Highlights For Your Costa Rica Vacation by Julieta Laham

Costa Rica is a perfect destination for a family vacation. It is a wonderland of natural resources and ecological wonders. If you are thinking of planning a vacation there, it is a good idea to research ahead of time for the most age appropriate activates for your children.

As well as a holiday, your children will learn so much about another culture, climate and environment. Costa Ricans are very family-oriented and welcome families and children with open arms. From separate walks on guided tours, to graded adventure activities that help you personalize your family adventure, the local people work hard to help all families have a memorable stay.

Here are some highlights of a Costa Rica vacation for families. Do a little further research on each one to help you decide what adventures your family would most like to enjoy. You will most likely be staying at a resort such as Los SueƱos Marina and Golf Resort, where they will help you to book guided tours and activities that are safe and family friendly. Wildlife tours are probably the first adventures you'll want to explore.

Costa Rica offers close up encounters with white faced monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and even butterflies.

The canopy of the rain forest is magnificent and children and adults alike will never forget the experience of crossing hanging bridges and looking down on the jungle from such a lush vantage point.

Many area resorts and tour companies will often arrange visits to local schools where you and your family can have lunch and interact with local school children. The children of Costa Rica love this opportunity to practice their English skills and you get a close up look at real life situations and its people.

One of the most famous activities to do in Costa Rica is a volcano tour. These are exciting and not at all dangerous. The tours again, are designed at different levels and lengths to suit all ages.

Waterfall tours are numerous throughout the area and provide excellent opportunities to explore the flora and fauna close up and personal. You'll see brightly colored birds, frogs, bats and clever spiders that actually weave twigs into their webs to attract and catch prey in the trees. There is even a tree named a kerosene tree that has sap which can actually ignite when scraped from the tree.

Other tours available include butterfly gardens and pineapple plantations. If you have discovered a trip in your preplanning research, be sure to ask at your resort if this is something they can arrange.

Be sure not to overlook a simple family day at the beach. Costa Rica is also famous for its beautiful beaches for swimming and soaking in the sun! If your kids are a little older, or maybe even if you're feeling adventurous yourself, Boogie-boarding and surfing are also a lot of fun to try.

Most of all relax and have fun on your family vacation in Costa Rica. Take lots of pictures and encourage the kids to keep a journal for post-trip enjoyment!