Costa Rica family vacation guide

If you and your loved ones are looking to enjoy a family vacation that delivers big on adventure and fun across rich mix of landscapes (take your pick from rainforests, beaches, volcanoes and hot springs), look no further than Costa Rica. For more detail and tips on the likes of when to visit, where to stay and the best activities to do in Costa with kids, dive into our Costa Rica family vacation guide.

Why Costa Rica is perfect for a family vacation

Thanks to its incredible blend of nature and adventure — coupled with being safe and served by excellent tourist infrastructure — Costa Rica is an unforgettable vacation destination for families. 

Picture yourselves exploring lush rainforests and spotting sloths, monkeys and other amazing Costa Rica wildlife one day, then chilling out (or having fun!) on one of the best beaches in Costa Rica the next, and all within pretty short travel distances. 

The country is simply loaded with child-friendly activities, from zip-lining, kayaking and going on wildlife safaris, to enjoying thrilling (but do-able!) hikes to hot springs, waterfalls and volcanos.

Radiating its infectious “pura vida” ethos at every turn, Costa Rica is also known for its warm hospitality, and loaded with boutique eco-lodges that cater to all ages, along with larger family-friendly hotels.

As a bonus, through its invitation to explore the awe-inspiring outdoors and commitment to conservation and sustainability, Costa Rica is also educationally enriching, and ideal for multi-generational family trips, especially if you craft a Costa Rica itinerary covering a range of landscapes at a reasonable pace.

Need more convincing? Check out the best places to visit in Costa Rica before continuing with our Costa Rica family vacation guide.

Best time to visit Costa Rica

Whether you’re traveling with kids or otherwise, choosing the best time to visit Costa Rica is key. 

That is to say, you’ll want the weather to be suitable for you all to maximise your time in the country, unhindered by rainy conditions that'll hamper your chance of enjoying the best hikes in Costa Rica, or days on the beach.

So, on balance, the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the mid-December to April dry season, with December to February being the peak season for tourism.

Bear that in mind if you’re not keen on the biggest crowds, and if you're looking to travel to Costa Rica on a budget.

Top family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica

Good news — lots of family-friendly attractions in Costa Rica are clustered around a clutch of excellent areas.

Alongside offering amazing experiences in close proximity to each other, the following are all served by great infrastructure, which makes them the top family-friendly destinations in Costa Rica.

La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano

La Fortuna is arguably the best family-friendly destination in Costa Rica if you’re looking to enjoya diversity of nature-based experiences in one convenient location.

Gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna also offers easy access to the best Arenal volcano hikes, beautiful hot springs, and lush rainforests that are ripe for ziplining , wildlife-watching, and hanging bridges adventures. 

Meanwhile, La Fortuna boasts one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica, while the town itself has great accommodation options, ranging from family eco-lodges to full-service resorts. 

In addition. Arenal also provides opportunities for educational eco-tours, helping children understand volcanoes, geothermal energy, and rainforest ecosystems in an interactive, fun environment.

Put simply, after reading up on the best Arenal volcano tours, it’s likely this area will move to the top of your list. 

Manuel Antonio National Park

While La Fortuna is hard to beat as a family vacation destination, Manuel Antonio National Park gives it a very good run for its money. 

One of the most accessible, wildlife-rich places in the country, this is also one of the best national parks in Costa Rica, and combines jungle trails, beaches and abundant wildlife in one family-friendly package. 

While not all the best beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park are suitable for swimming, they are all beautiful and backed by well-maintained jungle paths, which makes hiking with young children manageable. 

More often than not, you'll get to see howler monkeys, capuchins, iguanas and sloths along the trails.

Nearby hotels and restaurants cater to families, and there are fun guided tours for snorkeling, dolphin watching, or mangrove kayaking, as detailed in our guide to the best Manuel Antonio National Park tours.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Offering an enchanting, slightly cooler experience in Costa Rica’s cloud forest region, Monteverde invites families to explore mystical misty forests on hanging bridges, visit butterfly gardens and interactive insect museums, and learn about conservation at local sustainability centers. 

