We have so many great things to say about our family trip to Costa Rica. It was our first international trip with the kids and turned out to be an ideal choice for their first passport stamp: relaxed, enriching, and genuinely fun for everyone. Below we cover where we stayed, what we did, and how we managed traveling in a foreign country with young children.
With little kids (ours were 5 and 9), it’s tempting to pick the lowest-stress option. We wanted this trip to push us slightly out of our comfort zone while still being manageable, and we’re so glad we did. It felt a bit nerve-wracking to plan, but the payoff was worth it.
Why Did We Choose Costa Rica?
We chose Costa Rica for a few practical reasons:
- It’s warm in January, which fit our travel window.
- Two separate friends recommended it highly after recent trips.
Once we researched more, Costa Rica’s combination of accessible wildlife, a range of lodging options, and relatively short flights from Virginia made it an easy pick.
Wildlife like monkeys and sloths excited the kids, and the flight time—about six hours total with one layover each way—felt doable given their past shorter flights. Breaking the trip into two flights made the travel more manageable for everyone.
Where Did We Go In Costa Rica?
We spent six nights total, splitting our time between two Airbnbs for three nights each. That wasn’t the original plan, but it turned out to be a great way to experience distinct areas and vibes. We picked towns based on lodging availability and distance from San José’s airport.
Our first rental was in Esterillos Oeste, a relaxed seaside town about two hours from San José. It felt local and not overrun with tourists. Our second stay was in Manuel Antonio, about an hour away from Esterillos Oeste. Manuel Antonio is busier with restaurants, shops, and tourist activities—plus it’s home to the popular national park.
Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia and offers a wide range of experiences. If you want volcanoes, hot springs near Arenal, or the Monteverde Cloud Forest, consider traveling farther north near Liberia’s airport.
How Long Did It Take To Get There?
Our flights were about six hours of in-air time each way, but door-to-door travel ended up being longer. An early morning departure and the two-hour drives between the airport and our towns meant roughly 12 hours of total travel each way, effectively costing us a day on each end of the trip. Still, splitting the trip into shorter flight segments made it easier on the kids. We packed activity books, markers, and fully charged tablets to help pass the time.
Did You Rent A Car?
Yes. We rented a vehicle through a company we booked via Expedia. Renting gave us flexibility to explore and ensured we had the right car seats: we brought a booster for our nine-year-old and rented a seat for the five-year-old. Some roads are unpaved, rocky, or steep, so we opted for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle based on recommendations. We encountered rough neighborhood roads but never had to engage 4WD.
If you prefer not to drive, shuttles, taxis, and rideshare options also exist in many areas.
What Was Driving Like In Costa Rica?
Driving felt easier than expected. Locals tended to be relaxed and the speed limits are moderate (around 50 mph at the highest). The right-hand driving was familiar to us. The main challenges were limited signage and parking in busier towns like Manuel Antonio. Narrow, winding streets and scarce parking meant we often walked to restaurants. Because many roads are single-lane each way and speed limits are low, travel times can be longer than your map estimate. Overall, driving didn’t feel more difficult than driving at home.
Was The Language Barrier An Issue?
Not really. While Spanish is the official language, English was commonly spoken—especially in tourist areas. We communicated in English with many people, and menus and signs were often bilingual. When Spanish was needed, gestures and patience bridged the gap. The kids even picked up a few Spanish words and returned home interested in learning more.
What About Currency?
Costa Rica’s currency is the colón, but many places accept US dollars. We carried small USD bills and a credit card, and that worked well. A $1 USD exchange equals about 570 colones, so prices often look large on paper, but converting becomes routine quickly. We used our bank Visa for most purchases and paid around $40 in international fees over the trip to avoid fumbling with conversions or holding up lines while calculating exchange rates.
Is Costa Rica Safe?
We never felt unsafe. We took ordinary precautions—locking doors, not leaving valuables in plain sight, and watching bags around wildlife. Monkeys are known to investigate bags at beaches, so keep that in mind. We didn’t encounter snakes, scorpions, or other dangerous animals; only one large spider outside one evening, which was more interesting than frightening. Overall, Costa Rica felt welcoming and safe for our family.
Our Airbnb in Esterillos Oeste
We were lucky with our rentals. The Esterillos Oeste house had two bedrooms in the main house and a separate casita. We stayed in the king bedroom while the kids shared a room with a twin and a full bed. The outdoor space felt private and lush, and the raised deck pool created a jungle-like vibe. Iguanas and monkeys visited the yard, and macaws flew overhead—an unforgettable, immersive Costa Rica moment right at home.
