The Perfect 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary for Families
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Looking for a family adventure that’s packed full of nature and the outdoors? If you’re like us and you’ve got kids who want to see and do EVERYTHING on holiday then Costa Rica might just be the dream destination for you. Wildlife, ziplining, nesting turtles, hiking in the rainforests, swimming in the bioluminescence…..these are just some of the awesome things we got to experience in this wonderful country. Not forgetting ALL the sloth-spotting along the way!
But with so much to pack in to just a couple of weeks in Costa Rica, where on earth do you start?
We’ve designed a 2-week Costa Rica itinerary for families bursting with affordable fun. Costa Rica may not be the cheapest destination for family travel but during our several weeks of traveling this beautiful country we found ways to make it work on a backpacker budget. Yes, you CAN make your Costa Rica dreams come true without spending a fortune in the process.
Discover the perfect 2-week Costa Rica itinerary right here, specifically curated for families with kids. We’ll walk you through the top destinations, where to stay, what to do and how much to budget for the perfect itinerary.
Here’s exactly how to plan a fun, affordable two-week Costa Rica trip your kids will remember forever — with our real-world tested itinerary.
Table of Contents
- Your Itinerary for a 2-Week Family Trip to Costa Rica
- San Jose: Rest and Settle-in (Day 1)
- Manuel Antonio: Wildlife spotting and glorious beaches (Days 2-4)
- Rafiki Safari Lodge: Unique Retreat in the Costa Rican countryside (Days 4-5)
- Montezuma/Cabuya: bioluminescence and rural charm (Days 6-7)
- Tamarindo: Best place to take a turtle tour (Days 8-11)
- Nosara: Complete beach relaxation (Days 8-11)
- La Fortuna: Adrenaline, adventure and hot springs (Days 12-14)
- Where HAVEN’T we included on this itinerary?
- Is 2 weeks in Costa Rica enough time?
- Where to Stay on Your 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary
- How Much to Budget for a 2-Week Costa Rica Family Itinerary
- Download Your Free 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary with Kids
- Planning a family adventure to Costa Rica?
Your Itinerary for a 2-Week Family Trip to Costa Rica
With so many family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica, where do you start? It’s always tempting to try and fit EVERYTHING in to 2 weeks. But when you’re travelling with children you really need to factor in some downtime. Being constantly on the move will not make for a fun-filled family experience (trust me on this, we’ve tried!).
This itinerary – based on our own experiences in Costa Rica with kids – is designed to balance adventure and adrenaline with chilled out family beach time.
San Jose: Rest and Settle-in (Day 1)
Most families will need to spend at least one night in San Jose on arrival in Costa Rica. Flight times from the US are not too long but from the UK and Europe you’ll certainly need a night to relax and recover. We had two very excited but VERY exhausted kids in tow and definitely appreciated having a night to chill and sleep off the long flight!
San Jose certainly has enough to occupy travellers for a couple of days. We stayed in both the central area and out in the residential suburbs and found it safe and easy to navigate. However, it’s definitely not one of the highlights of a Costa Rica itinerary. To make the most of your two weeks we’d recommend only spending the first night in San Jose. Then get out and see the rest of the country!
| What to do | Sleep and recover! If you’ve got the time and energy, visit the National Museum of Costa Rica to see the country’s treasures and learn more about it’s history. |
| Where to stay | Base yourselves in Downtown San Jose – this will allow you to walk to all the sights and you can easily get onward transportation to your next destination. On a budget? Book in to 935 Lodge San Jose. Modern, big apartments with comfy beds and full kitchens. Perfect for the whole family to get a good rest! Want a bit more luxury? Try the Gran Hotel Costa Rica for historic Tico charm, right in the heart of San Jose. Huge family rooms in a fab location. |
| Where to eat | Visit the Mercado Central for some authentic Costa Rican food and wander the stalls at the same time to soak up the atmosphere |
| How to get there | The easiest way to get to your accommodation from the airport is via a taxi. There are both local airport taxis at the taxi stands or you can book an Uber online. |
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife spotting and glorious beaches (Days 2-4)
This is Costa Rica’s most visited National Park, and for good reason. Only a couple of hours from San Jose, this feels like the Costa Rica you’ve been dreaming of. Lush jungle, aqua seas and pristine white beaches. And wildlife EVERYWHERE.
Manuel Antonio is the perfect first stop on any Costa Rica trip itinerary. It launches you straight in to the classic Costa Rica of the guidebooks. And there is plenty to see and do!
