January is one of the best and busiest months to visit Costa Rica in January. The weather plays along with adventure seekers, the rain forests are at their most luscious best and all those marvelous beaches are dreamy beyond words.
Yet there are SO many more reasons to visit Costa Rica in January! After the colossal downpours of the wet season, the whole country reverberates to life, with cultural events, wildlife spotting, and outdoor adventures galore.
Need just one reason to leave the cold of the north behind and come play in this tropical paradise?
We’ll give you 15!
1. The weather in January is perfect almost everywhere in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s rainy season tends to run into the first two weeks of January but rains taper off dramatically as the month progresses, before eventually coming to an end in late February. This means that you will likely get some rain if you visit Costa Rica in early January, but they’ll just provide relief for the summer heat. Overall, this is the ideal month that sees most of the country transition from drenched to parched, so you do get the best of both weather worlds.
In January, the rain season shifts from the west to the east: this is the wettest month on the Caribbean side of the country but the start of the outdoor adventures on the Pacific.
2. The Costa Rica wilderness is insanely verdant in January
Some parts of Costa Rica are incredibly dry by the time the hot summer season is over (middle of the year) so if it’s verdant and luscious wilderness you want to see, visit in January. By then, all those tropical rain forests will have received an abundance of nourishment and will be exceptionally green, although typically drier areas (like the northern Guanacaste Pacific region) will showcase a mix of colors.
3. Road travel is back in business!
The rainy season can play havoc on Costa Rica’s roads, especially in remote areas, like Corcovado, that can easily get flooded and cut off by heavy rain. By January, however, road travel becomes easier and transfers are less likely to get disrupted.
If you wish to visit multiple regions, this is the first month where you’d be advised to opt for a road transfer (because road trips are always epic in Costa Rica!) rather than a domestic flight.
4. January falls between peak and high season
In January, the country farewells the end-of-year tourist crowds and is getting ready to welcome high-season visitors. Typically, the last two weeks of January are the calm in-between the tourist storms so everything is open and all regions are accessible, albeit with slightly lower visitor numbers.
The most visited tourist destinations (like Arenal and Manuel Antonio) still receive high tourist numbers this month, although with a bespoke guided adventure tour in Costa Rica, dodging crowds is insanely easy.
5. January is an amazing month to go wildlife spotting in Costa Rica
As waters recede in most of the country, Costa Rica’s most iconic animals emerge from impenetrable forests looking to quench their thirst. This is a fantastic month for wildlife spotting in Costa Rica and that also rings true for marine life. The lack of storms means visibility is great for SCUBA diving and snorkeling, as well as boat trips off the Pacific coast.
Whether at sea or on land, ensure you include a few specialized wildlife spotting excursions on your January adventure tour if visiting in January.
6. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in January is perfect for families and first-timers
As the heavy rains recede, so does the water level in Costa Rica’s best rivers. This translates into tamer rafting and kayaking excursions – perfect if you wish to try the sport for the very first time or are traveling as a family!
Naturally, you can expect to find a host of variables in such an eclectic country. At Costa Rica Rios, we plan the bespoke whitewater rafting and kayaking trip to suit your needs, skill levels, and desires for thrills: no matter your skill level, we can always find a challenging run just for you.
7. There’s a host of fun cultural fiestas throughout January
The holiday fiesta vibe is well and truly kicking in January and you’ll find cultural festivals held in just about every province. Traditional festivals always involve plenty of delicious food, as well as music, dances, and parades to boot.
Fun, sociable, and unforgettable, Costa Rica’s fiestas and parades are reason alone to visit in January!
8. January is the perfect beach-bumming month in Costa Rica
If relaxing on a sublime tropical beach is what you’re dreaming to kick off the new year, then consider Costa Rica your dream destination. As the dry season starts, the sky is resplendently clear, the sea is calm and the beaches unspoiled. Hit the far north Pacific coast for uncrowded beaches and sensational verano vibes.
Beach conditions along the Pacific coast are also ideal if you want to take some beginner surfing lessons so if you do find some energy to expend, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to enjoy.
9. It’s leatherback sea turtle nesting month on Playa Grande!
Sea turtles nest along both coastlines in Costa Rica all year long, with different species focusing on distinct months. This is what makes the country such a rewarding hot spot for international sea turtle conservation work.
In January, it’s the turn of Eastern Pacific leatherbacks around the Las Baulas National Marine Park. In Playa Grande, the next beach up from famous Tamarindo is the start of what is essentially a marine reserve created specifically to protect nesting turtles. Head to the main reserve station when you arrive and you can put your name down for a guided night-time tour during nesting season. January is the best month to spot them! The best part is that you only pay if there is a sighting, so you can be assured of a rewarding experience – if they are running a tour, you know chances are super high that you’ll get to see these amazing creatures.
Learn more about the Eastern Pacific Leatherback from EarthWatch.
10. January is a fantastic month for hiking in Costa Rica
Drier trails and verdant wilderness make for awesome hiking in January!
Rarely, trails are still closed due to flooding this month, so you’re likely to be among the first visitors of the year leaving footprints on trails. Viewpoints along trails offer breathtaking vistas this month, with the lack of extensive cloud cover making for outstanding photography.
11. January is a popular month for destination weddings & honeymoons in Costa Rica
Want to start the new year as a newly-married couple? Yes, you guessed it: January is one of the most popular months for destination weddings down our shores. It’s a no-brainer, in many ways: the weather is fabulous and, especially for North Americans, the chance to dodge the winter cold and enjoy a wedding and honeymoon in a tropical paradise like Costa Rica is immensely enticing!
12. You can spot giant manta rays on the Catalinas Island
Diving with giant manta rays is one of the best reasons to visit Costa Rica in January. The beasts of the seas, which are the largest ray species in the world, measure an astonishing 23 feet in width and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. They are docile, slow-moving yet acrobatic and are majestic to see on a diving trip.
Giant mantas (and other pelagic species) love to feed off the nutrient-enriched waters of the Pacific between November and May. January is considered an ideal month as this month sees the largest concentration of this marine wonder in various spots off the western coast of the country. The very best spot, however, is off the coast of the Catalinas Islands.
13. You’ll see an abundance of migratory birds in Cano Negro & Palo Verde
Costa Rica is one of the world’s most extraordinary birding destinations, home to about 10% of the species found on our planet. Alongside over 100 endemic species, the country also welcomes untold numbers of migratory birds at the start of the dry season.
January is the perfect month to get an eyeful of outstanding bird species, especially in the Palo Verde and Cano Negro reserves, where you might easily spot up to 100 distinct species in just a single day.
If you’re a birding fanatic, ask us about bespoke private tours and we can organize a specialist guide who’ll help you make the best of your visit.
14. You can literally pick your ideal temps!
Costa Rica’s eclectic geography means you can pick and choose your ideal temperature. Yes, even in January!
The Pacific Northwest is the driest part of the country this month, with temps in the low 90s and very minimal rainfall (sometimes, it’s days between brief afternoon showers).
Down along the coast, in the Central Pacific Region, there is a chance of a little more rain, but also slightly cooler temperatures (around the high 80s). In the southernmost Pacific coast, around the Osa Peninsula, this is as dry as it gets all year. Temps are around the mid-90s and you can expect brief showers, say, every other afternoon.
The Central Valley region is blissful in January, with temps in the high 70s and a few afternoon showers to keep things cool. This is undoubtedly the best spot for hiking excursions around Arenal and La Fortuna.
The Caribbean side sees heavy downpours that can sometimes last for a whole day. This is arguably not a good time to visit if you wish to fill your itinerary with a lot of outdoor excursions. On the other hand, crowd numbers are super low on this side so if you wish to retreat to a gorgeous remote lodge and enjoy a few days of downtime, January is ideal.
15. January is the best month to join a group adventure tour as a solo traveler
Solo travelers are apprehensive, at times, about booking a group adventure tour in Costa Rica. They worry that there won’t be enough participants so the tour will be canceled, or they simply think they’ll feel isolated and lonely. Although this is NEVER the case on our Costa Rica adventure tours, January is a reliably super-busy month so you can bank on joining a jovial group of like-minded adventurers to share in on the fun!
Costa Rica is a wonderful place to celebrate the start of the New Year: the whole country is in holiday mode; celebrations abound and the dry season is at the door. This is a busy, exciting, and sociable month but getting away from hectic touristed spots is very easy. Enjoy a thrilling adventure-filled week and then indulge in a stint of R&R on a yoga or wellness retreat, away from the partying crowds. That’s Costa Rica adventure perfection, right there!
We still have a few spots available on our Adventure Vacation Package Tours in January but we can always plan a bespoke private itinerary if you prefer. Check out our Top 4 CRR Tours for inspiration or simply contact us today. We’ll create a tailor-made itinerary to suit your budget and desires – it’s bound to be the best decision you’ll make all year!
Had an incredible week with Costa Rica Rios! The adventure had the perfect amount of adventure and rest. We explored the beauty of the country’s rural areas and connected with a bunch of amazing local guides. Highly recommend traveling with this company.
We are a family group of 10 - two 70-yr old grandparents, three adults in their 40s and 5 grandchildren, between the ages of 12 and 17. Costa Rica Rios did a wonderful job helping us organize a great 9-day vacation. We chose lots of activities (teenagers love that!), and Costa Rica Rios did all the leg work, providing transportation from the airport, between the 2 hotels we chose, and to all of the activities - from our hotel. All the drivers were great, and we really appreciated not having to navigate some of the bumpy roads ourselves. The tour guides at all the sites were just wonderful! They were friendly, spoke English well, and kindly answered our many questions! You can tell that they love Costa Rica, and are so eager to preserve all the natural beauty there! We chose two locations: La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio These are the activities we chose and enjoyed! La Fortuna - Nature Safari Float, Hanging Bridges and Canopy Zipline Tour, Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, Coffee and Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio Nat. Park Private Guided Tour, Half-day Sport Fishing, Manuel Antonio Beach, ATV tour The two hotels that they selected for us were just wonderful! Beautiful landscaping, nice rooms, excellent restaurants. La Fortuna - Hotel Los Lagos Manuel Antonio - Hotel Costa Verde I was a little concerned that we might get a LOT of rain, since it was in the rainy season. We had some rain, but it didn't hinder the fun that we had! Lots of beautiful memories of a great family time! Thank you Costa Rica Rios!
I just wrapped up my second adventure with Costa Rica Rios and I can’t say enough good things. Henry (aka Ninja) and Michael, along with the entire crew, are the absolute best at what they do. From the moment you arrive, you feel like family — they handle every detail with so much care, humor, and local wisdom.
Every day was packed with jaw-dropping adventures: river rafting, kayaking, zip lining, waterfall rappelling — you name it. They balance safety and adrenaline so perfectly that even when you’re pushing your limits, you feel completely looked after.
This trip is off-the-grid magic. Great food, stunning scenery, and a team that loves what they do and makes you love every second too. If you’re thinking about booking — do it! I came back for my second year in a row, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
We just got back from Costa Rica -- it was fabulous AND stress free thanks to Costa Rica Rio. We usually arrange our own trips and activities but we were so happy that we traveled with Costa Rica Rio this time. Everything happened as scheduled at top notch venues and on time, every time. Frasier revised our trip four times to get it exactly right and within our budget. Costa Rica Rio deserves 10 stars.
Response from the owner 1 year ago
Thanks for the incredible review, Connie and it's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation. Pura vida!
If there were more stars to give, I would give them!! 100% the best adventure vacation we've ever been on!! There were 6 of us on the tour of varying abilities, and we all had an epic time! Henry and Michael were the best guides ever: knowledgeable, skilled, and funny! The rafting was spectacular, the zip lining and Tarzan swing were perfect for the adrenaline junkies among us, the tour at Manuel Antonio NP gave us a chance to see a ton of animals, and the sea kayaking was beautiful. Highly recommend this tour company! We didn't want the vacation to end. Pura Vida!
Response from the owner 1 year ago
Thanks for the fantastic review, Misty! It's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
My family of 5 (mom, dad, 3 sons who are 21+) had the BEST trip ever. We've been on various adventure tours but this one was the absolute BEST! We were met at the airport by a very friendly guide. We waited a short while for one other group participant to arrive and then were driven a few hours to Villa Florencia. This was a beautiful resort with a restaurant, pool, work out area and many places to relax. We arrived at around lunchtime and needed to arrange a lunch with the restaurant staff as this was not provided. Food was provided from dinner that first night through breakfast on the last day. Each night all week, our fearless leader briefed us on what to expect the next day. We went kayaking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting for 2 days on #1,2,3,4 rapids, hiking, tarzan swing, repelling down a handful of waterfalls, walk in animal sanctuary, morning at the beach and shopping. There's probably more I'm forgetting as the schedule was very packed. My favorite place was the ECO Lodge without electricity where the view and experience was spectacular. We traveled with a group of 13 people (including our family) in a van with our Leader and Driver. We all got along very well and had a great time together. It didn't take long for us to feel like a family. The food was great, accommodations also great (some had more bugs than others but hey, this is Costa Rica - there are bugs!) I recommend a few things: listen to your guide and you will have a much better time - when traveling, when adventuring, when given safety warnings and for all things Costa Rica. Bring a watertight sealed bag for your camera to wear around your neck so you can take pictures in all settings. Bring a pair of binoculars for animal viewing. Bring good water shoes that you can also hike in, and another pair of shoes that can get wet and muddy along with flip flops and something else. I was glad I brought 4 pairs of shoes to wear. One pair gets wet and you will have another to wear. They do not necessarily dry out overnight. Bring lots of t-shirts and shorts for the same reason. You will go through clothing. Bring rain gear. Not much need for dress-up clothes although you might want something clean for restaurants and a possible trip to a bar. There's not much opportunity to wash/dry clothes. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. There is some time for relaxing in the evenings before and after dinner. Bring the stuff on the list you are given. Keep in mind that at the end there is an expectation to tip guides 5-10% of the total per person in cash. An envelope is given out for this purpose. It was our understanding that guides would be given % dependent on how much contact they had with the group all week. There are ATM's in town that you can access the day before you leave. I highly recommend this trip for adventurous people who are tolerant of bugs and who love to see the world and meet other adventurous people. Excellent trip we will have a hard time topping elsewhere!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the amazing review Teresa! It's so nice to hear that you and your family loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
Wonderful Accommodations and transportation . Great food! Week of Adventures was amazing. Fun River paddles, hiking , zip lining and rappelling waterfalls. Great guides on the water and land. Wonderful country and people 💖
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the fantastic review, Susan and it's great to hear you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
They were fantastic to work with. I had MANY questions before booking our trip and even during our trip. They always got back to me very quickly and had very thorough answers. I also changed my plans for the trip and they were able to smoothly make a new itinerary. The transfers were safe and efficient and on time. All excursions were fun!! I highly recommend Costa Rica Rios!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thank you for the lovely review, Danielle and it's so nice to hear you enjoyed your vacation. Pura vida!
I have no doubt that Costa Rica Rios is one of the best adventure companies in Costa Rica! Everything from start to finish of the adventure tour was executed so smoothly and so perfectly. This company and their guides are extremely professional, experienced and work to ensure your safety and comfort 100% of the time. Experience level is not a concern for them, and they will complete all the activities to fulfill your needs. The guides we had were all local, and had decades worth of experience in kayaking, rafting, hiking, climbing, etc.. They all spoken English fluently and shared beautiful stories and facts about the surrounding areas of Turrialba, CR. The accommodations we stayed in were amazing, especially the Eco Lodge which sits alongside the Pacuare River. The food was fantastic and locally sourced. The airport pickup, drop off and all other transportation in between was so punctual and so smooth. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is visiting Costa Rica! It is a beautiful and fun way to see the country off the beaten path and get to know some of the locals and some other travellers. As a young solo female traveller, I felt extremely safe and well taken care of by Costa Rica Rios. I’ll be back!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thank you for the amazing review Hillary and it's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
Usually my wife and I plan our vacations ourselves, so this was our first time using a travel agency. Costa Rica Rios put together a personalized trip for us based on our budget and interests and it all went way better than I expected.
