Costa Rica is an adventurer’s paradise – and nobody is more adventurous than kids! Safe, welcoming, and with a well-established tourism industry, this small Central American country is the perfect way to get your children to love nature and stay active, as it’s renowned for its many outdoor activities.
Planning multigenerational travel takes a bit more work, as you want to be sure that everyone is accommodated and that you don’t overstuff your schedule; however, Costa Rica is an excellent option for bringing the kids along. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a vacation that your children will be talking about for months, ready to come back at the first opportunity.
Let Kids Get Involved in Planning
Costa Rica has a wealth of amazing, high-velocity opportunities, many of which are perfect for kids. Horseback riding, ziplining, rafting, and boat trips are all excellent ways to get children active and really appreciate the incredible biodiversity of the country. However, these activities can also be quite intimidating to some kids, and it’s important to respect their boundaries.
You want to think carefully about what your kids will be comfortable doing and what might make them balk: you know them better than anyone. While it’s not always possible to predict how they might act in any given situation, especially something they’ve never encountered before, you will likely have a good idea of what they’ll be okay with.
Gather a list of the different options and sit down with your kids, explaining each one and what it will involve in kid-friendly language. For example, you want to let children know that ziplining means they are put in a harness and will slide down a line very far up in the air, where they can see the forest down below. You might want to show them pictures or videos of what it looks like to prepare them for this so that they don’t panic when they step up to be put in their harness.
If you have multiple children and a co-parent, you might consider splitting up for certain activities; this also gives you a great opportunity to bond with your kids one-on-one, as well as respect any fears they may have about horses, heights, or water.
Emphasize Respecting Nature
Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity, and it’s one of the reasons so many people visit: from rare butterflies to mysterious big cats, it is truly a treasure unlike any other. The Costa Rican government works incredibly hard to protect this bounty, which is why over a quarter of the country is dedicated to nature preserves and tourist activities are heavily regulated to reduce their environmental impact.
A vacation here is the perfect opportunity to teach your children about the importance of nature and ensure that they grow to love all of Earth’s creatures, but this requires some prep time. Read about Costa Rica ahead of time, with picture books about the different animals that live here. You might decide to watch some documentaries so that your kids can see what they look like and learn more about conservation. Explain that when here, it’s important that your children act like guests in the animals’ home: they shouldn’t touch or disturb any animals and should do their best not to spook any curious creatures that come close.
You also want to prepare them for any disappointment if they don’t see the rarest of animals; they might believe that they’re guaranteed a good look at an ocelot or howler monkey. Emphasize that it’s a special opportunity and that not everyone is lucky enough to see them, and they’ll be on their best behavior in hopes that their furry friends will want to visit!
Rent a Private Resort
Even school-aged children really need a nap and some relaxation; this is especially true because, fun as they are, vacations are pretty stressful for a kid. Their entire routine has changed, and they are in unfamiliar surroundings, which is quite overwhelming. There’s also the fact that, wonderful as kids are, they can be pretty rambunctious, and the last thing you want is to deal with angry noise complaints from other guests when you’re just trying to let your children blow off some steam.
As such, you want to create a tranquil home away from home with your child so that they feel safe. Book a safe but secluded accommodation; if you’re with a large group, such as a family reunion, you might go for a Costa Rica beachfront vacation rental, where you and your loved ones will have the whole property to yourself.
These upscale villas also have many recreational activities in addition to private rooms, so you can be sure your children will be entertained if they wake up early from their nap but you’re not quite ready to head off for your next stop. Better yet, there are tons of options for adults, too! Private chefs, TVs, and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean mean you can destress as your children play nearby.
Going to Costa Rica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will give you memories to cherish forever – and it will be made much easier if you tailor your trip to the needs of your children, while still finding time to relax and enjoy yourself, too. Careful preparation for novel activities, good education, and the right accommodations will ensure you have an amazing trip that brings you closer as a family.
