anyone wanting more of a challenge, we love:
- The pristine Corcovado National Park (Osa Peninsula)
- The lesser known Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve (Montezuma/Santa Teresa)
- Bajos del Toro (north of San Jose) for its epic waterfall hikes
Tip: For families with young children, we often recommend private tours for nature walks and wildlife viewing. Private guides can go at your family’s pace, spend extra time when kids get excited about spotting animals, and tailor the experience to your children’s interests.
Safari Float Tours
Safari floats and river boat tours are one of the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids.
These are nice because they break up all the walking tours and you can sneak up on animals hiding in the trees along the riverbank. A naturalist guide joins you to teach about what you’re seeing.
One of the best places for safari float tours is La Fortuna/Arenal. The gentle Penas Blancas River offers the chance to see howler and white-faced monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and many kinds of birds.
Tip: We help a lot of families with vacation planning through our travel agency. La Fortuna is usually our top recommendation for family trips to Costa Rica so be sure to include a stop here. It has so many things to do for kids of all ages. Check out our 19 Things to Do in La Fortuna post for more ideas.
In addition to La Fortuna, Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Tamarindo, and Dominical offer nature-by-boat experiences.
Minimum Ages: Safari float tours are either by raft or in a boat. Boat tours usually don’t have a minimum age so they’re good for babies and toddlers. Safari floats have age ratings of 3 and up. For young kids, the safari float in La Fortuna is a good option (minimum age is 3 as it has minimal rapids).
Cost: Around $55-65 for a half-day tour, $125 for a full-day tour with lunch. Discount for kids.
*Kids often get a discounted rate on tours. Read our post, 21 Local Tips for Traveling to Costa Rica with Kids for more information.
Free Booking Service
As parents living in Costa Rica, we know which tour companies are best with kids and can arrange all your family activities. We offer free tour bookings for wildlife tours, adventure activities, and cultural experiences throughout the country. Having done these tours with our own kids, we can recommend the perfect options for your family’s ages and interests. Tour prices have no additional markup and booking with us helps support this site.
View tours all around Costa Rica
Learn more about our travel agency
Beaches
Costa Rica’s beaches are another highlight for families. With two coastlines spanning 800 miles (1,290 kilometers), the country offers incredible variety along both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Which Side of Costa Rica is Better for Kids?
We usually recommend Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for families visiting for the first time. It’s safer and there are many kid-friendly activities and amenities. But we also love the Caribbean coast for its vibrant culture. Towns like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita on the southern Caribbean have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Beaches in Costa Rica range from scenic coves with calm water for swimming to long stretches of coastline with bigger waves for surfing. Here are a couple of our favorite beach areas for families.
Specific Family-Friendly Beach Towns
Manuel Antonio
One of the best beach towns in Costa Rica with kids is Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio is the perfect combination of beautiful beaches and tropical scenery with incredible wildlife viewing. You can spend the morning spotting monkeys and sloths in the national park, then head to the beach for swimming and playing in the sand.
The main beach (Playa Espadilla) is decent for swimming. There are also other beaches in town like Playa Biesanz with calm waves that are perfect for children. Read our Manuel Antonio Trip Planning post for more information.
Guanacaste
The Guanacaste region along the northern Pacific coast is another great spot for families. You’ll find calmer water near Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, and the Papagayo Peninsula. Beach hopping in this area is one of the best things to do in Guanacaste with kids.
A little south of those beaches is Samara, one of our top beach towns for families. The small town still has a local feel but plenty of amenities. And it is set right on a beautiful beach with surfing, boat tours, and nature tours.
Check out our post on the Best Beaches in Costa Rica with Kids for detailed recommendations. Our Costa Rica with Kids Itinerary also goes to beaches in Guanacaste.
Hanging Bridges
Hanging bridges are one of the most unique activities in Costa Rica. They offer amazing rainforest views and a bit of adventure that kids love.
These are safe and sturdy suspension bridges that work for all ages. They give families a chance to walk through the rainforest canopy and spot wildlife from a unique perspective.
It’s one of the few activities where you can experience the thrill of being high in the trees while still feeling completely secure, making it perfect for families with varying comfort levels for adventure.
