Are you ready to zipline by a volcano, waterslide through the jungle, dance on hanging bridges, go on a sloth-spotting adventure, and boogie board like there’s no tomorrow? And that’s just day one. Ok, I’m kidding – that’s in seven days. As a travel advisor, I’ve researched and personally tried these private and vetted activities, from the jungles of La Fortuna to the beaches of Guanacaste – this is the perfect 7-day Costa Rica luxury family itinerary.
But don’t worry – you’ll still have plenty of time to relax in thermal hot springs and savor some Costa Rican coffee (probably not at the same time, but both while gazing at jaw-dropping volcano views).
Planning a 7-day trip to Costa Rica may not be as easy as it first seems – between choosing the right zip-line for your little one’s age and navigating rainy-season road closures, the details matter.
I’ve personally vetted this route, so you’re good to go—but if you’d rather skip the stress of booking it yourself, let me take care of the details for you. Get in touch with me on my advisor page.
If you’re looking for adventure, amazing food and beaches, some local Costa Rican vibes, and hotels you’ll never want to leave, then you’ll love this epic 7-day luxury family itinerary.
If it’s wildlife you’re after, you’re bound to see wide-eyed iguanas, cute furry sloths, exotic tropical birds, and anteaters on the hunt – and all of those without even leaving your hotel!
Planning to stay in style? Check out my guide coming soon: The Best Luxury Family Resorts in Costa Rica (including kids clubs!).
Table of Contents
- The Most Unforgettable Costa Rica Luxury Family Itinerary
- Day 1 : The ‘Amazing Race’ to La Fortuna
- Day 1 (continued): Natural Hot Springs
- Day 2 : Endless Adventures – River Tubing, Water Slide, and More
- Day 3: Wildlife, Coffee, and Make Your Own Chocolate???
- Day 4: Zipline & Hanging Bridges in Arenal Volcano National Park
- Day 5: Waves & Wildlife in the Gulf of Papagayo
- Day 6: And Then There Was Rain…
- Day 7: Boogie Board & Private Catamaran Cruise
- Pura Vida Costa Rica!
- Pro Tips for a Luxury Costa Rica Adventure with Kids
The Most Unforgettable Costa Rica Luxury Family Itinerary
Day 1 : The ‘Amazing Race’ to La Fortuna
- Arrive at San Jose airport (SJO)
- Pick up your car rental. You won’t believe how cheap it is! (cheap car rental prices, as little as $7/day!!). Save that money for an ocean view suite on the coast later!
- If you’d rather arrive in luxury, arrange a private driver, or better yet, private air charter, from the airport to your hotel.
- Drive three hours to La Fortuna, hence the ‘Amazing Race’ after just getting off the plane. But completely worth it – I loved it even more than the coast, and that’s saying something.
- Stop and check out the little waterfall, or maybe you’ll spot a tarantula crossing the road!
Did you know?
The (clueless) Flying Mum
Tarantulas are generally not dangerous to humans, with bites usually causing only mild pain, swelling or irritation similar to a bee sting. “
Day 1 (continued): Natural Hot Springs
- Check into The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal and prepare to be wow’d! The pictures and website do not do this place justice. Book with me at no extra charge and get discounts and free VIP perks. Once you’ve come down from the high of the beautiful room, then…
- Slide through the jungle on the best waterslide in Costa Rica – the ‘monkey waterslide’, or watch the kids do it while you sip on a refreshing mojito.
- Play a round of mini-golf (or two rounds, because your kids will insist)
- Relax in the thermal hot springs. I’ve never wanted to stay at the ‘hotel pool’ for this long. My body was so relaxed, just melting away after. I believe in those healing hot springs now!
Day 2 : Endless Adventures – River Tubing, Water Slide, and More
- Morning – Visit Rio Club for river rafting, horseback riding, river tubing, rock climbing, and endless adventures for so many ages- I have the entire list with minimum ages, feel free to contact me! Take the short shuttle from the hotel.
- Afternoon: relax in thermal hot springs at, surprise surprise… The Springs. Have another go at the waterslide (especially before the rain hits!).
- Evening: let the hubby beat you in darts, badly. Or beat him in chess. Who am I kidding, I lost all the games. Family game night!!!
- Indulge in some sushi just outside the door of the kids’ supervised playroom (that they’ll love!). For more hotel details, check out my hotel blog post coming soon.
Day 3: Wildlife, Coffee, and Make Your Own Chocolate???
- Start your day with some healing vibes in the thermal pools
- Spot more wildlife right at the hotel – iguanas and hummingbirds this time
- Make your own chocolate bar at a local coffee farm
Pro Tip: Warn the kiddos, this won’t be their average Hershey’s bar.
– Mama learning the hard way
- Don’t forget the coffee tasting and buy plenty to take home.
- What’s a Costa Rica trip without volunteering to help some cute animals needing some TLC? Or you can be more hands-off and learn about them, either way, at the Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary.
Day 4: Zipline & Hanging Bridges in Arenal Volcano National Park
- Zip line with Sky Adventures with views of the volcano right in front of you!
- Spot a snake and a Yellow-throated Toucan on a Private Guided Nature hike
- Brave the hanging bridges
Once you’re adventured out and ready to endulge in luxury, check into the best glamping resort, unlike any other, deep in the rainforest. By then you will have earned a soak in your private plunge pool.
Book your luxury hotels (like this glamping bucket-list hotel) with me. I don’t charge for hotel bookings, so the price is the same as booking without me, but you’ll get free VIP perks – blog post coming soon!
