Living in Costa Rica with kids is like having the ultimate outdoor adventure at your fingertips every day! I’m half-Costa Rican and my boys were both born here, so it comes as no surprise that we have truly embraced the pura vida, kid-friendly, family lifestyle. With so many incredible activities to enjoy together, there’s never a dull moment (unless you’re seeking downtime!).
One of my family’s favorite activities is spending the day at Diamante Adventure Eco Park, where the kids can zipline through the trees and get up close to some of Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife. We also love heading out on catamaran sunset sails – no matter how many times we experience it, there’s forever something magical about watching the sun sink into the ocean while dolphins play in the waves, and it’s always a hit with the whole family.
When we’re not sailing or exploring, you’ll often find us snorkeling at one of the beautiful beaches, like Playa Conchal, where the kids get to discover the vibrant underwater world. We’ve also dabbled in learning to sail at the Costa Rica Sailing Center, which has been such a fun and rewarding experience. And of course, we’re always up for a hike through one of the national parks, where we can spot monkeys, birds, and all kinds of wildlife. Costa Rica is truly a family paradise, offering endless opportunities for adventure and bonding in nature!
Diamante Eco Adventure Park
My kids are always ready for Diamante, which never fails to deliver a day packed with unforgettable fun (and quite the dose of adrenaline)!
Imagine soaring high on what I consider one of Costa Rica’s most thrilling ziplines, where you’ll experience the longest ride times and breathtaking Pacific Ocean views – a thrill for both the young and their parents. My kids particular love to feel the rush of the nearly mile-long Superman-style cable, then take on the exhilarating 30-foot free-fall Quick Jump and cross a hanging bridge with crocodiles lurking below. (As scary as that sounds for parents, Diamante keeps everyone safe; it’s the number one priority.)
And the best part? You can share these heart-pounding moments with your kiddos, side by side, on the country’s only ocean-view dual zip line.
Diamante’s ziplining adventure is all about combining excitement with safety. Designed according to top-notch ACCT safety standards, the course features state-of-the-art carbon lines and an automatic braking system, so you can focus on the fun without worrying about a thing. That’s major peace of mind, especially when your kids are on the younger side (mine are older now).
If we’re going all-in on the day, my family loves the Adventure Pass, which gives us unlimited access to Diamante’s stunning animal sanctuary, where we can explore habitats teeming with life, from frogs and snakes to monkeys, sloths, birds, and even majestic big cats like pumas and jaguars. It’s so important for my kids – for all our kids – to learn about the wildlife with which we share our Costa Rican home.
There’s also a botanical garden, bursting with vibrant fruit trees, flowers, and plants, as well as a charming replica of a typical farmhouse from 100 years ago, where you can dive into hands-on experiences with coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane.
Finally, when it’s time to unwind (or cool off), head over to Hammock Beach, an exclusive spot where you can paddleboard, kayak, or simply kick back in a hammock. The Adventure Pass includes a delicious Costa Rican buffet at Diamante’s ocean-view restaurant. It’s truly a have-it-all kind of place and high on my recommendations for families, whether you’ve just arrived or have called Costa Rica home for years.
Catamaran Sailing
Think back to the greatest sunset of your life. Go ahead, really let the memory wash over you. Remember where you were, who you were with—or maybe you were savoring the moment solo. Picture that unforgettable sky ablaze with color, the clouds painted just so, every sound brought to life by Mother Nature’s final brushstrokes on the day’s canvas.
Now imagine experiencing that magic again, but this time from the deck of a catamaran, gliding across the ocean as the sun dips toward the horizon. The sea gently rocks the boat, pelicans soar overhead, and the only sounds are the soft splash of waves and the distant call of birds searching out a tree for the night. The sun, bigger and bolder than ever, blazes in a bu hi rst of fiery orange, sinking ever so slowly, inch by inch, second by second, until it disappears behind the horizon—leaves you breathless…
Am I overselling it? I don’t think so. There’s something about a sunset at sea that hits different: It feels closer, brighter, and more brilliant than ever. There’s something extraordinary about drifting just a few hundred yards from the shore, where the sun seems closer, the waves gentler, and the world a little more peaceful. It might be the rhythm of the ocean, the warmth of the sun lingering on your skin, or the simple beauty of nature—but whatever it is, it will move you and your family in ways you’ll never forget.
Costa Rica Sailing Club
If a catamaran cruise awakens your kids’ sailing bug, the Costa Rica Sailing Center in Potrero is a fantastic choice to experience the joys of sailing, water sports, and beachside fun in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Nestled in the beautiful bay of Potrero, the sailing center is all about community, adventure, and learning, making it an ideal spot for both beginners and seasoned sailors.
I recommend starting with sailing lessons, which are available for all ages and tailored to different skill levels. Whether your family are complete novices or looking to refine skills, there’s something for everyone. Kids, especially, can start with introductory sailing lessons that teach them the basics of sailing in a safe and supportive setting. The instructors are experienced and great with kids, ensuring a fun and educational experience.
Once you’ve got your sea legs, the center runs youth sailing programs that go beyond basic lessons. These programs are designed to teach kids not only how to sail but also about teamwork, responsibility, and the ocean environment. It’s a fantastic way for children to develop new skills and confidence while making new friends.
I’m also a big fan of the center’s lifeguarding classes, which teach kids vital ocean safety that could save their (and others’) lives. There are also equipment rentals (kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, etc.), sailing camps and regattas, beach club access, and plenty of family events, including beach barbecues, live music nights, and social gatherings.
Snorkeling
Costa Rica is a treasure trove of marine wonders, boasting an incredible 3.5% of the planet’s total marine life. Nearly 7,000 ocean species call the Pacific and Atlantic / Caribbean waters home, with such dazzling biodiversity surrounding the country’s islands, offshore rocks, underwater caves, and coral reefs.
I won’t lie: Visibility is typically the issue. The best underwater visibility happens during the dry season (December-April), when the water is clear and the marine life is in full view. During the rainy season, heavy rains can cause rivers to swell and the ocean to become a bit murky. But don’t worry, if you’re into snuba or scuba diving, you can still score big with fantastic views on diving tours that whisk you away to the deep blue, far from any cloudy water or river runoff.
Because snorkeling is such a draw, local dive shops are ready to set you up with all the gear you need. Depending on the conditions, you’re likely to spot a colorful array of marine life, including angelfish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, damselfish, and needlefish. Keep an eye out for octopuses and lobsters hiding in the caverns below, and watch as eels peek out from rocky crevices.
Hiking at Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Legend has it that Rincón de la Vieja—meaning the “Old Woman’s Corner”—was named after a princess who, heartbroken by her father’s cruel act of throwing her lover into a volcano, retreated to the mountaintop. There, she developed incredible healing powers… and today, her spirit lives on in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to the mighty (and still very active!) Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. This one-million-year-old giant continues to rumble and roar, fueling the park’s hot springs, which are said to have the same healing powers as the legendary princess.
But there’s more to this amazing park than just relaxation—and trust me, that’s why it’s one of my family’s absolute favorite spots in all of Costa Rica. And I don’t say that lightly. This place is something truly special!
Spanning 35,336 acres, Rincón de la Vieja is a wonderland of 32 rivers and streams, tropical dry forests, cloud forests, and an impressive nine volcanic craters—making it the largest volcano in the Guanacaste Mountain Range. And that’s just the beginning of its many wonders.
I highly recommend taking your family to hike the Las Pailas Sector, one of two sections of the park, where you’ll be treated to sights that are nothing short of breathtaking—and a little heart-pounding, too! Explore a mini-volcano, bubbling mud pots (that’s where the name Las Pailas comes from!), hot springs (just for looking, not soaking!), steaming fumaroles, seasonal waterfalls, and so much more.
Birding & Wildlife Watching at Palo Verde
I know, I know – birding? With kids? Yes, when you’re at Palo Verde National Park, a perennial family favorite where the superlatives just keep coming.
Nestled at the mouth of the Tempisque River, Palo Verde is a vital lifeline for Guanacaste’s major rivers, creating an essential wetland sanctuary that’s nothing short of extraordinary. The park’s name, Palo Verde—Spanish for “green stick”—hints at its lush landscapes, which stand out even more in our Guanacaste home, Costa Rica’s driest province. The importance of this year-round ecosystem can’t be overstated!
Covering 45,500 acres, Palo Verde National Park boasts an astonishing 15 diverse habitats, ranging from rolling pastures to evergreen forests. But what truly steals the show are the wetlands—marshes, salt ponds, rivers, and mangroves—that can host up to 250,000 birds at once. That’s right, a quarter of a million birds!
And while Palo Verde is a celebrated birdwatching hotspot, home to the largest concentration of shorebirds and waterfowl in Central America (keep your eyes wide open for herons, egrets, grebes, ibis, and even the roseate spoonbill, with its flamingo-like charm), it’s really much more than that.
The park’s vibrant ecosystem is also home to a variety of mammals and reptiles, including some of my kids’ favorites: curious white-faced monkeys, foraging coatimundis, floating American crocodiles (you’ll spot their eyes first), howling howler monkeys, inquisitive armadillos, and even Costa Rica’s largest population of jaguarundis, a small and elusive wildcat. Palo Verde National Park is truly a must-visit (and must-return-visit) for families looking to connect with nature’s wonders!
Local Fiestas
Costa Rica’s fiestas patronales are vibrant local celebrations that honor the patron saint of each town or community – for example, Saint Vincent (English) is the patron saint of the Guanacaste town of San Vicente.
These lively events are filled with traditional music, dance, food, and activities that reflect the rich culture and heritage of our Costa Rican home. While each town’s fiestas are based in religious devotion, there’s also plenty of festive entertainment and a friendly community, making it a highlight of local life in Costa Rica.
There’s a lot to love about these events, which extend beyond patron saints to include other celebrations, including fiestas cívicas. From the simplest pleasures – carnival rides and fair food, including can’t-miss churros (try the churros rellenos, filled with dulce de leche!), to bull rodeos, horse parades (topes), folkloric dancing, marimba music, and more, there’s so much fun to be had at our local fiestas.
Of course, if you and your family miss out on a favorite fiesta, it’ll always come back around the following year. And in the meantime, check out their more casual cousin: fiestas around the neighborhood! There’s always someone grilling up a feast, turning up the music, and dancing some cumbia. Make friends and an invitation will soon follow!
Want to Talk about Family Life in Costa Rica?
Hi, I’m Rebecca Clower. (My friends call me Becky.) In 2006, I did what you’re preparing to do: I followed my heart and moved to Costa Rica.
Over the years, I’ve set down roots here. I’ve given birth to my two boys and I’m raising them here in Costa Rica. I’ve founded a wildly successful business. I’ve been on international TV. I’ve given back to my community. I’ve taken on major positions of responsibility and authority.
In other words, I’ve made Costa Rica my home. Not my sometimes-home or my home-away-from-home or even my second home, but my only home. I am a dual citizen and have completely integrated into Costa Rica and my community. This is it for me. I’ve made my transition.
Along the way, I’ve become an expert everything from family life and relocation to investment and development. I’m here to offer real, honest advice and expertise to my clients. I promise not to sugar-coat the hard truths or gloss over the tough parts. I will tell you the whole truth, the full truth, and even the hard truths.
I hope that you’ll find the beautiful truths to outweigh them all. So, sign up for updates, download my free eBook, and feel free to get in touch. Let’s get started!
