Our recent family vacation to Costa Rica was an absolute triumph, marking our first international adventure with the kids. We are now utterly convinced that it stands as one of the best possible destinations for families earning their first passport stamp. This trip blended relaxation, cultural enrichment, and thrilling fun, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer all your pressing questions: from our chosen accommodations and exciting activities to navigating a foreign country with young children, ensuring your own Pura Vida experience is just as unforgettable.
Traveling with little ones (our children are aged 5 and 9) often leads to opting for low-stress, easily planned vacations. However, our goal for this journey was to step boldly out of that comfort zone, embracing a new kind of adventure. It felt daunting at first, but we are incredibly grateful we took the leap!
Why Costa Rica for Families?
Our decision to choose Costa Rica for our inaugural international family trip was based on several compelling factors:
- The promise of warm, inviting weather in January, a perfect escape from colder climates.
- Enthusiastic recommendations from two different friends who had recently enjoyed their own Costa Rican adventures.
These initial points sparked our interest, leading us to delve deeper into what this Central American gem had to offer. The more we learned, the more Costa Rica shone as an ideal family destination.
Costa Rica boasts an incredible array of lodging and activity options, catering to diverse family needs and interests. The allure of encountering fascinating wildlife, such as playful monkeys and slow-moving sloths, was particularly exciting for our children. What truly sealed the deal was Costa Rica’s relative accessibility. The flight from Virginia was manageable, especially when compared to many other international destinations.
Our kids had prior experience with shorter, two-hour flights to Florida, so we were confident they could handle a slightly longer journey. However, we weren’t ready to tackle an eight-hour transatlantic flight to Europe just yet. Our six hours of flying time to Costa Rica included a convenient layover each way, effectively breaking the journey into two shorter, more digestible segments. This made the travel experience far less stressful for everyone.
Where We Explored in Costa Rica
Our six-night Costa Rican adventure was strategically divided between two distinct Airbnb properties, with three nights spent in each. While this wasn’t our original plan, it proved to be an excellent decision, allowing us to immerse ourselves in two unique regions, each with its own charm and atmosphere. Our choice of towns was primarily guided by lodging availability and their proximity to the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José.
Our first Airbnb was nestled in Esterillos Oeste, a quaint beach town on the Pacific Coast, approximately two hours from San José Airport. This area had a distinctly local feel, frequented more by Costa Ricans enjoying a beach day than by international tourists. Its authenticity and lack of overwhelming tourism were a refreshing start to our trip.
The second Airbnb was located about an hour’s drive from our first, in Manuel Antonio. This town shares its name with the incredibly popular Manuel Antonio National Park (pictured below), and as such, it offered a much denser concentration of restaurants, shops, and tourist activities. We’ll share more details about both Airbnbs and these vibrant towns shortly.
While we thoroughly enjoyed our chosen regions, Costa Rica, roughly the size of West Virginia, offers a plethora of other incredible destinations, especially if you have specific experiences in mind. For instance, the captivating hot springs near the Arenal Volcano or the famous rope bridges in the Monteverde Cloud Forest are popular choices. These attractions are generally located north of San José, closer to Liberia Airport. If these activities sound more appealing for your family, consider flying into and staying further north in the country.
Getting to Costa Rica: Travel Times and Tips
Our flights from Virginia to Costa Rica amounted to approximately six hours each way. However, the total door-to-door travel time felt significantly longer. This was partly due to an extremely early departure, requiring us to wake up at 4 AM. Compounding this, our chosen towns were about two hours from the San José airport, essentially adding a mini road trip to our journey after landing.
In total, each leg of our trip involved around 12 hours of travel, effectively consuming a full day at both the beginning and end of our week-long vacation. Despite the length, the journey felt more manageable because it was broken into several segments: driving to the airport, flying, a layover, another flight, and then the final drive to our destination. To keep the kids engaged and happy, we came prepared with an arsenal of entertainment, including markers, notebooks, activity books, and fully charged iPads. These provisions proved invaluable in making the travel process smoother for everyone involved.
Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Essential Advice
Yes, we absolutely opted to rent a car for our Costa Rican adventure! Our vehicle was sourced from Payless through Expedia, and the rental experience was seamless, comparable to renting a car in the United States. We chose to rent a car for two primary reasons:
- The unparalleled flexibility a rental car offered, allowing us to explore at our own pace, discover hidden gems, and deviate from planned routes on a whim.
- To ensure we had appropriate and safe car seats for our children. We brought a booster seat for our 9-year-old in our checked luggage and rented a standard car seat from Payless for our 5-year-old.
It’s worth noting that some roads in Costa Rica can be unpaved, steep, or rocky. Based on advice from others, we chose to rent a car with 4-wheel drive. While we certainly encountered roads fitting this description, particularly the neighborhood paths leading to our first Airbnb (pictured below), we never actually needed to engage the 4WD. However, having it provided peace of mind on less-traveled routes.
For those preferring not to drive, many hotels, resorts, and tour operators in Costa Rica offer convenient shuttle services to and from the airport. Additionally, ride-sharing services like Uber are available in some areas, and clearly marked red taxis with yellow triangles are a common sight, offering alternative transportation options.
Driving in Costa Rica: What to Expect
Driving in Costa Rica proved to be much less challenging than we had anticipated. Overall, we found local drivers to be remarkably relaxed, polite, and unhurried. Even on highways, the maximum speed limit typically hovers around 80 km/h (approximately 50 mph). Travelers from countries that drive on the right side of the road will find it familiar, as Costa Rica also observes right-hand traffic.
The main “challenges” we encountered were related to road signage and parking. Streets were often unmarked, making Google Maps navigation our indispensable companion for ensuring we made the correct turns (I may have circled a roundabout an extra time or two!). When signage was present, it was predominantly in Spanish, requiring us to make educated guesses occasionally. Despite these minor hurdles, the overall driving experience was surprisingly straightforward.
Parking was particularly tricky in Manuel Antonio, a more congested area characterized by narrow, winding, and often mountainous roads. We sometimes had to abandon plans for certain recommended restaurants because their limited, cramped roadside parking spaces were full. Consequently, we found ourselves walking to many of our meals in Manuel Antonio, which was a pleasant way to explore. In retrospect, driving in Costa Rica felt no more difficult than driving in the United States, and we would certainly choose to rent a car again.
A word of caution: anticipate that travel times between destinations may be longer than you’d expect. This is primarily due to the lower speed limits and the fact that many highways are only one lane in each direction, making it easy to get held up behind slower vehicles. However, we genuinely came to appreciate this more leisurely pace. It eliminated the stressful, rushed feeling often associated with driving in other places, and we never felt like locals were impatient with tourists trying to navigate.
Overcoming the Language Barrier in Costa Rica
Despite Costa Rica being a Spanish-speaking country, we found that English is widely understood and spoken, so the language barrier was largely a non-issue. We could comfortably communicate in English with approximately 75% of the people we encountered. Menus and signage were frequently printed in both Spanish and English, or sometimes solely in English, especially in tourist-heavy areas. In the few instances where Spanish was necessary, simple hand gestures and a bit of patience from both sides facilitated communication effectively. We were consistently met with warmth and understanding. In fact, many locals seemed genuinely delighted to meet visitors, often inquiring, “Is this your first trip? Do you love it here? Have you seen any sloths yet?!“
These brief moments of language differences actually became a cherished part of our trip. For instance, when our children attempted to play with a local girl on the beach, their inability to fully understand each other served as a gentle yet powerful reminder that not everyone in the world will speak our language. The experience fostered a newfound interest in learning more Spanish in our children, who returned home with several new words added to their vocabulary.
Currency and Payments in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s official currency is the Colón (plural: Colones). However, we quickly discovered that a vast number of establishments and individuals readily accept US Dollars (USD). In several restaurants, prices were explicitly listed in USD rather than Colones. One grocery store even offered us the choice of which currency to complete our transaction in. We even paid in USD at a toll booth and received our change in Colones. This flexibility made financial transactions remarkably straightforward throughout our trip.
