Known for beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring rainforests, and delicious coffee, Costa Rica is more than just a spectacular honeymoon location. Sure, this Central America paradise teems with luxury all-inclusive resorts that set the stage for romance, but Costa Rica is also a wonderful family vacation destination.
We’ve rounded up our picks for the best 15 Costa Rica all-inclusive family resorts to help you find the perfect spot for your next family trip.
The Westin Reserva Conchal Golf Resort & Spa
The Westin Reserva Conchal Golf Resort & Spa sits on 2400 acres of prime real estate surrounded by a lush tropical jungle. Previous guests mention that wildlife sightings like iguanas and howler monkeys are common, adding that the thick brush makes direct ocean views next to impossible. Only a handful of suites come with coveted partial views of the beach.
The rooms are large and contemporary. Family Club suites have special amenities for families like tiny bathrobes and children’s toiletries, and there’s a designated family section of lounge chairs with a nearby tent filled with games like ping pong and giant chess.
Unlimited meals and drinks are part of the rate, and there is a full schedule of activities and events like ping pong tournaments, guided yoga, and spinning classes. On the property, you can find 4 tennis courts, a golf course, a shopping center, a lovely spa, and 11 restaurants and bars.
Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
A huge swimming pool, 6 gourmet restaurants, and an 18-hole golf course round out some of the best amenities at Los Suenos Marriott. Inspired by colonial Spanish architecture, Los Suenos stands out from Marriott’s template with barrel tile roofing and a gorgeous burnt orange exterior.
The resort’s massive pool complex spreads itself around the grounds, with small land bridges and man-made islands connecting the property. There is direct beach access with great swimming, but the beach is rocky and there aren’t many comfortable spots to lay out.
There’s also a marina nearby where tour groups and deep-sea fishing vessels take watersports enthusiasts out on the open ocean. Onsite is a 24-hour fitness center with instructor-led classes included with the rate and a large casino where moms and dads can test their luck while the kids do crafts and play games in the Tortuga Kids’ Club.
Dreams Las Mareas
Dreams Resorts are a favorite holiday destination among families because of the huge selection of restaurants, top-shelf drinks included with the rate, beautiful resort grounds, and non-stop entertainment. Guests of Dreams Las Mareas have their choice of 8 a la carte restaurants as well as a sprawling international buffet and snack shacks located on the pool deck and beach with child-friendly options available at each one. There’s also a gelato shop and coffee shop for sweet treats and desserts.
The rooms are large and have high-end modern furniture. Splashes of color against white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows make suites airy and bright. Select suites come with private plunge pools, hot tubs, or whirlpools.
This Costa Rica all-inclusive family resort sits on the world-famous Playa El Jobo beach, and the use of non-motorized watersports equipment is included in the rate. There are also 3 pools including a children’s pool with a water slide. At the Kids’ Club, guests between the ages of 3 and 12 can mix and mingle, play games, and do crafts. Anyone interested in learning about the local fauna can head out on a daily wildlife walk with an expert guide who can point out the tropical animals that call the resort home.
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica invites guests to “vacation like a star” and indulge in limitless dining, pampering, and fun at a luxe all-inclusive on the shores of Papagayo Gulf. The resort is only a short 30-minute drive from the airport in the province of Guanacaste and has 2 swimming pools, a dedicated Kids Splash Zone, and a Kids’ Club to keep younger guests busy while parents enjoy some R&R by the pool or at the beach.
The Star Kids’ Club gives theater kids the chance to improve their craft with classes where they can get coaching and tips from an on-site drama master plus the chance to put on their very own performance or record their own music in the green screen studio. The wardrobe room is the perfect place for them to let their imaginations run wild. Events like a Hall of Fame Party, a Walk of Fame-themed scavenger hunt, and outdoor movie nights keep with the celebrity theme.
While the kids get to work on launching a successful Hollywood career, parents can relax in the PH Spa and Beauty Bar, where an entire menu of couples’ treatments will help you reconnect with your partner. Exciting day trips to nearby places like the rainforest or boat tours can be arranged with the concierge. Their 4-hour “Sailing Hibiscus at Sunset” tour is especially popular and leaves time for keen snorkelers to jump in and interact with friendly local marine life.
Best Western Jaco Beach
The Best Western Jaco Beach may not be a 5-star luxury resort, but it’s in a great location on a stretch of Jaco Beach, making it a great choice for as an affordable Costa Rica all-inclusive family resort. Locally owned, it has a simple outdoor restaurant and two bars. Rooms are plain but make up for it with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. Pass by the two swimming pools and tennis court on your way to the private beach where you can soak up the sun.
For families who want to get out and do some exploring on their own terms, the resort offers free secure parking. Some suggestions include Rainforest Adventures and a gorgeous lookout point called El Miro. Local Costa Ricans make up the vast majority of the clientele, so you can always ask around for day trip suggestions off the beaten path.
