Get Active with the Kids
We understand the unique needs of family travel and create wonderful travel packages to balance adventure and relaxation for adults and kids alike.
If you're planning a family vacation to Costa Rica, here are four unmissable adventures for your itinerary.
Fun and Hot Springs in the Arenal Volcano Area
The Arenal Volcano area is Costa Rica's adventure capital, and that includes activities for children. Kids of all ages love this part of Costa Rica because there's so much for them to see and do around here.
Zip lining, hanging bridges, nature hiking, river floating, and waterfalls are all great adventures for younger kids. And they can also enjoy a spot of waterfall rappelling if they (and you!) are game!
For teenagers, white water rafting, horseback riding, and canyoning are all exciting options. And, while it’s illegal to hike to the top of Arenal Volcano to see the crater, there are many different hiking options for all levels for the family to enjoy.
Families wanting to get up close and personal with a volcano crater, by the way, can visit Volcán Poás on one of our connection tours between San José and Arenal.
Because of the geothermal activity around Arenal, there are dozens of natural hot springs around the area. It's possible your Arenal hotel has its own thermal waters to enjoy. But if not, head over to our favorite family-friendly Tabacón Hot Springs to relax after a day of volcano exploring. Here, kids love jumping between jungle waterfalls, waterslides, and natural pools.
Monkeys in Manuel Antonio
No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without spotting a sloth or a monkey. Kids absolutely adore both, and seeing them completes their vacation.
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s most famous national park. It's home to both sloth species, several species of monkey (including cheeky white-faced capuchin monkeys), green iguanas, and many types of snakes, bats, tropical birds, and more.
This park combines both lush, verdant rainforest and pristine, sandy beaches. Kids will love interacting with the social white-faced capuchin monkeys, who live in large numbers right next to the beach. They love to steal your fruit, so watch out!
Our nature guides will show your family the natural treasures of Manuel Antonio on easy walks through the trails that are easy for kids.
Older children will also love exploring this rainforest. They can also enjoy kayaking adventures through the mangroves in search of caimans and crocodiles. If your younger kids also want to get into the mangroves, regular boat tours are possible.
Family Adventures in Monteverde
The Monteverde cloud forest is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. Here, even the youngest kids can experience the canopy treetops on a sky tour, where they board a gondola and soar over the forest.
This is a great opportunity to spot monkeys, sloths, and even tapirs. Adventurous children over the age of four will also love harnessing up to zip lines and whizzing through the treetops.
Hanging bridges - a series of suspended bridges - are another fun way to explore Monteverde. Your family will set out on foot, walking over a connected series of five hanging bridges connecting various cloud forest trails. It's a great way to connect with nature and is easy for kids of all ages.
Cultural Activities for Kids
Not far from Manuel Antonio, in the heart of rural Costa Rica, is the community of Santa Juana. This community has opened its doors to families seeking a close-up view of rural life in Costa Rica.
Here, kids will love horseback riding like the locals and getting their hands dirty while learning about sugar cane production. They'll visit the local school and interact with children who are eager to meet visitors from afar and practice their English.
This is a special opportunity for kids to share their experiences with each other.
Contact Us for More Information
If you're interested in exploring Costa Rica with your children, contact us. We're parents, too, and have deep insight into what kids love to do when they visit us here in Costa Rica.
