Costa Rica Family Reunion Guide: How to Plan an Unforgettable Group Vacation

Life moves quickly. And getting the whole family together doesn’t happen as often as it should. It takes a lot to get everyone together in one place, but the memories made when the entire family does get together are beyond worth it.

What’s better than a family reunion? A family reunion in Costa Rica!

Rather than figuring out who can host Grandma and Grandpa, plus all the cousins and their kids, why not plan a family reunion in Costa Rica, so everyone can enjoy spending time as a family while making great memories without anyone having the hassle of hosting.

Costa Rica is a wonderful place for a family reunion. It’s the chance for everyone to come together and enjoy a true vacation while spending time with loved ones and sharing the precious time that can be spent together.

Why Costa Rica Is Perfect for a Family Reunion

Costa Rica is a top international tourist destination for many reasons, and those same reasons make it a top choice for the perfect family reunion.

With two international airports, there are plenty of flights for families from the United States and Canada to choose from, allowing for easy arrivals and access to major destinations within a few hours of the airport. Visitors can fly into Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela (SJO) or Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIB). From either airport, there are plenty of ways to move about, from private shuttle options to car rentals, or make use of the small domestic airlines that service flights within the country.

Thanks to decades of experience as an international tourist destination, Costa Rica has a well-developed infrastructure for tourism and larger group travel. It’s easy to get from the airports to hotels, villas, or eco-lodges, and travel companies, like Costa Rica Escapes, can set up concierge services so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Why Multi-Generational Families Love Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great choice for a family reunion because Costa Rica really does have something for everyone. From the very young to the very old traveler, Costa Rica keeps people entertained just with its pure, unfiltered beauty.

From lounging at the beach and playing in calm waves to surfing, snorkeling, and whale watching, the number of activities a multi-generational family can do at one beach is impressive. Add in layers of exploration and jungle adventures, and it’ll be hard to narrow down what everyone will want to do.

From impressing teenagers to giving parents a much-needed respite and dose of relaxation, to making sure Grandma and Grandpa are comfortable and that young children are safely entertained, Costa Rica is the perfect place to plan a family reunion that everyone will talk about for years to come.

Choosing the Best Place for Your Family Reunion

Best for Families with Young Kids: La Fortuna & Arenal

The cute and still largely traditional town of La Fortuna sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano. One of the most iconic volcanoes in all of Central America, Arenal and the surrounding area, with thermal hot springs and all-levels hiking, is a great place for a family reunion with young kids.

A few of the reasons why La Fortuna and the Arenal area are great for families with young kids:

• A mild climate, without the extreme heat of the coastal areas
• Hanging bridges and low-impact activities that kids can do
• Lots of chances to see wildlife like sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, and tree frogs

Best for Adventure-Loving Families: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

For families who are all looking for some adventure, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in the Limón Province, is a top choice. The dense rainforest and stunning beaches have a wild feel to them, and life moves differently here. Explore the jungle at Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca Wildlife Refuge. Learn about cacao and the rich history of the Bribri, one of the indigenous groups still very much alive in the Talamanca Mountains. Surf the infamous Salsa Brava, or take lessons at the less intimidating Playa Cocles.

A few reasons why Puerto Viejo is great for adventure-loving families;

• The more remote location means a more rugged and off-the-beaten-path feel for families looking to push their comfort zone
• Zip lining, ATV tours, jungle waterfall hikes, dolphin tours, river and sea kayaking, and surfing are just some of the adventure activities in the area
• The large areas of undeveloped, primary forest mean a very high probability of seeing lots of wildlife, like Great Green Macaws, Howler, Capuchin, and Spider monkeys, sloths, blue Morpho butterflies, and more

Best for Luxury Reunions: Papagayo Peninsula

For families looking for the full, luxury experience, the Papagayo Peninsula is the place to be. With some of Costa Rica’s top-rated luxury resorts, this area is known for its high-end accommodations and top-tier luxury experiences. Ritz-Carlton, Autograph Collection, and Hyatt are a few of the luxury names visitors will find here. Dramatic views, gorgeous beaches, and immaculate attention to detail make this the place for families ready to unwind and relax.

