"Costa Rica is a choose-your-own-adventure destination packed with diverse scenery—from calm, sandy beaches to lush rainforests—and eco-tours. The endless wildlife peeping possibilities, zip lining, surfing, and tidal pool playtime are a direct flight from major airports across the United States—including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Philadelphia. And there’s no age minimum for exploring! On a recent trip to Nosara, I was keen to do a nature-based activity with my LOs. Kensington Tours arranged a tot-friendly walk through a local nature reserve to spot birds, monkeys, and native flora. Our almost 4-year-old happily trotted along, and our baby was all smiles in his trusty BabyBjorn carrier.
Of course, a getaway to Central America’s happiest nation isn’t all about thrills or outdoor action. Whether you choose to post up in the jungle or by the coast (I would advise doing a bit of both), you’ll find plenty of time for relaxing—yes, even with kids. Costa Rica runs on Pura Vida time. That means less hustling and more savoring the moment.
With a mix of high-end resorts, large-scale all-inclusives, rustic eco-lodges, and breezy beachside hotels, the accommodation scene is as varied as the landscape and plethora of leisure pursuits. Ahead, 10 of the best Costa Rica hotels and resorts for families.
1. The Gilded Iguana
Located in Nosara, specifically Guinoes North, The Gilded Iguana is the perfect family hotel. It’s small enough that you can let littles wander. (On a recent trip, our kiddo felt empowered by the chance to explore the grounds with his new friends… while within view, of course.) There’s a trio of pools—including a shallow one for small swimmers right next to a well-placed giant Connect Four board—a stockpile of games, books, and toys in the lobby, a terrific kids club, plus staff babysitters for tiny travelers, and family movie nights. Another perk for crews is the generously sized rooms (the enormous showers mean plenty of pre-bedtime water play) and proximity to the beach—it’s a straight shot down the dirt road to Playa Guiones. The whole vibe leans into relaxation; parents looking to unwind even further should book a massage at the spa.
2. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is a splurge, but it’s worth every penny for the level of service and amenities. The revamped resort kids club boasts a mangrove-themed interior stocked with games, toys, and puzzles, plus an outdoor playground, a shallow pool for little swimmers, and a roster of activities—from crafts to cookie decorating. (My son asked to return multiple days in a row.) There’s also a teens-only clubhouse. Babysitting is available for LOs.
While children are busy having a blast, parents can sneak off to the spa for hydrotherapy and relaxing rituals or head up to the hilltop yoga shala for vinyasa with a view. Families will love golf cart tours around the peninsula to spot monkeys, the duo of sandy beaches, water sports, and the stunning Pacifico Residences, complete with three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer/dryer.
3. Arenas Del Mar Resort
Can’t decide between the rainforest and the beach? Set within an 11-acre private nature reserve that connects to Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas Del Mar Resort offers the best of both with access to leafy grounds where monkeys hop across branches and sloths hang out in the trees as well as Playitas Beach for swimming and sunning. Kid-friendly activities include movie nights, making tortillas, crafting bracelets, and tot-friendly hikes led by in-house naturalist guides. Excursions to the biodiverse Barú National Wildlife Refuge and surf lessons are available (don’t worry about bringing boards and wet suits). Tiny diners will appreciate the kids’ menus and half portions at the restaurant.
4. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
Prefer an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica with all the bells and whistles? Families love The Westin Reserva Conchal. Situated along one of Gunacaste’s best white-sand beaches, the large-scale resort is chock-full of amenities for guests of all ages. Between non-motorized watersports, snorkeling, and digging holes on Playa Conchal, the kids’ club, a family lounge, the enormous lagoon-style pool, multiple dining options, and recreation such as tennis and watersports, it’s easy to fill a few days. After all the sun and fun, crews can crash in the family suites. Bonus: The Westin is part of the Marriott portfolio, making it a great pick for cashing in travel points.
