Try some of Costa Rica's best wildlife and adventure activities around the Arenal Volcano. kindly, beth. He'll work with you until your itinerary is exactly how you want it, leaving you to enjoy your family holiday, stress-free. This 1 week Costa Rica itinerary for families goes to San Jose (Landing at San Jose International Airport) – La Fortuna – Manuel Antonio – SJO Airport. The Wanderlusters, Madeline and Chad, share their love for Costa Rica in this very family-friendly itinerary! But for slightly older kids and teens, particularly those with an adventurous streak, Costa Rica … Fly into Liberia International Airport and pick up your car rental. Discover the beautiful wild coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park. Samara is a small beach town that has decent tourist infrastructure, beautiful beaches and good restaurants. Answer 1 of 4: My family is planning a last minute vacation to Costa Rica for 7 days- dec 28 to to Jan 3rd. It's very easy to get to from the East Coast and very affordable. Families looking to enjoy the hot springs without the expense should check out the Rio Chollin (a free, public hot spring near the Tabacon Thermal Resort). Guests learn all about chocolate, starting from the cacao trees and to how they process it. All of them have waterslides and Baldi has a dedicated kid section and you can have dinner at the hot spring resort. Costa Rica Itinerary 10 Days: This family package includes the best of Costa Rica from coast to coast. Families will love the Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation Tour – a great place to learn about Costa Rican history and culture. Zicasso: Luxury 7-day Costa Rica family itineraries & vacation packages by top competing Costa Rica travel agents and tour operators. A cooking class is a great way to teach children about the local culture. To kick … Please try again. Day 7: Horseback Riding in Costa Rica Or ATV. You can read our guides below. Costa Rica was our first visit to Central America. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. *Click here to read latest Costa Rica coronavirus information.*. The Peñas Blancas safari float is only a 25 minute drive from La Fortuna so it’s great for a half day morning activity. Don’t miss the Proyecto Asis animal sanctuary, which offers volunteer opportunities. If you need a 4wd or a bigger car, then a car like Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Tucson, Suzuki Vitara or Toyota Rav4 is a good option. After landing in San Jose, stay a night or two at the, After La Fortuna, you can stay a couple nights in, Before Quepos, you can stay a night or two in. Other than fantastic scenery, this tour also includes several more adventure activities, such as hiking and zip-lining. This minivan seats up to 9 with luggage, 12 without. The last week will be spent in Manuel Antonio/Quepos. We visited in April and we had excellent weather throughout our trip.That said, the dry season is also the most popular (and expensive) time to visit. Day 1 Liberia. Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour discount! Hannah celebrated her daughter’s 3rd birthday in Costa Rica. Your final days are focused on the Manuel Antonio area and beaches, including the stunning Playa Biesanz. Below I’ll explain a bit of each transportation method and you can read more about getting around Costa Rica in this post. An overabundance of choices can make it tough to pinpoint the itinerary that will work best for you. San Jose. Towering more than 5,000 feet above a lake, Arenal is one of the most postcard-worthy (or Instagram-worthy) destinations in Costa Rica. Costa Rica was my and my family home for 4 years, Guanacaste to be more specific. You’ve heard all about Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife and lush rainforest, and have booked your family’s flights to Costa Rica. You don’t want to be arriving in La Fortuna at like 1 AM with tired and cranky kids! Price. Birders should consider the butterfly and hummingbird garden. Don’t miss the “know before you go” tips at the end. Melissa provides a brief look at what makes Costa Rica so wonderful. Kids will delight in the museum’s extensive collection of gold artifacts. Drive 2 hours to Samara, a mellow beach town in South Guanacaste. Jody and her family spent 6 days focused on the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano area and the Manuel Antonio area. Add more days to La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica is a land of beautiful beaches, dense rain forests, and majestic mountain ranges. Best Family Hotels in Costa Rica on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 375 family hotels in Costa Rica, Central America. On your final day, relax and enjoy yourself. After visiting the Manuel Antonio National Park, go parasailing nearby. Read more here. Don’t miss Jody’s packing tips at the end. You float down a calm river for 2 hours while your guide paddles and points out animals. On day 4, kayak to Isla Chora (30 minutes one way) and snorkel at the island. Just pick the spots you would want to visit the most, check routes and get going. In high season, the price of a sedan per day is around $60-70 USD per day with