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Most of us can picture a version of a trip to Costa Rica with kids: Discovering hidden waterfalls, spotting monkeys in the treetops, and ending the day with sandy toes on a beautiful beach.
From its iconic lush rainforests to its black sand beaches, planning a trip to Costa Rica for families is all about jaw-dropping natural beauty, animal encounters, and adventure for older kids.
While Costa Rica is known for its adventure sports, there’s actually a lot there for younger families as well. The sheer variety of what this country offers for all types of travelers is why it’s quickly becoming one of our favorite non-Carribean destinations for families.
But when it comes to planning a Costa Rica family vacation, there’s one big question that tends to pop up right away: Should you head to the jungle or beach – or both? And how do you piece this multistop trip together with kids without pulling your hair out?
The good news? You don’t have to choose. Whether you’re ziplining through the rainforest canopy, exploring tide pools on the coast, or splitting your time between both, it’s easy to enjoy a mix of experiences when visiting Costa Rica with kids.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to plan the ultimate Costa Rica family adventure, including what to expect in some of Costa Rica’s top regions, and how to combine jungle and beach in a way that fits your family’s personality and travel style.
How to Approach a Trip to Costa Rica with Kids
The biggest logistical challenge in Costa Rica is deciding where to go and how to get there. The country’s most exciting destinations often require either a hopper flight or a long road transfer—sometimes on bumpy roads—from the main international airports in San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR).
For families who want to combine jungle and beach, planning a split stay is the most popular approach. For example, you can start with adventure-packed days in the rainforest (Arenal or Monteverde) and finish with downtime on the coast (Nosara or Santa Teresa).
The trickiest part: Transfers between the airports and the best jungle and beach destinations can take 3-4 hours. Don’t let the distance deter you! You can turn transfer days into experiences by stopping for a waterfall swim or planning an excursion along the route including a meal at a local restaurant.
On the flip side, because of the long transfer times, we urge you to resist the temptation to cram in lots of stops on your Costa Rica family trip. We recommend visiting no more than 2 destinations in a one-week trip to Costa Rica with kids to avoid travel fatigue.
Does the idea of a split stay with long transfer times make you cringe? There’s still a great Costa Rica vacation for families in the cards for you. If you prefer to settle in one place, consider destinations that combine both jungle and beach.
As explained further below, Manuel Antonio in the south and Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side are two excellent options where you can experience the jungle and beach in Costa Rica in one place. They take a little longer to get to when you first arrive, but then you can stay put for a nice long vacation.
Now that you have the lay of the land, let’s figure out which jungle and beach destinations are the best places to visit in Costa Rica with family.
The Jungle Experience in Costa Rica with Kids: La Fortuna and Monteverde
La Fortuna (Arenal Region)
La Fortuna, home to Costa Rica’s iconic Arenal Volcano, is the most popular rainforest location for most families heading to Costa Rica with kids for the first time.
This region is a hub for adventure activities, offering everything you’d expect from the Costa Rican rainforest: ziplining, hanging bridges, hot springs, waterfall rappelling, white-water rafting, and opportunities to spot sloths and colorful birds.
It’s no surprise that Arenal makes it onto the itineraries of most first-time visitors. It’s beautiful, action-packed, and—because it’s on the well-trodden tourist path—everything feels easy. That said, it can be expensive, and parts of the region are starting to have an over-touristed vibe – if you hate crowds and mainstream travel destinations, it might not be the best choice for your Costa Rica family travel.
Getting There: Arenal is about a 2.5-hour drive from San Jose International Airport. Once there, expect another long drive (3-4 hours) back to the coast if you’re planning to continue to a beach destination. Hopper flights are available to some coastal areas but often require connecting through San Jose.
Where to Stay: For families, consider a splurge on the Nayara resorts. With three properties—Nayara Tented Camp, Nayara Gardens, and Nayara Springs—there’s a match for every travel style. These luxury resorts offer volcano views, sloths in the trees, and an unforgettable combination of indulgence and immersion in nature.
