Where to Stay on the Beach in Costa Rica with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Areas

When most people think of Costa Rica, they picture rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife. What surprised us was just how good the beach part of the trip was too.

After spending several days exploring La Fortuna, crossing hanging bridges, swimming at waterfalls and relaxing in hot springs, we finished our family holiday on the Pacific Coast. It gave us exactly what we needed: slower mornings, pool time, beach walks and a chance to relax before flying home.

Quick Answer: Where Should Families Stay on the Beach in Costa Rica?

For most families, there are three main options:

• All-inclusive beach resorts – best for convenience, pools and kids' clubs

• Beach towns – best for restaurants, activities and exploring independently

• Remote beach hotels – best for wildlife, nature and a quieter experience

We chose an all-inclusive beach resort because it was the perfect contrast to our time in La Fortuna. Staying at Planet Hollywood Costa Rica meant we could swap waterfalls and rainforest trails for pools, beaches, restaurants and monkey spotting without needing to plan every detail of the day.

In this guide, I'll explain the different beach areas, who they're best suited to, how long to stay and what I'd recommend after visiting Costa Rica with our 7-year-old son Joshua.

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels and experiences we'd genuinely use again as a family.

Why Add the Beach to Your Costa Rica Trip?

For us, the beach wasn't the main reason we visited Costa Rica.

That was La Fortuna. The hanging bridges, hot springs, waterfalls and wildlife were the experiences we'd travelled all that way to see. But after several active days, the beach gave us something equally important — a chance to slow down.

Suddenly we weren't rushing off to an activity every morning. Instead, we were spending time in the pool, walking on the beach, spotting monkeys and actually enjoying the resort.

I genuinely think this combination is what makes Costa Rica so good for families. The rainforest gives you the adventure, while the beach gives you the holiday.

If you're planning a similar route, see 10-Day Costa Rica Family Itinerary: Jungle, Volcanoes & Beaches.

All-Inclusive Beach Resorts: The Easiest Option for Families

If I'm honest, this is probably what I'd recommend to most families visiting Costa Rica for the first time.

Costa Rica may be famous for its rainforest and wildlife, but it's also a popular all-inclusive destination, particularly for visitors from the United States and Canada. As a result, many of the beach resorts are extremely high quality and, in our experience, often felt more polished than many European all-inclusive hotels.

The biggest advantage is simplicity.

Everything is in one place:

• Pools

• Restaurants

• Kids' clubs

• Entertainment

• Beach access

• Activities

After several days exploring La Fortuna, we loved not having to think about where to eat or what to do next.

We stayed at Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, which worked brilliantly as the second half of our trip. Joshua loved the pools and kids' club, while we appreciated having restaurants, entertainment and beach access all within walking distance.

Read: Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Review: Honest Family Guide to This All-Inclusive Resort

This type of holiday is particularly good for families who:

• Want an easy holiday

• Have younger children

• Don't want to hire a car

• Are combining the beach with La Fortuna

Recommended Family Resorts

Budget-Friendly Option: Riu Guanacaste
If you're looking for a traditional all-inclusive resort without the premium price tag, Riu Guanacaste is often one of the best-value options on the Pacific Coast. Families are drawn by the large pools, family-friendly atmosphere, kids' activities and extensive all-inclusive offering. This was one of the resorts we considered during our research because it offers a lot for the money.

Mid-Range Option: Planet Hollywood Costa Rica
This is where we stayed and I'd happily recommend it to families looking for a balance of facilities, entertainment and value. The pools, beach, kids' club, evening entertainment and wildlife around the resort made it an excellent choice after a few active days in La Fortuna.

Higher-End Option: Westin Reserva Conchal
For families wanting a more premium all-inclusive experience, the Westin Reserva Conchal is one of the most highly regarded family resorts in Costa Rica. Expect beautiful grounds, excellent dining options, a stunning beach and a more upscale atmosphere while still remaining family friendly.

All three are located on the Pacific Coast, making them easy to combine with La Fortuna as part of a family itinerary.

Beach Towns: Best for Restaurants and Activities

Not every family wants an all-inclusive resort. If you enjoy exploring restaurants, trying local food and having more flexibility, a beach town may be a better fit.

Beach towns typically offer:

• Independent restaurants

• Cafés and local markets

• Shops and supermarkets

• Boat trips and snorkelling tours

• Surf schools

• More opportunities to explore beyond your hotel

They tend to feel more authentic and give families more freedom to create their own itinerary. The trade-off is that they're less convenient than a resort. You'll usually need a hire car or taxis, and there is a little more planning involved day to day.

Some popular beach towns families often consider include:

• Tamarindo – one of the easiest beach towns for first-time visitors, with plenty of restaurants, surf schools and family-friendly facilities.

• Manuel Antonio – combines beaches with wildlife and easy access to Manuel Antonio National Park.

• Samara – a quieter beach town with a calmer atmosphere and family-friendly beaches.