The best destinations for hanging bridges in Costa Rica are La Fortuna/Arenal and Monteverde. In La Fortuna, you can get rainforest and volcano views (weather permitting) at Mistico Hanging Bridges and Sky Adventures. Monteverde has some of the longest bridges in the country and lovely cloud forest views. Our favorite hanging bridges in Monteverde are at Selvatura Park.
Check out this short video of our family’s visit to Selvatura
Recommended Age
Good for all ages
Hanging Bridges Cost
Entrance – $32-50. Guided Tour – $44-80. Discount for kids.
Zip Lining/Canopy Tours
Zip lining is one of Costa Rica’s signature adventures and creates memories that kids talk about for years.
Zip line tours range from long, fast cables high above the ground to shorter lines that still provide excitement without being overwhelming.
The best destinations for zip lining are La Fortuna and Monteverde.
Ecoglide is a great family-friendly zip line tour in La Fortuna. They have a practice line that gets kids comfortable and a dual cable, one for gliding and one for safety. See our Ecoglide post for more.
For more adrenalin-pumping zip line tours, there’s Treetopia and Selvatura Park in Monteverde and Sky Adventures in La Fortuna.
Minimum Age
Most zip line companies have age and weight restrictions. They vary but typically kids need to be 5+ years old. Young kids will sometimes go tandem with a guide, especially for longer zip lines. See the FAQs below for more specifics.
Zip line Cost
$50-93. Discount for kids.
Adventure Activities
For families wanting more thrills, Costa Rica has incredible adventure activities for kids.
Waterfall rappelling is especially good in La Fortuna because there is a company that specializes in it, Pure Trek. Their tour is good for ages 5+. We have booked it for families with adventurous five-year olds and they loved it! The guides are very experienced and prioritize safety.
Whitewater rafting is another thrilling adventure tour. We recently did family-friendly rafting in La Fortuna on the Balsa River. The minimum age is 8. Our son was 9 at the time. It has Class II-III rapids so is perfect with kids. The rapids were a little big the day we did it but our son felt safe and had fun!
The Savegre River in Manuel Antonio is another kid-friendly rafting tour. It’s rated ages 6+. Our post on the top things to do in Manuel Antonio has more details.
Canyoning and Whitewater Rafting Cost
Canyoning – $99. Rafting – $70-120
Chocolate, Coffee, and Farm Tours
Chocolate tours are always a hit with kids. But what surprises many people is that kids usually love coffee tours too.
We have done more than a dozen coffee/chocolate tours all around the country with our kids and they still love them. They’re usually very interactive and provide a fun cultural element as well.
One of the most memorable coffee tours our family has done was near Orosi, a small town in the mountains east of San Jose. This was a very small, family-run operation. Our kids loved exploring the farm, which was also their house. Tours like these can give kids a real glimpse into local life.
The main destinations for agricultural tours are La Fortuna and Monteverde, but you can find them in other places too. Our coffee and chocolate tours page has lots of options depending on where you’re visiting.
Regular farm tours are also fun with kids. Finca El Paraiso in Monteverde is a working organic farm where families can join in on daily activities like milking cows and collecting eggs.
Both our kids really enjoyed the Finca El Paraíso Farm tour and getting to interact with the animals—they still talk about it!
Recommended Age
Good for all ages
Coffee and Chocolate Tour Cost
$25-45. Discount for kids.
Hot Springs in La Fortuna/Arenal
Hot springs are perfect for families because they offer relaxation for parents and fun for kids all in one place.
The natural thermal pools in Arenal are therapeutic and the different temperature pools mean everyone can find their comfort zone. It’s also an activity that works well regardless of weather. Whether it’s sunny or raining, the hot springs are always enjoyable.
Families are welcome at most hot spring resorts, but some are especially family-friendly.
Baldi Hot Springs Resort in La Fortuna/Arenal is the best family-friendly thermal experience. It has areas for children, including play structures, shallow pools, and waterslides.
We have taken our kids to other resorts like Ecotermales and Tabacon, and they were good too. All these resorts know how to cater to families with changing areas and kid-friendly food at their restaurants.
Cost of Hot Springs Day Pass
$40-100. Discount for kids.
