The Perfect Family Road Trip in Costa Rica
Are you and your family ready to travel? Are you ready to travel outside your country? After over a year of lockdowns, restrictions, and uncertainty, I’m guessing you are MORE than ready to get back out there. And what to do for that first big, international trip of 2021? You might want to consider a family road trip through Guanacaste, Costa Rica!
We recently were able to slow-travel this incredible area of Costa Rica and fell in love with the pura vida lifestyle. Our kids are 4 years old and 1 year old, so our trip was focused mostly on beach and pool activities. We can’t wait until the kids are a little older and ready to explore the more adventurous side of Costa Rica!
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About Guanacaste
The Guanacaste region of Costa Rica is perfect for families of all ages. Think spacious beaches, tall palm trees, and fresh coconuts galore. The Guanacaste region is also one of the world’s 5 Blue Zones, where people live longer and healthier than anywhere on earth!
If exploring this beautiful coastline sounds like a dream to you, a road trip is an excellent option. You can easily rent a car from Vamos Rent a Car and create your own perfect family-friendly itinerary.
This trip to Costa Rica was a big deal to our family for several reasons:
After a year of cancelled flights and let-downs, this was our first “post COVID” international trip.
It was our first big trip as a family of FOUR! That’s right, Mason was born at the beginning of the pandemic, so our littlest explorer has a lot of catching up to do on his passport!
This is uncharted territory for our family. We have developed a bit of an obsession with finding beautiful beaches all over the world, especially in Southeast Asia. However, on this side of the world, our family has never ventured south of Mexico together! We were beyond excited to explore Costa Rica with the kids, and to draw inspiration to check out other countries in Central and South America for future travels.
COVID Updates
As of March 2021, Costa Rica is welcoming families from the United States for entry with no COVID test required. The requirements for entry can be found online on the Costa Rica tourism website, and I’ve included them here, too.
Complete a digital health pass. Print this out and store with your passports ahead of your travel day.
Purchase health insurance. We went with Trawick, but Groupo Insurance & Sagicor are also good options.
Bring facemasks. They are still required and expected, as is proper hand washing and social distancing.
Research your options for a COVID test to re-enter the US. At this time, anyone entering the US over the age of 2 (regardless of vaccination status) is required to provide a negative COVID test to your airline OR documentation of recovery. Many hotels (like the Andaz in Papagayo) will help you administer the COVID test on-site prior to departure. For this reason, it’s a great idea to plan a hotel for your last few days in Costa Rica.
Plan your perfect, socially-distant family road trip! Road trips are perfect way to social distance since you are in your own car. And Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast is a warm weather destination with plenty of beautiful and remote areas, certain to keep you away from the crowds.
Vamos Rent-a-Car is the best way to take the stress out of your family road trip in Guanacaste
Plan your road trip
When you start your perfect family road trip through Guanacaste, you will most likely either fly into Liberia (LIR) or San Jose (SJO). San Jose is usually cheaper and has more direct flight options, but LIR is closer to the coast and is now offering on-site COVID tests. Weigh your options and choose the airport that’s best for you.
Once you get your flights, book that rental car! We opted for Vamos Rent A Car in Costa Rica for a few reasons:
It’s locally owned and operated, which means supporting a local business. Over the past year, we have learned the value of supporting local economies and believe that tourism can help these economies get back on their feet!
They include thoughtful freebies in the rental process. A car seat, a cooler, and local cell phone (Yay! no need for a SIM card!) all come standard with rentals. Note that these items are subject to availability, so be sure to request at time of booking.
Convenient locations at BOTH San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) airports. These are the two main airports that will help you explore the Guanacaste coast, so having rental options at both places is awesome!
In planning this family road trip, we had some pretty important learnings. I’m sharing them here so that you don’t have to learn as you go!
Important tip #1: Don’t forget about rental car insurance. Rental car insurance is NOT always covered by your credit card, so it’s a good idea to check all your active cards for coverage options. If you don’t have enough coverage, Vamos is able to help you get insurance.
Important tip #2: Use Waze instead of Google Maps. For some reason, Google Maps is just not that reliable in Costa Rica. The locals will all tell you to use Waze and your complimentary cell phone from Vamos will include the app ready to go. If you aren’t super tech-savy, it might help to familiarize yourself with the app before arriving in Costa Rica.
