Going to Costa Rica with teenagers? Right here’s our itinerary, what I’m glad we did, and what I’d do in a different way subsequent time.
Is Costa Rica in your bucket checklist? It was on mine for a very long time. So after two years with little journey, I used to be able to go massive and eventually make it occur.
I’m blissful to report that Costa Rica was all the pieces I’d hoped it could be: lush, beautiful, and full of latest 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 children, 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 in a different way subsequent time. I hope that is useful to you.
What I’m Glad We Did
I’m glad we…rented a automobile
You will get round Costa Rica with personal shuttles or public transportation. However I liked having the liberty to discover on our personal, stopping at overlooks or markets alongside the way in which. Our journey company booked our automobile via Mapache, and we had no issues. It was a newish Suzuki 4X4, a should for the bumpy, unpaved roads. It was small however snug for our household of 4.
Understand that most of the roads in Costa Rica are slim and windy, so it’s worthwhile to 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. Pace limits are low to account for the twisty roads, so quick distances can take for much longer than you suppose (a 100-mile journey from Manuel Antonio to the San Jose airport took almost three hours).
For navigation, we used Google Maps offline since we didn’t have knowledge outdoors the inns. We made a couple of mistaken turns alongside the way in which however by no means received utterly misplaced.
I’m glad we…went off the crushed 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 via many small cities and exquisite rural areas. If we had stayed put at inns 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 find out how to spot sloths hanging in bushes, which gap the tarantula resides in (yep!), and what leaf the poison dart frog is perching on. They’re additionally a wealth of data in regards to the vegetation and historical past of the world.
I’m glad we…received assist from a journey agent
Even armed with recommendation from mates who had traveled to Costa Rica, I nonetheless felt overwhelmed planning the journey. So I used a journey company a good friend advisable referred to as Pacific Commerce Winds. They had 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 and not using a hitch.
We had been additionally upgraded at two of the inns 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 guide via an company.
For journey planning, I additionally extremely advocate the Fb group Costa Rica Journey. You possibly can ask questions, seek for matters, and get itineraries, suggestions, and inspiration there.
What I Would Do Otherwise
I want we had…been extra strategic about meals
Youngsters are ALWAYS HUNGRY, which could be particularly tough once you’re touring. We spent some huge cash on meals, and I feel we may’ve been smarter about it. My recommendation:
- In case you’re reserving a resort, test the menus prematurely to make sure the meals is family-friendly and inexpensive.
- Top off on meals at a grocery retailer to maintain in your room (we stopped at a Wal-Mart close to the Liberia airport). See our checklist 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 resort or Airbnb fridge.
- Analysis eating places forward of time so you may have choices when everyone seems to be drained and hungry and needs 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 essential, however my children had been bored after we had a day with out plans.
We did 4 excursions in all–Mistico Hanging Bridges, Espresso & Chocolate Tour, Forest Night time Hike, and Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park Tour–however I want I had booked some lively, adventurous excursions as properly, like waterfall rappelling, kayaking, or pedal-boarding on Lake Arenal, which a good friend advisable.
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 inns. However now that I’ve visited, I’d 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 together with her household, and the proprietor organized to have an area prepare dinner put together a standard dinner for them!
I want we had…spent extra time in fewer locations
I scheduled so much 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 a substitute 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 additional day, after Southwest randomly canceled our flights and rebooked us a day early. It was effective for our bonus day, however there are possible prettier seashores within the space.
- Get rental automobile and drive to Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa (two nights)–the swankiest resort we’ve stayed in as a household, with entry to their intensive thermal springs. I’d keep within the La Fortuna space longer subsequent time. Whereas there, we additionally did:
- Drive to Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Lodge (two nights)–stunning and distant however I don’t advocate it for many who get carsick, because the highway as much as the resort is lengthy, bumpy, and unpaved. I arrived sick with meals poisoning, so sadly I didn’t get to get pleasure from this resort. They despatched tea and hen broth to our casita for me.
- Guided Night time 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 could possibly merely get park tickets and benefit from the park and seashores by yourself.
