Best Costa Rica Family Resorts for 2026 (Our Real Picks)
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Planning a family trip to Costa Rica and want a resort that actually works for kids? Here are the best family resorts in Costa Rica, picked for kid-friendly amenities, comfortable family-sized rooms, and enough adventure to wear everyone out by bedtime (that’s the goal, right?).
We’re Sarah and Thomas, and we’ve lived in Costa Rica since 2016. We’ve stayed at, toured, or sent readers to every resort on this list, so you’re getting our honest take on both the good and bad of each place.
Below is a quick comparison table so you can book fast, followed by the details on each resort including what it costs, who it’s best for, and exactly what you get.
The Family-Friendly Resorts at a Glance
| Resort | Location | Best For | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Springs Resort & Spa | La Fortuna | Hot springs + adventure | Check Rates → |
| Peace Lodge | Vara Blanca | Wildlife & waterfalls | Check Rates → |
| Margaritaville Beach Resort | Playa Flamingo | Fun, all-inclusive option | Check Rates → |
| The Westin Reserva Conchal | Playa Conchal | Golf + big kids club | Check Rates → |
| Rio Perdido | Bagaces | Hot springs + adventure sports | Check Rates → |
| Planet Hollywood Costa Rica | Papagayo Peninsula | Big all-inclusive, tons to do | Check Rates → |
| Andaz Costa Rica Papagayo | Papagayo Peninsula | New water park, wildlife | Check Rates → |
| JW Marriott Guanacaste | Hacienda Pinilla | Surf beaches, villas | Check Rates → |
| El Silencio | Bajos del Toro | Nature lovers, quiet luxury | Check Rates → |
| Lapa Rios Eco Lodge | Osa Peninsula | Rainforest immersion (kids 6+) | Check Rates → |
| RIU Guanacaste | Papagayo Peninsula | Budget-friendly all-inclusive | Check Rates → |
| Los Sueños Marriott | Playa Herradura | Villas, easy access from SJO | Check Rates → |
We also made a clickable map with all the resorts. Here you go!
The Springs Resort & Spa
📍 La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano ⭐ Our rating: 4.5/5
This is our top pick for families who want hot springs and adventure in one place. The property has multiple thermal pools (some built for kids, some for adults who just want quiet), plus its own adventure center for rafting, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
The one negative we experienced here is that if you want to go to the adventure center (where there are also hot springs for adult’s only) the shuttles didn’t run as often as I would have liked. However, that may have just been on that particular day, because everything else was top notch for our stay.
Good to know:
- Room options range from family suites to villas
- Every room has a private terrace and jacuzzi tub
- Nine on-site restaurants, including a great sushi spot
- 20 minutes from La Fortuna Waterfall and the hanging bridges
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Peace Lodge
📍 Vara Blanca, about an hour from Juan Santamaría Airport ⭐ Our rating: 4.7/5
Peace Lodge shares its grounds with La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and guests get the whole property to themselves before 8am and after 5pm, which is also when the wildlife is most active.
It’s a smaller, cozier resort than most on this list, so don’t expect a huge resort vibe.
It’s actually owned by the same team as The Springs Resort above.
Good to know:
- Only 18 rooms, so it books up fast
- Free access to La Paz Waterfall Gardens (normally a paid attraction)
- Great jumping off point for Poás Volcano and coffee farm tours
- No meals are included in the room rate
Skip it if: you want an all-inclusive with a big pool scene to lounge by all day. Peace Lodge is small, meals aren’t included, and the whole point is the waterfall gardens and wildlife, not resort amenities.
Margaritaville Beach Resort
📍 Playa Flamingo ⭐ Our rating: 4.3/5
If your family wants a resort that feels like a vacation with a beach club, not a quiet retreat, Margaritaville delivers.
There’s a full schedule of daily activities and an all-inclusive package option, which we like for families who plan to stay put and not tour much.
Good to know:
- Covered kids pool plus multiple adult pools
- Kids under 5 eat free off the kids menu
- Steps from a beautiful white sand beach
- All-inclusive upgrade available if you don’t want to think about the bill
Skip it if: you want a quieter, more luxury feel. It’s a big, busy resort and it can get chaotic, especially by the pool. But if you have kids, that chaos is exactly what makes it work, there’s always something going on and they will never be bored.
