Travel with Kids - Top Jaco Tours for Families with Children

Traveling with kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially when visiting a family-friendly destination like Jaco Costa Rica. Located along the scenic central Pacific coast, Jaco offers a plethora of tour options that are perfect for families with children. From thrilling outdoor adventures to interactive wildlife encounters, there are no shortage of activities to keep everyone entertained. In this blog article, we will explore the top Jaco family-friendly tours that will ensure your vacation is not only fun, but also memorable for both parents and children alike!

Surfing Lessons 🏄🏻‍♀️🏖️🌞

One of the most exhilarating activities for families to enjoy together in Jaco is to take surfing lessons at the famous Jaco Beach. Regardless of age, both kids and parents can join in on the fun and share the thrill of catching waves.

With certified instructors who prioritize safety above all else, the whole family can rest assured that they will be in good hands. These skilled instructors will provide step-by-step guidance on proper technique and ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident in the water. Surfing lessons not only offer a fantastic bonding experience, but also serve as an incredible opportunity to learn a new skill while creating lasting vacation memories together.

Horseback Riding 🐴👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

A horseback tour in nearby Los Suenos is a fantastic option for families looking to immerse themselves in nature and create unforgettable memories. Suitable for children aged 5 and older, this tour takes you through breathtaking landscapes and tropical rainforests as you make your way to a hidden waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip. A fresh fruit snack on the banks of the waterfall provides the perfect healthy energy boost. Riding on horseback allows families to sit back and relax as they experience the beauty of the animals and the area's incredible natural scenery. With knowledgeable guides and well-trained horses leading the way, families with kids are sure to have an amazing time on this family-friendly excursion.

Monkey Mangrove 🐵😆🥰

Experiencing the monkey tour in the Damas Mangroves about 40 minutes from Jaco is a must-do for families with kids. This adventure is packed to the brim with excitement and joy! As you navigate down the river in a mangrove boat, the whole family will delight at the sight of the playful capuchin monkeys swinging in the trees.

Stopping alongside the mangroves, your professional guide will call to the monkeys to bring them down to the boat for a truly memorizing wildlife encounter. The comical antics of these mischievous creatures can bring endless laughter and happiness to everyone in the family. The opportunity to capture photographs of the adorable capuchin monkeys is a great way to both treasure your memories, and share them with your extended family and friends back home. For children in particular, interacting with the white-face monkeys in their natural habitat can instill a genuine curiosity and love for animals and nature that may shape the way they view the natural world for the rest of their lives.

Tortuga Island 🏝️🏴‍☠️🤿

Families with children always have a blast on the family-friendly Tortuga Island Catamaran Tour, where adventure and relaxation intertwine seamlessly. On the roughly 40-minute cruise from the mainland to the island, you can watch for jumping dolphins playing in the water. Once you arrive, the organized ecohike of the island’s rainforest offers a chance to explore pristine natural beauty.

The super-silly banana boat ride included in the tour provides endless giggles as the children hold on tight while being towed across the waves. Snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters at Tortuga unveils a vibrant underwater world, captivating the entire family with its colorful marine life. Back on the sand, Mom and Dad can savor refreshing complementary cocktails from the shade of their private beach chairs while the kids splash around in the water and explore the white sand beach. Rounding out the day is a delicious buffet meal, where everyone gathers together to indulge in a variety of local culinary delights. This unforgettable day of adventure and relaxation is always a hit for the whole family.

Crocodile Mangrove 🐊🦎😮

Embarking on a kid-friendly crocodile mangrove tour down the Rio Tarcoles is an exhilarating experience that families with kids will truly enjoy. Gliding down the river in a mangrove boat, parents and children alike are always amazed at the massive size of the crocodiles lounging lazily along the banks.

These incredible creatures are so large that the locals have affectionately given them names, adding charm and humor to this exciting adventure. Knowledgeable guides share fascinating facts and stories about these ancient predators, captivating the entire family with tales of their habits and behaviors. This wildlife tour instills a healthy sense of respect for the world's amazing creatures.

National Parks 🏞️💚📷

With Carara National Park only 40 minutes to the north and Manuel Antonio National Park only 1 hour to the south, Jaco is perfectly situated for families with children to explore either or both of these parks during their vacation.

A guided hike through Carara National Park offers an immersive experience in the lush rainforest of Costa Rica. Led by knowledgeable naturalist guides, families can explore well-maintained trails and discover the park's diverse flora and fauna. As they venture deeper into the forest, the guides share fascinating insights about the park's ecosystem, pointing out various plant species and any animals they might see. Carara National Park is the perfect hike for bird loving families, as over 400 species call this park home. From scarlet macaws and toucans, to yellow-billed cotinga, to hummingbirds, Carara Park is a wonderful tour for families with kids.

A guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park takes families on an enchanting journey through stunning rainforests and coastal landscapes. Accompanied by certified naturalist guides, families can explore the park's well-maintained trails while learning about its unique biodiversity. Guides will assist you with both spotting and identifying wildlife in the park, including howler, spider, squirrel and white-faced monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, coatis, frogs, iguanas, and a wide variety of birds. As the hike continues, families reach stunning lookout points that offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the park's pristine beaches.

Private Fishing Charters 🎣👨‍👩‍👦⚓

Fishing Charters leaving from nearby Los Suenos Marina are an excellent choice for families with children visiting Jaco. Charters offer a variety of fishing adventures that are suitable for all ages and skill levels. The experienced crew members are not only skilled fishermen but also great with kids, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for the whole family. The tours provide an opportunity for children to learn about fishing and the marine ecosystem while having fun and creating lasting memories. The comfortable and well-equipped charter boats offer amenities such as A/C, shade, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone on board!

In addition to the fantastic options mentioned above, there are many more family-friendly tours available in the Jaco area. Embarking on an exciting outrigger canoe trip provides the opportunity to take in the stunning coastline views as a family, while rainforest safari 4x4 and ATV tours provide the opportunity to explore the lush greenery of the rainforest mountains that border the town of Jaco. If you prefer to leave the planning to us, we offer kid-friendly vacation packages that might be a perfect fit. Whatever tours you choose for your vacation, Jaco promises endless fun and excitement for the whole family.