Going to Costa Rica with teenagers? Right here’s our itinerary, what I’m glad we did, and what I’d do otherwise subsequent time.
Is Costa Rica in your bucket record? It was on mine for a very long time. So after two years with little journey, I used to be able to go huge and eventually make it occur.
I’m completely satisfied to report that Costa Rica was the whole lot I’d hoped it will be: lush, beautiful, and full of recent wildlife, flavors, and tradition. Main as much as our journey, I promised/warned my household, “It’s going to be an journey!” and it completely was.
We spent per week in Costa Rica with our youngsters, ages 13 and 17, and I needed to share our itinerary, in addition to what I’m glad we did AND what I’d do otherwise subsequent time. I hope that is useful to you.
What I’m Glad We Did
I’m glad we…rented a automobile
You may get round Costa Rica with non-public shuttles or public transportation. However I beloved having the liberty to discover on our personal, stopping at overlooks or markets alongside the way in which. Our journey company booked our automobile by Mapache, and we had no issues. It was a newish Suzuki 4X4, a should for the bumpy, unpaved roads. It was small however comfy for our household of 4.
Understand that most of the roads in Costa Rica are slim and windy, so that you must be a assured driver. Since I deliberate the journey, my husband did all of the driving. That was a reduction to me.
We did all of our driving in daylight and gave ourselves loads of time. Velocity limits are low to account for the twisty roads, so brief distances can take for much longer than you assume (a 100-mile journey from Manuel Antonio to the San Jose airport took practically three hours).
For navigation, we used Google Maps offline since we didn’t have knowledge outdoors the lodges. We made just a few improper turns alongside the way in which however by no means received fully misplaced.
I’m glad we…went off the overwhelmed path
My favourite a part of the journey was driving round as a household, stopping at small eating places, scenic overlooks, small markets to purchase popsicles and tortilla chips, and fruit stands for contemporary mango and watermelon. We additionally drove by many small cities and exquisite rural areas. If we had stayed put at lodges and resorts with different vacationers, we wouldn’t have skilled that.
I’m glad we…used guides
You don’t technically want guides when visiting the rainforest and nationwide park. However I’m glad we did as a result of we might by no means have seen the wildlife on our personal. The guides know spot sloths hanging in timber, which gap the tarantula resides in (yep!), and what leaf the poison dart frog is perching on. They’re additionally a wealth of data concerning the vegetation and historical past of the realm.
I’m glad we…received assist from a journey agent
Even armed with recommendation from pals who had traveled to Costa Rica, I nonetheless felt overwhelmed planning the journey. So I used a journey company a good friend really helpful known as Pacific Commerce Winds. They have been so affected person with the majillion emails I despatched and all of my questions and last-minute worries. They answered each message promptly, and every step of our itinerary went off with no hitch.
We have been additionally upgraded at two of the lodges to suites and given rooms with particularly pretty views (we had one of many few rooms at Tabacon with a volcano view), which I’ve heard can occur once you e-book by an company.
For journey planning, I additionally extremely suggest the Fb group Costa Rica Journey. You’ll be able to ask questions, seek for subjects, and get itineraries, ideas, and inspiration there.
What I Would Do In another way
I want we had…been extra strategic about meals
Youngsters are ALWAYS HUNGRY, which might be particularly difficult once you’re touring. We spent some huge cash on meals, and I feel we may’ve been smarter about it. My recommendation:
- When you’re reserving a lodge, verify the menus prematurely to make certain the meals is family-friendly and reasonably priced.
- Refill on meals at a grocery retailer to maintain in your room (we stopped at a Wal-Mart close to the Liberia airport). See our record on the backside for concepts.
- Go to one of many many fruit stands to purchase contemporary fruit and native baked items like Rosaquillas. Preserve the contemporary fruit in your lodge or Airbnb fridge.
- Analysis eating places forward of time so you might have choices when everyone seems to be drained and hungry and desires to eat RIGHT NOW! Scroll down for 2 locations I like to recommend.
- Eat on the “sodas”, that are small, locally-owned eating places with easy meals and good costs.
I want we had…scheduled extra actions
Each child is totally different, however I discovered that mine loved having one thing to do each day of our journey. Some downtime to relaxation and recharge was crucial, however my youngsters have been bored once we had a day with out plans.
