How do you make one of the most popular destinations for families with teens into a real adventure-off the beaten path? Costa Rica has so much to offer for families looking for outdoor adventure and wildlife. Yes, there is a typical route that makes sense for a lot of people. There are also a lot of hidden gems and different ways to travel in Costa Rica. A vacation with teens to Costa Rica to travel off the beaten path just may be the adventure you need.
Getting to Costa Rica
There are two major arrival airports and you will choose which one based on where you want to explore. The north section of Costa Rica is best reached by the Liberia (LIB) airport. The south section is best reached by the San Jose (SJO) airport. You will have options for multiple daily flights arriving and departing because both airports are international airports. Some flight options may even give you an opportunity for a stopover in Mexico City. You can access domestic flights via smaller aircraft from these two airports as well.
Once you are in country, you will either do self drive through a rental car company, arrange a shuttle to your resort/hotel or hire transfers to get to your destination. In some cases, there may be a domestic flight option to cut down your travel time. There is no right or wrong way to do this. It’s about what is comfortable for you and your family. The driving can be rough in certain areas, so make sure you are covered if any damages occur on your rental car.
Off the Beaten Path from Liberia Airport
Monteverde
Most people head straight to Arenal, which is the adventure capital of Costa Rica. There is so much to do and so many people doing it. Instead of Arenal, you could explore Monteverde in the cloud forest. The roads here are less developed because they are not used as much. Your teens will love the zip lining through the clouds, walking the hanging bridges and spotting wildlife. Change your perspective and get above the canopy! Do a night time nature walk, or take a tour of a local coffee farm for variety.
El Establo Mountain Hotel: Nestled in the trees, this hotel is great for families. The hotels is spread out on different “levels” of the forest with great night nature walks and delicious dining. The onsite spa, tempered pool, and walking trails give you plenty to do…or just relax.
Hotel Belmar: Hotel Belmar is a gateway to Costa Rica’s cloud forest wonderlands. As the 37-year flagship hotel of the Monteverde region, this family-owned destination charms with spirited hospitality, enchanting views, unforgettable eco-adventures, delightful cuisine, and regenerative sustainability. It caters to mindful travelers who embrace nature’s transformative energy and unique experiences that elevate travel as a conduit for holistic wellness.
Rincon de la Vieja
If you’re looking for a National Park with a volcano and plenty of adventure for teens, this spot is just one hour from the LIR airport. As you can imagine, natural hot springs are a main attraction along with repelling down waterfalls. You can choose to hike or horseback ride in this UNESCO world heritage site to observe amazing flora and fauna to your heart’s content.
Borinquen Thermal Resort & Spa: The Hot Springs Spa at Borinquen Thermal Resort is your exclusive location spot located in Guanacaste in the North Pacific Region of Costa Rica. The Hotel was designed and created in 1999 with the sole purpose of unlocking the exceptional beauty of the Rincon de la Vieja countryside and bringing it to the world.
Nosara
If you’re looking for a beach vacation in Costa Rica, Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula is a great escape from the crowds of Tamarindo. It’s home to some of the most amazing surfing beaches, diverse jungles, and mangroves. You will find a good mix of expats and locals that make up this community, but none of the big hotels or resorts that attract the tourists. You can relax and reset with plentiful yoga or head out for sport fishing to catch tuna, mahi, or snapper.
The Gilded Iguana: Tucked into the heart of Nosara, Costa Rica, The Gilded Iguana offers thoughtfully designed rooms with modern amenities and a lush, relaxing property to enjoy with friends or family, or simply as a solo traveler. This is your perfect homebase to venture into the jungle to experience Costa Rica’s wild diversity or onto the beach to surf one of the most consistent waves in the world.
Olas Verdes Hotel: Set in Nosara, 600 metres from Guiones Beach, Olas Verdes Hotel offers accommodation with free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden, and beach days for days.
Off the Beaten Path from San Jose Airport
Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui offers the chance to see a green macaw in the wild! Explore Braulio Carrillo National Park for hiking and birding. This is a river town, so what better way to adventure than white water rafting? So much of the land here is protected or used for agriculture making this off the beaten path destination a little quieter. And if you love ecotourism, this is the spot. Quieter means more chances to see all of that amazing wildlife.
El Lugar Costa Rica: This hotel is located only a few minutes outside of a small town called Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, and sits on 1200 acers of some of the most pristine rainforest in Costa Rica. They offer visitors a unique tropical rainforest landscape, the personal attention of a bilingual staff, and a casita style resort that you’ll never want to leave.
Santa Teresa
The semi-isolated area lets you get aways from the city-feel and the quiet beach is less crowded than many other beaches in the country, allowing for the ultimate surfing vacation. As one of the best surfing areas in Costa Rica, novices and pros alike will be able to find suitable waves either in Santa Teresa or one of the many beaches nearby. You can also find many surf schools in Santa Teresa if you are looking to improve your skills.
Nantipa: This luxury beachfront boutique hotel provides a sense of escapism for the whole family. Deep into the Nicoya Peninsula, this resort is located in one of the only five Blue Zones in the world. With a variety of suites and bungalows and one incredible villa (perfect for a multi-gen trip) your family will never want to leave.
Florablanca Resort: At Florblanca, the pura vida life is ever-present. People from around the globe visit us to connect with the life we live here, so tied to nature, to our environment, and to our people. All the villas have a view of the Pacific Ocean and have been built with elegant Asian details that blend in naturally in the exuberant tropical gardens.
Latitude 10 Resort: Latitude 10 Resort originally built as a private resort but was opened to the public several years ago. Each casita is free-standing and offers guests unsurpassed privacy coupled with luxury and elegance in an unbelievable tropical environment! If you are looking for a romantic getaway or the perfect place for a honeymoon.
Osa Peninsula
If your family seeks remote, eco-friendly travel, then this southern spot on the Pacific just might be the coolest option. It’s a long drive from San Jose, so many people take a hopper flight to get down there. The extra effort means less crowds and more untouched places. Down here you’ll get more education along with your time off the beaten path. It’s an immersive nature getaway perfect for families who want to get off the grid for a bit.
Lapa Rios Lodge: an authentic experience in the last remaining tropical lowland rainforest of Costa Rica. At this 1000 acre rainforest reserve you can experience luxury in a pristine nature environment with wildlife all around.
El Remanso Rainforest Lodge: another authentic experience with a focus on wellness and eco-luxury. If you are looking for hiking, soaking, relaxing, and wildlife encounters, this is the place to be.
Off the Beaten Path on the Costa Rican Caribbean
American tourists tend to spend most of their time in Costa Rica in the interior or on the Pacific coast. But what about the Caribbean coast? This side of the country boasts a more tropical feel similar to the islands, but with the local Costa Rican flair that travelers have come to love.
Puerto Viejo
If you want rugged terrain, and local life with incredible surf beaches, then Puerto Viejo is a great vacation spot. It’s not easy to get here, but that’s what makes it special. There is a bit of a lively scene here so perhaps best for families with teens or young adults. The surf is fantastic and the local life will ensure you meet new friends during your time away.
Hotel Aguas Claras is a boutique luxury 5* hotel with a bit of bohemian flair. This private sanctuary is filled with art and soul, boasting luxury touches and beautiful comforts. Beyond the surf you can enjoy biking and kayaking. Hike and snorkel in Cahuita National park, just 25 minutes from Aguas Claras. Learn the process of chocolate farming or go on a birding adventure.
Le Cameleon Hotel is a 4* boutique hotel in the SLH group, nestled in the jungle, but just a short walk to the beach. They offer exclusive wellbeing and nutrition workshops, but if you want to mix in adventure, there are opportunities for mountain biking and surfing. Don’t miss the adventure jungle tours that have a focus on wildlife and the flora of the area.
Tortuguero
This treasured village is situated on a sandbar island facing the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero River. This area is only accessible by airplane or boat. The nature experiences here are unparalleled. Sea turtles nest here by the thousands each year, hence the name Tortuguero. The National Park here offers canoe and kayak tours to immerse yourself in the incredible nature.
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens is a river lodge one of a kind experience. This hotel has its own private nature reserve with loads of activities and adventures. Free fishing poles and hammocks for you to relax offer some downtime that your family needs on vacation. In order to navigate to this hotel, you must be aware of water levels and seasons, so you will need to plan well ahead.
Know Your Seasons
Before you make any plans or reservations, you need to know your seasons and understand when to go. Each destination has a rainy and dry season. Rainy season falls between May-November. Dry season runs from November-April. Pricing will be determined on the season. The Caribbean side will be affected by hurricane season, which typically falls between June-November. Although the country rarely gets hit by a hurricane, the weather can be more unstable.
There is no wrong time to taken an off the beaten path adventure to Costa Rica, but knowing the seasons will help you plan for the adventure you want. Rainy season doesn’t mean it will rain all day every day. It’s more like a tropical rain that swoops in with fury in the afternoon and clears back out. The dry season can be uncomfortably hot and will give you a totally different aesthetic as you adventure, but it is easier to get around the dirt roads.
Logistics in Costa Rica
Like many places in Latin America, Costa Rica can get a little tricky to navigate if you’re off the beaten path. Logistics can get clunky and difficult. If you need help with logistics or want help building an itinerary, please reach out. I love helping people like you plan a family vacation that is full of memories and life experiences. My goal is to help you foster that connection through travel and outdoor adventures. Costa Rica is an unbelievable place for both.
