Five safe Costa Rican adventures for families with very young kids

Today’s guest is Dahlia Nahome, who (along with her husband) gave up her job, sold everything, and took off on a round the world trip with their two children.  She only got as far as Costa Rica.

Our aim was a round the world trip calling at Costa Rica, New Zealand, Tonga and Australia. We wanted to spend quality time with 4-year-old Leo and 1-year-old Delilah and to live a very different kind of life to the one we had in London.

What we didn’t expect was to fall in love with Costa Rica so much that we ended up canceling the rest of the trip and settling here, in Hermosa on the Nicoya Peninsula.

In that time we have had some truly brilliant family travel experiences that we want to share with families who are thinking of taking family vacations to Costa Rica, especially the Nicoya Peninsula (which is on the Pacific coast).  I have about a zillion activities to recommend but for now, here are my top five:

1.  Snorkeling in the rock pools between Manzanillo and Playa Hermosa

Not only are these tide pools breathtaking to see between mid and low tide, there are a whole host of little fish to share the experience with. This is an extremely safe adventure for the kids and makes for stunning pictures for those budding photographers out there. The other great plus is that it doesn’t cost a penny.

2.  Montezuma waterfalls

Waterfalls abound in this part of Costa Rica. Because of the natural geography of the peninsula, most of the rainwater that falls flows towards the Montezuma side, so there are many waterfalls with water in them year round. Montezuma Falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall in Costa Rica. It isn’t a single waterfall, but three separate falls.

To reach the first falls, start at the ocean near Hotel Amor de Mar, and walk up the river for approximately 20 minutes. Here you will find the first and highest waterfall, with a huge swimming hole. There are two additional waterfalls if you continue further up for the more adventurous. And for those wanting something a little off the beaten track – aim for Delicias Falls. This is a beautiful cascade not far from Montezuma Falls. It is in the next river valley to the south. To get there, drive up the hill from Hotel Amor de Mar, and turn left at the Butterfly Gardens. When you reach the bottom of the canyon, you’ll see a small yellow bridge. Park there, and walk upstream about 150m and you’ll see the falls.

3.  A zip line canopy tour at Mal Pais

Now this does cost money but it is so very worth it. Children need to be over 8 years of age, so this might not suit all families. It takes approximately 2 hours and costs between $45 and $60 dependent on whether you book yourself straight onto the tour and travel down in your own transportation or whether you are being taxied and returned. Make sure to ask one of your guides to get some footage of you actually traveling down the line, no flip flops please and girls – don’t wear a short skirt.

4.  Cabo Blanco Tour

The first national park to be established in Costa Rica in 1963 by a Swedish couple called Karen Morgensen and Olof Wessberg, Cabo Blanco is a 1250-hectare home to hundreds of animal and plant species, beautiful coastlines, and thick jungle. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Nicoya Peninsula and is a great place to hike, enjoy the rainforest with all of its amazing sounds as well as spot a few special animals and birds. Remember to bring good walking shoes, water bottles, some snacks for the kids and mosquito spray.

Although Cabo Blanco starts at the end of the road in Mal Pais, you must enter the park through Cabuya. Since you need to cross two rivers and the road can be rough, you should have a 4×4 car, and even still it may not always be possible in the rainy season. Open 8am – 4pm and closed Mondays and Tuesdays (in order to minimize our impact on the park). Admittance is $8/person, payable at the park entrance or $40pp if you are being taxied and taken on a personal tour through www.costaricanvacation.com

5.  Calatus turtle sanctuary

This is a fantastic day out that allows you to get up close to newborn baby turtles that are being nurtured and then released into the sea. This magical experience is fun for the kids as well as educational and we encourage you to donate to the team. The volunteers are an inspiration to all. They spend considerable time in extremely basic and sometimes harsh conditions protecting these endangered animals. We advise only taking a 4×4 no matter what the weather as the last part is through heavy sand and I know first hand that a non 4×4 just won’t make the distance!

Got questions about visiting this special part of Costa Rica?  Please feel free to get in touch with Dahlia (who owns and operates www.costaricanvacation.com as well as a handful of family friendly rental properties) at dahlia@costaricanvacation.com.

September 13th, 2010 | by travelsavvymom 1 comment