Costa Rica with kids, 4 and 7
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Anonymous
| We're thinking of Costa Rica this fall. Kids will be 4 and 7 at the time. From my research, it looks like Manual Antonia and the Arenal Volcano area are probably the best options. Has anyone been there with kids? Anywhere else we should be considering? Any hotel or actvitiy recommendations? |
Anonymous
There now (leave tomorrow) with kids exactly same age, and at those very places. DH and I were also here alone 8 or 9 years ago. We loved Arenal. If you are a little brave, we stayed at an AirBNB and LOVED it - about $225 a night, private cottage with 4 BR and private pool, down a dirt road about 10 mins from La Fortuna. It required driving (and having a 4x4) but it was amazing, because we did an activity every morning and lounged all afternoon with snacks and drinks and our own pool. We even cooked dinner one night when we didn't want to foist our kids on a happy restaurant  We did the sky tram, a safari float, and Proyecto Asis (which I learned about here on DCUM and was amazing - stay 3 hours and feed the monkeys, my 4yo was in heaven!).
We've been disappointed in Manuel Antonio this time, although lots of families are here. It is SO SO hot, no one wants to be outside... The walk to the MA beach (in the park) was a little long for my guys so there was lots of whining, and the beaches in town aren't as nice. And the hotels generally aren't as into the pool thing - ours has one but it is small and too warm to be refreshing. If I had it to do over again I think we'd either go north to the resort-type beaches, or stay in Arenal the whole time. The Monteverde rain forest could also be cool - we did it last time without kids. YMMV esp if your kids are more active or the weather is cooler. |
Anonymous
| One warning is that both of those areas are a looooong drive from the airport. It was supposed to be 2 to Manuel Antonio but took us like 5--the driver refused to take the national highway because he said it's a parking lot with traffic and took smaller highways. There are a lot of mountains and people seem to drive about 30 or 40 even on highways. Our kids were frustrated with drive times but otherwise liked manual Antonio. We stayed at si come no which they loved. |
Anonymous
| We just got back, kids are 10 and 8. Personally, I thought these ages were perfect. I would consider waiting a couple years. There are so many activities to do, especially in Arenal, but slightly older kids would be much better able to do everything--e.g. Horseback riding, tubing, kayaking, ziplining, hiking the parks. Unless you just want to hang out at the beaches, but then, why not just go to Florida? |
Anonymous
22:55 here. I agree that older kids could do more, but there is plenty for little ones to do besides hang out at the beaches. Our kids loved the 'safari float' (white water rafting minus the white water - heavier emphasis on wildlife), canopy tour via tram rather than zip line, mangrove tour, etc. there are butterfly gardens, tons of wildlife experiences, etc. And by the way the country is SO child friendly, all the guides and waiters were totally cool with our kids, which was a nice experience. If you could only go once in your life I'd probably agree that later is better, but there is plenty to do at this age so unless this is your 'once in a lifetime' trip, I wouldn't let that stop you. |
Anonymous
|
We went in August with a 9 and 6 year old.
We loved Arenal! We did Proyecto Asis and the safari float, too. So much fun! We also loved Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park. We went at night because it was half price after a certain hour. The kids loved it. Think hot springs meets water park - it had a small section for little kids, and a section of big water slides. We then drove to Monteverde. We only stayed there 2 nights, but I wish we stayed longer. There is so much to do. We stayed at a small cabin called El Sol, right on the side of the mountain. It had an infinity pool and breathtaking views. I highly recommend it - though it was very rustic. There we went horseback riding and did a night tour of the cloud forest. Finally, we hit the beach. We picked Samara, which has smaller waves some of the other beaches. We were able to kayak, snorkel, and zip line at a place called Wingnuts. It was small which worked for our 6 year old. Actually, while we went, the owner brought along his 3 year old who zip lined right along with us! We stayed at Montelaguna Boutique Hotel. It was small, clean, and had a beautiful pool. It was within walking distance to a gorgeous, basically deserted beach - playa Carrillo. I loved Costa Rica! I can't wait to go back! |
Anonymous
| For the pp who booked excursions, did you book them before you left the US online, or when you got to the area? Trying to determine which option is better |
Anonymous
| We went in March with our 4 kids (all 5 and under). Check out the Springs Resort in Arenal. Loved it. |
Anonymous
22:55 here. We booked most of our adventures from the US, but we booked them directly with the companies we used, so we weren't paying a booking agent. We booked the mangrove tour through our hotel in Manuel Antonio and we probably overpaid for that one... |
Anonymous
| Zika virus, anyone? |
Anonymous
That was my first thought. |
Anonymous
| I'm the PP who went to Arenal, Monteverde, and Samara. We went in August last year and I don't think we got bit AT ALL by mosquitoes. I definitely didn't. We brought Deet and used it in ARenal and Samara. Monteverde had no mosquitoes at all. |
Anonymous
Not really a big issue if you're not trying to get pregnant, though, right? The hydrocephalus is the big concern w/ Zika. |
Anonymous
| I just booked a trip to Costa Rica for 5 days at the beginning of June. I understand most places are far from San Jose, so since we will only be there 5 days I'd like to stay put in one place... what are would you guys recommend? A must is being near water, whether Ocean or Lake. Just DH and I. Thank you! |
Anonymous
Sure, just take your young female children along and they can catch it, and then it won't show up for what, 15-20 years and then they have a baby with a tiny head. IDIOT. |