Costa Rica Travel with Kids: The Ultimate Guide
Imagine hanging out at a tiny beach shack, sipping on a delicious fresh fruit smoothie. The waves are lapping on the shore a few metres away. A giant iguana is chilling in the sun a few feet from you. You can hear the roar of howler monkeys in the distance. Then you look up and – what do you know – there’s a sloth hanging right above your head. This was just one of the incredible moments of our trip to Costa Rica. Costa Rica travel with kids is a truly magical experience.
The several weeks we spent in Costa Rica really were the travel bucketlist stuff of dreams. This is a country where you really can pack so much into a relatively short space of time. It’s smaller than you might think so getting around is pretty straightforward. There are tropical, gorgeous beaches for a relaxed holiday vibe. Then there is a whole heap of adventure waiting to be had. And nature galore!
Discover the ultimate guide to Costa Rica travel with kids and some expert Costa Rica travel tips – all right here!
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Table of Contents
- Why visit Costa Rica with kids?
- Best destinations for Costa Rica travel with kids
- Best places to stay in Costa Rica with kids
- Top family activities in Costa Rica
- How long do you need for a visit to Costa Rica with kids?
- When is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica with kids?
- How much do you need to budget for a trip to Costa Rica with kids?
- Costa Rica Family Travel Tips
- Download our free Costa Rica travel with kids guide!
- Need even more info on Costa Rica travel with Kids?
Why visit Costa Rica with kids?
There are SO many reasons to embark on some Costa Rica travel with kids. If you have kids that love animals and nature, this is THE place to visit. If you have kids that love playing on the beach and swimming in the sea, Costa Rica has you covered. And if you have kids that are adrenaline-junkies and want a bit of adventure, then Costa Rica has bundles of fun to offer.
We visited Costa Rica as part of our family gap year so were keen to blend fun with a bit of education. And again, Costa Rica is a great place to worldschool the kids. They can learn about the rainforest ecosystem IN a rainforest. Surrounded by all the sights and sounds. They can watch turtles laying their eggs on the beach, or tiny hatchlings emerging. They can swim in the bioluminescence and experience what those sparkling organisms actually look like in real life.
Costa Rica has the highest density of biodiversity of any country ON THE PLANET. And what’s more, so much of it’s biodiversity is really accessible. Which makes wildlife spotting with kids a breeze!
You really can pack so much into a short space of time.
Then there’s the practical side of Costa Rica travel with kids. Costa Rica is safe. It’s easy to navigate. English is pretty widely spoken. It’s got plenty of food options that will keep even the fussiest of eaters happy. The whole vibe of Costa Rica is super welcoming and relaxed. This is the nation of Pura Vida, after all!
For more facts and in-depth info on Costa Rica, check out the Visit Costa Rica website.
There are loads of family-friendly destinations across Costa Rica to choose from. We’ll dive into this below!
Best destinations for Costa Rica travel with kids
To be honest, there are very few destinations in Costa Rica that are NOT family-friendly. When it comes to family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica you really are spoilt for choice!
I’ve cherry-picked here what were some of our absolute FAVOURITE family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica. We spent several weeks travelling around Costa Rica with our boys and I genuinely couldn’t think of anywhere we didn’t enjoy!
La Fortuna: Adventure and Hot Springs
In one easy stop you can tick off several top Costa Rica family activities.
La Fortuna is an easy 2-3hour drive from Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose (or a straightforward bus/shuttle journey). Nestled at the foot of Arenal volcano, this small town packs a real punch in terms of Costa Rican fun.
There are LOADS of accommodation options (including plenty of family-friendly hotels and really good value stays). Getting around town is easy on foot – whilst there are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops it’s still small enough to make wandering easy (even for little legs!). If you’re without a car then most of the top sights can be reached via a tour with your hotel. Typically a shared shuttle will be included in the price.
Here’s a rundown of some of the top things to do in La Fortuna with kids:
Hike the Arenal Volcano trails
There are lots of options for hiking around the Arenal Volcano, all of varying difficulty. Many of these are easy hikes with kids. But all include spectacular views of the volcano itself and fascinating surrounding scenery.
Go ziplining
One of the iconic Costa Rica adventures is ziplining through the rainforest canopy. It’s pure adrenaline AND an education rolled into one! La Fortuna has some great options if you want to experience the rush of ziplining.
Ride the Sky Train, cross the hanging bridges and hike the trails
No visit to Costa Rica would be complete without a visit to some of the famous hanging bridges in the rainforest. If you’ve got very young (or old!) people in the family then the Sky Train is also a great option.
