Costa Rica is a beautiful country and a top tourist destination. Guanacaste Province in the northwest is known for its breathtaking 435 miles (700 kilometers) of coastline, rich history, and friendly community. You’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches here, including Playa Blanca and Playa Hermosa. It’s also where Santa Rosa National Park is, a dry tropical forest with over 4000 species of animals and insects. You’ll never run out of things to do or places to explore in this province. With its volcanic peaks, waterfalls, hot springs, and top-of-the-line resorts, this biodiverse whirlwind of fun and adventure ensures an enjoyable vacation for the whole family! Whether you are traveling with young children, teens, or your furry friends, it is one of the best places to visit. To make the most of your getaway, scroll down to find the top family-friendly resorts in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to family-friendly amenities and activities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 23, 2024.
1. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica (from USD 459)
If you and your family would love the celebrity treatment, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica may be the resort for you. This extravagant resort has a variety of suites to accommodate small to large families. The rooms offer modern and luxurious interiors, complete with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TVs, and state-of-the-art bathrooms.
The resort offers a plethora of activities for the whole family. For children, Star Kids Club will keep them busy with singing and dancing lessons, acting workshops, a fun wardrobe room, movie nights, and scavenger hunts. The adults will appreciate the amazing spa with a hydrotherapy pool, offering everything from facials to deep-tissue massages. The clan can also converge and splash around in the pool.
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Address: Playa Manzanillo Playa Manzanillo Bahia Culebra
29.14 km (18.2 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
2. W Costa Rica Resort - Playa Conchal (from USD 1239)
Luxury resort with high pricing for food and drinks, all-inclusive option available.
Modern and spacious rooms, two beautiful pools, beach access, and well-maintained grounds.
Located on the stunning Playa Conchal beach with breathtaking views and wildlife sightings.
Three excellent restaurants with flavorful food, but can be a bit pricey; all-inclusive option offers good value for money.
From its wonderful location to its bold architecture, every inch of this resort is remarkable. W Costa Rica Resort boasts a beautiful outdoor pool, a full-range golf course, and a stunning dining room and bar area. The famous Away Spa is where the adults can unwind and avail of treatments and massages. This family resort also offers babysitting services should parents want some alone time. An indoor play area and a kids’ club will keep children happy and occupied.
The rooms and suites carry the same design concept with unique furniture and bright colors. All units boast a balcony to savor the ocean views. A buffet breakfast is served daily to energize guests for a day of fun and adventure.
W Costa Rica Resort – Playa Conchal
Address: Reserva Conchal
48.55 km (30.2 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
3. Andaz Costa Rica Resort (from USD 1785)
With over 130 rooms and 21 suites, Andaz Costa Rica Resort offers families four types of units to choose from. With beautifully designed outdoor terraces with ocean views, this waterfront resort is the perfect spot to enjoy a serene vacation. Your brood can take advantage of the hotel’s family-friendly amenities, including a kids’ club, babysitting services, an outdoor pool, water sports, and ziplines.
The rooms and suites offer various amenities, such as a complimentary minibar for all your beverage and snacking needs and a 40-inch TV with cable channels to keep you entertained indoors. For guests mixing leisure with business, a roomy desk is available in all units.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo – A concept by Hyatt
Address: End of route 253
29.51 km (18.4 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
4. Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort (from USD 220)
Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort overlooks Playa Hermosa, giving guests stunning views of the ocean and tropical forest. All rooms feature contemporary décor, with amenities such as a flat-screen TV, a marbled bathroom with rainfall showers, and air conditioning for your comfort.
This beautiful beach resort will keep every family member happy with their Wanderlust Tours that offer activities like water sports, sailing, and ecological romps. After your outdoor adventures, you can have a delicious dinner at any of the on-site restaurants, then enjoy a nightcap at Gaviota’s Bar by the pool.
Villas Sol Beach Resort - All Inclusive
Address: A 20 minutos del Aeropuerto Internacional de Liberia
30.19 km (18.8 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
5. Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo (from USD 341)
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo offers exciting family-friendly activities, including paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, volcano tours, and deep-sea fishing. The resort also boasts an outdoor pool with a swim-up pool bar if you’d rather stay close.
Guests can indulge in relaxing treatments at Onzen Spa, frolic on the beach, work on their tans by the shore, or play a challenging set of tennis. There are also daily planned activities where you can meet new friends, such as water aerobics, salsa lessons, cocktail mixing classes, eco walks, and craft classes. You only have to check the schedule at the poolside. There are also four on-site restaurants to make tummies happy.
