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
Where HAVEN’T we included on this itinerary?
Is 2 weeks in Costa Rica enough time?
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?

In a rush? Here are our top picks of where to stay during your time in Costa Rica!

San Jose	Budget: 935 Lodge San Jose Splash Out: Gran Hotel Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio	Budget: Pura Natura Lodge Splash Out: Igloo Beach Lodge
Savegre (Rafiki Safari Lodge)	Rafiki Safari Lodge
Cabuya	Budget: Villas Cabuya Beach & Jungle Splash Out: Calala Lodge
Tamarindo	Budget: Aparthotel Villa Alta Tamarindo Splash Out: Diria Beach Resort
Nosara	Budget: Villa Mango B&B Splash Out: Olas Verdes Hotel
La Fortuna	Budget: Arenal Xilopalo Splash Out: Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

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.

Day 1: San Jose – Rest Up and Settle In

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.

Day 2: Manuel Antonio – wildlife spotting and glorious beaches

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.

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!

Day 3: Manuel Antonio National Park

Visiting the National Par k 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.

A cocktail in a pineapple with watermelon slices in the top on Playa Conchal beach in Costa Rica. In the background is the blue sea with a number of people wading and swimming in it.

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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.

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.

View out from wooden deck over the small natural pool and Costa Rican landscape of hills and jungle beyond.

Day 4: Rafiki Safari Lodge – Unique Retreat in the Costa Rican countryside

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!

Book a private shuttle to get you from Manuel Antonio to Rafiki in the morning. Then take some time to settle in and soak up the amazing surroundings!

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!

Day 5: Activities at Rafiki Safari Lodge

Once you’ve enjoyed your first day hanging out at the lodge, use your second day to fit in one of the activities that the lodge can organise. The whitewater rafting on the Savegre River is excellent and right outside the front door. Alternatively you can opt for a trek on horseback along the riverbank.

This will take up most of your day, but you should still have some time to chill out on the deck watching the wildlife and birds. Or flying down the waterslide again!

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.

A silhouette of a child balancing on one leg on a beach at sunset on a boat tour to see the bioluminescence in Costa Rica.

Day 6: Cabuya – bioluminescence and rural charm

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!

By far the easiest way to get to this part of Costa Rica is by driving. It will take most of your day to get from Rafiki Safari Lodge to here. So Day 6 is very much a travel day! Once you’ve arrived, take a wander around Cabuya’s tiny streets and grab some food at one of the handful of local restaurants.

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.

Day 7: Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve and bioluminescence

Get up early to get to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve before the heat kicks in. Spend the morning exploring the trails and spotting wildlife (we even saw an anteater here!). On your way back pop in to Indigenia Cafe and Chocolate for some treats for the kids (and the adults!).

Chill out by the pool for the afternoon to make sure everyone has enough energy for the night time activities. Take a boat tour from Montezuma to see the unbelievable glowing waters of bioluminescence. 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.

What to do	During the day, take a hike through Cabo Blanco National Park. The entrance is right in Cabuya; there’s a variety of trails you can follow and tons of wildlife to spot. You can also wander over to the cemetery on Cabuya Island when the tide is out. In the evening book yourself on to a local bioluminescence tour and experience the glowing water for yourself!
Where to stay	We loved Villas Cabuya Beach & Jungle. Unique A frame lodges surrounding a lovely little pool, with breakfast included. Looking for a beachfront view? Try Calala Lodge, right on the beach in Cabuya with a great big pool and a massive breakfast included in the nightly rate.
Where to eat	For lunch, head to Indigenia Cafe and Chocolate, right by the entrance to Cabo Blano Nature Reserve. They do chocolate in lots of different forms, but all delicious! For dinner check out La Isla, a little family run place down one of the side streets. Their casados and quesadillas are really good value, tasty and stacked.
How to get there	This is a part of Costa Rica where you really could do with your own wheels. Public transport is very thin on the ground. Coming from Rafiki Safari Lodge, it’s around a 4 hour drive to the ferry at Puntarenas. Stop off on the drive at the famous Crocodile Bridge just outside Jaco. You can recharge, grab a drink and gaze in wonder (from a safe distance!) at these enormous reptiles. The ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera on the Nicoya Peninsula takes 1.5hours. You’ll need to book tickets in advance on the ferry website. On the other side, the journey from Paquera to Cabuya takes around 2hours. The closer you get to Cabuya, the worse the roads get! It’s a bumpy ride but not too difficult. Aim to arrive in daylight to make the drive a bit easier.

Day 8: Travel to Tamarindo for beach time and turtles

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.

The drive from Cabuya up the Nicoya Peninsula to Tamarindo takes around 4-5hours. Set off in the morning so that on arrival in Tamarindo you can settle in and then head to the beach for some food and a chilled sunset.

Day 9: Tamarindo – Chilled out beach time and a turtle tour

This was definitely the busiest, most tourist-packed spot on our travels through Costa Rica. But Tamarindo 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. Spend a lazy day chilling on the beach and indulging the kids in some souvenirs from the little shops.

The evening here is for one of the most amazing nature experiences – the chance to see nesting turtles. The whole reason 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!

Day 10: Playa Conchal

After all the late night excitement of the turtle tour, spend another day at the beach chilling out. This time though take the short drive North to the beautiful Playa Conchal. This has got to be one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, especially for families.

The kids will love swimming in the sea and snorkelling in the rock pools. There’s a handful of traders offering sunloungers and tasty cocktails in pineapples too.

Day 11: Tamarindo-La Fortuna

Spend the morning relaxing and take a last dip in the Pacific Ocean. Then it’s time to head over to La Fortuna for some more action-packed fun!

