Top 10 Things to Do on Your Luxury Family Vacation to Costa Rica
Are you looking for a soothing family vacation destination where you can relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world? Or maybe you’d rather visit a vibrant city full of cultural attractions. Maybe exploring wildlife and viewing some of the world’s most breathtaking natural environments is something you dream of sharing with your family.
With a luxury family vacation in Costa Rica, you can enjoy all of these activities and many more! Check out our guide below to see how you can plan a lavish beach vacation, experiencing the country’s many tranquil sights and activities.
Is Costa Rica a Good Family Travel Destination?
The short answer is — absolutely! From sparkling blue waters to warm golden sand, Costa Rica provides a dream family vacation — not to mention a much-needed escape from reality. Spend long, leisurely days unwinding on the beach, find nature and animals you can’t find anywhere else on earth or visit unique attractions. You can also browse beautiful and exotic art, making your trip to Costa Rica with kids a thrilling cultural and educational experience.
As anyone who frequently travels with children knows, the key to a smooth and relaxing holiday is strategically planning and choosing destinations. You’ll want to seek out experienced staff-guided activities to provide families with everything they need. Fortunately, Villa Punto de Vista is close to numerous child-friendly activities and attractions, so the entire family can enjoy a convenient vacation itinerary.
The wonderful ways to spend your time in Costa Rica with your toddler, child or children are far too extensive to cover in a single article. Here are some ideas to help get you started planning your family vacation to Costa Rica.
Family-Friendly Activities in Costa Rica
If you’re traveling to Costa Rica with family — rest assured knowing you won’t miss out on some of the country’s wilder attractions. As you’ll see, many of the activities listed below offer alternatives to hiking through the jungle or zip-lining over the treetops, including nature tours from the comfort of a luxury climate-controlled van.
Best of all, Costa Rica offers plenty of family-friendly activities and tours in close proximity to your base of operations. Everything listed below can be found less than an hour from Villa Punto de Vista. Staying in a convenient location is the best way to combine excitement with luxury amenities, making traveling to Costa Rica with children an amazing experience.
10 Things to Add to Your Costa Rica Itinerary With Your Family
Costa Rica has a bit of everything. There is incredibly diverse wildlife to learn about and observe, ideal environments for sports and activities and of course, the crystal blue ocean just beyond the door of your villa.
Check out the following activities for an exquisite and memorable Costa Rica family vacation.
1. Canopy Tours
Due to rigorous safety regulations, even children can participate in one of Costa Rica’s most popular activities — zip-lining over the treetops of the tropical rainforest. This activity is just 20 miles from Villa Punto de Vista, and the tour offers a view of the rainforest unlike any other.
Much of the native wildlife makes its home in the trees, and you can experience an elevated view of nature while soaring through the canopy. Enjoy a luxurious family adventure with one of Costa Rica’s incredible canopy tours. This unmatched view of the area’s beautiful natural landscapes will create picturesque memories to last a lifetime. Consider adding this activity to the list for your upcoming vacation.
2. Isla Tortuga
If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity to add to your Costa Rica family itinerary, the breathtaking Isla Tortuga is a must-see. You and your children will never forget the beauty of this uninhabited, protected island lined with palm trees and white sand beaches.
Travel to Tortuga Island aboard a catamaran with lunch and snacks included for a memorable daytime activity. Enjoy a luxurious escape from reality while spending some much-needed quality time with the family at Isla Tortuga.
3. Horseback Riding
If you’re looking for a magnificent way to experience Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity, why not tour it on horseback? Book a tour guided by a family of local naturalists who are intimately familiar with the landscapes, wildlife and medicinal herbs. This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers a convenient pickup from the villa — perfect for families with children — and a traditional Tico-style snack along the way. You and your family can build a lifetime’s worth of memories on this four-hour tour.
4. Jet Ski Tours
Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned water sports enthusiast, you’ll surely enjoy touring the coastal cliffs and coves on a jet ski. The whole family will be on the lookout for some of Costa Rica’s most impressive marine residents, including dolphins, whales and jumping sailfish.
Best of all, you can indulge your need for speed right in front of the villa, where a series of islands, pristine waters of the bay and the stunning Manuel Antonio coastline await for exploration from the back of a powerful, state-of-the-art jet ski.
5. National Park Tours
The Manuel Antonio National Park, only a short trip from the door of your luxury villa, is a destination unto itself. Among its many features are:
- Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach: Two of the best family beaches in Costa Rica are about thirty minutes on foot from the park’s main entrance. Playa Manuel Antonio is wildly popular for its incredible views and singularly beautiful sunsets. For a bit more seclusion, venture a little further down the trail to Playa Espadilla Sur.
- Abundant native wildlife: Manuel Antonio is bursting with animals. Kids and parents alike will delight in experiencing their natural habitats. The park is home to a number of exotic species including capuchin, squirrel and howler monkeys. You can also see iguanas, sloths and hundreds of colorful tropical bird species.
- Trails for hikers of all ability levels: The flat and sandy main trail through the park is about 1.3 miles long. As it winds through the rainforest, you and your family may catch glimpses of the area’s shyer wildlife. The Punta Catedral trail is of moderate difficulty with some steep inclines, about 1 mile long for a more challenging excursion.
- Quepos Town: Not far from the park, this quaint and charming village is a tourist hotspot — and for good reason. You and the family can enjoy unique, luxurious shopping and dining opportunities at the lovely Quepos Town.
