Costa Rica family travel guide

The main thing to consider when planning your Costa Rica family holiday is how much adventure you'd like to cram in. After beginning your holiday in the capital San Jose, you could start with a bang at one of the country’s volcanoes. Arenal is the most famous, with hot springs in the national park around the dramatic cone. But for a few added thrills, you’ll find white water rafting and canyoning near the volcano at Turrialba, not to mention coffee plantations and tortilla making.

Then there’s Costa Rica’s famous wildlife, from sleepy sloths to dazzlingly green frogs, myriad monkeys and a whole lot more. At Tortuguero, you can cruise through the jungle waterways to spot them, as well as the sea turtles which come here to breed for several months a year. The Monteverde cloudforest is another highlight, crossing bridges suspended high above the forest floor, with ziplining through the jungle, plus the chance it provides to encounter all that wildlife.

Or for a less-visited corner of the country, the rainforest of Boca Tapada in the north is well off the beaten tourist trail, with easy jungle treks and kayaking on the lake. Combine it with a visit to a pineapple farm in Sarapiqui to explore the countryside most visitors never see, along with rafting, walking and an opportunity to meet the locals.

Want to go completely off-grid? How about a desert island experience where you’ll catch your own fish for dinner, build a bonfire to cook it and eat under the stars – no electricity, no WiFi, no stress!

If you’d prefer just to relax by the beach or take some surf lessons, you’re spoiled for choice. Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula is ideal for wannabe surfers, as well as chilling out at the end of your trip, while Manuel Antonio has its own enticing beaches, backed by national park for some wildlife spotting. Or over on the Caribbean coast, Cahuita has its own laid-back vibe as well as another chance to head into the national park here if you just can’t get enough of this country’s natural wonders.

More than twice the size of Wales, with two coasts and all those national parks to explore, you’ll be covering a lot of ground on your family trip to Costa Rica, most of it on four wheels. While there are some internal flights, these tend to be small prop planes and you’ll be limited when it comes to baggage, so the two main options for getting around Costa Rica are hiring your own car or taking shuttle buses between key destinations.

The shuttle buses have air-con and usually a maximum of 20 seats and will drop you at your hotel. It’s worth noting that these may stop at several other hotels along the way, and you may then need taxis to take you from your accommodation into towns or to nearby restaurants. Taxis are easy to find in the cities, more scarce in the national parks.

A self-drive Costa Rica family holiday gives you more flexibility and most roads are paved, although road conditions mean you’re unlikely to be travelling at more than 50mph, often less, so you’ll need to allow for this with planning journeys.

Once you arrive at your destination, we’ll arrange shared transfers to your activities, to help cut the number of vehicles on the roads, and stick to environmentally-friendly methods of transport, such as canoes rather than motorised boats, as well as plenty of opportunities to walk.

Accommodation is a key part of the experience on our Costa Rica family holidays, focusing on small-scale lodgings rather than sprawling resorts, with plenty of character and independently owned. All our accommodation is categorised in four levels, from In Style (such as a boutique hotel with a pool) to Standard, Simple and Basic, which usually lets you rub shoulders with the locals.

There are some unforgettable places to stay in Costa Rica with kids too, from a traditional hacienda just outside a national park to a Caribbean-themed hotel on the east coast. And you’ll find plenty of unique accommodation experiences on your Costa Rica family adventure, including a treehouse, an eco-lodge in the jungle, camping on a tiny island and a stay on a pineapple farm.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, especially if you’re focused on the Pacific coast or looking to explore during the driest months. However, despite Costa Rica’s compact size, there are several different climates to consider across the country, so choosing when to go to Costa Rica also depends on precisely where you’re planning to go. If you’re looking for a guide on which school holiday is best to visit Costa Rica, see our handy weather guide.

Costa Rica’s climate is mostly hot and humid, so stick to lightweight natural fabrics such as cotton to help you keep cool, as well as sandals and plenty of swimsuits for a refreshing dip in the sea or pool. Do check when to go to Costa Rica as well, with different rainy seasons on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

You’re unlikely to avoid wet weather altogether, especially at higher ground and in the Monteverde Cloudforest, so make sure to pack some lightweight waterproofs along with your SPF. A pair of hiking shoes or sturdy trainers is also a good plan for when you’re heading off into the jungles and forests, along with a warm layer for cooler weather at higher altitudes.

Attitudes to clothing are fairly relaxed by the coast, but you’re advised to dress modestly in rural areas and tribal villages, where adults and older teens may be expected to cover up more – rules tend to be less strict for younger kids.

A basic first aid kit is always helpful when you’re travelling with kids too, including insect repellent, especially if you’re travelling during the rainy season when most mosquitoes will be buzzing around. High UV and strong sun mean hats are essential, along with high SPF sunscreen. This can be expensive in Costa Rica, so it’s well worth bringing enough from home.

Don’t forget a pair of binoculars too, for the best views of the country’s fantastic wildlife.