The accommodations were lovely, the activities and guides were all excellent and having the transportation pre-arranged was a huge convenience. Everyone was on time to the minute.
Particularly nice was that all activities (and even transportation) were private -- just me, my wife and the guide or driver. I wasn't expecting that, especially on a whitewater rafting trip! That made the activities feel more personal and special.
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the great review Seth and it's so nice to hear you enjoyed your vacation. Pura vida!
Our family of six (parents plus four adolescents) went on the Week of Adventures! We had the most amazing time on the adventures, as well as enjoying typical Costa Rican food and learning about "Tico" culture. Our guides were knowledgable, attentive and enthusiastic, and they were completely focused on our safety during all of the adventures. We had plenty of time to rest at the wonderful hotels (we especially loved the Eco-lodge) and we enjoyed the kayaking, zip-lining, rafting, snorkeling and canyoning thoroughly! The landscape in Costa Rica is absolutely stunning and we loved every moment of this incredible adventure! Thank you, Henry (AKA "Ninja"), Paolo, Jeffrey, Gustavo, and Manuel for taking such great care of us in your beautiful country!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
What a fantastic review thanks, Christine. It's so nice to hear that you and your family enjoyed your vacation and we hope to see you again at some point in the future. Pura vida!
This trip was our first big trip together and I was super nervous on how to plan it. What if things went wrong, what if I missed our flight, etc. Costa Rica Rios helped with practically everything except packing my bags. Great communication, great recommendations. Everything we had booked for us was an amazing experience. If we could, we'd use this company for every place we'd go to all over the world.
We absolutely LOVED our trip with Costa Rica Rios. Our group was led by Manuel who was INCREDIBLE! We could not have asked for a better set of guides and drivers. Raul, Ronnie, Emanuel, Carolina, Pablo, and Randall we LOVE you! Costa Rica Rios provided an amazing tour and exceeded all of our trip expectations. We were met at the airport with snacks, water, juice, and beer! From that point on we fell in love with Turrialba, especially those tortillas! The views are breathtaking, the beach so fun, and the rivers amazing. The Pacuare Eco Lodge is a refreshing breath of fresh air off the beaten path and supplied with the best cooks (guides) ever. You will never go hungry on this trip. We saw so many sloths, toucans, frogs, snakes, birds, and more! The Week of Adventures is truly designed with everything you want in mind and executed flawlessly. There were plenty of activities but also ample down time to hang out and chill. We loved all of the food, the people, the country, everything. We cannot say enough good things about this local company. Until we see you again family, Pura Vida!
Given Costa Rica is renowned as an adrenaline-junky’s dream, many families wonder if the country is a suitable destination for a family vacation. We get how the ‘crazy sport-mad country’ tag can cause confusion but, in reality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better country for a family adventure.
Safe, fun, ridiculously easy, convenient and incredibly varied, Costa Rica offers the kind of family-friendly adventures that’ll make you scream ‘why hadn’t I thought of this before?!!!’ From guided wildlife spotting tours to soft whitewater rafting, canopy, zip line and snorkeling tours and more adventurous sports for intrepid older kids: Costa Rica HAS.IT.ALL.
Variety is key… and Costa Rica has plenty of that!
Not every family is the same, right? There are young dare-devils who put adults to shame on a thrilling zip line and older kids who prefer a more subdued kind of adventure. The key to a successful Costa Rica family vacation is knowing who’s in for what and what everyone’s desires and skills are. Since the country is, basically, just one colossal outdoor playground, it all boils down to how hard-core you and your family want to go.
Beginner or heart-in-your-throat zip line ride? You can choose. Class II or V whitewater rafting rapids? You can choose those too. No matter what the activity is, Costa Rica offers beginner, intermediate and advanced versions, so finding the one that’s right for your family is insanely easy.
The Most Popular Family-Friendly Activities in Costa Rica
There is a ton of fun family-friendly stuff to do in Costa Rica, and we’re not exaggerating in the slightest. Here’s a preview:
Canopy Tours – whether it’s walking on elevated platforms, crossing gorgeous hanging bridges, zip lining down or taking a cable-car, the sheer number of canopy tours in Costa Rica and the array of difficulty levels is outstanding.
Whitewater Rafting – Costa Rica is considered a leading rafting destination, the country home to world-class rapids that attract thrill-seekers from all over the world. But you certainly don’t need to send your 8-year-old down a Class V rapid! Instead, you can choose a river that’s best suited to their age and skill-set. Our whitewater rafting page details the most popular options for adults and families alike. Here, you’ll learn more about which rivers you ought to home in on and also learn more about the impressive options, including tours that run from just two hours to two full days.
Hiking – Perhaps the easiest outdoor activity to partake as a family, hiking is Costa Rica’s most glorious activity. When you hike, you’re immersed in sensational wilderness, will keep eyes and ears open for wildlife spotting and will get to see amazing landscapes you’ll miss if you just keep to the tarmac. In all honesty, some hiking and trekking is indispensable to soak up the best of Costa Rica.
The great news? You can hike every single day and see something different, every single day. You can hike in luscious jungles and over verdant hills, trek up a mountain or a volcano, chase waterfalls or simply take a leisurely walk through a magical butterfly garden. No matter the age of your kids, you will always find suitable hikes on offer, no matter where you go.
Mountain Biking – Families with older kids will love our mountain biking tours. We’ve taken away the worry about ‘shoddy equipment’ and invested in a fleet of top-notch bikes, helmets and all the bits and bobs you need, so you and your intrepid offspring can zoom down those hair-raising volcano trails with peace of mind. Costa Rica is home to a seemingly endless array of mountain biking trails, thanks to its innumerable peaks – this is seriously the best family fun you can have on two wheels, anywhere on earth!
Read more about mountain biking in Costa Rica and we bet you’ll want to include it in your adventure tour itinerary.
Wildlife spotting – This is, hands down, the one activity that gets the whole family excited beyond words. The great news? Seeing animals in the wild is a near-daily occurrence in a country like Costa Rica, where wilderness abounds. There are a few pockets of nature, however, that simply deliver more rewards – there are a few special places like the Manuel Antonio National Park, that predictably deliver on the goods.
This is also an easy park to visit if you have small children. From raucous monkeys to sloths, iguanas, toucans and so much more, the best wildlife spotting reserves are reason enough to plan a family adventure vacation in Costa Rica. Our tip? Always head off at first light, always opt for a guided tour with a local expert (these guys will point out wildlife you didn’t even know existed) an include at least one night-time animal spotting tour on your itinerary. It’s a whole other world out there, when the sun goes down!
All water sports – What’s a tropical family vacation without some kind of water sport?! In Costa Rica, you’ll have an abundance of water-based sports and destinations from which to choose. Whether it’s surfing, swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving or SUP you’re after, you’ll find it all, right here. The most family-friendly beaches in Costa Rica are any along the northwestern Pacific coast (the Nicoya Peninsula and all the Guanacaste gems), as well as a select few around Puerto Viejo, over on the southern Caribbean coast. It’s important to choose the right beach town as a base for your family vacation because not every beach in Costa Rica is kid- or even swimming-friendly. Many boast world-class surf which make them unsuitable for relaxing family trips with young children.
Not convinced yet? Then take a moment and watch this gorgeous video – let this mom tell you how amazing a family vacation in Costa Rica can be. Make sure to watch the whole video as she gives some incredibly useful pointers about things to take and be aware of when planning to take kids to Costa Rica.
Accommodation, food & home-comforts: the logistics of a family vacation in Costa Rica
Any family vacation can be as cruisy or challenging as you’d like it to be, and Costa Rica holidays are no exception. The country has a quite refined tourist trail, one that boasts excellent infrastructure, US-style resorts with all the bells and whistles, and restaurants with recognizable kids’ menu items. What you choose to do, with all of that, is completely up to you.
What you should know is that Costa Rica is also an inherently family-friendly country because family and kids, here, are everything. Locals are warm and welcoming; the food is delicious and uncomplicated and nature offers so many adventures of its own accord that an all-inclusive resort is really not the best option here. Sports, excursions, wildlife, adventure and fun in nature are at every turn, most of it without having to pay top-dollar for accommodation to boot. To be honest, families (and children in particular) love staying in laid-back eco-lodges immersed in wilderness when in Costa Rica, the kind with wrap-around terraces visited by monkeys and toucans and the kind that boast miles of walking trails within their own property.
With its lush jungles, array of wildlife, innumerable volcanoes, waterfalls and idyllic beaches, Costa Rica is one of most rewarding travel destinations in the world for an avid nature lover. The country has essentially acted as a migratory land-bridge between two continents since time immemorial. This, coupled with decades of environmental protection, has resulted in this marvelous country becoming a bona fide utopia for exotic flora and fauna.
What makes Costa Rica such a rewarding destination for a nature lover is the fact that the climate is idyllic and predictable, all year long. Temperatures in this tropical haven don’t fluctuate all that much during the year on any given spot. The predictability comes for the varied altitudes (the higher you go, the colder it gets, of course) and the ebb of the rain season.
Genially, however, Costa Rica boasts a central spine of spectacular mountains that essentially splits the country in two – the Pacific (western) side and the Caribbean (eastern) side. This allows adventure seekers to carefully choose where to go. When it’s rain season on the Pacific, it’s drier on the Caribbean – and vice versa.
The resulting cacophony of ecosystems is like nothing you’ll ever experience, anywhere else on earth. Costa Rica is one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries, bursting with a head-spinning array of natural wonders.
Rugged, dry and home to the country’s most iconic beaches, the northern stretch of Pacific coast is where most first-time visitors head to, first and foremost. Here, dry tropical jungles literally tumble onto the shore, creating dreamy landscapes revered by honeymooners the world over. The highlights of the northern Pacific Coastline include the spectacular Nicoya Peninsula beaches and the many luxurious eco-resorts of the Papagayo Peninsula.
For nature lovers who want to surf and soak up the sun on the country’s most jaw-dropping beaches, this region is ideal. Plus, those beaches are framed by some of the most amazing national parks in the country, including Marino las Baulas, Palo Verde, Santa Rosa, and Guanacaste.
Choose to fly into the Liberia International Airport and you’ll be amid all the northern Pacific action. You could lay on a beach within an hour of landing! Adventure sports abound in this area, and you’ll also have easy access to Arenal & La Fortuna, as well as the Manuel Antonio National Park, the country’s two most-famous highlights.
Choose to head south, along the Pacific coast, and you’ll see the landscapes make a dramatic turn. This is the hot, humid, lush and undeveloped side of the western coast, the one home to the world-renowned Corcovado National Park. This is the single most bio-diverse reserve in the entire country, and a place where nature reigns. A smattering of eco-lodges allows you to enjoy it thoroughly, however, yet to have this pleasure you will need to forego WiFi and the kind of luxury comforts found elsewhere. But that’s a small price to pay for dedicated nature lovers.
Perfect for those looking for solitude and immersive nature experiences, the southern Pacific offers insane outdoor adventures in the Osa Peninsula and its extraordinary Golfo Dulce. If you’re looking for the ultimate eco-adventure for the nature lover inside you, here is where you’ll find it.
Over 75% of Costa Rica’s inhabitants call the Central Valley home. This is where you’ll find the capital, San Jose, and the country’s premier international airport. Being so central, the valley is a wonderful springboard for adventure tours of Costa Rica – from here, you can reach every corner of the country.
Aside from its convenience, however, the Central Valley is not without its own wild merits. Rolling green hills are accentuated by stunning mountains that rise to the heavens. Most of this area is blanketed by working coffee farms, many of which you can visit. Here is also where you’ll find the most picturesque volcanoes of all (Poas, Turrialba and Irazu) and the very best whitewater rivers of the country – head to Turrialba for world-class rafting and kayaking.
This region boasts the best tourist infrastructure in Costa Rica – roads are plentiful and in good condition and the region is so densely packed with virgin forests and charming villages that it makes for a well-rounded trip. Soak away your worries in the natural hot springs of the Orosi Valley, hike up Irazu Volcano (the highest in the country, at 11,250’), take a road trip through the eye-popping Cordillera de Talamanca and be spell-bound by the magical Monteverde Cloud Forests.
One of the least-accessible regions of Costa Rica, the northern Caribbean coast is defined by water. The flat plains here are interspersed by a maze of rivers that comprise the Tortuguero National Park, one of the world’s prized sea turtle nesting sites. Accessible only by air or boat, the park is undoubtedly one of the country’s most unmissable natural highlights.
The contrast between east and west in Costa Rica is astounding. This is one of the least-developed corners of the country, one that’s devoid of ‘idyllic’ Insta-worthy beaches but filled to the brim with wildlife and nature. This is eco-tourism at its very best.
The Southern Caribbean Coast
Easier to reach (because roads!) yet just as uncrowded, the southern Caribbean coast is where travelers go when they crave an off-the-beaten-path adventure. With its Afro-Caribbean roots and laid-back vibe, the southern Caribbean seaside town of Puerto Viejo reveals a totally different side of Costa Rica. Until very recently, this was the country’s hidden treasure and, although the game is definitely up on that secret, it remains unhurried and devoid of mass tourism.
Fabulous surfing awaits you on this side of the country, and even a couple of fabulous swimming beaches, like Punta Uva and Cahuita.
So, has this piqued the interest of the nature lover inside you?
Just take a look at this glorious spot…
Ready to plan your unforgettable nature and adventure-filled vacation in Costa Rica?
With its idyllic year-round climate, array of fun outdoor activities, gorgeous eco-resorts and more dreamy beaches, rain forests and wildlife than you could even imagine, Costa Rica is an unrivaled honeymoon destination. Offering superb value-for-money, a laid-back and welcoming vibe and excellent tourist infrastructure, the land of sloths and unforgettable sunsets is a dreamy choice no matter your budget or desires.
Why is Costa Rica rated among the best honeymoon destinations on earth? Because this is a country where nature reigns supreme – a dreamy land that screams adventure, romance and relaxation, with plenty of unique experiences to create that ‘once in a lifetime’ memory you no-doubt crave.
Costa Rica has it all. And so does this guide!
Here is the Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide covering what to do, where to go, where to stay, how to get there, how to get around and what to avoid when planning the trip of a lifetime.
Here’s your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide – What to Do, Where to Go and What to Avoid when planning your trip.
Had an incredible week with Costa Rica Rios! The adventure had the perfect amount of adventure and rest. We explored the beauty of the country’s rural areas and connected with a bunch of amazing local guides. Highly recommend traveling with this company.
We are a family group of 10 - two 70-yr old grandparents, three adults in their 40s and 5 grandchildren, between the ages of 12 and 17. Costa Rica Rios did a wonderful job helping us organize a great 9-day vacation. We chose lots of activities (teenagers love that!), and Costa Rica Rios did all the leg work, providing transportation from the airport, between the 2 hotels we chose, and to all of the activities - from our hotel. All the drivers were great, and we really appreciated not having to navigate some of the bumpy roads ourselves. The tour guides at all the sites were just wonderful! They were friendly, spoke English well, and kindly answered our many questions! You can tell that they love Costa Rica, and are so eager to preserve all the natural beauty there! We chose two locations: La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio These are the activities we chose and enjoyed! La Fortuna - Nature Safari Float, Hanging Bridges and Canopy Zipline Tour, Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, Coffee and Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio Nat. Park Private Guided Tour, Half-day Sport Fishing, Manuel Antonio Beach, ATV tour The two hotels that they selected for us were just wonderful! Beautiful landscaping, nice rooms, excellent restaurants. La Fortuna - Hotel Los Lagos Manuel Antonio - Hotel Costa Verde I was a little concerned that we might get a LOT of rain, since it was in the rainy season. We had some rain, but it didn't hinder the fun that we had! Lots of beautiful memories of a great family time! Thank you Costa Rica Rios!