We traveled with a significant amount of USD cash and a small sum of about $15 worth of Colones. In hindsight, we would have been perfectly fine with just small USD bills and our credit card, negating the need for any Colones at all. Carrying a variety of small denominations of USD is highly recommended for convenience.
What is the money conversion in Costa Rica?
The exchange rate is approximately $1 USD to 570 Colones. This means prices in Costa Rica are often expressed in thousands of Colones. This can initially cause a moment of “sticker shock,” such as when a restaurant bill arrives totaling “25,000,” which translates to roughly $43 USD. While we quickly became accustomed to seeing these larger figures for everyday items, I did find myself reaching for a calculator more than once to double-check my mental math.
The most challenging aspect was simultaneously translating spoken Spanish numbers and converting them to USD during transactions. While I have a basic grasp of Spanish numbers (uno, dos, even catorce!), a rapid recitation of “dieciséis mil cuatrocientos setenta y cinco” can easily become overwhelming. Then, the mental gymnastics of converting that figure into US Dollars added another layer of complexity.
Ultimately, for convenience and peace of mind, we predominantly used our standard bank-issued Visa card for most in-store and restaurant purchases. We did incur approximately $40 in “international transaction fees” over our week-long trip. However, this small cost was absolutely worth it to avoid the stress of constant currency conversions and to prevent holding up lines while frantically attempting mental arithmetic in a foreign language. It allowed us to focus more on enjoying our vacation.
Is Costa Rica Safe for Family Travel?
This was a frequently asked question before our trip, and we can confidently affirm that we felt completely safe throughout our time in Costa Rica. We naturally employed common-sense safety measures that one would apply in any popular tourist area, such as locking doors at night, avoiding leaving valuables visible in the car, and keeping a close watch on our bags, wallets, and children. These precautions were not taken due to any specific “threat” but rather as general good practice, with one humorous exception: a warning that monkeys on some beaches are notorious for rummaging through unattended bags!
Speaking of wildlife, we also never felt unsafe due to animals or insects. We didn’t encounter any snakes, scorpions, or genuinely frightening large bugs. Well, scratch that – we did spot a large spider one evening, but it was outside and more fascinating than scary, posing no disturbance to us. In summary, our personal experience in Costa Rica was entirely devoid of any creature, person, or situation that made us feel insecure or threatened.
Our Incredible Airbnb in Esterillos Oeste
We truly hit the “Airbnb jackpot” on this trip, as both of our chosen accommodations in Costa Rica were among the most amazing places we’ve ever stayed anywhere. As mentioned, we ended up booking two different rentals because we couldn’t find a single property available for all six nights of our stay. While we considered hotels or resorts, we consistently find that vacation rentals offer greater space, enhanced privacy, and a more comfortable night’s sleep, which is paramount when traveling with children.
Our first Airbnb in Esterillos Oeste boasted two bedrooms within the main house. We enjoyed the comfortable king bedroom, while our children happily shared the other bedroom, which featured both a twin and a full-sized bed. Additionally, there was a charming third bedroom with a private entrance on a lower level, known as the “Casita,” situated near the vibrant mural shown above.
The Casita offered a serene and secluded space that would have been perfect if we were traveling with grandparents or another couple with a baby. However, since we preferred to sleep under the same roof as our young children, we didn’t utilize the Casita during our stay. Nevertheless, it would be an excellent option for a group of six renting the house.
The outdoor living area of this property was exceptionally relaxed, playful, and wonderfully private, leading us to spend countless hours enjoying it. Although there were houses on either side, the lush, mature landscaping created a deeply secluded feel, transforming the yard into our own personal tropical oasis. The pool, cleverly inset into a raised deck, offered the delightful sensation of swimming within the jungle canopy.
