Travelling in Costa Rica with kids
Costa Rica is a tourism veteran. Not only is it a treasure trove of natural jewels; it has the infrastructure to make visiting them exceedingly comfortable.![]()
With expert English-speaking guides, well maintained trails and Wi-Fi in even the most remote lodges, Costa Rica with kids is more fun than fuss. Even the least adventurous families will feel safe here. Younger children will be well looked after in Tortuguero and Monteverde, while older kids will thrive on the rafting, zip-lining, hiking and tubing, all graded by age and ability.
If you do want to escape the crowds, head for the slightly wilder regions – they still offer comfortable lodges but with fewer visitors. Parents’ main concern here will be the children nagging them to come back.
Activities for families in Costa Rica
Self drive holidays
Tenille Moore, from our Latin American specialist partner Geodysssey:
"You can do an independent self-drive in Costa Rica. It's very popular with families because you can take your time getting from place to place and stop as you go along. You’ll pull up along the roadside and a monkey will be there, or a sloth might be hanging from a tree. Because the country’s so small, the wildlife doesn’t have anywhere to run! It is literally teeming with wildlife."
"You can do an independent self-drive in Costa Rica. It's very popular with families because you can take your time getting from place to place and stop as you go along. You’ll pull up along the roadside and a monkey will be there, or a sloth might be hanging from a tree. Because the country’s so small, the wildlife doesn’t have anywhere to run! It is literally teeming with wildlife."
Monteverde
Hang out in Monteverde – literally. This cloud forest reserve is absolutely jammed with wildlife, and kids can explore with naturalist guides on foot, horseback or walking along a suspension bridge through the canopy. With 30 species of vivid hummingbirds, 1,200 amphibians and reptiles and 100 mammals living here, biology lessons have never been so exciting.Sea turtles
Watching sea turtles nesting and hatching on a moonlit beach is surely nature’s most magical experiences – and sure to bring out the inner environmentalist in children. Visit Tortuguero National Park in the August school holidays to glimpse these incredible creatures dragging themselves into the sand.
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responsible travel asks the experts
Natasha Preston, from our partner Exodus, shares her advice for travelling in Costa Rica with kids: "For families looking for that jungle experience, who want to see the wildlife and do some adventure activities, then Costa Rica is brilliant as it has all that but without feeling too remote or too punishing. You probably wouldn’t take your family down to the Pantanal in Brazil, for example, or to Guyana. You’d see very similar wildlife and birdlife, but Costa Rica has a much better infrastructure. It’s more geared up for the tourist market without feeling overly commercialised."
David Orrock shares his advice on travelling to Costa Rica with kids: "Costa Rica is brilliant for families, but make sure that you talk to someone who knows the different areas and gets the right place for the right age kids. It makes the difference between having a good time – and having a really good time. Rio Perdido, for example, is better for older children, whereas Monteverde and Tortuguero would be very good for younger children. Tortuguero is very relaxed; it’s not a high activity area. The main thing is taking boat rides along the canals to spot wildlife, so you don’t need to be in good physical shape or be a certain age. The lodges there have family friendly pools too – it’s just very nice."
More Costa Rica articles
You can travel at pretty much any time, but the best time to visit is revealed in our guide.
This tiny Central American country is big on biodiversity – and adventure. Find out more in our guide.
We make choosing between the national parks, coasts and hiking areas easier with our map and highlights guide.
Check out the animals to watch out for on holiday, from sloths to sea turtles.
With Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Costa Rica is not short of beaches.
Read our guide to discover the best – and most environmentally sound – adventures.
Most travellers on tailor made trips end up driving. That’s because it’s near irresistible.
Costa Rica is an environmental hero, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a helping hand.
Volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife reserves, lodges... you won't run out of things to do here.
Read the best travel advice for travelling in this Central American country, as shared by our experts.
LGBTQ+ holidays are one of the fastest growing sectors of the country’s travel industry.
Responsible tourism is a genuine success story in Costa Rica. Find out why in our guide.
