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Just about every family has Costa Rica on their family trip wish list. We’d love to help you design the perfect Costa Rica 7 day itinerary for yours!
If you are looking for an epic family vacation, Costa Rica is a tiny Central American gem that blends jungle and beach, volcanoes and parks, surfing and animals. What better set up for a family with kids?
Although the Spanish-speaking country is incredible for kids of all ages, the logistics can be challenging. Things in Costa Rica are a bit spread out, and it’s quite hard to piece together the best path from A to B, or the best combination of stops.
Despite its small size (smaller than West Virginia!), Costa Rica presents almost too many options for a 7 days in Costa Rica itinerary. From the misty clouds of the Monteverde Cloud Forest to the volcanic hot springs near Arena Volcano to the many, many, many amazing beaches – planning the perfect week can feel overwhelming.
The Caribbean offers unique historical experiences that are often overlooked. Take a beach break and get to know your island of choice.
Why Families Love Costa Rica
Before diving into our Costa Rica trip itinerary, let’s explore what makes this destination so special for families.
Our families consistently rank Costa Rica among their top vacation experiences, and for good reason. This destination hits the perfect sweet spot of adventure, education, and relaxation that makes travel meaningful for all ages. Kids connect with nature in profound ways here – spotting their first sloth in the wild, watching sea turtles nest, or zip-lining through cloud forest canopies, giving them stories to tell and a new appreciation for the world around them.
For parents, Costa Rica somehow offers both adventure and ease. You can spend the morning on a rainforest hike, and the afternoon soaking in thermal hot springs.
Tourism in Costa Rica is a huge industry, so you get the excitement of an international trip but the comfort of knowing that you’ll be taken care of. Costa Rica is also extremely safe – especially when you’re in the well traveled areas – so parents can spend less time worrying, and more time in the “pura vida” mindset.
What to Know About Costa Rica
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Costa Rica has two main seasons- dry (December to April) and green (May to November). For families, the dry season has plenty of sunshine, but comes with higher prices and bigger crowds. Early green season (May to June) has pretty landscapes, fewer tourists, better hotel deals, and the occasional afternoon show.
Our advice? Costa Rica makes an amazing Spring Break or early summer trip! That said, our founder, Lee, took her first trip to Costa Rica in August and had an awesome time even in off season, at lower prices and fewer crowds too.
Getting There:
Most families fly into San José (SJO), which we recommend for our itinerary below. But, if you’re headed straight to the beach, pick Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste or Limon (LIO) for the Caribbean side.
Language:
Spanish is the official language, but English is spoken widely in tourism areas. Learning a few key Spanish phrases is always helpful, but you shouldn’t have much trouble getting around. If you want to learn Spanish yourself, Costa Rica is great for a Spanish-immersion vacation!
Currency:
The local currency is the Costa Rican colón, but U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Credit cards work well, but carry some cash for small vendors.
Transportation Reality Check:
Costa Rica’s roads are beautiful – but not fast. There are winding mountain roads, construction, and the occasional cow crossing to slow you down. Google time estimates between destination are often ambitious.
If you’re renting a car in Costa Rica, get a 4×4, especially in green season, and build in extra time in between destinations. If you kids get car sick, keep motion sickness meds on hand.
Mango Tree Travel Itineraries
When we design our family Costa Rica itineraries, we reject the “see everything” approach that leaves everyone exhausted. Instead, our best Costa Rica itinerary options focus on slow travel and immersive experiences.
For a week in Costa Rica with kids, we suggest two stops, no more. One of our sample 7 day itineraries for Costa Rica set out below offers you a two-destination journey balancing volcano adventures and beach relaxation.
This gives you enough time to actually experience each place without just checking places off your list.
One Week Itinerary
As mentioned above, we could tackle this itinerary in so many ways. But let’s look at a sample 7 day itinerary for Costa Rica that hits two of the top spots for families.
Day 0: Arrival and Transfer to La Fortuna
Skip San José completely. After landing at San José airport, head straight to La Fortuna (about a 3 hour drive). Either rent a 4×4 vehicle – or let us secure you a private driver for a less-stressful transfer so you can catch a snooze.
A note about hotels in near Arenal, Costa Rica: This is a place where it’s worth a splurge over an AirBNB. The boutique and luxury hotels here immerse you in the jungle completely, requiring less excursions because you can enjoy much of what Arenal has to offer right on site.
