Call us on
    Exit
    Exit
    Vector art of a sloth drawn in bold gold lines

    Wildlife spotting

    Find monkeys, iguanas, frogs and sloths in Manuel Antonio

    Trees icon

    Thrilling adventure

    Set off on exciting zip lining adventures in Arenal

    Vector art of a turtle drawn in bold gold lines

    Marine discovery

    Snorkel among turtles and dolphins on the Guanacaste Coast

    Vector line art of snowcapped mountains, drawn in bold gold lines

    Hiking and climbing

    Go crater trekking on the slopes of Poas Volcano

    Incredible birds

    Spot colourful feathered friends in the Pacuare Reserve

    Experience amazing adventures, beaches and wildlife

    Jacada’s luxury Costa Rica family tours will lead you on a fantastic journey through the country’s diverse and stunning landscapes. There’s a huge variety of activities and experiences to choose from, and many truly beautiful places to stay.

    Walk along the top of the jungle canopy on hanging bridges in Arenal, the mighty volcano peeking out from behind the clouds. Marvel at flocks of scarlet macaws and curious toucans in the wildlife-rich Corcovado and Osa Peninsula. Get the adrenaline pumping while white-water rafting in the Pacuare Reserve, before spending the evening in candle-light at Pacuare Lodge.

    Look out for sloths in Manuel Antonio, relax at the beach on the Guanacaste Coast, learn to surf on the deserted shores of the Nicoya Peninsula. Go swimming under cascading waterfalls in Rio Celeste, become immersed in culture in the Coffee Valley, and there’s so much to enjoy on a Costa Rica family tour.

    Benefit from our extensive experience in curating Costa Rica tours for families. We know the best hotels and locations for all different age groups, and will provide a private itinerary that is tailored to you and your entire family’s interests, so that you all have fun with just the right amount of relaxation.

    Highlights

    Observe playful monkeys, colourful 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’ and an important nesting site for green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawkbills and loggerheads

    Visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre in Puerto Viejo

    On a luxury family Costa Rica trip you'll have a fantastic active, outdoors adventure. There are so many great places to visit and exciting activities. Personally, I love to include the Osa Peninsula on family itineraries as it really is such 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 headshot

    Lily Bunker

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury family-friendly accommodation in Costa Rica

    There are many incredible places to stay in Costa Rica. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

    Family expertise  illustration image

    Family expertise

    We offer extensive knowledge and years of expertise in crafting family trips for all generations. Some of our travel designers have first-hand experience of travelling with their own families, providing invaluable tips and advice based on their own travels.

    Tailored experiences  illustration image

    Tailored experiences

    To ensure every family member’s passions and wishes are fulfilled, each trip we plan is  tailored for families of all ages. Led by trusted guides, activities will captivate your family’s interests, while respecting the landscapes and communities you visit.

    Perfect planning illustration image

    Perfect planning

    Balancing activity and relaxation is key to a successful family trip. Keeping everyone engaged matters, and so does finding time to unwind. We know how to strike the perfect balance between adventure and downtime, and the best destinations to enjoy both.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Costa Rica family tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Where to go

    Arenal thumbnail

    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 more
    Boca Tapada near San Carlos thumbnail

    Boca 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 more
    Cerros de Turrubares thumbnail

    Cerros 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 more
    Corcovado and Osa Peninsula thumbnail

    Corcovado 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 more
    Dominical thumbnail

    Dominical

    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 more
    Jacó thumbnail

    Jacó

    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 more
    Manuel Antonio thumbnail

    Manuel 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 more
    Nicoya Peninsula thumbnail

    Nicoya 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 more
    Pacuare Reserve thumbnail

    Pacuare 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 more
    Puerto Viejo thumbnail

    Puerto 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 more
    Rincon de la Vieja thumbnail

    Rincon 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 more
    Rio Celeste thumbnail

    Rio 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 more
    San Gerardo de Dota thumbnail

    San 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 more
    San Jose thumbnail

    San 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 more
    Sarapiquí thumbnail

    Sarapiquí

    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 more
    The Central Cloud Forests thumbnail

    The 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 more
    The Coffee Valley thumbnail

    The 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 more
    The Guanacaste Coast thumbnail

    The 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 more
    Tortuguero thumbnail

    Tortuguero

    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 more
    Turrialba thumbnail

    Turrialba

    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 more

    Meet your Latin America team

    When 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 main icon

    Sea Turtle Nesting Season

    September - March

    Birdwatching main icon

    Birdwatching

    Year round

    Whale watching main icon

    Whale watching

    August - October

    When is the Best Time to go to Costa Rica?

    When is the Best Time to go to Costa Rica?

    Read more

    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.

    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.

    Find out more
    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline