I love getting emails! They inspire my writing.
Today’s blog post is inspired by a couple of messages I’ve received this week… and about a hundred times before – messages about travel to Costa Rica with kids. I answer each email honestly and individually, since I believe that anyone who takes the time to craft a message must feel that my opinion is valuable.
And I certainly do have an idea, based on our extensive experience, of what I would do if I were visiting Costa Rica with kids for the first time.
Let’s look at a couple of these emails together.
Example Question #1
Hi Liisa,
My name is Jane and I got your name from my friend Sarah who reads your blog. We are thinking of planning a trip to Costa Rica this winter with our 8 and 10 year old children, a trip we have always wanted to do! I have been reading articles on your website, and I would like to know your opinion on an itinerary we are considering.
We would like to travel for about 10 days and are overwhelmed with the options. We love the idea of a vacation rental at the beach, but we also want to visit the cloud forest and the rainforest and we don’t know how to fit it all in. We love seeing animals and hiking, and a few days at the beach would be great too as we are escaping a northern winter.
We are also wondering whether or not we should take an organized tour. We got a quote from one company but we aren’t sure if they are reputable or if it is good value.
What would you suggest for a first trip to Costa Rica with this time frame?
Thanks so much and we look forward to hearing from you,
Jane and Jake Johnson
Example Question #2
Hi Liisa,
We met at Melissa’s brunch a couple of years ago. She passed on your contact info. We are coming to Costa Rica with our three daughters and I would love your thoughts on our plan so far. Are we trying to fit too much in?
We have 11 nights. We fly into San Jose at noon on Jan 8th and go straight to Manuel Antonio for three nights then transfer to Peace Lodge which is on way to Arenal (2 nights there) then spend 3 nights in Arenal, followed by the remaining 3 nights in Tamarindo or a beach town within a reasonable drive from the Liberia airport. Sámara was recommended, but we may just stick with Tamarindo.
Maybe we will be able to meet while we are there.
Thanks in advance,
Grace
While I answered each one a little differently since they are asking different questions, I essentially gave each of these families the same advice. This is based on what I would do myself or what I would recommend to my friends or family.
Dear Grace/Dear Jane,
Glad to help. Nice to ‘meet’ you.
If I had about 10 days to spend in Costa Rica with my kids – and it was their first trip, here is what I would do:
I would fly into San José. If our flight arrived before 2 pm, we would arrange a pick up at the airport to take us right to our hotel near the Arenal volcano. If the flight arrived later, we would spend the night at an airport hotel, and arrange pick up for early the next morning (well, early is relative; let’s say 8:30 am).
Then, my plan would be some combination of the following:
Three nights in the Arenal volcano area
- A night tour of the rainforest
- Some ziplining
- Some hot springs relaxation, volcano viewing, and water slides for the kids
Three nights around Manuel Antonio
- Walk/hike through the national park with a guide
- Beach time
- Butterfly gardens or more animal fun
Three nights at the beach, preferably in a surf town. Okay, I’m biased, three nights in Playa Avellanas or Tamarindo
- Surf lessons for the grown-ups (at least once) and the kids
- Tour of the estuary
- Catamaran/sailing tour
I would NOT use a tour company just for booking hotels and transfers. But I am biased because I love helping people to book themselves – and picking restaurants and exploring is part of the fun for me when I travel.
Reading this blog post and want a personal itinerary based on your family’s preferences? Check out my services here.
A note about hotels and transfers between towns:
Options for accommodation, like in most places, run the gamut between simple, friendly and rustic to five star, full-service luxury hotels. There is also a huge range of vacation rental options. My biggest advice is get a personal recommendation from somewhere to stay. Failing that, make sure the Trip Advisor reviews are consistent (understanding that there will be some disgruntled outliers). But again, even then, people have different expectations. A clean Hampton Inn will have the same 5 stars that a Four Seasons will on Trip Advisor (Caveat: Hampton Inn is my budget hotel of choice; my BFF has a Hampton Inn aversion).
BTW, I left out Monteverde because it’s harder to get to, the weather is usually rainy and chilly, and you will get a lot of the same flora and fauna in Arenal – if you were travelling for another week, I would of course recommend going there!
Hope that helps. Best wishes and happy planning. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Liisa
P.S. Want to know more about travel with kids, living abroad or becoming a freelancer?
Click here to join thousands who already get great info delivered about once a month – no annoying spam – promise!
Have you been on Vacation to Costa Rica with kids? What do you think about my recommendations? Let me know in the comments section below.
The post If I Were Visiting Costa Rica with Kids for the First Time… appeared first on Family Freedom Project.