If Nayara is not in your budget, there are lots of eco-lodges and hotels at all price points that work very well for Costa Rica vacations for families. We can help you find the best match.
Monteverde
If your family prefers mountain lodges over luxury resorts, and cool weather over hot, then Monteverde is your jungle destination in Costa Rica.
Perched in the highlands above the cloud line, this region offers a cooler climate (around 70 degrees) and a slower pace. While you’ll find many of the same outdoor adventure activities here—birdwatching, hanging bridges, and ziplining—Monteverde focuses more on hiking, waterfalls, and unique ecosystems.
Getting There: The journey to Monteverde is an adventure in itself. The famously rough roads keep crowds manageable and preserve its charm. It’s about the same distance from SJO as Arenal, roughly 2.5-3 hours.
Mango Tree Travel Trip: Bring dramamine if you head to Montaverde with kids prone to motion sickness. The roads are no joke.
Where to Stay: We loved Senda Monteverde, a boutique hotel with cozy family rooms, no pretension, and lots of charm. While it doesn’t have a pool or air conditioning, the temperate weather makes up for it. This property is a perfect example of the Mango Tree ethos: authentic, welcoming of kids, and offering a true sense of place.
We loved Senda and would love to chat with you about whether Monteverde and this hotel is right fit for your family.
The Beach Experience in Costa Rica for Families: Guanacaste, Nosara, and Santa Teresa
Guanacaste
Guanacaste is the most popular coastal region to pair with Arenal by virtue of its location alone – it’s quite literally the closest piece of coast you can get to from La Fortuna, at a driving distance of roughly 3 hours.
It’s also the most accessible region to Liberia Airport (LIR) at just 45 minutes to an hour. The upside is that once you do the long drive from Arenal or Monteverede to Guanacaste, your drive to the airport for your return trip is much more manageable.
Guanacaste features black sand beaches and plenty of opportunities for relaxation and adventure, making it a fantastic spot for Costa Rica family vacations. Our highlight was a catamaran tour from Playa Flamingo, where we sailed to a secluded bay with emerald waters. We saw dolphins, whales, and Costa Rica’s stunning volcanic coastline.
The downside: Guanacaste is also the most built up area of the Costa Rica coast. There are some beautiful luxury resorts on the Papagayo Peninsula, but they feel a bit secluded from authentic Costa Rica culture.
Travelers to Costa Rica often seek an in-town experience, and in Guanacaste that town is Tamarindo. It’s been nicknamed “tamagringo” however, due to the prevalence of English speakers and the well-oiled tourism machines.
In short, Guanacaste is fantastic for some travelers because of the access to luxury and because it feels familiar and easy. But for families wanting to feel a bit more of a connection to the real Costa Rica, it might not feel like the best fit – and we’d encourage you to go just a little further.
Getting There: Guanacaste is just 45–90 minutes from Liberia Airport, making it the easiest beach destination to reach. From Arenal or Monteverde, expect a roughly 3-hour drive.
Where to Stay: While I’m still searching for the perfect boutique family hotel in Guanacaste, I highly recommend Casa Chameleon—an adults-only luxury retreat near Las Catalinas—for kid-free getaways. Las Catalinas itself is a car-free town still under development, worth watching for future Costa Rica family travel.
Nosara and Santa Teresa
If you’re willing to venture farther, Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula offers a more authentic and less crowded beach experience. The towns of Nosara and Santa Teresa are two of the top surf destinations in Costa Rica and best places to visit in Costa Rica with family, each with its unique charm.
Nosara is known as a much more laid-back town than Tamarindo, famous for its yoga retreats, infamous surf town vibes, and commitment to sustainability. Some will complain that it, too, has lost its charm as it caters to American tourists (much like Tulum). But nevertheless it offers an immersive coastal experience that might feel just like what you imagined for your trip to Costa Rica with kids – especially if you’ve got beginner surfers traveling with you.