basic insurance. Every town here has its own unique vibe. Monet and her family-focused their time near La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. Tamarindo Costa Rica. If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, I’ve put together a plan to spend 10 days in Costa Rica. Hi Greta, there is a section with recommendations of what else to add if you have more days (Peace Lodge, Jaco, San Jose, more days in those destinations, etc. All these hotels offer family rooms and free hot breakfast. If your flight on Day 8 is not early, you can stay day 7 in Manuel Antonio and leave for San Jose on Day 8. They’ll get to search for creatures like insects, spiders, snakes and frogs. The Families Love Travel Team has a zest for life and an even bigger passion for globetrotting! Next, spend the day at La Fortuna Waterfall and ziplining. It’s kind of like Tamarindo (another surfing beach town that’s popular with families in Guanacaste) but less touristy and not as much of a party vibe. Recommended hotels in BIjagua for families: Casitas Tenorio B&B (Get 10% off), Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel and Celeste Mountain Lodge. Driving is the most flexible way to get around Costa Rica. This area has very good infrastructure for tourists, a ton of hotels at various price points, many restaurants and a plethora of activities. Bijagua to Liberia International Airport is about a 1 hour and 20 minute drive so enjoy your last few hours in Bijagua and Costa Rica. We are planning a two week trip to Costa Rica, we are visiting La Fortuna, Monteverde And Manuel Antonio. Spend 2 nights in Tarcoles. Six-Day Itinerary for Costa Rica with kids Whether you are wanting to visit the beach or the rainforest, Costa Rica offers some incredible and affordable options for both. Very practical and helpful information for the planning stages! Kids will love the rush of flying through the air. A mid size SUV is around $80-1000 USD a day with basic insurance. If you’re a blogger who would like to be included in this post or write a guest post for Families Love Travel, please email us at [email protected]! Many thanks There's a lot to do so we spent 7 days in Costa Rica exploring La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. There are five active volcanos in this small country and some of the best … Kids won’t want to miss the chocolate workshops at ChocoMuseo. ), Hi All Rights Reserved. This gave us a chance to see the rain forest and volcano as well as experience the many beaches of the country. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. ... Costa Rica self-drive family adventure. Many Costa Rican naturalist guides are good at engaging and interacting with kids to keep them interested. If you are considering taking your kids white water rafting, Giselle offers some poignant and practical insights. Our enthusiastic team understands the challenges that often accompany traveling with kids and is committed to making Families Love Travel an inclusive space to convey these experiences. When it comes to nature, Costa Rica has it all: rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, caves, beaches, mangrove forests, wetlands, mountains, waterfalls, cattle ranches and more! There, visit the Crocodile Bridge, do a canopy tour, and do some hiking. Start planning your next family adventure with Rob, our travel specialist for Costa Rica. We flew in to San Jose airport in the morning, and had the rest of the day to relax. 16 days from £3,370pp. In the end, find her 8-day itinerary for families focused on Arenal/La Fortuna and Monteverde! Today you’ll travel back to San Jose. Time permitting, check out the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum. TRAVEL+LEISURE: Best Travel Websites award. This 2-mile hike in an active volcano area may include monkey sightings! Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport Costa Rica. They have water slides and a nice lunch spread, lots of fun for the family. Xandari Resort & Spa. Aspiring artists in your family with delight in Costa Rica’s rich and diverse art and art history – from painting and drawing to pottery and photography. If you have toddlers or babies, you can bring them in a child carrier backpack. For this itinerary, it is recommended to rent a car because of the destinations. In the rainforest, head to the hot springs and watch the monkeys hop around. If you have energy that night, you can do a night walk at Bijagua Ranas, Tapir Valley or Frog’s Paradise so the kids can learn about the jungle that comes alive at night! You can go on a 2 hour guided tour of the sanctuary or for a fuller, more interactive and interesting experience, you can volunteer for a day! Costa Rica Itinerary 2 - Classic Costa Rica - 2 weeks. Each section shares their day-to-day itinerary, the details, accommodations, and great family pictures! When to Travel Costa Rica with Kids The best time for Costa Rica family vacations is during the dry season: from mid-December to April. My family is traveling to Costa Rica the last week in March and I just can’t decide on an itinerary. to Costa Rica’s vibrant history and culture. Great fun for the whole family! All these hotels offer family