Try out the famous hot springs
When all the adventure in La Fortuna gets too much, take some time to unwind in the famous hot springs. These can be found throughout La Fortuna and range from free dips in the natural river hot springs to luxury hotel resorts.
Go on a sloth spotting tour
Absolutely one of our favourite tours in Costa Rica. Local guide Armando will take you on a sloth-spotting adventure – we saw 13 in one hour, including a baby! We also saw a HUGE Yellow Rat Snake, tons of interesting insect life and several iguanas.
You can read our full guide to a stay in La Fortuna with kids right here on the blog.
Manuel Antonio: Beaches and Wildlife
One of the most visited family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica for a reason. Pristine white sand beaches backed by lush jungle, packed with wildlife. And completely accessible, even for the smallest of travellers!
The walkways through Manuel Antonio are very well-maintained and on the whole flat. After an hour or so of walking you’re rewarded by one of the most gorgeous beaches. And the shallow water and gentle waves make it the perfect place for a dip to cool off.
Monkeys, iguanas and sloths are all regularly spotted here right from the walkways.
Tamarindo: Surfing and Relaxation
There’s only so much you can realistically pack in to one Costa Rica itinerary. At some point you’re going to want to just soak up the rays and chill out. That’s exactly where a stay in Tamarindo comes in.
Miles of endless beach to laze around on, or sign up for a surf lesson if you’re feeling energetic. Great restaurants and ice cream parlours that will keep the whole family happy.
If you venture 15-minutes or so North, you’ll come across one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches – Playa Conchal. Named after the millions of tiny shells that make up the white beach, this is an absolutely gorgeous family spot. You’ll find a mix of tourists and locals hanging out, swimming in the gentle waves and sipping cocktails out of pineapples by the shore.
But – as this is still Costa Rica – Tamarindo also has an amazing bit of nature up it’s sleeve. This is a great base for taking a tour to see Costa Rica’s nesting turtles. They come out in force to lay their eggs along this stretch of coast and seeing this in real life is an amazing experience. For both adults and kids alike!
If you want to see nesting turtles in/around Tamarindo, then make sure you have a read of our full guide in our post on Seeing Nesting Turtles in Costa Rica.
Monteverde: Cloud Forest and Child-Friendly Hikes
A number of biological reserves in this area make it a fascinating visit. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve itself has a range of trails and a huge amount of wildlife to see. A particular favourite here is a visit to the Hummingbird Gallery where you can see these beautiful tiny birds up-close.
Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena nearby also has a number of short, easy hikes that are perfect for visiting with children.
There are also hanging bridges you can visit, ziplines, waterfalls, coffee farms and night walks. If you want to immerse yourselves in Costa Rica’s nature this is a great destination to choose.
Sarapiqui: Eco Lodge Stays and Life with the Locals
If you’re looking for adventure off the beaten track, then consider adding Sarapiqui to your Costa Rica itinerary. Tucked away from the crowds, this small town sits on the banks of the Sarapiqui River. It really is the place to connect with Costa Ricans and experience life in the slow lane.
It’s also home to one of the best family-friendly eco-lodges in Costa Rica. Chilamate Eco Retreat is family-run and offers big family rooms, with a fab communal area. But the joy of this place is that it’s put itself firmly at the heart of the local community. The lovely owners can arrange all kinds of excursions, from botany walks with local experts to cooking classes with neighbours. It’s well worth the detour!
We’ve put together an in-depth review of Chilamate Eco-Retreat right here on the blog.
Cahuita: Laid Back Caribbean Vibes
The Caribbean Coast is often overlooked on Costa Rica itineraries but offers it’s own slice of paradise. The laid back vibes, the amazing Caribbean food and the long stretches of beach are big draws for this part of the country.
This really is the place to unwind and relax with the whole family. There are a string of small towns along the stretch between Puerto Limon and Manzanillo that make great stops. We loved Cahuita in particular, with its national park for hiking plus its gorgeous white and black sand beaches.
There’s a regular local bus service that runs along the coastal road here connecting the villages. It’s a cheap and reliable way to move around and visit the different attractions if you don’t have a car.
There are some wonderful beaches for families along this stretch of coast. The surf varies – we found it calm at times but with much stronger currents too sometimes. Playa Negra (Cahuita), Playa Cocles (Puerto Viejo) and Playa Manzanillo have lifeguards on duty.
