Costa Rica with Kids Itineraries:

Rainforest

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, commonly called just “Sarapiqui” is our lowland tropical rainforest location located at the confluence of the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers.  I like it because it’s not touristy and is a great place to see wildlife and birds. The town is small and a typical Costa Rican town with little tourism influence so it’s a great cultural experience just to talk a short walk around town. There’s often a pick up game of soccer (football for the non-American reader) going on in the field next to the little shopping area. This location has the most rustic lodges.

Popular activities here on the river include a slow wildlife boat ride to look for crocodiles, caiman, sloths, birds, monkeys and iguanas or a fast whitewater rafting trip. Tirimbina Wildlife Refuge and La Selva Biological Research Station offer trails through the rainforest. There’s even a small zipline tour that’s great for young kids. A school visit can be arranged with advance notification. It can be hot and humid here. There’s no dry season here but late January to early May is less wet.