I just wrapped up my second adventure with Costa Rica Rios and I can’t say enough good things. Henry (aka Ninja) and Michael, along with the entire crew, are the absolute best at what they do. From the moment you arrive, you feel like family — they handle every detail with so much care, humor, and local wisdom.
Every day was packed with jaw-dropping adventures: river rafting, kayaking, zip lining, waterfall rappelling — you name it. They balance safety and adrenaline so perfectly that even when you’re pushing your limits, you feel completely looked after.
This trip is off-the-grid magic. Great food, stunning scenery, and a team that loves what they do and makes you love every second too. If you’re thinking about booking — do it! I came back for my second year in a row, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
We just got back from Costa Rica -- it was fabulous AND stress free thanks to Costa Rica Rio. We usually arrange our own trips and activities but we were so happy that we traveled with Costa Rica Rio this time. Everything happened as scheduled at top notch venues and on time, every time. Frasier revised our trip four times to get it exactly right and within our budget. Costa Rica Rio deserves 10 stars.
Response from the owner 1 year ago
Thanks for the incredible review, Connie and it's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation. Pura vida!
If there were more stars to give, I would give them!! 100% the best adventure vacation we've ever been on!! There were 6 of us on the tour of varying abilities, and we all had an epic time! Henry and Michael were the best guides ever: knowledgeable, skilled, and funny! The rafting was spectacular, the zip lining and Tarzan swing were perfect for the adrenaline junkies among us, the tour at Manuel Antonio NP gave us a chance to see a ton of animals, and the sea kayaking was beautiful. Highly recommend this tour company! We didn't want the vacation to end. Pura Vida!
Response from the owner 1 year ago
Thanks for the fantastic review, Misty! It's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
My family of 5 (mom, dad, 3 sons who are 21+) had the BEST trip ever. We've been on various adventure tours but this one was the absolute BEST! We were met at the airport by a very friendly guide. We waited a short while for one other group participant to arrive and then were driven a few hours to Villa Florencia. This was a beautiful resort with a restaurant, pool, work out area and many places to relax. We arrived at around lunchtime and needed to arrange a lunch with the restaurant staff as this was not provided. Food was provided from dinner that first night through breakfast on the last day. Each night all week, our fearless leader briefed us on what to expect the next day. We went kayaking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting for 2 days on #1,2,3,4 rapids, hiking, tarzan swing, repelling down a handful of waterfalls, walk in animal sanctuary, morning at the beach and shopping. There's probably more I'm forgetting as the schedule was very packed. My favorite place was the ECO Lodge without electricity where the view and experience was spectacular. We traveled with a group of 13 people (including our family) in a van with our Leader and Driver. We all got along very well and had a great time together. It didn't take long for us to feel like a family. The food was great, accommodations also great (some had more bugs than others but hey, this is Costa Rica - there are bugs!) I recommend a few things: listen to your guide and you will have a much better time - when traveling, when adventuring, when given safety warnings and for all things Costa Rica. Bring a watertight sealed bag for your camera to wear around your neck so you can take pictures in all settings. Bring a pair of binoculars for animal viewing. Bring good water shoes that you can also hike in, and another pair of shoes that can get wet and muddy along with flip flops and something else. I was glad I brought 4 pairs of shoes to wear. One pair gets wet and you will have another to wear. They do not necessarily dry out overnight. Bring lots of t-shirts and shorts for the same reason. You will go through clothing. Bring rain gear. Not much need for dress-up clothes although you might want something clean for restaurants and a possible trip to a bar. There's not much opportunity to wash/dry clothes. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. There is some time for relaxing in the evenings before and after dinner. Bring the stuff on the list you are given. Keep in mind that at the end there is an expectation to tip guides 5-10% of the total per person in cash. An envelope is given out for this purpose. It was our understanding that guides would be given % dependent on how much contact they had with the group all week. There are ATM's in town that you can access the day before you leave. I highly recommend this trip for adventurous people who are tolerant of bugs and who love to see the world and meet other adventurous people. Excellent trip we will have a hard time topping elsewhere!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the amazing review Teresa! It's so nice to hear that you and your family loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
Wonderful Accommodations and transportation . Great food! Week of Adventures was amazing. Fun River paddles, hiking , zip lining and rappelling waterfalls. Great guides on the water and land. Wonderful country and people 💖
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the fantastic review, Susan and it's great to hear you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
They were fantastic to work with. I had MANY questions before booking our trip and even during our trip. They always got back to me very quickly and had very thorough answers. I also changed my plans for the trip and they were able to smoothly make a new itinerary. The transfers were safe and efficient and on time. All excursions were fun!! I highly recommend Costa Rica Rios!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thank you for the lovely review, Danielle and it's so nice to hear you enjoyed your vacation. Pura vida!
I have no doubt that Costa Rica Rios is one of the best adventure companies in Costa Rica! Everything from start to finish of the adventure tour was executed so smoothly and so perfectly. This company and their guides are extremely professional, experienced and work to ensure your safety and comfort 100% of the time. Experience level is not a concern for them, and they will complete all the activities to fulfill your needs. The guides we had were all local, and had decades worth of experience in kayaking, rafting, hiking, climbing, etc.. They all spoken English fluently and shared beautiful stories and facts about the surrounding areas of Turrialba, CR. The accommodations we stayed in were amazing, especially the Eco Lodge which sits alongside the Pacuare River. The food was fantastic and locally sourced. The airport pickup, drop off and all other transportation in between was so punctual and so smooth. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is visiting Costa Rica! It is a beautiful and fun way to see the country off the beaten path and get to know some of the locals and some other travellers. As a young solo female traveller, I felt extremely safe and well taken care of by Costa Rica Rios. I’ll be back!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thank you for the amazing review Hillary and it's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!
Usually my wife and I plan our vacations ourselves, so this was our first time using a travel agency. Costa Rica Rios put together a personalized trip for us based on our budget and interests and it all went way better than I expected.
The accommodations were lovely, the activities and guides were all excellent and having the transportation pre-arranged was a huge convenience. Everyone was on time to the minute.
Particularly nice was that all activities (and even transportation) were private -- just me, my wife and the guide or driver. I wasn't expecting that, especially on a whitewater rafting trip! That made the activities feel more personal and special.
Response from the owner 2 years ago
Thanks for the great review Seth and it's so nice to hear you enjoyed your vacation. Pura vida!
Our family of six (parents plus four adolescents) went on the Week of Adventures! We had the most amazing time on the adventures, as well as enjoying typical Costa Rican food and learning about "Tico" culture. Our guides were knowledgable, attentive and enthusiastic, and they were completely focused on our safety during all of the adventures. We had plenty of time to rest at the wonderful hotels (we especially loved the Eco-lodge) and we enjoyed the kayaking, zip-lining, rafting, snorkeling and canyoning thoroughly! The landscape in Costa Rica is absolutely stunning and we loved every moment of this incredible adventure! Thank you, Henry (AKA "Ninja"), Paolo, Jeffrey, Gustavo, and Manuel for taking such great care of us in your beautiful country!
Response from the owner 2 years ago
What a fantastic review thanks, Christine. It's so nice to hear that you and your family enjoyed your vacation and we hope to see you again at some point in the future. Pura vida!
This trip was our first big trip together and I was super nervous on how to plan it. What if things went wrong, what if I missed our flight, etc. Costa Rica Rios helped with practically everything except packing my bags. Great communication, great recommendations. Everything we had booked for us was an amazing experience. If we could, we'd use this company for every place we'd go to all over the world.
We absolutely LOVED our trip with Costa Rica Rios. Our group was led by Manuel who was INCREDIBLE! We could not have asked for a better set of guides and drivers. Raul, Ronnie, Emanuel, Carolina, Pablo, and Randall we LOVE you! Costa Rica Rios provided an amazing tour and exceeded all of our trip expectations. We were met at the airport with snacks, water, juice, and beer! From that point on we fell in love with Turrialba, especially those tortillas! The views are breathtaking, the beach so fun, and the rivers amazing. The Pacuare Eco Lodge is a refreshing breath of fresh air off the beaten path and supplied with the best cooks (guides) ever. You will never go hungry on this trip. We saw so many sloths, toucans, frogs, snakes, birds, and more! The Week of Adventures is truly designed with everything you want in mind and executed flawlessly. There were plenty of activities but also ample down time to hang out and chill. We loved all of the food, the people, the country, everything. We cannot say enough good things about this local company. Until we see you again family, Pura Vida!
What to Budget for a Costa Rica Honeymoon
While it’s true that Costa Rica is not the ‘cheap as chips’ destination it once was, it is still one of the world’s most affordable honeymoon choices. Mostly, because it offers incredible value for what you get – think of it as a 5* resort for the price of a 3* one, rather than a 2*-priced motel with dubious quality to match.
As with any travel option, your Costa Rica honeymoon can be as expensive or affordable as you’d like it to be. The country boasts as many exquisite world-leading resorts as it does gorgeous family-run lodges, plus an abundance of activities/excursion. Your Costa Rica adventure honeymoon budget will really depend on how much you want to do and where you want to sleep.
Most couples spend between $3,000 and $5,000 – the difference dictated by choice of accommodation, a few delightful splurges and the time of year they visit. Visiting at prime tourist season and booking at the last minute are perhaps the biggest drivers of honeymoon budgets! Read our Honeymoon Budgeting Tips Guide to know more.
For a clearer picture of what to expect, here is a rough per-night cost breakdown by accommodation tier:
Tier
Accommodation Per Night
Food Per Day (2 people)
Activities Per Day
Budget / Eco Guesthouse
$80 to $150
$40 to $70
$60 to $100
Mid-Range Lodge
$150 to $300
$70 to $120
$100 to $200
Boutique / Luxury Resort
$300 to $700
$120 to $200
$150 to $300
Ultra Luxury (Four Seasons etc.)
$700 and above
$200 and above
$200 and above
Domestic flights can add $80 to $250 per person per leg but save significant transfer time between distant regions. Budget accordingly if the itinerary covers both coasts.
How Many Days Should You Plan for a Costa Rica Honeymoon?
To truly enjoy your Costa Rica honeymoon, we recommend planning a 7–10-day adventure vacation. This is a perfect time-frame and in-arguably the most popular option, regardless of where in the country you’d like to explore.
If you’re visiting for the very first time, this allows for a varied itinerary that includes the most famous highlights. If you wish to explore more remote areas, this will also be enough time to reach highlights that are way off the beaten path. The only caveat? You arguably cannot do both (see the most famous AND remotest highlights) in just 7-10 days and still keep the relaxing travel pace that makes honeymoons enjoyable. We’d recommend planning a 2-week honeymoon if you wish to see and do it all.
You’ll want to aim for two distinct destinations per week on a Costa Rica honeymoon. Simply choose your two favorite hot-spots and use them as you base, and you’ll find a bevy of adventures and indulgences to enjoy every day.
The high tourist season runs between mid-December and the end of April, a time of year when Costa Rica enjoys brilliant blue skies and little rain. These are the busiest and most expensive months for honeymoon adventure vacations, although the former is not an issue if you plan to explore more remote areas of the country.
A key feature of this country is that the two coasts operate on different climate cycles. When rains arrive on the western Pacific coast in September, the eastern Caribbean coast tends to dry out. The entire country also enjoys a brief dry spell in June and July, locally known as veranillo or little summer, sitting between the lighter rains of early wet season and the heavier rains of September and October.
For a clear month-by-month picture of what to expect:
Month
Pacific Coast
Caribbean Coast
Crowd Level
Price Level
December
Dry, warm
Can be rainy
Very High
Peak
January
Dry, sunny
Moderate rain
Very High
Peak
February
Dry, sunny
Driest months
High
High
March
Dry, warm
Driest months
High
High
April
Dry, some heat
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate-High
May
Rains begin
Rain year-round
Low
Lower
June
Veranillo (mini dry)
Rainy
Low-Moderate
Lower
July
Veranillo (mini dry)
Rainy
Low-Moderate
Lower
August
Rainy
Rainy
Low
Lowest
September
Wettest month
Drier period
Very Low
Lowest
October
Wettest month
Drier period
Very Low
Lowest
November
Rains easing
Rain increases
Low
Lower
Green season honeymoons from May through November reward couples with lush, vivid landscapes, far fewer tourists at major sites and meaningfully lower prices. The rain typically arrives in afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours, leaving mornings perfect for outdoor activities.
Top Things to Do on a Costa Rica Honeymoon
Nature-obsessed newlyweds have an absolute field-day in Costa Rica, the country’s pristine wilderness and abundance of outdoor activities creating postcard-perfect backdrops for unforgettable adventures. One-third of the country is set aside as protected reserves, encompassing rain forests, endless miles of unspoiled tropical beaches, volcanoes and cloud forests, all inhabited by a kaleidoscope of iconic wildlife.
The most popular activities in Costa Rica that make for a well-rounded honeymoon itinerary include:
Spending a day at one of the country’s best natural thermal spring resorts
Rafting or kayaking world-famous white-water rivers
Keeping your eyes peeled for sloths, toucans, monkeys, tapirs, coatis and so much more, every time you head outdoors
Staying at a remote eco-lodge to unplug from the rest of the world
Chasing waterfalls!
Going on a night-time wildlife spotting excursion
Tackling a canopy zip line and hanging bridge tour
Snorkeling, surfing or relaxing on a gorgeous beach (so many to choose from!)
Meeting locals and enjoying cultural experiences (visit remote villages and tour working coffee and cocoa plantations)
Hiking at every chance
Horseback riding in some of the most magnificent national parks in the world
Indulging in romantic escapades like sunset catamaran tours, candle-lit dinners, wellness treatments for 2 and overnight stays in adults-only honeymoon lodges
The Best Regions to Discover on a Costa Rica Honeymoon
Every corner of Costa Rica is a delight to discover, yet a select few make for particularly rewarding honeymoons. These are the regions that boast a range of exquisite lodges and an array of activities that make itinerary-planning so easy.
Arenal and La Fortuna
Best for: First-time visitors, adventure lovers, hot springs enthusiasts.
The undisputed star of the Costa Rica honeymoon circuit, Arenal sits at the base of an iconic active volcano and offers a near-perfect combination of adventure and romance.
Couples can soak in thermal springs, hike through lush cloud forest, zip line over the jungle canopy and raft Class II to IV rapids on the Balsa River. The area is also home to some of the country’s finest honeymoon resorts and eco-lodges.
Top activities: Hot springs, zip-lining, hanging bridges, canyoning, Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, kayaking on Lake Arenal.
Manuel Antonio
Best for: Wildlife lovers, beach seekers, couples who want both nature and relaxation.
Manuel Antonio National Park is consistently rated among the best national parks in Central America, and for good reason. The lush rain forest literally meets pristine white sand beaches here, creating a backdrop that looks almost surreal.
Squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths and white-faced capuchins are commonly spotted on guided walks. The town of Quepos nearby offers excellent restaurants and boutique hotels perched on hillsides with ocean views.
Top activities: National park guided tours, sea kayaking, whale watching (August to November), sport fishing, sunset catamaran tours, snorkeling.
Guanacaste
Best for: Beach lovers, resort-style honeymooners, couples flying into Liberia.
Comprising Costa Rica’s north-western coast and most of the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste is where the country’s most luxurious all-inclusive resorts are located.
Papagayo Peninsula is home to the Four Seasons and Andaz resorts, while the peninsula’s southern tip delivers remote beach villages, world-class surfing breaks and wildlife-rich national parks. Tamarindo is the liveliest beach town in this region, ideal for surf lessons, catamaran tours and casual waterfront dining.
Top activities: Surfing, catamaran tours, snorkeling at Catalina Islands, Rincon de la Vieja volcano hiking, wildlife boat tours.