rooms and breakfast included. On your final days, enjoy some time relaxing on the beach! It’s a great Costa Rica travel itinerary for any adventurous family. After you’re done, head back to the hotel to relax, shower and nap. Today you will drive to Bijagua. Costa Rica with Kids Is it Easy to Travel Costa Rica with Kids? For me, this area really is the best of the best in Costa Rica. 1. Melissa shares recommendations for what to do near the beach and in the rainforest. Don’t miss Museo Nacional De Costa Rica to learn about the country’s history. Take a Crocodile Riverboat Tour – kids will delight in spotting birds and crocodiles! The whole family can experience encounters with the incredible wildlife that Costa Rica has to offer. On day 3, head to Monteverde for ziplining, tree climbing, and a night hike. It’s on the Springs Resort & Spa’s property which a very big property with their own river, hot spring resort and activities. Our family loved Costa Rica. Origins Lodge ... Miraviva offers a 12 night self-drive family trip to Costa Rica including horseback riding, ... our expert's ultimate itinerary. I have listed the top 10 most popular and best things to do in Costa Rica below to get your ideas flowing for your next trip backpacking Costa Rica! Fantastic family pictures and videos share the true magic of Costa Rica with toddlers. After Lunch Guided Walk: Safari floats usually don’t include lunch so if you have lunch in town, we highly recommend Rainforest Cafe. Spend your final days shopping and making more family memories! We are trying to plan our Spring Break trip to Costa Rica and are completely dazed and confused. It has an amazing biodiversity, a stronger focus on … Making Memories, Together. Playa Conchal Don’t miss Giselle’s other tips for where to stay, where to eat, and insights about the weather. This maximized fun and limited the amount of driving needed to get from place to place. While in Manuel Antonio National Park, hire a guide to maximize your animal sightings! This magnificent country has a lot to offer family travelers. Boogie Boarding or Surfing. When you’ve got the whole family with you, visiting Arenal Volcano is a must. The Costa Rica Family Collection is a perfect introductory itinerary for families of all sizes with kids of any age. My daughter loves a great pool and a beautiful beach but we really want to take her to the rainforest for some ziplining and waterfalls. Baldi has an area dedicated to small kids – perfect for family travelers! That’ll end your trip off with a bang! #30 Best Value of 100 Family Resorts in Costa Rica “ Family friendly and in a near perfect spot to access some amazing activities, wildlife and places of interest. For those who have a bit more time, you can add on another destination to this itinerary. Planning tip: If you don’t want to drive that long, Tamarindo is a good option for a fun and lively beach town as it’s 1 hour from Liberia Airport. Whether you are looking to stay in San José or travel throughout Costa Rica to experience pura vida, you won’t leave without falling in love with this amazing country and culture! San Jose. First, head to the beach. If you are traveling with multiple families for just a few days, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort instead. You can check our post Arenal vs Monteverde to help you learn more and decide (Arenal would be better for short itineraries. However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Costa Rica have a look at our example itineraries, Costa Rica (Summer) and Costa Rica (Easter and Christmas). Krista’s trip highlight was the Rincon De La Vija Adventure Pass, which included an exciting river tubing experience and ziplining. For your first day, our recommendations for family friendly activities in La Fortuna are a river safari float, guided walk and hot springs. Many locals go to this park in the evening so it’s a nice way to immerse your family in a little bit of the La Fortuna life. It gets dark in Costa Rica at 6 PM everyday so if you’re arriving after 6 PM, we don’t recommend to drive this route in the dark (especially in rainy season). Unfortunately we only have 6 full days. Pacific Coast Explorer. Families will love Astrid’s encouraging account of Costa Rica with young kids. Read more here. Today you’ll go ziplining for your first activity. Suggested itineraries in Costa Rica | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica … Your final few days will be spent on the water or exploring San José. No matter what is on your bucket list, you are sure to find it in Costa Rica. Day 1: Take one of the Costa Rica rainforest tours to see Sloths. The Wanderlusters recommend Playa Biesanz. The rest of the hike is not on a super well groomed or paved trail so you will need to walk on branches and roots. The two-week itinerary below aims to show the best of Costa Rica while keeping travel times to a minimum. The Central American nation is literally covered in wild jungles that are so well preserved — it’s definitely one of the few countries in the world that has gotten tourism right. Delight kids with dinner on a converted train car at El Wagon. 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