Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure, Wildlife & Beaches

Originally published in 2020. Updated in 2026 to reflect current travel planning tips for families.

Costa Rica Family Itinerary at a Glance (10 Days)

Best for: Families

Trip style: Wildlife, adventure, and beach time

Regions visited: Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio

Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica (San José)

– Stay at Villa San Ignacio

Days 2–5: Arenal Volcano

– Hot springs

– Wildlife spotting

– Hanging bridges & rainforest activities

-Zip Lining

-White Water Rafting

– Stay at The Springs Resort & Spa

Days 6–9: Manuel Antonio

– Beaches & wildlife

-Sloth Tour

– Manuel Antonio National Park

– Relaxed beach days

– Stay at Tulemar Resort

Day 10: Return to San José & depart

First Stop: La Fortuna – The Springs Resort and Spa

First Stop

It didn’t bother us at all that our room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived.  As a matter of fact, it took us moments to switch into our swimsuits and dive right into the pools and hot springs. There is a swim-up bar in the main pool where my kids quickly figured out how to charge Shirley Temples and Virgin Daiquiris to the room.  Of course, I, too, mastered ordering drinks at the swim-up bar.  Soaking in the warm pool and gazing upon Arenal Volcano with a drink in hand was the perfect way to start our vacation.

The Rooms

Once our room was ready, we were taken down the hill to Building 1, which we were told has the most beautiful views, and they weren’t kidding!   My son loves to be the first one in the room and is always quick to make an assessment. The room got two thumbs up! The rooms are located directly below the main building, and each has a large patio with hammocks, rocking chairs, and direct views of Arenal Volcano.    Our room was approximately 720 square feet, including the balcony, and had ample room for all 4 of us.  They set up the kids’ beds right up against the window so they could wake up to the volcano’s view.  We made sure to take advantage of our patio more than a few times, either lounging the day away in the hammock or enjoying a tasty breakfast together.

Dining

What originally attracted me to this resort was that we would never really have to leave the property.    There are several restaurants, all serving different cuisines, from traditional Costa Rican to Sushi. Something they offer that I find unique and convenient (especially when traveling with kids) is the ability to order from any other restaurant’s menu while dining at another. My husband and I had a nice sushi meal while the kids ordered burgers and pasta from the other menu. This flexible ordering made our dinners so much easier and stress-free. Even though the prices were a bit on the higher side, the food was delicious. We never had a bad meal.  After dinner each night the kids loved heading to the supervised game room giving my husband and I some much needed adult-time.  If you are parents traveling with your kids, you know that you take whatever adult time you can get!

Excursions

We didn’t have to go far for our excursions. Club Rio sits along the river at the base of the property.  It offers activities such as horseback riding, river tubing, kayaking, and rock climbing, to name a few.  There is also an animal sanctuary on the property, where they care for injured or sick animals that can no longer survive on their own. For those looking to get some steps in, there are hiking trails and even more natural hot springs down at Club Rio. We loved hiking to the hot springs and ran into a variety of wildlife along the way.  We saw monkeys and sloths up in the trees, vibrant lizards and iguanas on the ground, and a variety of birds in the air. It was a very exotic experience for all of us.

Hanging Bridges

We did go off property once, twice if you count our visit to the clinic. (Be sure to read my post on “Traveling with kids: Be Prepared for Anything“). We booked our off-property excursion to experience the Mistico Hanging Bridges. We all had a wonderful time hiking through the rainforest with a guide who pointed out wildlife we would have otherwise missed. Here’s a quick hint: take the morning tour, as animals are much more active then. We were on the afternoon tour and didn’t see as much wildlife as we would have liked, but it was still a great experience.  My husband and I would have loved to go zip-lining, but our kids weren’t into that at all.  The hanging bridges were a wonderful compromise, getting us up in the rainforest canopy without anxiety and adrenaline rush.

Loved Every Minute

We loved our stay at The Springs and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the La Fortuna area.  As mentioned earlier, this was just the first leg of our Costa Rican adventure.  Even though it is a bit pricier, it was worth it.  It was perfect for our family because even though it is kid-friendly and convenient, it is also luxurious.   The rest of our Costa Rican tour involved lots of traveling, so this respite was just what we needed to kick things off.  Now that the trip is over and we are back home, when I ask the kids what their favorite part of Costa Rica was, they unanimously say “The Springs!”