The Osa Peninsula
Best for: Adventurous couples seeking isolation, wildlife enthusiasts, eco-luxury seekers.
For lovers of remote getaways, the Osa Peninsula is ridiculously perfect. The most biodiverse region in Costa Rica, and one of the most biologically rich places on Earth, the Osa is home to jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws and four species of sea turtle.
A handful of high-end lodges means that barefoot luxury is entirely possible here. The Corcovado National Park sits at the heart of the peninsula and is considered one of the finest wildlife destinations on the planet.
Top activities: Corcovado National Park guided treks, whale watching (the Osa hosts some of the best in the Americas), dolphin spotting, snorkeling, kayaking.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Best for: Nature-obsessed couples, birdwatchers, those seeking cooler temperatures.
Perched high in the misty mountains of Puntarenas Province, Monteverde is one of the most remarkable ecosystems on Earth. The cloud forests here drip with mystery and life, home to the elusive resplendent quetzal and over 400 bird species.
The famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve offer some of the most rewarding guided walks in the country. Zip-lining through cloud forest is a bucket-list experience.
Top activities: Cloud forest guided walks, zip-lining, hanging bridges, night walks, birdwatching, coffee and chocolate farm tours.
Tortuguero
Best for: Wildlife-obsessed couples, those seeking something truly unique and off the beaten path.
Accessible only by small plane or boat, Tortuguero sits on the Caribbean coast and is one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary destinations. The national park protects the most important sea turtle nesting site in the Western Hemisphere.
Between July and October, visitors can witness green sea turtles nesting on the beach at night in an experience that is genuinely life-altering. Canal boat tours through the park reveal caimans, river otters, kingfishers and three-toed sloths at remarkably close range.
Top activities: Sea turtle nesting tours (July to October), canal boat wildlife tours, kayaking the waterways, guided birding walks.
The Most Beautiful Honeymoon Resorts and Eco-lodges in Costa Rica
Drool-worthy honeymoon resorts and eco-lodges are among Costa Rica’s finest calling cards. When this country commits to delivering paradise, it holds nothing back. Here are standout options across budget tiers:
Luxury Tier (from $500+ per night)
The Four Seasons, Papagayo Peninsula – Guanacaste Province
The Four Seasons Resort continues to lead the pack in a corner of Costa Rica that’s absolutely replete with luxurious all-inclusive resorts. And what’s not to love? With its incredible coastal views, an in-house wellness spa, gourmet dining, a private golf course and plenty of adventures on offer, this is the five-star honeymoon luxury everyone dreams.
Nayara Springs Resort – Arenal Volcano – Alajuela Province
Fancy your own private thermal pool right outside your exclusive villa? Nayara is where you’ll find it. Ironically, this incredibly isolated resort is set within the most visited area of Costa Rica, but you’ll certainly never feel its genially central location. A Forbes Magazine favorite, Nayara is an adults-only pocket of paradise, with world-class spa, dining and volcano views to match.
Origins Luxury Lodge – Upala – Guanacaste Province
Part of the Mantic Collection of lodges, Origins has redefined ‘eco-friendly wellness retreat’, boasting only seven super-deluxe villas, nestled amidst a luscious landscape of tropical wilderness. This all-inclusive eco-lodge was considered Costa Rica’s best honeymoon eco-lodge almost as soon as it first opened just a couple of years ago. Geared primarily for couples, Origins oozes romance at every turn – just check in, unpack, soak in your own private hot tub overlooking the Pacific and get ready to be seriously pampered. This spot is dreamy beyond words.
Kura Boutique Hotel – Uvita – Puntarenas Province
Another brilliant adults-only choice that’s tailor made for honeymooners, Kura showcases a modern elegance that belies its remote location. Nestled deep and high in the jungles above Uvita, along the beautiful Costa Ballena, the Kura experience is all about soaking up breath-taking sea views from the infinity pool, romantic and delectable sunset dinners, daily couple massages and star gazing long after the sun has set. A truly magical honeymoon experience!
Just steps from one of Costa Rica’s most coveted beaches (Hermosa), Tiki is a Balinese-style luxury honeymoon lodge that boasts a jaw-dropping location. Framed by a pristine rainforest home to a cacophony of birds, Tiki boasts a drop-dead gorgeous pool and every room has stunning indoor and outdoor showers. The enchanting design, warm welcome and peaceful vibe make it the ideal spot for a stint of R&R on your Costa Rica honeymoon.
Eco-Lodge Tier ($100 to $250 per night)
Pacuare Lodge (Turrialba, accessible by raft)
One of the most dramatic lodges in all of Central America, Pacuare sits deep in a river gorge accessible only by white-water raft. No roads reach it. Treehouse-style bungalows hang over the jungle and the Pacuare River roars below. A National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World and one of the great adventure honeymoon accommodations on Earth.
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge (Osa Peninsula, accessible by boat)
Set on its own private reserve inside the Golfo Dulce, Nicuesa Lodge is accessible only by boat, completely off-grid and surrounded by pristine primary rainforest. Brilliant for couples seeking genuine isolation with warmth, excellent food and serious wildlife at the doorstep.
Getting to Costa Rica: Flights and Entry Requirements
Airports
Costa Rica is served by two international airports. Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) near San Jose is the country’s main hub and handles the majority of international flights. Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste, is the second gateway and is particularly convenient for couples heading to the beach resorts of the north Pacific coast.
Choosing the correct airport saves considerable ground transfer time. Couples planning to base themselves in Guanacaste or the Nicoya Peninsula should fly into Liberia when possible. Those heading to Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Turrialba or the Osa Peninsula are generally better served arriving in San Jose.
Direct Flights from the United States
Non-stop flights to San Jose (SJO) operate from major US cities including Miami, New York (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Boston and Orlando. American Airlines, United, Delta, Spirit, JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier all serve this route.
Non-stop flights to Liberia (LIR) are available from Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston and Dallas, with seasonal service from several additional cities. Flight time from the US East Coast is approximately 3 to 4 hours. From the West Coast, expect 6 to 7 hours.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica for tourist stays. US and Canadian citizens can stay for up to 90 days per entry.
A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity is required. An onward ticket out of Costa Rica is technically required and is occasionally checked at border control.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended, and some airlines or immigration officers may request proof of it. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from Yellow Fever-endemic countries.
How to Get Around Costa Rica on a Honeymoon
Costa Rica’s popular honeymoon destinations are spread across a relatively small country, but road conditions, mountain terrain and travel times can be surprising for first-time visitors. Planning transportation carefully is one of the most impactful things couples can do to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip.
Transport Option
Best For
Approximate Cost
Key Consideration
Private Driver
Hassle-free transfers between regions
$80 to $200 per transfer
Most popular choice for honeymooners; relaxing and door-to-door
Shared Shuttle Bus
Budget-conscious couples
$25 to $60 per person per leg
Fixed routes and times; slower but convenient
Rental Car (4WD)
Independent travellers with flexible itinerary
$60 to $150 per day
Roads can be rough; 4WD essential for many routes; avoid driving at night
Domestic Flight
Couples covering long distances quickly
$80 to $250 per person per leg
Saves hours; small planes with limited baggage allowance (10 to 14kg typically)
Local Bus
Long-stay budget travellers
$2 to $15 per ride
Very affordable but slow and not recommended for tight honeymoon schedules
Private shuttle and private driver services are by far the most popular choice for honeymooners. Hotels and tour operators can arrange these in advance. A private driver between San Jose and Arenal, for example, takes around 3 hours and costs roughly $100 to $140 each way for two people.
Rental cars offer freedom and are cost-effective for longer itineraries. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended year-round and essential during green season (May to November) when unpaved roads in areas like Monteverde and the Osa Peninsula can become impassable in standard vehicles. Costa Rica drives on the right side of the road.
Domestic flights operate between San Jose and regional airports in Quepos (for Manuel Antonio), Liberia (Guanacaste), Tamarindo, Puerto Jimenez (Osa Peninsula), Tortuguero and Drake Bay. SANSA Airlines and Skyway are the main domestic carriers. Booking ahead is essential during high season as these small aircraft fill quickly.
Sample Costa Rica Honeymoon Itineraries
Two tried and tested itineraries follow below. The first is ideal for couples with 7 nights who want the classic Costa Rica experience. The second is for those with 10 nights who want a little more depth and variety.
7-Night Classic: Arenal and Manuel Antonio
Day 1: Arrive at San Jose (SJO). Transfer to La Fortuna (3 hours). Check into a thermal springs resort. Evening in the hot springs overlooking Arenal Volcano.
Day 2: Morning hanging bridges hike through primary forest. Afternoon zip-line tour. Evening at leisure, sunset dinner with volcano views.
Day 3: Morning white-water rafting on the Balsa River (Class II to III, perfect for couples). Afternoon kayaking on Lake Arenal or visit La Fortuna Waterfall. Final night at the thermal springs.
Day 4: Transfer to Manuel Antonio (4.5 hours). Check in to a hilltop boutique hotel with ocean views. Afternoon exploring Quepos town or beach.
Day 5: Full morning in Manuel Antonio National Park with a certified naturalist guide. Afternoon beach time. Sunset catamaran tour in the evening.
Day 6: Whale watching boat tour (August to November season) or snorkeling trip. Afternoon spa treatment at the hotel. Romantic candlelit dinner.
Day 7: Morning at leisure. Transfer to San Jose. Depart or stay one night in San Jose before the departure flight.
10-Night Adventure: Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste
Day 1: Arrive at San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR). Transfer to La Fortuna.
Day 2: Arenal Volcano hike and hanging bridges walk through the national park.
Day 3: Canyoning waterfall rappelling and white-water rafting on the Balsa River.
Day 4: Morning thermal springs. Transfer to Monteverde via jeep-boat-jeep route (scenic and faster than the road). Arrive in Monteverde for a sunset.
Day 5: Morning guided cloud forest walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Afternoon zip-lining or hanging bridges in the forest canopy.
Day 6: Morning coffee plantation tour or chocolate farm tour. Afternoon at leisure or night walk through the cloud forest. Transfer to Guanacaste coast.
Day 7: Arrive at chosen Guanacaste beach town (Tamarindo, Samara or Papagayo area). Beach afternoon at leisure.
Day 8: Surf lesson or catamaran snorkeling tour. Afternoon beach time. Sunset cocktails.
Day 9: Wildlife estuary boat tour or visit to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Evening farewell dinner.
Day 10: Depart from Liberia International Airport (LIR).
Beware the Pitfalls! What NOT TO DO on a Costa Rica Honeymoon
Now that you know all the fabulous things to do on your Costa Rica honeymoon, it’s time to point out a few things you definitely will NOT want to do.
Don’t book at the last minute – This is especially crucial if you wish to honeymoon here between January and April and you wish to spend a couple of nights in one of the country’s best honeymoon lodges. These are the places that get booked out months in advance. Avoid having your options restricted and paying top-dollar for everything and book way ahead of time.
Don’t pack too much in your itinerary – Many adventure-seeking newlyweds fall into the trap of trying to fit too much into their itinerary. Take a leaf from the expert’s books and don’t be tempted to explore more than two destinations per week. With slower-than-expected transfers and time spent checking in/out every day etc, you’ll just end up exhausted and frustrated. The best honeymoon itineraries are ones that perfectly combine ‘action’ with romantic downtime, and you’ll end up doing neither if you’re moving from place to place every other day.
Don’t fly into the wrong airport – Many people don’t realize that Costa Rica is served by two international airports. Aside from the one in San Jose (the capital city), there is also a convenient airport in Liberia, which generally services the whole northern (Guanacaste) province. Choose the right airport for your chosen destination and, between arriving and departing, you could save an entire day of unnecessary transfers.
Don’t mistake a surfing beach for a swimming beach – Costa Rica is renowned as a swimming and surfing paradise, but this doesn’t mean you can do both on every beach. The best surfing beaches in the country are truly world class, which can make them dangerous to swim in. Know where you’re headed and the beach you’ll have access to, before you book in your plans.
Don’t forget to pack your (eco-friendly) SPF and insect-repellent – Know what can totally ruin your honeymoon? Sunburn and a gazillion insect bites! Sunscreen is an absolute must in Costa Rica, especially if you’re coming during the northern hemisphere winter months. The sun down here can be brutal, and so can the insects, so be prepared.
Don’t skimp on the cultural experiences – Costa Rica’s outstanding wilderness and wildlife always take center-stage yet it’s quite priceless to delve a little into the rich local culture during your honeymoon vacation. Whether it’s taking a coffee tour or a local cooking class, attending a festival, visiting a museum or enjoying a meal at a local soda, there are countless ways to tap into Tico culture during your visit.
Don’t avoid rain season – Sure, you’re likely to experience some torrential downpours if you visit between May and November but, on the other hand, you’ll also save a neat bundle, see fewer tourists and more luscious wilderness, and experience much cooler temperatures. Overall, off-season honeymoons can be immensely rewarding, especially as you can pour those amazing savings into a longer itinerary.
Don’t get hit with crazy roaming charges – Ouch! Roaming on your mobile in Costa Rica can incur steep fees so most visitors only access the internet when they’re in their hotel. If you’d like to be connected on the go, pick up a local sim card at the airport on your way in. Read this handy Guide to Buying a Pre-Paid Sim in Costa Rica.
Don’t avoid domestic flights – Domestic flights may be a little on the expensive side, but they can save you a ton of time if you wish to visit several remote areas. Keep in mind, however, that small regional planes have restricted baggage allowance, so this might dictate how much you can pack if you don’t wish to pay expensive overweight fees.
Which brings us to the next section…
What to Pack for a Costa Rica Honeymoon
What to Pack for a Costa Rica Honeymoon
Minimalist packing is the way to go when honeymooning in Costa Rica. Between the various transfers and outdoor activities, heavy suitcases become a genuine burden. The following packing list covers everything needed for a well-rounded adventure and romance honeymoon:
Item
Why It Is Needed
Pro Tip
Quick-dry athletic clothing (5 to 7 sets)
Activities, heat and humidity mean 2 to 3 outfit changes per day
Lightweight fabrics wash and dry overnight in most hotels
Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen
Equatorial sun is intense, especially at the beach and on water activities
Chemical-free sunscreen is legally required near marine reserves in Costa Rica
DEET-based insect repellent
Mosquitoes are present, particularly in rainforest areas and at dawn/dusk
Apply before evening outdoor activities or jungle walks
Waterproof sandals (Chacos, Tevas)
Numerous activities involve water crossings and wet terrain
One pair of sturdy waterproof sandals can replace multiple shoe types
Closed-toe hiking shoes (quick-drying)
Forest hikes, waterfall visits, canyoning
Keens or similar brands with drainage work well for water-to-trail transitions
Light rain jacket or poncho
Afternoon showers even in dry season; all-day rain possible in green season
A compact packable jacket takes almost no suitcase space
Dry bag or waterproof phone case
Water-based activities and rain
Essential for protecting cameras, phones and documents on rafting or sea kayaking days
Compression packing cubes
Maximize suitcase space and organization between multiple destinations
Allows packing a smaller bag overall and staying organized on the move
Binoculars
Wildlife spotting is dramatically better with even a modest pair of binoculars
8×42 magnification is the most versatile for both birds and mammals
Small day pack (20 to 25L)
For day hikes and excursions
Mesh-back hydration-compatible packs help in the heat
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated in tropical heat is critical
Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica
One smart outfit per person
Finer resort dinners and any San Jose nights
Costa Rica is generally very casual; one nice outfit per person is sufficient
Travel adapter (Type A/B)
Same plug type as the US; no adapter needed for American travelers
UK and European visitors will need a type A/B adapter
Photocopies of passport and travel insurance
Emergency document backup
Store digital copies in a cloud app as well
A quick note on clothing: local Tico culture is very laid-back. There is no need to pack formal attire. Athletic and casual clothing covers virtually every occasion. Bring enough to change 2 to 3 times daily and simply wash and dry each evening.