Manuel Antonio: Day One
Take the bus or drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in the morning. Once you’ve settled in to your accommodation, head down to the local beaches in Manuel Antonio village for the afternoon. You can rent a sun-lounger, grab some cold drinks and the kids can play in the sand and the surf. Alternatively, just hang out at your accommodation and enjoy some downtime and some spectacular Costa Rica vistas.
Grab dinner in one of the many local restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Our favourite spot was El Chante Del Parque, down a tiny side alley near the entrance to the National Park. The kids LOVED the huge burgers and the Costa Rican dishes went down a treat too!
Get an early night as you’ll need to be up early in the morning for your first adventure!
Manuel Antonio: Day Two
Visiting the National Park is what everyone comes to this part of the world for. And if you’ve come to Costa Rica for the wildlife (and who doesn’t?!) then this is the stuff of dreams.
You’ll need to have booked your ticket online in advance; opt for the earliest slot you think you can feasibly do with your kids. The earlier you get there, the less crowded it will be and the more heat you’ll avoid.
The park is accessible for all ages with flat, raised wooden walkways to follow. If you want to maximise your chances of spotting the local wildlife then hire a guide at the entrance. The local guides are excellent and incredibly knowledgeable. Even if you opt not to hire a guide you’ll still spot plenty of amazing animals. We saw sloths, monkeys, land crabs, iguanas and a whole host of birds. That first sloth spot in Costa Rica was incredibly magical – the looks of absolute amazement on the boys’ faces was worth the trip on it’s own.Â
Then there’s the beaches in the park. These are breathtaking and have got to rank amongst the most beautiful in the world, and certainly one of the best beaches in Costa Rica.
The park closes at 4pm; you’ll probably need a minimum of 3-4hours here to make the most of the glorious surroundings (and maybe a bit more if your kids are happy to hang out on the beaches for longer).
You’re likely to be pretty worn out after a full day of exploring so head to La Lambretta Pizzeria for some delicious (but very informal) pizzas. Accompanied with absolutely BREATHTAKING views out to sea.
| What to do | Visit the National Park for out-of-this-world wildlife and beaches, chills at the beaches in Manuel Antonio village and soak up the incredible views from every angle. |
| Where to stay | You can opt to stay in either Manuel Antonio village itself (for easy access to the park and the beaches) or on the road that links Manuel Antonio to Quepos (for amazing views out to sea, and still with easy access to everywhere via the cheap local bus services). On a budget? Book one of the huge family apartments at Pura Natura Lodge They might be budget but the rooms here give you loads of space with soaring views out to sea. Want a bit more luxury? The Igloo Beach Lodge is RIGHT on the beach and has very comfortable rooms with a pool to cool off in as well. |
| Where to eat | El Chante Del Parque in Manuel Antonio village for laid-back, Costa Rican/American dishes that fill you up and La Lambretta Pizzeria on the Quepos road for chilled out vibes and amazing views. Both are a big hit with kids! |
| How to get there | The cheapest option is to take the public bus from San Jose. These run regularly from the Terminal Tracopa in San Jose and take around 3-4hours. You can download all the times and details on the Visit Costa Rica website. Alternatively, if you’re hiring a car for your Costa Rica trip then the journey is around 105km/65miles and will likely take you around 2.5-3hours. The road between San Jose and Manuel Antonio is a main highway and is a paved, easy drive. |
Rafiki Safari Lodge: Unique Retreat in the Costa Rican countryside (Days 4-5)
This completely off-the-beaten track eco-lodge is well worth a detour (and WHAT a beaten track it is to get to it!). We absolutely couldn’t miss the chance to spend a night under canvas in the Costa Rican jungle and Rafiki Safari Lodge did not disappoint!
Our huge safari tent (with en-suite bathroom – I promise, this is not exactly roughing it by any standard) opened up onto the pond at the back of the property. Enclosed by jungle, we all spent hours sitting on the covered deck watching giant iguanas and a whole host of birdlife.
The huge communal decked area is where you take meals and looks out over the endless Costa Rican landscape – there isn’t another building in sight. And the absolute stand-out feature for our kids was whipping down the waterslide that runs from the terrace to the little pool below. Listening to the boys whooping with excitement as they flew through the undergrowth at high speed (and it is FAST) was a definite highlight. Plus splashing in to the pool at the bottom is a great way to cool off!
Rafiki also organise activities like horse-riding and whitewater rafting, so there’s no chance you’ll get bored during your stay. They can also organise private shuttles to and from the lodge.
