Family friendly tours in Costa Rica

plan your trip with a local travel specialist
How kimkim works  
Our local travel specialists have been recommended by

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in
Costa Rica is a beautiful country to explore with your family and kids of all ages. Ā Our local specialists can help you plan a trip with your kids in mind. Ā We can help you choose routes that include rainforest, or climbing a volcano, or just relaxing on the beach and minimizing time on the road.

Get started by describing your ideal trip, and we will connect you to a local specialist that will help you plan out the details.

Costa Rica Travel Insights

Combine rainforest hikes and volcano views with beach time and surfing adventures on this six-day family trip
Map of Costa Rica Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 6 Days
Costa Rica Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 6 Days

Combine towering volcanoes with Pacific beaches on this six-day itinerary that's perfect for active families looking for plenty of adventure in a short amount of time. Start with wildlife-spotting hikes and waterfall swims in RincĆ³n de la Vieja National Park, then head for the coastal surf village of Tamarindo for family surfing lessons and laid-back beach time. Wrap things up with a sailing cruise along the Guanacaste Peninsula, stopping for a barbecue lunch and some snorkeling along the way.

Explore Costa Rica's wildlife with your family
Why Costa Rica is Great for Families

For parents toying with the idea of an international vacation, this Latin American nation is chock-full of family experiences that will leave a lasting impression for years to come. Below, weā€™ve compiled five reasons why you should put Costa Rica at the top of your family's travel list.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Family-Friendly Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park- 9 Days
Family-Friendly Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park- 9 Days

Fun for the whole family, this itinerary covers two of Costa Rica's most famous areas. Arenal and Manuel Antonio are some of the best representations of Costa Rica;Ā Arenal area features one of the most famous volcanos in the country, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, while Manuel Antonio National Park is renown for its white sandy beaches and vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife.

6 Family-Friendly Activities in San JosƩ
6 Family-Friendly Activities in San JosƩ

Costa Rica abounds with wildlife and outdoor activities, setting the scene for an ideal family vacation. But you don't need to head straight to the beachā€”travelers flying into urban San JosĆ© will find plenty to do with kids upon arrival. Interactive museums, local markets, and more are a great way to spend a day in the city.

Kayak with the kids in Costa Rica
Map of Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 7 Days
Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 7 Days

Experience a range of Costa Rica's top natural highlights on this family-oriented 7-day adventure. Beginning in Liberia, you'll explore RincĆ³n de la Vieja National Park, home to a towering volcano of the same name. Next, you'll base yourself in the surf town of Tamarindo, a great jumping-off point for visiting the sun-kissed beaches and unspoiled rainforests of the Nicoya Peninsula. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, including waterfall hikes, kayak excursions, surf lessons, and whitewater rafting.

Snorkel with the family along Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast
Map of Family Fun on the Caribbean Side - 7 Days
Family Fun on the Caribbean Side - 7 Days

With your kids in tow, get out and explore Costa Rica's capital city before making your way through the lush lowlands toward the Caribbean Coast in this adventure tour. From nature treks to river rafting to pristine beaches, this week-long itinerary is created for families who want to experience Costa Rica's splendid scenery, wildlife, and distinctly laid-back culture.

Ride the waves at sunset
Map of Coast to Coast Family Adventure - 11 Days
Coast to Coast Family Adventure - 11 Days

Experience the best Costa Rica has to offer on this family-friendly 11-day adventure. You'll watch sea turtles on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, hike around Arenal Volcano, zip-line through the cloud forest of Monteverde, and finally relax on the remote, Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Along the way, you'll make yourĀ own hot chocolate and coffee from bean to cup, spot monkeys in the wild, swim under a waterfallā€”and maybe even catch a wave.

Enjoy a sunset sail on the Gulf of Papagayo
Map of Volcanoes and Pacific Beaches For Families - 8 Days
Volcanoes and Pacific Beaches For Families - 8 Days

On this family-oriented 8-day adventure, you'll explore Costa Rica's top natural attractions, from the towering Arenal Volcano and its nearby hot springs to the beautiful beaches of Guanacaste. The itinerary takes you to three distinct regions: Arenal and La Fortuna, the Monteverde cloud forest, and the pristine Gulf of Papagayo. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities along the way, including waterfall hikes, wildlife viewing tours, and a jungle canopy adventure, plus optional excursions to try kayaking and whitewater rafting.

