10 Best Luxury Family Resorts in Costa Rica
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Planning a family getaway to Costa Rica? I’ve put together below, some of the best luxury family resorts in Costa Rica. These will keep kids (even the picky teens) entertained while allowing adults to have fun on their own. The perfect Costa Rica family vacation! Check out my favorite resorts.
For all of these resorts except Si Como No and Rafiki, your best bet is to fly into the Liberia International Airport. For The Springs, you can fly into Liberia or the San Jose International Airport– it’s equidistant from both.
Related post: Costa Rica Packing List (For Families)
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort
Home to the largest pool area in Central America, the JW Marriott offers more than just stunning architecture and eye-catching views of Guanacaste – it’s also one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the region, providing an array of fun activities for the whole family. Plus, it sits on Playa Mansita, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica.
Get a spa treatment or take a yoga lesson while the Adventure Kids Club keeps your young children busy with ping pong, foosball, chess, and the kids’ pool. If you prefer something more adventurous, go mountain biking or rent a surfboard and test the tides.
During downtime, catch a sundown cocktail at the poolside bar or enjoy a night of music at the bonfire. And of course, don’t let hunger spoil the fun. There are plenty of dining options available including burgers for the kids. Rooms are spacious and cribs can be requested if needed.
Note this is also a very popular Costa Rica honeymoon resort as well.
Planet Hollywood Beach Resort
From well-furnished facilities, themed activities, variety of shows and music, to fine dining, this family-friendly resort welcomes you to the glamorous lifestyle of Hollywood, getting you and your cubs vacationing like a star. If you’re a larger family, you’ll be happy to know that Planet Hollywood has two-bed suites that can accommodate up to eight people.
Attack the afternoon heat by plunging into the pool, play beach volleyball with family, and enjoy tribute concerts from local bands. Or head to the PH Fitness Center and keep your heart pumping. Younger travelers will love the Star Kids Club that’ll keep them highly enthralled with dance parties, themed events, video games, art and craft classes, and movie nights. They’ll also love the water slides at the splash pad.
There’s a buffet where you can enjoy all your three meals of the day. Kids’ menus and vegetarian options are also available in various restaurants.
Hotel Si Como No
Wake up to picturesque views of the Pacific in this charming boutique hotel that features 2 restaurants, a butterfly garden, and a THX cinema that shows family-friendly movies every evening. If you’re lucky, you may also spot playful howler monkeys, sloths, exotic birds, and other wildlife on the hotel grounds, all thanks to the property’s close proximity to the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Enjoy the waterslide together at the family pool, indulge in a quiet intimate moment with your significant other in the jacuzzi at the adult-only pool, or take a free shuttle to the beach. Restaurants serve both local and international dishes and have handmade ice cream that you can enjoy with the little ones! Family suites have cribs and netted balconies so your curious toddlers don’t fall through.
This is the perfect place to see sweeping ocean views of the entire Manuel Antonio National Park beach.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
One of the most exquisite all-inclusive family resorts, Riu Palace, offers a blissful and fun-filled stay for adults and kids alike. Take advantage of the many family-friendly activities offered here including table tennis and volleyball, shows by top DJs, and tours of the volcanic areas.
If you’re a water sports person, spend the afternoon sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, or fishing in the Pacific ocean. You can also just kick back at one of the pools while the kids have a great time at RiuLand. Here, they will sing, draw, have their faces painted, whizz down the waterslides, and play unforgettable games that will fascinate them.
Rooms are large and Pack n Plays are provided upon request for people with toddlers. The buffet has a good variety of foods for everyone and the snack bar is well-stocked with munchies. Perfect for the entire family!
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Come experience the true spirit of Pura Vida in this oceanfront resort where golden sands and the warm Pacific waters provide a calm and relaxing beach vibe for the whole family. With their amazing all-inclusive deals, you’ll enjoy family suites that can accommodate up to 6 guests, three meals daily, snacks, unlimited hotel-brand drinks, and more. Kids menu is available and meals ordered off this menu are free for children under 5 years.
There are plenty of activities and outdoor adventures to keep people of all ages entertained including eco tours, golfing, beach walks, fishing, and scuba diving. For extra relation, head to the spa and enjoy a couples’ massage or body treatment.
The young ones will love to hang out at the kiddie pool or the family center where they can play foosball and pool tables. There’s also a small movie theater that plays family-friendly movies. Grab some popcorn from the snack bar and enjoy a film or two with the kids.
Dreams Las Mareas
Experience unlimited luxury at Dreams Las Mareas, one of the best family resorts for people looking for a remote yet fun destination to unwind. Nestled in the heart of the tropical jungles of Costa Rica, this off-the-beaten-path property offers hiking, swimming, kayaking, and a host of other outdoor activities for both older and younger travelers.