Why families choose Papagayo Peninsula for a luxury family reunion:

• Trusted luxury names with experience to match
• All-inclusive options give families the chance to completely relax, so everyone can be fully present to spend time with each other
• The surrounding area has loads of places to explore, like the beaches of Guanacaste, or day trips to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, so that family members who like to be more active have the chance to do so

Best for Beach-Going Families: Guanacaste

Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, Guanacaste is the spot to head to if your family is a bunch of beach bums. Known for its gorgeous beaches and a wide range of accommodations, from high-end all-inclusives to budget family options, Guanacaste is a great option for a family reunion. There are plenty of beaches, and you can visit many of them within short drives up and down the coast. Guanacaste is a great choice for beach-loving families, and the area has lots more to do, so when some people get bored with the beach, they’ll easily find a way to be entertained.

Families love Guanacaste and its beaches because:

• Guanacaste is easy to get to from the Liberia International Airport, making logistics simple
• The area is well-developed for tourism, so there are loads of great restaurants, small beach towns, as well as established resorts, making food and dining options plentiful and easy
• The beaches are some of the best in all of Costa Rica, like Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Tamarindo

Best for Families Who Love the Mountains: Monteverde

If the beach isn’t your family’s favorite thing, don’t worry. The Monteverde region of Costa Rica is home to wonderful, temperate weather, lots of hiking trails on private reserves, and great activities for the entire family. The Monteverde area sits high up in the mountains of Costa Rica and is a great option for families with young children and older generations, as the cool climate is less intense than coastal regions and the activities can be more mellow, though they don’t have to be.

Monteverde is a great family reunion choice for families who love the mountains because:

• It’s home to some of the best hiking and many private land reserves with so many trails and chances to spot wildlife
• Monteverde is one of the best places to see the resplendent Quetzal, as well as many other unique birds; it’s a birders paradise!
• Hanging bridges, canopy tours, chocolate and coffee tours and tastings, plus wildlife sanctuaries are all easy activities to arrange in this area

Best for Families Wanting Access to Nature & Wildlife: Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park is the most visited national park in Costa Rica, and families love coming here for several reasons. It’s easy to get to, though it’s a drive from SJO Airport; the roads are easy, and the trip is quite scenic. The amount of wildlife that visitors spot is the number one reason that people love coming here. Children and adults are blown away by how many animals they spot along the trails that take you through lowland forest and along white-sand beaches.

Families wanting access to nature and wildlife will love Manuel Antonio for:

• The location. Visitors can drive the three hours from SJO to Manuel Antonio, seeing the epic views along the Costanera Highway, or hop a twenty-minute flight from SJO to Quepos, the town next door
• The infrastructure. Because Manuel Antonio is the most visited national park of Costa Rica, the area is like a well-oiled machine, ready and able to handle visitors from all over the world
• The chance to see wildlife. Few places in the world offer the chance to see so many animals in one location. Three kinds of monkeys, sloths, toucans, large iguanas, and so much more can be seen in Manuel Antonio National Park

Choosing the Right Accommodations for a Large Family

Perhaps just as important as picking the destination is picking the right accommodations. Costa Rica has a lot of great accommodation options for families because family is super important in Costa Rica.

It’s very common for Costa Rican families to live in multigenerational homes and vacation all together when possible, so many Costa Rican businesses are set up with this in mind.

From five-start all-inclusives to villas and vacation rental homes to Costa Rican style cabinas, there are almost limitless options of where to stay on your family reunion.

Luxury Villas

A great option for large family reunions or simply for families who prefer a bit more space and flexibility, a luxury villa works well. Villas allow for more room for families who like to spread out and enjoy a bit more privacy. Villas also provide more common spaces and communal areas just for the family, rather than a resort where pools and common spaces are shared with other guests.

For meals, consider a private chef for some or all of your meals. If your family enjoys cooking, you can also cook yourself and hire a concierge team to stock up on groceries before you arrive. Or if you’ve got your own transportation, head to a local market to check out the Costa Rican feria scene.

Ideal For: Families, large groups, prefer to not share space with other guests, have their own transportation, a bit more independent travel style.