Our host sent helpful activity suggestions and local tips right after booking, which we appreciated.
Our Airbnb In Manuel Antonio
The Manuel Antonio rental felt like a magazine-ready retreat with three bedrooms plus a casita. A loft space was great for family movie nights, while the air-conditioned bedrooms made sleeping comfortable. The outdoor area featured a large dining table, a hammock swing the kids loved, and a hanging daybed that inspired us back home. The pool was shaded and pleasant for daily use.
Both hosts were very helpful, offering activity suggestions and local insight. One host was a Canadian living in Esterillos Oeste; the other was managed by a local rental company whose representative had moved from Fairfax, Virginia—small world moments that made the trip feel personal.
Things To Do With Kids In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an outdoor-adventure destination, but we focused on family-friendly, low-key activities since our kids don’t seek high-adrenaline experiences. Highlights included:
Esterillos Oeste Beach
Minutes from our first rental, this beach had easy parking and tidepools perfect for kids. We brought snacks and towels for a longer day on the sand.
Royal Butterflies
Royal Butterflies is a family-run butterfly sanctuary near Jaco Beach. The owners gave a welcoming, kid-friendly tour where the children picked starfruit, played in a shallow river, and explored a treehouse. This relaxing activity cost about $30 total for our family.
Manuel Antonio Guided Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park is small but famous for wildlife. We strongly recommend a local guide if you want to spot animals—the guides have trained eyes and use telephoto lenses to help you see canopy-dwelling creatures. We saw a mom and baby sloth, many monkeys, a colorful grasshopper, a bat, a raccoon, and more. Our guided tour (including park entrance and nearby parking) cost about $140 for the family and was one of the trip’s standout experiences.
Manuel Antonio Beach
After the guided walk, we stayed to swim at one of the park beaches—the water was calm and beautiful. The park has rules about what you can bring inside, and the on-site food options are limited, so plan accordingly.
Playa Biesanz
We hiked down a short path to discover Playa Biesanz, a gorgeous cove with clear, calm water and white sand. Locals rented lounge chairs and umbrellas, and vendors offered ceviche and fresh coconuts. We rented two chairs and an umbrella for about $10 and enjoyed one of our most memorable mornings of the trip.
Miscellaneous Exploring
We also enjoyed walking local streets, trying restaurants, shopping at markets full of fresh fruit, and relaxing at our Airbnbs. Cooking breakfasts at the rental and going straight from pajamas to swimsuits became a favorite routine. Smoothies were a beloved staple the whole trip.
Where To Eat In Costa Rica With Kids
Finding kid-friendly food was easy—most restaurants offered chicken, burgers, pizza, pasta, and quesadillas. A few favorites:
Tacobar in Jaco Beach
Fun and kid-friendly with a large taco menu and great smoothies. The kids loved the swinging bar seats.
Hotel Rancho Coral in Esterillos Oeste
A beachside spot known for wood-fired pizza (they start the oven in the afternoon), plus good seafood and a pleasant post-dinner walk on the sand.
El Mana in Esterillos Towne Center
A family-friendly pizzeria and a great smoothie stop. The shrimp ceviche here was a highlight.
El Avion in Manuel Antonio
Built around an old airplane, this cliffside restaurant offers novelty, ocean views, and solid food. Great for a memorable meal.
La Mariposa Hotel in Manuel Antonio
Highly recommended for lunch or dinner with spectacular views. We also enjoyed small local cafés and cooked breakfasts at the rentals with market-bought produce.
About That Toilet Paper Situation…
One practical note: many places in Costa Rica ask you to dispose of toilet paper in a small bin next to the toilet instead of flushing it. It felt unusual at first, but you adapt quickly. This was common in stores, restaurants, and our rentals—so plan for that small cultural difference.
In short: Costa Rica was an excellent destination for our first international trip with kids. The people were friendly, the weather was wonderful, and the food was delicious. We highly recommend trying plenty of fresh smoothies. Pura Vida!
Costa Rica With Kids: A Summary
Quick list of top family activities we recommend:
- Take a guided animal tour in Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Swim at Manuel Antonio Beach.
- Visit the Royal Butterflies garden and farm.
- Eat tacos at Tacobar (kids love the swings).
- Dine inside an airplane at El Avion for a fun experience.
- Hike down to Playa Biesanz, Manuel Antonio’s beautiful cove.
- Enjoy lunch with a view at La Mariposa Hotel.
- Order fresh fruit smoothies everywhere.
- Play in tidepools at Esterillos Oeste Beach.
Other Family Trips We’ve Taken
If you’re planning other family getaways, we’ve written about several destinations with tips and itineraries for kid-friendly travel.