Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. Apart from its lush forests and stunning beaches, the local people make it the most habitable place on earth. No wonder the country receives millions of tourists every year. Some ex-pats, foreign retirees, and digital nomads call it home.
After my first visit to Costa Rica, I started recommending it to my friends, neighbors, and the community in Fort Lauderdale. Many families have given me good feedback about their family tours to Costa Rica. Some have made several trips already, and they simply love it.
Key Takeaways
There is much to see and do in Costa Rica besides the wildlife. Did you know that Costa Rica alone has 500,000 wildlife species? Planning a family tour to Costa Rica is relatively easy, considering it’s one of the cheapest places to live. Here are my key takeaways on Costa Rica tours for families.
- The best regions in Costa Rica for family tours are Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas, Limon, and Alajuela. Each area has different tourist attractions; your family will find fun activities.
- Costa Rica is among the few countries where you can find active volcanoes. Poás Volcano, 90 minutes from San Jose, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. There, you can see geysers exploding into the air.
- There are several beaches in Costa Rica. In the article, I name several beaches worth a family tour visit.
- While Costa Rica is not a large country, there is so much to do that you might only visit some places in one vacation. I recommend visiting one province, doing all the activities, and seeing all the places.
Best Costa Rica Family Tours
Costa Rica is the place to be when you want to have fun. It has activities for all ages, from kids to older people. The best way to take advantage of Costa Rica’s beauty is to plan for family tours. The weather in Costa Rica is tropical, with minimal rainfall and no winters, making it friendly to kids and older people.
Family Adventure Tours in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has some of the best places to see wildlife. Your kids will love going out into the wild and interacting with nature. Costa Rica has extensive diversity and interesting geographical locations. It is home to around 266 volcanoes, and a few are active, so your kids will learn a lot.
But the wildlife in Costa Rica amazes me the most. Your family will see endangered animals, some of whom they have only read about in books. Costa Rica has made serious efforts to protect its natural resources. They have set aside various conservation areas where wild animals can be safe.
The table below shows several places your family can visit to see wildlife. While the list might include only some places in Costa Rica, these are my best picks.
| Activities | Attractions | Location |
| Volcanoes | Arenal | La Fortuna |
| Irazu | Close to San Jose | |
| Rincón de la Vieja | Guanacaste | |
| Poás volcano | Alajuela | |
| Turrialba Volcano | Cartago | |
| National Parks | Manuel Antonio National Park | Manuel Antonio |
| Corcovado National Park | Osa Peninsula | |
| Ballena Marine National Park | Jaco | |
| Los Quetzales National Park | San Jose | |
| Tenorio National Park | Alajuela | |
| Wildlife refuges | Proyecto Asis | Near Arenal volcano |
| Wildlife refuge Monteverde | Monteverde | |
| Toucan Rescue Ranch | Heredia | |
| Butterfly Conservatory | Arenal | |
| The Bat Jungle | Monteverde |
Beach Front Family Tours
Costa Rica is blessed to be in a geographical region on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. That makes it home to various pristine beaches. All the Costa Rican provinces on the Pacific and Caribbean sides have some family-friendly beaches you can visit.
Playa Conchal-Guanacaste
Playa Conchal is one of the best beaches for a family tour. “Concha” is a Spanish word for shells. The beach has millions of tiny shells coupled with white sand, making a beautiful combination. I recommend carrying water shoes or sandals, as the ground has cracked shells.
However, if you prefer the sandy part of the beach, then head over to the southern part. Playa Conchal has clear and calm turquoise waters suitable for swimming and snorkeling, especially for younger kids.
While it can feel overwhelming since it’s crowded, the kids will still love the place. There are many vendors selling snacks, souvenirs, and cold drinks. Playa Conchal is a 20-minute walk from the parking
Playa Samara- Nicoya Peninsula
It is on the southern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula and is two hours from Liberia International Airport. Playa Samara has gentle waves, making it a favorite for families with young kids to go swimming. Several palm trees and a coral reef add to the beauty of Playa Samara.
Kayaking and snorkelling are some of the most popular activities for families on this idyllic beach. You can also horseback ride along the coast as you explore the area. Playa Samara has a vast spot with gentle waves where your kids can swim.
The best time to visit Playa Samara is from December to April, when it is sunny throughout and the waters are calm. There are many restaurants in Samara where you can taste the local Costa Rican cuisine while your kids try out the kids’ menu. You can also visit the various shops for shopping.
Playa Biesanz-Puntarenas
There are several famous beaches in Puntarenas. However, my pick is Playa Biesanz, a secluded beach between Manuel Antonio National Park and Quepos. Not many tourists know about Playa Biesanz, as it is at the end of a jungle trail. You can spot a lot of wildlife on the beach, including snakes, birds, lizards, sloths, and monkeys.
Playa Biesanz is among the few places in Costa Rica where you can spot the squirrel monkey, an endangered species. The howler monkeys also call Playa Biesanz home. The waters in Playa Biesanz are serene and calm.
If your family would like a fishing tour, visit Quepos town, 15 minutes from Playa Biesanz. Marina Pez Vela is one of the best places to go for some sport fishing. Quepos town has some great dining options for lunch.
Playa Hermosa-Alajuela
It is 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport, in Jaco town. Please distinguish it from the other Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste province. I loved this beach because its waters are calm and a small area is set out specifically for swimming. Playa Hermosa is one of the cleanest beaches in the area.
Volcanic ridges and tropical forests encircle Playa Hermosa. Its waters are warm and calm throughout the year. It is less crowded than most other beaches near the area. Playa Hermosa is perfect for the following activities:
- Swimming
- Scuba diving safaris
- Snorkeling
- Windsurfing
- Fishing
Playa Puerto Viejo-Limon
While I recommend not visiting Puerto Limon with your family, Playa Puerto Viejo is one hour away. Its other name is Chino Beach, and it is pretty safe. Playa Puerto Viejo is one of the beaches on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. It’s not a stretch like most other beaches, but it has different patches of sand.
While the beach is rocky and not deep enough for swimming, there are some large, sandy areas where you can sit and float. However, your family will have fun exploring the various shipwrecks on the beach. One of the shipwrecks has trees growing, and you can jump into the water from the old boat.
I recommend staying for at least a few nights because the drive to Puerto Viejo is five hours from San Jose. Fortunately, the beach is one of many things you can do in Puerto Viejo. You can plan for the following activities:.
| Fun Activities Near Playa Puerto Viejo | |
| Cahuita National Park | Jaguar Rescue Center |
| Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | Cacao Trails |
| Caribbeans Chocolate Tour | Playa Punta Uva |
| BriBri waterfalls | Tortuguero National Park |
Watersporting in Costa Rica
If you have older kids, vigorous water sports will be fun for them. Whitewater rafting is an exciting adventure for most. Costa Rica has several rivers, especially around San Jose. The best places for whitewater rafting have a mix of rapids and calm sections.
In La Fortuna, there are three famous rivers for whitewater rafting: Penas Blancas, Balsa, and El Toro. The best time to visit with kids is during Costa Rica’s dry season, when the rapids are slow. You can combine whitewater rafting and canyoning. However, please first research the age limits, as some rivers have severe rapids.
If you visit Puerto Viejo, Rio Pacuare is one of the best rivers in the world for whitewater rafting. It is surrounded by canyons and lush jungles and provides 3 to 4 rapids. Rio Pacuare is one of the most fun adventure activities in Puerto Viejo, considering that the area doesn’t have any other.
Outdoor Family Tour Activities in Costa Rica
Beach hopping and viewing wildlife are not the only family-friendly activities in Costa Rica. It’s all fun and adventure when you land there. If you’re wondering which outdoor activities can keep your family busy in Costa Rica, below are a few.
- Ziplining: Costa Rica has some of the longest ziplines globally. Arenal has the country’s best zip-lining areas. In most places, the age limit for ziplining is six years. Hence, you might have to plan for other activities if you have kids younger than that.
- Hot springs: On a day with few activities, and if you happen to be in the Arenal area, visiting Tabacon Hot Springs is worth it. You can even buy a day pass and choose three different restaurants for lunch. Your kids can spend the afternoon in the hot springs while you head over to the spa.
- Surfing: Manuel Antonia has the best beginner-friendly beaches for surfing. With low tides, I highly recommend taking your kids there. Playa Tamarindo has several surfing schools. Isla Damas is another excellent spot for beginner surfers.
- Snorkeling: Playa Biesanz is one of the best places to go snorkeling. It is secluded and uncrowded; only a few tourists know about it. I had to ask a local for directions.
- Horseback riding: Family tours in Costa Rica are incomplete without horseback riding. You can visit various waterfalls and buy horseback riding tour packages, which often include guides, breakfast, and a buffet lunch.
- Hanging Bridges: The Mistico Hanging Bridges is one of the best places for a family tour. There are six hanging bridges.
Tips for the Best Family Tours
Once you decide on the activities you want to do as a family, the next step is to determine where. I recommend different locations if the budget allows you to stay for a week or more. Costa Rica has plenty of various landscapes and enough accommodation options.
Here are some tips for planning Costa Rican tours:.
- You can stay for a few days in a location with plenty of wildlife and mountain activities. Afterwards, you can choose beachfront activities. When you combine two different landscapes, all your kids will have fun.
- When choosing which beaches to visit, choose the less-crowded ones, especially if you have younger kids. That way, your kids will peacefully enjoy various activities, such as splashing in the water. If the kids want to swim, the purpose is to go to beaches with calm waters and low tides.
- The type of accommodation options will also play a big part in the success of your family tour. Choose places where the kids will have plenty of food options and are kid-friendly. Various hotels and resorts have kids and teen clubs or arrange activities for kids.
- When travelling with kids, I always recommend booking. You don’t want to promise your kids an activity only to discover that prior reservations are necessary. Traveling to a new place and finding no vacancies in kid-friendly hotels or resorts can dampen the journey.
If you’re touring Costa Rica with your family, be sure to also treat them to a delicious local cuisine by exploring the Best Food Places Near San Jose Airport as soon as you arrive .
Conclusion
Costa Rica is one of those places where, with good planning, the experience will be different every time, no matter how many family tours you make. Whether your family wants total relaxation, outdoor activities, adventures, or cultural tours, you can experience all that in Costa Rica.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
