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Costa Rica - La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio (Recommendations Needed)
Posted on 1/17/26 at 10:12 am
Posted on 1/17/26 at 10:12 am
Looking for any recommendations, must-do's, places to eat and just general comments on what we have planned so far for our spring break trip to Costa Rica - we're planning four nights in La Fortuna (Baldi), 2 nights in Monteverde (unsure), and 3 nights in Manuel Antonio (Shana by the Beach).
We have two young kids (5 and 2). We have hiking back packs for the youngest (oldest will walk, or ride in the backpack and we'll hold the two year old).
For La Fortuna, we're planning to do the Mirado El Silencio Trail, North Fields Coffee Tour, Rio Celeste Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, and the Proyecto Asis half day tour -- also thinking of doing a night tour as well at Papa's Place?
Debating on stopping by the Mistico Hanging Bridges on the way to Monteverde.
For Monteverde - we've bought tickets to the El Tigre waterfall (plan to take horses back to the top) and my wife and oldest are wanting to zipline (recommendations here?)
For Manuel Antonio - we've talked about stopping by the Rainmaker Conservation Park on our way there. Also plan to do the National Park. Nothing else planned here.
Looking for any unique activities that we could do (outside of the main touristy stuff) that the kiddos would love.
Thanks!!
We have two young kids (5 and 2). We have hiking back packs for the youngest (oldest will walk, or ride in the backpack and we'll hold the two year old).
For La Fortuna, we're planning to do the Mirado El Silencio Trail, North Fields Coffee Tour, Rio Celeste Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, and the Proyecto Asis half day tour -- also thinking of doing a night tour as well at Papa's Place?
Debating on stopping by the Mistico Hanging Bridges on the way to Monteverde.
For Monteverde - we've bought tickets to the El Tigre waterfall (plan to take horses back to the top) and my wife and oldest are wanting to zipline (recommendations here?)
For Manuel Antonio - we've talked about stopping by the Rainmaker Conservation Park on our way there. Also plan to do the National Park. Nothing else planned here.
Looking for any unique activities that we could do (outside of the main touristy stuff) that the kiddos would love.
Thanks!!
This post was edited on 1/18/26 at 6:06 pm
8
Posted on 2/9/26 at 3:34 pm to TheJunction
Bump. Any restaurant/activity recommendations for La Fortuna, Monteverde or Manuel Antonio?
Posted on 2/9/26 at 5:52 pm to TheJunction
In the La Fortuna area, check out SkyAdventures. They offer some walks along hanging bridges, and also an aerial tram ride through the jungle, that should both be doable with young children.
Also, the Tabacon Resort nearby has amazing hot springs. You can buy a day pass and use the facilities. They have some large thermal pools, but also have paths snaking up the hillside with numerous natural thermal pools that you can swim and sit in. This would likely be doable with younger children also.
In Manuel Antonio, the kids will really like the National Park. I would suggest hiring a private guide - they will show you around the park and will find amazing animals that you would never see on your own. They all carry telescopes that can display the animals on a screen up close so your kids can see everything. There is also a beautiful beach there.
Also, the Tabacon Resort nearby has amazing hot springs. You can buy a day pass and use the facilities. They have some large thermal pools, but also have paths snaking up the hillside with numerous natural thermal pools that you can swim and sit in. This would likely be doable with younger children also.
In Manuel Antonio, the kids will really like the National Park. I would suggest hiring a private guide - they will show you around the park and will find amazing animals that you would never see on your own. They all carry telescopes that can display the animals on a screen up close so your kids can see everything. There is also a beautiful beach there.
Posted on 2/10/26 at 9:15 pm to TheJunction
We did this exact trip 3 years ago over Spring Break. Great trip.
We started off in La Fortuna and stayed at The Springs. La Fortuna waterfall is amazing, but there are a million stairs to walk back up. If you are carrying the kids, it will be a hike. We also did a nature walk around Arenal Volcano, but it was covered in fog/clouds majority of the trip.
In Monteverde we stayed at Koora. Neat hotel, where the rooms were all nestled in the trees. Felt like you were in a treehouse. My youngest still says they have the best hamburger he has ever had. We did a coffee and chocolate tour in Monteverde that was a lot of fun. I believe we use Sky Adventures for zip lining and it was a big hit with the kids.
For Manuel Antonio you definitely should get a tour guide for the park. If I remember correctly, there are a limited number of park tickets each day and it is hard to walk up and get one. Plus they are great at pointing out all the wildlife along the way. We did a tourist trap restaurant called El Avion. It had an incredible view and good food.
Enjoy the trip. My kids still talk about it.
We started off in La Fortuna and stayed at The Springs. La Fortuna waterfall is amazing, but there are a million stairs to walk back up. If you are carrying the kids, it will be a hike. We also did a nature walk around Arenal Volcano, but it was covered in fog/clouds majority of the trip.
In Monteverde we stayed at Koora. Neat hotel, where the rooms were all nestled in the trees. Felt like you were in a treehouse. My youngest still says they have the best hamburger he has ever had. We did a coffee and chocolate tour in Monteverde that was a lot of fun. I believe we use Sky Adventures for zip lining and it was a big hit with the kids.