See more travel articles about Costa Rica
How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 2 hours ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, it is a region famous for hosting the Guayabo Archeological Monument, which is the oldest and most important pre-hispanic archeological site in the country. Turrialba is...

read more...
Travel specialist Elena Mora
active 27 mins ago

Elena Mora

"I was born in Costa Rica and grew up on my family's sugar and coffee plantation farm in the mountains of Turrialba. From an early age, I learned from my family to deeply cherish and respect our...

read more...
Travel specialist Bryan Leon
active 13 hours ago

Bryan Leon

Growing up in a coffee plantation area near San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital, I was fortunate to have parents who instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for nature. As a certified...

read more...
Travel specialist Yuliana Valverde
active 21 hours ago

Yuliana Valverde

For over a decade, my passion for creating unforgettable trips in Costa Rica shines a deep understanding of the country's diverse attractions and activities, as well as a genuine commitment to...

read more...
See all Costa Rica travel agents

Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Monteverde, Nosara, and Rincon de la Vieja 3/2026
Costa Rica | Mar 18 - Mar 26, 2026

B
Bert B.
Boston, MA, USA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2026
We really appreciated all the transfers during our trip, given road conditions and signage. All the drivers were friendly and on time, if not early. All the lodging arrangements were great. We had excellent nature guides in Monteverde. When there was a glitch in reserving a guide at Treetopia, having our confirmation # came in handy, and someone from KimKim called us in the moment. The only change I would make is to spend 2 nights vs 3 at Hacienda Guachipelin. It was a... Read more

We really appreciated all the transfers during our trip, given road conditions and signage. All the drivers were friendly and on time, if not early. All the lodging arrangements were great. We had excellent nature guides in Monteverde. When there was a glitch in reserving a guide at Treetopia, having our confirmation # came in handy, and someone from KimKim called us in the moment. The only change I would make is to spend 2 nights vs 3 at Hacienda Guachipelin. It was a great place, but there wasn't enough hiking in the local area.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Hacienda GuachipelĆ­n
Liberia

Great location. There was a feel of a resort without all the fanciness. If you're not into ziplining, rapelling and tubing, there are fewer hiking options, though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Hotel Guiones
Nosara

Great location- walking easy to beach and town, very helpful and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cala Lodge
Monteverde

great location, beautiful setting, nice breakfasts

Authenticity & Character
helpful staff
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
perfectly clean, room was a bit tight
Activity Reviews
RincĆ³n de la Vieja Volcano Hike & La Oropendola Waterfall
RincĆ³n de la Vieja Volcano Hike & La Oropendola Waterfall
RincĆ³n de la Vieja

This park is VERY busy and there are limited trails but very interesting to see fumaroles, mud pots and water pots. Our group was fairly large and the guide was fair, but not superb. The Oropendola waterfall hike was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Birdwatch Hike in Nosara Biological Reserve
Birdwatch Hike in Nosara Biological Reserve
Nosara

Our guide, Rio, was born and bred in Nosara and his family goes back generations there. It was worth getting up for a 6 am birdwalk. Rio's spotting scope was broken, but he was able to spot birds easily since he's so experienced.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Our guide, again- it was Marcella- was wonderful. Santa Elena was a busy place but going with a guide allowed us to see way more birds and have a good understanding of the ecosystem.

Quality of Experience
the guide makes it worth the trip
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It's a pretty bumpy ride getting there, but worth it
Transport
Hanging Bridges Adventure
Hanging Bridges Adventure
Monteverde

Nice and quiet and we had a great guide, Roberto, all to ourselves. He was into birds, trees, spiders- couldn't have asked for more.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Walk at Curi-Cancha Reserve
Guided Walk at Curi-Cancha Reserve
Monteverde

Our guide Marcella was great. The waiver process was cumbersome and didn't seem necessary

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Read all Costa Rica reviews

BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE. Traveling with Ki...
Costa Rica | Mar 21 - Mar 30, 2026

Ellen
Ellen M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE. Traveling with KimKim is a dream. No stress about making big decisions, getting reservations or planning activities. In the past, I've hit a wall vacation planning - not knowing what hotels to stay out, what to do - I would just get overwelhmed and shut down. I plan to travel the world now with KimKim. Our trip to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Tamarindo was beyond exquisite. I was travelled with my 15 year old daughter and we came home closer than ever before.... Read more

BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE.