We were treated to daily visits from local wildlife right in our backyard! Iguanas frequently sunbathed on the deck, and one memorable afternoon, a troop of about ten monkeys swung through, walking along the railing directly in front of us! Magnificent macaws also soared overhead, painting the sky with their vibrant colors. It felt like receiving the quintessential Costa Rican wildlife experience without even having to leave the comfort of our rental.
For a complete visual tour of this extraordinary space, we filmed a quick video just before checking out. You can find the Airbnb listing here. It truly was a beautiful and unforgettable place to stay!
You can also watch our video tour on YouTube.
Our Stunning Airbnb in Manuel Antonio
Our second Airbnb in Manuel Antonio was exquisitely decorated, feeling as though it had stepped right out of a high-end home magazine. It featured three bedrooms within the main house, along with a separate Casita (visible below). Similar to our first rental, we chose not to sleep in the Casita, preferring to keep our family under one roof. However, for older children or a second couple, the Casita would have been an exceptional private retreat.
One of the three bedrooms in the main house was an un-air-conditioned loft. While it was slightly too warm for comfortable overnight sleep, it served as a magical spot for a couple of pre-bedtime family movie nights, much to the kids’ delight. The two downstairs bedrooms were air-conditioned, so we utilized one, and the kids shared a bed in the other, ensuring everyone slept comfortably.
This house truly excelled with its incredible outdoor spaces, meticulously inspired by and adorned with items from the owners’ travels to Bali. Highlights included a spacious outdoor dining table perfect for al fresco meals, a captivating hammock swing that became an instant favorite with our children, and a luxurious hanging daybed that ultimately inspired us to construct a similar one at our own home. The pool was beautiful and offered pleasant partial shade, which we enjoyed daily.
We captured a short video of this Airbnb shortly after our arrival. While we regrettably missed filming the bedroom where we slept, you can glimpse it on the right before I turn into the spacious bathroom with the tub. More details and photos are also available on the Airbnb listing.
You can also watch our video tour on YouTube.
It’s important to acknowledge the exceptional hospitality of our Airbnb hosts at both locations! Within hours of our booking, each had messaged us with extensive lists of activity suggestions – everything from snorkeling and ziplining to boat tours – and offered their assistance in planning any excursions we desired. While we ultimately only took them up on arranging two activities, their readiness to answer our general travel questions was incredibly helpful. The first Airbnb is managed by a Canadian couple who now reside full-time in Esterillos Oeste (we had the pleasure of meeting the husband during our stay). The second is overseen by a local rental company, and serendipitously, the woman who greeted us grew up in the very same county I did (Fairfax, Virginia) before moving to Costa Rica full-time. It truly is a small world!
Top Things to Do with Kids in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is renowned as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. However, it’s worth noting that our children have absolutely no interest in heights, speed, or anything remotely adrenaline-pumping, so activities like ziplining, rope bridges, or whitewater rafting were off our radar. Given their current ages (5 and 9), this could certainly change in the future. But for families traveling with more laid-back explorers and fewer daredevils, here’s a roundup of the activities and destinations we thoroughly enjoyed:
Esterillos Oeste Beach
Just a short five-minute drive from our first Airbnb, Esterillos Oeste Beach offered convenient and free parking along the dirt roads paralleling the shore. We first visited for a post-lunch stroll (hence no bathing suits in the photo) and returned the following day fully equipped with swimsuits, towels, and a cooler packed with snacks for an extended visit. While the Pacific Ocean can have strong currents, the beach featured numerous shallow tidepools, perfect for our kids to safely splash and play. Exploring the shoreline for unique shells and other natural treasures also provided endless entertainment.
Royal Butterflies
Royal Butterflies is a charming farm and butterfly sanctuary located near Jaco Beach, lovingly operated by an American family who have made Costa Rica their home. This gem came highly recommended by our first Airbnb host. One of the owners, Donna, warmly greeted us upon arrival and led us on a delightful one-on-one tour of the butterfly enclosure and the surrounding farm. Our children were thrilled to pick starfruit directly from a tree, run through the gentle, shallow river that meandered across the property, and even got a sneak peek at the incredible treehouse Airbnb they were in the process of constructing.
