Costa Rica for Families: Why I Keep Going Back

I have a rule when it comes to travel: I don't repeat destinations. The world is too big and my list is too long to spend time going back somewhere I've already been.

Costa Rica is the one place that keeps breaking that rule.

This year, I'm heading back for the fourth time, and honestly I'm just as excited as I was the first time. There's something about this country that gets under your skin in the best way. It's layered, it's adaptable, and no matter how many times you go, it has a way of feeling both familiar and brand new.

Here's how my relationship with Costa Rica has evolved. And I don't think I'm done with it yet.

View from our canopy tour with Witch's Rock in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Trip One: A 10th Birthday Adventure

My first trip to Costa Rica was for my daughter's 10th birthday. I wanted something that felt special, adventurous, but not overwhelming for kids. Costa Rica checked every box. Wildlife? Yes. Rainforest? Yes. Beaches? Yes. Enough variety to keep everyone engaged without anyone melting down? Absolutely.

We stayed in an Airbnb tucked into the mountains above Playa Hermosa, and the views were unreal: sweeping, panoramic water views that made every morning feel like a scene from a nature documentary. The tradeoff was that everything required a bit of a drive, whether we were heading to a restaurant or meeting up for an excursion. But honestly, it was worth it. The privacy and the setting made the trip feel intentional and special, which is exactly what a milestone birthday deserves.

By the time we flew home, I already knew I'd be back. Costa Rica is one of those places where you leave with the distinct feeling that you only scratched the surface.

The view from our Airbnb in Hermosa. Worth every minute of the drive.

Trip Two: 12 People, 8 Kids, Zero Chaos

The second trip was a completely different animal. We brought twelve people to Costa Rica for a Friendsgiving getaway, eight of them kids, ranging from little ones to teenagers. If you've ever tried to coordinate travel for a group that size, you know the logistics alone can be enough to make you question your life choices.

Costa Rica made it easy.

We based ourselves in an Airbnb outside of San José that comfortably fit everyone, which was, given the size of the group, surprisingly affordable. During the day, there was no shortage of activities within reach, so we never felt confined or bored. The kids were happy, the adults were happy, and the whole thing came together without the kind of drama that group travel so often brings.

If you've ever wondered whether Costa Rica works for a big group trip, the answer is a definitive yes.

Our home base for Friendsgiving. Somehow, twelve people actually fit.

Trip Three: Beach, Rainforest, and a Holiday to Remember

Our most recent trip was also our most intentional. We started in Playa Hermosa near the beach, then made our way inland to La Fortuna, and we timed the whole thing over the holidays. That combination (beach first, rainforest second) completely changed the rhythm and feel of the trip, and doing it over Christmas made everything feel a little more special.

Starting by the water gave everyone time to decompress and settle into vacation mode. There's something about ocean air that just resets you. Then, when we made the drive to La Fortuna, we were ready for something more. Wildlife, hot springs, volcano views, outdoor adventures. It all hit differently because we weren't rushing into it.

The pacing mattered. It gave the trip a natural arc instead of feeling like we were trying to cram everything in at once. And it's the framework I recommend most often to clients considering Costa Rica. 

Playa Hermosa. The perfect place to ease into trip mode before heading inland.

Arenal Volcano looming in the background never gets old, no matter how many times you see it.

Playa Hermosa

In Playa Hermosa, we hit a mix of things we'd done before and some new additions.

Ponderosa Adventure Park was a holiday highlight I hadn't experienced before. They were running a special holiday program that included ziplining, an animal safari, and river tubing, all in one day. It was one of those rare experiences that genuinely exceeded expectations, and I would absolutely do it again.

Ponderosa Adventure Park. The animal safari alone was worth it.

We also made it back to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, which I'd visited on a previous trip. There's something unexpectedly nice about returning to a place you already love. You notice the familiar things differently. Their fresh fruit ice pops and lemonade are a small detail, but they brought back memories immediately.

A sloth at Diamante who is absolutely unbothered and honestly my spirit animal.

One of the most meaningful stops was The Monkey Farm, where we did their Interactive Farm Tour. My kids fed goats, sheep, and cows, held puppies and bunnies, and learned about the work the farm does to support Costa Rica's homeless community. I wasn't expecting that layer of depth, and it turned what could've been a cute-animals-for-kids stop into something genuinely moving.

My oldest daughter feeding the goats at The Monkey Farm. She talked about this for days.

We spent Christmas Day at Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, which was as beautiful as it sounds, and followed it up with a spectacular Christmas dinner at Soluna Beach Club. Spending Christmas like that, waterfalls in the morning and a beautiful dinner by the water at night, is not something I take for granted.

Llanos de Cortez Waterfall on Christmas Day. This is one I'll never forget.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna has a different energy than the coast, slower and more exploratory. We spent time wandering, shopping the local markets, eating really well, and letting the days breathe a little.

The standout experience of the entire trip was a UTV tour with Outback ATV Tours. This was not a casual scenic drive. We went through open countryside, climbed up into the mountains, passed through Arenal Volcano National Park, and ended with a visit to members of the Maleku tribe to learn about their culture and traditions. It was the kind of experience that reminds you why you travel in the first place: immersive, unexpected, and genuinely unforgettable. 

UTV tour through Arenal Volcano National Park. One of the best things I've done in Costa Rica.

nside Arenal Volcano National Park. That view never stops being dramatic.

And then there were the wildlife sightings. Toucans. Monkeys. Creatures I still can't fully identify. Some spotted on guided tours, others just spotted by looking up at the right moment. It never gets old.

One thing worth mentioning: I was sick for a good chunk of this trip and had to cancel a few planned activities. In most destinations, that would've thrown everything off. In Costa Rica, we adjusted, scaled back, and still had a trip that felt full and memorable. That kind of flexibility is rare, and it's a big part of why this place works for so many different kinds of travelers.

So Why Am I Going Back Again?

Because it works. Every time.

The structure makes sense. The pacing is natural. The combination of beach and rainforest creates a rhythm that fits our family well, and it fits a lot of families well. And even after three trips, there are still regions I haven't touched. The Caribbean coast. Jacó. Parts of the country that are completely different in feel and character from anything I've experienced so far.

Costa Rica has a way of letting you refine what you know works while still offering something new. That's a rare quality in a destination.

Thinking About Costa Rica?

The right regions, the right pacing, and the right mix of activity and downtime make all the difference between a trip that's good and one that you're still talking about years later.

If you're considering Costa Rica and want help putting together a version that actually fits your travel style, your timeline, and your group, I'd love to help you design it. Reach out through the Contact page and let's figure out what your Costa Rica looks like.

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