Traveling with KimKim is a dream. No stress about making big decisions, getting reservations or planning activities. In the past, I've hit a wall vacation planning - not knowing what hotels to stay out, what to do - I would just get overwelhmed and shut down. I plan to travel the world now with KimKim.

Our trip to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Tamarindo was beyond exquisite. I was travelled with my 15 year old daughter and we came home closer than ever before. Hiking, white water rafting, ziplining, sloths, hotsprings, anteaters, rare birds, climbing a volcano, surfing, watching baby turtles hatch, shopping, sun tanning, kayaking, eating, making friends, and most importantly memories that will last a lifetime.

Our local guide Elena was beyond extraordinary. She was available at the drop of the hat via Whats App. She provided fantastic recommendations and helped with last minute reservations.

For the hotels : The Arenal Springs Resort was fantastic. PERFECT for families and for couples. Rooms were the best on our trip. You get your own private condo like structure which provides a sense of privacy - with a view of the volcano. Breakfast was great. Hot springs were to die for. Location fantastic.

Sibu Hotel Lodge was boutique and had a gorgeous restaurant. All teak tables and interior that rivals an NYC hotspot. You get access to a nearby sister hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and spa. View was fine but very centrally location.

Diria Hotel in Tamarindo was great. Elena booked us a beachfront room with a view. I would've NEVER done that on my own and it made all the difference. We were right on the beach with astonishing sunsets. She connected us with a local surf instructor who took us sea kayaking and then taught us how to surf the next day. Nico was so awesome. We were both able to actually surf at the end of the lesson. Priceless. The turtle tour was fine. I gave Elena my feedback and she handled it immediately.

Elena also rented a car for us. I was hesitant to drive on roads, but she encouraged us to do it (plus its cheaper than a driver). BEST DECISION. We had freedom when traveling between cities and got to stop and take pictures of the breathtaking landscape. People do not drive fast so you can really control the car on the roads up and down the mountains. My only criticism is that I would've driven to the zipline park in Monteverde instead of getting picked up at the hotel by a shuttle bus. It would've given us more freedom to leave when we wanted to.

Activity Reviews
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica

I would've driven to the location instead of taking the shuttle bus.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River (Class III-IV)
Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River (Class III-IV)
Costa Rica

We had our tour guide Bella again. He was so much fun and awesome. Challenging - but not too challenging. LOTS OF LAUGHS.

Quality of Experience
Bella
Food
SO GOOD. Real Costa Rican food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgable and kind.
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our tour guide Bella was outstanding. He was able to spot animals and birds that were SO FAR AWAY. The hike was fantastic. Very interactive and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Photo taken by Ellen M
Photo taken by Ellen M
Photo taken by Ellen M
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Mar 31, 2026
Hola Ellen, Wow šŸ˜! thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­. Reading your review truly means the world to Serendipity, specially me. Iā€™m absolutely delighted to hear that your trip to Costa Rica was such a special and memorable experience for both you and your daughter. Creating meaningful moments, especially those that bring families closer together, is exactly what we strive forā€”so itā€™s very rewarding to know that your journey had that impact. It was a real... Read more

Hola Ellen,

Wow šŸ˜! thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­. Reading your review truly means the world to Serendipity, specially me.

Iā€™m absolutely delighted to hear that your trip to Costa Rica was such a special and memorable experience for both you and your daughter. Creating meaningful moments, especially those that bring families closer together, is exactly what we strive forā€”so itā€™s very rewarding to know that your journey had that impact.

It was a real pleasure assisting you throughout your trip, and Iā€™m so glad you felt supported every step of the way. Thank you as well for your trust and opennessā€”especially with the car rental decision! Iā€™m thrilled it gave you the freedom to explore and added to your overall experience.

I also truly appreciate your detailed feedback on the hotels and activities. Itā€™s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed Arenal, Monteverde, and Tamarindo, and Iā€™m especially happy that the beachfront room and your time with Nico made such a difference. Your note about the zipline transportation is very valuable, and I will absolutely keep that in mind for future recommendations.

Thank you again for choosing to travel with us and for taking the time to share your experience so beautifully. It would be an honor to assist you with your future adventures, here in Costa Rica.

