Real Costa Rica: Three Family Friendy Places To Visit According To A Resident

If our Costa Rica travel feature has inspired you to plan a family vacation to this stunning, sun-drenched destination, we’ve got an insider’s guide to the best places to explore when you get there. Tom & Teddy ambassador Maria Kusk (@ma_hoola) has shared her family’s most favorite spots to roam – idyllic corners of a tropical paradise that she now calls home.

Relocating to Costa Rica with children can be an exhilarating adventure. From its stunning beaches to its vibrant and diverse wildlife, Costa Rica offers endless opportunities for families who enjoy spending time in nature. Having lived here for nearly two years, I can confidently say that it's an incredible place to raise kids!

One of the aspects I love most about living in Costa Rica is the abundance of exploration opportunities. Since moving here, we've spent our weekends and holidays traveling extensively around the country, and yet, we never run out of new places to discover. There's always something more to see and experience.

Here are three places that have left a lasting impression on me and hold a special place in my heart:

Manuel Antonio National Park is my absolute favorite in Costa Rica, and for many reasons.

On my first visit, while sitting on the beach, I witnessed a humpback whale breaching, creating a massive splash. It was a moment of pure magic that made me fall in love with Costa Rica! Experiences like this played a big part in our decision to move here.

Whenever friends or family visit, I always make sure to take them to Manuel Antonio. The park’s landscape resembles a whale’s tail, with lush jungle in the center and pristine white sandy beaches on either side. A stunning jungle hike leads from the entrance to the beach, and along the way, you’re likely to encounter wildlife like monkeys, sloths, snakes, and iguanas.

Despite its small size, Manuel Antonio packs in some of the most breathtaking rainforest scenery in the country.

Good to know: It’s situated in the Central Pacific side of the country, in the Puntarenas province. It’s about 4 hours south of Costa Rica’s capital of San José, and accessible from the intercoastal highway 34.

The biggest thing you need to know before you visit the park is that if you want to enter, you need to buy a timed ticket in advance. Simply go to the national park website, create a login and purchase the number of tickets you want and the time you want to enter the park.

Nauyaca Falls is a true slice of paradise and a place we return to again and again.

Reaching the waterfall requires an hour-long hike through the hot, humid jungle, but the journey is well worth it. Personally, I love the experience of hiking to waterfalls—arriving sweaty and tired makes that first plunge into the refreshingly cold water all the more rewarding.

Nauyaca Falls is massive, with multiple levels and a serious "wow" factor. It’s one of the most photographed waterfalls in Costa Rica, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even jump into the pool below from some of the higher levels.

Good to know: The Nauyaca waterfalls are located in the rainforest just north of Dominical Beach and the town of Uvita, making them the perfect half-day trip from either location. You have three options for arriving at the falls- hiking, by car, or horseback riding.

A bit off the beaten path, Puerto Viejo is a charming beach town on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Many visitors to Costa Rica skip the Caribbean side because it’s a few hours' drive away, but in my opinion, it’s well worth the trip.

The main mode of transportation in town is biking, and the best beaches are all within biking distance. We fell in love with the quiet Playa Uva, with its white sand and turquoise waters, but Playa Cocles is also a fun spot, known for its lively atmosphere where people come to dance, surf, and work out.

The town is heavily influenced by Rasta culture, which is reflected in the food—simple yet delicious dishes often referred to as "casado," meaning "married." A typical plate includes rice, beans, salad, plantains, and a protein.

We loved exploring the streets of Puerto Viejo, discovering delicious street food, and shopping at the local farmers' market. It’s hard to fully capture what makes this place so special—it’s the laid-back Caribbean vibe that you just have to experience for yourself.

Costa Rica has become more than just a home for our family—it’s a place of endless adventure and discovery. Each of these special destinations has left a lasting mark on our hearts, reminding us why we chose to live here.

This is the third in Maria's three-part series, written exclusively for Tom & Teddy.

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