For adventurous families, zip-lining over the canopy is a thrilling must-do, as are the night safaris the area has become known for — expect to see nocturnal creatures like frogs and cute kinkajous. 

In essence, the small-town vibe, excellent wildlife watching, and strong educational focus make Monteverde ideal for nature-loving families who want a deeper understanding of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.

As Monteverde and Arenal are often combined on itineraries, it might be worth wising up on getting from La Fortuna to Monteverde.

Tortuguero National Park

Magical and remote (it’s only accessible by boat or small plane), Tortuguero National Park will suit more adventurous families with older kids.

Offering real jungle adventures, and nicknamed the “Amazon of Costa Rica”, it features winding canals, lush lowland rainforest, and incredible opportunities to see manatees, monkeys, crocodiles, and most famously, nesting sea turtles. 

During turtle season (July–October), families can witness sea turtles nesting, or hatchlings emerging — truly an unforgettable experience.

Guided canoe or boat tours are calm and safe for kids, and many eco-lodges here are family-oriented, and offer lots of educational insights into conservation and turtle protection.

After reading up on the best Tortuguero National Park tours, yoiu'll most likely be tempted to start packing for an incredible adventure!

Guanacaste 

Guanacaste’s Pacific Coast is perfect for beach-loving families, with towns like Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo offering wide, sandy beaches ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, and learning to surf. 

The area enjoys a dry, sunny climate most of the year, making outdoor plans easy to stick to, no matter which of the best beaches in Guanacaste you decide to base yourself near.

Tamarindo, for example, has numerous kid-friendly restaurants, ice cream shops, and safe streets for walking, and it’s a great base from which to take catamaran cruises, go for horseback rides on the beach, and enjoy estuary wildlife tours.

In addition, many resorts and hotels offer family suites and pools, making it an easy, relaxing beach escape with optional adventure. In fact, many of the best Guanacaste tours cover both elements on day excursions.

Best things to do on a family vacation

Read on for a snapshot of some of the best things to do on a family vacation in Costa Rica, with more food for thought in our guide to visiting Costa Rica with kids.

Rainforest ziplining

Zip-lining is a thrilling (and safe) way for families to explore Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy, with platforms high in the trees offering views of monkeys, birds and volcanoes.

Many parks, like those in Arenal and Monteverde, offer kid-friendly zip-line courses, some starting from age 5 or 6. 

Harnesses and helmets are provided, and experienced guides ensure safety. While parents and teens especially enjoy the rush, some courses offer tandem rides with a guide, so younger kids can join in the fun.

Wildlife safaris 

Costa Rica’s wildlife is abundant, and family safaris are a safe and exciting way to experience it. 

For example, river tours on the Peñas Blancas or Tempisque Rivers offer a calm alternative to rafting, with expert guides pointing out sloths, caimans, monkeys and colorful birds.

Meanwhile, night walks, especially in Monteverde or Sarapiquí, reveal a magical world of glowing fungi, frogs and tarantulas.

Have fun in natural hot springs

Visiting the best hot springs in Arenal Volcano National Park, for example, is a unique, fun and relaxing way for families to spend time together, especially if your kids are different ages, or you have different ideas about what makes a great vacation!

For example, parents can unwind in mineral-rich water while children play safely nearby — resorts like Baldi, Tabacón and EcoTermales have pools of varying temperatures, some with water slides and shallow areas for kids. 

Some springs also have volcano views and waterfalls built into the design, and many hot spring resorts offer day passes and include changing facilities, lockers and restaurants.

Surf lessons on the Pacific Coast

Costa Rica is one of the world’s best places to learn to surf, with beaches like Tamarindo, Nosara and Santa Teresa offering gentle waves and professional surf schools that can cater lessons to kids and beginners. 