The grounds feature a children’s playground and a pool area with a sectioned-off adult-only area. There isn’t a kids’ club or any child-minding services available, so while it might not be the ideal location for very young kids, families with pre-teens and teenagers will find all kinds of activities like surfing lessons, deep-sea fishing, ATV tours, and horseback riding down the beach which can be booked at the concierge.
Occidental Tamarindo
The Occidental Tamarindo is located in northwest of Costa Rica on the shores of Langosta Tamarindo Beach. As the only all-inclusive resort in the immediate area, it’s a popular spot for families and couples, a considerable distance from the bustling Playa Hermosa.
The rooms are dated but are cozy and clean, with light (but not bright) colors and warm wooden furniture. Superior rooms include a private balcony or terrace and a large bathroom, with plenty of space for up to 5 guests per room. Beautiful views of the beach are unobstructed from select ocean-facing rooms, and the forested surroundings of the resort provide peace and privacy for ground-floor rooms. There are also 3 gourmet restaurants and 2 bars, with unlimited dining and drinks included in the rate.
Entertainment and select activities for children and adults are also included in the rate. Dance classes, aerobics, the kids’ club, sports, and lawn games are free of charge, while tee times at the nearby golf course, massages, and aquatic excursions cost extra. Occidental Tamarindo is especially popular with nature enthusiasts and surfers.
Pirate Cove Hotel
The Pirate Cove Hotel is an adorable family-run all-inclusive hotel in Drake Bay. It’s run by Guiseppe, a Swiss man, and his Costa Rican wife. Giuseppe is an engine mechanic and scuba diver, and he personally sees to the care of the hotel’s boats and aquatic equipment. Tours, scuba diving, whale watching, and other excursions are offered by the hotel’s small, qualified staff. Popular spots in the Osa Peninsula include dozens of mangroves, Cano Island, and Corcovado National Park.
The meals are included in the rate and are all homemade and served family style. However, there is no set menu (dietary restrictions can be accommodated) or meal times, which can be tough if you’re traveling with picky eaters.
With only a handful of beautifully made but simple rooms, guests here are free to mix and mingle and the vibe is relaxed, cheerful, and friendly. It doesn’t have a dedicated children’s program, but the activities are wholesome and engaging, perfect for slightly older, curious kids and families who love an immersive travel experience.
Hotel Riu Palace
Hotel Riu Palace is the chain’s Costa Rican location in Guanacaste near Playa Matapalo. It’s a busy, bustling Costa Rica all-inclusive family resort that hosts all kinds of guests including families, honeymooners, and friend groups. While the RIU chain has a reputation among spring breakers as a party resort, party groups are officially not allowed at this location, and only a few reviews mention occasional rowdiness from other guests.
There are 4 pools at Hotel Riu Palace, one of which has a swim-up bar. All-inclusive rates include 3 sprawling buffets every day with live cooking stations and plenty of Western options for kids, with theme nights three nights per week. Additionally, there are four optional a la carte options.
Drinks and 24-hour snacks are also included, along with sports equipment, windsurfing, a water park, steambath and whirlpool, and an intro scuba lesson in the swimming pool. For families, RiuLand welcomes children between the ages of 4-7 and 8-12. Family suites come with two bedrooms, a hydromassage bathtub, and a private balcony or terrace.
Fiesta Resort
Fiesta Resort is just outside the port city of Puntarenas, Costa Rica and has a huge list of services covered at its all-inclusive rate. A wide range of sports courts are scattered around the grounds along with a mini-golf course and 4 swimming pools. Nightly entertainment includes cultural presentations and recreations of internationally popular shows, and the midnight lounge stays open for dancing after the kids head to bed.
During the day, activities like aerobics, bartending classes, and dancing are held in and around the pool. Young children can go to the Kids’ Club for child-friendly, supervised activities, while the Teens’ Club for ages 13-17 has games and events geared toward an older crowd.
The Junior Suite Family Room has swim-up access, a master bedroom with a soft king-sized bed, a second bedroom/living room with a queen-sized bed, and 1 bathroom. Nine restaurants and bars, including 2 swim-up bars, offer local and international gourmet meals and snacks. While the kids are away, relax at the spa with 11 different types of massages and several body treatments and facials.
Margarita Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Margarita Beach Resort at Playa Flamingo has all-inclusive packages that offer three daily meals plus snacks and drinks at 4 distinct snack shacks, beach huts, and eateries. Drink options include domestic soft drinks and spirits, house wine, and draft beer brewed in Costa Rica. Guests can also enjoy free use of rental bikes to explore the surroundings, boogie board rental for 2 hours per day, and free popcorn and drinks in the movie theater.
Family accommodation includes a large studio with a kitchenette, a two-bedroom Junior Suite with 3 patios and lush tropical surroundings, and a Junior Suite with two twin bunk beds. The decor is beachy and bright and offers views of the gardens, beach, or pools.
One major draw is the resort’s private yacht, the Endeavour, a 10-person sea vessel that guests can book for a private 3-hour tour in the morning and a 4-hour sunset cruise in the afternoon. Full and half-day excursions can be arranged as well.
Barcelo Tambor
Barcelo Tambor is a cute Costa Rica all-inclusive family resort in the Tambor region. It sits on a beautiful beach surrounded by rolling green hills in a semi-remote location. You won’t have to worry about throngs of spring breakers here, but the resort isn’t so remote that you won’t be able to get out and do some exploring.
There are 402 rooms that can comfortably accommodate up to 4 guests. Private balconies or terraces offer views of the unspoiled natural beauty of the sea. For larger families or groups, the resort also has suites that come with a separate bedroom and an extra sleeping arrangement for up to 6 guests.
The all-inclusive rate covers three buffet meals per day. There are also 3 a la carte restaurants if you feel like mixing it up, but reservations are required and some reviews suggest making your reservation early as the tables can fill up quickly. Drinks are also covered by the rate.
For families, the resort offers two children’s programs, one for kids between the ages of 4-12 called the Barcy Club, and The Teens’ House, which comes fully stocked with arcade games, computers, and even a climbing wall and bungee trampoline. If parents want to get out for a date outside children’s programs hours, babysitting services are also available for an added cost.
Copa De Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort
Copa De Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort is a small family-run boutique hotel with a lot of heart. The owners have lived on the property for almost 30 years, turning it from a modest 4-bedroom hotel to a sprawling oasis with 9 adorable beach cabins that can accommodate as many as 4 guests.
Set in nature but with all the comfort of home, including air conditioning in the rooms, wifi, and modern plumbing, Copa De Arbol is a perfect choice for families who love to spend time outside and prefer to stay away from loud crowds, late-night parties, and overly-touristy cities. There is no kids’ club, but there are lots of activities suited for the entire family that older, adventurous kids will love.
The daily rate includes three meals per day, a welcome alcoholic beverage, and unlimited coffee, tea, juice, and water. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase but aren’t covered in the rate. And, to better take advantage of the lovely, unspoiled beach, guests can also borrow kayaks and SUPs free of charge.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort
Andaz Costa Rica Resort by Hyatt is a 152-room luxury all-inclusive resort with 4 restaurants and 4 pools, plus an opulent spa and 3 gorgeous beaches. The resort is on a private peninsula at the end of a long winding road, far from any major cities and roughly 45 minutes from the airport. Neighboring resorts are equally luxurious, including the Four Seasons and El Mangroove. For families looking for secluded, upscale accommodation, this is it.
The Andaz line is known for its contemporary architectural design, and the Costa Rica location is no exception. Treehouse-style cabins overlook expertly manicured gardens and sprawling lawns. Fourteen hundred acres of property far from any other major developments make guests feel like they’re on their own private island. The calls of howler monkeys can be heard in the evenings, and wildlife spottings are common throughout the day.
The beaches are nothing special and involve a moderate 10-minute hike that might be challenging with very young kids or anyone with mobility issues. Thankfully, there are 4 large swimming pools including a shallow splash pool for kids and an adult-only pool in a quieter part of the resort. If you do decide to head down to the oceanfront, there is a transfer boat that shuttles guests to the resort’s 3 different beaches.
Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Hotel Riu Guanacaste offers many of the same amenities as its sister resort, Hotel Riu Palace. The important distinction here is the atmosphere; while Hotel Riu Palace prohibits party trips, they are allowed at Hotel Riu Guanacaste. Therefore, if you travel during spring break or other popular holiday times, you might not get the most relaxing experience.
That being said, the resort does offer quite a few amenities for kids and adults, is in a popular part of the country, and has a reputation for being a safe space with lots to do nearby, all for a decent price.
Allegro Papagayo
Allegro Papagayo is built on a privately-owned stretch of golden-sand beach. It’s a small but lovely Costa Rica all-inclusive family resort near popular tourist attractions like Playa Manzanillo, Playa Cabuyal, and Culebra Bay. In addition to several beaches, the resort also has a large pool with a swim-up bar and jacuzzis. Enjoy the on-site restaurant or try one of the nice local restaurants nearby.
The exterior of the hotel is absolutely gorgeous, reminiscent of a Spanish colonial-style church, and painted a sunny shade of yellow with a red tiled roof. There are a few lookout towers around the property, and while the website doesn’t mention if they are accessible, at least they are pretty to look at.
Now that you’ve learned all about these 15 Costa Rica all-inclusive family resorts, which is your choice? If you need help deciding, we suggest getting in touch with our expert travel planners to start planning your ultimate Costa Rican getaway.
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He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.