Waterfalls and Swimming Holes
Waterfalls are magical for kids. There’s something about the power and beauty of cascading water that captures their imagination.
Many waterfalls in Costa Rica have swimming areas at the base, which combine a hiking adventure with the reward of a refreshing swim or splash.
There are many options for waterfalls. Some are easy to get to (short walk in), while others require a multi-hour trek.
A couple of our favorite kid-friendly waterfalls in Costa Rica are the Uvita Waterfall (easy access) and Nauyaca Waterfall (can hike in, go by horseback, or ride in a truck). Our older son loved jumping in the river at the Uvita Waterfall—he must have done it a dozen times. These waterfalls are both in the Dominical/Uvita area, which is known for its abundant cascades.
The popular La Fortuna Waterfall is also great with kids. No hike is required; you just have to walk down around 500 or so well-maintained steps. You can swim in the waterfall as long as the current isn’t too strong, and there’s a calm river for younger kids.
Oropendola Waterfall and Llanos de Cortez in Guanacaste both have easy access. Llanos de Cortez has a nice sandy “beach area” and good swimming.
Recommended Age
Good for all ages
Waterfall Entrance Cost
$5-25. Discounts for kids sometimes available.
Night Tours
Night tours open up a completely different world that fascinates kids and adults alike. These tours start right at dusk (5:30 pm in Costa Rica) and let you explore the rainforest with a flashlight.
Kids who are interested in frogs and bugs especially love these tours, but even reluctant nature lovers often get excited when they start spotting creatures they never knew existed.
The guides are usually great at engaging kids and making the experience educational but still fun.
The best destinations in Costa Rica for night tours are La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. La Fortuna and Bijagua/Rio Celeste are especially good for frog night tours.
The remote Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula has an amazing night tour if you’re thinking of visiting this far-off nature destination.
Minimum Age
Night tours typically have a minimum age of 5. Five is a good age for this experience, depending on the kid. Some younger kids might get scared at night or bored.
Night Tour Cost
$45-60. Discount for kids.
Turtle Watching
Turtle watching tours are also done at night and are a great way to teach kids about marine conservation.
We have done these a couple of times. Most recently when our son was 7, we got to watch a green sea turtle lay her eggs on the beach in Tortuguero. It was one of those wildlife experiences that kids never forget.
Turtle watching tours are led by trained naturalists who help explain the nesting process and importance of protecting these amazing creatures. Tortuguero and Playa Ostional near Nosara are the best spots to see turtles.
Minimum Age
Varies but around 5 years old is the recommended minimum.
Turtle Watching Tour Cost
$30-80. Discount for kids.
Surf Lessons
If your kids are comfortable in the ocean, Costa Rica is a wonderful place to try surfing.
Surf schools are usually great with kids and help make sure they are safe and have fun. Our kids have done lessons several times. It’s one of their favorite things to do.
Often, surf schools will require private lessons for younger kids for safety reasons. When our youngest son (then age 6) did lessons in Jaco, the instructor rode on the back of his board until he was comfortable on his own.
Some good spots for surfing with kids in Costa Rica are Samara, Uvita, Jaco, and Tamarindo.
Minimum Age
Around 5. Kids should know how to swim. Private lessons are best for kids under 12.
Surf Lessons Cost
$50-80
Wildlife Exhibits & Sanctuaries
There are also many wildlife exhibits and wildlife rehabilitation centers all around the country that make it easier to see animals.
A notable spot is La Paz Waterfalls Gardens. La Paz, part of the Peace Lodge, is a wildlife sanctuary with several nice enclosures. Here, you can see animals like big cats, monkeys, and toucans. It also has some trails to waterfalls. Our La Paz post has more information.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest also has several kid-friendly attractions.
- The Hummingbird Gallery lets children watch hummingbirds feed just feet away. Cost: free.
- The Monteverde Butterfly Gardens has a few greenhouses with beautiful butterflies from the different microclimates in Costa Rica. Cost: $20 adults; $6-14 kids depending on age.
- The Bat Jungle is a fun quick stop where kids can learn about the important role of bats in the ecosystem. Cost: $12 pp.