For Manuel Antonio you definitely should get a tour guide for the park. If I remember correctly, there are a limited number of park tickets each day and it is hard to walk up and get one. Plus they are great at pointing out all the wildlife along the way. We did a tourist trap restaurant called El Avion. It had an incredible view and good food.
Enjoy the trip. My kids still talk about it.
Posted on 2/12/26 at 2:02 am to TheJunction
In La Fortuna, eat at Jalapas. It"s a little ways out of town, but worth the drive. I loved soda Viquez for a cheap lunch
Posted on 2/13/26 at 4:54 pm to Jack_Handy
quote:
I would suggest hiring a private guide - they will show you around the park and will find amazing animals that you would never see on your own. They all carry telescopes that can display the animals
This is great advice. The local guides know where to look for many of the animals, but also have trained their eyes and can spot things that few people can, When I was young I was too cheap/proud to hire a guide. I've learned better. That goes for most places in the world if you want to see wildlife, but also just to have a better experience.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 8:18 pm to TheJunction
I'm in Jaco right now if you have any questions let me know
Posted on 2/15/26 at 10:42 pm to TheJunction
Costa Rica was one of my favorite vacations. We didn't have time to go to Monteverde, but I really wish we had. Proyecto Asis is a great experience, expecially for kids. The Bogarin Trail in La Fortuna is really cool. It's a small, animal park that the Bogarin Brothers have curated over time. They grew up in Arenal. They have so many birds, sloths, frogs, everything. It's very small, practically in town, and cheap. It doesn't take much time so you really should go there.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 4:07 am to TheJunction
Following this thread. Looking to book a trip in CR next year. Any advice on best time of year to go? TIA!
Posted on 2/16/26 at 7:42 pm to LaLadyinTx
quote:Glad to see someone say this. A little "different" and not on many recommendations that I've seen, but it looked like a really neat, unique experience.
Proyecto Asis
Will check out the Bogarin trail.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 7:42 pm to SimonSlick
quote:
In La Fortuna, eat at Jalapas. It"s a little ways out of town, but worth the drive. I loved soda Viquez for a cheap lunch
I'll take a look at both of these - thanks!
Posted on 2/16/26 at 7:44 pm to PJ250R
quote:
Following this thread. Looking to book a trip in CR next year. Any advice on best time of year to go? TIA!
Had this same question - sounds like CR has a wet and dry season. Believe December through April is the "dry" season and why we decided to go in March.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 7:45 pm to CenlaLowell
quote:
I'm in Jaco right now if you have any questions let me know
Definitely interested in any recommendations that you may have after your trip!
Posted on 2/16/26 at 11:51 pm to TheJunction
Got home today.
We loved the tour with vistos los suenos adventure park. ATV ride was amazing. The beach is just ok but the sunset is great. There's plenty of restaurants on the beach to try. Ex Samudio's Sunset Restobar, Koko gastro bar.
The street is not very long so it's pretty walkable. Maybe 20-30 minutes to make the walk. Nightlife there's EVERYTHING to do of you interested... We spent four days there and really enjoyed our time.
We loved the tour with vistos los suenos adventure park. ATV ride was amazing. The beach is just ok but the sunset is great. There's plenty of restaurants on the beach to try. Ex Samudio's Sunset Restobar, Koko gastro bar.
The street is not very long so it's pretty walkable. Maybe 20-30 minutes to make the walk. Nightlife there's EVERYTHING to do of you interested... We spent four days there and really enjoyed our time.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 11:21 am to TheJunction
100%, Costa Rica has a rainy season. We went in late July and yes, it did rain on us in the mountains around La Fortuna. I wasn't ran all day stuff. It was mid day or late afternoon rains and sometimes several hours. We also didn't have massive storms. It also just isn't that horribly hot, but it is humid. Houston is hotter. We carried lightweight raincoats and hiked in the rain. It didn't prevent us from doing anything we planned. It was mostly sunny at the beach in Tamarindo.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 12:16 pm to TheJunction
I haven't looked into CR too much but it is interesting to me. It is no problem to just rent a car and drive around at will to all these smaller towns on outskirts of rainforest? Is that what everyone is doing?
Posted on 2/17/26 at 12:17 pm to TheJunction
I haven't looked into CR too much but it is interesting to me. It is no problem to just rent a car and drive around at will to all these smaller towns on outskirts of rainforest? Is that what everyone is doing?
Posted on 2/17/26 at 12:47 pm to Power-Dome
quote:
I haven't looked into CR too much but it is interesting to me. It is no problem to just rent a car and drive around at will to all these smaller towns on outskirts of rainforest? Is that what everyone is doing?
Yes. Most people just rent vehicles in Costa Rica, and it's very simple and easy to get around there. Get a 4WD or AWD vehicle when you go, as a lot of the roads can be pretty rough, especially in the rainy season.
We drove, overland, from Tamarindo area to Montezuma a few years back in the rainy season. It was... a little sketchy. Very remote, very rough roads, lots of exposure, roads looked like they could be subject to washout or rockslides on any given day.
When we got to Montezuma, some ex-pats were like, "You all drove here? Damn.. most people just take the ferry in the rainy season. That road is wild."
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