If you want to be really immersed in the Costa Rican flora and fauna, then make sure you include a stop at Rafiki on your itinerary for Costa Rica.
| What to do | Watch wildlife from the deck, go for a hike, book a horse ride or have a go at whitewater rafting |
| Where to stay | Rafiki Safari Lodge is the only option here! |
| Where to eat | Take your meals at the lodge – you might be a captive audience but the food is delicious and filling. |
| How to get there | If you have your own hire car then Rafiki is around a 1.5-2hour drive from Manuel Antonio. The road out to here is unpaved and INCREDIBLY bumpy. Some of the potholes are huge, so you’ll need to take it very slow and steady. If you don’t fancy the drive then Rafiki can organise a private shuttle to pick you up/drop you back after your stay. This costs around US$100 per group. |
Montezuma/Cabuya: bioluminescence and rural charm (Days 6-7)
A bit of a hidden gem tucked away right on the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the little towns of Montezuma and Cabuya are beautiful rural spots to relax away from the crowds. Plus this is the perfect place to book yourself on to a tour to see Costa Rica’s glowing bioluminescence in all it’s wonderful glory!
Gliding through the sparkling water at night was one of the boys’ top moments in Costa Rica. Definitely another bucketlist experience not to be missed from any Costa Rica itinerary.
Montezuma is the bigger ‘town’ of the two but is still basically a small fishing village with just a handful of restaurants and bars. Cabuya is TINY. Essentially just one dusty track with a few houses and places to stay strung out along the road, there’s just a couple of small local restaurants and not much else. This makes it a wonderful place to stay. We woke up on the first morning to the incredible sound of howler monkeys (and it took us a while until we realised just what that noise was echoing through the trees!). We also frequently saw scarlet macaws swooping past.
Tamarindo: Best place to take a turtle tour (Days 8-11)
It may be a bit lacking in Costa Rican charm, but Tamarindo is an easy resort if you want to unwind as part of your Costa Rica 2-week itinerary. It’s bursting at the seams with restaurants, cafes, little shops and loads of opportunities for tours and activities.
This was definitely the busiest, most tourist-packed spot on our travels through Costa Rica. But it does offer a chance to rest and relax, with absolutely loads to keep the kids entertained. This was where our kids spent pretty much ALL of their pocket money – be prepared for the multitude of cuddly toys and souvenirs on offer everywhere!
The HUGE stretch of beach has tons of space for kids to play and when they get hungry you can simply wander to one of the eateries that line the coast.
We opted for Tamarindo as it’s a great base for booking on to a tour to see the nesting turtles in the region. And we weren’t disappointed as this was one of the absolute best experiences we had in Costa Rica! Tamarindo is worth a stop for this tour alone. Just be prepared for the fact that lots of other people have Tamarindo in their sights too so you won’t be alone!
If you’re set on seeing the turtles, then this is your best bet. If it’s out-of-season, or turtles just aren’t your thing, then I would swerve Tamarindo and opt for Nosara for some chilled time instead.
Nosara: Complete beach relaxation (Days 8-11)
If you want to relax on the Pacific shores but are looking for a more chilled option than Tamarindo, then Nosara is the place for you. Stunning sunsets, surfer vibes and barefoot wanderings galore. The boys loved playing in the tidal pools and building endless sandcastles on the vast stretch of sand here.
It definitely feels like Nosara has fully embraced the Pura Vida vibe. When you’re tired of the beach (if this is even a thing!) you can hang out in one of the little cafes or restaurants and chow down on some pretty delicious food.
The surf here is pretty awesome. However it’s not really a surf spot for beginners, given the size of the waves!
It’s the perfect spot to build some chill time in to your 2-week Costa Rica itinerary. Especially after all the adventures you’ll have elsewhere on your trip!
La Fortuna: Adrenaline, adventure and hot springs (Days 12-14)
You can experience some of Costa Rica’s most iconic adventures from this small town that sits in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano. Using La Fortuna as a base there’s SO MUCH you can do. There’s absolutely no chance of anyone getting bored here! Top things you can opt for in and around La Fortuna are:
- Ziplining through the rainforest
- Visit the Hanging Bridges
- Take a sloth spotting tour
- Hike the Arenal Volcano trails
- Go horseback riding
- Try whitewater rafting
- Chill out in the natural hot springs.
