Costa Rica may be one of the world’s top destinations for families with a sense of adventure and an appreciation of nature. There are sprawling rainforests, turtle-nesting beaches, and thriving coral reef communities.
If you’re ready to find the ideal destination for your upcoming family vacation, consider us your trusted guide. At Bill Beard’s Costa Rica, we’ve traveled across the country to help you discover the best eco tours in Costa Rica and ensure you have an unforgettable experience.
See What Costa Rica Offers
This small, conservation-minded country is one of the most bio-diverse in the world, with monkeys swinging, sloths lazily dangling, and toucans hopping around in the treetops.
No matter what your itinerary looks like, you can explore a variety of habitats and encounter plant and animal species found almost nowhere else on the planet. Hikes, snorkeling, beach walks, canopy tours, and whitewater rafting adventures are among the most popular Costa Rica eco-tours.
And unlike other untamed paradises, many of Costa Rica’s wildlife excursions are accessible, relatively safe, and kid-appropriate—just ask the experts.
Furthermore, Costa Rica is home to various national parks, wildlife refuges, cloud forest reserves, and pristine Caribbean beaches.
Watch sea turtles lay eggs in Playa Ostional
An arribada—or massive gathering of egg-laying turtles—happens at Playa Ostional each month around the last quarter moon. Kids won’t be the only ones marveling as the sea turtles start swimming up to the beach by the hundreds, dropping their eggs off, and returning to the sea.
Arribadas happen throughout the year but are particularly well attended from July to December. The massive “arribadas” (arrivals) of Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles happened this rainy season at the Playa Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, as they have done for hundreds of years.
Although these turtles come ashore year-round at this beach to lay their eggs, it’s during the rainy season when they do it in large numbers. For instance, in the latter part of August, the arribada was close to one million females, which lay an average of 100 eggs each. The baby turtles will hatch in 45–55 days, immediately heading to the sea in search of algae, branches, or other things to feed on. By the time they reach maturity, they will return to their birthplace.
Playa Ostional
This beach, made famous by Dr. Douglas Robinson, is located in the village of Ostional, north of Punta Guiones, close to Playa Nosara. Access is via Nicoya to Nosara and from Santa Cruz. The final stretches are advisably accessible via four-wheel drive vehicles in the rainy season.
According to biologist Rodrigo Morera, who works with the Ostional Development Association (ADIO), the massive arrival in August was similar to those of previous years. However, October will most likely see the largest arribadas of the season.
Wander the cloud forest in Monteverde
Monteverde is one of the top ecotourism destinations for nature lovers, with cloud forest reserves, hanging bridges, zip-line tours, and family-friendly accommodations.
Families with young whippersnappers will love Selvatura Park, which includes a canopy tour and butterfly garden, and Children’s Eternal Rainforest, a conservation project featuring exhibits and hikes geared toward little ones.
Similarly, Monteverde hanging bridges are great for people who desire to see the tree canopy in a closer and more relaxed way. This is a hike of about three kilometers with trails and bridges where you can observe different parts of the forest, starting from the ground and getting to the tree canopy, experiencing different habitats.
The Monteverde hanging bridges tour allows you to enjoy nature by walking on suspension bridges along the treetops to view the beauty of the canopy below. You’ll spend most of your time near the treetops, where you can see birds, bromeliads, and more.
In addition, you’ll have the chance to see the canopy from a different perspective, looking down at the trees instead of up, which is an unusual experience and good exercise.
Spot wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park
If national parks are on your list, make sure not to miss Manuel Antonio. Despite being the smallest national park in Costa Rica, it offers a multitude of wildlife, making it super convenient for families seeking a contained and easy eco-stroll.
The park includes beaches and jungle habitats, and if you bring a guide along, you’re almost sure to spot monkeys and sloths on your walk. Moreover, it’s easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.
Manuel Antonio showcases a charming combination of rainforests, beaches, and coral reefs. The forest houses sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys, and millions of colorful little crabs. Exploring this area is a captivating journey. As you stroll along the trail winding around Punta Catedral, get ready for some spectacular views!
Don’t miss Cathedral Point; it used to be an island with forest-topped cliffs. Now, it’s connected to the coast by a thin island strip. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the park’s two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio.
Hike at Corcovado National Park
A trek in Corcovado National Park may be in order for the slightly more adventurous family. This tour is to Corcovado’s Sirena Ranger Station, located along the Pacific Coast but further south in the middle of the park. The boat ride to Sirena from the hotel takes approximately one hour, which is well worth it for anybody who wants to see the park’s interior.
There are several trails that surround the ranger station, some of which offer visitors to the park the best opportunities to observe wildlife. While not always visible, common sightings at either of the ranger stations include scarlet macaws, monkeys (white face, howler, spider & squirrel), peccaries, iguanas, sloths, lizards, and a wide variety of plants, amphibians, and insects.
Tempisque River boat wildlife observation tour
The Tempisque Palo Verde River Wildlife Boat Tour will take you to the Palo Verde National Park entrance. The best bird watching for aquatic species is found here, as many migratory birds favor the park as they escape the cold winters in North and South America.
The area’s density gives it a rich mix of mammal, amphibian, and reptile life, including many crocodiles, howler & white-faced capuchin monkeys, and scarlet macaws. The lowlands and marshes create the perfect conditions for the largest concentration of waterfowl and wading birds in all of Central America.
This is a bird watchers paradise and the perfect spot to see lots of crocodiles. After the scenic drive, you will board motorized river canal boats and cruise the Tempisque River and the Palo Verde River, where the two rivers converge.
During your journey, experienced riverboat guides will stop to get you close to animals, birds, and crocodiles. This is a perfect time to watch crocodiles slide in from the banks and glide through the water, see many varieties of birds, and look for monkeys, bats, and other wildlife. At the end of the tour, guides will return you to your beach hotel.
Snorkel in Gulf Of Papagayo
Sail, snorkel, fish, swim, and see a gorgeous sunset over the Pacific Ocean by doing this activity. Watch dolphins jump, frolic, and ride the bow as you silently glide on a 75-foot catamaran. The Gulf’s accessibility, coupled with expert guides, makes it an ideal choice for a holistic and responsible adventure.
Dive into Unique Natural Wonders with Bill Beard’s Costa Rica Eco Tours
At Bill Beard’s Costa Rica, we make it easy to explore the beauty of this country through our privately escorted tours and first-class accommodations. Our offerings can seamlessly complement other packages, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience.
We also offer world-class adventure tours and scuba diving for those who’d like to enjoy the underwater marvels of the country! Our team can arrange everything in advance so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.
Contact our team at Bill Beard’s Costa Rica now for single, triple, quad, or group rates. Find us in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, behind the Catholic Church, close to the renowned hot springs, and in the shadow of Arenal Volcano.
Stay connected:
- Direct: 954-453-5044
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- Local number (Costa Rica): 2479-7089 (Available from 9-5 PM)
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- Email: agent@billbeardcostarica.com