Check into one of these awseome luxury family-friendly hotels near Arenal Volcano:
- Nayara Tented Camp: Luxury glamping at its finest with private hot spring pools and epic volcano views.
- Nayara Gardens: The sister property to Nayara Tented Camp, just down the hill, with spacious casitas, lush gardens and a great family pool.
- Tabacón Thermal Resort: A jungle retreat built around natural volcanic hot springs, so you get morning and evening access to the thermal waters without the crowds. Plus the two bedroom suites here are pretty awesome for families.
Use our complimentary booking service to receive $100 resort credit, breakfast for two, and a top spot on the upgrade list upon arrival at these Arenal hotels.
Day 1: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs
Morning: Take a guided tour through Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park – absolutely essential because guides will spot wildlife you’d walk right past.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon soaking in the hot springs at the Tabacón Thermal Resort. It’s a must-do Costa Rican experience.
Day 2: Chocolate Tour & Arenal Volcano National Park
Morning: Use your morning to discover the sweet side of La Fortuna with a chocolate tour.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, either enjoy a hike on your resort property with the naturalist guides, or take a tour to see the sloths and birds.
Evening: You have to go on a jungle night walk in Costa Rica with kids. There are so many nocturnal animals in Costa Rica that you’ll be pinching yourself if you miss the opportunity to see them while you’re there.
Day 3: Choose Your Own Adventure
Morning: For your last day near Arenal, we recommend choosing an adventure activity that your family will love! Here are some of our favorite options:
- Ziplining
- Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall
- Wildlife Safari Float
- White Water Rafting
- Waterfall Rappelling
Afternoon: Use this last afternoon to relax at your resort, explore the grounds, swim in teh pool, revisit the hot springs, or use a babysitting service to experience the spa.
Day 4: Journey to Nosara Along the Pacific Coast
From La Fortuna, you’ll need to drive a few hours to get to the coast for some beach time. There are many coastal areas to choose from — some are closer than Nosara, but the extra journey is worth it.
Morning: The drive to Nosara is 4-5 hours and an adventure in itself, so a private driver is a great option. We like to have our clients make a day of it with an activity halfway through so the journey is part of the experience, not just something to suffer through.
Make sure you stop at the fruit stands and roadside “sodas” selling fresh smoothies, pipa fría (cold coconut water), and empanadas—perfect for a quick, authentic snack stop!
Afternoon: Once you arrive, check into another awesome boutique hotel such as:
- Silvestre: A luxurious yet laid back retreat that seamlessly blends modern design into Nosara’s lush surroundings. The family villas are a dream.
- Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel: A family-friendly surf haven, just steps from the waves. This lodge doesn’t have connecting rooms, so it’s better for older kids who can sleep alone, or families who don’t mind sharing a space to get the very cool vibe.
Explore the property and settle in. Take a swim and dive into any offerings specific to the hotel you’re at.
Day 5: Surf Lessons & Beach Exploration
Morning: Take surf lessons at one of Costa Rica’s most beginner-friendly breaks. Nosara’s surf instructors have a magical way of getting even the most hesitant kids on their boards by the end of the lessons.
Afternoon: Don’t change out of your swim suits just yet. Stay on Guiones Beach to explore, where sandy shores at low tide are perfect for sandcastles and tide pool discoveries. Although you won’t find long stretches of white sand beaches, with its more rugged feeling black sand coast, Costa Rica is one of the best non-Caribbean beach vacation spots.
Day 6: Ocean or Canopy Adventure
Morning/Afternoon: For today we’ll recommend choosing from one of these options to round out your visit to Nosara:
- A snorkel trip to Pink Sand Island
- A zipline tour
- Visit a wildlife sanctuary
- Take a cooking class
- Visit a different beach
- Surf, again, or go to the spa
If you are visiting Costa Rica in May – November (especially August – October) you must book a turtle tour in Ostional to see the natural nesting phenomenon.
Day 7: Return to San José
On your last morning in Nosara, take a walk along the beach and grab coffee before making the journey back to the airport.