Important tip #3: If you are driving from San Jose, we recommend getting an airport-area hotel and driving on the next day when you’re fresh. The 4 hour trip to the coast easily becomes 6 hours when you have kids and car seats to worry about, and driving at night with unmarked, unlit roads is less than ideal. Plus, driving during the day gives you the option to stop off in Puerto Caldera for lunch or a break. Puerto Caldera is a great port town with a small beach and tons of waterfront dining.
Important tip #4: Opt for 4WD. There are tons of dirt roads in Costa Rica and even the paved ones are pretty bumpy. We used our 4WD a couple times during our visit in the dry season, but it’s a must-have if you visit during the rainy season!
Tropical paradise at Olas Verdes hotel in Nosara
Stop #1: Nosara
The first stop on your family road trip along the Guanacaste coast is Nosara. Nosara is the perfect introduction to Costa Rica. The town has long been known for wellness, surfing, and eco tourism. Stay near Playa Guiones, at Olas Verdes and have the best of Nosara at your fingertips to explore by bike, tuktuk, golf cart, or in your car!
Nosara has grown in popularity over the past decade, but still remains true to its roots. The roads around town are unpaved, shops feature local artists and makers, and yoga studios and surf camps are everywhere. But the biggest draw of Nosara is their ongoing commitment to sustainability and ecotourism.
What we loved
The whole Nosara vibe. The town and Olas Verdes hotel are surrounded by a dense, lush jungle (technically called a “dry forest”). Dirt roads lead you through the forest to high-quality restaurants, modern shops, yoga studios, and even an organic produce store! Learn more about what we loved about Playa Guiones in our 3 Things to Know - Olas Verdes post here.
What we didn’t love
I hesitate to say this because I don’t want it to be taken the wrong way, so I’ll just put this out there as a PSA for families considering a visit to Nosara. There are no restaurants or cabanas on the beach and zero shade. Given the context that the beach at Playa Guiones is part of the Ostional Nature Reserve it totally makes sense and it’s one of the reasons we LOVED Nosara. However, if you are a family looking to visit and have a toes-in-sand dining experience, this is probably not the spot for you.
Where to stay
I can’t recommend Olas Verdes enough. This hotel is truly engrained in the community and only employs local residents. During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, they never fired a single staff even though the hotel was closed. They were committed to supporting their team members throughout the financial hardships caused by the pandemic and keeping food on their families’ tables. In addition to their dedication, they are paving the way for sustainable travel and are the first Platinum LEED certified hotel in Costa Rica. As far as family-friendly amenities, Olas Verdes features a complimentary breakfast AND complimentary laundry service during your stay. You can check our our full review of Olas Verdes hotel in Nosara here.
What to do
Playa Carillo is a must-see if you are looking for a day trip from Nosara
Surf Lessons: The waves in Nosara are great for all levels. Beginners will definitely want to consider getting a surf lesson at one of the local surf companies. Our recommendation is Safari Surf School, which is on-site at Olas Verdes.
Playa Guiones: This beach is part of a national refuge for wildlife. As such, you won’t find any cabanas, beach chairs for rent, or vendors on this beach. You WILL find great surfing, a long sandy beach, and a peaceful view of the sunset that embodies everything Nosara is all about.
Playa Ostional: Ostional is a national refuge and the second most important turtle nesting site in Costa Rica. The refuge is taking huge steps to protect wildlife in Costa Rica including the turtles, birds and marine life that call this refuge home.
Take a day trip to Samara: Samara is a great little town also known for yoga, surfing and wellness. It’s perfect for families. Head over for lunch at Lo Que Hay and enjoy toes-in-the-sand dining on the beach, and then rent a kayak and paddle out to Isla Chora and snorkel among incredible reefs. If you’re looking for the best shady beach in the area, be sure to check out Playa Carillo!
Where to eat
El Manglar: This is the restaurant at Olas Verdes hotel and we loved it! Grab a table poolside and splash in the shallow end while you wait for your ceviche!
