Although Costa Rica is a small country in total land area, it is so diverse in climates and eco-systems there is truly something for everyone. From volcanos to cloud forests to beaches, we have narrowed our list of the best places to stay in Costa Rica with kids whether you have a week to spend in this wonderous Central American country, or perhaps longer! We have traveled extensively with our families throughout the country making these spots thoroughly kid-tested (and approved).
#1 Monteverde
One of our favorite spots in Costa Rica with kids is in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Nature and fresh air allow for hiking trails and nature walks throughout the region. Monteverde prides itself on its eco-friendly practices such as organic farming; wilderness and forest preservation as well as farm-to-table gastronomical fare.
Getting There:
The recently paved road makes the drive from San Jose much more enjoyable and it is only 3 hours away traveling on a scenic highway with views of the valleys for miles. Monteverde is located on the continental divide and at 4,662 feet above sea level has a wet climate keeping the area lush and green.
Where to Stay with Kids in Monteverde:
We enjoyed staying at The Hotel Belmar located in the Monteverde Reserve. The luxury hotel has received a 5-star sustainability award for its commitment to both the environment and the local community. The cuisine served at their restaurant is fresh and seasonal and either sourced from their on-site organic garden or the Belmar family farm – Madre Tierra. The food at the restaurant Celajes was some of the best food I’ve had in the country and we still compare every avocado toast in San Jose to the breakfast we had in Monteverde.
Tours of the Madre Tierra farm can be booked directly through the hotel and are unforgettable. Madre Tierra is a working traditional Costa Rican farm and allows up-close contact with their resident pig, chickens and dairy cows which are available for milking (it was easier than I thought and great fun watching the children give it a go!). My husband enjoyed the on-site cheese factory which was complete with samples of the various cheeses. It was the first carbon-neutral farm in the area and we were able to hear how each tree was planted based on how much carbon it was able to offset. After making our own sugar-cane drink we were able to take a horse-back tour of the farm.
The views were absolutely stunning and I was so glad I had paid attention during our horseback riding training class so I was able to slow my horse down for fantastic views of the green rolling hills.
Our tour ended with fresh coffee, cheese, and eggs cultivated from the farm. After my son had feasted on two baskets of tortillas and my daughter had a Cafecito (dark espresso) with a few clumps of organic sugar, we were ready to head back to the hotel complete with happy memories and over 100 amazing photos.
My husband and daughter decided to relax back at the room after dinner while my son and I went on the night-safari tour in the Curi-Cancha Wildlife Refuge. Our bi-lingual guide was fantastic and even brought a black-light for viewing scorpions in the dark. We spotted tarantulas, the world’s smallest orchid, and we were able to stand inside the trunk of a giant strangler fig tree. We had such a great time, we took the entire family back in the daylight the next day. Before heading home, I enjoyed some solitude on the on-site hiking trail which starts and ends at the yoga shala and juice bar. The cloud forest and The Hotel Belmar is just what the doctor ordered to disconnect from phones and emails and focus on nature and family.
#2 Manuel Antonio
The beaches and national parks of Manuel Antonio also make it easy to be present and take a break from technology – there is so much to see and do! When most people think of family adventure and Costa Rica, they no doubt think of the beaches. Our favorite beach spot combines luxury hotel options, national parks, perfect stretches of sandy beaches and views of some of Costa Rica’s most famous animals.
The capuchin monkey is native to South and Central America. They are found throughout Costa Rica and are often seen in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Getting There:
A guided tour of the park is an amazing experience. The park has undergone some recent renovations and updates with redesigned trails, new restrooms, and more eco-friendly rules to ensure the animals remain truly wild (monkeys have been known to steal a bag of chips here and there!). The trail is easily accessible for children and follows a clear path. The knowledgeable guides are what really make the park experience unique. They have such a passion for their country and the wildlife and their excitement is contagious!
Each guide has gone through extensive training on the natural habitat as well as the animals that live in the park. They are equipped with long-range telescopes and binoculars to spot even the most well-camouflaged fruit bat, sloth or frog. It is amazing to be able to view a howler monkey or sleeping sloth in the wild. The stroll through the park marks the beach as the half-way point and the guides will provide fresh fruit to be enjoyed at the beach tables as well as towels in case you decide to take a swim. The ocean water in The Manuel Antonio National Park is warm and calm as it is located in a bay and it is easy to let your stresses and worries disappear into the water. There are two different swimming spots and there is plenty of time to explore both.
There are also public beaches in the town of Manuel Antonio that offer surfing lessons or just a spot to sunbathe and relax.