This proved to be a perfectly low-key and engaging activity for children of our ages, costing us just $30 (with a $10 fee for anyone aged 6 and up). It was a wonderful way to connect with nature and learn about the local ecosystem in a relaxed setting.
Manuel Antonio Guided Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park holds the distinction of being Costa Rica’s smallest yet most popular national park, celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity, including the elusive sloths! While you can visit without a guide, we wholeheartedly recommend hiring one if your goal is to spot wildlife. We booked our guide through our Airbnb host (who exclusively works with him, so we can’t provide a direct link), but we’ve heard that most park guides are equally excellent. Alternatively, you can hire a guide directly at the park entrance, or explore options on Airbnb Experiences.
A guide is essential because most animals are cleverly camouflaged high in the tree canopy or hidden deep within the jungle foliage. Our experienced guide used his keen eye to spot them and a powerful telescopic lens to provide us with an incredible close-up view. He even skillfully used his lens to capture amazing photos of the animals with our own phones! We returned home with a fantastic collection of images, featuring everything from an adorable mother and baby sloth (a definite highlight!) to numerous monkeys, an exquisite “rainbow grasshopper” (a creature I never expected to encounter!), a bat, a curious raccoon, and even vibrant red and blue crabs. There was an astonishing amount of wildlife to behold.
Without a doubt, the most captivating moment was observing the baby sloth nestled with its mother. We stood mesmerized, watching them for a solid five minutes, an absolutely incredible experience. Our guided tour cost approximately $140 total for two adults and two children, which included the park entrance fees and parking at a hotel near the front gate. They accepted only cash, so we were glad to have plenty of USD on hand. The guided portion lasted about two hours, which might be a stretch for some younger children. However, a spontaneous and entertaining show put on by a group of playful monkeys towards the end invigorated our son’s energy. Both of our kids emphatically named this tour as one of the coolest activities of our entire trip.
The image above is a zoomed-in photo I took with my phone, offering a good view of the monkeys. Below is the incredible shot our guide captured through his telescopic lens, illustrating just how much better a view we enjoyed thanks to his expertise and equipment. Quite the charming duo, wouldn’t you agree?
Manuel Antonio Beach
Following our enlightening guided tour in Manuel Antonio National Park, we decided to extend our visit and enjoy a swim at one of the park’s pristine beaches. Since our admission was already paid, it was an easy decision. Many locals advised us that the park beaches tend to be less crowded than the public ones outside the park. Our guide directed us to the beach with the calmest waters, which proved to be one of the most breathtaking beaches I have ever seen (though the absolute prettiest is coming up next!).
We didn’t stay excessively long, as everyone was starting to get hungry, and the park maintains strict regulations regarding what food and drinks visitors can bring inside. Although there is a park cafeteria, it primarily offered pizza and pastries. Our kids absolutely adored swimming here; the water was warm, crystal clear, and offered just the right amount of gentle waves for playful splashing. We were so enchanted that we almost returned the following day.
Playa Biesanz
Instead of revisiting Manuel Antonio Beach, we serendipitously discovered Playa Biesanz during an online search. Its description as Manuel Antonio’s “secret” beach immediately piqued our interest. It sounded slightly off the beaten path, but as it was our last full day, we felt a surge of adventurous spirit. Google Maps guided us accurately to the right location, where we easily spotted the “break in the fence” that online reviews had mentioned. Several friendly locals were on hand, helping people park along the narrow road and holding hand-written signs offering to “watch your car” for 2000 colones (approximately $3.50 USD). While it felt a little like a tourist-oriented service, for $3.50, we didn’t mind the convenience. Their assistance with parking was genuinely appreciated, as it involved carefully maneuvering two wheels onto the curb. We then followed another family through the fence and down a moderate hill, embarking on about a 10-minute hike. The path was a bit rocky and steep in sections, but we managed it comfortably in flip-flops.
