Plan the trip your family will never forget

COSTA RICA with kids

Real tips, stress-free planning, and local insight from a mom who knows

NOT A TRAVEL BLOGGER. FAMILY.

I've spent 20 years learning Costa Rica so you don't have to.

I'm Christa. Over two decades, fifty-plus trips, and thousands of families helped plan their Costa Rica trip since 2016, plus the Arenal chapter of Lonely Planet Costa Rica 2026 with my name on it. We're a Costa Rican-American family living in the US, so I plan this trip the way you do, from here, then test it myself with my own kids on the ground. So yeah, Costa Rica is basically like my home turf.

Loved By moms everywhere
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April Tucker profile picture
April Tucker
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Christa really helped put my mind at ease concerning my upcoming trip to Costa Rica. I have never been out of the US before. She has a wealth of knowledge and recommendations for activities and how to save money and travel safely. Definitely worth the consult fee. Pro Tip: get the notes :) Blessings
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Eliza Barnard
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Planning a 2-month trip to Costa Rica felt completely overwhelming until I started working with Christa. She was incredibly helpful in organizing all of my ideas and actually making the trip come to fruition. I was feeling so stuck trying to figure out where to go, how long to stay in each place, and how to make the itinerary flow — and she made the entire process feel so much easier. We met roughly 5-6 times before our trip to plan out all details and Christa was super helpful in creating a timeline and meeting agenda’s. I had my parents and best friend visiting and we even called meetings with them so that everyone could hear from Christa! Her recommendations were amazing, and we absolutely loved the areas she suggested — especially Sámara, which ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip! She really listened to what we were looking for and helped create a plan that felt perfect for our family. She was super cognizant of our family’s needs and truly planned ideas with the kids in mind (ages 3 and 5). I’m so grateful for all of her guidance, knowledge, and support throughout the planning process. Highly recommend working with Christa if you’re planning a Costa Rica trip!
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Rita Hallaveld
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Christa's blog and guides were immensely helpful, but her personal attention and trip planning recommendations were top notch. Every option was great and it really helped me plan my first visit in a way that met my top needs for a solo trip with my child.
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Susan G
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Christa was very helpful when we were planning our trip. I really appreciated her honest feedback and tips. She was very knowledgeable with respect to traveling to Costa Rica with children.
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Judy bloom profile picture
Judy bloom
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Christa helped us organize our trip to Costa Rica. She worked within our budget and suggested a fantastic mid range hotel where we saw huge iguanas, toucans, howler monkeys and enjoyed a hot spring swim up bar and great buffet. Our family included a high schooler and college age boys. All had fun!
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Janet Daly Baumann
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One conversation with Christa saved me so many hours combing through online reviews and travel sites. I don’t have to second guess my plans or worry if we are doing the right amount of adventuring versus relaxing. All of her advice is with kids in mind because she has first-hand experience traveling with her kids just about everywhere in Costa Rica. Her knowledge is far above and beyond what a typical travel agent can offer.
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Sara Flannery
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Christa was very nice and helpful in helping me plan my trip for my family - from places to stay, activities to do, and places to eat. We went with a good itinerary in place and everything worked out perfectly without the any stress! She gave great recommendations based on your interests and your budget. Highly recommend Christa!
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Insider tips from a mom who's done this trip 50+ times. No fluff, just what actually works.
Taste Pura Vida In Your Own Kitchen
Costa Rican food doesn't get the credit it deserves, and I've spent years in the kitchen proving it. My cookbook has 121 recipes, tested and family-approved. Start cooking before you even book your flight.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Costa Rica is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Central America. Many areas offer kid-friendly beaches, wildlife experiences, easy nature activities, and relaxed small-town vibes. I’ve traveled the whole country with my own kids, from toddlers to teens.

Read the complete guide: Costa Rica With Kids

It depends more on your choices than on Costa Rica itself. Lodging style, whether you self-drive or hire private transfers, how many regions you cover, and the season you travel all move the number more than anything else. One thing I’m really good at? Maximizing money in Costa Rica.

Most families overspend not because Costa Rica is expensive, but because they build an itinerary with too much driving and too many stops. That’s exactly what I fix in a consult or the Starter Kit, a plan built around your actual budget, not a generic one.

Learn more about the Starter Kit here. 

Seven to ten days on the ground is the sweet spot for most families, enough time to settle into two regions without the trip becoming a series of long car rides. Fewer than seven and I’d pick one region and stay put. More than ten and you can comfortably add a third.

See a sample 7 day itinerary here.

For most families, yes. Public transportation is slow with kids and luggage, and shuttles between destinations add up fast. A rental car gives you the freedom to stop when someone needs a bathroom, a snack, or a sloth photo. I’ve negotiated an exclusive discount with the rental company my own family uses.

Get my rental car discount: Adobe Rent a Car

Yes, Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America and has no army at all. Like anywhere, it helps to know which areas to choose, how to handle valuables, and what to expect on the roads.

I share absolutely everything I know here: Costa Rica Safety Tips for Families

It depends on your kids’ ages and what your family loves. La Fortuna is great for adventure and hot springs, Manuel Antonio for wildlife and beaches, and the Caribbean side for a slower pace. Every region has its own personality, and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to end up with a trip that’s all driving and no rest.

Here are my Top Spanish Phrases For Travel In Costa Rica

Dry season runs December through April and it’s the most popular time for families. But green season (May through November) means fewer crowds, lower prices, and lush rainforest, with rain usually only in the afternoons. There’s no bad time, just trade-offs.

See the month-by-month breakdown: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica