If you are planning a family vacation to Costa Rica, you might have some questions going around your head, like: is Costa Rica a good place to go with kids? Is Costa Rica safe for chidren? What part of Costa Rica is best for families? What are the things I could do in Costa Rica with kids?

Or maybe you are already there, and as you see your kids sitting around with their tablets once again you wonder if there are any fun eco-friendly activities that you could plan with them. You are, after all, in the country where eco-tourism was born.

In this article, we bring you all the answers to your questions so you enjoy a perfect family vacation in Costa Rica.

Is travelling to Costa Rica with kids a good idea?

Let us put it this way: Costa Rica is a natural and biodiverse playground where kids can play, explore, and learn. From beautiful beaches to exotic animals, Costa Rica has it all for your kids to have a good time.

Because of its accessibility from North America, we like to say that Costa Rica is the “doable Hawaii”. If you live in Canada or the United States, you are a short trip away from your perfect Costa Rica family vacation. If you are a parent, you’ll agree with us: a short flight is the best way to go with little kids.

Costa Rica’s tourism industry is widely developed, and it’s their main source of income: the country receives over 1.7 million tourists per year, the majority of whom come from the United States and Canada. Naturally, the government makes sure to keep safety on point, especially in touristic areas. Costa Rica is definitely the safest country in Central America. As long as you apply your common sense as you should anywhere else, travelling to Costa Rica with kids is a great idea.

What part of Costa Rica is best for families?

We recommend Guanacaste hands down for a family vacation in Costa Rica. It has its own airport (Liberia) where direct flights from the US and Canada arrive at, it has developed infrastructure with all kinds of all-inclusive resorts and homes (like Ralia Retreats!), it has exuberant nature for kids to enjoy, and it is one of the safest parts of Costa Rica.

Guanacaste is the perfect scenery to do fun things with kids in Costa Rica!

What can you do in Costa Rica with kids?

We bring you first-hand information about 10 eco-friendly things you can do with kids in Costa Rica! Take notes:

1- Beaches, seashells, and bodysurfing

Connecting and having fun with your surroundings is the first thing you should try with your kids in Costa Rica. Guanacaste has mostly black sand beaches with a few treasured white sand beaches, like Playa Flamingo, where Ralia Retreats is located. The white sands are less hot than black sand beaches, which makes them ideal for kids to play around and collect seashells.

Bodysurfing, on the other hand, is our favorite easy and super fun thing to do with kids in Costa Rica. Your children get to connect with the power of the ocean in a fun and safe way, and you need very little to no equipment for it!

2- Volcano walk at Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Which kid doesn’t get excited about walking near a volcano? The Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park is located in Liberia, very close to Playa Flamingo, and it is a perfect day trip to explore and discover new things with your kids in Costa Rica.

Here, you will find exotic wildlife such as tapirs, monkeys, birds, sloths, jaguars, and quetzals; volcano craters (of course), bubbling hot springs, and beautiful waterfalls. There are several trails you can choose from. We recommend the short 3 km trail if you go with little kids.

Also, we think that visiting the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park is best for kids over 5 years old. It is better to go early in the morning to avoid the high heat part of the day and to have plenty of time to enjoy before the park closes. Note that you need to make a reservation beforehand.

We recommend that the whole family brings comfortable shoes, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, lots of water, and snacks.

Curious fact: “Rincón de la Vieja” translates to “the old woman's corner”, so we have fun thinking that visiting this park makes you wiser.

3- Diamante Eco Adventure Park

We love Diamante Eco Adventure Park because it’s easy to get to, it’s eco-friendly and educational, you can visit it in around two hours, and it’s big enough for the kids to explore and learn.

This seafront eco-park has an Animal Sanctuary that is home to frogs, snakes, crocodiles, monkeys, many species of birds, including toucans, a butterfly observatory, a sloth habitat, and a variety of cats including pumas and jaguars.

