Jenny’s Blog: A family adventure in Costa Rica

There’s something special about a family holiday that’s been a long time in the making...

We were meant to take this trip back in 2020 after my son’s graduation, but life had other plans – so when we finally made it happen, it felt even more exciting.

It was our first family holiday abroad since December 2019 and we wanted it to be worth the wait.

We were after something a bit different. We all love nature and wildlife, and we wanted a holiday full of adventure – somewhere with amazing scenery, culture and that feeling of discovering somewhere truly unique. Costa Rica ticked every box.

It started out with just the four of us – me, Paul and our two sons, Callum and Finlay (then 20 and 18). But as the plans came together, we invited our friends – SJ, Woody and their daughters Jessica and Annie – who we’d originally met in Paris. It turned into a brilliant group holiday, full of laughter, memories and a few unexpected moments!

We flew with Lufthansa from Heathrow via Frankfurt – there are no direct flights to San José in the summer – and the connections worked well. If you’re looking for a tip, we paid extra for front row seats on the return leg to Frankfurt, which gave us extra legroom without the cost of premium economy.

The trip was 14 nights in total and took us through four very different parts of the country:

• 1 night in San José (the capital)

• 2 nights in Tortuguero (Caribbean coast)

• 4 nights in Arenal (volcano region)

• 2 nights in Monteverde (cloud forest)

• 5 nights on the Pacific coast at an all-inclusive beach resort

It was definitely a travelling holiday – lots of moving around – but that’s really the only way to experience Costa Rica properly. All our transfers were pre-booked which helped everything run smoothly (aside from one no-show that was sorted with a quick phone call!).

Everywhere we went, we were blown away by the scenery and how friendly and welcoming the Costa Rican people were.

But the highlight for me was Tortuguero. We stayed at Mawamba Lodge, surrounded by wildlife – it was just incredible. The food was delicious and the lodge-style accommodation felt authentic and relaxed.

We did a river safari there and spotted sloths, monkeys, dolphins, caymans, and all sorts of colourful birds.

One of my favourite memories was a walk around the resort with a guide, where we saw tented camp bats, iguanas and the most beautiful little frog.

We’d pre-booked an excursion to see the turtles laying their eggs on the beach. It was absolutely magical – even if we all nodded off on the boat ride back thanks to the jet lag!

Later in Arenal, we joined a walking tour with a local guide to learn about the area’s volcanic history, and booked a sloth-spotting walk too – and yes, we saw a few hiding high up in the trees, along with toucans.

Monteverde was another highlight – although that’s where I was reluctantly persuaded to join the rest of them on a night walk. I told the guide I didn’t want to see a tarantula, which of course meant we saw one. I still have nightmares!

We were supposed to go zip-lining through the cloud forest too, which I was equal parts terrified and excited about – but it was cancelled due to storms. I’d love to say I was disappointed… but I think I was secretly relieved!

After all the adventure, we finished the trip with five nights on the Pacific coast.

It was the perfect way to unwind, and the Japanese restaurant at our resort was such a hit we ended up going twice. I also loved the local black beans and rice – their signature dish – really tasty and full of flavour.

Our youngest, Finlay, was in his element the whole time. He was constantly out in the rain searching for bullet ants and other wildlife – his enthusiasm was infectious. Seeing both our boys so happy and absorbed in the experience made the trip even more special.

The journey home was long, as expected, and we arrived at the airport four hours early. But we paid for lounge access, and it was so worth it – snacks, drinks, comfy seats and a bit of calm before the flight. Cheaper than the burger place too!

I’d go back to Costa Rica in a heartbeat. I’d love to explore more of the country – and definitely return to Tortuguero, which had a kind of magic I can’t quite explain. I’d even consider facing my zip-lining fears... maybe!

This trip reminded me why I love helping families plan their holidays – because when it all comes together, it’s magic. The excitement, the shared moments, and the chance to experience something completely different. For us, Costa Rica was that trip.

If you’re dreaming of an adventure-filled family holiday with wildlife, nature and a sense of something truly special, I’d love to help you plan it. It’s what I do best.