We have so many great things to say about our family vacation to Costa Rica. It was our first international trip with the kids, and it turned out to be the perfect destination for their first passport stamp: relaxing, enriching, and fun for everyone. Below we share where we stayed, what we did, and how we navigated a foreign country with two young children.
With little kids (ours are 5 and 9) it’s easy to stick to low-stress, familiar vacations. One goal for this trip was to push beyond that comfort zone. It felt nerve-wracking at times, but we’re so glad we did it.
Why Did We Choose Costa Rica?
We picked Costa Rica for two practical reasons: it’s warm in January, and two friends had recently returned raving about their trips. The more we researched, the more it made sense as a family-friendly international option. It offered wildlife that excited the kids (monkeys and sloths), plenty of lodging and activity options, and a relatively short flight from Virginia compared with many other international destinations.
Our itinerary kept the flights manageable: roughly six hours of total flying time each way with one layover, which worked well for our children’s previous experience with shorter flights. Breaking travel into segments made the journey feel easier, and we packed activities and fully charged devices to keep the kids comfortable.
Where Did We Go In Costa Rica?
We spent six nights in Costa Rica, splitting our stay between two Airbnbs for three nights each. Although that wasn’t our original plan, it ended up being a bonus because we experienced two distinct areas with different vibes. We based our choices on lodging availability and proximity to San José’s airport.
Our first rental was in Esterillos Oeste, a small Pacific Coast beach town about two hours from San José. It felt local rather than touristy, which we appreciated. The second was in Manuel Antonio, an hour down the coast from Esterillos Oeste and home to a popular national park with more shops, restaurants, and tourist activities.
If your family prefers hot springs, volcano views, or cloud forests, consider destinations north of San José (Arenal, Monteverde) and flying into Liberia instead. Costa Rica is compact—roughly the size of West Virginia—so different regions are within reach depending on your interests.
How Long Did It Take To Get There?
Our flights were about six hours of airtime each way, but door-to-door travel felt longer because of very early departures and ground transfers. The towns we visited were roughly two hours from San José’s airport, so each travel day ended up taking around 12 hours. Breaking the trip into flights, a layover, and driving made it manageable, and we came prepared with activities and snacks for the kids.
Did You Rent A Car?
Yes. We rented through a company via an aggregator and found the process similar to renting in the U.S. We chose a vehicle with four-wheel drive because some roads are unpaved, steep, or rocky; we didn’t need to engage 4WD, but it provided peace of mind. We brought a booster for our nine-year-old and rented a car seat for our five-year-old.
If you’d rather not drive, many hotels and tour companies offer airport shuttles, Uber operates in some areas, and traditional taxis are available.
What Was Driving Like In Costa Rica?
Driving felt easier than expected. Roads generally have low speed limits and a relaxed pace. The layout is familiar—right-side driving—and most people were polite. The main challenges were limited signage, Spanish-language signs, and occasional tight parking, especially in Manuel Antonio’s narrow, hilly streets. We ended up walking to many restaurants there because parking was scarce. Overall, driving felt comparable to driving at home, just slower in places.
Was The Language Barrier An Issue?
Not really. Spanish is the national language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. We managed in English with most people and found menus and signs often available in both languages. For the few moments that required Spanish, gestures and patience worked well. The kids even picked up a few Spanish words and returned home more interested in the language.
What About Currency?
Costa Rica’s currency is the colón, but many places accept U.S. dollars and some list prices in USD. We traveled with small USD bills and a credit card and would’ve been fine without many colones. For convenience, we used a bank-issued Visa for most purchases and paid roughly $40 in international transaction fees during the week—worth it to avoid currency math while in line.
Money conversion
Expect large-looking prices: at the time $1 USD equals about 570 colones, so many prices appear in the thousands of colones. That can be surprising at first, but you quickly adjust.
Is Costa Rica Safe?
We never felt unsafe. We used common-sense precautions—locking doors, not leaving valuables in the car, and watching our bags—but didn’t encounter any threatening situations. Wildlife sightings were a highlight rather than a hazard: monkeys, iguanas, and birds visited our rental yards. We saw no snakes or scorpions, and the one large spider we noticed was outside and more fascinating than frightening.
Our Airbnb in Esterillos Oeste
Both Airbnbs were among the best vacation rentals we’ve stayed in. The first, in Esterillos Oeste, included multiple bedrooms and a separate casita on the property. We stayed in the main house while the casita offered a private option for extended family or another couple. The yard felt like a private oasis thanks to lush landscaping, and wildlife visits—including iguanas and monkeys—made the backyard feel like its own mini rainforest.
Our hosts were responsive and helpful, offering activity suggestions and local insight within hours of booking. That support made planning easier and helped us arrange a couple of activities through them.
Our Airbnb In Manuel Antonio
The Manuel Antonio rental had a Balinese-inspired aesthetic and generous outdoor living spaces: a hammock swing the kids adored, a hanging daybed, and a shaded pool we used every day. The main house had air-conditioned bedrooms and a loft used for afternoon movie nights. Like the first rental, this property included a separate casita suitable for extra guests.
Both hosts were incredibly helpful, offering activity recommendations and local contacts. One host is a Canadian who lives in Esterillos Oeste, and the other was connected to a local rental company; both added a personal touch to our stay.
Things To Do With Kids In Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an outdoor playground. Our kids weren’t interested in high-adrenaline activities, so we focused on low-key, nature-based experiences that were excellent for 5- and 9-year-olds:
Esterillos Oeste Beach
Just a short drive from our first Airbnb, this beach offered easy parking and tidepools that kept the kids entertained—perfect for walking, shell hunting, and easy beach time.
Royal Butterflies
This butterfly farm near Jaco offers a friendly, hands-on experience with a farm and butterfly enclosure. The owners gave our family a personalized tour and allowed the kids to explore the river and sample fruit—an easy, affordable activity that felt personal and low-key.
Manuel Antonio Guided Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park is small but rich in wildlife. Hire a guide if you want the best chance to see animals; guides know where to spot sloths, monkeys, and other creatures and often bring telephoto lenses to help you get closer views and photos. Our guided tour produced unforgettable sightings, including a mother and baby sloth.
The guided portion was about two hours and cost for our family included park entrance and local parking; some guides accept cash only, so it helps to carry small USD bills.
Manuel Antonio Beach
After the guided tour we stayed inside the park to swim at a calm, beautiful beach recommended by our guide. It’s warm, clear, and family-friendly—one of the trip highlights.
Playa Biesanz
We hiked down a short, slightly steep trail to Playa Biesanz, a tranquil cove with clear water, white sand, and local vendors renting chairs, kayaks, and selling snacks. It felt like the most beautiful beach we visited and made a memorable last morning in Costa Rica.
Miscellaneous Exploring
Beyond planned activities, we wandered local towns, tried different restaurants, shopped at markets, walked trails, and relaxed at our rentals. Markets were full of fresh fruit and produce, and we loved making easy breakfasts at our Airbnbs and grabbing smoothies throughout the day.
Where To Eat In Costa Rica With Kids
Finding kid-friendly meals was never a problem. Restaurants typically offer familiar options like chicken, burgers, pizza, and pasta alongside local dishes. Some favorites from our trip:
Tacobar in Jaco Beach
A fun taco spot with a large menu and smoothies the kids loved. Located about 20 minutes from Esterillos Oeste.
Hotel Rancho Coral in Esterillos Oeste
An outdoor beachfront eatery known for wood-fired pizzas and seafood. Great for dinner when the grill is active.
El Mana in Esterillos Towne Center
A casual pizza spot that delivered on our son’s pizza craving and served excellent seafood and smoothies.
El Avion in Manuel Antonio
A memorable cliffside restaurant built around an old airplane with spectacular ocean views and good food—another great spot for families.
La Mariposa Hotel in Manuel Antonio
The restaurant at La Mariposa offers incredible views and fresh food—perfect for a scenic lunch or sunset dinner. We also enjoyed smaller eateries and grocery-store breakfasts at our rentals.
About That Toilet Paper Situation…
One practical note: many places in Costa Rica ask you not to flush toilet paper because plumbing systems can be sensitive. Instead, used paper goes in a small lidded trash can next to the toilet. It felt unusual at first but quickly became normal. Consider this a heads-up for first-time visitors.
Overall, Costa Rica was the ideal choice for our first international trip with kids: friendly people, great weather, delicious food, and unforgettable wildlife. 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 the calm beaches inside Manuel Antonio Park
- Visit Royal Butterflies garden and farm
- Eat at kid-friendly spots like Tacobar
- Have a cliffside meal at El Avion
- Hike down to Playa Biesanz for a picturesque beach day
- Enjoy fresh fruit smoothies everywhere
- Explore tidepools at Esterillos Oeste Beach
Other Family Trips We’ve Taken
If you’re planning other family trips, we’ve written about weekend and multi-day destinations that might inspire you, covering a range of kid-friendly ideas and itineraries.