- Shuttle to San Jose Airport for our flight dwelling.
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 Ventanita: A reader advisable 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, inexpensive meals with wonderful views of the volcano.
Espresso & Chocolate Tour: I used to be nervous my children could be bored studying about espresso, however all of us favored this tour, which begins in a small farm and ends with tastings of espresso and chocolate. My children additionally received to press juice from uncooked sugarcane. We discovered so much!
Our journey agent booked this tour via Canoa Aventura. however I’ve learn nice issues in regards to 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 stunning seashores, which appear to be slices of paradise. These seashores are contained in the nationwide park, and tickets to the park promote out, so guide yours prematurely.
FAQ About Costa Rica
Did we really feel secure in Costa Rica?
Sure! We didn’t expertise something that felt harmful. That being stated, it’s necessary 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 car parking zone attendants to regulate your automobile. We additionally stashed our passports and valuables within the resort safes when out of our room, which is sensible regardless of the place you journey.
Is it okay to drink the water?
Sure. I did loads of analysis earlier than going, and the consensus was that the water is secure to drink. Nonetheless, I did come down with some sort of meals poisoning that landed me in mattress for about 36 hours in the midst of our journey. It’s unimaginable to know what precipitated it, however no person else within the household received sick whereas we had been there despite the fact that all of us ate and drank the identical issues.
What’s the meals like in Costa Rica?
At inns and resorts, you’ll be able to simply discover acquainted fare. On the small native eating places (referred to as sodas), you’ll discover menu gadgets like gallo pinto (rice and beans), arroz con pollo (hen and rice), casado (rice, beans, greens, and plantains), and many contemporary fruit juices. And the pineapple! Oh the pineapple! It’s in all places and it’s FABULOUS.
We additionally ate loads of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. My children had no drawback discovering gadgets on each menu that they favored.
What forex do they use?
The forex of Costa Rica is the colon. After we arrived, we exchanged $200 for colones and introduced $200 value of {dollars} in small payments for suggestions. We paid in colones, {dollars}, and with our Visa (there’s a small payment for utilizing Visa).
At present, 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 bathroom paper?
Sure, in some locations they ask you to position used bathroom paper in a can beside the bathroom.
Do I want 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 via hand gestures and the Google Translate app, we had 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 children received to observe the Spanish they’ve discovered in class, translating menu gadgets and highway indicators. Primary phrases & phrases we used:
- Hola: Hiya
- Gracias: Thanks
- Buenos días = Good morning
- Buenas noches = Good night
- Mucho gusto = Good to satisfy 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 in every of our tour guides defined to me, it may be used for all the pieces from a greeting, a goodbye, a solution to “how are you?” and even a “no worries” when one thing goes mistaken.
Since returning dwelling, we’ve tried to maintain the relaxed, worry-less “Pura Vida” vibe going!
What to Pack for Costa Rica with Teenagers
We stuffed so much into these sort of compression packing cubes. They characteristic a “compression zipper”, so that you save much more area. In case you’re flying, right here’s my favourite extremely light-weight suitcase you’ll be able to both test or stick with it.
- T-shirts (a minimum of one per day if no entry to laundry since you’ll get scorching and sweaty), shorts, mountain climbing pants or joggers, hoodie
- Further 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 particular person carry a pack with their very own swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and the rest they want.
- Strolling or mountain climbing footwear
- Sandals or slides
- Hat
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen (the solar is robust!)
- Bug spray (you can too 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 had been far-off from a pharmacy once I wanted it.
- Bonine movement illness chewable tablets. The roads are windy, so it’s simple to get carsick. Even for those who don’t lease a automobile, it’s possible you’ll want it for the shuttles to inns 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 (good for dessert again within the room)
- Granola bars
- Bottled water
- Gatorade (I used to be so blissful to have this once I was dehydrated from meals poisoning!)
- Onerous sweet (nice for lengthy hikes)
- Peppermints (to appease carsickness)
- Crackers
- Nuts
- SIM card (we had been suggested to get this however by no means found out find out how to use it!)
Extra Journey Itineraries
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