Top Activities to Enjoy with Kids in Costa Rica
- Fabiola Vilchez
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 12
Costa Rica is not only a haven for natural beauty—it’s also a family-friendly country filled with engaging, safe, and educational activities for children.
Here’s a curated list of top activities to enjoy with kids in Costa Rica—combining nature, culture, and hands-on learning.
Educational and Cultural Spaces
Museo Submarino Playa Blanca Costa Rica's museums are interactive, inspiring, and highly accessible—ideal for nurturing your child’s curiosity.
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (San José) Housed in a historic fortress, this museum offers interactive exhibits on Costa Rican history, biodiversity, and archaeology. During school breaks, it hosts free educational workshops for children.
Museo de los Niños (San José) Known as Costa Rica’s "Children’s Museum", often described as a “castle of dreams,” this interactive children’s museum offers science, art, and culture experiences designed just for young minds. It’s fun, safe, and highly educational.
Museo de Arte Costarricense (La Sabana, San José) A great space to introduce children to Costa Rican and Latin American art in a calm, spacious environment—perfect for a cultural afternoon stroll.
Museo Submarino (Playa Blanca,Punta Leona)
The only underwater museum in Central America, with sculptural reefs accessible via snorkeling—no extra cost. Kids can swim among statues of a Cacique Garabito, a turtle, and a manta ray, each over 3 meters long.
Parque Marino del Pacífico (Puntarenas)
A marine education center and aquarium designed to raise awareness about ocean conservation. Children can see tropical fish, turtles, rays, and sharks up close, and learn about marine ecosystems through interactive exhibits and touch pools. A great stop for families living in or visiting the Central Pacific.
National Parks & Nature Adventures
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena – Uvita Costa Rica’s biodiversity is a natural playground. These national parks offer a perfect introduction to environmental appreciation and wildlife:
Manuel Antonio National Park One of the most famous parks, with family-friendly trails, beautiful beaches, and guaranteed wildlife sightings.
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena – Uvita Famous for whale-watching tours and the iconic whale-tail sandbar. Great for children to learn about marine life.
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo Near San José, ideal for quick family hikes through lush rainforest and cloud forest.
Parque Nacional Cahuita – Caribbean Coast
Offers beginner-level snorkeling in shallow, reef-rich waters.
Theme Parks & Adventure Centers
Costa Rica offers a variety of parks where children can play, learn, and explore. From prehistoric jungles to hot springs and roller coasters, these destinations are ideal for family weekends or vacation day trips:
Dino Land (Alajuela, Bajos del Toro)
Explore lush forest trails filled with over 100 life-sized dinosaurs, waterfalls, and interactive family zones—perfect for a fun and educational day in nature. Located in the heart of Costa Rica’s cloud forest.
Dino Park – Blue River Resort (Guanacaste, Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja)
Life-sized dinosaur sculptures, trails, hot springs, and butterfly gardens.
Parque de Diversiones (San José, La Uruca)
A classic amusement park with rides, water attractions, and a historical village.
Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park (Alajuela, San Carlos, La Fortuna)
Thermal pools and slides with Arenal Volcano views.
Orosi Water Park (Cartago,Orosi Valley) A peaceful eco-retreat featuring seven thermal pools (34–39 °C), nature trails, a family-friendly farm with animals, and a unique coffee adventure hike with giant sculptures. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting over 225 species around its lakes and gardens.
Cinemas, Live Family Shows & Planetarium
Planetarium of the University of Costa Rica Costa Rica offers a wide array of cultural and visual experiences perfect for families—ranging from animated films (dubbed in English and Spanish), to immersive astronomy and historic theater experiences.
🎬Cinemas with Family Showtimes
Cinépolis Cinépolis Terramall y Terrazas Lindora has a dedicated Cinépolis Junior theater with a playground, family seating, and shorter kid-friendly films.
Nova Cinemas
Cinemark
CCM Cinemas
🌌Planetarium – University of Costa Rica (San Pedro)
This is one of San José’s best-kept secrets for families. The Planetario UCR offers interactive space shows, sky projections, and astronomy sessions for children and families.
Highlights include:
Shows about stars, planets, and constellations
Interactive science sessions during school vacations
Family nights and special themed events
Many events are low-cost or free, and children leave inspired by space, science, and discovery.
🎭 Teatro Nacional – San José
A cultural icon in the heart of San José, the Teatro Nacional offers not only architectural beauty and history, but also frequent family-oriented performances, such as:
Children’s theater and musical storytelling
Puppet shows and seasonal productions
Educational concerts for young audiences
Even when there’s no show scheduled, a guided tour of the building is a magical way for kids to learn about history, art, and classical architecture.
Guided tours are available daily and can be reserved in advance.
Snorkeling Spots for Kids
Costa Rica is ideal for safe, introductory snorkeling with kids:
Playa Blanca – Punta Leona: Calm waters and home to the underwater museum.
Playa Conchal: Shell-strewn sand and clear shallow waters.
Playa Biesanz (Manuel Antonio): Great visibility and easy access.
Isla Chora (Sámara): A short kayak ride to colorful reef fish.
Supporting Family Life Beyond the Property