For the most adventurous, they have an exciting zip lining featuring the longest dual-line in Costa Rica! Kids and adults can also learn about sugar cane, coffee, and cacao with a participative experience. Horseback riding and ATV tours are also available.

Our recommendation is, again, to try to go early in the day to avoid the hottest hours. Bring lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and insect repellent.

Visiting Diamante Eco Adventure Park is one of the best things you can do in Costa Rica with kids!

4- Sailing camp

Sailing is a fun experience that connects kids with the magic of the ocean. We really like the Costa Rica Sailing Center in Potrero, Guanacaste. They have put together a fun experience available to every level of ability, where children can enjoy themselves and still aim for higher levels of difficulty. For example, a 5-year-old can enjoy a day playing with other kids, jumping off the sailboats, and getting exposed to sailing.

Apart from sailing their activities include kayaking, boogie boarding, snorkeling, island exploration, pool time, and games. Kids above 8 can even try fishing!

We are big fans of Justin, who runs the Costa Rica Sailing Center and encourages the kids to have a blast. Behind great experiences, there are great people, don’t you think?

5- Surfing and tennis lessons

You can find great instructors for kids in Costa Rica. We recommend Alex and Steff from Pura Vida Tennis for beginner tennis lessons. They love teaching children (and us child-like adults!)

When it comes to surfing, there are several beaches with different kinds of waves, so you have to be very careful when choosing where to go. Also, you and your kids must learn about rip tides and how to handle them if they find you in the water. Hiring a swimming instructor to teach your family about ocean safety is definitely the best first step to enjoying the ocean.

6- Star gazing

Costa Rica’s low level of pollution -including light pollution- makes it an ideal place for star gazing. You can see so many more stars than at home, it’s amazing!

Also, the sun goes down earlier, so there are stars in the sky for kids to spot before it’s bedtime. Going for a walk on the beach and pointing at constellations is a divine way of connecting your family with the mystery of the universe.

7- Restaurants with pools

Yes. Restaurants with pools are the Costa Rican version of restaurants with playgrounds and we love them! You can sit, relax and have dinner while your kids run around and swim, using all that energy. It is definitely a nicer restaurant experience, especially for parents with younger children.

If you come to Costa Rica with kids and still want to enjoy a peaceful dinner, consider this option!

8- Golf cart rides to town

Electric golf carts are our favorite way of moving around in Costa Rica. They are eco-friendly and less expensive than renting a car. You can use them to visit the closer towns and restaurants, and go to your activities!

Kids love them because they are open, so they can see more of the locations while they feel the wind on their faces. Also, you have to go slower, which makes the trips more enjoyable!

We do have to say that Costa Rican roads can be tricky, no matter what means of transportation you use. So practicing road safety is very important!

9- Castillo de Lilo

Castillo de Lilo is a very special place located in Playa Potrero. This magnificent castle is situated on the highest peak of the surrounding mountains, at a height of 2,230 feet above sea level and with 360-degree panoramic views. Here, you can have dinner while you enjoy a breathtaking sunset and listen to Castillo de Lilo’s story. We won’t spoil it here, but let us tell you that is an immersive story about eternal love.

The top of the castle is a perfect place for family pictures, it might be even worth hiring a professional photographer. There are also comfortable couches where younger kids can hang out (maybe you can bring some kind of entertainment for them!).

Warning: Castillo de Lilo might be challenging if you or your kids are afraid of heights. Otherwise, we guarantee it will be a highlight of your Costa Rica family vacation.

10- Yoga and creative activities

At Ralia Retreats, we are yoga lovers and we recommend it for people of all ages, including kids of course! Marian Paniagua is our retreat leader in Costa Rica and a magical yoga instructor.

There are also creative activities that you can do with her as a family, such as dream catcher weaving! It’s fun and relaxing, and you get to take your Costa Rican creation home. You should definitely meet Marian if you come to Costa Rica with your kids!

There are many artists and school teachers that offer activities for kids in Guanacaste, too. Drop us a message if you need more recommendations!