Cabuya: Hidden Gems of Costa Rica
Tucked away right at the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is this tiny village. Given it’s location it doesn’t get the crowds that other places in Costa Rica experience. There’s a handful of accommodation options and a few cafes and restaurants. Other than that it’s just you and the locals!
For us this felt like the perfect spot to unwind for a few days. You can hear the roar of Howler Monkeys from the surrounding jungle, and we saw Scarlet Macaws every day of our stay.
Family-friendly activities in Cabuya
In terms of family-friendly activities though there are a couple of things that make this tiny village worth a visit. At the far end of the village (literally, at the end of the only road!) is the entrance to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, Costa Rica’s first national park. This is a great spot for hiking with older kids – our 9 and 7-year old found it challenging but still fun! We spotted loads of monkeys, birds and even an anteater during our walk. If you want to do the longer hike it opens out onto a beautiful pristine beach.
There are more details on the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve – including trails, opening times and entrance fees – on the Nicoya Peninsula guide website.
Cabuya is also a great place to stay if you want to experience the beauty of Costa Rica’s bioluminescence. The South tip of the Nicoya Peninsula offers the chance to swim in the bioluminescence at night – a real out-of-this-world experience!
Best places to stay in Costa Rica with kids
We always knew we wanted to spend a good amount of time exploring Costa Rica. My main worry was that there was no way we could afford it. It’s definitely not the cheapest country to visit but I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of affordable accommodation we managed to find. Including some real gems!
If you’re happy to stay in budget places you can do this for around £60 (US$77.50) per night. For this you’ll get a family room, usually with its own bathroom, in a small hotel with minimal facilities. Obviously there are a TON of higher-end options too if you have the cash to splash! We focused on pumping our budget into the activities we wanted to do. This meant we opted for more budget places to stay.
Here are just some of our personal recommendations.
Cabinas Cahuita
Cahuita, Caribbean Coast
We all loved this place. Right in the centre of town, an easy walk to the beaches, national park and the bus station. The owners are wonderful and went out of their way to make our stay great.
We stayed in a family room for four with a shared bathroom. The excellent kitchen means that self-catering is a breeze, which will help save your cash. There’s also a fab little pool to cool off in.
Arenal Xilopalo
La Fortuna
Set down the end of a quiet street with spectacular views of the volcano, this place offers great value family rooms. More importantly for a stay in La Fortuna, the fantastic staff can also book you on to almost every tour in the area. Which makes this the perfect stop for an adventure-packed stay in La Fortuna!
We stayed in a massive family apartment with a private bathroom and full kitchen.
Villas Cabuya Beach & Jungle
Cabuya
This place is just a handful of small villas set around a pool and covered social space. It’s a short walk to the entrance of Cabo Blanco Reserve and down to the beach.
The villas have lots of room and lovely outdoor terraces. The rates also include a substantial breakfast.
Villa Alta Tamarindo
Tamarindo
This is a great value place in Tamarindo, especially for larger family groups. The apartment we stayed in had three double rooms over two levels, plus a large living area and well-equipped kitchen.
There’s a small pool in the complex and it’s only a ten-minute walk down to the beach and main area of Tamarindo.
Chilamate Eco-Retreat
Sarapiqui
This is a very special place and worth a visit in it’s own right. Family-owned and focused on the local community, this is a great place to visit to really experience Costa Rican life. The owners can arrange all kinds of local, sustainable tours for the whole family.
The family rooms are big with self-catering kitchens (although you can also eat in the communal area). Breakfast is included (and very substantial!).
Rafiki Safari Lodge
Savegre
If you’ve got time for a detour on your Costa Rica travel with kids then this is a great extra stop. Around an hour from Manuel Antonio, this wonderful hidden gem offers the chance to stay under canvas in style. There are several spacious safari tents set in beautiful grounds that are perfect for wildlife spotting. And the views from the communal terrace are breathtaking!
The lodge offers activities such as horse-riding and whitewater rafting. Or you can simply hang out in the pool (with it’s natural rock slide) or hike the trails.
Top family activities in Costa Rica
We prioritised making the most of the experiences Costa Rica has to offer. Which meant we packed a TON of activities into the several weeks we spent traveling through Costa Rica. Below is the list of what we think are the ultimate family activities in Costa Rica. If you’re planning some Costa Rica travel with kids then these are the top family activities that you really shouldn’t miss!
