Family vacation in Costa Rica with older kids

June 9, 2015 7:48 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for great places to stay in Costa Rica for a family with older kids (teens/20s)?

An all-inclusive resort right on or by the beach is preferable. This is for a family of five with two parents and three kids in their late teens/early 20s. It seems to be hard to find places that don't cater to either couples, single people who want to party, or else families with small kids. Any suggestions?

posted by feathermeat to Travel & Transportation around Costa Rica (2 answers total)

Not sure where you live but there are plenty of easy and direct flights from the US to Liberia, Costa Rica. Rent a car there and drive to a nice airbnb.
Then pick activities you'd like to do and drive to those. Liberia is a moderate sized city with restuarants and grocery stores, giving you the flexibility to cook at home (or at least make breakfast).
posted by special-k at 1:56 AM on June 10, 2015

I wouldn't go to Costa Rica for an all-inclusive. There is just so much fun things to do and explore that being tied to a single resort sounds oppressive. I second flying into Liberia – small, super fast airport and getting a car.

Get a place somewhere down the coast, maybe Tamarindo for few days, then head to Arenal and then maybe beach again before flying back home. I did that with my kids just about a year ago – although they were 5 & 4 then. Costa Rica is just about the easiest place to travel independently. San Jose after dark can be little scary, so fly to Liberia.
posted by zeikka at 8:12 PM on June 11, 2015