10pies: This spot is fun for families and groups. 4 of the tables have porch swings for seating so it’s a hit with the kids. The restaurant offers up pizza, sandwiches, poke bowls, and more, so it’s great for any appetite.
Al Chile: We ate here our first night and loved if. The setting is off the main road and in a garden. The menu has great Mexican food and there are daily drink specials.
We left feeling like we didn’t have nearly enough time to explore all that Nosara has to offer and can’t wait to visit again someday. Do yourself a favor and make sure you spend an extra day or two here to explore this special slice of Costa Rican paradise!
Don’t forget to bring your SwimZip rash guards when you head to Tamarindo and enjoy their warm, sunny beaches!
Stop #2: Tamarindo
The next stop on your Guanacaste road trip is family-friendly Tamarindo! Tamarindo is a lively surf town with a growing expat scene. It’s a popular destination for both Costa Rican tourists and international tourists, so there’s a lot to do here.
The main stretch of beach is on the north end of Tamarindo and is perfect for surfing. There’s a walkable shopping district along the beach with tons of restaurants and surf shops. Just about 0.5 km to the south is our favorite stretch of beach with tide pools. We loved visiting this spot at low tide and letting Liesel AND Mason play away from the bigger waves down the beach. The tide pools easily kept them entertained so we could enjoy a leisurely breakfast or happy hour! The Palapa Restaurant in Tamarindo was the perfect spot for us, since we could enjoy breakfast or dinner fairly close to the water’s edge, keeping our belongings (and kids!) in view.
What we loved
Nightly fire show in Tamarindo
We loved the tide pools, tons of kids, plenty of awesome restaurant options both on and off the beach, and fire shows! Tamarindo overall is super family friendly and tons of expats choose to spend months here at a time.
What we didn’t love
Crowded, dusty and HOT. Tamarindo is a big town and as such, can be crowded especially on holidays like Semana Santa (Holy week) and Christmas. We visited at the end of the dry season (March) and it was HOT (90+ degrees F) most days but also windy, which would kick up mini dust storms during our walks. Consider visiting during a shoulder season or right after rainy season ends to avoid the dusty part of the year.
Where to stay
We chose to stay in a short-term rental within the Villa Verde II complex. It was a super affordable option in a great location with tons of friendly expats hanging out by the pools! However, we had a bit of an ant infestation while we were there (ok, a BIG infestation). Overall it was OK if you are looking for a budget-friendly short-term rental. If you’re looking for a hotel option, the Diria is on the beach in the heart of downtown.
What to do
Surfing: Take lessons or rent a board and try on your own! Iguana Surf has a reputation for being the best in town if you are interested in a lesson.
Kayak: Rent a kayak and paddle out to towards Capitán Island. As you paddle, be sure to check out the coral reef between the island and the beach!
Check out sea turtles: Las Baulas National Marine Park is nearby and is the perfect spot to see leatherback turtles come ashore.
Estuary tour: Take a trip up the Estero de Playa Grande at the north end of Tamarindo and check out crocodiles, iguanas and monkeys! We booked our tour through Native’s Way and it was awesome, but very warm, so be sure to pack sunscreen, SwimZip rash guards (use code DISCOVER15 for 15% off!), and plenty of cold water!
Explore other beaches: Take a quick drive south to check out Playa Langosta or Playa Avellanas. My Tan Feet has a great Youtube video about all the amazing beaches in the area and you can check it out here.
Where to Eat
The Jardin de Tamarindo food trucks are a must-do when visting Tamarindo with kids!
La Palapa for breakfast, dinner, or happy hour. This spot is perfectly located to enjoy a meal and still be able to keep an eye on the kids while they explore nearby tide pools.
Jonny Tamarindo (also called Tama Ondo and located on the beach), Surf Shack (just off the beach), and La Baula Pizza (about 1/2 mile from beach) all have play areas for the kids and tasty food.
Casual food options at El Mercadito (downtown hub with a few restaurants and playground), Jardin de Tamarindo (food trucks just off beach), and the Tamarindo Night Market are all awesome choices.
Overall, Tamarindo is a great spot for families of all ages. There are tons of activities, a playground in town, lots of restaurants, and a great beach. This is a great spot to call home base for a few weeks or months. If you only stay a few days, you will still find the locals warm and friendly and always willing to tell you about their favorite things to do in this bustling beach town.
