Tourism Teacher

Costa Rica with a Baby

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(Last Updated On: 07/04/2020)

When I was planning our first adventure as a threesome I was nervous about where might or might not be appropriate to take a four-month-old baby. Is it too hot? Too cold? Too many mosquitos? Is it a Malaria area? What is the hygiene like? The list of concerns seemed never-ending! Eventually we decided on Costa Rica after having read extensively about how Matt and Jenn, who blog over at Two Weeks in Costa Rica, have travelled throughout the country with their baby. As brilliant and informative as their blog was, I was surprised that they were the only people who appear to have written about travelling Costa Rica with a baby in tow, aside from the usual Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet forums. So I thought I’d share the details of our three and a half week trip as a guide for any families planning a similar trip in the future.

Planning your trip to Costa Rica with a baby 

First of all, I will give you a few details about the planning of our trip to Costa Rica with a baby. 

Travelling to any destination with children requires a little more planning than it might without children, but that doesn’t make it any less fun (it just requires a few extra hours on Google). First of all, you will need to find great flights. My go-to has always been Skyscanner, which I have been using for years to check flight prices, times etc. I find that this comparison website always finds me the best deals and I also like that it gives you an all-inclusive price for the family in the search results. If you’re looking for good deals on flights you can visit Skyscanner here. If your baby is small you will probably be fine with an infant ticket, although some parents choose to pay for a full price seat for larger babies. You can read more about my tips for flying with a baby in this post. 

 

You will also want to make sure that you can find appropriate accommodation when travelling to Costa Rica with a baby. We found that accommodation in Costa Rica was expensive so we opted for Air b’n’b places throughout our trip and a hotel for our last night when we needed to be close to the airport.  I personally prefer Air b’n’b’s because they will often have space to keep baby in a separate room when sleeping (allowing us to sit and have a drink or watch tv without waking her), there are kitchens to make bottles etc and you can choose a place with a bath to wash baby.  For a discount on your stay with Air b’n’b click here or visit  Booking.com for some great deals on hotels.  The last major element that should be involved when planning your trip to Costa Rica with a baby is how you will get around once you arrive. We chose to hire a car and were really glad that we did. This gave us the ease and flexibility that we need to comfortably travel around with baby Isla. Are you thinking of hiring a car? I have put together my top tips of things to consider in this post.

Monteverde with a baby

I live in England so it’s a given that I’m not a huge fan of the rain. Usually I would avoid destinations during their rainy season, but after reading that in Costa Rica this generally equates to a daily afternoon storm, I thought this could work for us by allowing baby Isla the opportunity to have her afternoon nap. So after stocking up the USB with films and packing our raincoats we prepared for a couple of hours a day of rain….

This is not what we found on our first stop in Costa Rica, however! Monteverde is located high in the mountains and is literally in the clouds. Whilst the views on a bright sunny morning (the clouds were generally beginning to emerge as we woke up at about 7am) are beautiful, you are more likely to spend your time watching spectacular thunderstorms than you are gazing across the mountain-scape.

Costa Rica with a baby

Rain aside, this was actually a pretty good start to the trip for our baby. It wasn’t too hot or humid and there are lots of opportunities to go out hiking (with our Babybjorn carrier which we LOVE-read my review here) and wildlife spotting, which is one Isla’s favourite thigs to do!

Arenal with a baby

How many babies do you know who had been swimming in thermal jungle waters, visited a volcano and seen a huge waterfall by age five months? Well we ticked all of these off on our visit to Arenal!

Costa Rica with a baby

There is also tonnes to do here without baby, mum and dad just might have to take it in turns! We did zip-lining and my husband did canyoneering and white water rafting while bubba and I had a chill day at the waterfall.

Montezuma with a baby

This town reminded me of how Phi Phi, Thailand may have looked 30 years ago. This is a quaint little town with a cool hippy vibe. There are beautiful secluded beaches and amazing scenery. Isla loved relaxing on the beach here while mummy and daddy caught up on their vitamin D shortage after all of the rain at the beginning of our trip!

Samara with a baby

The highlight here was surfing. Obviously this was not something Isla could take part in but we took it in turns to look after her while the other rode some waves, or attempted to!

Costa Rica with a baby

Tortuguero with a baby

This is the most remote village in Costa Rica and you have to take a motorized canoe to reach it. This was a cool experience, Isla was so engaged she had a feed and fell asleep! Haha How many people can say they have breastfed on a canoe huh?! The village itself is very basic and I was not very happy with our accommodation here. Lesson learned- spend more money when travelling with baby- you will spend more time in your room and you will be bothered when your little one is crawling in dirt! You do get to see turtles laying their eggs though… which was really cool!

