Costa Rica

6 Things to Do With Your Kids in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an excellent destination for a family vacation. There are plenty of activities for all age-groups. White-water rafting, birding, guided hikes …. Here, we highlight six different experiences your whole family will enjoy.

1. Observe the turtle nesting at Tortuguero National Park. You can stand just a few feet from a 300-pound green sea turtle while she lays up to 100 eggs, covers her nest (and perhaps digs a false one to throw off predators),then finally returns to the sea. The height of nesting season is July and August.

2. For a real family bonding experience, try a white-water river-rafting adventure on the Pejibaye River. You’ll learn to trust each other and work together as you navigate Pejibaye’s warm water and forgiving Class I–II rapids, which are runnable for children as young as five years old. For kids ages 12 and older, the Class III–IV Pacuare River makes most top-10 lists for best rafting rivers in the world.

3. Go birding in Corcovado National Park. Have a contest to see who spies the most species; the park claims some 367 of them, including Amazon parrots, parrotlets, toucans, scarlet-rumped tanagers, king vultures and brown pelicans. From the platform, you’ll get an up-close glimpse of howler, spider and whiteface monkeys and other animals that live in the canopy.

4. Take a guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. You’ll learn about the cloud forest’s ecological makeup, as well as why conservation efforts top reserve tropical forests are so important for the health of our planet. Also, consider a horseback ride through Monteverde, which has some of the best riding trails in Costa Rica.

5. Take a surfing lesson at Playa San Teresita or Playa Tamarindo, two of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches. Many hotels there have surfing instructors who are expert at working with kids as young as six. Your Virtuoso travel specialist can help you find the best instructors.

6. Let one of our travel specialists create a unique travel experience that appeals to your family’s specific interests. They can even arrange special opportunities for your kids to interact with the local children, such as visiting a village schoolhouse or taking part in a soccer game.

Need a travel specialist? Call our Ambassadors at +1 (817)-334-8771 or e-mail: travel@virtuoso.com.

Content provided courtesy of Travel Insights.