There are tons of great beaches around Playa Flamingo. Be sure to pack your Tesalate towel for the perfect day at the beach!
Stop #3: Playa Flamingo
After spending a couple days in Tamarindo, you will have earned a break! Head north just about 30 minutes and find a quieter pace for your family in Playa Flamingo. While the town of Flamingo is small, there is tons to explore up and down the coast.
What we loved
Exploring all the beaches up and down the coast, restaurants with pools. You’ll definitely be using your Vamos rental car to explore this area. All the beaches and pools make it easy for families with even super young children to explore and enjoy the area!
What we didn’t love
The beautiful (but wavy) beach at Playa Flamingo
The beach at Playa Flamingo. It was beautiful BUT the waves were way too big to make playing in the ocean fun and there are only 2 restaurants that overlook the beach. We spent one day here and then the rest of our time exploring other beaches in the area.
Where to stay
We opted for an Airbnb built into the hillside in the Altos de Flamingo neighborhood. It had a stellar view of the ocean. However, if you’re looking for hotels, Margaritaville Beach Resort is a great option in the heart of Playa Flamingo. The Westin Reserva Conchal is just outside town on our favorite beach and features a Kids’ Club!
What to do
Don’t miss sunset at Playa Grande
Explore the beautiful beaches: The name of the game in Playa Flamingo is beach-hopping. There are so many incredible spots to visit. Be sure to pack your Tesalate towel and check out:
— Playa Conchal. This beach is easily accessible to guests of the Westin. However, if you aren’t staying there, don’t fret! You can park in nearby Brasalito and take a short walk south along the beach to experience this serene beauty. We prefer to time our visits with high tide so that the waves are gentle enough for the kids to play in. Also, we found someone offering 60-minute beach massages for $20, so prepare for the ultimate relaxation experience!
— Playa Grande. This beach town and beach have a great off-the-grid vibe and is one of the best surf breaks around. The beach is expansive and perfectly positioned to catch the best sunset of your stay in Costa Rica.
— Playa Flamingo: This beach is lovely BUT the waves here are HUGE. If you have small children (like us), you probably won’t be able to spend much time playing in the waves on the beach. Instead, head north to Playa Dantita, where the waves are much calmer.
Check out the native wildlife at Diamante Eco Adventure Park
Diamante Eco Adventure Park: If beach-hopping gets to be too much, check out Diamante Eco park. You can choose from a wide variety of tours including zip lining, canopy walks and exploring the animal sanctuary. We toured the sanctuary and saw all kinds of fun animals.
Find a pool with a view: Several restaurants in the area have pools, making it easy to spend an afternoon in the sun and keep everyone happy! Our favorites were The Costa Rica Sailing Center and Gracia at Mar Vista.
Get on the water: Take a snorkel catamaran cruise with Lazy Lizard (Playa Potrero) or Serendipity (Playa Flamingo). Pro tip: Most of the snorkel cruises from Tamarindo actually bring you north to the Flamingo area, so I highly recommend doing your snorkel cruise while staying in Flamingo, rather than when you are staying in Tamarindo (and have to drive to Flamingo)!
Where to eat
Surf Box: This road-side restaurant will surprise you. The menu is thoughtful with tons of healthy options, and has a hip, Bali-esque vibe.
Las Olas Brewing: This brewery in Brasalito (just a short drive from Playa Flamingo) is exactly what you need if you’re looking for a relaxed dinner before sunset. Their menu focuses on wings, burgers, and craft beers. There’s a huge outdoor space in the back that’s perfect for kids to run around.
Taco Star: This little taco bar in Playa Grande was one of the best meals of our trip! Order your tacos around 5pm and walk them to the beach to enjoy the perfect sunset picnic. If your kids aren’t into tacos, order a smoothie made from fresh fruit (and be sure to have a sip yourself)!
Overall, Playa Flamingo is a great destination not to be missed. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days (or more) exploring beaches up and down the coast!