Wishing you and your daughter many more amazing journeys together!

Thank you so much for this opportunityšŸ™šŸ¼šŸ‘ŒšŸ»šŸ¦‹,
Muchas gracias, Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures, Costa Rica šŸ¦„

Read all Costa Rica reviews

My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional.
Costa Rica | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2026

Bryan
Bryan D.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. We used Kimkim to get it set up and found it was a very easy process. Bryan Leon, at Serendipity Adventures, helped to plan, organize, and manage our trip. Bryan, Nancy, and Adrian, among others, worked diligently to make sure everything ran smoothly. Truthfully, I was very impressed. Our goal was to enjoy the vacation itself, not all of the minutiae normally required. We flew into Liberia, got picked up immediately and had a 3 hour... Read more

My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. We used Kimkim to get it set up and found it was a very easy process. Bryan Leon, at Serendipity Adventures, helped to plan, organize, and manage our trip. Bryan, Nancy, and Adrian, among others, worked diligently to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Truthfully, I was very impressed. Our goal was to enjoy the vacation itself, not all of the minutiae normally required. We flew into Liberia, got picked up immediately and had a 3 hour drive (after a 5 and half hour flight) that felt like it was about 15 minutes long. The driver, Alex, was super friendly and was telling us stories all the way to our first resort. Every transport or activity was handled punctually and professionally. We stayed at 3 separate resorts over 8 days and each resort had it's own unique and interesting flavor. Every single guide was great and made the activities very engaging. Completely worth the cost, I've never had this much of a stress free vacation. The only thing I had to do was to show up and enjoy myself.

Serendipity Adventures set up an itinerary that was great. Transports were always 15-20 minutes early, and we had no issues the activities. Every guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and very engaging. I've never been on guided hikes with tour guides before and this trip spoiled me. It's so much more fun to go with someone who knows the area and can fill in so many details about the land and animals.

Shout out to all of the tours/guides:
Esteban at the North Fields Coffee tour (my wife now loves to mix light and dark roasted beans)
Bryan at the Arenal Volcano Park hike, thank you for being so engaging. The coconut drinks at the end of the hike were perfect.
Sergio at the Arenal Hanging Bridges walk, thanks for pointing out so many different animals and the history of the area.
Jorge at the Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night walk. Such a beautiful area, seeing the Tapirs so close was great. Walking through the Tapir Valley at night is an incredible experience.
Manny at the Rio Celeste hike. Thank you for guiding my family on the hike and finding all of those small snakes and insects we never would have seen otherwise.
Kevin from the Patron fishing boat. I can still taste the tuna you and the crew prepared, one of the most delicious meals I've ever had.

Activity Reviews
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Gulf of Papagayo

Absolutely beautiful area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Fishing Tour with Patron
Half Day Fishing Tour with Patron
Gulf of Papagayo

Great time, was my first time fishing in the ocean. Enjoyed it immensely. Caught a tuna and Kevin and his crew prepared the best meal from it I've ever had.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Beautiful area, great hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Possibly the highlight of the entire trip. Walking through the forest at night was incredible. Starting the hike in the daylight and then watching the sun set before continuing was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jorge was an incredible guide. So very knowledgeable about the area and it's history.
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Everything was great, walking over the hanging bridges was an incredible experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sergio, the guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable.
Transport
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun, eating chocolate and drinking coffee in the morning, what more can one ask for?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Esteban, definitely can talk coffee and the best way to prepare it. You're definitely in good hands if you want to learn how to brew a perfect cup of coffee.
Transport
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Photo taken by Bryan D
Show 13 more photos
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 31, 2026

Hola Bryan!

Thank you so much, this truly means the world to us! I'm so glad to hear everything flowed smoothly and that you and your family got to simply show up and enjoy every moment.

It was an absolute pleasure helping bring this trip to life, and I'll be sure to share your kind words with Nancy, AdriƔn, Alex, and all the guides who made it special.

I also loved the picture of the tapir you took, what an incredible moment to capture! Hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica someday!

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa RicašŸ¦ā˜€ļøšŸŒæ

Read all Costa Rica reviews
See more trip reviews by kimkim travelers

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the worldā€™s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkimā€™s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkimā€™s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.