What Are Costa Rican Family Vacations Like?

Finding the ideal place to enjoy a family vacation can become complicated when you think of all the factors involved: weather, activities for all ages, a variety of tourist attractions, security, and accommodations, just to name a few. Well, let us introduce you to Costa Rica, the destination that meets all of your travel needs and more!

This beautiful Central American country boasts gorgeous beaches, lush rain forests, diverse cuisine, abundant wildlife, and countless fun adventures, making it the perfect destination for travelers of all ages. Plus, the locals are friendly, outgoing, and always ready to show visitors a good time.

A Safe Country for Your Family

Costa Rica is a very safe country, making it an attractive tourist destination, especially for families. While many Central American countries struggle with high levels of gun and gang-related violence, Costa Rica is the exception. At most, you’ll want to keep an eye out for petty theft as you travel!

As with any destination, it is important to take some common-sense precautions. General tips for staying safe in Costa Rica include:

• Avoid carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive jewelry.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and be especially cautious when walking around at night.

• We recommend hiring a professional driver if you decide to rent a car. This is a safer and more practical option, especially if you are riding with your kids.

The quality of drinking water is another primary concern for many travelers, especially those with children in tow. Luckily, Costa Rica has some of the cleanest drinking water in all of Latin America. While you may want to stick to bottled water if you are traveling in rural areas, you and your family can drink the tap water in the more frequented areas of the country.

Family Adventures

Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for visitors of all ages. If you are traveling with children, you won’t want to miss the adventure activities available to you, including ziplining, whitewater rafting, surfing, and ATV touring. Experience everything from lush rainforests to tropical beaches in this country of many natural wonders! Here are some of our top recommendations for activities to enjoy:

• Go on a zipline and hang bridges tour in Monteverde: Ziplining through the lush green branches of a tropical forest is an unforgettable experience that gives you a birds-eye view of one of Central America's most beautiful natural wonders.

• Brave the rivers: Enjoy a thrilling ride and breathtaking rainforest scenery as you whitewater raft on Costa Rica’s stunning rivers. No two trips are ever the same, so you can go again and again and always have a new experience.

• Enjoy the wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park: You will be awestruck by the beauty of nature as your bilingual, government-certified naturalist guide takes you on a full-day tour.

• Catch a wave in Jaco: Spend a day on the world-class breaks surrounding Jaco Beach and Los Suenos with an experienced local surf guide.

• Mount a monkey on your shoulder 🙊: The Monkey Mangrove Tour is a truly exotic experience that you can enjoy no matter your age or fitness level.

Dinner Is Served!

Costa Rica has plenty of excellent restaurants that offer delicious food AND a family-friendly environment. Many restaurants offer both local dishes and international cuisine. Some of our top recommendations are:

• Restaurante Añoranzas: The menu features traditional Costa Rican dishes like casados (rice and beans with a variety of meat or fish toppings), gallo pinto (rice and beans cooked with spices), and chifrijo (a popular dish made with rice, beans, pork cracklings, and chorizo).

• La Cantina de Los Pajaritos in Manuel Antonio: La Cantina is a great place to enjoy traditional Costa Rican food in a beautiful setting. The portions are large, and the prices are very reasonable.

• El Mercadito: Enjoy ceviche, empanadas, chorizo tacos, and more. All of it is fresh and flavorful and at reasonable prices.

• Nanku: Located at the base of the stunning Arenal Volcano, right in the main town of La Fortuna, this restaurant has authentic Costa Rican food.

A Quick Tip: How to Pack a Family Suitcase

When planning a family vacation to Costa Rica, you’ll need to prepare for a wide range of activities, from fun in the sun to downtime in the evenings. To make sure you come ready for any and all adventures, here is a list of things we recommend packing:

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Swimsuit

• Towel

• Shoes that can get wet, i.e., sneakers or sandals

• Rashguard for swimming (optional)

• Light clothes - it's hot and humid in Costa Rica!

• Cash - there are no ATMs in the National Parks, and some places only take cash.

Now you and your family are ready to take off and enjoy the best and most unforgettable vacation adventures in Costa Rica.

Don't forget to ask about our family packages and accommodations!