Wild adventures, wildlife encounters, lasting family memories
Costa Rica is brilliant for adventurous families, with easy travel, incredible wildlife, and just the right mix of fun and downtime.
If you're after a family holiday packed with variety, Costa Rica delivers in spades. With two coastlines, tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and a remarkable range of wildlife, it's a place where every day feels like an adventure. It’s also refreshingly safe and easy to get around, with family-friendly lodges, excellent guides, and short internal flights that make covering ground much easier than you might expect.
What we love about Costa Rica for families is how naturally it blends fun with learning. Kids can zipline through cloud forests, spot sloths and toucans on jungle walks, raft gentle rivers, and learn how chocolate is made straight from the cacao pod. There’s just the right balance of active days and downtime too, with warm Pacific beaches and wildlife-rich mangroves perfect for paddleboarding or relaxing.
We often recommend a combination of the Arenal volcano region for adventure, the Osa Peninsula for incredible wildlife, and Manuel Antonio for beaches and easy trails. And if you're travelling during UK school holidays, we can time your trip to make the most of the weather while avoiding the busiest periods.
Costa Rica works brilliantly for families with children aged 6 and up – and teens love it too. You’ll come back with stories worth telling and a genuine appreciation for this beautifully biodiverse country.
I visited Costa Rica this year, let me plan your tailor-made trip.
Adventure highlights of Costa Rica
- Pacuare River
- Arenal Volcano
- Guanacaste
Whitewater raft down grade IV rapids of the Pacuare River, fly through the forest on a zipwire, marvel at wildlife from a hanging bridge and relax on powder soft white sand beaches.
Costa Rica Trip Inspiration
Our Costa Rica specialist, Amanda, says:
“Costa Rica is one of my top picks for families – it’s safe, exciting and full of hands-on experiences, from wildlife encounters to ziplining through the forest. There’s something new to discover every day.”
Best places to stay in Costa Rica
Types of Costa Rica vacations
Speak to a Costa Rica expert today
and start planning your tailor-made vacation
Amanda
Costa Rica Expert