This style of stay works particularly well for families who:

• Don't want all-inclusive

• Enjoy eating out

• Want to explore independently

• Have older children

• Prefer a more local feel

Recommended Family Hotels

Mid-Range Option: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort (Tamarindo)
A great choice for families who want to be within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the beach. It offers multiple pools, a central location and enough facilities to feel convenient without being a full resort.

Higher-End Option: Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort (Manuel Antonio)
Ideal for families wanting a more premium Costa Rica experience. The combination of rainforest, wildlife and beachfront access gives you a taste of both sides of Costa Rica while still offering excellent facilities and service.

If you're looking for the easiest possible beach stay, however, I'd still lean towards an all-inclusive resort such as Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, particularly if you're combining it with a few active days in La Fortuna. After waterfalls, hot springs and rainforest adventures, it was the perfect place for our family to slow down and relax.

Remote Beach Hotels: Best for Wildlife and Nature

If your idea of a perfect Costa Rica holiday involves quiet beaches, wildlife and beautiful scenery, a remote beach hotel could be the perfect fit.

These properties tend to focus less on entertainment and more on the natural environment around them. You might wake up to monkeys in the trees, spot tropical birds from your balcony or enjoy long stretches of beach that feel far quieter than the country's resort areas.

Typically, these locations offer:

• Quieter beaches

• More wildlife

• Less development

• Beautiful scenery

• A stronger connection to nature

The trade-off is convenience. Restaurant options are often limited, activities may require driving and there is usually far less organised entertainment than you'd find at an all-inclusive resort.

This style of stay works best for families who:

• Love nature and wildlife

• Don't need kids' clubs

• Are comfortable hiring a car

• Prefer quieter destinations

Areas to Consider

• Osa Peninsula – One of Costa Rica's most wildlife-rich regions, famous for rainforest, beaches and wildlife encounters.

• Playa Carrillo – Near Samara but quieter, with a beautiful palm-lined beach and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

• Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) – A more adventurous option with a very different feel from the Pacific Coast and excellent wildlife opportunities nearby.

Recommended Family Hotels

Mid-Range Option: Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows (Playa Carrillo)
A family-friendly beachfront hotel with direct beach access, a pool and a quieter setting than the larger resort areas. A good balance between comfort and nature.

Higher-End Option: Lapa Rios Lodge (Osa Peninsula)
Often considered one of Costa Rica's most iconic eco-lodges. Expect incredible wildlife, rainforest trails and a genuine immersion in nature. Best suited to families with older children who enjoy adventure and wildlife.

While these destinations are beautiful, I'd generally recommend them as a second or third Costa Rica trip rather than a first. For most families, combining La Fortuna with either a Pacific Coast resort or a beach town offers a much easier introduction to Costa Rica.

Pacific Coast vs Caribbean Coast for Families

For a first trip, I would favour the pacific coast.

Pacific Coast

This is where most family resorts are located.

It offers:

• More accommodation choices

• More family-friendly resorts

• Easier access from major airports

• Simpler connections with La Fortuna

This is the coast we chose and the one I'd recommend to most first-time visitors.

Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean side offers a very different atmosphere. It tends to feel less developed, more remote and a little more adventurous. While beautiful, it can be harder to combine with La Fortuna if you're working with a shorter itinerary. For families visiting Costa Rica for the first time, I'd generally suggest sticking with the Pacific Coast.

How Many Nights Should Families Spend at the Beach?

This depends on the overall length of your trip.

As a rough guide:

• 3 nights – quick beach stop

• 4–5 nights – good balance

• 5–7 nights – ideal after La Fortuna

We spent around a week on the coast and it felt about right. By this point in the trip, everyone was ready for a slower pace. The beach gave us time to recharge after the more active rainforest portion of the holiday.

For more planning advice, see: How Long Should You Spend in Costa Rica with Kids?

Tips for Choosing a Beach Hotel in Costa Rica with Kids

Not all beach hotels are equally family-friendly.

Before booking, I'd recommend checking:

• Is the beach safe and swimmable?

• Are there strong waves?

• Does the hotel have a family pool?

• How far is it from the airport?

• Will you need a car?

• Are there restaurants nearby?

• Is there natural shade on the beach?

• What do recent reviews say about sea conditions?

If you're travelling during the school holidays, it's also worth reading Costa Rica in August with Kids: Is Rainy Season Worth It for Families?

And don't forget the practical stuff. Our Costa Rica Packing List for Families covers everything we were glad we packed for both the rainforest and the beach.

Final Thoughts: Where I Recommend Staying at the Beach with Kids

For most families, I'd recommend staying on the Pacific Coast and choosing either a family-friendly resort or a beach town close to activities.

For us, finishing our trip at Planet Hollywood Costa Rica worked perfectly. It gave everyone a chance to relax after La Fortuna and made the holiday feel like both an adventure and a beach break rolled into one.

Looking back, that's exactly what made Costa Rica so memorable. The rainforest gave us the experiences we'll never forget. The beach gave us the time to enjoy them.

plan your TRIP TO costa rica

If you’re planning your family trip to La Fortuna, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.