Three pools are available including one with a waterslide where you can let loose. Teenagers can join the Core Zone Teens Club for a range of exciting activities including table games, video games, and social events. The Explorers Club is available to offer unlimited fun for younger children too. Those who love the water can play at the kiddy pool.
Rooms are spacious and accommodate up to 3 or 4 people. For meals and drinks, the resort offers several options including classic international cuisines, and there are up to 16 dining locations to choose from.
The Springs Resort & Spa, Arenal
At Springs, you can go horseback riding, enjoy river tubing, and explore the rugged mountain terrain without setting foot outside the resort. But that’s not the only thing that draws families here; the property is also home to several hot springs and gives stunning views of the majestic Arenal volcano surrounded by tropical rainforests.
There are three main pool sections offering something for every traveler. Check out the section with the Perdido Springs. It’s the one with the famous Monkey Slide, and the children especially will love it.
In the evening, visit one of the many restaurants for fine dining. There’s an option for everyone including a kid’s menu, featuring chicken fingers, hot dogs, beef bites, and other delicacies. Family suites are available and some rooms even have a chaise lounge that would be perfect for kids under 10. to sleep on Pack n Plays are provided too with previous notice. This is the closest luxury resort to San Jose.
You might also like: A Foodie’s Restaurant Guide To La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Rafiki Safari Lodge
Something with an African touch? The Rafiki Safari Lodge provides a truly unique rainforest experience, with tents imported all the way from South Africa! This family-owned lodge is a fantastic option for families looking to unplug from the daily grind and have direct contact with Mother Nature.
Adults can enjoy a plethora of activities including aqua hiking, fishing, white water rafting, mangrove kayaking, and even jumping off mini waterfalls for the more daring adrenaline junkies. While your little ones may not have a host of things to do here, they may still be able to enjoy some fun activities like horseback riding, waterfall hikes, and birding.
Tents have sleek, modern facilities to keep you safe and comfortable and can host a family of up to 5. Delicious homemade meals and drinks are available including fun smoothies and juices for the kids.
Four Seasons Resort
Boasting 2 sandy beaches, 3 swimming pools, an indulgent spa, and a modern gym, the award-winning Four Seasons Resort is the number-one choice for families seeking unmatched relaxation, adventure, and access to nature.
Enjoy a day jampacked with activities while your nearest and dearest have an escapade of their own at the Kids Club or Teens Center. If you’re a water sports enthusiast, head to the beach and enjoy a few hours of kayaking, snorkeling, and other aquatic thrills. Golf fans can also test their abilities at the premium golf course, while nature explorers can take the nature trail to visit some of the lushest hills around.
Accommodation is set up with large families in mind. Some suites can host up to 8 people while private residences can accommodate up to 14. High chairs, cribs, and bath amenities for children are available. Restaurants feature diverse local and international dishes; there’s kids’ pizza and other shareables for the whole family.
La Leona Waterfall is close to this property and I highly recommend a visit.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort, Papagayo
Nothing screams ‘family vacation’ like the Andaz! With exquisite beaches, family-friendly pools, extensive onsite and offsite activities, relaxing wellness programs, world-class golf, fun kids’ clubs, and modern, comfy rooms, everyone can be happy here. Rooms are large enough to accommodate large families, with specialty suites hosting up to 6 guests. Cribs are also provided; just make sure to make arrangements well in advance.
Lounge at the pool and soak in the sunshine as the little ones play at the shallow kids’ pool. If you want a kids-free environment, check in the children at the Cambi Kids Club where arts and crafts, storytelling, and a host of other activities will offer them endless amusement.
Want to venture beyond the resort? Take a day trip to the nearby areas and explore monumental volcanoes, discover vast cloud forests, hike in mysterious rainforests, enjoy waterfalls, or delight in an adrenaline-rushing water raft adventure. Back in the resort, enjoy gourmet dining in one of the four eateries or kick back in the room and treat yourself and the kids to room service. The food menu is rich and includes pizza, mini burgers, and mini seabass tacos for the kids.
If you need help narrowing down which of these resoorts is best for your family- don’t hesitste to give me a call! I’m happy to help with a quick consult, and I won’t try to sell you anthing.
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Christa Jimenez
Welcome! I’m Christa, a Spanish teacher married to a handsome Costa Rican and mother of two bilingual daughters. We’ve spent over 25 years living in and traveling to Costa Rica with our daughters, and this website is my love letter to all things Costa Rica- and to bilingual parenting too. You can read my full story here. Thanks for stopping by!