Boutique Hotels

Another option for your family reunion is to book a boutique hotel. For groups large enough, you might even consider booking out the entire boutique hotel just for your group.

Boutique hotels tend to be unique, locally owned, and offer a very one-of-a-kind feel that is great for the kind of family that doesn’t want an all-inclusive, but does want some of the perks of hotel travel.

Boutique hotels might include breakfast or have a restaurant onsite, but for food you’ll likely have a mix of eating out in the area close to where you’re staying.

Ideal For: Families who want some perks of a hotel stay but like the freedom outside of an all-inclusive. Smaller groups will share the space with other guests while large families might be able to rent the entire hotel, depending on the season.

Family-Friendly Resorts

For families with lots of kids, or a very wide age range, a family-friendly resort or a kid-friendly all-inclusive might be the best option. These hotels tend to have meal plans and on-site restaurants, making food an easy topic. Oftentimes there are multiple pools and lots of activities that can be booked directly with the hotel, and transportation can be included in many cases.

Many also include kids’ clubs so that parents and adults can have some time to themselves while kids are cared for and entertained by hotel staff.

Ideal For: Groups with small children, families who don’t want to worry about cooking or finding restaurants nearby, and families with a wide age gap, with activities for everyone.

When to Split Into Multiple Properties

In some cases, you might find it best to split up and stay in the space area, but in different accommodations. This might make sense if some people feel strongly about all-inclusives, or some might arrive with their own transportation or enjoy more privacy than a hotel or resort offers.

Experiences Everyone Will Actually Enjoy

Great for Every Generation

• Enjoy the natural hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna
• Walk through the treetops on hanging bridges in La Fortuna or Monteverde
• Float down a calm river on a wildlife boat safari tour in Sierpe or the Tarcoles River
• Spend the day at one of the calm beaches in Guanacaste

Best for Active Families

• Zip line through the canopy in Monteverde, La Fortuna, or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
• Hike by active and “sleeping” volcanoes like Rincon de la Vieja, Arenal, and Poás Volcano
• Go whitewater rafting down rapids on rivers that cut through the jungle
• Find hidden waterfalls, check out wildlife, and discover the wild side of Costa Rica

Relaxed Experiences

• Take a thermal mud bath at Rincon de la Vieja
• Pair a hot springs soak in La Fortuna with a couples’ massage
• Watch the sunset from the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast
• Enjoy bird watching in Monteverde, Cahuita, or Manuel Antonio

Special Experiences Worth Splurging On

• A sunset cruise including dinner for the whole family
• A private chef for some or all of the trip
• Deep sea fishing, private whale watching, or catamaran tour
• A helicopter tour over Arenal Volcano

Planning a Multi-Generational Family Reunion Itinerary: Tips to Consider

Don’t Try to See the Whole Country

Costa Rica is a small country with a lot to see! One of the things that people don’t anticipate is how long it can take to travel between destinations, due to changes in elevation, mountain roads, and driving conditions. For this reason, and when traveling in a big group, it’s best to pick one or two, at most, destinations so you spend more time enjoying your trip and less time getting there.

Build in Downtime

It can feel tempting to book every excursion and to make the most of your time by saying yes to it all. But remember, vacations should be relaxing, and doing too much can wear some people out. It’s also hot in Costa Rica, and the heat and the sun can make people feel more tired than they would at home. It’s best to plan one big excursion every other day and let people rest and relax when possible.

Let Different Family Members Choose Activities

Not everyone will enjoy a night hike looking for tarantulas, and that’s okay! It’s important on family trips to remember that not everything is for everyone, and not everyone has to do everything together. Letting different people pick excursions and simply opening things up via an invitation rather than an expectation means people will feel free and welcome to join in when they feel like it.

Try New Things

While looking for creepy crawlers might not be for you, it’s important to remember that Costa Rica is likely a new experience for most, if not all, of your group. And trying new things as a family is a great way to bond and form lasting memories. It’s important to keep an open mind and be brave when it comes to trying new things.