Costa Rica Honeymoon: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Rica a good honeymoon destination?
Costa Rica consistently ranks among the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations and is the number one adventure honeymoon destination in the Americas. Its combination of extraordinary natural beauty, diverse activities, romantic eco-lodges, excellent tourist infrastructure and warm local culture makes it suitable for virtually every type of couple, from ultra-adventurous to relaxation-focused.
Is Costa Rica safe for honeymooners?
Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America for tourists and is widely regarded as a stable democracy with a strong tourism infrastructure. Petty theft (pickpocketing, opportunistic theft from rental cars) is the most common issue and is easily avoided with common-sense precautions: do not leave valuables visible in vehicles, use hotel safes and stick to well-lit areas at night. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. Couples should purchase comprehensive travel insurance including medical coverage.
Is Costa Rica LGBTQ+ friendly?
Costa Rica legalized same-sex marriage in May 2020 and is the most LGBTQ+-inclusive country in Central America. Same-sex couples are welcome at all hotels, resorts and tour operators throughout the country. San Jose has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene and the international tourist areas are particularly open and inclusive. Travel for same-sex couples is entirely comfortable in Costa Rica.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
No. US, Canadian, UK, Australian and EU citizens do not require a visa for tourist visits. US and Canadian citizens may stay for up to 90 days. A valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity is required, along with proof of an onward departure ticket.
What vaccinations are recommended for Costa Rica?
No vaccinations are required for entry for most nationalities (Yellow Fever is required only if arriving from an endemic country). The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that travelers to Costa Rica be up to date on standard vaccinations including hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Malaria risk is very low and limited to remote border areas, but consulting a travel health clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure is always advisable.
Should couples use a travel agent or tour operator for a Costa Rica honeymoon?
Working with a reputable Costa Rica-based operator is strongly recommended for honeymoon trips. A knowledgeable local operator pre-arranges transfers, lodges, activities and guides, eliminating the logistical complexity that can otherwise consume the trip planning process. This is especially valuable in Costa Rica, where road conditions, regional climate differences and the limited availability at top eco-lodges make expert planning genuinely valuable.
How much should couples tip in Costa Rica?
Tipping is appreciated and customary in Costa Rica. Restaurants typically add a 10% service charge automatically but an additional 5 to 10% tip for excellent service is common. Tour guides should be tipped $5 to $10 per person per tour as a minimum, with $20 to $30 for full-day guided experiences. Private drivers appreciate $5 to $10 per trip. Housekeeping tips of $2 to $5 per night are always welcome. Cash in US dollars or Costa Rican colones (the local currency) are both accepted for tips.
What currency is used and can US dollars be used in Costa Rica?
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC). However, US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, tour operators and tourist shops throughout the country. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and mid-range to upscale restaurants. ATMs are available in all major towns. It is advisable to carry some colones for smaller purchases at markets, local sodas and rural areas where card payment is not available.
What is the best honeymoon itinerary for Costa Rica?
The most popular and well-rounded honeymoon itinerary pairs Arenal Volcano with Manuel Antonio National Park for a 7 to 8 night trip. This combination delivers hot springs, adventure activities, outstanding wildlife, beaches and diverse landscapes. For couples with 10 or more nights, adding Monteverde Cloud Forest, Guanacaste beaches, the Osa Peninsula or the Caribbean coast of Tortuguero creates an even richer experience. Full sample itineraries are outlined earlier in this guide.
Can Costa Rica be combined with another destination for a multi-stop honeymoon?
Absolutely. Costa Rica pairs beautifully with a number of nearby destinations. The most popular multi-stop honeymoon combinations include: Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands (both in the same region, perfectly bookended by nature and wildlife), Costa Rica and Panama (particularly Bocas del Toro archipelago or the San Blas Islands), and Costa Rica and the Maldives or any beach-only destination (for couples who want adventure and pure relaxation combined). Adding Nicaragua or Belize to a two-week itinerary is also popular.
The Best Honeymoon Adventure Vacations in Costa Rica
Planning a honeymoon itinerary that combines the best Costa Rica offers is not as difficult as you might imagine. At Costa Rica Rios, we are your adventure vacation experts – we have created an array of amazing honeymoon itineraries and, best of all, offer bespoke planning services, so you get to Build Your Own Honeymoon. Simply tell us what you’d like to do and your honeymoon budget, and we’ll do the rest.
The most hassle-free and unforgettable Costa Rica you could ever have?
The best in immersive and revitalizing experiences – Costa Rica’s best rural escapes combine escapism and authenticity to create unforgettable journeys.
Being such a world-leading eco-tourism destination, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is revered for its incredible array of honeymoon luxury eco-lodges (check our favorites, right here), jungle lodges (here’s where to get your wild on), and wellness retreats (these are awesome). Yet sometimes, planning an experience that’s a little different than the norm can have immensely revitalizing effects on your mind, body and soul.
You see, there is a side to Costa Rica not many visitors ever get to experience – the off-the-beaten-path rural hideaways that showcase the authentic side of Tico life, well away from the hectic pace of more touristed sites.
The best Costa Rica rural escapes offer priceless escapism, relaxation and insight, combining accommodation options with working farm experiences. These are the stays that are guaranteed to revitalize your soul!
Finca Rosa Blanca – Working coffee farm & stay near San Jose
A short distance from Costa Rica’s capital but a universe away from its hectic pace, Finca Rosa Blanca offers a convenient and idyllic rural escape. This family-owned estate boasts oodles of charm, and the love and passion for the estate are clearly evident in the myriad little touches all over the boutique hotel. The art, murals, furnishings and amazing design of Finca Rosa are delightful, as is the infinity pool (oh yes!), in-house spa, organic vegetable and fruit gardens – not to mention those drop-dead gorgeous views.
This genial choice is just half an hour’s drive from San Jose International Airport so makes an excellent option for a rural indulgence after your Costa Rica adventure vacation. What a way to cement your memories!
Finca Vocare – Authentic, laid-back agrotourism experiences in Alajuela
Courtesy @fincavocare
This rustic hacienda is one of Alajuela’s best-hidden gems and is perfect for those looking for an immersive and authentically Costa Rican rural experience. Here, you’ll see a bevy of wildlife just roaming about (we’re talking toucan, monkeys, anteaters, sloths) and can get your hands dirty with all manner of farm work, if you like. Vocare’s handy location means you have a few excellent national parks to explore nearby, yet most guests simply enjoy their time here, with their hosts, soaking up the authentic rural experiences – especially as there is so much to see and do in the property.
Don’t miss this back-to-basics treat and come learn more about sustainable farming and tourism from a couple of Tico legends!
Hacienda Guachipelin – A historic off-the-beaten-path experience near Rincon de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja is one of our favorite playgrounds because it’s off the usual tourist trail and is as wild and untamed as it gets. Well, nearby, is also a fabulous historical rural escape you ought to check out. Hacienda Guachipelin sits in the shadows of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano and is a stunning cattle ranch that’s been in operation for more than 100 years. Introducing guests to the stunning wilderness that surrounds them, the team at Guachipelin goes above and beyond to deliver unforgettable rural experiences.
Courtesy @haciendaguachipelin
From the Symbiosis Spa to the Adventure Centre, the extraordinary cuisine and myriad of activities, this exceptional Costa Rica rural escape is aiming to become the country’s #1 sustainable eco-tourism enterprise. As far we can see, given they have already earned three CST (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) nods, they are well on their way to realizing their dream. The service at this dreamy rural gem is impeccable and value-for-money, in this less-developed corner of our country, really quite impressive.
If it’s farm-to-table cuisine, a sublime setting, authentic experiences and indulgent treats you’re after…you’ll find them all here!
Finca Sermide Agroturismo – For a charming and contemplative escape in Cartago
If you’re planning an active adventure vacation in Costa Rica, you may be looking for a quieter place – a rural escape that offers an abundance of tranquility and not too many activities (so you don’t feel like you actually have to do stuff. Finca Sermide is the place for you!
Imagine starting your day rocking on a hand-carved chair on your private terrace, overlooking endless horizons of luscious green – a cup of organic coffee in hand and the chirping of birds as company. This sums up Sermide in a nutshell – a quiet and contemplative place to unwind and get away from it all – quite ideal for that post-adventure stint of R&R.
Hacienda AltaGracia – Costa Rica’s Most Luxurious Eco-Rural Escape
Set to finally re-open in mid-November, 2021, Costa Rica’s most deluxe hacienda is a sight to behold. Part of the Auberge Collection of Hotels, AltaGracia is absolutely jaw-dropping – this eco-sustainable resort is set on 180 acres of pristine rain forest and encompasses a working coffee farm. It also boasts its own wellness spa and hiking trails and offers an array of wonderful rural experiences like cheese-making workshops, farm tours, wildlife-watching guided trips and cultural encounters.
It even offers horseback riding excursions and horse therapy! This might not be a cheap stay but we know it’ll probably hit the bucket list of many travelers who are looking for the ultimate rural escape in Costa Rica. The nightly rate includes everything (except alcoholic drinks) so it’s a sweet deal if you take advantage of all the offerings for a couple of indulgent days. Whatever the case, Travel and Leisure calls it a ‘once in a lifetime experience for 2022’ so you know it will make for a truly unforgettable experience.
Costa Rica is a marvelous country that’s revered for its outdoor adventures in unspoiled wilderness and endless miles of glorious beaches. Exploring the hinterland and enjoying a few days’ stay in a rural finca is a wonderful addition to any adventure-filled itinerary. Costa Rica’s best rural escapes offer experiences for every discerning traveler, no matter the budget.
Fancy experiencing Costa Rica culture a little more on your upcoming adventure vacation? Simply let us know and we can plan a bespoke itinerary you will never forget!
Costa Rica’s mangrove forests are ethereal places to explore by kayak or SUP boards. They entice you far off the beaten trail and grant the kind of peace and tranquility in nature you’ve been dreaming about for months.
Add a mangrove tour by kayak or paddle board to your Costa Rica adventure vacation and you’ll discover a unique and unforgettable side to this astonishing country.
The word mangrove refers to any shrub or tree that grows right along the shores of waterways – the term can define the singular tree or the entire ecosystem as a whole. Given the major bulk of their complex root systems is submerged, mangroves are revered for being the gatekeepers of our planet’s waterways. Or nature’s kidneys, if you will.
Mangroves slow the flow of water, filter sediment, trap nutrients and, perhaps more important of all, prevent coastal erosion and promote healthy underwater balance. In tropical areas, mangroves are lauded for protecting coastal regions from the ravaging effects of powerful storms and even cyclones.
Mangroves are inherently enriched with flora and fauna – they are home to an array of semi and fully aquatic wildlife (from frogs to crocodiles!) and a bevy of birds and other land-dwelling creatures. Costa Rica’s mangroves are where you can spot sloths, monkeys, caimans, spiders, snakes and an insane cache of colorful amphibians.
Mangroves are some of the most crucial yet endangered ecosystems on earth and are found essentially anywhere rivers flow out into the sea. That is, as long as commercial or residential work hasn’t already destroyed them. Development is, by far, the single biggest threat to these priceless filters of nature.
The best mangroves to discover in Costa Rica
Although you can kayak and SUP in lakes and rivers all over Costa Rica, mangroves offer unique travel opportunities. These calm and unspoiled havens make for a blissful day out in nature – devoid of crowds, adrenaline-rushes and a cacophony of sounds.
Here are the best mangroves in Costa Rica you can visit:
Térraba-Sierpe Mangroves National Wetlands, Puntarenas
Less than an hour south of Uvita on Costa Rica’s south-western coast, the Térraba-Sierpe mangroves have been protected since the late 1970s. The protection status of these mangroves resulted from decades of extensive deforestation and degradation. Interestingly, some of the locals involved in the destruction of the old wetlands are now engaged in their fervent protection, having now appreciated the need to maintain this priceless ecosystem.
Today, Térraba-Sierpe (where the two name-sake rivers converge) is Costa Rica’s largest mangrove ecosystem and covers an area of over 65,000 acres.
The park is a bio-reserve and a handful of small community make a living here, harvesting piangua, an edible cockle (a mangrove delicacy) that thrives in the mudflats of mangroves all over Costa Rica and Latin America, at large. Locals have been harvesting piangua here for over 1,000 years and their (now monitored) activity has been allowed to continue.
Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste
Combine bird-watching with wetland exploring at Palo Verde, where the Tempisque AND Bebedero rivers feed a mind-boggling array of exotic plants and wildlife – including tropical dry forests, one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.
The park encompasses over 45,000 acres and 15 distinct bio-networks – mangroves make up just about half the area of the reserve. The park is easily visited on a day trip from Tamarindo and all surrounding villages.
Palo Verde is home to an astonishing number of bird species and during the dry season (Dec-April) they are joined by tens of thousands of migratory birds, including the ginormous jaribu storks, the largest of its kind in the Americas. Jungle safari cruises are offered both on the Tempisque and the Bebedero rivers, but you can also explore the park deeper on a private kayak tour and (in dry season) even follow a few select hiking trails on land.
Considered one of the world’s most important mangrove regions, Cano Negro is another brilliant ‘stop over’ for migratory birds escaping winter in the north. If you’d love to see more than only birds (mind you, Caño Negro is home to over 200 species of birds alone), this reserve is for you. Along the shores, up on the trees and along the waterways, there hides a treasure-trove of fantastic wildlife – from iguanas and caimans to jaguars, anteaters, ocelots and an insane concentration of monkeys. A canoe trip on the Caño Negro is an immensely rewarding experience, one that will undoubtedly enhance your Costa Rica adventure vacation.
Things to know when planning a mangrove tour in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to 12 distinct mangrove reserves – most are along the coasts but there are a few hidden gems inland as well, even on the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains! Since they are quite spread out, it should not be difficult to plan a side-trip in or near the province you wish to primarily visit on your adventure vacation.
The stunning thing about mangroves is that although water levels fluctuate wildly between wet and dry seasons, there is something unique to experience no matter what time of year you visit.
In the wet season, when estuaries flood, you can explore further inland and visit areas of reserves that are normally cut off. Yet for wildlife spotting, the dry season is ideal – with less water abounding, wildlife huddles up around known hot-spots. So, even though there are fewer miles you can explore by canoe or kayak, you are likely to see a lot more.
Expect higher temperatures and humidity levels in mangroves, so dress light. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen and, if you can, pack a pair of binoculars. And just a head’s up: the Rio Savegre (where we run some of our whitewater rafting and kayaking tours) boasts areas of mangroves that are certainly not the largest in the country but they may just be the most rewarding – the water is crystal clear and the abundance of animals we normally spot is unreal.
Costa Rica family vacations with kids work better than most parents expect. The country is small, safe, and built for exactly this kind of trip. Rainforests, volcanoes, white water, and warm beaches all sit within a few hours of each other. No other destination in this hemisphere packs that range into one week.
Parents who’ve been here before will tell you the same thing. The activities are real. The guides are good. The kids almost always outperform what parents thought possible. And the moments that stick longest are rarely the biggest ones.
Is Costa Rica Safe for Families?
Tourist towns are well set up. Liberia, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and Tamarindo all have tourist police, paved hospital access, and English-speaking emergency staff. Road quality varies. That’s where most family incidents happen. Not crime. Hire a known driver or rent a 4WD and go slow on mountain roads.
Medical care is also solid in the main towns. San José has private hospitals that match US standards. Farther into rural zones, access drops. Travel cover that includes a medical flight out is worth having. Not optional. Not a box-checking thing. Worth having. Families who want maximum control over safety and scheduling often chooseprivate tours in Costa Rica over group packages.
