Everything you need to know about family safaris to Costa Rica...

Known as the peaceful soul of Latin America, Costa Rica is a small, diverse country that packs a huge punch. With stacks of biodiversity, volcanoes, rainforests, and two contrasting coastlines with an endless supply of beaches, it is not surprising that Costa Rica is one of the world’s top family holiday destinations.

A country rich in culture, outstanding landscapes, immense biodiversity, and a plethora of activities ideal for all age ranges, Costa Rica is the perfect, soft introduction to South America. Widely welcomed as an idyllic travel destination, this colourful country brings with it travel that is free from the worries that trips with children often bring. Costa Rica is an oasis of calm, an escape from a busy world making it the ideal location for well-needed family-time. Children are genuinely appreciated by Costa Ricans, or Ticos, so travelling with them here will be a delight.

One of the best things about travelling to Costa Rica is there will never be a shortage of activities to do for family members of any age. Where stretches of shimmering, sandy beaches provide hours of amusement for young children, more active, older children can partake in water sports surrounded with a plethora of incredible marine life. Whether you are after an action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled adventure or a more relaxed, peaceful holiday, Costa Rica can be travelled to at your own pace. Combined with luxury villas with activities for the whole family, Costa Rica is sure to provide an unforgettable getaway, tailored to your family’s needs.

With everything from simmering volcanos to outstanding beaches encompassed by crystal waters and bordered by lush rainforests with mangrove swamps, Costa Rica is the world’s largest natural playground. Having the scope for both fast-paced adrenaline-enhancing jungle adventures including white-water rafting and more meditating, relaxing pastimes such as swimming with tropical fish or enjoying sunbathing on the countless beaches.  You could just sit and relax, but that would mean missing jaguars in the forest, crocodiles and turtles on white powdery sands, volcano-climbing, and topped off with lush scenery everywhere, from dense mountain trails with jungles and open plains.

Costa Rica is the perfect destination for families travelling with younger children, being a small, safe country, Costa Rica provides a wide variety of activities for young ones under 12. Most of the adventurous activities on offer can easily be scaled down in order to accommodate children of all ages, whether it be a scenic zipline through the cloud forest, to surfing and even white-water rafting! The outstanding hotels available within the country are always welcoming to younger guests and will offer children’s clubs, menus and rooms adapted to families. In a relaxing environment such as this, there is no better destination to introduce your children to international travel.

Costa Rica is the destination your children will come home bragging about. In a country where older children, even teenagers, will never get bored, be prepared to never hear the end of this holiday! From spotting curious wildlife such as macaws, sloths, and howler monkeys on jungle hikes to adrenaline-boosting-zip-lining through the forest canopies, parents can get the chance to relax on the picturesque beaches whilst teens enjoy a go at surfing in pristine waters. A must do activity for older families in Costa Rica, is enjoying a hike to one of the country’s beautiful waterfalls. Here families can enjoy a refreshing jump into natural pools, propelled into the cleansing depths below – a fantastic opportunity for some brilliant family photographs!

The tourism industry in Costa Rica has blossomed in recent times and as a result most lodges and hotels are happy to accommodate families. There are many options but here are a few to get you started.

Mawamba Lodge – Tortuguero

This exotic lodge, in the northeast area of the Caribbean coast, is positioned on a sand bar between the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero Canals, with spectacular views over both. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the lodge has great access to both the ocean and the canals from within an amazing ecosystem. With intricately thatched and spacious bungalows, the activities provided by  Mawamba Lodge are fantastic, complete with frog, iguana, and butterfly farms on the premises! Children will be delighted to wake up to the unusual calls of howler monkeys in the surrounding trees, the perfect start to days full of nature treks, nocturnal night walks, dolphin tours, kayaking, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling, or enjoy a family trip through the canopy by zip line.

Lapa Rios Eco Lodge – Osa Peninsula

With spectacular views over the last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica and onto the glistening ocean, it is hard to imagine paradise as anything but this. Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, is the perfect hideaway for families after comfortable and eco-friendly accommodation in Costa Rica. Built using locally sourced materials, the individual huts of Lapa Rios are built over 350-foot above sea, overlooking where the Pacific Ocean meets Golfo Dulce, the ideal spot for watching humpback whales and dolphins. Harmoniously blending with the jungle and beach habitats surrounding it, Lapa Rios Lodge has won numerous awards worldwide recognising it for environmental and social excellence. With abundant wildlife and access to a private reserve, children will be in their element with nature, given the opportunity to catch a glimpse of unique nocturnal wildlife on night walks. Other activities in the area include horseback riding, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and zip lining. Kids can also plant a tree and name it, or take part in the Kids Rainforest Tour!

Hotel Punta Islita -Guanacaste

Ideal for families, Hotel Punta Islita is a wonderful location to explore the local cultures, as well as some of the spectacular beaches of Guanacaste. With unique stays available in Deluxe Rooms, Suites, Casitas, and Villas, each accommodation option is well decorated with a tropical feel and some beautiful places for you to relax and make the most of your Costa Rica holiday. The large infinity pool is a great place to relax with a book and at ocean level there is the Borrancho Beach Club, complete with pool, gardens, playground, restaurant and wet bar. There is an exercise room with gym equipment such as treadmills, spinning bikes and weights and there is a golf course and tennis courts, encouraging children to get active. Alongside a spa, there is also a babysitting service, ideal for when you would like to participate in a longer nature walk! Children can also go horseback riding, sport fishing and surfing throughout the year. Depending on the time of year you may be able to watch the sea turtles or kayak through the mangroves and rivers.

Costa Rica’s tourism sector is probably the most advanced in Latin America.  Moreover, we ensure that all our guides, accommodation and transportation conform to the very highest safety standards. 

Years of experience means that ‘Ticos’ lead the way in terms of customer service and you and your family will always be in safe but entertaining hands.