Have Patience

Costa Rica can be a slower pace of life for most visitors, and sometimes that means being patient, especially if you’re traveling in a large group. Food for a group of 10 or more can take a long time to prepare. Excursions meant to leave at 9 AM might not get on the road til 9:30 or 10 AM. Being patient and adapting to pura vida will help keep stress down. It’s also important to be patient with your family. Some members will have more or less experience with international travel, so keeping a calm demeanor will help everyone have fun.

Transportation Tips for Large Groups

Private Transportation

Depending on your group size, you’ll likely enjoy private transportation to make logistics easier. Getting to and from the airport and to excursions is easier when someone else is in charge. Renting a large van or vehicle and driving it yourself adds the stress of directions and parking challenges that no one wants to deal with on vacation.

Domestic Flights

Costa Rica has several small domestic airports serviced by Green Airways, Sansa, or privately chartered planes. Flying from SJO to smaller airports can save time and cut down on transportation stress. For people wanting to visit places like Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, or Manuel Antonio, this is a great option, or for groups who want to go to more than one destination during their family reunion.

Rental Cars

If your family reunion is on the smaller side, a rental car might be a good option. Large SUVs can seat up to 7 people, but 7 people might have a lot of luggage. It might make sense to rent a car to explore nearby to where you’re staying, but you’ll likely be better off hiring a private transport company to get you to your destination rather than a rental car. If you plan on staying in different locations, with some family at a hotel, and others at a villa, one group might rent a car to move between the two, so talk about it as a family and decide what makes sense for you.

Keeping Everyone Together

Another reason to use a concierge or transportation service is so that one person doesn’t feel responsible for keeping track of everyone’s flight arrival times. When you hire a transportation service, they will keep track of flights being on time or delayed and coordinate the drives to be there to greet each family member.

Sample 7-Day Costa Rica Family Reunion Itinerary

Each trip will look different, but here is a general idea of what a 7-day family reunion itinerary might look like:

Costa Rican Family Reunion Planning Tips

Start Planning Early

For everyone to coordinate school breaks, summer vacation, and time off of work, it takes a lot of effort. That’s why planning well in advance is so important. Whereas you might plan a trip for yourself just a few months ahead, a family reunion needs at least 6 months of planning, but is better off with 10 months to a year. This gives everyone time to research, pick a place, book rooms, villas, or entire hotels for a large group, and arrange transportation services.

The details of the trip will start to come together closer to the arrival date, but the big items like where to go, where to stay, and plane tickets should be decided at least 10 months in advance.

Designate One A Family Coordinator For Each Group

In order to keep communication smooth and to avoid miscommunication and confusion, it’s best to have one person represent each family group or hub. One person from each household can be in charge of coordinating their own household so that one person doesn’t feel responsible for the entire reunion. This keeps stress down and enjoyment high.

Set a Budget Early

Money is a major factor in planning a successful family reunion, which is why it’s helpful to have an idea of the cost of a Costa Rican vacation before you start your planning. Some people might have a seemingly limitless budget, while others might need to be more mindful of expenses. It’s okay for different people to stay at a resort while someone else books a nearby cabana. The important thing is that everyone is all together. That might mean some meals are split up and that not everyone does every excursion, but having honest and realistic budget expectations will keep things stress-free and fun.

How We Design Family Reunions in Costa Rica

Planning a family reunion is a lot of work, and shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of just one person. That’s where we came in to help. At Costa Rica Escapes, we can help you and your family decide on the best destination, the right accommodations, and the perfect excursions, so that you and your family get to enjoy your time, rather than stress about logistics.

From Guanacaste beach adventures to exploring volcanoes and rainforests, luxury to adventure and everything in between, we’re happy to help create the ideal experience for you and your family, so that every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, has the best time possible.

We have multiple tried-and-tested family trip itineraries, some families prefer a custom tailored trip. Contact us today to start planning your Costa Rican family reunion and take the trip of a lifetime.

John Rabenau

John Rabenau has been working in the eco-tourism & adventure travel industry in Costa Rica since 2002. He has worked in a variety of capacities from Outdoor Educator & Principle Guide to Itinerary Design Manager & Business Owner for numerous organizations. He has grown Costa Rica Escapes into one of the most reputable Costa Rica travel agencies since its creation in 2006, hosting more than 5,000 people with custom vacation itineraries.