During our stay here the village had no electricity and no water for approximately 20 hours… and it was quite possibly the most humid place I have ever visited! Fortunately I think this bothered my husband and I more than it did the baby, but perhaps wasn’t the most ideal situation!

Accommodation is limited here so if you are travelling with children I would recommend you book in to one of the resorts (this is the one place that we didn’t use an Airbnb). Make sure you book early though as they fill quickly! If you are looking for a one-stop shopping source for pricing, amenities etc. 

Costa Rica With A Baby

Puerto Viejo with a baby

This was a nice place and it was great to experience the Caribbean culture in Costa Rica- who knew it was so different from the West coast!? Isla enjoyed dancing to Bob Marley and chilling on the beach but it wasn’t the best place that we visited in terms of suitability of children due to the strong rip currents in the sea and the general cleanliness-this part of the country was far less clean than the other areas we visited and there was a constant lingering smell of Cannabis!

There isn’t much to do here aside from surfing and visiting the many wildlife refuges. We were particularly impressed though when this sloth came to say hello as we walked along the beach!

Costa Rica with a baby

Manuel Antonio with a baby

This was the last stop on our Costa Rican travels and was very relaxing. There is the most beautiful beach in the country here, although it was very touristy. Personally, we preferred the secluded beaches of Montezuma. There were lots of resorts here so I think many people stay around their hotel a lot of the time, especially seen as the tide comes in so high that there is no beach in the afternoon, or not at least at the time of year we were there!

There are lots of nice bars and restaurants here, more so than anyway else we visited in Costa Rica. Unfortunately with baby in tow we couldn’t drink too many cocktails, but we did find this unique bar that was really cool!

Tips for Travelling Costa Rica with a Baby

All in all this was a great destination to travel with baby. There was enough to keep her stimulated, without over-tiring her and the distances to travel were not too great. Here are a few lessons I learned about travelling Costa Rica with a baby-

-Roads are TERRIBLE, make sure you have a good car seat

-Rental cars aren’t so great either so make sure you go with a reputable company and check the condition of the car thoroughly

-There isn’t a huge variety of food if you are weaning, we found we ate the same stuff a lot when self-catering. Most restaurants do have high chairs though

-There are a lot of mosquitos in the rainforest so make sure you have protection for your little one. We used these organic mosquito stickers which worked a treat- baby Isla didn’t get a single bite!

-People in Costa Rica love babies, your little one will be adored and will get a lot of attention!

-Most places don’t have changing facilities in the toilets, but they don’t seem to care when you wipe your precious one’s dirty bum on the restaurant table…

-Accommodation is expensive and not always the highest quality, plan carefully to get the best deal

-Costa Rican bathrooms often come with a ‘death shower’. Google it, that’s all I will say

-There are a lot of insects, if your little one is moving around there is every chance he/she may eat a centipede, or spider, or God knows what else

-Take an umbrella with you for the sun as beaches don’t tend to have shade (for my tips on how to shade a baby on a deserted beach click here)

Wherever you go on your next trip, whether you choose Costa Rica or elsewhere… have fun!

Costa Rica with a baby

For more on travelling Costa Rica with children you might also find this post helpful. 

Psssst! By the way, I have recently designed a flight log book to allow your kids to record all of the journeys! If you’re looking for a special way to record your children’s travel memories then head over to Amazon to take a look!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Teresa Wheeler says

    This is amazing thank you for sharing. We are planning our first trip to CR with baby so great to hear about your experiences. Looks lots of fun 🙂

    Reply

  4. Maria Tierney says

    Hi Hayley,
    We booked a trip with our little one to Costa Rica this coming July, she will be just over 9 months old. My husband and I were very excited as we travelled to Costa Rica a few years back and have been just waiting on a chance to return. However we have become a bit doubtful that we are doing the right thing as the more we read, the more we realize that with rainy season the mosquito count is greater and therefore a greater chance of our baby contracting a disease. We also had a consultation with a doctor regarding immunization and she made us feel a bit guilty to bring her at this time. I think by your timeline you may have been there during rainy season with your baby and would love if you could tell me how it really was? Also how did you protect your baby, were you constantly having to use a mosquito net and other methods. Right now I am worrying and overthinking it, we are considering not going, but we do know that kids also live in Costa Rica so must be manageable. Also apart from scheduled immunization did you opt for other vaccines, measles and Hep A have been recommended by the doctor. Sorry for the long message but would appreciate your thoughts.

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      Hi Maria, yes we did travel in rainy season. We use mosquitan patches for Isla who has now travelled to Costa Rica, Spain, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Nepal-4 of which during rainy season! She has never had a single mosquito bite! We did have a mosquito net for the cot but didn’t really need it in most places. 9 months is too young for any travel vaccines. Don’t worry, you will fine and have a great time!