Wildlife safety is its own category. No snake will come looking for your kids. But, closed-toe shoes matter on jungle trails. Teach children not to reach under rocks or touch wildlife. Guides handle this well and will tell families exactly what to avoid on arrival.
The water is safe to drink. Costa Rica has invested heavily in its water systems. No need for bottled water in most towns and hotels. That’s a genuine surprise for most first-time visitors.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica with Kids
Not all months are equal. December through April is the dry season. Skies are clear, roads are dry, and most national parks are fully accessible. This is peak season. Costs go up. Book early.
May through November is the rainy season. Rains mostly hit in the afternoon. Mornings are often clear and perfectly good for tours and hikes. July is the exception. The second two weeks of July fall in what Ticos call the “little summer,” a natural dry break mid-rainy season. It is some of the best family travel timing in the entire year.
Avoid late October and the first two weeks of November. Rain gets heavy and sustained. Some roads flood. National park trails close. It’s not impossible to travel then, but it’s the hardest window.
School holiday timing matters for US families. December through early January lines up with the dry season perfectly. Spring break in March and April also works well. Summer in June and July is popular and the wet season makes the jungle look its best.
The Caribbean coast runs on a flipped calendar. When the Pacific side is dry, the Caribbean coast is often wet, and vice versa. Families planning a two-coast trip should build an itinerary around this.
Best Regions in Costa Rica for Families
Knowing where to go is the trick to a great trip. Costa Rica is small but not simple. Different regions suit different ages, budgets, and energy levels.
La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano Region
Arenal is the adventure capital. The volcano is active but stable. Kids can see real lava fields, hang bridges over forest canopy, soak in natural hot springs, and do white water rafting on the Sarapiquí and Balsa rivers.
This is where families with kids aged 6 and up tend to get the most out of a first trip. The town of La Fortuna is well set up with restaurants, medical clinics, and easy transport links. Most families spend three to four nights here as their first stop.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio sits on the Pacific coast and is the most family-friendly region in the country. The national park has short, paved trails where monkeys, sloths, and scarlet macaws appear within minutes of entry. No hiking fitness required. The beaches inside the park are calm and beautiful. Hotels here range from budget guesthouses to luxury cliff-top resorts. Families with young children and toddlers tend to do best here. Mix beach days with one or two guided wildlife tours.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde is slower and cooler. The cloud forest sits above the tree line at about 4,600 feet. Families come for hang bridges, zip lines through misty cloud forest canopy, and night hikes. The canopy tour here is one of the best in the country. Some of the mostamazing zip lines in Costa Rica run through this exact cloud forest terrain.
Temperatures drop at night, which surprises many first-time visitors. Pack a layer. Kids who love nature, quiet trails, and birdwatching find this region the most rewarding stretch of any Costa Rica trip.
Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
Guanacaste is in the dry, sunny northwest. The region has the most all-inclusive beach resorts. Families who want a beach-first trip with some wildlife and adventure nearby tend to gravitate here. Tamarindo and Flamingo are the most family-accessible towns. Surfing lessons are everywhere.
The Nicoya Peninsula, just south, has quieter beaches at Samara and Nosara. Sea turtle nesting season runs from September to November at Ostional beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. Watching hatchlings at night is one of the best family wildlife experiences in all of Central America. Kids remember it for years.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero is remote and different. It sits on the Caribbean coast and has no roads. Families arrive by boat or small plane. The park is canal-based. Boat tours through jungle channels deliver green turtle sightings, river otters, caimans, and more bird species than most families can name. July to October is turtle nesting season.
This region suits families who want something genuinely wild and off the typical tourist path. Plan for at least two nights. One night is not enough. Families interested in combining canal wildlife withkayaking in Costa Rica can add a guided paddle through the narrower waterways.
Osa Peninsula
Osa is the most biodiverse corner of Costa Rica. Corcovado National Park sits here. It is remote, requires permits, and is best with a guide. Families with older kids aged 10 and up get the most from this area. Younger children may find the long hiking days hard.
The wildlife density here is unlike anything else in the country. Scarlet macaws fly in pairs. Tapirs cross the trail. Whale sharks move through the bay in season.
TheCosta Rica adventure vacation packages that include Corcovado are built specifically for families with older kids who want the deepest wildlife experience in the country
What Can Kids of Each Age Actually Do?
Age matters more here than in most destinations. The good news is that there is no age group that runs out of things to do. The guide calibrates the activity. Parents don’t have to.
Toddlers and young children (ages 2 to 5)
These kids do better than most parents assume. Wildlife visits work brilliantly. Seeing a sloth moves them. Watching a toucan feed overhead does too. National parks with paved or flat trails are accessible with a carrier or sturdy stroller. Manuel Antonio is ideal. Hot springs are a hit at this age. Some rafting companies offer gentle float trips on flat sections of river that work for kids as young as 3 with a guide present.
Avoid long travel days. The drives between regions can run 3 to 5 hours. Break them with a stop. Snacks matter a lot on these stretches.
Young kids (ages 6 to 9)
This is where the trip opens up. Zip line tours have minimum age requirements that often start at 6 or 7. White water rafting on Class 2 and 3 rivers is open to kids from age 6 at most operators. Kayaking, horseback riding, and canopy tours are all in range.
Wildlife spotting becomes more interactive at this age. Kids start identifying species on their own. Guides love working with this age group. Their energy matches the pace of a full adventure day.
Tweens (ages 10 to 12)
Tweens can access almost everything on offer. Class 3 and 4 white water rafting is open to most fit 10-year-olds. Canyoning, mountain biking, and overnight hiking trips work at this age. The Osa Peninsula becomes accessible. Night hikes in the jungle start feeling genuinely exciting rather than scary. This is often the age where kids lead the pace of the trip. Parents end up keeping up.
Teens (ages 13 and up)
Teens get full access. Surfing lessons, canyoning down waterfalls, open-water kayaking, and advanced white water are all options. Volunteer programs at wildlife rescue centers are open to teens aged 14 and up at some operators. Add a Spanish lesson morning before an afternoon adventure. Teens who come to Costa Rica reluctant about a family trip tend to leave asking when they’re coming back.
Mixed-age siblings
This is a common planning problem. Families with a 5-year-old and a 13-year-old assume one of them will miss out. That’s rarely true here. Guides split activities by ability, not by family unit. On a rafting day, the younger child may paddle a calm section with one guide while the older one hits hard rapids with another.
Everyone gets back at the same landing point. Nobody compromises. That flexibility is what sets a guided family tour apart from self-booking. TheCosta Rica family vacation itineraries at Costa Rica Rios are built around exactly this challenge. Real mixed-age families. Real solutions.
A Sample 7-Day Costa Rica Family Adventure Itinerary
Seven nights is the sweet spot for a first family trip. Enough time to cover two regions, rest properly, and not feel rushed.
Day 1: Arrive and transfer to La Fortuna
Fly into San José (SJO). A private transfer to La Fortuna takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Book a private driver, not a shuttle, on the first day. Kids are tired after a long flight. The drive goes through the central valley and climbs into volcanic terrain. Check in, eat at the hotel, and go to sleep early.
Day 2: Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
Morning trail walk around the old lava fields at Arenal Volcano National Park. The volcano is visible on clear days and the geology is unlike anything in North America. Afternoon at a hot springs resort. Most have multiple temperature pools, waterslides, and buffet restaurants. Book through a hotel or tour operator. Walk-in prices are higher and the best slots fill by noon.
Day 3: White Water Rafting or Canopy Tour
Pick one for the morning. Rafting on the Balsa River works for kids aged 6 and up on Class 2 and 3 sections. The Sarapiquí suits older kids looking for Class 3 and 4 rapids. Canopy tours on the Arenal side run through high forest with good views of the volcano. Afternoon free for a waterfall swim or hanging bridges walk.
Day 4: Transfer to Manuel Antonio
The drive is about 4 hours via the Interamerican Highway. It’s a full travel day. Break it at a roadside soda (local diner) for a casado lunch. The food is cheap, good, and local. Arrive in Manuel Antonio by mid-afternoon. Rest.
Day 5: Manuel Antonio National Park
Enter the park early. The gate opens at 7am and wildlife is most active in the first two hours. Hire a licensed guide at the gate if not pre-booked. Guides spot animals that families on solo walks miss entirely. A good guide will find a sloth within 20 minutes. Afternoon on the beach inside the park.
Day 6: Beach Day and Optional Kayaking
Full beach day. Manuel Antonio has calm waters on the main park beach. Kayaking tours launch from the town side and go around the headland into quiet coves. Good for all ages. Evening in town for dinner.
Day 7: Depart
Transfer back to San José. About 3 hours. Fly home.
This structure covers the volcano region, cloud forest on the transfer route, wildlife, beach, white water, and canopy. Two airports serve this itinerary. SJO in and SJO out.
Knowing the Most Suitable Destinations in Costa Rica
Knowing the most suitable destinations in Costa Rica for your family is the trick to planning a fabulous adventure vacation and that’s why we offer our knowledge and expertise during our tour booking process. Simply tell us what you and your family want to do, how old (and intrepid) your children are and we’ll find the best Costa Rica spots (and sports) for you all to discover together.
Pushing your kids out of their comfort zones can be an extraordinary experience
Although we realize that parents know their children best, we also know from experience that, sometimes, fearless kids would like to push themselves a little more. A parent with a fear of heights, for example, may rate canopy tours far too daring for their 10-year-old child when, in reality, the tour and the child may be a perfect match.
Giving children the opportunity to try new and exciting adventures in complete safety and with a professional guide at hand, means they can test their abilities and courage, and discover things about themselves they may otherwise never know. From our combined decades of experience, we can attest that adventure-seeking kids who head to Costa Rica on family vacations manage to surprise their parents, each and every day.
The trick to letting go of the reigns just a tad? This next point…
Trust the expertise of your tour guides – they really do know what they’re doing!
It may be unnerving to place your family’s travel plans in the hands of strangers but, when it comes to professional and experienced adventure guides in Costa Rica, you really do need to let go of their reigns. From transfer plans to eco-lodge booking, inclusion of daily activities and the offer of a wonderfully balanced itinerary: these are just a few of the priceless benefits of planning your family vacation with us.
Aside from the logistics, our expert guides also know how to test the abilities of children for various activities. We can swiftly ascertain if that river rapid, that waterfall hike or that snorkeling excursion is perfect for your child or if it may be too challenging.
When you’re in expert hands, you can ALL let go and have the time of your lives
How do we get children to do the craziest things in Costa Rica? Simple. We simply ask them if they would love to have a go.
Our tactic really is very simple – just ask each child if he/she would like to try something daring and fun, even if it may seem a little scary. If they say YES, PLEAAAAASE! and we know we can let them try it safely, then we know we’re about to create a lifelong memory for them. At times, it’s the parents that need a little more coaxing to join them (seriously!) and, when we succeed, we see the overwhelming excitement in the children’s eyes.
Enjoying this kind of adventure-filled vacation is one of the most empowering and bonding experiences families can have. How do we know this? Because we’ve seen it happen with our own eyes.
We know how to solve age-disparity issues – you just need to ask!
Some families we’ve hosted have told us that they waited a couple of years to book their Costa Rica extreme adventures vacation, because they thought their children’s age gap was simply too great. They assumed one of them would have to compromise BIG time in order for the other to have a great time. Maybe this would be true in another country but it certainly isn’t in Costa Rica.
At Costa Rica Rios, we constantly host families with children of varying ages which means we’re apt at planning hybrid tours that combine super-fun activities that are enjoyable for every member of the family. On whitewater rafting trips, for example, we may have the younger child in a kayak with a guide (or bypass a rapid altogether) whilst the older one rafts hard-core rapids, and then swap places so everyone gets to paddle in stretches we think are suitable for their age.
One child wants to go rafting but the other doesn’t? NO problem!! There’s always an array of fantastic alternatives, no matter where in Costa Rica you are vacationing. From wildlife spotting to zip lining, enjoying a swim under a waterfall or exploring a national park nearby – flexibility and variety are the most revered aspects of our bespoke family tours so don’t let differing ages and/or desires put you off planning a family vacation in Costa Rica.
This really is the country that offers something for everyone. Yes…grandparents included!
Don’t just focus on BIG ticket items – for kids, it’s the little discoveries that really impress
At the end of family tours, children are always keen to tell us what their favorite highlight has been. The answers can be very surprising for all of us adults and are a beautiful reminder that the little things can matter as much as the big things. If not more.
From visiting a butterfly garden to seeing a flurry of scurrying carbs on the beach, spotting a crazy colorful frog in the forest, playing a game of football with local kids, learning all about chocolate making or enjoying a home stay with a local family for a night – these are the kind of highlights children constantly comment on. And so they should!
Visiting famous national parks and doing cool stuff is, well, cool…but seeing how families in other countries live, discovering animals when they least expect it and experiencing anything foreign to them can really blow their mind!
By all means, plan the ‘popular’ stuff on your family vacation in Costa Rica but don’t forget to also include plenty of free time for last-minute, local experiences.
Not so fast! Slow it down when traveling with kids
Adults may be able to buckle up and head off on a whirlwind adventure all over Costa Rica just as soon as they get off the plane but children need a little more down time – even the most active ones!
Depending on where in the country you wish to go, transfers can be slow and tedious, especially at the height of dry season (Jan-April) when the heat can be stifling. If you aren’t sure what kind of pace you should keep…ask us! Most of the time, having a balanced itinerary and including a few hours of rest in the middle of the day is just what children need. Look into amazing eco-lodges that offer activities within their property, so if the kids want to do something, they can, but they (and you) also have the option to unwind (on a hammock in a terrace, perhaps?) if they need to.
Getting There and Around Costa Rica
Two international airports serve most family trips. San José (SJO) is the main hub on the Pacific side of the central valley. Liberia (LIR) in Guanacaste is smaller but closer to the beach regions in the northwest. Families planning to start in Arenal or Manuel Antonio should fly into SJO. Families going straight to Tamarindo or Flamingo can use LIR and save three hours of driving.
Both airports have direct flights from most major US cities. Flight time from Miami is about 3 hours. From Los Angeles, closer to 6.
Getting around Costa Rica with kids works best by private car or private transfer. Car rental is the most flexible option. 4WD is necessary for coastal and mountain roads. Most rental agencies at SJO carry booster seats and child seats on request. Book these in advance and confirm again 48 hours before pickup.
Road conditions vary a lot by region. The Interamerican Highway is paved and smooth. Side roads to many beach towns and lodges are unpaved and sometimes rough. Google Maps often underestimates drive times on Costa Rican roads. A route that says 2 hours may take 3.5 in rainy season.
Shuttle services connect all major tourist towns. They’re affordable, run on fixed routes, and don’t require navigating unfamiliar roads. For families with young children who don’t want to drive, shuttles plus local taxis work fine for most itineraries.
Domestic flights also exist. SANSA and Skyway connect San José to Quepos (Manuel Antonio), Tamarindo, Nosara, Puerto Jiménez (Osa Peninsula), and Tortuguero. Flight times are 30 to 60 minutes. Worth it for distant regions. The planes are small. Most hold 8 to 12 passengers. Kids who handle small aircraft well are fine. Some children find them exciting. Budget accordingly.
What Families Should Pack for Costa Rica
Packing light is harder than it sounds for a family trip here. The rainforest and the beach require different gear. Here’s what actually matters.
Families almost always overpack clothing and underpack practical gear. Cotton looks good on the packing list. It is terrible in the rainforest. Cotton soaks, stays wet, and makes everyone miserable by day two. Quick-dry fabrics only. Same logic for towels.
Bug repellent is non-negotiable. DEET-based repellent for adults. Picaridin works well for kids and is gentler on skin. Apply every evening. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and after dark. In rainforest regions, daytime application matters too. Dengue and Chikungunya are present in some areas. Not a reason to panic. A reason to use repellent.