Wildlife rehabilitation center tours are also great if your kids love animals. These help animals that have been injured or held as pets in the illegal pet trade.
Some excellent centers that our family has enjoyed are:
- Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo. Cost: $28 pp. Kids under 10 are free.
- Toucan Rescue Ranch in Heredia near San Jose. Cost: $37 adults; $19 kids 10 and under.
- Kids Saving the Rainforest in Manuel Antonio. Cost: $60 adults; $45 kids.
- Proyecto Asis near La Fortuna. Cost: $40 adults; $25 kids ages 5-9.
- Las Pumas Rescue Center in Guanacaste. Cost: $12 adults; $8 kids.
- Apami Wildlife Rescue Center near Tamarindo. Cost: $36 adults; $27 kids ages 3-11.
- Macaw Recovery Network in Punta Islita. Cost: $22 adults; $11 kids under 16.
- Ara Manzanillo near Puerto Viejo. Cost: $20 pp. Kids under 12 are free.
Unique Things to Do in Costa Rica with Kids
Dinosaur Parks
Surprisingly, Costa Rica has two dinosaur-themed parks. Dino Land in Bajos del Toro has life-sized dinosaur sculptures set in a lush mountain backdrop with hiking trails and waterfalls. It looks just like Jurassic Park!
Blue River Resort in Guanacaste also has a dinosaur park along with other family activities like horseback riding and river tubing.
Dinosaur Park Cost
$12-25. Discount for kids.
Crocodile Tours
Near Jaco at the Tarcoles River Bridge, families can take organized crocodile boat tours. These are short (less than two hours) and good for all ages.
Another option is to just stop at the bridge to see the massive crocodiles basking below. The crocodile bridge is free and provides easy wildlife viewing without a tour.
Minimum Age
None, good for all ages
Crocodile Tour Cost
Around $30. Discount for kids.
Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum (Museo de los Niños) is one of the best things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica with kids. The huge museum is housed in a beautifully restored historic building.
Kids can explore the many interactive exhibits covering science, culture, and Costa Rican history. The museum is designed specifically for kids and provides educational experiences that are both fun and informative.
We have been a few times and keep discovering new sections of the museum.
Children’s Museum Cost
$6 adults, $5 kids
Top Family-Friendly Activities in Costa Rica by Age Group
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (ages 0-6)
With young kids, focus on easy nature walks and accessible attractions:
- Easy Hikes: La Fortuna – EcoCentro Danaus, Bogarin Trail, a sloth tour. Also Manuel Antonio National Park. These are all good for wildlife viewing and have flat trails (some are stroller-friendly).
- Coffee, chocolate, and farm tours
- Hanging bridges like Mistico Hanging Bridges and Selvatura Park. Mistico even has strollers to rent for babies and toddlers.
- Boat tours like catamaran cruises or river boat tours can be good for younger kids too, depending on the boat setup.
- Beach time!
La Fortuna is especially good with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our post on Things to Do in La Fortuna with Young Kids has lots more ideas.
Tip: Bring a baby carrier for walks/hikes. See our traveling with a baby post for more tips.
School-age Kids (6-12)
This is probably the most popular age group for families traveling to Costa Rica with kids. Here are our top picks for school-age kids:
- River float tours (especially in La Fortuna)
- Hanging bridges
- Zip lining – for adventurous kids. Arenal Ecoglide is especially good for families. Sky Adventures or Treetopia Park for faster, higher lines.
- Family-friendly whitewater rafting. Especially the Balsa River in La Fortuna and Savegre River in Manuel Antonio
- Night tours
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Volcano hikes in La Fortuna/Arenal
- Surf lessons
- Waterfalls
Teenagers (12+)
Teens tend to love more epic adventures. Here are some of the best things to do in Costa Rica with older kids and teens:
- More extreme zip lining – higher/faster zip lines like at Sky Adventures or Treetopia
- Waterfalls (some offer exciting opportunities to safely jump in)
- Surf lessons
- Canyoning/waterfall rappelling in La Fortuna or Manuel Antonio
- Diamante Waterfall cave hike
- Tenorio River rafting (Class III-IV) with an exhilarating drop off a small waterfall
- Ultimate Jungle Hike near La Fortuna
- Hiking in the wild Corcovado National Park
Good for All Ages + Costa Rica Multigenerational Trips
These activities are good for just about anyone and work for families traveling together with people of all different ages. They work for mixed age groups from toddlers to grandparents.