      Reply

  5. Sam says

    Being able to look back with your child when they are old enough to remember events will be so precious. Well done on documenting this trip so well!

    Reply

  6. Rachel says

    These pictures are too adorable. These are going to be great to look back on especially when she grows up. Also very nice to see for other couples who want to travel with young children. Super cute family!

    Reply

  7. Edward says

    What a beautiful family! The pictures are so cool! And Costa Rica looks an amazing place to visit!

    Reply

  8. Morgan says

    My family has been planning to go on a tropical vacation with our cousins who have a baby, but haven’t determined where yet. This article has been SO helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience!

    Reply

  9. Paul says

    Costa Rica looks beautiful! I’ve been to Panama, but I really want to experience the cloud forest in CR. Great pictures!

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      Thanks Paul, pictures don’t do it justice-it was wonderful! I would like to visit Panama too!

      Reply

  10. Lauren Edmondson Sanders says

    Thanks for this post! It has been so helpful. My husband and are are traveling to Costa Rica this November with our 2 year old and 10 month old. We will be there for only 5 nights. Do you recommend just one city to stay in? Or rent a car and stay a night in several cities? If just one town, which one?

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      Monteverde and Arsenal were our favourite places and they’re not too far apart, you could probably do both in 5 nights?

      Reply

  11. Sara says

    You really did see it all! How wonderful to take this trip with your little one and she looked like Pura Vida suited her. Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean Coast attracts a lot of backpackers and I’d always suggest the quieter town of Cahuita with its beautiful national park for families. Maybe next time?

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      It was a wonderful trip! We were actually in one of the quieter nearby towns, it was lovely and peaceful

      Reply

  12. Lindsay says

    Hi, we are thinking about taking a trip to Costa Rica with our young baby. Were y’all able to still do some of the adventurous things? I see your husband went white water rafter and zip lining…did he just go alone? Or were you able to do it too?

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      Unfortunately I had to miss out on the rafting etc and stay with the baby although I did get to go zip lining as we took it in turns

      Reply

  13. Sabine says

    Hi there,
    your post is very helpful! We intend to visit Tortuguero NP but we are a family of four. Our girls are 2 and 4 years old. You visited the park even with a baby – wow. So I assume it’s also possible with 2 yound children. Do you know if we can take all our 2 suitcases with us on the boot? Is the boot “safe” for young kids who are “active” all the time! 😉 What do you think? Can you recommend a accomodation for us?
    Thanks so much in advance!
    All the best
    Sabine from Munich! 😉

    Reply

    • Hayley says

      I saw other kids that age there so I’m sure you will be fine! You will need to hold on to them on the boat though! The place we stayed at was terrible so I don’t have any recommendations unfortunately!

      Reply

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  8. […] Beautifully restored since the earthquake in 2015 created huge cracks, the circumference pathway is teeming with people and monks, all walking clockwise. We just make the entrance before closing time and the smiling attendant permits one circular walk around the stupa inside the surrounding wall.   Second in importance is Swayambhunath Stupa, the ‘Monkey Temple’, perched on a hillside to the west of Kathmandu and approached by 365 steep worn steps. The taxi takes us to the entrance where people “buy” coins to throw into a bucket at the foot of a slim standing buddha, surrounded by water and signs extolling ‘peace to the world’.  We start to climb up the hill, admiring breath-taking views – mountains above, city below, houses perched on the steep hillsides, half hidden by trees.  At the top, small shrines sit amongst shops, narrow walkways and uneven courtyards. Prayer wheels are spun as people walk round the small stupa.  A troop of monkeys hurry by, mothers with babies clinging, picking up scraps.   There are signs of the earthquake of 2015.  Huge cracks in walls, builders’  hammering, drilling and cementing, sounds of reconstruction all round; bricks, rubble, corrugated iron, statues bound by wire fences. Close to the airport is Pashupathinath, the most sacred temple for Hindus, the site of cremations. Bodies on bamboo ‘stretchers’ covered in marigold flowers and petals, are dipped in the still, muddy water of the Bagmati river (sacred because it flows into the Ganges) and placed on funeral pyres of wood to burn – “some 50-60 each day” says our driver.   We have inadvertently wandered into a series of on-going funerals; families walk and chant aa the rituals unfold.  Bystanders lean over the bridge to watch, idly curious or fervently in prayer.  There is a hospice here and families come from all over Nepal to cremate their loved ones.  It feels a little uncomfortable and intrusive to witness yet also very moving. Sadhus, long hair coiled round their heads, spot us, “come, come”.The site is huge and we barely touch the surface of endless shrines, courtyards and small temples while palm readers sit, lazy dogs sleep and monkeys abound.  Away from the river, people climb the steps, chat, take photos of themselves and us; this seems to be a place people like to come and relax among the shrines.  Durbar Square with temples dating from the 12thcentury is the heritage heart of Kathmandu.  We are shocked at the level of destruction caused by the earthquake. The heritage centre of Kathmandu is a building site; walls and roofs have huge props.  Once beautiful temples have become piles of rubble, plinths now strangely bare.  Hoardings and wire fences surround the workers pouring cement into gullies.  I spot a woman in full make-up striking stones and loading a bucket.  The Kumari Buildingis where the living goddess and family reside. Chosen at age three, the child with an impassive face appears at a fourth-floor window overlooking an inner courtyard where an assorted crowd has gathered.  “No photos, no photos!”  No-one dares lift a camera or phone.  We stand silently staring back at her expressionless face, others bow and pray.  Across the Bagmati river from Kathmandu is Patan. Here, too, sounds of rebuilding the temples destroyed or damaged in the earthquake; two display signs that Japan is paying.  The intricate carvings in the wooden pillars and stonework doorways are superb. Traditionally known as Lalitpur (city of beauty), Patan is indeed an architectural treasure.  Patan Museum, housed in a former royal palace, has an interesting collection of bronze or copper gilt statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities which reflects the city’s influence as the melting pot of the two religions.  There is a red brick courtyard and garden café and happy noise of a school nearby as we hear drums and children laughing.Away from the square are the familiar narrow streets, with artisans selling fine metalwork, handmade brass statues, Thanka paintings, Nepalese tea and Himalayan coffee.  Young and old men sit in shop doorways chipping stone and carving wood into complex and elaborate patterns and shapes. Corners are marked by ancient stupas. I spot a sign – ‘this is a child-free labour zone’.  Nargakot, some 32 km northeast of Kathmandu, is a favourite destination to view the majestic Langtang mountain range and Everest on a clear day.  It’s a pleasure to leave the density of people, traffic exhaust fumes and dust of the city, cross the bridge over the Bagmati river, navigate the potholes and rough road surfaces and occasional cow to gradually climb and see the countryside turn green.  We feel excited about seeing another side of Nepal and here is a true sense of the Kathmandu Valley as mountains soar and circle the flatter plain.   Steppes create small spaces to grow vegetables and fields are being harvested for grain.  Women carry huge bundles.  Our driver says the men are working in Quatar, Dubai, etc, away for 3-4 years so the women look after fields and families.On the approach to Nargakot are tall modern hotels with windows facing magnificent views.  We reach a cluster of stalls selling bottles and cans of water and soft drinks, hot food being cooked, souvenirs – no-one hassles us.  We walk up worn concrete steps through woodland to a clearing and rickety tower. The views all round are worth the precarious climb up a vertical ladder.  From here, Everest can be glimpsed at sunrise and sunset before the mist or fog obscures the distant horizon.   Back to Thamel and The Garden of Dreams, half a hectare of lush lawn, sunken flower gardens, large central pond, benches, gazebos and three neo-classical pavilions all kept in pristine condition.  We note the ladies gardening and watch the small brown striped squirrels cheekily playing.  It’s hot this afternoon and the sun reflects heat off the buildings.  People of different nationalities sit or lay on mats, some picnic, some chat, some doze.  All attracted by this seemingly oasis of calm, I found it a little too busy and crowded in a relatively small area.   There’s no doubt the government has much to do to fulfil its priorities to rehouse Nepali people still living in temporary accommodation and shelters, to rebuild the heritage sites and improve the road surfaces which connect the cities and outlying regions.  People are nevertheless very industrious and there is a great deal of skill in the work of artisans; few are begging on the streets.  The warmth and genuine welcome of the people transcends the traffic and pollution and we leave Kathmandu thinking there’s so much more to see. Ahh, next time …Thank you to my mother-in-law, Ann Stainton who kindly wrote this piece on our return from a fantastic week in Kathmandu.   For more on travelling with a baby check out my posts top tips for flying with a baby and what to pack when travelling with a baby or read about our adventures in Sri Lanka and Costa Rica.  […]

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  19. […] There are so many things to do in Costa Rica including wildlife tours, surfing, zipling, volcano hiking, snorkeling, and relaxing at one of the beachfront homes in Costa Rica. Costa Rica points of interest include the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San José, Corcovado National Park, Arenal Volcano, peaceful Playa Sámara (beach), and Turrialba home of some of the craziest whitewater rafting in Central America. But we are going to focus on the best beaches and the best beach activities. It’s a great place to go for families, couples, an even with a baby. […]

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