Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica for Families

The Westin Reserva Conchal is one of the best Costa Rica all-inclusive family resorts with various on-site amenities and over 400 rooms.

Convenience: This resort is one of the best in terms of proximity to Liberia International Airport, only an hour's drive. The beach is just steps away, from their expansive pool and swim-up bars.

Value: The all-inclusive package here is comprehensive, covering all meals, drinks, room service, minibar, and most activities, with no hidden costs.

Peace of mind: High-quality customer service allows for rapid resolutions of any resort-related issues.

Location: Situated on one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, it also offers easy access to nearby natural attractions.

Age of the children: A true family-style resort, The Westin offers activities for children of all ages, from a kids club to teen activities. If you need some adult time, it’s a great option to drop off your kids. Babysitting services are also available for an additional cost. Children under five stay free of charge, and there is a special child rate for six to 12-year-olds, and also a teen rate for children 13 to17.

Rooms: Family connecting rooms are available (not guaranteed). Deluxe Junior Suite, Family Junior Suite, and Premium Junior Suite all accommodate up to four people. Family Master Suite sleeps up to two adults and two children under 12. The Family Junior Suite can accommodate up to three adults and two children (bunk bed).

Food: With eight to 10 different restaurants open at any given time of the year, the Westin Resort certainly has the most diverse food offering in Costa Rica. Reservations are needed for evening dining. A la carte restaurants include Spirula (Pizza Bar), Caracola Pool, & Beach Restaurant which are open for lunch. Dinner a la carte offerings include Bamboo (Asian Fusion), Faisanela (Italian), Cauri (French), Las Candelas (Latino), Mediterra (Mediterranean), El Ranchito, La Sabana, and Las Catalinas (international food).

Activities: Westin offers a wide variety of activities, including golf, tennis, and water sports. Golf courses (extra green fee) and tennis courts are not available in most other resorts listed here.

Price: On the higher end, but you get what you pay for.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded time.

The Westin Reserva Conchal Snapshot

Pros:

• One of the largest swimming pools in Central America.
• Variety of dining options.
• Spacious and comfortable rooms.
• Expansive and well-maintained golf course.

Cons:

• Can be crowded during peak season.
• More expensive compared to other options in the area.
• Some areas might need updating.

W Costa Rica, featuring 150 rooms, is a smaller, more upscale resort.

Convenience: Almost the same distance from Liberia International Airport as the Westin, W Costa Rica is also situated on Conchal Beach. The beach access is not direct though, you have to take a golf cart to get there or walk the path that is accessed from their lower pool area.

Value: Their all-inclusive package is comprehensive, covering meals, drinks, and most activities. Additional charges may apply for premium drinks in bars and restaurants, takeouts, and connecting rooms.

Peace of mind: A true highlight of our experience at the W is the service. From the minute you arrive you are treated like royalty. Concierge recommendations are top-notch, and the responsiveness of the whole team goes above and beyond.

Location: Located on the same stunning Conchal Beach, but a bit more secluded than the Westin.

Age of the children: Activities for all age groups are available, there is a kids' game room on-site. Children five and younger stay free of charge, and there is a special child rate for six to 12-year-olds.

Activities: Water sports that include complimentary snorkeling equipment, paddle boards or kayaks (with time limit). Use of the practice golf course, a full-service spa, and fitness classes are also available.

Rooms: Suites and rooms for families are the Wonderful Escape (garden views), Fabulous Escape (partial ocean views), and Spectacular Ocean (ocean views). They all feature one king or two queen beds, and the option of connecting rooms is available for an additional fee.

Food: There are three on-site restaurants. The food is consistently good (as are the cocktails!) and there are different events during the week: sushi, tacos, buffet, or just the al la carte menu if you prefer.

Price: The all-inclusive option is significantly steeper than Westin prices, and depending on the season it can set you back on average $300 to $500 more per night. Service is impeccable and the boutique feel has its advantages, it’s up to you to decide what’s more important.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April. In general, W Costa Rica is less crowded than other resorts on this list.

W Costa Rica Snapshot

Pros:

• High-quality spa services.
• Vibrant nightlife.