La Fortuna is a pretty easy 2.5-3 hour drive or shuttle from San Jose. Which makes it the perfect place to end your Costa Rica adventure; it’s an easy hop from here back to the capital for an afternoon or evening flight home. There are tons of options for family-friendly stays; we loved Arenal Xilopalo for it’s huge family apartments, lush surroundings and views out over the Arenal Volcano.
Where HAVEN’T we included on this itinerary?
There are a ton of other fantastic destinations in Costa Rica that we’ve had to miss out of this itinerary. At a stretch you could include another stop if you only have two weeks, but we’ve done this ourselves and I would really recommend not rushing through everywhere. In our experience travelling the world with our kids, you ALWAYS need to build in at least some downtime for everyone to really enjoy the trip.
Other Costa Rican destinations that didn’t make it on to this particular itinerary include:
Monteverde
Amazing cloud forest and bird watching, but on a time-limited trip we prefer La Fortuna just for the sheer volume of activities for the kids.
Tortuguero
The national park here is another fabulous destination for turtle nesting tours. However, it requires a long day of travel to get there/away so we’ve opted not to include it here as that travel time takes too much out of the two week holiday time.
Sarapiqui
We absolutely LOVED our stay here at Chilamate Eco Retreat. But again, on limited time this is very much off the beaten track (and definitely requires a car to get here/away, otherwise you are reliant on expensive shuttles).
Caribbean Coast
On a three-week itinerary a stay on the Caribbean Coast would be an absolute must. It’s a totally different side to Costa Rica and the national parks and beaches are a joy to visit.
Uvita
This is the best spot in Costa Rica for whale-watching – so if you’re visiting from December-April or July-October then you might want to try and squeeze this in. Unfortunately we were out of season so didn’t make the trip down the coast for this.
Is 2 weeks in Costa Rica enough time?
Quite frankly, the longer you can spend in Costa Rica on your travels the better. This country has so much to offer families that you could spend a long time here and still not see everything!
Having said this, a minimum of 2-weeks will give you a pretty good taste of Costa Rica’s Pura Vida. A 2-week Costa Rica itinerary will allow you enough time for both adventure AND chilled beach time. It will give you time to visit the rainforests and the coast. And you’ll definitely be able to squeeze in so many amazing experiences that it really will be the trip of a lifetime!
Where to Stay on Your 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary
This will depend entirely on the budget you have for your stay in Costa Rica. Whatever your budget though, there is a wealth of family-friendly accommodation across the country.
Below is a quick list of our absolute fave places we stayed on our coast-to-coast Costa Rica adventure. These are all great family options with big rooms to sleep at least four.
| San Jose | 935 Lodge San Jose – Modern, big apartments with comfy beds and full kitchens |
| Manuel Antonio | Pura Natura Lodge – Budget but spacious rooms with soaring views out to sea |
| Savegre (Rafiki Safari Lodge) | Rafiki Safari Lodge – Worth the splurge for these amazing, unique stay |
| Cabuya | Villas Cabuya Beach & Jungle – Handful of cabins around a shared pool and communal space |
| Tamarindo | Aparthotel Villa Alta Tamarindo – Massive apartments with shady pool area, walkable to everything |
| Nosara | Villa Mango B&B – Comfy beds, wonderful hosts and great breakfast included |
| La Fortuna | Arenal Xilopalo – Huge family rooms/apartments, views over the volcano, tons of tours |
How Much to Budget for a 2-Week Costa Rica Family Itinerary
I’ll be straight with you – Costa Rica is not the most budget-friendly of destinations. However. You really can do so much in just a two-week itinerary that it is good value for a family trip. And those activities we talked about above are such big-hitters – and you can do them ALL in just one two-week trip.
This is a VERY basic breakdown of some of the costs you could expect to budget for. This is based on a family of four.
Accommodation
- Budget stays: £60-70 (US$77.50-90) per night
- Mid-range stays: £90-100 (US$115-130) per night
- Luxury: £150+ (US$190) per night
Eating out
- Budget/local places: £50-60 (US$65-77) for four
- Mid-range places: £75-100 (US$97-130) for four
Transport
- Car Hire for one week (small SUV): £400-500
- Shared Shuttles: £100-250 per journey, depending on distance (four people)
- Long distance buses: £30-40 (four people, for journeys of c.4hours)
With some careful budgeting and research you can make a trip to Costa Rica work, even on a backpacker budget (like ours!).
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Planning a family adventure to Costa Rica?
If you’re planning to visit this amazing country, then check out some of our other posts for more advice, inspiration and reviews on everything Costa Rica has to offer!
