When we first brought our kids, Ava and Dylan, to Guanacaste for Christmas, we had the same questions every parent has: Is it safe? Can they drink the water? What happens if something goes wrong and we don't speak the language?
Years later, we can answer those questions from experience — as parents, and as owners who've welcomed dozens of families to Casa Roberta and Casa Daniel. Here's what we've learned.
Is Costa Rica safe for children?
Yes — in fact, it's widely considered the safest country in Central America. Costa Rica famously abolished its army in 1948 and has spent the decades since investing in education, healthcare, and tourism instead. That's not to say bad things never happen; there's petty crime here as there is anywhere. But Playa Potrero and the surrounding Guanacaste beach towns are generally very safe, and violent crime against tourists is rare.
More telling than any statistic: children are genuinely welcome everywhere here. Ticos adore kids. Restaurants don't sigh when your family walks in, strangers will happily chat with your children, and family is at the center of the culture. That makes Costa Rica one of the easiest countries in the world to travel with little ones.
Can kids drink the water?
Yes. Unlike much of Central America, tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink in nearly all areas, including Playa Potrero. You can fill water bottles from the tap, order drinks with ice, and let the kids brush their teeth without a second thought.
The same goes for food. Sodas (the small, family-run Costa Rican restaurants), beach vendors, roadside fruit stands — eat freely. You don't need to worry about the stomach troubles that can shadow a trip to some other destinations. Some of our best meals here have come from a plastic chair at a roadside stand.
Getting around with kids
Costa Rica requires car seats for young children, and the good news is you don't need to lug yours through three airports. The major car rental agencies at Liberia Airport (LIR) rent full car seats and boosters — just reserve them when you book the car.
The drive from Liberia to Playa Potrero is about an hour on decent paved roads. Break it up with a fruit stand stop and it's painless, even with a toddler in the back.
Our top tips for traveling in Costa Rica with children
After years of family trips here — first as visitors, now as part-time locals — this is the advice we give every family who books with us:
1. Don't over-schedule. This is the big one. It's hot, and kids tire quickly in the tropics. Plan one activity or excursion per day at most, and build in generous pool time. Some of your family's best memories will come from the unplanned hours — hunting for hermit crabs, floating in the pool, watching howler monkeys from the terrace. Pura vida is a pace, not just a phrase.
2. Bring snacks everywhere. Same rule as home, sunnier setting. Hungry kids melt down in any country. (If you're staying at one of our homes, there's a cooler in the laundry room — pack it up before you head out for the day.)
3. Pack shoes for two speeds. Ninety percent of the time, everyone lives in flip flops. But bring closed-toe shoes for each family member for the bigger adventures — ATV tours, horseback riding, ziplining, and hanging-bridge hikes all require them.
4. Sun protection is non-negotiable. The Guanacaste sun is stronger than it feels, especially with an ocean breeze. Rash guards for beach days, reef-safe sunscreen, hats, and shade breaks between 11 and 2 will save your vacation. A sunburned kid on day one is a rough week for everybody.
5. Have a just-in-case plan. Losing sight of a child is frightening anywhere, and more so where they may not speak the language. Before you go out, pick a meeting point ("if we get separated, go to the lifeguard tower / the restaurant entrance"). Write your phone number on a card in their pocket, or on their arm in pen for younger kids. Teach them to look for officials in uniform — police, park rangers, security guards — if they need help.
6. Teach them a few Spanish phrases. Kids love this, and it's a genuine safety tool. Start with:
- "Estoy perdido / perdida" — I'm lost
- "¿Dónde están mis papás?" — Where are my parents?
- "Ayuda, por favor" — Help, please
- "Gracias" and "Pura vida" — because they'll get smiles everywhere they go
The bottom line
Costa Rica isn't a destination you survive with kids — it's one of the best places on earth to travel because you have kids. The country is safe, the culture is warm, the water is drinkable, and the wildlife alone will keep them talking for months. Relax, slow down, and let the pura vida do its thing.
Planning a family trip to Playa Potrero?
Casa Roberta and Casa Daniel were made for families — private pools, full kitchens, room to spread out, and two owners (and parents) who'll happily share everything we know about the area. Book direct with us and save on platform fees.
Questions about traveling with kids? Reach out — you'll get us, not a call center.