Get ready for luxury treatment (and lots of smoothies!) on the Papagayo Peninsula
Stop #4: Papagayo Peninsula
Are you ready to treat yourself? The next and final stop on our trip is the Papagayo Peninsula. It’s a private community with a handful of luxury hotels. There’s crystal-clear water that is calm (unlike most spots on the west coast) and perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Almost all the family-friendly water and beach activities are here at your fingertips. You can kayak, SUP, or snorkel in the ocean and then take a break to enjoy monkeys and birds in the lush, tropical surroundings just off the beach. There are also paved bike trails and a golf course!
What we loved
One of the Andaz’s VW buses
The luxury treatment! We stayed at the Andaz and it was such a treat to spend the last part of our trip here. The food was incredible, the pools were great, and they even had a Kids’ Club, which Liesel visited THREE times. Andaz also has a special hideaway called the Beach House. It’s offsite, but Andaz provides its guests with free boat service directly to the beach every day! Once you get there, you are on your own private little beach with clear, calm water and a beach restaurant. There are plenty of seats available in the sun or the shade, depending on your preference. There are beach toys for the kids, kayaks and SUPS available to use, and some fun wildlife viewing: we saw coati and iguanas roaming around!
What we didn’t love
The resorts on Papagayo are known for being luxurious but are also somewhat isolated. The peninsula itself is gated and only guests & employees of the hotels are granted access at the security point. The isolation is a little different than what we were used to, but also gave our time here an exclusive and special feel. Also, the nearest town is about a 30 minute drive from the peninsula, so be sure you pack enough diapers!
Where to stay
We stayed at the Andaz Costa Rica and can’t recommend it highly enough! The staff were incredible, and I have to give a little shout-out to our friend, Gabrielle, who made smoothies for the whole family almost every morning at the VW poolside bar. We loved seeing capuchin monkeys around the resort and our room had an incredible view of the bay. Liesel’s favorite part were the golf carts that took us around the property when we were too tired to walk!
What to do
The Papagayo Peninsula is incredibly beautiful and there is tons to do here. There are more tours that I can name and you could get lost for hours exploring all the options on the Papagayo webiste. Here are a few highlights:
Spend some time relaxing at the Andaz’s VW Poolside Bar
Explore the beaches. Playa del Coco, Playa Hermosa and Playa Nacascolo are worth checking out. The Andaz Beach House is on Playa Nacascolo, so be sure to take advantage of Andaz’s boat service directly to the beach!
Bike the peninsula. The peninsula has a bike-share program that allows visitors to use bikes to get around the peninsula. It’s a hilly ride but a great way to explore while getting some fresh air.
Plan a date night. Take advantage of the Kids Club at Andaz and leave your kids with a babysitter while you and your special person grab a bite to eat, kid-free. We usually opt for day-dates when we travel, but it was so nice to enjoy an incredible meal here and it did NOT involve chasing Mason around a restaurant!
Where to eat
To be perfectly honest, we didn’t venture off the Andaz property at all when it came to meal time. There was no reason to, because the food was just THAT GOOD. There are 3 restaurants on-site (one closed due to COVID) and the Beach House, located just a quick boat ride away.
Rio Bhongo: All-day dining with breakfast buffets in the morning and menu-ordering throughout the day. We loved all the seafood options here. The seared tuna with chimichurri is something I’ll be trying to recreate at home until we can visit again!
Andaz Beach House: The perfect spot to relax and enjoy a beautiful view while servers deliver right to your beach chair! And the best part for little kids... if they make a mess, just dunk them in the ocean to clean them off!
Chao Pescao: This was our date night spot. The menu is a tapas-style tour of Central and South America, and everything on the menu is just exquisite. The cocktail menu here is extensive and fun, too!
The Papagayo Peninsula is the perfect spot to wrap up a trip and enjoy some luxury before heading home. Even if you never leave the resort, you will love your stay here!
A trip along the Guanacaste coast is great for the whole family
Wrapping it up
A road trip with your family along the Guanacaste Coast is an experience you don’t want to miss. It’s perfect for families. There is seriously something for EVERYONE here and we are already planning our next visit.
Be sure to pack appropriately (click here for our Costa Rica Packing Guide), rent from Vamos Rent A Car, and prepare for an incredible experience!
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