Costa Rica with Teens: A 10-Day Itinerary of Jungles, Beaches & Bravery
Costa Rica has been on my travel wish list forever. What’s the lure? Sloths swinging in the treetops, mangoes so sweet they practically melt in your hands, and the sheer wonder of a country where you can drive from an active volcano to the beach in a single day.
This time, we brought two of our three kids. Traveling with them is very different from traveling with just The Hubs. When it’s just us, food often takes center stage; he enjoys it as much as I do (or at least claims to). With the kids, food becomes fuel for the adventure. They’re in it for the thrills, not the truffled sauces. Still, there were plenty of meals worth remembering, even if they came with side orders of sandy flip-flops and wet bathing suits.
San José Arrival: Birds, Coffee, and a Poolside Exhale
We landed in San José, where driving is not for the faint of heart. Road markings are optional, traffic unpredictable, and the locals drive with the kind of confidence I could only dream of. The humid city air clung to us as horns blared and buses rattled past. Thankfully, we had booked a night at Hotel Hacienda Belen, a lush property filled with tropical greenery and birds chattering overhead. Dinner at the hotel was simple but satisfying, and afterward we swam under the stars before sinking gratefully into bed.
The next morning started with what might be the best coffee of my life — strong, rich, and perfectly balanced; the kind of cup that makes you consider moving to Costa Rica just for breakfast. Add in flaky pastries and sun-warmed fruit, and I was almost sad to get in the car. Almost. As much as I wanted a second cup, adventure was calling. There’s something magical about leaving the bustle of San José behind and watching the jungle slowly take over the view out the car window. Our next stop was La Fortuna.
La Fortuna: Waterfalls, Chocolate, and Facing Fears
Google Maps insisted we weren’t lost on the drive to La Fortuna, but the winding roads and jungle landscapes had me questioning that more than once. We crested a hill to see the volcano wreathed in clouds; eventually arriving at Los Lago Hotel, not the fanciest in town but perfect for us: big rooms, on-site hot springs, and a location close to everything.
Our first adventure was river tubing. With the water level low, the rapids were more playful than wild, which suited me just fine. Guides steered us through bumpy stretches, and every so often the whole group paused to regroup, a welcome excuse to float quietly under the trees, listening to the jungle buzz and birdsong. That quiet float was my first real moment of exhale on the trip: a reminder that Costa Rica’s wildness can be just as gentle as it is thrilling.
The hot springs at the hotel were an immediate hit with the kids; they would have stayed there forever. Food at the pool bar? Nothing to write home about, but when you’re warm, wet, and happy, even chicken fingers taste like five-star dining.
Day two began with a steep descent down the steps to La Fortuna waterfall. The shock of the cold water against our skin stole our breath, but the emerald pool shimmered like a promise. It struck me then how this country seemed to swing between extremes — icy plunge pools and steaming hot springs, quiet jungle moments and heart-racing climbs. Go early if you can; it’s quieter and you might just spot wildlife.
From there, we headed to the Don Olivo Chocolate Tour, which turned out to be a highlight of the trip. Led by the owner’s son, it was more than chocolate; it was a sensory tour of Costa Rican farming life. We walked through the family’s land, sampling papayas, bananas, and cacao pods still sticky from the sun. The pulp was tangy-sweet, clinging to our fingers. We learned how chocolate and coffee were made, sampled both fresh and roasted, and even tried their homemade rum. Educational? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely. Dripping wet and happily chilled from the waterfall, chocolate was exactly what we needed. The rich scent of roasting cacao clung to us long after we left, the jungle air itself perfumed with sweetness.
That evening, we braved a night walk at Mistico Hanging Bridges. With flashlights cutting through the dark, we spotted frogs with neon-bright skin, snakes draped across branches, and even a sleepy sloth. The Baby, who despises snakes with a passion, declared this her personal nightmare. The rest of us were fascinated. Pants, rain jackets, and bug spray are musts. That night, the forest still buzzed in my ears as I tried to sleep: frogs croaking, leaves rustling. By morning, it was time to trade one kind of thrill for another. Even in bed, with the jungle’s soundtrack all around, I felt my nerves prickle — tomorrow’s adventure would demand more courage than I was sure I had.
And then came day three, the day I stared down my fear of heights. Ziplining above the rainforest canopy at 600 feet, rappelling down waterfalls as tall as 165 feet, and yes, surviving the dreaded “Monkey Drop.” My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears, and for a moment the world went blurry. The guides from Pure Trek were kind and encouraging, and though I was terrified every step of the way, I did it. My family had the time of their lives. Me? I was proud. And that pride tasted almost as good as the post-adventure pizza we devoured in Jaco.
