Costa Rica
This was our first big international trip as a family, and Costa Rica turned out to be a pretty ideal place to start. The wildlife is what made it feel different. Sloths, iguanas, and animals we don’t casually see at home became part of the daily routine. There was also a lot of swimming. No complaints there.
La Fortuna was our favorite stop. It is touristy but it still felt grounded in a way we didn’t expect. There were pockets where you could see how people actually live, which made it feel more real than just a resort destination. We loved the mix of rainforest and town, and it’s the one place from this trip we’d go back to without hesitation.
On the flip side, the heat is real. It’s now our family benchmark. Anytime I say it’s hot, my daughter immediately asks, “Costa Rica hot?”
Below is how we structured the trip, heavily influenced by recommendations from Costa Rica Facebook groups (honestly, a great resource for finding local companies and pressure-testing plans).
📍 La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Day 1: Travel Day
✈️ Flight: Nonstop to Liberia; late afternoon arrival meant keeping logistics simple
🏨 Stay: Hilton Garden Inn
- Pre-arranged airport transfer; highly recommend after a long flight with kids
Evening: Pool full of kids, easy dinner, zero decisions required
- Exactly the kind of start we needed
Day 2: Drive to La Fortuna
🚗 Rental Car: Adobe | drive time ~3 hours
Stop 1: Las Pumas Wildlife Sanctuary
- ~1 hour from Liberia
- A non-profit rescue center and an easy first stop. You can move quickly or linger, a nice flexibility depending on moods and energy levels
Stop 2: Cafe & Macadamia
- Food is fine, but you’re here for the views
🏨 Stay: Tabacon Thermal Resorty & Spa
Afternoon: Pool time at the hotel
Evening: Dinner and ice cream in La Fortuna town
Day 3: Wildlife + Chocolate + Hot SPrings
Morning: Proyecto Asis Wildlife Tour
- Thoughtfully run and genuinely educational, but our kids prefer exploring over being guided
Late-Morning: Two Little Monkeys Chocolate Tour
- Making chocolate was a huge hit. Learning the history…less so (according to our kids)
Afternoon: Quiet time at the hotel (non-negotiable reset)
Evening: Tabacon Hot Springs + dinner
Day 4: Sloths and Pools
🦥 Morning: Papa’s Place Sloth Tour (7AM)
- Private tour run by a local family (~3hrs)
- It took some patience, but we eventually spotted multiple sloths, including moms with babies! Once we found them, the kids were all in
📍 La Fortuna
💦 Afternoon: Pool (if it works, don’t change it)
Evening: Room Service
- Everyone was wiped, and this was the right call for our family
Day 5: La Fortuna to Playa Conchal (3.5 hour drive)
Stop 1: Lake Arenal Jungle Resort Restaurant and Brewery
- A hidden gem. Great views, solid beer, and plenty to keep kids occupied (games, space to roam)
🏨 Stay: Westin-Reserva Conchal All-Inclusive
- An honest note: This was my first all-inclusive and it confirmed they’re probably not our style. Also, this was not our first (or even fifth) choice hotel. We booked late and options were limited. If you’re planning ahead, book early and aim for Papagayo.
Day 6: Eat, swim, sleep, repeat
- Exactly what the kids wanted, and at this point in the trip, exactly what we needed too
Day 7: Travel Day
- Packed up and headed back to Liberia Airport for our flight home. Smooth, simple, done.
What We Didn’t Get To (But Would Next Time)
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica worked best when we leaned into what our kids actually enjoy - animals, swimming, and the freedom to explore. The sloths (especially the babies) and pool time were the clear highlights, and La Fortuna delivered the best overall experience. The mix of jungle and beach gave the trip variety without overcomplicating things.