- Hot Springs
- Coffee/chocolate tours
- Safari floats
- Nature tours and national parks
- Catamaran tours – Some popular places for catamaran/sailing tours are Jaco to Tortuga Island, Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo, and Manuel Antonio.
Planning Your Costa Rica Family Trip
Need help with logistics? Here are some posts that should help:
21 Local Tips for Traveling in Costa Rica with Kids: Get insider tips on everything from packing to eating out at restaurants.
Safety in Costa Rica: Costa Rica is generally very safe for families as long as you take some basic precautions.
Costa Rica Rental Car Discount: Most families find renting a car provides the most flexibility for traveling with kids. Check out our discount through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental companies to save 10% and get free car seats.
Best Hotels in Costa Rica for Families: Detailed guide with hotel options for all budgets in main destinations.
Activity Guides: More activity guides covering specific regions and interests.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is a great destination for families and has so many things to do with kids. From spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio to soaking in hot springs in La Fortuna, you can find unique family experiences all around.
We hope that this list of the best things to do in Costa Rica with kids has helped with your planning and your family has an amazing trip!
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do with Kids in Costa Rica
What age is best to take kids to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has activities for kids of all ages, but kids ages 6+ will be able to do the most and really enjoy the experience.
Which activities work best in rainy weather?
Hot springs, wildlife centers, chocolate and coffee tours, cooking classes, whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, and museums like the Children’s Museum are all good in rainy weather.
How do we choose activities if our kids are different ages?
Focus on activities in our Good for All Ages category like hot springs, safari floats, and farm tours. For mixed ages, you could split up occasionally. Older kids could do zip lining while younger ones visit butterfly gardens, then meet back up after those tours.
Do we need to book tours in advance or can we book when we arrive?
We recommend booking all the activities you know you want to do in advance. Planning things last minute in Costa Rica isn’t always easy as tour companies can be slow to respond. Plus you are dealing with meals and bedtime schedules once you are here, and that is stressful enough. It’s best to make reservations at least a week in advance. If you’re traveling during peak season (Christmas/New Years and Easter), book farther out to ensure availability with the best tour companies. We can help you book your family’s tours! Feel free to reach out at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com or browse our Tours page.
How long do most activities take?
Most activities are a half-day long (3-4 hours) with transportation. Zip lining, hanging bridges, volcano hikes, wildlife tours, and waterfalls typically take 2-3 hours. Hot springs can be enjoyed for a few hours or a full day.
Do tours include transportation?
Usually tours in Costa Rica include round-trip transportation from your hotel or vacation rental house. Keep in mind that if you are traveling with younger kids, the tour company will most likely not provide a car seat as they are not required for short trips. Feel free to install your own in their van. Here’s a link to our Car Seats post with more info.
If my kid gets sick or hurt, are there medical facilities nearby?
Most popular tourist destinations have both public and private healthcare centers. It’s very common to find English-speaking doctors at the private clinics. Pharmacies are also located throughout the country and can help with smaller things like scrapes or rashes. Purchasing travel insurance is always a good idea.
How old do you have to be to zip line in Costa Rica?
The minimum age to zip line varies by tour but usually kids need to be at least 5 years old. 2 is the youngest age we have seen. Here are the specific age, weight, and height requirements for some popular zip line canopy tours:
- Sky Adventures in La Fortuna: 5 years old. There is no minimum height or weight (if they are too light, they will go with a guide).
- Arenal Ecoglide: 2 years old for the regular zip line tour. For the Tarzan Swing, kids need to be at least 5 years old and 120 cm (3’11”) tall.
- Treetopia in Monteverde: 5 years old & 130 cm (4’3″)
- Selvatura Park in Monteverde: 4 years old
- Canopy Safari, Manuel Antonio: 4 years old
- Diamante Park in Guanacaste: 5 years old & 60 lbs. (27 kg), 4’6″ (137 cm). Must be at least 88 lbs. (40 kg) to do the entire circuit, including Superman.