Day 5: Waves & Wildlife in the Gulf of Papagayo
- Before leaving our hotel in La Fortuna, we got to search for sloths via golf cart!
- Drive 3 hours to the Papagayo Peninsula
- Check into your luxury coastal resort – you’ve “made it” (book with me at no extra cost for free upgrades to ocean view and other perks)
- Boogie board the beginner-friendly waves
- See more wildlife right at your hotel – anteaters just strolling the beach!
- Have the kids run off to the kids’ club while you and your partner rum taste with a local expert.
- Then realize you don’t like rum as much as you thought you did.
- Especially on an empty stomach.
- After a long car ride.
- I’m kidding – the rum was great, and so was the rum connoisseur. I just couldn’t finish the large pours. I loved this to start date night with the hubby!
Day 6: And Then There Was Rain…
- It rained pretty hard all day, so we didn’t get any beach time this day. Glad we had an awesome kids club.
- If the weather had been better, I would have liked to do private waterfall rappelling, ATV’ing, and then a private cooking class or private chef experience out on the beach.
- There are so many activities in this area. And really, don’t let me or the rain stop you. Viator actually has a lot of great local experiences:
Day 7: Boogie Board & Private Catamaran Cruise
- I definitely recommend boogie boarding a couple days in a private little cove on the Peninsula Papagayo – our favorite activity by far here! Our oldest learned quickly, while I helped our 4-year-old. I can’t wait to get back out there and surf next time.
- There are all kinds of activities on the coast, but this private catamaran cruise you can snorkel secret spots or catch the sunset over the peninsula.
Pro Tip: Not all of the beaches in Guanacaste are safe (or fun) for kids to surf, swim or boogie board. Some have too strong of rip currents, and some not enough of a ‘break’. Feel free to get in touch with me if you want help finding the right coves and beaches for your family.
Pura Vida Costa Rica!
Sadly, time to end your Costa Rica luxury family itinerary. Drive the rental car to Liberia (~30 minutes, so easy!) and say “Pura Vida”. Although it won’t be for the last time, because you’ll be missing this place so much that you’ll be cheers’ing with a “Pura Vida” for the next three weeks.
Pura Vida: a common phrase in Costa Rica that literally translates to “pure life” or “simple life”. Their motto embodies a relaxed, content, laid back way of life. It’s no surprise they’re one of the happiest countries in the world.”
-The Flying Mum’s humble interpretation
Pro Tips for a Luxury Costa Rica Adventure with Kids
How is the Driving in Costa Rica with Kids?
The drive from San Jose airport to La Fortuna wasn’t too bad – just be careful of potholes on one of the stretches. Most of this was paved.
The 3-3.5 hour drive from La Fortuna to Guanacaste has some winding roads but is totally worth it. If you’re prone to car sickness then come prepared. I felt mildly nauseous for parts of the drive, nothing too bad though. (Nothing like Road to Hana in Maui!).
The road along the lake can close in more rainy conditions because it is a dirt road. Best to check with a local or expert advisor prior to planning.
Bring plenty of activities for the kiddos to do. These Rainforest Animals paint by sticker books are perfect!
Should We Stop at Rio Celeste to Break Up the Drive?
Mmm, it’s too long IMO. Also, the river and waterfall only look that famous bright turquoise blue if it hasn’t rained heavily. Our kids would have been pretty angry if we took a several hour detour for a “chocolate milk” river they couldn’t drink.
You may also need advance tickets now, just FYI.
Is a Private Naturalist Hike in La Fortuna Worth It?
If you’re into nature (how could you not be if you’re headed to Costa Rica?!) – yes.
With our private guide, we felt safer, learned a few cool things about the local area and wildlife, and we saw a little snake! We totally would have missed it without him – scary thought. The guide walked ahead of us to make sure the path was safe for the little ones (critters and what not).
We also saw a beautiful toucan! You’ll have to go there to see for yourself – I can’t spoil everything with pics.
If you do the private guided nature hike right after ziplining, it may be too long for tired and hungry little ones, so plan accordingly.
But that’s why I’d recommend the private guide, so you can simply tell the guide when the kids are running out of steam. I didn’t have the heart to though! He was so excited about what he was showing us.
How Bad is the Rainy Season in Costa Rica?
We went in October, the rainy season.
La Fortuna rain never put a damper on our plans. But the rain on the coast was heavier and lasted longer for about a day and a half maybe. Weird because I think it’s typically raining more near La Fortuna during this time.
I’m still glad we chose this time of year to go – hotel prices were much better and it wasn’t crowded anywhere.
Pro tip:
The Flying Mum, hotel lover
Plan your ‘must-do’ activities in the morning, because the rain usually comes in the afternoon,
especially in La Fortuna area.
That’s where a nice hotel room can make all the difference.”
My Biggest Regret with This Costa Rica Itinerary
My biggest regret planning this? Not going sooner. We waited until our four-year-old was old enough to zipline, ride horses, play in the ocean, walk the hanging bridges. Now I know we didn’t have to wait so long.
I found plenty of activities we could all do together, even a zip line company with great reviews that takes ages three and up! So, no need to put your rainforest dreams on hold for too long. There’s plenty to enjoy, regardless of age.
I’d love to help plan your next Costa Rican getaway, from the best local food finds, to curated private vetted activities to luxury hotels (including free VIP perks, discounts and price drop alerts, at no extra cost to you).
Contact me today to start planning your custom Costa Rica luxury family itinerary.