Even further south, Santa Teresa, on the other hand, caters to adventurous families with its boutique accommodations, stunning beaches, and vibrant bohemian atmosphere. Both destinations are well worth the extra travel time.
Getting There: Nosara is best reached by car from the Liberia airport (2.5 hours); from Monteverde if you’re hoping to pair it with a jungle location (3.5 hours); or on a quick hopper flight from the San Jose airport on the local Sansa airlines.
Santa Teresa is harder to get to, about a 4 hour drive from the Liberia airport and 4-4.5 hours from the most popular rainforest locations. It’s possible to take a hopper flight on Sansa airlines from San Jose to Tambor, but it’s still 1 hour to Santa Teresa from there.
Where to Stay: Both towns offer a mix of family-friendly villas and boutique hotels, perfect for creating a personalized experience. For luxury, we lean towards Silvestre in Nosara and Nantipa in Santa Teresa, but there is a wide range of accommodations available for your Costa Rica family adventure.
Can’t Decide? Why Not Have Jungle and Beach!
There are two ways to think about combining jungle and beach on your Costa Rica family vacation – choose a split stay option, or pick a location where you can enjoy both from one home base.
Split Stay Option
The classic Costa Rica itinerary combines jungle and beach with a split stay. Spend 3–4 days in the rainforest (Arenal or Monteverde) and another 3–4 days on the coast (we recommend Nosara or Santa Teresa). Transfers can be long but are manageable, and we can help you turn your transfer day into a day of fun by adding an excursion along the way.
All-in-One Destinations
For families who prefer to stay in one place, there are two locations we haven’t yet talked about: Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo. We get really excited about both of these options not only because they offer you jungle and beach in proximity to one another, but because they also are a bit further off the main tourist itineraries.
Manuel Antonio
This region combines rainforest hikes with stunning beaches. Manuel Antonio National Park offers easy trails, abundant wildlife (think monkeys and sloths), and pristine shores for relaxation. It’s an excellent choice for families who want a little of everything – ziplining, hanging bridges, sloths, rainforest hikes, surfing, and lush jungle vibes.
Getting There: Manuel Antonio is about a 3-hour drive from San Jose International Airport, but it’s also easily reached by a short hopper flight from SJO to Quepos airport, with a short 15-20 minute drive to the hotel on arrival.
Where to Stay: Stay at Arenas del Mar, part of the Cayuga Collection. This eco-luxury resort is incredibly welcoming to families, offering beachfront access, sustainable practices, and a true sense of place, perfect for a trip to Costa Rica with kids. When you plan your trip with us, we’ll help you strike the perfect balance between adventure and down time.
Puerto Viejo
Located on the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo blends lush jungle with vibrant culture. You’ll find wildlife sanctuaries, laid-back beaches, and Afro-Caribbean influences in the cuisine and music. It’s perfect for families seeking a less touristy, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Getting There: Puerto Viejo is about a 4.5-hour drive from San Jose, or you can take a domestic flight to Limon Airport followed by a 1-hour short drive. While it’s a bit farther than other destinations, the journey rewards you with a unique and immersive experience.
Where to Stay: Stay at Hotel Aguas Claras, also part of the Cayuga Collection. This boutique hotel prioritizes sustainability, family comfort, and a deep connection to the local culture and environment. It is ideal for families looking for an authentic Costa Rica vacation.
RELATED POST: 18 Best Costa Rica Resorts – Caribbean Side (2025)
Keep Exploring: Take a spin through our Costa Rica Destination Page.
Final Takeaways
Costa Rica is a blast for families, offering unique wildlife, volcanic landscapes, and endless adventures. The biggest hurdle is navigating the logistics, but with a little planning (or help from a travel advisor), it’s well worth the effort.
It’s never too early to plan, especially since Costa Rica’s boutique hotels fill up fast. If this destination is on your family’s wish list, reach out now to secure the best accommodations and experiences.
