Best Family Vacations
Families vacationing in Costa Rica don't need to book special tours to entertain their youngest members – the country's wild wonders and exciting activities naturally cater to children's interests. Outdoor adventures complement interactive animal parks, and safe swimming waters transition to wildlife-rich ocean perfect for aquatic explorations. Children love every moment, and parents appreciate the country's unique blend of family-friendly excursions and unforgettable learning experiences.
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For a mix of ocean adventure and gentle waters, Manuel Antonio's aquamarine bays are hard to beat. The region's protected beaches, several of which are located within Manuel Antonio National Park, are great for both little swimmers and older children interested in body surfing and boogie boarding on small waves. When your kids grow tired of swimming and splashing, the national park saves the day – monkeys frolic in beachside trees and brightly colored frogs hop along the forest floor, providing the perfect entertainment for those inquisitive minds.
Best Destination
If your kids prefer hands-on adventures, Monteverde should make an appearance on your Costa Rican itinerary. Surrounded by cloud forest in the country's mountain interior, this sensational destination is an outdoor wonderland of forest trails, kid-friendly canopy tours and amazing wildlife parks. The Children's Eternal Rainforest, which exists thanks to the efforts of children around the world, will treat your kids like the VIP's they are – guides tailor tours to children's interests, and souvenirs and other amenities are pint-sized and placed at child-height. For animal lovers, don't miss a visit to Monteverde's Frog Pond and Bat Jungle, where your babes will play I-Spy with amphibians or try on monster bat ears.
Most Exciting National Park
Cahuita National Park's sandy trails run along the tranquil Caribbean Sea, offering plenty of diversions. The park also promises many wildlife sightings, and your kids will have a great time trying to spot the next green iguana, monkey, or sloth in the trees above. At Cahuita Point, a stop along your park hike, a troop of white-faced monkeys will delight your children with their antics. This amusing experience also offers an excellent opportunity to teach your children about wildlife, and demonstrate by example how to respect wild animals.
Best Wildlife Experience
A whale and dolphin watching tour is our pick for Costa Rica's top kid's wildlife experience, since it offers the opportunity to spot dozens of dolphin and whale species, including bottlenose dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and pilot whales, among others. With a bit of luck, you'll encounter massive humpbacks breaching in the bays, and agile dolphins will race your boat, playing in the wake. Tours are offered year-round, but August-October and December-April are the best times to spot humpback whales.
Greatest Adventure
The gently active Arenal Volcano is guaranteed to captivate the attention of even the smallest travelers, and when you throw a thrilling canopy tour into the mix, your little adventurers will squeal with glee. Arenal's top canopy tour incorporates an aerial tram tour, and features almost two miles of ziplines that take you flying right in front of the awesome volcano. If your children are lightweights or especially scared, experienced tour guides will ride tandem with them.
Most Inspiring Moment
Most kids love animals, so it's no surprise that the younger set enjoys a visit to Cahuita's Sloth Rescue Center, known locally as Aviarios del Caribe. However, this refuge is much more than a place to see adorable sloths; it's an opportunity to teach your children about nature's fragile balance, animal wellbeing, and the kindness we can extend to our furry friends. You'll meet rescued sloths and orphaned babies, and watch the sanctuary's volunteers help these innocent creatures – an experience so moving, it may inspire a lifelong desire to promote animal welfare.
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