Closed-toe shoes for jungle trails. Every family member needs a pair. Flip-flops are fine on the beach. They are not fine in the jungle, near rivers, or on volcanic terrain. Good trail shoes make a real difference on wet roots and rocky paths.
A basic first aid kit is worth packing. Include antihistamine cream for insect bites, hydrocortisone, oral rehydration salts, and a kids’ fever reducer. Minor ailments happen. Having gear on hand means not hunting for a pharmacy in an unfamiliar town at 10pm.
Reef-safe sunscreen. Costa Rica has banned non-reef-safe sunscreens in many protected marine areas. Bring enough for the whole trip from home. US brands that meet reef-safe standards are hard to find in smaller Costa Rican towns.
Useful items families often forget:
A dry bag for rafting and boat days (one per family, minimum)
A small headlamp for each person for night hikes
A reusable water bottle for each family member
A lightweight rain jacket for each person (not a poncho)
Sandals with a heel strap for beach and town use
Travel-size hand sanitizer for national park visits where bathrooms are basic
Practical Logistics for Families
Currency and Money
The local currency is the colón. The exchange rate sits at roughly 500 to 520 colones per US dollar. Many tour operators, hotels, and restaurants price in US dollars. Cards work in most tourist towns. Carry cash for small sodas (local restaurants), national park entry fees, and local market purchases. ATMs are in all major towns. They dispense colones. Most also offer dollars.
Tipping
Tip your guide at the end of each tour. The standard is 10 to 15 dollars per person per day for a private guide. For group tours, 5 to 10 dollars per person is the norm. Guides work hard, carry safety gear, and are responsible for making the trip work. A good guide makes the difference between a decent day and an unforgettable one.
Passports and Entry
Every family member needs a valid passport. The passport must not expire within 6 months of the travel date. No visa is needed for US citizens. An automatic 90-day tourist stay is granted at the border. Proof of onward travel (a return flight booking) must be shown at immigration. Have it ready on a phone or printed.
Health Prep Before Departure
See a travel health doctor or GP 6 to 8 weeks before travel. Routine vaccines should be current for all family members. Hepatitis A vaccine is advised for Costa Rica travel. Typhoid is worth discussing with the doctor for families going into remote rural areas. Malaria risk is low in most tourist zones but present in the Limón province on the Caribbean coast.
Travel health insurance that covers emergency evacuation is strongly advised. Not just a coverage technicality. The difference between basic travel insurance and a policy that includes a medical flight out is significant if something goes wrong in a remote region.
Phone and Connectivity
US phones work in Costa Rica on most major carriers. Check international roaming rates before travel. A local SIM card is cheap and easy to buy at SJO airport or in any town. Data coverage is good in all main tourist areas. Some remote lodges have limited or no signal. That’s often intentional and part of the experience.
National Park Entry
All major national parks charge entry fees. Manuel Antonio costs about $21 per adult and $8 per child. Corcovado requires a permit and advance booking through a registered guide operator. Most parks have daily visitor limits and require online reservations in high season. Book national park entry at least two weeks ahead in December, January, March, and April.
Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Rica Family Vacations
What age is appropriate for white water rafting in Costa Rica?
Most operators take children as young as 6 on Class 2 and 3 rivers. The Balsa River near Arenal is the most common choice for younger families. Class 4 and 5 rivers are open to fit, confident kids from about age 12 with experienced operators. Weight minimums, not age minimums, often determine eligibility on harder sections. Ask the operator for specifics before booking.
Do kids need vaccinations to travel to Costa Rica?
No vaccinations are required for entry from the US. That said, Hepatitis A is advised. Routine vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus should be current. Talk to a travel health doctor 6 weeks before departure. They’ll tailor advice based on the specific regions the family plans to visit.
Is Costa Rica good for toddlers and babies?
Yes, but logistics require more planning. Manuel Antonio is the best region for very young children. Flat trails, calm beach waters, and a wide range of hotel types all help. Bring a structured baby carrier for trail use. Strollers work on paved paths and town streets but not in the jungle. Baby gear rental is available in most major beach towns. Formula and nappies are sold in supermarkets in the main towns but not in smaller villages.
What is the best itinerary for families visiting for the first time?
A first-time family trip works best across two regions. Arenal first, then Manuel Antonio. This covers adventure activities, hot springs, volcano landscapes, wildlife, and beach in one week. Transfer between the two regions takes about 4 hours by car. Families with more time can add Monteverde as a middle stop.
Is it safe to drink the water in Costa Rica?
Yes, in most tourist areas and main towns. Costa Rica has invested significantly in its water treatment and delivery systems. Tap water is safe in San José, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, and most hotels. In very remote rural zones, use bottled water as a precaution.
What wildlife will kids actually see in Costa Rica?
With a guide, kids almost always see sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, and various lizard species. Depending on the region and time of year: sea turtles, humpback whales, spinner dolphins, whale sharks, caimans, river otters, and poison dart frogs are all possible. Manuel Antonio has the densest wildlife viewing for short visits. Corcovado and Tortuguero offer the widest variety for families spending more time.
How far in advance should families book a Costa Rica trip?
For peak season travel (December, January, March, April), book 3 to 6 months in advance. National park reservations, especially Manuel Antonio, sell out 30 to 45 days ahead in peak season. Shoulder season (May, June, September, October, November) has more availability. Guided tour operators and good lodges fill up fast regardless of season. Don’t leave booking until the last month.
Can families rent a car and self-drive in Costa Rica?
Yes. Self-driving works well for families who are confident navigating in foreign countries. A 4WD vehicle is necessary for most itineraries. An offline map app (Google Maps offline or Maps.me) is essential since mobile signal drops in some mountain areas.
International driving permits are not required for US license holders. Insurance purchased through the rental company is recommended. Road conditions vary significantly by season and region.
What language do people speak in Costa Rica?
Spanish is the national language. English is widely spoken in all tourist areas, national parks, hotels, and restaurants. Most tour guides speak fluent English. Outside tourist zones, Spanish is needed. Learning a few phrases before the trip makes a real difference in smaller towns and local markets.
Is Costa Rica expensive for families?
It can be. Costa Rica sits at the higher end of Central American travel costs. A family of four spending a week on a guided tour with mid-range hotels will typically budget between $4,000 and $8,000 for the full trip including flights. Budget travel is possible with local sodas, shared shuttles, and guesthouses.
Luxury lodges and private guides push costs higher. The value comes from the quality of the wildlife, the guide knowledge, and the density of good experiences packed into a short trip. Most families who go once come back.
Family life can be insanely hectic back home and heading off on a family adventure in Costa Rica is your chance to unplug, unwind and come home totally revitalized.
A once-in-a-lifetime adventure in paradise? That’s what a Costa Rica extreme adventures family vacation memories are made of!
Costa Rica is a wildlife lover’s paradise, the country home to an insane number of fascinating and iconic wildlife blanketing no fewer than 28 distinct national parks and reserves. On a Costa Rica adventure vacation, wildlife spotting is a daily occurrence – be it on a trail in a remote reserve, on a whitewater rafting trip, or as you’re having breakfast on the outdoor terrace of a spectacular eco-lodge.
Given most vacationers have a week to 10 days to spend in the country, we thought we’d offer an overview of the best destinations in Costa Rica where you’ll have the highest chances of spotting the most iconic wildlife.
The single most bio-diverse reserve in Costa Rica is, unsurprisingly, in one of its most remote regions: the Osa Peninsula. Tucked away in the south easternmost corner of the country, the Osa hosts just a handful of amazing lodges and not much else in terms of infrastructure – the region revered for maintaining an eco-tourism standard almost unseen anywhere else in the world.
This is the ideal destination for those who wish to totally unplug when visiting Costa Rica and dive right into its world-class (and jaw-dropping) wilderness. For company, you’ll have over 450 species of birds (including the largest concentration of scarlet macaws in the whole country), more than 100 types of butterflies (some bigger than your hand!), all four species of sea turtles and monkeys found in Costa Rica and an untold number of other truly fascinating creatures, including jungle cats which are difficult – but not impossible – to see.
Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula at large are recognized the world over for their biodiversity – so if unique wildlife and adventure are what you seek on your Costa Rica vacation, you really couldn’t pick a better spot to visit.
The smallest reserve in Costa Rica hosts a crazy concentration of iconic wildlife species, including over 100 species of mammals and almost 200 species of incredible birds. Spotting monkeys, coatimundis, toucans, and even iguanas, sloths and all sorts of insects is easier with a naturalist guide by your side, as these elusive creatures can be difficult for the untrained eye to see. White-faced capuchins are easy to spot (and hear!) in Manuel Antonio and seeing them hunt for clams along the park’s beaches is an unforgettable highlight.
Do know that small and compact are wonderful attributes for a national park although it also means the trails can get easily overcrowded in high season – and whenever a crowd gathers, wildlife tends to hide.
How to increase your chances of spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio? Simple: plan your visit during the Green Season (between May and August) so you can dodge the dry season crowds, be at the gates when they open at 7am (this has several benefits, including tackling the trails at the coolest time of day) and, perhaps the best tip of all, stay in an eco-lodge bordering the park.
This way, you get to experience an immersive nature experience in one of the most bio diverse corners of Costa Rica.
Another superb wildlife hot-spot, this time on the opposite side of Costa Rica – the northeastern corner – Tortuguero is reached only by plane or boat and is a whole other wilderness world of its own accord. All four species of sea turtles we mentioned earlier? Well, this is where they come to nest so if seeing Giant Leatherback, Olive Ridley’s, Green and Hawksbill turtles is high on your agenda, then make a beeline for this magnificent reserve.
Aside from turtles, however, Tortuguero’s wilds also host an abundance of monkeys, birds, crocodiles and exotic frogs, which is why it’s often dubbed the Amazon of Costa Rica.
Much like Corcovado, Tortuguero is also minimally built-up, which makes for phenomenal and immersive wilderness experiences. Tortuguero’s eco-lodges are rustic, comfortable and offer unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
The wonderful thing about wildlife spotting in Costa Rica is that you need not get lost in its remotest corners to have a fulfilling experience. Close to the central tourist trail and much easier to reach, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a real wildlife gem, particularly for bird lovers. This prized reserve attracts avid bird-watchers every year, all keen to get a glimpse of the resplendent quetzal – one of the rarest and most beautiful birds in Costa Rica. This most ethereal forest boasts over 400 species of unique birds, as well as over 160 species of reptiles and amphibians and 100 species of mammals. This is the best spot to explore to fall in love with Costa Rica’s toucans, aracaris and plethora of hummingbirds.
Tourist infrastructure is well established in and around Monteverde, which means you can spend a couple of nights in a wilderness-immersed eco-lodge and have this bounty at your doorstep, 24-7.
Wildlife Refuges, Rescue Centers & Sanctuaries – Country Wide
Many first-time visitors have a hard time believing that many of the most iconic wildlife species in Costa Rica can be seen just about anywhere, at any time. But it’s true. Enjoy an epic road trip here and you’ll come across ‘sloth crossing’ signs, see monkeys and vibrantly-colored crabs on beaches, and be overwhelmed at the (very many) colorful birds at every turn. So yes, a Costa Rica adventure vacation naturally becomes a wildlife spotting journey by default although, for animal-mad visitors, the country’s many wildlife refuges, rescue centers and sanctuaries are ideal.
The best (and our favorite) eco-lodges in Costa Rica are set in acres upon acres of protected wilderness and host a wildlife refuge within their grounds. Staying in one of these gems offers infinite rewards – you can experience amazing comforts, luxury, cuisine and activities, nestled in a pocket of nature that’s bursting at the seams with unique creatures.
Aside from staying in one of these lodges, you can also easily include a visit to a dedicated sanctuary – Costa Rica has tons of them, spread out throughout the country.
No matter where in Costa Rica you wish to take your adventure vacation, we can help you plan a bespoke itinerary that places emphasis on wildlife spotting.
Costa Rica is one of the world’s most prized wildlife havens, never more so than when we’re talking about birds. Not just any birds, mind you, but truly fabulous birds – some of the most magnificent and colorful on earth. The country’s idyllic climate, coupled with incredibly fertile and varied landscapes, and fervent environmental preservation, have combined over the years to create one of the most diverse aviary sanctuaries on earth.
Home to over 850 different species of birds, over half of which are endemic, Costa Rica is a bird-lover’s absolute Utopia. Here, you’ll find almost 10% of all the bird species on earth.
Rest assured that if you’re not a bird enthusiast by the time you visit, you certainly will be by the time you leave.
Here are just 10 of the most fabulous birds to spot in Costa Rica:
Resplendent Quetzal
Resplendent by name and plumage, the quetzal is perhaps the most highly-coveted bird to spot in all of Costa Rica. Painfully shy and preferring to live at altitudes of between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, this most fatuous member of the trigon bird family boasts magnificent colors and almost regal green and turquoise feathers that extend an astonishing 40 inches beyond the tip of their tails. Endangered due to habitat loss, the Resplendent Quetzal is the national bird of Panama although due to habitat loss, numbers there have greatly diminished. Costa Rica, on the other hand, boasts large numbers of the majestic creatures, thanks to its pristine cloud forests.
Hiking adventure in search of quetzals are very popular tour options and usually taken between February and May, their mating season and the period of the year when they are most active. The best place to spot them is in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the aptly-named and lesser-known Loz Quetzales National Park (a bird-lover’s mecca, in general) and Braulio Carrillo National Park, which is framed by ethereal volcanoes and boasts the kind of mid-elevation forests the quetzal cherishes.
The pin-up of the Costa Rican bird-kingdom and most adored bird in all of Central America, the keel-billed toucan, aka the Froot Loop guy, never fails to stop people dead on their tracks with its jaw-dropping looks. The oversized beaks, impressive size and stunning colors of so many sub-species make toucans the most famous birds in the tropical world and the keel-billed, in particular, is regarded as the most fabulous of them all. This tucan pico arcoiris – or rainbow-beak toucan, in Spanish – is a sociable and playful creature, often quarreling with its flock members over fruit or space on an already overcrowded tree-branch.
One of six toucans found in Costa Rica, the keel-billed toucan is most often seen along the Caribbean coast, although it’s one of two species that also inhabit the Nicoya Peninsula. Tortuguero, Cahuita and Turrialba Volcano national parks are all fantastic toucan-spotting destinations as well. If you’re as toucan mad as we are, pin theRescate Animal Zoo Ave (Alajuela Province) on your map – here, you can meet Grecia, the first toucan rescue in the world to receive a 3D-printed beak replacement. You can listen to Grecia’s amazing, tear-jerking story, right here.
Scarlet Macaw
One of the most recognizable birds in Costa Rica, the scarlet macaw is an absolute visual spectacle. With its bright red head, green chest and bright blue lower-half, this specific macaw is easy to spot, even by the most untrained bird-spotting eye. Macaws are, like all parrots, very sociable birds so when you spot one, be sure to keep looking up and you’ll no-doubt see more. Macaws live to a ripe old age of 60 and have, in the past, been highly coveted as pets, which greatly diminished their numbers in the wild. Luckily, protection initiatives have brought Costa Rica’s numbers up to a healthy standard and have averted an absolute wildlife disaster.
Most commonly spotted in the south-western side of the country, the Scarlet Macaw is one of the most prized residents of the Corcovado National Park although numbers are on the up and up on the Caribbean side as well, especially in Tortuguero National Park.
Great Green Macaw
The largest parrot in Costa Rica is a cousin of the scarlet but one that is much more difficult to spot. It is usually best seen on the Caribbean side of the country. Like all macaws, it squawks so loudly that is most often heard, loud and clear, long before it is spotted. Much like the scarlet, the great green macaw used to primarily favor feasting on higher-elevation almond trees, a flora species that has been almost logged into extinction and replaced with a faster-growing lower-elevation tree, imported from Asia. Whilst the scarlet macaw was quick to switch food-source, the green macaw was reluctant to follow suit for years, so its numbers plummeted dramatically. Luckily, their taste buds seem to have finally adapted and, nowadays, sightings have increased, especially around the Rio Sarapiqui, where we run out whitewater rafting and kayaking trips.