Our Other Favorites for Your Costa Rica Itinerary
Not sure if La Fortuna + Nosara is the right fit? Here are other tried-and-loved two-destination Costa Rica itinerary with kids combos our clients have raved about:
- La Fortuna + Monteverde: Skip the coast and stick to the interior! Volcanic adventure meets cloud forest magic. Perfect for families who want volcano hikes, ziplining, and wildlife spotting in two of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations.
- Santa Teresa + Arenal: Surf and soak. Spend half your trip surfing Santa Teresa’s laid-back beaches, and then unwind in Arenal’s hot springs after jungle adventures.
- Manuel Antonio + Monteverde: The best of beach and rainforest. Explore cloud forest trails and then relax with ocean views, easy wildlife encounters, and incredible food in Manuel Antonio.
- La Tortuga and Puerto Viejo: Caribbean vibes and jungle thrills. Experience Puerto Viejo’s Afro-Caribbean culture and stunning beaches, combined with turtle watching in a rustic lodge in one of Costa Rica’s national parks.
- Guanacaste Beach Stay + La Fortuna or Monteverde: Best for easy travel. Enjoy the sun-drenched beaches of Guanacaste with a taste of adventure at either La Fortuna or Monteverde.
Prefer less moving around and more time to truly unwind? Here are our favorite single-destination stays:
- Manuel Antonio: Jungle, wildlife, and beach – all in one place. Perfect for families who want to settle in, see sloths daily, and explore at a relaxed pace.
- Nosara: A surfer’s paradise with a laid-back vibe. One of the best places in Costa Rica for a full week of surfing, yoga, and nature exploration.
- Santa Teresa: Unplugged luxury on Costa Rica’s wild coastline. If your family loves surfing, tide pools, and boutique hotels, you may never want to leave.
- Puerto Viejo: Afro-Caribbean culture, beaches, and adventure on the Caribbean coast. Explore Cahuita National Park, wildlife sanctuaries, and calm turquoise waters.
- Guanacaste: Resort style relaxation with easy access to adventure; this is the quickest part of Costa Rica to get to for a quicker getaway, just 45 minutes from LIR airport. A little more touristy than some of our other recommended destinations.
Planning a Costa Rica Trip: The Mango Tree Difference
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options?
Trying to decide between a luxury lodge near Arenal, a surf hotel on the Pacific or a hidden gem on the Caribbean coast?
Never been to Costa Rica and need help figuring out how the logistics work with kids?
Debating between a two-destination adventure or a one-resort wonder?
At Mango Tree Travel, our motto is simple: we empower parents to choose travel experiences that delight the whole family. And we make it feel easy to make that choice. We’ve been to Costa Rica, we’ve stayed in the hotels, and we know the details that matter when traveling with kids.
Partner with us to design the best 7 day Costa Rica itinerary for your family, with handpicked hotels and someone else to take care of the logistics. Start your vacation with that pura vida mindset.
FAQs: Planning Your Costa Rica Journey
What should I pack for a family trip to Costa Rica?
Pack light and smart – you’ll need quick-dry clothes, insect repellent, and reef-safe sunscreen. Make sure you have good water and hiking shoes, swimsuits, and a pair of binoculars to see wildlife! Bring a jacket if you’re headed to Monteverde, even in the summer.
Do we really need a guide for wildlife tours?
Yes! Guided wildlife tours are 100% worth it. Costa Rica’s expert guides spot sloths, toucans, monkeys and more that you might walk right past. Their trained eyes (and spotting scopes) will let you see more than you ever imagined.
How many activities should we plan each day?
Try to stick to one major excursion per day – this keeps the trip fun without being overwhelming. Costa Rica has tons to do, but is also a great place to relax and take on the “pura vida” vibe.
Do we need to worry about bugs in Costa Rica?
Mosquitoes are common in Costa Rica. Use insect repellent, wear lightweight long sleeves for jungle activities, and stay in hotels with screens or A/C to minimize bites.
What are the must-try foods in Costa Rica?x
- Gallo pinto – Rice and beans with eggs, a great breakfast option
- Casado – A sample plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and a protein source like fish, chicken, or meat.
- Fresh tropical fruit – Pineapple, mango, guava, passion fruit – they all taste SO much better here!
- Patacones – Twice-fried green plantains served with black bean dip, guacamole or pico de gallo.
- Fresco Naturales – Homemade fruit juices mixed with water or milk. Try cas (sour guava), tamarindo, and passion fruit.