Ziplining
Costa Rica is the original destination for flying through the rainforest on a zipline. There are numerous places across the country where you can do this. There are also varying zipline distances and heights to choose from, depending on how adventurous you are!
Check out our full guide to La Fortuna here that includes a review on the ziplining tour that we took as a family.
Hiking the national parks
All the national parks we visited were amazing wildlife spotting experiences. Check out famous parks such as Manuel Antonio but also try to explore lesser-known gems such as Gandoza-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. These will get you away from the crowds and out in to Costa Rica’s amazing flora and fauna.
Nesting turtles
Seeing turtles nesting or hatchlings emerging is an unbelievable experience. There are a number of ethical tours you can take from both the Pacific and Caribbean sides of the country. Specifically, Tamarindo and Tortuguero are great choices for a stay if you want to see turtles.
Read our full guide to seeing nesting turtles in Costa Rica in this blog post.
Bioluminescence
The Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is the best place in Costa Rica to see the bioluminescence. Swimming through the sparkles at night is a wonderful experience for the entire family!
Read our full guide to swimming in the bioluminescence in Costa Rica in our other blog post here.
Sloth tour
There are wildlife guides and tours across Costa Rica. This was our particular favourite. Our tour with Armando in La Fortuna was incredibly educational but also so much fun. We saw so many sloths in such a short period of time – a real Costa Rica highlight!
Hanging bridges
You’ll have seen images of the hanging bridges in the rainforests in every tourist brochure for Costa Rica. These are a great way to explore the canopies of the rainforest with kids. They can really see and understand the differences in the flora and fauna, and absorb the sounds and feel of the jungle.
Jaguar Rescue Centre
This fab animal rescue centre just outside Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean Coast is a great, educational visit. The tour guides are fantastic – incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. There’s a whole range of animals here going through various stages of rehabilitation. But just don’t go expecting jaguars, as this is one animal they don’t have!
You can visit directly (hop on the local bus) or book on a tour that includes a visit here.
Whitewater Rafting
If you’re travelling to Costa Rica with slightly older kids then there are some great whitewater rafting options.
The Sarapiqui River offers various classes of rapids, including several stretches that are suitable for kids. Our boys (7 and 9-years at the time) LOVED the adrenaline packed whitewater rafting adventure we had here.
Chocolate Tours
These are a big hit with the kids! There are cocoa plantations in various places across Costa Rica and many do educational tours. These explain the whole process from bean to bar and are a great worldschooling activity.
How long do you need for a visit to Costa Rica with kids?
With so much to offer, you’d be quite right to wonder how long you need to visit Costa Rica with the family.
As with most destinations, the longer you have, the better! A longer stay over several weeks will allow you to really experience all that Costa Rica has to offer.
But this isn’t always realistic. Most of the time the majority of us are looking at two weeks max for a family vacation. And the good news is that you can still pack the best of Costa Rica into this timeframe. As a country it’s pretty small which means that travel distances are not too exhausting. This means you can plan to spend time in 3-4 places in a two-week Costa Rica itinerary without feeling too rushed.
If you want to see what we think is the PERFECT itinerary for visiting Costa Rica with kids, then good news! You can download our totally FREE guide to Costa Rica Travel With Kids right here. Featuring a planned itinerary, packing list, top Costa Rica family travel tips and links to our fave places to stay. Get your free pdf download now!
When is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica with kids?
Whilst there are dry and rainy seasons in Costa Rica, there isn’t really a bad time to visit. We’ll breakdown the pros and cons of each season below so you can make up your own mind!
Dry Season (December to April)
- Sunny, dry days mean that this is a great time to take advantage of all the outdoor activities that Costa Rica has to offer.
- Great beach weather!
- Humidity is lower at this time of year.
- However, this is also Costa Rica’s peak tourist season. This means inevitably there will be more crowds and prices will be higher.
Green Season (May-November)
- More rain (as you’d expect) with peak rainfall in September and October
- The rainfall makes Costa Rica’s fauna beautifully lush and green
- Visiting outside peak season makes Costa Rica more affordable (a big factor for many budget travellers)
- There will be less crowds, particularly in popular spots like the national parks
Whilst these seasons apply to most of the Pacific side of Costa Rica, the Caribbean Coast has less defined seasons. Typically the Caribbean sees more rain throughout the year.
Temperatures range between 70-85F all year-round.
School Holidays/Peak Season
The absolute peak, busiest time to visit Costa Rica is over the Christmas school holidays. The weather might be good but you will pay a much higher price for accommodation and there will be crowds to battle through in popular spots.
