With enchanting wildlife, soft adventure thrills and fabulous beaches to be found throughout the country, Costa Rica already has many of the ingredients required for the perfect family holiday. Add to this an impeccable tourism infrastructure, wonderfully welcoming people and there is very little more you need for a stress-free holiday that delivers lasting memories for all of the family.
BEST ACTIVITIES IN COSTA RICA FOR FAMILIES
SEEKING OUT SLOTHS
Perhaps one of the most prized spots amongst Costa Rica’s plethora of wildlife is the sloth. The boundless forests of Costa Rica house both the two-toed and three-toed variety, and there is nothing quite like glimpsing these endearing balls of fur curled up in the branches. And, while sloths spend much of their time asleep in the treetops, if you are fortunate enough to be around when they decide to make one of their weekly descents, the sight of their painstaking movements and seemingly smiling faces is all the more enjoyable.
Where to see sloths in Costa Rica?
Sloths can be found across Costa Rica, but some of the most accessible places to see them are tropical forests around the Arenal Volcano region. Those staying at Nayara Gardens could even take a stroll through the resort’s own sloth trail, but we can organise dedicated sloth spotting tours regardless of where you are staying. Other good places to seek them out are in the misty canopies of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the flooded rainforests of the Tortuguero National Park and the wildlife haven of the Osa Peninsula.
CANOPY ZIP LINING
Nothing beats the thrill of soaring through the treetops on a canopy zip line circuit, and Costa Rica is one of the best countries in the world to give the activity a try. If you are travelling with younger children, we love the family-friendly set-up offered at Sky Adventures in the Arenal Volcano region. Zip lining here is available to children aged five years and over, and the professional instructors do all the braking for you so all you have to think about is enjoying the ride. The setting is wonderful too, with the cone of the Arenal Volcano visible in the distance on a clear day, and an aerial tram and network of hanging bridges available for those who wish to enjoy the scenery without going zip lining.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is another great spot to try canopy zip lining, with an array of flora and fauna to be enjoyed as you fly through the forest canopy. For those seeking some extra adrenaline we can arrange a visit to an adventure park where a thrilling zip line circuit is complemented by the option to fly ‘Superman-style’ down the final cable. You can even choose to round off your adventure with an enormous Tarzan swing! If not everyone in the family fancies such a high-octane adventure, the park also features a sloth sanctuary, canopy bridges, amphibian and butterfly gardens.
CHOCOLATE TOURS
Some of the best chocolate in the world originates from the Americas, and – in Costa Rica – a tradition of fine chocolate production is firmly established. Costa Rica’s cloud forest regions and the central tropical forests around Sarapiquí offer a range of fun and interactive chocolate tours that tell the story of cacao from bean to bar. Tasting is, of course, part of the process!
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Though usually only possible for children over the age of eight, if you are travelling with older children then the excitement of a family rafting expedition in Costa Rica is something not be missed. Costa Rica is a lush natural playground blessed with plentiful river valleys, and there are therefore options available to suit all tastes and persuasions, from gentle rafting safaris focused on the surrounding wildlife to action-packed circuits along exhilarating class III & IV rapids.
NIGHT TOURS IN THE JUNGLE
A whole other world emerges in the rainforests and cloud forests of Costa Rica after dark, from prehistoric looking stick insects and glow-in-the-dark toadstools to scampering coatis and colourful treefrogs (sometimes no bigger than your thumbnail). We can organise night walks with expert guides who are well versed in spotting even the smallest nocturnal creatures hiding in the undergrowth, and have an infectious passion for the inhabitants of Costa Rica’s pristine forests.
SURFING
Blessed with both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, Costa Rica already has venues for beach relaxation well covered. However, for families looking to return from holiday with an enjoyable new skill that can be employed both home and abroad, the warm climate and pristine beaches of Costa Rica provide the perfect classroom for learning to surf. The Pacific coast has the best choice of surfing beaches for all abilities, backed up by a good choice of family-friendly beach hotels and resorts. We recommend a base close to the laidback surf town of Santa Teresa, or close to the lively resort town of Tamarindo, for the perfect mix of swimming, surfing and magical sunsets.
FAMILY FRIENDLY RESORTS IN COSTA RICA
Nayara Gardens
Located in the activity hub of Arenal, Nayara Gardens (and its sister hotel Nayara Tented Camp) have so much going on within their extensive gardens that you would be forgiven for not venturing too far from the grounds. Take advantage of on-site activities such as frog watching night walks, soaks in thermal pools or strolls along the sloth trail. In the wider region, kayaking, canopy zip lining, riding and rafting are just some of the possibilities to tempt you.
Tortuga Lodge
The pristine waterways and flooded forests of Tortuguero provide the stunning backdrop for Tortuga Lodge. Nature is the star of the show here, but presented in a way that is irresistible for families. Activities include boat safaris and kayaking through wildlife-rich canals, twilight walks in the rainforest and turtle watching tours during the nesting season of July to October (minimum age seven). A visit to Tortuguero Village offers an outlook on life on Costa Rica’s colourful Caribbean coast, while optional cacao and chocolate tours can also be organised on-site.
Capitan Suizo
Sometimes, all that is required to keep children occupied (and allow parents a precious opportunity to recharge) is a sandy beach and clear waters to splash around in. Costa Rica’s rugged coastline and the influence of rip tides mean that access to a safe swimming beach is not always easy to find - but this is one of the things to love about Capitan Suizo. Positioned on a blissful stretch of sheltered, golden sand, no effort is required here to find your Costa Rican beach idyll. The town of Tamarindo (for surf lessons and a variety of shops and restaurants) is within easy reach, and this particular stretch of the Pacific coast is one of the driest places to be during Costa Rica’s Green Season. It is therefore the perfect pick for those visiting during the European summer holiday months of July and August.
