The idea of family travel in Costa Rica can seem kind of daunting: Is it safe? Are there enough activities for children? And how much is it going to cost?? We’re here to tell you that Costa Rica is the best country in Central America to travel with kids. It’s the safest in the region, and a wonderland for children with clean beaches, leafy jungles, exotic animals, and plenty of child-friendly activities. What’s more, Costa Rica can be very affordable for families when done right. Here are our six tips to help you make it happen.
Opt for a Vacation Rental Instead of a Hotel
As your home-away-from home, a Costa Rica vacation rental makes a more comfortable base for families than a hotel or other accommodation. Horizon Pacific Vacations rentals come with an equipped kitchen, so you don’t always have to eat in restaurants, and you can easily prepare food for small children and babies before heading out for the day. A washing machine and dryer are also a blessing for parents overwhelmed with muddy pants or shirts covered in ice cream. For bigger families, a holiday villa with several bedrooms is also cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms. And a rental doesn’t mean foregoing the kid-favorite hotel amenity, as vacation villas and condos often have swimming pools.
Let Your Kids Have a Real Adventure
For adults and kids alike, a trip to Costa Rica is a chance to step outside of ordinary everyday life and experience exhilarating adventure. As a parent, however, it can be tempting to avoid activities that seem too risky, or that you personally would feel nervous about (superman ziplines, you say?!). But there are plenty of safe adventure activities for children in Costa Rica, and many operators have not only tailored some of their activities to youngsters, but also have immaculate safety records too. Some zip lines, horseback riding, and even rafting tours can accommodate kids under 10, but always check to make sure this is possible before you book.
Visit During Rainy Season
Costa Rican rainy season runs from May to November, which conveniently overlaps with summer holidays if you’re from the U.S. or other countries in the Northern Hemisphere. And while you may be dreaming of walks on sunset beaches and relaxing with a piña colada beneath clear blue skies, kids don’t care as much about the weather. The more puddles the better, right? And you can always head back to your vacation rental and dry those wet clothes.
With the rains come all the benefits of low season: cheaper prices, easier bookings, and attractions all to yourself. It’s possible to book great deals on tours and accommodation, often at the last minute, which is great news for families who may need to change plans at the last minute or play things by ear. And despite the name, during the summer months it usually doesn’t rain all day, so you’ll still have plenty of chances for beach time with huge stretches of sand all to yourselves.
Splurge on a Guide
One of Costa Rica’s biggest draws for children is undoubtedly the wildlife. From three-toed sloths to scarlet macaws or poison dart frogs, chances are your child has picked out their favorite animal and is eager to see them in the wild. Don’t risk disappointment and emotional disaster by trekking through the jungle without an expert to help you find these often-hidden creatures. Costa Rica is full of knowledgeable local guides who are experts at spotting wildlife, and who can add an entertaining and educational element to your jungle hikes. Guides will be happy to take requests in seeking out your child’s creepy crawly of choice, and by the end of the tour both you and your kids will be up to snuff on Costa Rican ecology.
Eat with the Locals
While it can be tempting to stick with what seem to be the most kid-friendly places to eat—tourist-oriented restaurants serving familiar foods from back home—take your kid on a culinary expedition by eating at sodas. These are local diners that serve typico, tried and true Costa Rican classics like pollo a la plancha (grilled chicken), arroz con camaron (shrimp and rice), and filete empanizado (fried fish fillet). Some offer buffets where even the pickiest eaters will be able to find something they like. Kids play a big part in Costa Rican daily life, so you never have to worry about bringing yours to a soda restaurant. Best of all, smaller local eateries can be very inexpensive, making them a great place to frequent if you’re in Costa Rica with kids on a budget.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen—and Bugspray
On the more practical side, while sunscreen is usually the first thing in the suitcase in anticipation of sunny days at the beach, another item that is just as important is a reliable bugspray. Costa Rica is as popular for mosquitoes as it is travelers, and when the sun goes down they come out looking for some dinner. Even if you don’t plan to do any camping, bring a bottle or two to keep handy when you go into the jungle or plan to stay out late. While dengue and malaria are only found in select areas on the Caribbean coast, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and nobody wants to be left itchy and irritated. Bringing these basics from home will go a long way towards making your family vacation in Costa Rica stress free and fun.