If you do plan on visiting at this time then make sure you book your accommodation and tours well in advance.
We visited Costa Rica in November/early December which we found ideal. This is ‘shoulder’ season so prices are still cheaper but we had plenty of clear, sunny days. Yes, it did rain (and the rain in Costa Rica is HEAVY!) but this absolutely did not affect our experience. It didn’t stop us from doing anything we wanted. If anything the rain was spectacular and an experience in itself!
For more information on the differences between dry and green season (and the differences between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts) check out this article from Visit Costa Rica which details what to expect.
How much do you need to budget for a trip to Costa Rica with kids?
Planning a Costa Rica family travel budget was one of the hardest aspects for me.
Let’s dive straight in: Costa Rica is not a cheap country to visit. Whilst I wouldn’t describe Costa Rica as cheap for travel, I would say that with all the bucket-list activities you can fit in to just one trip, it is a good value family destination.
If you’re travelling as a family of four you could expect to spend:
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)
Food was one aspect that we did find expensive. We saved a lot of money by self-catering whenever we could, and eating local foods like rice and beans.
Activities and tours are also often costly – but on the whole we found them very worthwhile. Tours like whitewater rafting, swimming in the bioluminescence and seeing nesting turtles cost us around £200 each for a family of four. These are the things that you come to Costa Rica to see and experience so are worth the investment!
The cost of private/shared shuttles can also really add up. In the end we worked out that it was actually cheaper to hire a car for part of our trip. You can read about our experiences of driving in Costa Rica here. If you do decide to book a car I would highly recommend using Discover Cars – our experiences with them around the world were always great.
Interested in seeing how much it cost us? I documented EXACTLY what we spent in five weeks in Costa Rica. This post breaks down our spend on activities, accommodation, travel, food, shopping and everything else in-between!
Costa Rica Family Travel Tips
There’s a few more Costa Rica family travel tips that you should be aware of if you’re planning a trip.
Safety Tips for Kids
- You will need a lot of high factor sunscreen. Pack as much as you think you will need as suncream is very expensive in Costa Rica!
- You’ll be out in the sun and heat a lot if you’re exploring the national parks. Make sure you carry plenty of water and that the whole family stays hydrated to avoid sun stroke.
- Kids in particular need to be aware that they should be calm around the wildlife. Shouting and running around will scare all the animals away!
- Absolutely do NOT feed the wildlife. Ever.
- There are few pavements alongside many of the roads in Costa Rica. Make sure your kids have a good sense of road safety and keep them close when walking near roads.
Packing Essentials
We include a family packing list in our free downloadable guide. Here are some of the top tips for family travel to Costa Rica:
- Despite the heat, pack long sleeved tops and trousers. These will offer good sun protection and keep the biting insects away.
- Mosquitos are obviously present in Costa Rica – make sure you pack insect repellent and consider investing in some NosiLife clothing (clothes with mosquito repellent built-in)
- Pack plenty of snacks! Especially when heading out for long, action-packed days.
- Lightweight clothing works best in the heat (and makes for easier packing too)
- Make sure you pack a rain jacket – even in dry season
Cultural Etiquette
In general Costa Rica is a very laidback country. It’s also incredibly family-friendly. But there are still a couple of tips that will help your Costa Rica travel with kids go smoothly!
- Be aware of the #stopanimalselfies campaign. Costa Rica is hot on protecting it’s wildlife (quite rightly) and stopping tourists taking selfies is part of the country’s mission.
- Costa Rica has loads to offer if you really want to immerse yourself in the culture. Book a cooking class in a local home or visit the many chocolate and coffee tours that show you how families still run small businesses.
Download our free Costa Rica travel with kids guide!
We’ve pulled all the key information you need for a family trip to Costa Rica into one handy downloadable PDF. Let us take some of the load off when it comes to planning!
Your free Costa Rica Travel with Kids guide includes:
- A complete 2-week itinerary tailor-made for families
- Family packing checklist
- Links to all our fave family stays in Costa Rica
- A list of must-do Costa Rica family activities
- Top Costa Rica family travel tips
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Need even more info on Costa Rica travel with Kids?
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Our family loved visiting the Arenal area, both exploring many hot springs, zip lining, and waterfall rappelling. So many wonderful choices.
It’s such a great base for doing so many fab activities!
Thank you so much for all the advice on where to see sloths. They’re top of my list for my trip to Costa Rica.
No problem! We were so excited every single time we spotted a sloth 🙂