From Jungle Roads to Beach Bliss
The drive from La Fortuna to Playa Herradura was one for the books. We chose the dusty mountain road: steep, jungle walls closing in on the narrow path, unpaved hairpin turns, and for us, a flat tire. Luckily, nearby hotel staff came to our rescue. Next time, we’d take the longer but calmer route around the mountains. Every trip has one story that becomes family legend — the flat tire in the mountains was ours. Fortunately, the road ended in beach breezes and salt air.
On the way, we stopped at the infamous crocodile bridge over the Tárcoles River. Vendors sold raw chicken to toss to the crocs below, their prehistoric bodies lurking in the muddy water. The air reeked of river, and low growls rose from the shadows. Both fascinating and mildly horrifying.
At last, we arrived at Los Sueños Resort, our home for the next several days. The resort was beautiful: an enormous pool, lush landscaping, and a sunset tree-planting ceremony where we added our tiny contribution to Costa Rica’s reforestation efforts.
The following day we revved up for an ATV adventure with Riders Adventures, climbing jungle trails to a hidden waterfall, splashing through rivers, and even spotting a toucan overhead. The kids grinned the whole way, especially when the guide let them push the speed a little. The roar of the engines and the spray of water made it unforgettable.
Dinner that night was sushi at Ohana in Jaco, where the rolls were fresh, inventive, and happily devoured by the entire family.
After so many high-energy days, I scheduled a full “do nothing” day at the resort. We floated in the pool, tried the stand-up paddleboards, and strolled down to Lanterna, an Italian steakhouse by the marina, where the outdoor tables caught the ocean breeze and the gelato shop next door sealed the deal. That slow day was exactly what we needed before diving back into adventure. Batteries recharged, we were ready for Costa Rica’s most famous national park.
Manuel Antonio & A Perfect Last Bite
One of our most anticipated days was Manuel Antonio National Park. With a guide and his spotting scope, the forest opened up to us — sloths, monkeys, insects, and birds I never would have seen on my own. The monkeys’ chatter followed us down the trail, and the salty air grew stronger as the forest gave way to sea. At the end of the trail, a bowl of fresh papaya and pineapple awaited, sweeter for the sweat and sea air.
The beaches there are as beautiful as promised, with warm sand and refreshing turquoise water perfect for a post-hike swim.
We went back to Ohana for dinner that night because sometimes you find a place so good it deserves an encore.
On our final day, we circled back toward San José, stopping at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Sanctuary. With waterfalls, lush animal enclosures, and a butterfly house that felt like stepping into a kaleidoscope, it was a fitting farewell. The humid air shimmered with color as butterflies brushed against our shoulders. The kids were wide-eyed, especially during a close-up jaguar encounter. Saying goodbye to Manuel Antonio felt bittersweet, but Costa Rica wasn’t done showing off. One more waterfall, one more burst of color awaited us at La Paz.
Our last night was at the airport Hampton Inn & Suites — functional, not fabulous — but after ten days of adventure, even basic white sheets felt welcome.
Reflections
Costa Rica gave us everything we’d hoped for: wildlife encounters, adrenaline adventures, time to relax, and yes, incredible coffee. Traveling with kids meant food became fuel and fun took center stage. But honestly, watching their faces light up at every waterfall, toucan, and ATV trail was the best flavor of all. Traveling with kids changes the rhythm; it’s less about savoring every bite and more about living the whole messy, marvelous feast of it.
Would I recommend it? Wholeheartedly. Five stars. Memories to last a lifetime.
I hope this inspires you to travel, to eat, and to join me as I continue sharing my journey through seven continents and infinite foods.
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If You Go – Quick Itinerary
San Jose (1 night): Hotel Hacienda Belen
Day 1 - hotel pool/dinner
Day 2
2.5 hours to La Fortuna
La Fortuna (3 nights): Los Lago Hotel
Day 2
Hotel hot springs
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
4 hours to the coast
stop at the crocodile bridge at the Tarcoles River
Playa Herradura (4 nights): Los Suenos Resort
Day 5
Hotel pool
Day 6
Ohana Sushi (takes reservations, but we did not make one)
Day 7
Hotel pool
SUP rental from the hotel
Lanterna at Los Suenos Marina (takes reservations, but we did not make one)
Day 8
Take breakfast to go
Ohana Sushi (they take reservations, but we did not make one)
Day 9: Hampton Inn & Suites
**I would highly recommend that you make reservations in advance when available. I always book scheduled activities and typically make dinner reservations in advance. I’ve indicated with a parenthetical any restaurants that take reservations.