Lessons typically begin on the sand with basic safety and technique, followed by water time with close instructor guidance. 

Boards and rash guards are provided, and most kids will be able to stand up by the end of the first lesson, making it a rewarding and confidence-boosting experience..

Fun farm experiences 

Costa Rica is a great place for interactive farm tours, which are satisfyingly educational, and satisfyingly tasty! 

At chocolate farms, such as those in La Fortuna or Puerto Viejo, families can learn how cacao is grown, harvested, fermented, and turned into chocolate, usually with tastings at every step. 

Coffee farms offer similar tours, during which kids can see how beans are processed and roasted. 

Many tours include hands-on experiences like crushing beans or making chocolate drinks, and guides are usually great at keeping kids engaged.

Want more activity ideas? Read our guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica, many of which will keep kids very happy.

Sample 7–10-day itinerary for families

Wondering how many days you need in Costa Rica? While you can have a great time following a 5 days in Costa Rica itinerary, working to a 7 days in Costa Rica itinerary means you and your little ones will feel less rushed.

Better still if you can enjoy a 10 days in Costa Rica itinerary, such the one outlined right below, which covers some of the country’s top nature, wildlife and beach destinations.

Day 2-4: Tortuguero

Transfer to Tortuguero, where lush canals and incredible wildlife-watching experiences await for the next few days. 

Most folks make the transfer on a self-drive trip (followed by a boat ride), or through joining a shuttle group ride.

On arrival, watch turtles, enjoy rides on the canals, go hiking, zip-line and take night-tine nature tours.

Day 5–7: La Fortuna and Arenal volcano

The next stage of this 10-day Costa Rica itinerary gives you and your kids the chance to experience the best family-friendly activities and attractions around La Fortuna and Arenal. 

By which we mean lava-field treks, walks to waterfalls, hanging bridge experiences, volcano hikes and hot springs fun.

Day 8–10: Manuel Antonio and Jaco Beach

Nature and beaches are in store on the last leg of this itinerary. 

While Manuel Antonio National Park combines opportunities to watch wildlife while trekking trails, and enjoy adventure sports like canopy experiences, zip-lining, horse-riding and white-water rafting, Jaco Beach (spend your last day here) is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country.

Especially beloved by surfers, it’s also close to national parks and outdoor adventure activities.

Want to focus on adventure and wildlife? Check out the best Costa Rica rainforest tours. 

Or, if you have longer than 10 days, take inspiration from our suggested 14 days in Costa Rica itinerary.

Where to stay with kids in Costa Rica

Here are the bests types of accommodation to consider staying in with kids in Costa Rica.

Eco-lodges

Eco-lodges are a fantastic way for families to immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s lush natural environments while teaching kids about sustainability and wildlife. 

Many lodges have on-site trails, wildlife viewing decks, and guides, making nature exploration convenient, safe and educational. 

Rooms are usually bungalow-style, and some set-ups have larger family units, small pools and kid-friendly menus.

Full-service family resorts

Family-friendly resorts in Costa Rica are ideal for travelers looking for convenience, comfort, and all-in-one services. 

These resorts, mostly along the Pacific Coast in Guanacaste or near Arenal, offer pools, kids’ clubs, organized tours, and buffet dining, making them great for families with young children or picky eaters. 

Some even offer babysitting services, water slides and kids’ menus, and all-inclusive options can help parents relax — no need to worry about managing meals.

While resorts may feel less immersive than eco-lodges, many now incorporate sustainable practices and offer wildlife tours, cultural nights, and nature trails on the property. 

Such resorts are also perfect for the beach phase of your itinerary, especially after spending time exploring more rugged areas. 

Beachside rentals and bungalows

Staying in a beachside rental gives families a relaxed, flexible way to enjoy Costa Rica’s coastlines. 

Options range from self-catering apartments and villas to bungalow-style beach cabins, which are particularly popular in Nosara, Samara, Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo. 