The drive to La Fortuna takes around 5hours. It’s easy, paved highways but it will take the best part of the day. It’s worth heading there on Day 11 though so that you have enough time in La Fortuna to fit in everything on offer.

Quick note on Tamarindo: If you’re set on seeing the turtles, then Tamarindo 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.

What to do	Use at least the first day to chill and hang out on the massive stretch of sand in Tamarindo. The kids can spend hours building sandcastles and paddling in the surf. For older/more adventurous kids you can hire surfboards all along the beach. Spend some time in the little shops along the seafront. This was THE best spot in Costa Rica for souvenir shopping that we found! The nesting turtles are the big draw here for nature lovers. Book on to one of the evening tours (this is the exact one we did) to see this amazing sight in real life.
Where to stay	If you’re on a budget, then Villa Alta Tamarindo is a great shout. There was plenty of space here for us all to spread out, a good kitchen for self-catering and a tiny little pool to cool off in. If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash then Diria Beach Resort is an AMAZING spot for a family stay. Right on the beach with three separate pools and big family rooms with sea views, this is a real treat of a stay!
Where to eat	For an easy, casual place for food with the kids, check out Jardin Tamarindo Food Truck Park. There’s several options so something for everyone, with super chilled out vibes. If you fancy eating dinner as the sun goes down, with sand between your toes, then try Ocho Beach Club. The service here is superb and there’s an extensive menu with some great seafood options. And for the BEST ice creams head to Venezia Gelato & Caffe. The passionfruit gelato is out-of-this-world!
How to get there	As a major tourist hotspot, Tamarindo is well served by buses and shuttle services. However, if you’re following this itinerary and coming from Cabuya then your best option is to drive. It will take you around 4-5hours in total. The first part of the drive is on bumpy, unpaved roads around Cabuya. But once you get past Paquera and on to Highway 21 it’s an easy drive.

Waves lap on to a long stretch of beach backed with jungle in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Alternative to Tamarindo for Days 8-11: Nosara

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!

What to do	Use this part of the itinerary for a proper family chill out. Hang out on the beaches, explore the tidal pools, build sandcastles and watch some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.
Where to stay	If you’re on a budget, Villa Mango B&B offers lovely rooms with some wonderful hosts. If you’re looking for a really special family stay, then Olas Verdes Hotel is BRILLIANT for families. Set in the jungle but just a 5min walk to the beach, with free body boards for hire and even kids surf camps on offer.
Where to eat	If you’re coming off the beach and need a bite to eat then Tacos Y Tacos is a great, quick but tasty option. Plus the churros are always popular with the kids! Beach Dog Cafeteria is also dead easy for grabbing something after a day at the beach. It also has a good kids menu and is decent value (budget places in Nosara are few and far between!).
How to get there	Nosara is served by private and shared shuttles services from various destinations in Costa Rica. Again, if you’re following this itinerary and coming from Cabuya then your best option is to drive. It will take you around 4-4.5hours in total. You can follow the road along the Pacific Coast but the roads are much smaller and more difficult to navigate. For an easier route then head back up past Paquera and then inland on the slightly bigger highways.

Day 12: La Fortuna – sloths and volcano hikes

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!

Start off with a morning sloth spotting tour with Armando for the chance to see SO MANY SLOTHS. Armando is a wonderful guide and incredibly knowledgeable. Tours last around 2-hours.

In the afternoon take a hike along the Arenal Volcano Trails. There are a range of hikes to suit all ages/abilities. On the Arenal 1968 trails there’s also a fab little cafe at the end to grab a cold drink and cake as a reward for your efforts!

Day 13: Adrenaline and then hot spring recovery!

Spend the morning and afternoon at Sky Adventures. Here you can walk the famous hanging bridges, hike through the rainforest, ride the Sky Train AND zipline through the canopy. You can really pack loads of iconic Costa Rican experiences in to one day! Book tickets in advance to make sure you can do everything you want to fit in.

To recover from all of this excitement, head to Los Lagos Hotel for some time in their amazing hot springs complex. There’s a TON of different pools and hot springs, from tiny spaces for just a couple of people to bigger pools with swim-up bars. Plus there’s a full-sized swimming pool with waterslides that the kids will love. Stay well in to the evening when the pools are gorgeous in the moonlight.

Day 14:

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.

Depending on your flight time you could even squeeze in one more quick activity. There’s a fab rope swing over the river in La Fortuna that our boys LOVED or hit the little local souvenir markets for some last minute shopping.

What to do	Sloth spotting, volcano hikes, ziplining, hanging bridges, riding the Sky Train and hot springs. There’s also tubing, whitewater rafting and horse-riding tours on offer if you can fit anything else in!
Where to stay	If you’re on a budget, Arenal Xilopalo offers big family apartments, great local knowledge and tours and stunning views of Arenal Volcano. For full-time access to their amazing hot springs, opt for a stay at Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort. The extra cost is worth it for those gorgeous pools!
Where to eat	We all loved The Open Kitchen for a relaxed family dinner. The menu features dishes from around the world – the Moroccan Fish and the Shawarma were both absolutely delicious Travesia Restuarant is a bit off the beaten track but their burgers were a big hit with our boys.
How to get there	La Fortuna is a popular destination so has plenty of transport links, including buses and shared and private shuttles. The drive from Tamarindo takes around 5hours in total. It’s along main, paved highways so is easy to navigate. You can leave the hire car here and get a shuttle service to San Jose airport at the end of your stay, or opt to drop the car at the airport.

Child attached to a zipline leans back ready for take off, supported by a guide. The zipline descends into the Costa Rica rainforest in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

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!

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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