Costa Rica with a 3 year old - have you done it? Unsure

[sellotape12]

My other half wants to try Costa Rica because it's years since we travelled somewhere 'big'. He's craving adventure, nature and another culture. But we have a 3 year old still napping, still has tired legs and the occasional whinge. I want to want to go, but not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze. Have you been? Was it worth it? Any tips? .... or are there other destinations that might fulfil what we're craving but still a bit more toddler friendly?

Yes. Would not recommend. It was fine but it's so inconvenient to get to and so so expensive now. There are better places you can go to in central or south America. I've been recommended Argentina and Panama in particular.

That said, if you wanted just a beach holiday in an all inclusive it would probably be fine. We wanted adventure.

I wouldn’t. What about, say, Slovenia? Or Iceland?

I've been, albeit not with a small child.

We absolutely loved it and it would definitely be doable with little ones.

Not cheap though.

Oh wow I’ve just seen a few comments online that it’s not cheap. Are we talking Copenhagen prices i.e you’re paying equivalent £20 for a hot dog? Had no idea to be honest. We would want to do trips to see particular points of nature and animals, so I guess all the excursions add up.

We’d also thought about Holbox again. It would be good for toddlers because of the beach but it requires a bus and a ferry after you land in Cancun. Hmm back to the shortlist…

Maybe I’m thinking about it the wrong way and there’s a better time to travel with kids and it’s when they’re a bit older

@sellotape12 Not Scandinavian prices, but I'd say your hotel costs are likely to be on a par with the US. Just don't go there expecting to be able to stay in a suite at a luxury hotel for $50 a night, that's all. A lot of people think of it as a "poor" country where you'll be able to afford a bit of luxury for not much money, but it isn't. Lots of Americans have second homes there and there's also a thriving private medical industry for Americans who want to have something done that they can't afford in the US. It's sort of the US equivalent of going to Turkey for a boob job or cosmetic dentistry, or Greece for IVF. So there are lots of quite affluent visitors and the prices tend to reflect that. On the plus side, the nature is spectacular and it's very safe, so I'd feel more confident taking kids there than, say, Mexico. The only difficulty we had was getting stuck in a two hour traffic jam out of Limón because the police were stopping all vehicles for drug searches. I'd probably avoid the major ports for that reason.

We went to Costa Rica last year with our teens and I wouldn't go with a 3-year-old. It's quite far and it's an adventure destination, so to see the country you end up doing a lot of travelling around, which would be shit with a toddler. What there is to see requires walking and I mean real hikes through rain forests and jungles. Most of the places are full of steep paths and steps and the walks are 2-3 hours as standard. Plus, it's hot and/or humid, it can be rainy, windy, everything really, and the hikes can be hard work (some are flat, but most paths aren't push chair friendly).

Honestly, with a 3-year-old I'd just accept that you can't do that kind of holiday right now and if you go all that way and just end up in a hotel on the beach for two weeks that would be a total waste of money because it's an expensive place to go. We didn't do any adventurous trips when our kids were little. We went to a wide range of places but we prioritised things that would suit small DC, because if they're not happy you aren't going to have a great time either.

Maybe I’m thinking about it the wrong way and there’s a better time to travel with kids and it’s when they’re a bit older

It really depends, I'm not sure there's a set age that's good. When they're older, you won't need to consider naps, but there may just be different types of strop - especially if they aren't adventurous kids or don't fancy hiking etc.

We haven't done Costa Rica, but we do plenty of random adventurous trips with our just-turned-3-year-old. Admittedly he is used to travelling, and stopped napping at 2, so we haven't had that to take into account, but he loves an adventure and generally travels quite well. The easiest time was probably when he was a newborn, to be honest, because he had no opinions then and he gets more and more every day now; but it's still doable and good fun, for us. All families are different, though.

If a bus and a ferry in Cancun are daunting with your individual toddler, Costa Rica may be too spread out and require too much transport to get around?

I've been to CR and it's amazing. I would not go with a 3yo. As PP said it's an adventure destination and you'd be hugely limited in what you could do there. I'm sure you would have a lovely time but you could have the same kind of holiday elsewhere for less money and a shorter flight. CR is one to save for when you have tweens or older and can make the most of the nature / environment and the travel / activities necessary to do that.

We've been to CR and the youngest member of our group was just turned 8. Any younger would have been hard going I think. The 3 year old just won't get out of it what you would. You could self drive, but then that time is stuck in a car. The best bit of CR are the forest walks, night treks, tubing, ziplines, rafting, kayaking, boat rides spotting animals. I think there are too many compromises, and people are right, it's expensive.

We did our first bigger trip when our youngest turned 6, and did a self drive around Cuba. We've done loads of big trips since and each has been great

I have done a tour round CR and I didn’t bump into anyone with a young child. I really don’t think it is suitable. Your child won’t remember it.

Thanks so much everyone this has been really really helpful. It’s made me realise I want a holiday. Yes, as much as I want to travel and experience culture and soaking everything up, I also want opportunities to relax and if he’s miserable then to be honest, I will be too.

if there are any destinations that can offer both awe and relaxation, let me know! We are not the all-inclusive in Marbella types. Last year we went to an Alpine family hotel that was suited to toddlers and it was amazing. We got incredible mountain views and all amenities that made it genuinely relaxing.

Conversely I went to Panama and saw loads of people with babies and toddlers, especially in Bocas del Toro.

Since we seem to have similar taste in holidays, the one I'm currently lusting after is a family wellness retreat. They have a few hours childcare each day so you can relax, food looks amazing, and you get lots of wholesome outdoor fun with your child. Grazia suggestions. Looks like absolute bliss.

How about South Africa or Thailand?

We did Cape Town, garden route and safari, absolutely loved it and as much adventure as you like (we went skydiving among other things). One long drive but really easy and stunning scenery.

Would you mind sharing the name of the alpine hotel please OP?

Yes, we considered Cape Town. I love Thailand and I have been four times myself, but last time I got such terrible food poisoning at Railay I was scarred for life!
@stockpilingallthecheese Alps: we stayed at Feuerstein Family resort. Possibly the best holiday-holiday we’ve ever had. We fully relaxed and our toddler was spoiled for choice with activities and delicious, healthy food. Not cheap though…. We got a discount offer plus we all bunked in together.
Was astonished to see some families paying for private cabins!

Awe and relaxation. Hmm, I think I’d stay ‘local’. Croatia?

Awe and relaxation

Have a look at i-escape with kids. There are some gorgeous boutique hotels that are child friendly there. I mentioned Iceland and Slovenia off the top of my head but if you fancy something more beachy then perhaps one of the less developed Greek islands or Croatian islands. Or a road/rail trip round France?

Caribbean might work? St Lucia or Tobago.

We did Holbox with a 2 year old a few years ago and it was amazing. Our accommodation arranged a reasonably priced taxi from the airport to the ferry for us, short ferry journey and then picked us up from the Holbox ferry terminal in a golf buggy. It's one of a handful of destinations I'd go back to (before it gets more built up).

I was in costa rica a long time ago - childfree, good fun and I'm glad I went. I'd maybe go with older children but wouldn't rush back with pre-schoolers.