8 Incredible Family Activities in Playas del Coco
Playas del Coco is a family-friendly destination. From boat tours to wildlife sanctuaries, there are endless things to do with kids in Playas del Coco – no matter their age or interest.
Visiting Playas del Coco with kids? You’re in for a treat! Though it was originally primarily a town for retirees, over the past several years Coco has become a top destination for families visiting Costa Rica – especially as an alternative to Tamarindo. Coco is smaller and quieter, with much less of a party scene, and the beaches near Coco are ideal for swimming, making it a great option for families.
The Best Things To Do In Playas del Coco with Kids
Ready to plan your family vacation to Playas del Coco? Start with these activities – no matter how old the kids are, they’re guaranteed to have a blast!
Kuna Vela
Easily one of the best kid-friendly activities in Playas del Coco is going on a tour with Kuna Vela Sailing Tours! This company first opened more than ten years ago and has quickly become one of the most popular tours in the area. Kids will love boating and taking in the epic views of the area.
Kuna Vela Sailing Tours sits high above the rest of the sailing tours in the area because the boats are incredible with great touches, and the crew is so inviting and kind. Plus, the captain, Captain Israel, has been the same captain for the last eleven years! He has tons of experience, and you’ll learn tons from him.
Ponderosa Adventure Park
One thing that kids love most is going outside and seeing animals! The best place to do this is Ponderosa Adventure Park. With just shy of 300 animals, this is a fantastic place for you to bring your kids.
Guests can get up close with tons of animals throughout the park, including classic animals like giraffes and zebras and even less-seen animals like warthogs!
Check prices and availability here.
Diamante Eco Adventure Park
For older kids, consider taking a trip to Diamante Eco Adventure Park. This is one of the best outdoor theme parks in the area and is most well known for its epic zipline rides, which will bring you right overtop of the forest. From the zipline, you can even look out and see the beautiful waterfall!
The park also features a wildlife sanctuary which is an absolute must for traveling with kids in the area. Other fun adventures here include a horseback riding tour, a ropes jungle course, and ATV tours.
When visiting Diamante, you have lots of options. Those with young kids will definitely appreciate the animal sanctuary which is appropriate for all ages. The most popular option, however, is the all-day adventure pass which provides access to the animal sanctuary, lunch, beach, ropes jungle course, and the famous superman zipline. Note that there is a minimum weight requirement for the zipline.
Cortes Waterfalls (Llanos de Cortes)
Another great spot to visit in the area with kids is the Cortes Waterfalls. It’s super easy to get to and is perfect for swimming and wading, which children will love. Plus, the waterfalls themselves are absolutely breathtaking.
You do have to pay to get to the waterfalls, and the price is $7 for adults. Children under 6 are free, and those between 7 and 12 are $4. This is one of the more easily accessible waterfalls and is included in many tours, so try to get there as early as possible to beat the crowds.
Looking for a car rental for your trip? Find the best prices here.
Palo Verde River Boat
The Palo Verde River Boat is an excellent activity in the area when traveling with kids. There’s no walking required, great for all ages, and there are tons of animals, including monkeys, lizards, crocodiles, and birds.
The easiest way to visit Palo Verde is on an all-inclusive group tour from Coco. There’s not really any way to DIY this option, as you’ll arrive just to find some boat captains who don’t speak English. The best experience definitely comes with having a bilingual guide. Plus, half-day tours usually include an extra stop or two, plus lunch. We recommend this Palo Verde River Boat Tour.
Check prices and availability here.
Sloth Discovery
If there was a day trip we could recommend to everyone visiting Playas del Coco, it would be this Sloth Discovery tour. It takes you out to the lush secondary rainforest between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, which just happens to be one of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica.
You’ll go on an easy hike through the forest, where you’ll likely see toucans, frogs, and other wildlife – including frogs. The guide is super knowledgeable about Costa Rica flora and fauna, so you learn a ton along the way. Afterward, enjoy a traditional lunch and a visit to a Butterfly Garden.
Check availability and pricing here.
Beach Hopping
Beach hopping is a great activity when traveling with kids, and adults will thoroughly enjoy it too! This is the easiest way to also visit some of the best beaches in the area with only a short amount of time.
There are two ways to go beach hopping – rent a car and drive to several nearby beaches or visit some private beaches on a boat tour.
We highly recommend the boat option. Gonzalez Sport Fishing will create a custom trip for you and they have tubes, paddleboards, and other water toys you can add on to your trip as well for a fun-filled day for everyone.
Blue River Resort
No visit to Guanacaste is complete without a visit to some hot springs. While there are many resorts in the Rincon de la Vieja area, the best one for kids is Blue River Resort. This is one of the top-rated resorts in Costa Rica and features amazing hot springs. They offer quite a few activities for guests visiting the area, ranging from waterfall visits to zip line tours.
The most kid-friendly activity at Blue River Resort is Dino Park, with more than 20 different moving dinosaurs.
You can drive to Blue River on your own (or even turn it into an overnight trip!) or join a tour from Coco.
More on Playas del Coco:
- 11 Best Hotels in Playas del Coco
- 13 Can’t Miss Restaurants in Playas del Coco
- Where To Eat In Playas del Coco Under $10
- 5 Unforgettable Waterfalls Near Playas del Coco
- The Best Beaches Near Playas del Coco
- 10 Incredible Ocean View Properties in Playas del Coco
- How To Get To Playas del Coco From San Jose
- The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Playas del Coco