- Surfing: Espadilla Beach is one of the best places in Costa Rica to unwind or catch some waves. Bask in the warm sand, enjoy pristine crystal blue waters, rent surfboards or arrange some surf lessons for your whole crew. The beach’s southern end offers beginners gentler swells. To the north, seasoned surfers can experience more intense waves.
- Damas Island Estuary: This area offers a tranquil ecosystem accessible by a boat or kayak tour. Home to unique wildlife such as snakes, monkeys and crocodiles, this professionally-guided adventure is ideal for all ages.
The Manuel Antonio National Park offers the best of the beach and the rainforest, with the opportunity to relax and experience adventure. Best of all, it’s a convenient distance from the villa. You won’t want to miss the chance to make memories with your family in this breathtaking and accessible natural environment. We can arrange tours that pick you up right at the villa with snacks included.
6. Fishing
From your base of operations at the villa, you will have easy access to both deep sea and near-shore fishing which is some of the best in the world. We will provide villa pickup, morning or afternoon excursions and lunch, drinks, snacks and beer. The central Pacific around Costa Rica is home to sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado and many other species that will satisfy fishers, whether they’re looking for a trophy or a peaceful day out on the water with the family.
7. Rafting
Choose a four- or seven-hour guided rafting tour with convenient villa pickup, gourmet meals, snacks and drinks. With highly experienced guides navigating your journey, white-water rafting is a thrilling adventure for the whole family.
The riveting excursion takes you down the Savegre River on Costa Rica’s West Coast, where you can encounter Class II, Class III and even Class IV rapids for the ultimate adventure.
8. Snorkeling
Beneath the surface of warm ocean waves, you’ll find some of Costa Rica’s most exotic and beautiful wildlife. 800 miles of stunning coastlines, volcanic beaches and extensive coral reefs make us one of the world’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations.
Costa Rica is located between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the balmy Caribbean to the east. You can head out to the nearby islands to see truly wondrous undersea sights. Best of all, if you choose a spot with calm waters and enlist the services of an experienced instructor, you can learn even more about the wildlife you encounter.
What Can You See Snorkeling in Costa Rica?
Snorkeling is one of the things Costa Rica does best. Regardless of the season, you’re sure to have a memorable experience exploring underwater. The undersea life species you’ll witness largely depends on the time of year you decide to visit.
The first four months are the driest along the west coast, which means you have the least amount of rain muddying the pristine waters. From January through April, you can expect crystal clear skies and waters to reflect the peaceful atmosphere. Villa Punto de Vista guests are especially fortunate, as the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park offers some of the best snorkeling along the country’s Pacific Coast.
Manuel Antonio offers marine-enriched rocks to the south, which are renowned for the large schools of fish they attract. Mareno Ballena National Park is home to Costa Rica’s largest coral reef, one of the best places to see whales in migration.
Though everyone’s experience will vary depending on the time of year, your exact snorkeling spot and a host of other variables, some of the fascinating marine wildlife you can expect to see while snorkeling in Costa Rica include:
- Rays.
- Reef sharks.
- Dolphins.
- Whales.
- Sea turtles.
- Starfish.
- Hundreds of colorful tropical fish varieties.
You won’t want to miss the chance to experience sea life from a completely new perspective in a country well-known for snorkeling. Children and adults alike will never forget this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Your hosts at Villa Punto de Vista will be glad to provide you with further information or help you schedule your snorkeling excursion.
9. Canyoning
What exactly is canyoning, you may ask? Canyoning is the term used for waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica. It’s one of the country’s most popular adventure sports due to the abundance of gorgeous cliffs and waterfalls throughout the rainforest. While it’s definitely an adrenaline rush, canyoning is extremely safe if you work with a reputable company.
After an experienced guide straps you into a harness, your thrilling descent down the shimmering waterfall begins. Strap on a waterproof camera to wow your friends back home with footage of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Canyoning is a thrilling and safe adventure for adults and older children. If your family members are a little older, this can be both a luxurious and memorable bonding experience.
10. Cooking Classes
Indulge in gourmet cuisine and refine your cooking skills with our top-notch classes. Delicious and exotic cuisine serves as the perfect memorabilia from a fantastic trip — what better souvenir to take home than a dish you’ve expertly prepared with your own hands?
When you utilize the culinary skills learned in our professional courses, you’ll have a fond reminder of your Costa Rica holiday — not to mention the exceptional dining here at Villa Punto de Vista.
All of our ingredients are ethically and locally sourced, fresh and hormone-free. Learn some delectable recipes you can pass on to your children and start a new tradition.
Combine Luxury and Adventure at Villa Punto de Vista
The five-star concierge staff at our resort will be proud to see to all of your needs, from the moment you step off your plane until you are ready to return home from Costa Rica’s hospitable shores. We will coordinate every detail of your pre-arrival and arrival, and a luxury van will be waiting to drive you and your family to the resort. We can also arrange a private charter flight or helicopter service per your request.
At Villa Punto de Vista, our mission is to provide you with ultimate luxury, whether you stay on the estate or venture beyond. While you are our guest, you and your family will have access to our full staff, including chauffeurs, a butler and bartender to serve you as you enjoy the private beach or infinity pool.
Before your stay, we will purchase stock groceries of your choosing, and we’re happy to restock as needed during your visit. If you’d like your food prepared for you, we can also connect you with a personal chef. Your beachfront experience even includes a private attendant.
Visit our site to learn more, or reserve your private luxury villa in Costa Rica today — where the jungle meets the beach and luxury meets adventure.
