Known as one of the world’s happiest countries, Costa Rica is wonderfully welcoming to families and, despite immense conservation areas and dozens of protected national parks, it’s also very accessible. Good planning is the key to a successful holiday here and it’s the ideal destination to combine some lazy time on lovely Pacific beaches with wild adventuring through some of the planet’s rarest and loveliest environments.
Direct flights from the U.S. to San José are found leaving from some of the biggest airports in the country.
Costa Rica uses hydro, wind and geo-thermal energy to produce electricity for a population of almost 5 million. In December 2016 it became the first country in the world to use no fossil fuels for electrical power over an entire year.
There are unusual, innovative and sustainable places to stay all over Costa Rica and almost all welcome children. Look for rainforest lodges and tree houses, family farm stays, eco-ranches and independent beach hotels on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Andaz Peninsula also has great options for accommodations and family-friendly activities.
Costa Rica’s a year-round destination. The driest season’s from November to May and December’s the busiest month with lowest rainfall and humidity.
The country has two coastlines: Caribbean to the east and North Pacific to the west.
Costa Rica is roughly the same size as Switzerland with almost three times as many conservation areas and protected natural territory (Switzerland 9%, Costa Rica 27%).
Costa Rica isn’t a huge country but don’t let that tempt you into renting a car and heading for the open road. For starters, most of the roads aren’t that open and many of them are barely surfaced, especially outside the cities. Vast conservation areas, wetlands, mountainous provinces and lowland or highland rainforest in abundance, makes driving a slow and frustrating process. And there are more regions inaccessible by car, than not.
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