Many rentals are also within walking distance of safe swimming beaches, surf schools and beachside cafés, which means you can either cook your own meals, or else dine at nearby restaurants, while enjoying more flexible routines than you would in a hotel.

This option is best for parents who prefer local living over organized resort stays, and enjoy a slower travel pace with spontaneous beach time and nature walks built into the day.

Where to base yourself

Here are some areas that make a great base for family vacations in Costa Rica:

La Fortuna: head here for volcano views, hot springs, and family-friendly adventures like zip-lining and wildlife safaris.

Manuel Antonio: combining jungle trails and calm beaches, this is ideal for hiking, swimming, and watching wildlife.

Tamarindo: a great place to learn to surf, with easy beach access, safe swimming, and child-friendly restaurants.

Monteverde: a cooler base for cloud forest walks, butterfly gardens, and soft adventure.

Puerto Viejo: African-Caribbean culture, wildlife rescue centers, and mellow beaches in a colorful setting.

Planning to stay in the capital? Check out the best San Jose hotels.

Travel tips for a Costa Rica family vacation

Read on for tips on some key practical matters.

How to get around

First up in our Costa Rica travel tips for families is considering how you’ll get around if your itinerary covers a few regions.

In short, if you’re short on time (for example, only staying a week or so), it’s better to stick to one destination and take day trips, using local tour operators who can arrange transport and pick-ups. 

If you’re traveling further afield on a longer trip, renting a car is often the best option for families as this provides flexibility and comfort. Just be prepared for rough roads in remote areas, and bring a car seat if you need one. 

Also note that sidewalks can be uneven or non-existent in cities and towns, so a sturdy stroller is recommended for younger children, or a carrier.

If you prefer not to drive, and don’t like the sound of the bus, hiring a private shuttle is a good option. 

Get more context on getting around Costa Rica.

What to pack

Costa Rica’s diverse climate means packing smart is essential. 

You’ll all need lightweight, breathable clothing, long sleeves and pants for forest hikes, and swimwear for beaches and hot springs. 

Include sturdy shoes or sandals, a light rain jacket and sun hats. 

On the subject of sun, be sure to pack plenty of reef-safe sunscreen, along with bug spray, and a child-safe first-aid kit (including antihistamines, pain relievers, and rehydration salts). 

Also, don’t forget to pack favorite snacks, refillable water bottles, and entertainment for downtime (books, coloring, tablets). 

A child carrier is helpful for hikes with toddlers, and a travel booster seat is useful for car rentals. 

Staying safe and healthy 

While Costa Rica is generally safe, families should take some common-sense precautions. 

Ahead of your trip, make sure your travel insurance covers medical care and activities, and check kids’ routine vaccinations.

Use bug repellent to protect against mosquitoes, especially in humid or coastal areas, and ensure kids stay hydrated, particularly when hiking or on sunny beach days. 

On the subject of hydration, stick to bottled or filtered water.

Be sure to apply sunscreen and seek shade during peak sun hours. In cities or on excursions.

If swimming in rivers or ocean spots, pay attention to local warnings and currents. Also pay very close attention to guides when exploring the likes of rainforests — some of the wildlife is dangerous (e.g. venomous snakes).

Food in Costa Rica

Overall, Costa Rican food is healthy, mild, and ideal for introducing kids to new flavors without overwhelming their taste buds. 

Think simple, fresh staples like rice, beans, grilled chicken and fried plantain, and plenty of tropical fruits.

For picky eaters, many restaurants offer pasta, sandwiches, plain rice and eggs, and pizza. Just watch for spicy sauces or unfamiliar condiments. 

In remote areas, dining options may be limited, so packing snacks and dry food can help during travel days. 

Decided to visit Costa Rica for a fun-filled family vacation? Read our guide to how to plan a trip to Costa Rica before taking the plunge.

Or, if you're not keen on planning, or aren't sure where to start, contact our local Costa Rica travel experts to have them curate your perfect family-oriented Costa Rice itinerary.