Costa Rica with kids

28 August 2009 3:55pm

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Wild animals, active volcanoes, rainforests, beaches—what kid wouldn’t love Costa Rica? Parents are guaranteed a good time as well and will appreciate the country’s myriad kid-friendly adventure possibilities as well as a culture that dotes on children.

Sights & Activities

Families could go just about anywhere in Costa Rica and be perfectly happy. Even San José, while not a remarkable city, has sights for children—but it’s best to get out of town and into the countryside. Here are some top choices for families:

Ziplining through Monteverde’s foresty canopy. Try tour operators Aventura or Original Canopy Tour.
Watching groups of olive ridley turtles lay their eggs at night at Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional
Learning to surf at Mal País and Santa Teresa. Check out Jobbie’s Surf Camp for individual or group lessons for all experience levels.
White water rafting on the Río Reventazón or Río Pacuare. Both rivers have sections with smoother runs that are perfect for families. Children must be at least 9 years old, and even older for tougher runs.
Join the discussion on the Thorn Tree forum for help choosing an operator.
Spotting basking crocodiles while exploring the jungle rivers of Tortuguero.

Eating

Costa Rican cuisine is simple and hearty and somewhat bland (beans and rice and grilled chicken or steak are omnipresent), making it acceptable for even the most finicky kids.

Special kid’s meals are not normally offered in restaurants, though some fancy lodges do them. However, most local eateries will accommodate two children splitting a meal or can produce child-size portions on request.
If you’re traveling with an infant, stock up on formula and baby food before heading to remote areas
Always carry snacks for long drives in remote areas—sometimes there are no places to stop for a bite
Tired of juice and water? Here are some kid-friendly local drinks: batidos (fresh-blended fruit), either al agua (made with water) or con leche (with milk); coconut milk (sipped through a straw straight from the cracked-open coconut); horchata (cinnamon-spiked rice milk).

Sleeping

From plush jungle eco-lodges to kid-friendly beachside jungle tents, you can find the accommodation your family needs pretty much anywhere tourists go. Most midrange and top-end hotels have reduced rates for children under 12, provided the child shares a room with parents. Top-end hotels will provide cribs and usually have activities for children. Here are some of our favorite places to stay with kids:

In Monteverde & Santa Elena, milk cows and chase monkeys at the Finca Terra Viva or relax in a cozy chalet at the Swiss Hotel Miramontes.
On the Península de Nicoya, enjoy the garden oasis Tico Adventure Lodge or swim in the turtle-shaped pool at Hotel Las Tortugas.
In Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean Coast, enjoy the phenomenal architecture at Tree House Lodge.
For more family-friendly hotel listings across the country, check out Lonely Planet’s Hotels and Hostels.

Tips & resources

Children under the age of 12 get a 25% discount on internal air travel while children under two fly free (provided they sit on an adult’s lap)
If you’re traveling with an infant, bring disposable diapers, baby creams, baby aspirin and thermometer from home, or else stock up while in San José.

Further information

Download the chapters you need from our Costa Rica country guide. For a complete resource on traveling with kids, get our Travel with Children guide.

Comments

4 September 2009 11:09PM solohobo Report this comment
Please feel free to contact me Via Private Message for any details in Costa Rica, I have been going to CR for 8 years over 30 trips, and know the ins/outs and issues. Its great for a family, though under age 6 may not be able to as much adventure as a older child.
Tim
18 September 2009 10:29AM jbaldyga Report this comment
solohobo, I would like to chat, I want to bring my 10 year old there soon and have some questions about renting cars, driving, where to stay to see best rain forest and volcanoe sites, etc How do I contact you?
12 October 2009 3:22AM pparson Report this comment
solohobo, I also have a 10 year old that thinks Costa Rica, after internet research, is the only place that will satisfy his need to observe tropical birds, reptiles, and amphibians in their natural habitat. I, too, would like to find out the best way to see all Costa Rica has to offer, with a 10 yr old. You could probably cut and paste whatever you send to the person above me.
15 November 2009 1:25AM danidog Report this comment
sohohobo,
I'm another one interested in your input on travel with a family, twin 11 y.o.'s and a 6 y.o. I can be emailed at dani.i.meier@sbcglobal.net ... Thanks.
1 December 2009 4:28PM kogoribta Report this comment
Playa Zancudo is just about the best for kids. so much to do! I have been here for 18 years! Still haven't found a better place.
http://www.viscape.com/properties/15160/zancudo_beach_house_rental_tropical_home_by_the_sea
26 January 2010 4:53AM travelwithkids1 Report this comment
We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica with our two boys (ages 7 and 9) while we were there filming Travel With Kids Costa Rica (available on Amazon.com). They loved the zip line and horseback riding in Monte Verde and watching glowing lava tumble down the side of Arenal Volcano! My favorite was rafting the Rio Penas Blancas near La Fortuna, where we spotted sloths, poison dart frogs, basilisk lizards and monkeys.
5 February 2010 9:07AM jessieweggler Report this comment
Costa Rica is an absolutely beautiful country! We had an incredible trip with our family and did so much (beach, rainforest, turtle watching). If you do plan a trip, however, I would especially recommend looking for eco-friendly hotels and lodges, as the country has done a lot of work to preserve its natural resources. We used this website: http://www.naturefamilyadventures.com/index.html and it proved to be an excellent resource...I couldn't recommend it enough!