Experience amazing adventures, beaches and wildlife
The wonderful variety of Costa Rica makes it a fantastic place to bring your family for a trip that provides so much more.
From the nature of the rainforest to the stunning sight of Arenal Volcano and the many wonderful beaches, we can make sure that you and you family make the very most of your holiday time.
Benefit from our extensive experience of dealing with family trips to Costa Rica. We know the best hotels and locations for families and can provide private guiding tailored to you and your children’s interests, so that you all have the fun and relaxation that you deserve.
Highlights
Get up close with monkeys, toucans and other wildlife species in the Osa Peninsula
Marvel at the magnificent volcano, take a dip in the hot springs and go zip lining in Arenal
Explore Tortuguero – Costa Rica’s ‘Land of the Turtles’ that is an important nesting site for green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawkbills and loggerheads
Visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre in Puerto Viejo
Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
The Osa Peninsula is my favourite family destination. It is a special place where you can snorkel in the morning, hike through the rainforest after lunch and enjoy a sunset cruise with dolphins.
Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury family-friendly accommodation in Costa Rica
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Arenal
Arenal is home to the ever-active and magnificent Arenal Volcano. When in the region, adventurous families can rappel through forest canopies, ride white water rapids, enjoy exciting hikes, zip lining, hot springs and so much more. There’s also unrivalled wildlife viewing opportunities in Arenal Volcano National Park.
Discover moreBoca Tapada near San Carlos
The unspoiled region of Boca Tapada offers some of Costa Rica’s most untouched tropical rainforests. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife species like the tapir, the jaguar, the puma, the king vulture and the most popular resident - the green macaws. Families visiting can enjoy a quieter side of Costa Rica, no matter the time of year.
Discover moreCerros de Turrubares
Cerros de Turrubares is the least populated of Costa Rica’s 81 cantons and while it’s certainly off-the-beaten-track, its proximity to the Carara National Park and the central Pacific coastline is reason enough to stop by.
Discover moreCorcovado and Osa Peninsula
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula enjoys an exceptional wealth of biodiversity, from primary rainforests to sandy coastlines. Remote and exciting, this is one of the best places for wildlife encounters.
Discover moreDominical
Dominical is a sleepy surf village with great access to the national park and various stunning beaches and waterfalls. Learn to ride the big waves or sit back and relax in nature watching fiery sunsets.
Discover moreJacó
In close proximity to the capital city of San Jose, the beachtown of Jacó makes for an interesting gateway to the national parks of Costa Rica. Its varied landscapes consist of rolling green hills and palm-fringed sandy beaches, making it one of the best destinations to experience activities of all kinds - ATV and zip-lining, catamaran cruises, surf lessons, and sport fishing are some of the fun experiences families can expect.
Discover moreManuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations. This marine reserve consists of lush rainforest and white sand beaches. It is renowned for its wide variety of tropical plants and wildlife. Go in search of sloths, dolphins, whales, howler monkeys and kingfishers.
Discover moreNicoya Peninsula
Tangled stone cliffs and winding mangroves greet the rugged, beautiful coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. From here, visit the Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco or wander the rustic villages of Tambor and Montezuma. Active families can enjoy surfing and sport fishing.
Discover morePacuare Reserve
A combination of beach, forest and freshwater habitats, make Pacuare Reserve one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries in all Costa Rica. Extending over 800 hectares of lowland tropical rainforest, the reserve plays host to more than 20 species of mammals and reptiles. Families can enjoy the various trails in the reserve or embark on boat rides in the river.
Discover morePuerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo sits on the southern Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica. The area is replete with laid-back beaches and the waters in Limon are generally calm, making it ideal for families travelling with small kids. There’s also the incredible Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge for wildlife spotting.
Discover moreRincon de la Vieja
Bubbling hotsprings and active volcanoes make up the varied landscapes of Rincon de la Vieja, making it one of the best destinations in Costa Rica for adventure and nature lovers. The national park has an abundance of wildlife species ranging from sloths, exotic birds, pumas, jaguars and spider monkeys.