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Address: Playa Flamingo
45.06 km (28.0 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
6. The Westin Reserva Conchal (from USD 3999)
The Westin Reserva Conchal is fully equipped to house large groups of people. This hidden gem sits on Playa Conchal, offering guests a waterfront location and lush greenery. You’ll find a lagoon-shaped outdoor pool for Instagram-worthy selfies. The resort also has a fitness studio, tennis courts, and a golf course for everyone who wants to remain active during their stay. You can also have fun kayaking and snorkeling in the pristine waters.
The rooms are incredibly spacious and eco-friendly. Guests will enjoy a private balcony to take in the magnificent view of Playa Conchal and a stocked minibar. Foodies will be delighted to find 10 restaurants on site.
The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
Address: Playa Conchal 1Km antes de Playa Brasilito
47.52 km (29.6 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
7. El Mangroove Papagayo (from USD 629)
Reasonable pricing for a beachfront resort with some hidden charges.
Multiple pools, aqua sports center, live music, and complimentary kayak and bicycle rentals.
Located on Playa Panama with crystal-clear waters and close to Playa de Coco for local experiences.
Delicious food options with varied buffet breakfast, vegetarian/vegan menu, and fabulous desserts.
Resting on the Gulf of Papagayo is the magnificent El Mangroove Papagayo. Their rooms vary from canopy rooms with plenty of open and aerated spaces to deluxe suites with modern décor.
The resort boasts activities that every family member can participate in, such as group yoga classes, kayaking, sport fishing, and snorkeling. The hotel also offers entertainment and services for children, including babysitting, toys and puzzles, and a kids’ club.
El Mangroove Papagayo, Autograph Collection
Address: Golfo de Papagayo
27.83 km (17.3 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
8. Occidental Tamarindo (from USD 164)
This stunning, four-star oceanfront resort is located in Playa Langosta. Occidental Tamarindo has everything your family could need to have a fun and relaxing vacation. For the adults, they have an all-around spa, an outdoor pool, and a salon for pampering. For the children, they have an indoor play area, outdoor play equipment, board games, and puzzles. On-site activities are available for the whole family, such as a theater, dance and aerobics classes, scuba diving, and surfing.
The rooms are cozy and decorated in calming colors. For guests who prefer a lot of room, the Duplex Suite has 710 sq. ft. (66 sqm) of living space.
Occidental Tamarindo - All Inclusive
Address: 1.5 km al sur de Playa Tamarindo
57.85 km (36.0 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
9. Riu Palace Costa Rica (from USD 308)
Great value for an all-inclusive resort, with affordable rates and inclusive amenities.
Multiple pools, beach access, on-site entertainment, and various dining options available.
Conveniently located near the ocean with easy access to water activities, though a bit remote from town.
Varied food options with excellent breakfast, good buffet, and enjoyable specialty restaurants, though some inconsistency in quality.
Boasting four freshwater swimming pools, a wellness and fitness center, and entertainment programs for all ages, this resort is ready to take you to the highest level of pampering. Strategically located on the beach of Matapalo, you will be welcomed with amazing scenery and pristine waters. The hotel has tennis courts and volleyball courts for family fun. Kids will also enjoy outdoor play equipment and a kids’ club.
The rooms have modern décor and plenty of natural light, with ample space to accommodate big families. Select units feature a unique hydromassage bathtub for ultimate relaxation. A gorgeous sun terrace allows you to bask in the beauty of the outdoors.
Riu Palace Costa Rica - All Inclusive
Address: Playa Matapalo Sardinal
38.6 km (24.0 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
10. JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa (from USD 1999)
Reasonable pricing in US dollars, American-friendly.
Beautiful pool, access to nearby beach club with complimentary shuttle, hacienda style hotel with good restaurant variety.
Secluded, surrounded by nature, remote with a rough dusty road to access, access to Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club, 30 minutes away from Tamarindo.
Limited dining options, especially for vegans/vegetarians, some disappointment with high-end restaurants, better food at Azur pool and sand bar, lack of local dishes, access to good restaurants outside the hotel premises.
The Hacienda-style design and private beach of JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa will delight guests. Enjoy everything from amazing outdoor massages to gastronomic pleasures in their beachfront restaurants. The whole family will have a blast in this resort with a large swimming pool, a children’s playground, and a kids’ club. Babysitting services can be provided, as well.
All rooms and suites overlook the ocean and lush gardens. The guest rooms also incorporate the same Hacienda theme seen throughout the property.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Address: Playa Mansita, Tamarindo. Guanacaste.
59.9 km (37.3 mi) from Ponderosa Adventure Park
A tropical vacation like no other
From world-renowned beach resorts to eye-popping tropical landscapes and tours, you won’t want to miss a visit to this family-friendly destination. Pick your favorite resort from our list and have a tropical vacation like no other in Guanacaste, Costa Rica!
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