The Best Family-Friendly Resorts in Costa Rica 2026

The two most popular regions is Costa Rica to visit are the Arenal/ La Fortuna area and the Guanacaste region on the Pacific coast. I am so excited to tell you about my favorite family-friendly properties in each location.

Let’s start in the rainforest!

The Springs two-bedroom suite

The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal is a fantastic choice for larger families and for those who want plenty of activities right on property. The resort features beautiful Costa Rican-style rooms with soaring ceilings and spacious layouts. They also offer an excellent two-bedroom suite with a king bed in the primary bedroom and three twin beds in the second bedroom—a rare and ideal setup for families of five, especially those traveling with teenagers.

The property itself is spread across 165 lush acres and features hot springs tucked throughout the resort. Families can enjoy river tubing, an animal sanctuary, ATV adventures, horseback riding trails, and so much more. One standout feature is the game room, which is one of the best-equipped I’ve seen. It includes ping-pong, foosball, video games, board games, American Girl dolls, toy cars, and air hockey. It’s the perfect place to relax during Costa Rica’s afternoon showers or whenever you need a little downtime. This resort is absolutely worth a visit!

Nayara Tented Camp

Nayara Tented Camp is my top choice for families seeking a luxurious rainforest experience. The canvas tents are beautifully designed with an elegant African safari-inspired feel, while still offering all the comforts of a luxury resort. Each tent also includes a stunning private dipping pool filled with natural hot-spring water.

For larger families, you can reserve neighboring tents, though it’s important to note they are separated by a walkway rather than connected internally. Guests also have access to the other two Nayara properties, although Nayara Springs is adults-only. One of the best meals of our entire trip was at Ayla, where we enjoyed incredible cuisine alongside breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano. Nayara offers a wide variety of experiences, including nature hikes, ziplining, hanging bridge tours, whitewater rafting, and more. There is also a small playground with a slide for younger children.

Now on to the beach!

Andaz

Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is one of those resorts that truly stays with you long after your trip ends. The property is lush and vibrant, with monkeys frequently swinging through the trees—it feels absolutely magical. The rooms are beautifully designed, and many feature showers with windows overlooking private patios and views of the bay. Stunning!

For larger families or groups, there are also spacious suites and villas available. The resort features several beautiful pools for families, along with an adults-only pool for those wanting a quieter atmosphere. Guests can also visit the beach club, accessible via a scenic 12-minute boat ride from the main resort. The beach club offers a gorgeous pool, non-motorized water sports, and a delicious restaurant.

Families will especially appreciate the kids club for children ages 4–11, giving parents the opportunity to enjoy a little downtime. There are also many complimentary activities throughout the day, including poolside movies and Spanish classes. The spa is absolutely beautiful—I had an open-air massage overlooking the ocean while listening to birds singing in the background. It was incredibly relaxing. This hotel should absolutely be on your radar.

Las Catalinas Beach Club

Las Catalinas is a unique beach town made up of approximately 60 homes and apartments available to rent. This is my top recommendation for large families or groups of families traveling together. You can rent one large home or multiple neighboring homes, making the possibilities nearly endless.

What makes Las Catalinas so special is that it combines the space and privacy of a vacation home with the amenities of a luxury resort. The town includes a central check-in area, beach club, restaurants, shopping, and organized activities. Every home or apartment comes with a dedicated house manager to assist with anything you may need during your stay. Homes with four or more bedrooms also include a “house mom” who prepares breakfast each morning and tidies the home daily—and this service can be added to smaller homes as well. Waking up each morning to a traditional Costa Rican breakfast on the patio was such a treat.

The perfect room for siblings or cousins!

There are seven restaurants throughout town, as well as two boutique hotels for travelers who prefer a more traditional hotel experience. The beach club is another highlight, featuring a family pool, lap pool, adults-only pool, and an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. There is also a wonderful restaurant on site serving lunch and dinner.

Las Catalinas offers many complimentary experiences as well, including visits to their farm. I also loved Coraline, a beautiful wine shop where guests can enjoy wine and chocolate tastings led by a French-trained Costa Rican sommelier. They even offer chocolate painting for the kids, while the parents have their tasting. I absolutely love this option for families.

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is my top pick for families seeking a luxury Costa Rican beach experience. Opened just about a year ago, this resort is absolutely stunning. Everything—from the beautifully designed rooms to the impeccable grounds and outstanding service—feels elevated and thoughtful.

The rooms are incredibly spacious and feature large patios with either soaking tubs or private dipping pools. The ocean-facing views are breathtaking. The spa is equally impressive, offering unique treatments inspired by local traditions, including volcanic mud facials. If possible, don’t miss the Ocean Wave Massage.

Families will love the incredible pool scene here. With 11 different pools to choose from, there truly is something for everyone, including a family pool with a waterslide that I can personally confirm is a lot of fun! The resort also offers an exceptional kids' club with both indoor and outdoor play spaces, along with a dedicated teen club. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teenagers, this resort delivers an unforgettable experience for the entire family. I can’t wait to bring my girls here one day.

When you arrive, definitely sign up for Vpass to expedite the customs process. We bypassed a massive line and saved a lot of time.

Keep in mind that it is about a three-hour drive between Guanacaste and La Fortuna.

You can use U.S. dollars everywhere and they were even able to break bigger bills for us and keep it in dollars, which is rare when traveling internationally.

All beaches in Costa Rica are open to the public, but many resorts are a bit secluded, so we didn’t have issues with crowds.

Food and drinks to be sure to try: Gallo pinto is a dish of beans and rice that Costa Ricans eat every morning. Be sure to try it with some Lizano salsa on top! Make sure to order a drink with their national liquor, Cacique, made from sugar cane.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Costa Rica page.