Top Rated

When I was looking for a place to stay while in Manuel Antonio, I looked to TripAdvisor to see which places received the best reviews. As I researched, Tulemar kept popping up with glowing reviews. Now that I have been there and experienced it, I can see why it is one of the top-rated resorts in Manuel Antonio and why it has received so much love.

Tulamar Resort vs Bungalows and Villas

When you book, you will see two options for Tulemar Resorts: “Tulemar Resort” and “Tulemar Bungalows and Villas.”  The latter is part of Tulemar Resorts and comprises individually owned villas on the resort grounds. These villas have access to the same amenities as resort guests.  I learned that when you are trying to book a hidden gem like this, you need to book way, way in advance.  I did not.  We booked our vacation about two months in advance, and the resort was sold out of the family-sized bungalow we would have preferred. In a panic, I called Bungalows and Villas, and they had one available for rent.  So seriously, book ahead!  I am so happy we were able to make it work at this special resort, and I really appreciate how they accommodated us.

Home of the Sloth Institute

Tulemar isn’t your typical resort; it’s a series of bungalows and villas spread throughout the jungle, trailing down to the beach. The resort is very intimate and very private. One of the best things about Tulemar is the abundance of wildlife that lives on and around the property. Every day we saw monkeys, sloths, parrots, Macaws, and iguanas, just to name a few. If sloths are what you are after, there is no place better than Tulemar.  The grounds are home to the Sloth Institute. The institute studies sloths and offers extensive knowledge about these animals. Because they are constantly tracking the animals, the Institute guides will help you find where many of the resident sloths are hanging out within the property.

Ameneties

Our villa came with a full kitchen, which is always helpful when you are traveling with kids. Honestly, sometimes the easiest breakfasts come in the form of cereal, fruit, or a quick slice of toast. We ate many meals either at the resort’s open-air restaurant or down at the beach. Tulemar is one of the only resorts in the area with its own private beach, complete with beach service. It’s a beautiful, secluded cove where they offer guests free kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. There is a great beach cafe where you can order drinks and enjoy a variety of lunch options.  If you tire of the beach, the resort has several pools hidden throughout the property, which also offer food and beverage service.

Location, Location, Location

Another great thing about the resort is its proximity to town and Manuel Antonio National Park.  We didn’t need to rent a car on our trip because of the numerous restaurants, shops, and markets all within walking distance of the resort. We spent each evening walking through town to find a new, delicious restaurant for dinner.  My son still talks about Cafe Emelio and how it’s still his favorite restaurant ever.

Tulemar was the perfect place to unpack, settle, and just “be” for a while. We would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

I went back and forth for weeks, trying to decide whether to rent a car or hire a driver. The price difference really wasn’t that big, so it came down to preference. I usually lean toward renting a car because I like the freedom of knowing I can go wherever, whenever, but this time we decided to hire a driver and take advantage of their expertise and local knowledge. It turned out to be a good choice for us because the drives between destinations are 3-5 hours, and neither my husband nor I was in the mood to tackle the hilly, winding Costa Rican roads. It was nice to sit back, relax, and just enjoy the ride. All our drivers were extremely kind and accommodating. They were always up for stopping along the way to see sights or grab a bite to eat. Tip: It is always good form to offer to buy your driver a meal – local cuisine isn’t terribly expensive and goes a long way.

Because we had an early-morning departure and a late arrival, we bookended our trip with overnights near the airport. We chose to stay at Villa San Ignacio, located about 20 minutes from the airport. While there were many other options near the airport, I wanted to stay in something a little more Costa Rican than a Hampton Inn or Marriott.   Furthermore, I wanted my kids to experience something more unique, full of character, and rich in Costa Rican hospitality. Villa San Ignacio was the perfect choice for us.

The name Villa San Ignacio kind of rings true. It does feel a bit more like a villa than a hotel. It’s a large property on beautiful grounds and has a restaurant and a pool. It’s not a 5 star hotel luxury hotel, but it makes up for it with charm and character. The rooms and grounds are clean, comfortable, and eclectically decorated. Best of all, Villa San Ignacio was loaded with Costa Rican hospitality. It was a perfect spot to unwind and relax before our days of travel.

We loved our time in Costa Rica. If we had the time, we would have definitely stayed longer and seen more of the country. For a first visit, I feel La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio gave us a perfect taste of Costa Rica.  We will definitely be back to see more of this wonderful country’s wonders.