Lots of drunk college kids and rif-raf

Curious why you'd avoid Tamarindo with kids?

Playa Flamingo is absolutely beautiful. Playa Grande is also a cool surf town. I'd avoid Tamarindo with kids. You can rent a house or condo on VRBO. I've also heard good things from one of my coworkers about the Four Seasons in CR. If you stay in the Guanacaste province, I recommend this tour:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g321538-d3263565-Reviews-Vandara_Hot_Springs_Adventure-Rincon_de_La_Vieja_Province_of_Guanacaste.html

We've also done a more adventurous trip to the Osa peninsula. It's a totally different experience than staying in the Guanacaste area. It's a LOT harder to get to, but you see so much more of the rainforest/animals/etc.

To the Costa Rica posters, anything in particular you recommend to do? Specific towns or hotels?

We've never been to Alaska-- waiting until the kiddos get older. But, we just returned from CR. It was a great trip -- kids from 10 - 4. One thing to note is that you had to be at least 6 to do many of the excursions in CR.

I've been to both with kids. I would choose Costa Rica with younger kids -- minimal time difference, shorter flights, lots of activities accessible to younger kids (shorter hikes, beaches, nature walks etc) Mine were 6 & 7 at the time. I liked being in Alaska when the kids were able to do longer hikes, kayaking, etc. I also think Costa Rica is the better choice for 1 week (though you could easily stay longer). We spent over 2 weeks in Alaska (1 week in RV and 1 week on very small ship with lots of kayaking) and there was still much more we didn't get to. I would go back to either! Also, although we've had a great time traveling on active/outdoor vacations with our kids since ages 4/5 they don't remember much about the trips taken before age 9 (now college aged).

I grew up in Central America/USA -- so live Costa Rica and if you go to a nice resort you can have an amazing time. I have also recently cruised to Alaska (with a 4yo in tow) and it was wonderful ---but that's bec I had the cruise ship babysitters available all the time -- my DH and I did a lot of amazing things. But you have older kids who could do a ton in Alaska. I don't think you can go wrong. Choose what you want - beach or glacier, and go from there.

I haven't been to Alaska but have always wanted to go. I just got back from Costa Rica--same area. I would say to go there--only because I want to go to Alaska and consider it a bucket list type trip. I would want my kids to be a little older to remember it-not so much the 9 year old, but the 4 year old. For example, we want to do and African safari (another bucket list thing) but won't do it until our younger one turns 10--at least.

BUMP!

Trying to plan our family vacation for the year. It will be a week long trip with our kids ages 9 and 4. If we do Alaska it would not be a cruise. If we did Costa Rica we would probably fly into Liberia. We have never been to either place but are fairly adventurous. Looking for advice from those who have BTDT.