Discover moreRio Celeste
Rio Celeste is one of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural wonders. Its many habitats converge to attract hundreds of bird species, making birdwatching an absolute must-do. Families can enjoy floating on the azure blue river and meeting the Maleku Indigenous Tribe for an enriching experience.
Discover moreSan Gerardo de Dota
Costa Rica’s birdwatching capital is none other than San Gerardo de Dota. Nature loving families can enjoy private expeditions to spot some of the 200 bird species that reside here including hummingbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers, peccaries and more.
Discover moreSan Jose
San Jose is Costa Rica’s cosmopolitan capital city and makes for a great gateway to access other regions of the country. Wander its colonial quarters, visit historical buildings and world-class museums. Local coffee shops make sure to celebrate the country’s coffee beans - don’t miss on trying some for yourself.
Discover moreSarapiquí
Sarapiquí is known to be Costa Rica’s leader in sustainable tourism. The region lies on the northern borders of Costa Rica’s biggest national park, Braulio-Carrillo. For unlimited fun, families can enjoy white-water rafting along the Rio Sarapiquí or go chasing waterfalls on horseback.
Discover moreThe Central Cloud Forests
Costa Rica’s central highlands are dotted with a number of exquisite and captivatingly biodiverse cloud forests, of which Monteverde, Bajos del Toro, the Bosque de Paz Biological Preserve, San Ramon and many more. To make the most of the region’s natural beauty, families can set off on exciting adventures such as horseback riding.
Discover moreThe Coffee Valley
Fertile volcanic soil and a tropical climate make Costa Rica one of the best places in the world for growing delicious coffee beans. Take the whole family to Costa Rica’s Coffee Valley and embark on an educational tour to learn about the culture connected with the land. In the region, you can also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and so much more.
Discover moreThe Guanacaste Coast
Known for wide, long stretches of coastline and consistent sunshine, The Guanacaste Coast has long been a surfers’ paradise. Hop on a board and try it for yourself with a surf lesson. Families can also enjoy land activities to discover the region's wildlife in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
Discover moreTortuguero
Tortuguero is Costa Rica’s ‘Land of The Turtles’. It is an important nesting site for green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawkbills and loggerheads. Nature-loving families will enjoy exploring this region on foot or by boat, discovering its many lagoons, canals and rivers.
Discover moreTurrialba
Active families looking for an action-packed holiday will enjoy the region of Turrialba. This small farming city offers experiences of all kinds, from thrilling mountain biking to relaxing river kayaking. Embark on a hiking trail to the crater of Turrialba Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s seven active volcanoes.
Discover moreWhen to visit
The best time to visit Costa Rica with family is during the green season, from May to July or in November. During this time of the year, there are fewer crowds and the national parks are quieter. In July specifically, the country can experience a weather phenomenon called veranillo or ‘little summer’. This brings weeks of sunny days and warm temperatures.
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
September - March
Birdwatching
Year round
Whale watching
August - October
Plan your family trip to Costa Rica
Whatever you want from your family adventure in Costa Rica, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
It was so nice to have a custom or bespoke itinerary to allow us to do what we wanted in Costa Rica. Additionally, their in-country concierge was there as a safety net, should we have any questions, issues or anything else come up. Everyone and everything performed and/or functioned perfectly. We cannot speak highly enough about Jacada's thorough planning. We…
We are finally winding down from our trip, which was absolutely amazing. It exceeded everything I had envisioned and more. We will cherish this experience for the rest of our lives, and we're already dreaming about where to go next! The little notes and birthday surprises were such a thoughtful touch and truly made me feel celebrated and loved for…
outstanding trip! The hotels, guides, and transportation personnel were terrific
We requested an itinerary to see the Costa Rica wildlife. Jacada designed our trip to maximize our sightings with stays at wonderful properties. Our planner listened to what we wanted and delivered the perfect trip for our needs. All of the activities planned were provided by guides with great skill and knowledge. And the Jacada ground support while we were…
I just came back from my Costa Rica trip , it was amazing, the attention to details , everything I wished for in this trip was there , not to mention the lovely surprises arranged by lily and Berni like lovely picnics , photographer and even a helicopter ride . We had the best time this is my my fifth…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.