Playa Biesanz quickly earned its place as the most beautiful beach I have ever visited. The water was remarkably clear and wonderfully calm, perfect for swimming. The sand was pristine white and impeccably clean. Along the treeline, several local vendors offered refreshing ceviche, tropical cocktails, fresh coconuts with straws, and even kayaks and paddleboards for rent. We happily paid $10 (again, in USD) to rent two comfortable lounge chairs and a shaded umbrella, setting the scene for the most perfect final morning in Costa Rica.
While certainly not a true “secret” (there were other locals and tourists present), it was significantly less crowded than the other beaches we had visited. None of our photographs truly capture the sheer picturesque beauty of the entire scene. It remains one of those indelible travel memories that we will undoubtedly recount even when we’re ninety years old.
Miscellaneous Exploring and Local Delights
Beyond these structured excursions, a significant portion of our time was dedicated to simply exploring the charming towns we were in. We enjoyed trying out various local restaurants, embarking on spontaneous hikes and leisurely walks, browsing through local shops, and, of course, unwinding at our spectacular Airbnbs. We also found great pleasure in shopping at local markets alongside residents. These markets offered an abundance of fresh produce (picture Sherry excitedly exclaiming about “THIS GORGEOUS FRUIT!!!!!!” as she unpacked our market bags). We cherished the routine of cooking breakfast at our Airbnb each morning, going straight from pajamas to bathing suits, ready for a day of sun and fun. And a noteworthy observation: we ordered fresh fruit smoothies everywhere we went, a delightful and consistent highlight of our culinary experiences. Speaking of meals…
Kid-Friendly Dining in Costa Rica
Some parents worry about finding kid-friendly meal options when traveling internationally, but we encountered absolutely no issues in Costa Rica. We consistently found staples like chicken, quesadillas, hamburgers, pasta, or pizza on the menus of nearly every restaurant we visited. While our children were encouraged to sample some of the more local or “adventurous” dishes we ordered for ourselves, it was always reassuring to know they could rely on a familiar and comforting meal to ensure they left the restaurant with full and happy stomachs. Here are some of the restaurants we enjoyed the most, perfect for families:
Tacobar in Jaco Beach
Tacobar is a lively, family-friendly establishment featuring an extensive and varied taco menu. Located about 20 minutes from Esterillos Oeste, the food was excellent, and the smoothies were even better – a consistent theme throughout our trip! Our kids particularly loved the unique experience of sitting on swinging seats at the bar area, adding an extra element of fun to their dining experience.
Hotel Rancho Coral in Esterillos Oeste
Situated right on the beach, this cool outdoor eatery is part of one of the local hotels. They are widely acclaimed for their delicious wood-fired pizzas, though it’s important to note that the grill typically doesn’t fire up until after 2 PM. So, plan for dinner rather than lunch, a lesson we learned firsthand! Despite missing out on pizza for lunch, we enjoyed some fantastic seafood and followed our meal with a pleasant stroll along the beach.
El Mana in Esterillos Town Center
After our slight misstep at Hotel Rancho Coral, we fulfilled our pizza promise to our son at this delightful spot. We ordered the “Americana” pizza, which, to our amusement, featured a single slice of mozzarella cheese and basil in the center of each slice, resembling a miniature caprese salad. Sherry also indulged in a shrimp ceviche that was so incredible, she declared she wanted to eat only shrimp ceviche for the remainder of our trip! It was truly delicious. And, as you might guess, their smoothies are also highly recommended. Are you sensing a pattern yet?
El Avion in Manuel Antonio
El Avion was by far the most recommended restaurant we received before our trip, and for good reason! This unique establishment is famously built around a real, old cargo plane perched on the side of a mountain. Beyond the novelty of being able to walk through and dine inside an actual aircraft, the views from the upper level overlooking the Pacific Ocean were absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset. The food was also very good, offering a diverse menu. And yes, you guessed it – definitely try a smoothie here!
