Looking at going on a family vacation to Costa Rica next year in feb where is the best place to go. Will also have a 3 year old with us.

First of all, I’d put Costa Rica into the search box on this page. There has been lots of discussion and great suggestions on Costa Rica in the past year.

Thank you

Do you like beach or rainforest or mountains/volcanoes more? There's so much to see and do in cr. I wouldn't stay in one place the whole time

We stayed at the RIU guanacaste if you're looking for an all inclusive. Food was ok but repetitive. Staff was great and seemed to love kids (we had our 1 year old with us). Wait staff took the time to interact, give them balloons at dinner, etc.

My family and I made the move to Costa Rica 3 years ago from Red Deer. We now have condos that we rent out in Playas del Coco. Great central location to stay while vacationing here. So much to do in and the surrounding areas! Feel free to send me a message and I can try to help you out.

Sure I would be interested in looking at your condos

Connie I’ll send you a message! Make sure to check your inbox

I'd love some info too please, we're looking for Feb/March next year

hi I didn’t see the message.

Connie I sent you a friend request. After accepted see your inbox for the messages I sent yesterday morning.

Following!

Tamarindo

Playa del Coco with kids I would say. Safe, good beaches, good night life for adults, close to Liberia Airport. Walking distance to pretty much everything if you stay within the town area.

Samara was our favorite, small town, not a huge tourist crowd and a safe place to swim.

My favourite too, with it’s huge, long, beautiful empty beach! Much nicer beach than Coco and so much less touristy than Tamarindo. .

My favorite was Montezuma, however it is not so easy to get to. We went to Samara last month and found it over crowded and over run with tourists. Definitely same as Tamarindo, but with a family the activities in tamarindo make it kinda fun! Me personally, I go off the beaten track !

Monique I’m shocked. Last year we saw about five people on the Samara beach.

depends on the Holidays

Monique did you go during Easter? Semana Santa is when the locals all go to the beaches because public school is out. It doesn't matter where you are that week, it will be crowded.

Kevin no not at Easter and I totally get that, same as Mexico at Easter. We were there in February March. Just rented a truck and drove across country. When we hit Samara it just didn't have a great vibe. We ended up renting a funky house up in the hills instead!

We have a condo in Quepos, Costa Rica! Let me know, we are currently here with our 5 yr old and 8 month okd

We stayed at Jaco on the west coast in a two bed condo for three weeks. lots of restaurants in the town and huge beach. Easy walks to jungle from the southern part of the town. Short drive to two national parks and the crocs under the bridge. We also stayed at the Peace Lodge north of SAN Jose. Beautiful waterfalls and walks. Lovely zoo with rescued wildlife. Food can be quite cheap.

Volcanos and hiking and hot springs - La Fortuna and area. You get Arenal and Tenario volcanos, beautiful hiking and scenery. Rio Celeste is wonderful. Lots of options for places to stay.
Up towards Poas volcano (closed due to activity but may reopen by Feb) there is La Paz waterfall, absolutely beautiful. Some of the best tasting strawberries ever in this area. If Poas is open it's fantastic as the viewing area is above the crater, although it may have changed since the activity.
Beaches - just about anywhere. I've never been East coast so can't comment on that. Pacific side is great, lots of beach options. Tamarindo is probably the most popular destination (read expensive) and very touristy, but offers just about everything you would want. Tamarindo, Coco, Hermosa and Flamingo are all within an hours drive or so .... my opnion only, but touristy. One of my favorites is Playa Organos, just outside of Paquera in the Gulf of Nicoya. Very quiet beach with great swimming. Close to CURU Parque Nacional and Isla Tortuga. Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca outside of Jaco are nice areas.
Other Attractions:
- Zoo Ave just outside San Jose in La Garita. It's a rescue centre and has a great record or releasing animals back into the wild after rehabilitation. A wonderful place.
- Town of Zarcero has a great topiary in their Parque Central and just beyond towards Bajo del Toros is a wonderful waterfall (catarata). Makes for a great day trip. Stop in at Don Beto finca close to Zarcero for some wonderful local cheese.
- Town of Sarchi has a beautiful botanical garden. Difficult to find but a great way to spend the day. Close to Grecia where you can get a pic of CR's largest oxcart in the town square.
- City of San Jose has museums and big city attractions, but I only go into the city if absolutely necessary. Traffic is terrible on most days and worse on other days.
If you plan on busing, join Costa Rica by Bus (FB group). If you plan on renting a car make sure your quotes include all mandatory insurance. If you plan on hiring a driver, do your due diligence.
Have a great trip. Pura Vida.

Following

My favourite area is Manual Antonio.

If you want something different.....we stayed near Puerto Viejo on the East coast. Close to some lovely beaches, an excellent animal rescue center where you can enter the enclosure with young howler monkeys. Also a great sloth rescue center nearby.

Jaco is great

La Fortuna for sure, arguably the best weather in CR.

Fly into San Jose airport. Rent a car from Adobe (very reliable excellent company) make sure you get 4x4 as the roads are awful to drive on other wise. Go to las fortuna - baldi hot springs, hike around the volcano and go see the suspension bridges. Then drive towards the coast. We stayed in plenty of small towns but wish we had spent the majority of our time in Manual Antonio or quepos (side by side towns). Once you are there take your bathing suit/lunch and go on a tour to see the national Forest. Beautiful beaches and monkeys running free all around you.
You will love every minute of Costa Rica. Ask locals about hidden beaches.

I heard baldi was amazing but I stayed at Tabacon and it truly did feel like heaven on earth. Check out the tree house hotels they were amazing.

Angeleen it was totally worth the money.

https://abnb.me/5BYV9OjMSL

If you do go to Manuel Antonio... This house is worth every penny. Monkeys come out around 7pm and 9am. Get bananas and you will be able to feed them by hand. Best experience we had while we were there.

Following, we're looking for Feb too

https://www.kijiji.ca/.../playa-del-coco-condo.../1309715527

https://www.kijiji.ca/.../playas-del-coco.../1245724894

We would love to host your family while you vacation in Costa Rica. Please let me know if you have any questions about our condos or the area!

Melina ty

Claire you can also check out our Facebook page, Playa Properties for more photos and reviews from recent guests.

Melina thanks I will do. It's just going to be my husband and I

La fortuna is beautiful and has rafting, amazing hot springs and a beautiful waterfall. Puerto viejo is carribean and has a really laid back vibe and really great restaurants. Best part of Costa Rica in my opinion!