Costa Rica with Kids Itineraries:

Caribbean Coast Beach

Itineraries that include the Rainforest location and a beach will go to Playa Negra, a black sand swimmable beach located on the Caribbean Coast. This area is generally quiet except during Easter week when it fills up. From your lodge, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to downtown Cahuita and the Cahuita National Park (an undeveloped lovely white sand beach). Here you can experience the Caribbean flavor of Costa Rica in one of the less developed and less touristy areas. The National Park includes miles of undeveloped shoreline where you can often spot monkeys in the palm trees. Take a walk along the wide shady trail through the jungle along the beach and look for wildlife, then step out towards the ocean and cool off in the water. Many families spend all their time at the beach, but if you’d like more, there’s snorkeling in the small reef off the national park beach, surfing lessons, scuba diving, sportfishing, and kayaking at nearby beautiful Gandoca Manzanilla National Park (mangrove estuary) where you’ll often have the place to yourself. You can visit the BriBri Indigenous Reservation, a sloth rehab center and more. Driest months are January to April.

This beach area is best for families who feel comfortable off the beaten path, away from many other travelers, interacting with the locals. There have been some safety incidents here (not with Global Family travelers but in the news) so do your research and use common sense- leave valuables in lodge safe, don’t walk after dark- take a taxi, etc.