The Westin Reserva Conchal
📍 Playa Conchal, between Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo ⭐ Our rating: 4.6/5
This is an all-inclusive resort with an 18-hole golf course and one of the best kids clubs in the country. It’s a great fit for families with younger kids who want everything handled, food, drinks, and activities included. Plus, we love that it has direct beach access.
Good to know:
- All-inclusive, so no surprise bills at checkout
- Separate adults-only section if you need a break
- 13 restaurants and bars on site
Skip it if: you’re a couple with more than two kids. Rooms top out at 4 guests, so bigger families will need to book two rooms, which adds up fast on an all-inclusive rate.
Rio Perdido
📍 Bagaces, about an hour from Liberia Airport ⭐ Our rating: 4.7/5
Rio Perdido has a natural thermal river running through the property, plus an impressive activity list including: ziplining, white water rafting, mountain biking, and hot springs, all within the resort property.
It’s more low-key and less “resort-y” than others on this list, which is exactly why we love it.
Good to know:
- Breakfast included, dinner can be reserved on a floating platform
- Best for families with kids old enough to handle some adventure
- Easy day trips to Rio Celeste and Palo Verde National Park
- Bungalow-style rooms, not big resort towers
Skip it if: you’re picturing a beach resort with a pool day. There’s no beach here, and most of the activities are built around adventure, not lounging. It’s also a better fit for kids old enough to hike and zipline than it is for toddlers.
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica
📍 Papagayo Peninsula ⭐ Our rating: 4.5/5
This all-inclusive resort has a great kids club (STARS Club) with Hollywood-themed activities, plus a splash zone that keeps younger kids busy for hours. It’s a big resort with a fun, energetic vibe, so it’s not for anyone hoping for total peace and quiet. We also love that it is so easy to get here from the Liberia International Airport.
Good to know:
- Kids club runs daily from 10am to 5pm
- Seven restaurants, including a Guy Fieri burger spot
- Rooms and suites sleep up to 8 guests
- Nightly entertainment and a disco
Skip it if: you’re hoping for a peaceful, boutique feel. This is a big, loud, entertainment-driven resort. Great for kids who want constant stimulation, not so great if you’re craving quiet.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
📍 Papagayo Peninsula ⭐ Our rating: 4.7/5
Andaz guests now get complimentary access to Papagayo Park which is just a 7 minute shuttle ride away. It has a splash pad and playground for younger kids, pools and slides for teens and adults, a pump track, basketball, and a racquet center with tennis, pickleball, and padel. Combine that with the resort’s Cambi Kids Club and the monkeys and iguanas roaming the 1,400-acre peninsula, and this has become one of our favorite family additions to the area.
Good to know:
- Cambi Kids Club for ages 4-11, open daily 8am-5pm
- Babysitting available for younger kids and evenings, priced hourly
- Three beaches on the property itself, plus a boat ride to the open-ocean beach club, Casa de Playa
- Golf course and full spa on site
Skip it if: You are on a tight budget. This is one of the nicest and best resorts in the country.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
📍 Hacienda Pinilla, south of Tamarindo ⭐ Our rating: 4.1/5
This resort combines standard rooms with rentable private villas, which makes it a solid option if you’re traveling with extended family or another family unit. It’s close to some of the best surf beaches in the country.
Good to know:
- Villas available through Marriott Homes & Villas for larger groups (there are some realllllyyyy nice villas here)
- Daily kids club for ages 3-12
- Great surf beaches nearby, this is a top spot to learn
- About 45 minutes from Liberia Airport
Skip it if: you want to walk everywhere. The property is spread out, so you’ll be relying on shuttles or a golf cart to get around, which can be a hassle with little kids and nap schedules.
Hotel El Silencio
📍 Bajos del Toro ⭐ Our rating: 4.6/5
El Silencio is for families who want nature and quiet luxury over a big resort scene. This is the kind of place where birdwatching, waterfall hikes, and a menu built around what’s growing in their on-site greenhouse is the norm. It works best with slightly older kids who can keep up with the adventure activities.