Blue Crowned (Lesson’s) Motmot
Half a dozen motmot species inhabit Costa Rica, the most fabulous of which is the blue-crowned motmot, its iridescent blue maw-hawk hairdo and bright green tail feathers making it an absolute vision against the verdant green backdrop of the forest. Commonly dubbed ‘clock-birds’, the motmot has the habit of swinging its long tail from side to side when sitting on a branch, mimicking the swing of a grandfather clock. These cute guys can be spotted all over Costa Rica but, for the highest chances of seeing them, head to the Osa Peninsula.
The motmot name comes from a mimic of the call it makes, an owl-like double hoot that is very distinctive.
More easily described as a miniature toucan, the fiery-billed aracari belongs to the same family and displays much the same features of toucans, including an incredibly oversized beak. Lovers of fruits, coffee and cacao beans, aracaris love to hang out near plantations, where they can score exceptional meals on the fly. Endemic to the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica and seen all along the coastline, the fiery-billed aracari is commonly found below 3,000 feet in elevation.
Hummingbirds
Among the most adorable birds you will likely ever see, hummingbirds delight spotters with their diminutive size and impressive wing-flapping speed. Costa Rica has so far recorded 50 distinct species of hummingbirds, two of which are totally endemic, and all showcasing incredibly iridescent colors. Although their distribution spans the entirety of the country, actually spotting them in the wild can be a little tricky. Many wildlife sanctuaries have feeders in place so visitors can see them relatively easily.
Head to Monteverde’s famous Hummingbird Garden where you can see a stunning array of these fabulous birds, including the green violet-ear and the fiery-throated hummingbird, a glistening specimen that is absolutely gorgeous.
Crested Caracara
A formidable and quite sneaky hunter, the crested caracara feeds on turtles, lizards, snakes and anything else it can dig its sharp-beak into. This bird prefers slightly cooler temps and is best seen on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, most famously in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado national parks.
Speckled Tanager
This exceptionally bright little guy with the polka-dot plumage resides in tropical rainforests and loves to hang-out in large groups, either with members of its own species or tagging along with other species. Like a true masterpiece, the speckled tanager boasts an eye-popping palette of yellow, green and turquoise feathers, speckled with black dots. This wonderful songbird favors mid-level forests and is most commonly seen on the western half of Costa Rica, in cloud forests flanking its central mountains.
Clay-Colored Thrush
Interestingly enough, the clay-colored thrush (or robin), is perhaps the least-arresting bird to spot in Costa Rica although it is the country’s national bird. The interesting choice of mascot-bird was made not because the bird is endemic here but because its long, melodious song is a forebearer for the rain season and because, unlike more exotic and colorful species that prefer prime wilderness, the clay-colored thrush is often found in villages and cities. To bird-loving Ticos, this is the most common and beloved species of all.
Whether you’re an avid ornithologist or a hobbyist bird-watcher, check outEbird.Co and download the bird-spotting app that collates all the species in Central America.
Here are a few travel guides to the best national parks in Costa Rica for bird-spotting, which you may find useful:
At Costa Rica Rios, we’re in the business of running award-winning Costa Rica adventure vacations and spotting the most fabulous birds is part and parcel of every trip we take, simply because we scour the most pristine and lesser-visited pockets of wilderness in the country. If there’s a particular bird or place you wish to visit, however, we can create a bespoke itinerary to suit your desires or tell you the best way to fit in a side trip on an organised tour.
Wildlife watching is undoubtedly one of the very best things you can do in Costa Rica, the country home to a mind-boggling array of unique and endemic creatures. Yet above all animals, including monkeys, birds, sloths, whales, crocodiles and dolphins, turtles hold by far the biggest appeal. Turtle spotting in Costa Rica is among the most ‘time & place sensitive’ endeavors, requiring you to be on specific beaches, at specific times of year, to admire their nesting and/or hatching rituals. Widely considered one of our planet’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon, the mass nesting events for which Costa Rica is so renowned are certainly reason enough to visit the country, let alone the fact you’ll find a wide array of adventure activities to enjoy once here.
Following is your guide to turtle spotting Costa Rica: the where, when and how to admire some of our planet’s oldest and most precious residents.
What kind of turtles can you spot in Costa Rica?
Home to four out of seven sea turtle species on our planet, Costa Rica attracts a host of biologists, researchers and wildlife-watching visitors every year. To your average turtle-watcher, sea turtles appear very similar but they are in fact quite distinct and, as such, boast different nesting seasons. The main turtle species calling Costa Rica home are:
Olive Ridley (with its heart-shaped shell, triangular head and relatively small size, the Olive Ridley is easily recognized. This species hosts the largest mass-nesting events of all, the magical arribadas)
Leatherback (the most distinctive due to a lack of hard shell, the leatherback is the 4th-largest reptile in the world – and the largest sea turtle – with adults weighing 1,000 pounds on average and boasting 6-feet long front flippers)
Hawksbill (can be easily confused with the green sea turtle, except for its protruding beak, which resembles that of a hawk!)
Green (beautifully colored and lacking the ability to stretch its neck out of its shell, the green sea turtle appears to be somewhat stuck in its home when, in fact, it isn’t)
When is the best time to spot turtles in Costa Rica?
Although you’re likely to see some turtles in all the hot-spots, at any time of year, it helps to know the specific nesting season of each type so you have the highest chance of spotting the largest colonies.
Olive Ridley – They may boast the most numerous arribadas of all yet the mass nesting events of Olive Ridleys are still as unpredictable as ever. The season is nearly year-round, although the largest nesting events tend to occur in September and October and, some years, as late as November. Arribadas are closely linked to full-moon nights and, usually, the beaches get a ‘warning’ of a few hundred nesting turtles for a few consecutive nights, before the nesting culminates in the arrival of thousands. Although we couldn’t possibly advise which week of the two months you should plan your Costa Rica adventure vacation, you should simply aim to be here in September or October to increase your chances of timing it just right and, once here, keep abreast of the latest local news, ready to plan a last-minute trip to their favored nesting sites.
Leatherback – Leatherback turtles take to nesting on the eastern coast in the first half of the year, mostly between February and June with peak events happening in March and April. On the western coastline, however, they nest between October and February, so you have multiple chances to spot these elusive creatures.
Hawksbill – Highly endangered and boasting declining numbers, the hawksbill is the hardest sea turtle to spot in Costa Rica. What doesn’t help your spotting chances is the fact that, unlike the other species, the hawksbill nests alone, mostly in September and October, so you’d have to be especially lucky to see one (let alone more) on your visit to Costa Rica.
Green Sea Turtles – The peak nesting months of the green sea turtles are August and September although nesting season runs from July to the end of October.
Where should you go to spot turtles in Costa Rica?
Start researching turtle-watching guides to Costa Rica and you’ll no doubt find references to which side of the country’s two coastlines attract which species. Knowing specific spots, however, will help you better plan your visit.
Tortuguero National Park – This incredibly wild reserve on the northern Caribbean coast isn’t called ‘turtle heaven’ for no reason. Tortuguero attracts all the four Costa Rica turtle species in nesting season and is the best place to specifically spot the endangered green sea turtle. A stunning maze of canals, jungle forests and glorious beaches, Tortuguero is remote and hard to reach, which makes a visit all the more unforgettable.
Nicoya Peninsula – Ostional Beach regularly makes worldwide news every year, when it hosts Olive Ridley arribadas that number in the hundreds of thousands. This is one of only a handful of beaches in the world that see this kind of turtle spectacle and is, as such, avidly protected. Being so popular, however, means that regular guided night-time tours are on offer, to give visitors (and locals) the chance to see these mesmerizing events, whilst maintaining the site safe for the turtles.
Las Baula National Park – Named after the forem
ost sea turtle species it hosts, Guanacaste’s Las Baula attracts the highly endangered leatherback. The park’s Grande Beach is the 2nd-largest nesting spot for these majestic beasts in the world and although tours are organised during nesting events, they are only organised a few days in advance. For obvious reasons, given the leatherback’s endangered status, all visits during nesting season are strictly regulated.
Santa Rosa National Park – The second-largest arribada beach for Olive Ridley turtles, Guanacaste’s Santa Rosa is one of the country’s smallest and least-known yet most pristine reserves. The beaches here – Nancite in particular – are quite remote and necessitate some real commitment (in the hiking sense) but at least you’ll be in the company of far fewer visitors if you make the effort to go.
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge – Located on the southern Caribbean coast, this remote and lesser-visited refuge is a prime turtle nesting hub, not only for attracting all four species but for attracting the most numerous leatherback colonies of all. Visit between March and July and you’ll likely have the chance to witness a nesting event of at least one species, if not more. Just south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in the Limon Province, Gandoca-Manzanillo is an off-the-beaten-path destination nestled in one of the most jaw-dropping corners of Costa Rica, home to a flurry of exceptional wildlife.
The Osa Peninsula – The southern coast of the Osa Peninsula plays hosts to nesting turtles almost all year long. The sheer concentration of turtles here means that if you miss a nesting event, you will likely be able to admire a hatching event instead. Generally speaking, the months with the least number of turtles are January and February so head here at any other time of year and you’ll be at the ‘prime’ nesting time for at least one turtle species.
How to visit turtle-nesting sites in Costa Rica
Turtle nesting beaches in Costa Rica are fervently protected and you can only visit through authorized entry points, following very strict protection guidelines. The main emphasis is on people being mere observers, neither getting in the turtles’ way nor ‘helping them’ in any manner. Plan your visit with a local guide, follow the rules and enjoy being a spectator to a truly magnificent natural event and you can be sure your Costa Rica vacation be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
At Costa Rica Rios, we plan outstanding adventure vacations for families, honeymooning couples and solo travelers alike. If you love adventure, nature and wildlife, and wish to spot amazing sea turtles in the wild environment, let us help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.
Costa Rica’s rainy season tends to run into the first two weeks of January but rains taper off dramatically as the month progresses, before eventually coming to an end in late February. This means that you will likely get some rain if you visit Costa Rica in early January, but they’ll just provide relief for the summer heat. Overall, this is the ideal month that sees most of the country transition from drenched to parched, so you do get the best of both weather worlds.
As waters recede in most of the country, Costa Rica’s most iconic animals emerge from impenetrable forests looking to quench their thirst. This is a fantastic month for wildlife spotting in Costa Rica and that also rings true for marine life. The lack of storms means visibility is great for SCUBA diving and snorkeling, as well as boat trips off the Pacific coast.
The holiday fiesta vibe is well and truly kicking in January and you’ll find cultural festivals held in just about every province. Traditional festivals always involve plenty of delicious food, as well as music, dances, and parades to boot.
If relaxing on a sublime tropical beach is what you’re dreaming to kick off the new year, then consider Costa Rica your dream destination. As the dry season starts, the sky is resplendently clear, the sea is calm and the beaches unspoiled. Hit the far north Pacific coast for uncrowded beaches and sensational verano vibes.
There is a ton of fun family-friendly stuff to do in Costa Rica, and we’re not exaggerating in the slightest. Here’s a preview:
Whitewater Rafting – Costa Rica is considered a leading rafting destination, the country home to world-class rapids that attract thrill-seekers from all over the world. But you certainly don’t need to send your 8-year-old down a Class V rapid! Instead, you can choose a river that’s best suited to their age and skill-set. Our 
This is also an easy park to visit if you have small children. From raucous monkeys to sloths, iguanas, toucans and so much more, the best wildlife spotting reserves are reason enough to plan a family adventure vacation in Costa Rica. Our tip? Always head off at first light, always opt for a guided tour with a local expert (these guys will point out wildlife you didn’t even know existed) an include at least one night-time animal spotting tour on your itinerary. It’s a whole other world out there, when the sun goes down!
Any family vacation can be as cruisy or challenging as you’d like it to be, and Costa Rica holidays are no exception. The country has a quite refined tourist trail, one that boasts excellent infrastructure, US-style resorts with all the bells and whistles, and restaurants with recognizable kids’ menu items. What you choose to do, with all of that, is completely up to you.
With its lush 
Choose to head south, along the Pacific coast, and you’ll see the landscapes make a dramatic turn. This is the hot, humid, lush and undeveloped side of the western coast, the one home to the world-renowned 
One of the least-accessible regions of Costa Rica, the northern Caribbean coast is defined by water. The flat plains here are interspersed by a maze of rivers that comprise the 
Why is Costa Rica rated among the best honeymoon destinations on earth? Because this is a country where nature reigns supreme – a dreamy land that screams adventure, romance and relaxation, with plenty of unique experiences to create that ‘once in a lifetime’ memory you no-doubt crave.
As with any travel option, your 
If you’re visiting for the very first time, this allows for a varied itinerary that includes the most famous highlights. If you wish to explore more remote areas, this will also be enough time to reach highlights that are way off the beaten path. The only caveat? You arguably cannot do both (see the most famous AND remotest highlights) in just 7-10 days and still keep the relaxing travel pace that makes honeymoons enjoyable. We’d recommend planning a 2-week honeymoon if you wish to see and do it all.
It even offers 
Costa Rica’s mangrove forests are ethereal places to explore by kayak or SUP boards. They entice you far off the beaten trail and grant the kind of peace and tranquility in nature you’ve been dreaming about for months.
Mangroves are inherently enriched with flora and fauna – they are home to an array of semi and fully aquatic wildlife (from frogs to crocodiles!) and a bevy of birds and other land-dwelling creatures. Costa Rica’s mangroves are where you can spot sloths, monkeys, caimans, spiders, snakes and an insane cache of colorful amphibians.
The park encompasses over 45,000 acres and 15 distinct bio-networks – mangroves make up just about half the area of the reserve. The park is easily visited on a day trip from Tamarindo and all surrounding villages.
It may be unnerving to place your family’s travel plans in the hands of strangers but, when it comes to professional and experienced adventure guides in Costa Rica, you really do need to let go of their reigns. From transfer plans to eco-lodge booking, inclusion of daily activities and the offer of a wonderfully balanced itinerary: these are just a few of the priceless benefits of planning your family vacation with us.
From visiting a butterfly garden to seeing a flurry of scurrying carbs on the beach, spotting a crazy colorful frog in the forest, playing a game of football with local kids, learning all about chocolate making or enjoying a home stay with a local family for a night – these are the kind of highlights children constantly comment on. And so they should!
Costa Rica is a wildlife lover’s paradise, the country home to an insane number of fascinating and iconic wildlife blanketing no fewer than 28 distinct 
This is the ideal destination for those who wish to totally unplug when visiting Costa Rica and dive right into its world-class (and jaw-dropping) wilderness. For company, you’ll have over 450 species of birds (including the largest concentration of scarlet macaws in the whole country), more than 100 types of butterflies (some bigger than your hand!), all four species of sea turtles and monkeys found in Costa Rica and an untold number of other truly fascinating creatures, including jungle cats which are difficult – but not impossible – to see.
How to increase your chances of spotting wildlife in 
Well, this is where they come to nest so if seeing Giant Leatherback, Olive Ridley’s, Green and Hawksbill turtles is high on your agenda, then make a beeline for this magnificent reserve.
The wonderful thing about wildlife spotting in Costa Rica is that you need not get lost in its remotest corners to have a fulfilling experience. Close to the central tourist trail and much easier to reach, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a real wildlife gem, particularly for bird lovers. This prized reserve attracts avid bird-watchers every year, all keen to get a glimpse of the resplendent quetzal – one of the rarest and most beautiful birds in Costa Rica. This most ethereal forest boasts over 400 species of unique birds, as well as over 160 species of reptiles and amphibians and 100 species of mammals. This is the best spot to explore to fall in love with Costa Rica’s toucans, aracaris and plethora of hummingbirds.
