Costa Rica was a true hidden gem for our family—a Central American paradise I couldn't even locate on a map before booking our flights. It's hugely popular with Canadian and American families, and we were delighted to connect with several French ones too. For trip planning, I always start with a handwritten itinerary: must-see spots, driving distances, hotel bookings, and daily budgets. I pull from proven road trips, relying on Google Maps for routes and Instagram for photo-worthy essentials. The rest? We improvise on the ground, adapting to weather, the kids, and delightful surprises.
We've made it a tradition to chase the sun during February school holidays—a welcome winter reset. Pushing our comfort zones after Thailand and India, we considered Asia again, but friends raved about Costa Rica's lush greenery, incredible wildlife, and family-friendly vibe. Their real experiences sold us.
Book early for direct Air France flights from Europe at around €800 round-trip per person in peak season—the 11-hour journey is straightforward. Other airlines route through the U.S. For us, flying London to Miami (8 hours) then Miami to San José (2.5 hours) worked well budget-wise. Our first layover (5 hours in Miami) let us stretch our legs; on long hauls, it beats nonstop fatigue.
Absolutely—renting gave us total flexibility. Opt for a 4x4: main highways are paved and pristine, but mountain roads to places like Monteverde or hotels like Essence Arenal are rugged tracks with fords and potential slides. Rent child seats locally or pack inflatable Bubble Bums. Skip the rental GPS; buy a local data pack for spot-on Google Maps. Addresses are scarce, signs are minimal—we U-turned often, but Maps never failed, even on remote trails.
Sunny destinations mean lighter loads: we travel with two backpacks (60L and 50L, under 20kg total). We hand-wash with bar soap en route. For a full packing list, ideal first-aid kit, and kid-travel must-haves, check my detailed guide: the checklist for kids' travel suitcases.
Every spot serves fries, chicken, or global favorites, but we dive into local flavors. Start with Tico Breakfast: rice and black beans, eggs, plantains, cilantro, and world-class coffee. Our fave? Ceviche—fresh fish marinated in coconut milk with avocado, fruits, veggies, cilantro, and lime. Tuna tartare and fillets like redsnapper or roosterfish were hits too. The kids devoured it all!
Explore our Costa Rica itinerary, kicking off with Poás and Arenal volcanoes.
Dive into our full family road-trip stages on the blog—save our interactive map for your inspiration!