Good to know:
- Daily free yoga and use of mountain bikes
- Breakfast is included, lunch and dinner are not
- Rooms range from suites to three-bedroom villas
- Best for families who don’t need a pool scene
Skip it if: you want a beach or a resort pool day. There isn’t one here, this is all about the property’s trails and greenhouse, not swimming and sunbathing. Younger kids may also get restless with how nature-focused the days are.
Lapa Rios Eco Lodge
📍 Osa Peninsula, near Corcovado National Park ⭐ Our rating: 5/5
Lapa Rios sits on a private 1,000-acre rainforest reserve, and it’s one of the most impressive eco lodges in the country. All meals are included, and the wildlife here (scarlet macaws, four species of monkeys) is hard to beat.
Good to know:
- Only children 6 and up allowed
- All meals included, alcohol is extra
- Villas can host up to 5 guests
- No AC, but the open-air design keeps it comfortable
Skip it if: you have kids under 6 (they’re not allowed to stay here) or you need easy access to shops and restaurants off property. This is remote, and that’s the whole point, but it’s not for everyone.
RIU Guanacaste
📍 Papagayo Peninsula ⭐ Our rating: 4.4/5
If you want the classic big all-inclusive resort experience without the big all-inclusive price tag, this is our pick. RIU Guanacaste sits right next to its sister property, RIU Palace, and it’s the more family-friendly of the two.
Good to know:
- Water park on site, a big win with kids
- 24-hour all-inclusive, meals, snacks, and drinks
- More budget-friendly than most others on this list
- Rooms sleep up to 6 in two-bedroom suites
Skip it if: You want an upscale or intimate experience. This is a big, high-volume all-inclusive built for crowds, not quiet luxury. But if you have kids and want maximum activities for the price, it delivers.
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
📍 Playa Herradura, near Jacó ⭐ Our rating: 4.3/5
We recommend this one mostly for convenience. It’s about 1.5 hours from San José Airport, which makes it an easy pick if you don’t want a long drive with tired kids. There is also a whole collection of villa rentals on site, which makes it a good option for bigger families.
Good to know:
- Villas available for larger families or groups
- Golf course and marina on the property
- Easy access to fishing, catamaran tours, and zip lining
- Six restaurants and bars on site
Skip it if: You’re not into the whole big resort thing. This is a huge property. There is plenty to do, but it does not have that luxury refined feel.
Quick Tips Before You Book
Best time to visit: Late December through April is dry season, and it is also the busiest and priciest time of year. May through July brings lower prices and just an hour or two of rain most afternoons. From August until December you might experience some washout days.
Pack for wet: Bring more clothes than you think you need. Things get wet here and take forever to dry, so extra swimsuits and a few backup outfits for the kids will save you.
Money: Credit cards work almost everywhere, and US dollars are accepted right alongside colones, especially at resorts.
One more thing: Try to pair a beach resort stay with at least a couple nights somewhere in the jungle or mountains. Costa Rica has so much beyond the resort gates, and it’s worth seeing more than one side of it.
And don’t forget, we have a map of all of these resorts here for you!
Want more options? Check out our full guide to Costa Rica resorts, including honeymoon picks, jungle lodges, and every all-inclusive we’ve stayed at.
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✈️ What is the best way to book a flight?
Use Skyscanner to compare flights into both San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR).
🛏️ What is the best way to book my Costa Rica hotels?
We like Booking.com for hotel bookings and VRBO for private villas and vacation homes.
🗣️What is the main language in Costa Rica?
The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Most people working in tourism speak at least some English.
💰 What is the currency in Costa Rica?
The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). However, the US dollar is widely accepted in most tourist areas
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🛂 Do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica?
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Hi! We’re Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er)
We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and since 2016 we have lived in sunny Costa Rica.
It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision!
Now we spend our days roaming the country to bring you the very best in Costa Rica travel here on Costa Rica Vibes.
Sarah is the writer. Thomas is the one keeping it all together.
Want the whole crazy story?
Sarah McArthur
Sarah McArthur is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes.
She is originally from the United States but has lived in sunny San Jose, Costa Rica since 2016.
She has traveled all over the country and now considers herself a self-proclaimed Costa Rica travel expert.
Read More About the Author