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Costa Rica or Hawaii with kids
Posted on 1/7/26 at 10:10 am
Posted on 1/7/26 at 10:10 am
Starting to plan for our summer family vacation. With kids, what is the better place? Flights may be cheaper to costa rica, but not sure if Costa Rica is more adult themed. Suggestions?
5
Posted on 1/7/26 at 10:45 am to BugAC
Many on here have done both, so defer to them
But I was looking into recently and the flight time to Hawaii purely puts Costa Rica above it for me. Just not ready for that quite yet unless you want to spend a few days on west coast to make it worthwhile. You can get to Europe in the same time.
They're both amazing family places. With Hawaii, you can pick which island to do and go from there.
Costa Rica I'd look into the Andaz Papagayo or that area and maybe even combine with a trip near Arenal for the volcano and wildlife viewings.
But I was looking into recently and the flight time to Hawaii purely puts Costa Rica above it for me. Just not ready for that quite yet unless you want to spend a few days on west coast to make it worthwhile. You can get to Europe in the same time.
They're both amazing family places. With Hawaii, you can pick which island to do and go from there.
Costa Rica I'd look into the Andaz Papagayo or that area and maybe even combine with a trip near Arenal for the volcano and wildlife viewings.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 12:25 pm to metallica81788
quote:
Andaz Papagayo
My hair stylist stayed there last year with her family and she loved it.
I’m partial to Hawaii but it’s a haul, especially with kids. The time adjustment there isn’t bad. Coming home sucks.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 12:34 pm to BugAC
How long is your trip? If you only have 7 days or less, I would do CR, shorter travel time, basically same time zone, probably cheaper.
Hawaii door to door in 2 weeks, and in 6 days. 2 weeks was much better. 6 days was still a blast but involve early morning flight there and red eye back to make every second count, might not be worth all that on a family trip.
Hawaii door to door in 2 weeks, and in 6 days. 2 weeks was much better. 6 days was still a blast but involve early morning flight there and red eye back to make every second count, might not be worth all that on a family trip.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 1:34 pm to BugAC
Costa Rica is fine with kids (also look at Roatan if you feel like it.) HNL is 9 hours direct from Houston. If I'm dragging kids on a plane ride that long, we're going to Europe or Japan.
I generally am not impressed with Hawaii, particularly because you can get jungles, beach, and volcanoes in Central America.
I generally am not impressed with Hawaii, particularly because you can get jungles, beach, and volcanoes in Central America.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 4:28 pm to BugAC
Ages of kids? Costa Rica cheaper and plenty of outdoor stuff to do. Zip lines and waterfalls. Hawaii at least 10 days for travel and time to enjoy. Been recently to both and Hawaii is definitely more beautiful and probably better as it has more modern day amenities and vicinity to places like restaurants and grocery stores. Definitely more expensive also. Costa Rica can be more secluded and more jungle like. I surf I was fine with either. If you are more outdoor going and the kids are also then the cheaper way is Costa Rica. My preference if more time is given then Hawaii if a nice cheaper outdoor stay then Costa Rica. Hawaii has the most beautiful beaches also.
Posted on 1/7/26 at 9:25 pm to FLBooGoTigs1
quote:
more modern day amenities
You can totally order a chef to cook for you whenever you want. We stayed at Villa Mariposa (Roatan), and had the chef ( it was really someone's mom, not a chef, but it was still great) cook two meals for us for about $20 a pop. You can also get super fresh seafood by waving down the guys going by on boats if you have a seaside property.
Posted on 1/8/26 at 11:31 pm to LemmyLives
I wonder if I can get a chef in Costa Rica?
Posted on 1/9/26 at 5:44 am to CenlaLowell
Yes you can. There are many VRBO properties in Costs Rica that offer chefs as an option.
Posted on 1/9/26 at 11:55 am to BugAC
Do Costa Rica. Wife and I went for 5 days 2 years ago. We had a great time, but the whole time we were there, we kept saying we wish we had our kids with us (9 and 7). There is so much to do there outdoors, it would be easy to keep a kid entertained. Plus it's beautiful and safe. I loved Costa Rica.
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