A Costa Rica family trip is right at the top of the wish list for adventurous kids. We discover why it’s one of the happiest countries on earth, and why next year is the perfect time to visit.
Costa Rica family trip ©Mike Crane Photography
Costa Rica has been the ultimate family destination for decades now, with good reason. It’s the land of Pura Vida and ranks number six in the 2024 World Happiness Report – up six places from 2023.
It’s a tiny country, almost exactly the same size as Wales, yet also one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, with both a South Pacific and Caribbean coastline and 30 National Parks – compared to 15 in the UK.
Over 25% of its remarkable landscape is protected and, at the start of 2025, it marked the fifth anniversary of producing 98% of its electricity from clean, renewable sources. You probably won’t be too surprised to know that spending time outdoors rather than glued to devices is a bit of thing here, even for kids.
So if you’re looking for the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime adventure for both kids and adults alike, Costa Rica is the place to be. Better yet, you can now book your next Costa Rica family trip with Families Worldwide for just £50pp deposit.
Blue hummingbirds, Costa Rica
Families Worldwide offer a fantastic range of active, adventure and wildlife focused family holidays to Costa Rica
A thoughtful and intelligent approach to tourism plays a big part in caring for Costa Rica and keeping it wonderful, and Families Worldwide is proud to be part of that. They’ve been creating thrilling adventure holidays for families all over the world since 2005 and, by working closely with local partners, allow families to develop a profound understanding of each country’s customs and culture, and encourage travelling respectfully, helping families take nothing away but great memories.
Responsible travel might not be a top priority for your kids, so they’ll be pleased to hear that travelling lightly doesn’t make visiting Costa Rica with Families Worldwide any less of an adventure. In fact, it could very well be the biggest adventure of their lives, and it’s certainly one they’ll remember forever. Not least because you’re in the company of Costa Rican experts so the practicalities are taken care of and all you have to think about is having the time of your life, and that’s easy.
Family rafting, Sarapiqui River
Active Costa Rica family trip for adventure, wildlife and time to breathe
A thrilling introduction to Costa Rica, recommended for kids aged eight and over, this small-group tour packs a lot into 11 days, but still gives you time to chill and experience the country in your own way.
Turtle, Tortuguero National Park
Active Costa Rica family trip itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in San José
A daytime UK flight means you arrive in the Costa Rican capital, San José, on the same day which works well for kids.
Day 2 – Braulio Carrillo Cloud Forest & the Caribbean coast
Travel through Braulio Carrillo Cloud Forest National Park – one of Costa Rica’s largest national parks – to legendary Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast.
Day 3 – Tortuguero National Park
A sunrise boat tour of Tortuguero, home to over 300 species of birds and animals, including sloths, howler monkeys, crocodiles and turtles. Tortuguero is a protected nesting site for green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles.
Day 4 – Tortuguero to Sarapiqui
After another morning’s sail through the waterways of Tortuguero, it’s on to Sarapiqui, one of Costa Rica’s iconic white water rafting destinations.
Rafting, Active Costa Rica family trip
Day 5 – Rafting on the Sarapiqui River
Of course day five starts with rafting on the clear waters of the Sarapiqui River, then you have the afternoon free to do your own thing.
Day 6 – La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano
Today takes you to La Fortuna, home of the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano – an astonishing sight on a clear day.
Ziplining, Arenal Conservation Area, Costa Rica
Day 7 – Aerial adventures in the Arenal Conservation Area
If you’ve been waiting for tree canopy excitement, now’s the time. The Arenal Conservation Area is the ultimate aerial adventure course, designed with ziplines and hanging bridges to harmonise with the natural environment, giving you a unique perspective on the area’s wildlife, in the wild.
Day 8 – Cycling the Arenal Conservation Area
Possibly the world’s best cycling trail goes where forest, lake and volcano meet and you can see toucans, howler monkeys, laughing falcons and racoons on-route. After that, it’s an easy transfer to Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Day 9 – Arenal Volcano National Park
Part thrill and part chill, today starts with a hike at the foot of the Arenal Volcano which is the natural habitat of more than 120 species of birds as well as frogs, reptiles and mammals, like sloths and agoutis.
In the afternoon your leg work is rewarded by a visit to the local hot springs, set in gorgeous, lush gardens nearby.
Tubing, Costa Rica
Day 10 – Tubing on the Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste is one of the world’s loveliest rivers and today you’ll be tubing down it, passing rapids as you go. Once you dry off, it’s on to the Tenorio Forest for a hike to see spectacular waterfalls.
Day 11 – Evening flight home from San José
Return to San José for an overnight flight back to the UK.