La Mariposa Hotel in Manuel Antonio
Another highly recommended dining spot, the restaurant at La Mariposa Hotel also boasts breathtaking views. We visited for lunch, but for an even more memorable experience, we would likely choose dinner next time, as the sunset from this vantage point is undoubtedly magnificent. The food was consistently delicious and incredibly fresh, making for a truly enjoyable meal.
In addition to these standout restaurants, we also enjoyed meals at some of the smaller, more casual eateries along the main road in Manuel Antonio, including a delightful Falafel Bar and a hamburger joint that boldly promised “The Best F-ing Hamburger in Costa Rica” (it was, indeed, pretty darn good!). To help manage costs and enjoy relaxed mornings, we made it a point to shop at local grocery stores and cook breakfast at our Airbnbs each day, typically consisting of eggs, fresh tropical fruit, pancakes, or bacon.
A Practical Tip: Toilet Paper Etiquette in Costa Rica
The only aspect of our trip that truly caught us by surprise was the local toilet paper situation. As a sign in our first Airbnb clearly explained, the jungle plumbing systems prevalent in Costa Rica are generally not designed to handle flushed toilet paper. Therefore, instead of flushing used toilet paper, it is customary – and necessary – to dispose of it in a small, lidded trash can conveniently placed next to the toilet. This practice was consistent everywhere we went, from our private rentals to local stores and restaurants.
Initially, this felt quite unusual and required a conscious adjustment. However, by the end of our trip, we had surprisingly adapted to it. It’s probably TMI, but I felt it was an important heads-up for future travelers! In fact, upon returning home, it felt momentarily strange to flush toilet paper, demonstrating just how quickly one can adjust to new customs. So, consider yourselves informed!
And on that rather candid note, I’ll conclude this comprehensive guide by reiterating that Costa Rica proved to be the absolute perfect destination for our family’s first international adventure. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The weather was consistently beautiful, contributing to the laid-back atmosphere. The food was delicious and varied, offering something for every palate. If you plan a visit, please do yourself a favor and enjoy at least ten of those incredible fresh fruit smoothies. Pura Vida!
Costa Rica with Kids: A Quick Recap
For those who prefer a concise overview of family-friendly activities in Costa Rica, here’s a quick bulleted summary of our top recommendations:
- Embark on a guided animal tour in Manuel Antonio National Park to spot sloths, monkeys, and other exotic wildlife.
- Enjoy a refreshing swim in the gentle waves at Manuel Antonio Beach, known for its calm waters and natural beauty.
- Visit the Royal Butterflies garden and farm for a serene and educational experience with stunning insects.
- Dine on delicious tacos and sip smoothies while sitting on unique swinging seats at Tacobar in Jaco Beach.
- Experience a meal inside a cliffside airplane at El Avion restaurant in Manuel Antonio, complete with spectacular ocean views.
- Hike to the secluded and picturesque “secret beach” of Playa Biesanz in Manuel Antonio.
- Savor lunch or dinner with incredible panoramic views at La Mariposa Hotel restaurant.
- Indulge in a fresh, tropical fruit smoothie at every opportunity – they are truly a highlight!
- Let the kids play safely in the shallow tidepools at Esterillos Oeste Beach, perfect for young explorers.
More Family Travel Guides
If you’re seeking inspiration for your next family adventure or are curious about our experiences in other destinations, you might find these additional travel guides helpful:
- A Weekend In New Orleans With Kids
- A Weekend in Charleston, SC with Kids
- A Weekend in Palm Springs, CA with Kids
- 2 Days In St. Petersburg, Florida with Kids
- Our Trip to Mexico with Kids… and a Dog!
- A Daddy-Daughter Trip to South Dakota
- Hawaii with a Toddler
- A Guide to Our (Former) Beach Town: Cape Charles, Virginia
- Our Favorite Activities, Shops, & Eats in Richmond, Virginia
- Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage in Puerto Rico
- Our Favorite Spring Break Trip Yet