Where to Stay with Kids in Manuel Antonio:
We have always stayed at The Hotel Parador which is very kid friendly with both kid- and adult-pools, on-site miniature golf, hiking trails and access to the beach. There is a resident sloth, Flash, that is often seen by the swimming pool and a family of howler monkeys that pass through a few times a day. There are also options for zip lining, ATV tours and fishing trips from the near-by Quepos marina. We always recommend stopping at Café Milagro on the way out of town for fish tacos, café Frio and some local chocolate.
Manuel Antonio offers the perfect combination of ocean and jungle. This is the picturesque Costa Rica that travelers envision.
#3 Rio Perdido Thermal Spa and Resort with Kids:
Costa Rica is famous not only for its cloud forests and beaches but also its rich volcanic soil and active hot springs. There are 6 active volcanoes and 61 extinct or dormant ones located in this tropical paradise. We opted for a spot that would allow us to visit both the active hot springs and thermal rivers while allowing for a view of three near-by volcanoes (Miravalles Volcano; Tenorio Volcano and Rincon de la Vieja Volcano). While there are other spots that offer hot springs, we wanted a more ‘off the beaten path’ experience that was luxurious at the same time and Rio Perdido Thermal Spa and Resort was exactly what we had hoped for – and more!
Getting There:
Located just 45km from the Liberia airport and 3.5 hours from San Jose is The Rio Perdido Thermal Spa and Resort. We were able to book a Center Bungalow room that is perfect for a family of four. Mid-century modern décor with an outdoor shower tucked into the middle of the rain forest is how I would best describe our room. Rio Perdido boasts two hot thermal pools and a cooler pool with a swim-up bar. We found it easy to spend hours in the pools – changing from a hot pool to cold pool and back to hot. The lunch at the pool was fantastic and the fresh fruit batidos, or smoothies, really hit the spot.
This hanging bridge, located at Rio Perdido, connects the hotel and spa to the surrounding jungle following the on-site nature trail. It allows for beautiful views over Rio Blanco.
Because my husband joined us on this trip, I was able to sign-up for the complimentary hike around the grounds. Rio Perdido offers 30 kms of hiking and mountain biking trails with views of three near-by volcanos. I left my family at breakfast and set off to meet my group. We visited the property during the ‘green season’ (this is the low season as there is often rain in the afternoons) and because the rains had started early that day, I had a private hike through the property. Our walk meandered through various trails and hanging bridges, past the on-site zip line platforms and over Rio Blanco where tubing takes place. The property even has a Tarzan swing near the waterfall. My guide was not only well informed about the property, but also the various plants and animals located in this part of Costa Rica. We stopped to view a plant that was used by indigenous people to wash dishes. I learned that termites are high in protein and are sweet like pineapple – my guide even snacked on one as proof! At the top of a hill we were able to view Volcan Terinio; Volcan Miravalles and Volcan Rincon de la Vieja. Even after three years in Costa Rica, these views never grow old.
While I enjoyed the hike, my husband and children enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the buffet and then headed back to the pools. The kids could not get enough of changing from the hot pool to the cooler pool and then back to the hot pool. Once I returned from the hike, we promised the kids a chance to visit the real hot springs in their natural setting and headed for the thermal river located on the resort property which lays claim to three thermal pools to relax in. Rio Perdido translates to ‘Lost River’ and the name is fitting. While the trail is easily marked, the river is really hidden in a lush volcanic jungle! We decided to walk to the third thermal river pool and work our way back. This walk is very do-able with children and without fancy hiking gear —we were in bathing suits and flip-flops. My husband remarked that it was the warmest river he had ever been in. The water was a beautiful color and it was peacefully silent in this part of the jungle. When my husband and son crawled over a mini-waterfall they were amazed that the water was freezing. The warmer water where my daughter and I stood was heated from underneath the ground by the nearby volcano and when the sulfur mixed with the cool clear water it took on a milky blue appearance. Each thermal river pool had a bucket with paintbrushes that you could use to apply the nutrient-rich mud with. This was music to my 8-year-old son’s ears – paint your body with mud?
Yes, please! While the third pool had towel hooks, the second pool had picnic tables to relax at. After rinsing off back at the pool-side showers, we settled in for the rest of the days spent reading and relaxing pool-side. We were joined by a family of howler monkeys which was just icing on the cake; listening to their howls while in a thermal pool in the jungle – it was a great day!
We have itineraries ranging from luxury family tours to yoga-retreats and fishing and golf weekends. We would love to help you plan your next vacation to Costa Rica. We are Robin and Samantha, two expat moms who love traveling the world with our families – especially beautiful Costa Rica. Here at Barefoot Luxury Costa Rica, we create customs trips for you and your family that you will remember for a lifetime. From hotel planning to day tours to multi-day tours, we specialize in family adventures, adventure travel as well as luxury travel. Find us on Instagram @barefootluxurycostarica or on our website: www.barefootluxurycostarica.com
Pura Vida and we look forward to hearing from you soon!