As a family holiday destination, you could do a whole lot worse than Costa Rica! Costa Rica boasts both Caribbean and Pacific coasts and is a small, safe, and peaceful country that has historically spent its money on protecting its land. Nearly 30% of the land is taken up by national parks and wildlife reserves, which cover many different ecosystems and regions throughout the country. The focus on ecotourism is high.
What this means for a family holiday is a trip with a mixture of cities, beaches, volcanoes, forests and jungles. There are colourful birds with exotic calls, cheeky monkeys prancing through the trees above your head, prehistoric-looking crocodiles lurking on the banks of the river (don’t worry they like to stay away from the noise and movement of the boats!), and of course, the favourite of children everywhere, the slow-moving sloth aka 'Flash' from Zootopia!
I was lucky enough to visit Tortuguero National Park and was not disappointed. The journey there is an adventure in itself and a really enjoyable way to get the holiday started. After a day or two exploring the museums, volcanoes and coffee estates of the capital of San Jose, we set off in the early morning. You drive through the stunning cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park before stopping for breakfast at a restaurant set back from the roadside (see if you can spot the resident sloth!). Setting off again, you pass through banana plantations before boarding long wooden boats to travel through the waterways and canals towards your lodge in Tortuguero National Park.
There are many lovely family-friendly lodges set on the canal sides, backed by jungle. They are simple but clean and comfortable. Air conditioning is not the norm, as the lodges are designed to be cooled by the evening air which comes through the mesh-covered windows. Many have swimming pools for the kids to cool down in after a day of exploring, as you can’t swim in the sea and canals here.
Boat trips and kayak tours are the order of the day and allow you to wildlife spot to your heart's content. There are also a number of trails to enjoy on guided night walks. At the right time of year, you will also find turtles! (June/July for nesting and July to October for hatching).
Wildlife spotting doesn’t stop with Tortuguero, as many other amazing locations can be easily included on a two-week holiday. Favourites we visit on our trips include La Fortuna, at the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, and its cloud forests, The Guanacaste region, with Rincón de la Vieja National Park, and the ever-popular Manual Antonio National Park, where beaches and the rainforest are neighbours.
What else to do in Costa Rica? Well, adventure activities abound! After Tortuguero, we headed to Sarapiqui where the eponymous river is your playground. Choose from white-water rafting or a gentler experience of river floating or tubing for the younger members of the family. You could then explore the local hiking routes through the rainforest, or discover the delights of how chocolate is made, taste testing is a must!
Arenal Volcano is next, and a visit isn’t complete without a canopy adventure. After waking up to the sound of howler monkeys, ziplining through the forest will give you a thrilling new perspective of your natural surroundings. Or you could try the slower-paced, but equally fun, high-suspension hanging bridges.
Cycling tours are a great way to explore more of the area, with trails suitable for beginners and intermediate cyclists. Finish your day soaking away in relaxing natural hot spring pools and waterfalls. This experience pairs nicely with a cocktail or fruit juice!
For an up-close look at the volcanoes, we visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The literal Spanish translation is ‘Corner of the Old Woman’ and you can learn more about the indigenous legend while exploring the park. We'll discover geothermal features like steaming fumaroles – vents in the earth's surface where volcanic gases are emitted – and bubbling mud pots. The park has an otherworldly feel and is a fascinating way for adults and children alike to experience the power of volcanoes.
There are so many other activities to enjoy, such as horse riding, swimming in waterfalls, ziplining through canyons (less high than those mentioned at Arenal for those who would like a gentler introduction!), natural hot springs and river tubing.
After all that excitement, just a couple of hours' drive sees you on the Pacific coast for some beach time. We like Playa Hermosa, and Guanacaste if you want to escape the crowds. Another great option is Tamarindo, a more developed beach town a little further down the coast, which has a buzzy feel and is great for surfing - a good choice if you have older teenagers.
There are so many great places to see that it’s impossible to mention them all, but all in all, Costa Rica is a safe, beautiful, diverse country with friendly locals whose way of life can be described by the popular greeting ‘Pura Vida!’
If you'd like to find out more about our family holidays to Costa Rica, our expert team can help answer any questions you may have - speak to them today.