We did 4 excursions in all–Mistico Hanging Bridges, Espresso & Chocolate Tour, Forest Evening Hike, and Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park Tour–however I want I had booked some lively, adventurous excursions as effectively, like waterfall rappelling, kayaking, or pedal-boarding on Lake Arenal, which a good friend really helpful.
I want we had…stayed in an Airbnb or Vrbo
Frankly, I used to be nervous about being in a new-to-me nation, so I needed to stay with lodges. However now that I’ve visited, I might really feel nice about renting a well-rated Airbnb or Vrbo to economize, have a whole kitchen, and get extra room to unfold out.
For instance, a good friend of mine stayed on this Vrbo in Monteverde along with her household, and the proprietor organized to have an area cook dinner put together a standard dinner for them!
I want we had…spent extra time in fewer locations
I scheduled lots for one week, and I feel I pushed us a bit an excessive amount of. If I may do it over, I’d keep at simply two locations as an alternative of 4, so we may spend extra time in every spot. Right here was our itinerary:
- Fly into Liberia Airport and get shuttle to Lodge Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar (one night time): This was an anticipated further day, after Southwest randomly canceled our flights and rebooked us a day early. It was high-quality for our bonus day, however there are probably prettier seashores within the space.
- Get rental automobile and drive to Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa (two nights)–the swankiest lodge we’ve stayed in as a household, with entry to their intensive thermal springs. I might keep within the La Fortuna space longer subsequent time. Whereas there, we additionally did:
- Drive to Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Lodge (two nights)–lovely and distant however I don’t suggest it for many who get carsick, because the highway as much as the lodge is lengthy, bumpy, and unpaved. I arrived sick with meals poisoning, so sadly I didn’t get to take pleasure in this lodge. They despatched tea and rooster broth to our casita for me.
- Guided Evening Hike for my husband and children, the place they noticed a wide range of frogs, snakes, spiders and loved being within the forest at night time.
- Drive to La Vela Boutique Lodge in Manuel Antonio (two nights)–a five-minute stroll to the Nationwide Park, which was a handy location however in a really touristy space. I want we’d had extra time at these seashores. Mapache additionally picked up our rental automobile right here.
- Nationwide Park Tour: As a result of we didn’t get tickets to the park in time, doing a proper tour was the one method to get in–however you would merely get park tickets and benefit from the park and seashores by yourself.
- Shuttle to San Jose Airport for our flight house.
Highlights From Our Journey to Costa Rica with Teenagers
Cafe y Macademia: We stopped right here for frosty fruit drinks, pizza, superior views of Lake Arenal, plus enjoyable souvenirs on the way in which out. It’s well worth the lengthy, windy drive.
La Vendanita: A reader really helpful this small, family-owned restaurant close to La Fortuna, and my 17 yr outdated declared it “the best restaurant he’s ever been to”. Owned by an ex-pat from California and his Costa Rican spouse, it’s received contemporary, reasonably priced meals with wonderful views of the volcano.
Espresso & Chocolate Tour: I used to be fearful my youngsters can be bored studying about espresso, however all of us preferred this tour, which begins in a small farm and ends with tastings of espresso and chocolate. My youngsters additionally received to press juice from uncooked sugarcane. We discovered lots!
Our journey agent booked this tour by Canoa Aventura. however I’ve learn nice issues concerning the Don Olivio Chocolate Tour too.
Mistico Hanging Bridges Tour: We traversed six hanging bridges with our information, who identified monkeys, sloths, spiders, tarantulas, snakes, and frogs alongside the way in which.
Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park Seashores: I want we had extra time at these lovely seashores, which seem like slices of paradise. These seashores are contained in the nationwide park, and tickets to the park promote out, so e-book yours prematurely.
FAQ About Costa Rica
Did we really feel protected in Costa Rica?
Sure! We didn’t expertise something that felt harmful. That being mentioned, it’s vital to know that automobile break-ins are widespread. After we stopped at a Wal-Mart, safety guards patrolled the heaps, and at Cafe y Macademia, you tip the parking zone attendants to keep watch over your automobile. We additionally stashed our passports and valuables within the lodge safes when out of our room, which is smart regardless of the place you journey.
Is it okay to drink the water?