5. Tortuga Lodge
For crews who want a more remote escape that puts nature front and center and all but guarantees screens will remain out of sight for the duration of your stay, Tortuga Lodge ticks all the boxes. Hidden away in the far reaches of the rainforest on Costa Rica’s northern Atlantic coast, the eco-lodge supplies a spate of nature-oriented edu-travel experiences that appeal to guests of all ages. One of the highlights of any trip is navigating the mangrove canals by boat alongside a naturalist guide. With any luck, you might even spot monkeys, tropical birds, and sloths, all of which call the ecosystem home. Sure, it requires a few more travel connections to reach, but the payoff of pristine nature and prices that won’t blow your travel budget makes it all worth considering.
6. Nayara Gardens
For rainforest views, hot springs, and monkeys watching, check into Nayara Gardens, a family-friendly base that’s part of the larger Nayara complex in the Arenal region. In between adventures—including guided volcano treks and zip-lining—and strolling the walking paths on tot-approved animal-scouting expeditions, bucket ample time for the whole group to kick back in the mineral springs and resort pool. Parents might want to ask the concierge to book a sitter in order to experience a volcanic massage in the open-air spa pavilion, a mixology class, or a date night. The casitas are spacious and feature vacation-ready perks like private terraces, outdoor showers, hammocks, and hot tubs.
7. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
Set within a gated development surrounded by tropical lushness and with a luxurious yet laid-back vibe, the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is a place where you’ll hardly ever have to utter the word “no.” Tykes curious about native species? Let them search for little lizards or wander away from breakfast to spy monkeys swinging from the trees. Children at the age when making friends is a vacation priority will have a ball at the kids’ club. The protected beach has calm water, snorkel gear, kayaks, and umbrella-shaded loungers for midday naps. Add to that a large pool, excellent restaurants, and family-oriented suites. Did we mention it’s less than an hour from Liberia Airport? So you can go from the plane to the pool in less than the time it takes to watch all of Wicked.
8. Lapa Rios Lodge
Tucked away on 1,000 acres of tropical lowland rainforest facing the Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios Lodge is an eco-friendly playground for adventure that will ignite kids’ sense of wonder for Mother Nature. Pint-sized animal lovers will enjoy seeing howler monkeys and frogs roaming around the property. It’s well worth pushing back bedtime to search for scarlet macaws on a guided night walk. Treehouse-style bungalows are a hit with crews. Because accommodations, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, and most on-site activities are included in the rate, you don’t have to worry about surprise costs at check-out. Just keep in mind the minimum age is 6. So it’s definitely a place to bring older kiddos, tweens, and teens.
9. Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica
Another all-inclusive resort that attracts a lot of families, Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica, part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program, has all the makings of a memorable vacation. Set on a swimmable beach, the Playa El Jobo resort wins points for its kids’ and teens’ clubs (with age-appropriate activities for each demographic). It also has a huge pool complex with a water slide. With eight restaurants (and kids’ menus), you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to eat that satisfies all palates. The spacious suites mean crews don’t have to cram. Keen to explore beyond the property? Choose from off-site excursions such as zip lining and rainforest canopy tours.
10. Harmony Hotel
While there’s certainly heaps of appeal to a sprawling resort with an over-the-top kids club and multiple pools and dining options, so much of the joy of a trip with little ones is slowing down, enjoying the simple pleasures, and spending quality time together. That’s exactly what’s on tap at the Harmony Hotel. Ensconced by the jungle, a short walk from Nosara’s famous Playa Guinos, boutique respite feels like a tropical paradise (our tykes had a blast wandering the foliage-shrouded paths and spying bugs and birds). There’s a main pool for splash sessions, a game closet, family matinee movies on Sundays, and breezy standalone bungalows for privacy (read: no shared walls) and peaceful slumbering. The restaurant—which is a long-time favorite of guests, vacationers, and locals—has great options for kids at every meal.
Lindsay Cohn, Contributing Writer
Lindsay is a freelance writer and avid traveler who has visited 46 countries across six continents—and counting. She writes articles for The Everymom about all things travel, from the best family-friendly destinations to tips for traveling with kids and beyond. When she’s not writing, you can find her doing yoga, spending time with her sons, and planning the next trip on her bucket list.