If you want to add Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific coast into your holiday, just speak to the Families Worldwide experts and they’ll sort the rest.
Red eyed tree frog, Arenal rainforest
Included in this Active Costa Rica family trip
- All accommodation: six nights in hotels and four nights in lodges.
- Meals: breakfast on 10 mornings; four lunches and four dinners.
- All internal transport in Costa Rica.
- All activities including: boat trips; cycling; ziplining; rafting; tubing; kayaking; hiking and wildlife watching.
Active Costa Rica is a small-group trip, so you’ll be travelling with other families who have children of similar ages to yours, but you also have the flexibility to tailor the trip or add different experiences, just speak to your Families Worldwide expert.
Find out more about Active Costa Rica and book now for 2026
Iconic three-toed sloth, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure: meet the legends that make the country so iconic
A Costa Rica family trip that’s tailored exactly to what you want to see and do, Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure lets you explore the country in your own way. But you still have the freedom to experience every moment because Families Worldwide are taking care of all the details, guiding the adventure and making sure everything goes to your plan.
Hanging bridge, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
Kids will never forget days spent in Manuel Antonio National Park, where rainforest meets beaches and mysterious mangrove swamps, and the wildlife is astounding: it’s one of the best places in the world to spot sloths.
A floating safari in La Fortuna pairs with hanging bridges to tour Monteverde Cloud Forest and beautiful views of the iconic Arenal Volcano.
Squirrel monkey, Costa Rica
A rare chance to explore the Osa Peninsula
But, perhaps most exciting of all, this Costa Rica family trip also includes three days on the Osa Peninsula in the far south. One of the country’s more remote and untouched regions, this is home to Corcovado National Park which National Geographic has termed ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’. Mass tourism is practically unknown in this part of Costa Rica, so being able to visit with Families Worldwide is an out of this world experience for kids.
Again, this 15-day holiday is best for over-eights and includes plenty of activities alongside wildlife spotting. But it’s your adventure so you can factor in more downtime or more energetic fun, depending on the ages, stages and abilities of your kids.
Find out more about Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure and book now for 2026
Rainforest canopy tour, Costa Rica
Book a 2026 Costa Rica family trip now with a £50pp deposit
Families Worldwide offers seven Costa Rica family trips, with a mix of small-group tours and tailored holidays. The best time to visit Costa Rica with kids is at Easter, during summer or at Christmas time, and all Families Worldwide tours are available during UK school holidays.
Book now for 2026 using the code LOWDEPOSIT25 and you only pay £50pp deposit for your Costa Rica family trip.
Plus, book before 29 August 2025 and you will also receive an Exclusive Family Traveller discount of £200pp on any Costa Rica Holiday. Quote, Family Traveller, at the time of your enquiry to claim this special offer*
Celestial Waterfall, Volcan Tenorio National Park
Why families choose Families Worldwide to take care of their travel dreams
Families Worldwide was founded over 20 years ago and it’s still one of the UK’s few independent travel companies entirely dedicated to taking families adventuring – you guessed it – worldwide.
You’ll find almost anywhere on your dream destination list covered by Families Worldwide and the mix of small-group tours and tailored family holidays lets you choose the way to travel that suits you best and works with the ages of your children.
Speaking of ages, many of Families Worldwide tours are suitable for kids of six and over, but age range is clearly marked on all itineraries and, as always, if you’re unsure of anything, just speak to the experts at Families Worldwide. Great communication is another of the company’s many skills.
Also, just for some extra peace of mind, Families Worldwide offer 100% ATOL financial protection, and 24-hour support during your family holidays.
Up close wildlife, Costa Rica
What families say about award-winning Families Worldwide
A personal approach to family holiday planning, as well as a broad mix of destinations across practically every continent, plus the ease of having all the practical details dealt with, are just a few of the qualities that secured Families Worldwide a Silver win for Best Travel Company for Family Holidays in the British Travel Awards 2024.
Although, nice as award-winning is, hearing what happy families have to say about their experience is even more reassuring, so take a look at the Families Worldwide reviews.
And don’t forget, all itineraries can be adapted which is why talking to Families Worldwide should be the first thing you do. You might want to add in some extra beach days, arrange different flights, have your heart set on specific activities or be thinking about a multi-gen family holiday, just ask, almost anything can be arranged and the team are easy to talk to, and really know their stuff. There’s a good chance they’ll have ideas you haven’t even considered.
Contact Families Worldwide on 01962 302062, by email at hello@familiesworldwide.co.uk or submit an enquiry at Families Worldwide
*This offer cannot be combined with any other Families Worldwide offers and is valid on new direct bookings