Sure. I did quite a lot of analysis earlier than going, and the consensus was that the water is protected to drink. Nevertheless, I did come down with some form of meals poisoning that landed me in mattress for about 36 hours in the midst of our journey. It’s unimaginable to know what triggered it, however no person else within the household received sick whereas we have been there despite the fact that all of us ate and drank the identical issues.
What’s the meals like in Costa Rica?
At lodges and resorts, you may simply discover acquainted fare. On the small native eating places (known as sodas), you’ll discover menu objects like gallo pinto (rice and beans), arroz con pollo (rooster and rice), casado (rice, beans, greens, and plantains), and plenty of contemporary fruit juices. And the pineapple! Oh the pineapple! It’s all over the place and it’s FABULOUS.
We additionally ate loads of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. My youngsters had no downside discovering objects on each menu that they preferred.
What foreign money do they use?
The foreign money of Costa Rica is the colon. After we arrived, we exchanged $200 for colones and introduced $200 value of {dollars} in small payments for ideas. We paid in colones, {dollars}, and with our Visa (there’s a small payment for utilizing Visa).
Presently, the alternate charge is about 660 colones per $1. Don’t alternate your cash on the airport like we did–their charge was a lot decrease!
Is it true they don’t flush rest room paper?
Sure, in some locations they ask you to put used rest room paper in a can beside the bathroom.
Do I would like to talk Spanish?
Most people we encountered working in tourism spoke English. However we additionally met many “Ticos” (that’s what Costa Ricans name themselves) who didn’t communicate a lot or any English in any respect, just like the proprietors on the fruit stands and markets we visited and the cashier at Wal-Mart. However by hand gestures and the Google Translate app, we have been capable of work it out!
I feel it’s respectful to attempt to communicate the native language, so we used easy Spanish phrases wherever we went, and my youngsters received to apply the Spanish they’ve discovered at school, translating menu objects and highway indicators. Primary phrases & phrases we used:
- Hola: Whats up
- Gracias: Thanks
- Buenos días = Good morning
- Buenas noches = Good night
- Mucho gusto = Good to fulfill you
- Adiós = Goodbye
- Por favor = Please
- Lo siento = Sorry
- ¿Dónde? = The place?
- Sí = Sure
What does “Pura Vida” imply?
You’ll see and listen to this expression in Costa Rica. The literal translation is “pure life” or “easy life” and it embodies the laid-back vibe of the nation. As one among our tour guides defined to me, it may be used for the whole lot from a greeting, a goodbye, a solution to “how are you?” and even a “no worries” when one thing goes improper.
Since returning house, we’ve tried to maintain the relaxed, worry-less “Pura Vida” vibe going!
What to Pack for Costa Rica with Teenagers
- T-shirts (at the least one per day if no entry to laundry since you’ll get scorching and sweaty), shorts, climbing pants or joggers, hoodie
- Additional socks (in case you get moist)
- Raincoat
- Bathing fits and rash guard
- Sun shades
- Reusable water bottles
- Day packs for everybody: On excursions, have every individual carry a pack with their very own swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and the rest they want.
- Strolling or climbing sneakers
- Sandals or slides
- Hat
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen (the solar is powerful!)
- Bug spray (it’s also possible to purchase this there)
- Imodium anti-diarrhea medication. A reader suggested me to pack this simply in case. So glad I did as a result of we have been distant from a pharmacy after I wanted it.
- Bonine movement illness chewable tablets. The roads are windy, so it’s simple to get carsick. Even in case you don’t lease a automobile, it’s possible you’ll want it for the shuttles to lodges and resorts.
- Band-aids and antibiotic ointment
- Advil or different ache reliever
- Taking part in playing cards or Uno
- Telephone charger for the automobile
- Many $1, $5, and $10 payments for tipping
Groceries We Purchased in Costa Rica
- Chips and different salty snacks
- Cookies (excellent for dessert again within the room)
- Granola bars
- Bottled water
- Gatorade (I used to be so completely satisfied to have this after I was dehydrated from meals poisoning!)
- Exhausting sweet (nice for lengthy hikes)
- Peppermints (to appease carsickness)
- Crackers
- Nuts
- SIM card (we have been suggested to get this however by no means discovered use it!)
Extra Journey Itineraries