Cons:

• More expensive than other resorts in the area.
• Limited dining options outside the resort.
• Some guests have reported inconsistent customer service.

With just under 300 rooms Planet Hollywood Costa Rica is just the right size for a Costa Rica all-inclusive family vacation.

Convenience: Just a 40-minute ride from the Liberia International Airport, Planet Hollywood is a themed hotel geared to families for kids of all ages. It has beach access, 24/7 room services, and various on-site restaurants.

Value: Offers a good all-inclusive package that covers meals, drinks, and most activities, with few hidden costs. STAR Class (can be applied to any room type) has extra amenities like a pool that is only for STAR Class guests. The pool has a bar with premium drinks and a lounge that also has premium liquor and snacks.

Peace of mind: Similar to The Westin, service is good and any potential issues are resolved quickly.

Location: While situated on the beach, the main attraction of Planet Hollywood is its main pool area, very swanky and fun. You will also have easy access to local attractions. A couple of favorite hidden beaches, Playa Nacascolo and Playa Cabuyal are just a short drive away.

Age of the children: Children under two years old stay for free, kids from three to 12 and teens from 13-17 pay a special rate. Children four and up can attend the Starlets Kids Club whose unique offerings include themed parties, awarded competitions, and movie-related activities, like dancing, acting, and/or directing classes, equipped with a wardrobe room full of red-carpet-ready costumes, video recording equipment, and green screens. Finally a school from which you will have to drag your kids away! The club is well-staffed, and the facility is safe and clean.

Rooms: Planet Hollywood has three room types: Junior Suite (up to four people), Director Suite (two bedrooms, three to six adults), and Producer’s Suite (two to four connecting rooms, four to eight adults), with one king or two queen beds.

Food: With eight different restaurants open at any given time of the year, Planet Hollywood has one of the most diverse food offerings in Costa Rica. No reservations are needed except for the hibachi place.

Activities: Offers a wide range of activities including water sports, fitness classes, and themed parties. There are two larger pools and a splash pad for kids, which has water slides. At the beach, you can swim or go kayaking and paddle boarding. The fitness team offers beach abs classes, poolside Zumba, yoga, and even an obstacle course.

Price: Mid-range to high, typically less expensive than The Westin Reserva Conchal.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded and expensive time.

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Snapshot

Pros:

• Fun and movie-themed atmosphere.
• Wide range of activities for both kids and adults.
• Plenty of dining options.

Cons:

• Location is a bit remote.
• Activities can be crowded.

Pro tips:

• The entire property is located on a slope, so you’ll walk down to the beach, pool, and a few restaurants. The main lobby is at the very top of the hill. There are golf carts circulating, but at check-in and check-out time it could be difficult to get a golf cart.
• Ask for a schedule of the kids’ activities in advance as some of the activities are only once a week—plan accordingly.

Andaz Costa Rica is a luxury resort featuring 150+ guest rooms, including 21 luxury suites and 25 multi-bedroom villas with pools.

Convenience: 45 minutes away from the Liberia International Airport, Andaz offers an all-inclusive stay with a range of room services and restaurants as well as varied and amazing food. Wait times for a table are nonexistent!

Value: While the all-inclusive package is comprehensive—covering meals, drinks, and most activities—it’s almost double the price of the B&B option.

Peace of mind: You truly have peace of mind when staying at Andaz, service is top-notch and your stay is covered.

Location: There are two beaches near Andaz. The one directly below the hotel is small with no amenities but has nice cold water. There is a shuttle or water taxi that can take you to the main beach area with a Beach House, where you can eat at the restaurant, or have service right to your lounge chairs on the sand. Both beaches are swimmable and kid-friendly.

Age of the children: Children up to 12 years old stay for free. There is a fee for breakfast for children aged six to 11. Activities for all age groups are available, best ones are for preschool kids. Pools are well-designed for kids, and there is the adults-only pool when you need to escape. The complimentary Cambi Kids Club is available daily. However, note that there are no planned kids activities in the evening hours (6:00 PM or later).

Rooms: All rooms in Andaz have the same occupancy policy—four adults or two adults and two children (12 years or under).

Food: The resort offers four restaurants. They are never overcrowded. Three of them are sit-down restaurants, and only Rio Bhongo provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is fairly standard. You can eat lunch at the Beach House, poolside, or at Rio Bhongo. Ostra is the newest restaurant, and also the fanciest. Be sure to make a reservation and dress up if you’re planning on dining here.

Activities: Offers a wide range of activities including water sports like SUP or snorkeling, fitness or yoga classes, as well as cultural experiences, like barista or mixology classes. Live music is available.

Price: On the higher end, often somewhere in between The Westin and W Costa Rica.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded time. All-inclusive options are not available for festive dates or during dry season.

Andaz Costa Rica Snapshot

Pros:

• Wide range of kid-friendly activities without being overly kid-focused.
• High-quality dining options.

Cons:

• Can be expensive.
• Limited nightlife options.

Among all the Costa Rica all-inclusive resorts for families, Dreams is one of those options that’s more remote than others while still providing kids with a good time.

Convenience: Slightly further away than the rest of the high-end all-inclusive resorts, Dreams Las Mareas is a 90-minute to a two-hour drive from the Liberia International Airport. If you opt for this resort then you really are committed to staying on the premises most of the time as the resort is surrounded by nature and accessible by a very modest road.

Value: While the all-inclusive package is comprehensive—covering meals, drinks, and most activities—you would need to pay extra for premium alcohol and/or premium meat cuts or seafood.

Peace of mind: Service is generally good, but can be challenging at times.

Location: Dreams Las Mareas has access to a beach with clear, calm water. It is not a breathtaking spot though. You will most likely spend most of the time at one of the pools: a large upper pool, infinity pool, beachside pool, or an enormous lower pool. Cabana beds are available to rent.

Age of the children: Children up to 12 years old stay for free. There is a fee for breakfast for children aged six to 11. Activities for children aged three through 12 are available at the Explorer’s Club—fully supervised and filled with daily adventures and activities based around nature, science, and exploration. The Core Zone is a dedicated club for ages 13 through 17, and it features archery, billiards, mechanical bull riding, a baseball cage, a climbing wall, basketball court, table games, ping pong, table football, video games, and more. Both clubs are open until 10:00 PM.

Rooms: From basic rooms to suites with swim-out pools, Dreams Las Mareas offers a variety of room types to suit your family or group.

Food: Dreams Las Mareas Resort offers six full-service, sit-down restaurants for evening dining plus a poolside grill, a coffee & ice cream shop, five bars, and a nightclub. Reservations are not needed for any of them. Food quality and consistency are generally good.

Activities: Dreams Las Mareas offers on-site activities including water sports like kayaking or paddle boarding, as well as hiking on-site trails where you can spot monkeys, lizards, and tropical birds. And while there's a modest amount of things to do on-site, there are many excursions available. The only drawback is that they are two hours away.

Price: On the higher end, often comparable to Westin.

Dreams Las Mareas Snapshot

Pros:

• Beachfront location.
• Wide range of activities for kids and adults.
• Good dining options.

Cons:

• Can be crowded during peak season.
• A bit secluded and remote, with long drives to area attractions.
• Limited nightlife options.

El Mangroove is a boutique all-inclusive resort, offering 85 spacious, modern suites with scenic vistas of mangroves and the ocean.

Convenience: Just 30 minutes away from Liberia International Airport, El Mangroove is a beachfront all-inclusive resort, with a boutique hospitality approach.

Value: The all-inclusive package is somewhat limited, covering meals served in two restaurants, non-alcoholic drinks, and a selection of premium alcohol. 24/7 room service is available.

Peace of mind: While there are no hidden costs, the mini-bar is not included in the all-inclusive package. Service is usually pretty good, but there can be some hiccups now and then.

Location: Situated in Culebra Bay, the beach is perfectly safe and swimmable, far away from big ocean waves.

Age of the children: Two-year-olds and younger children stay for free. There is a children rate for kids ages three to 12, and children 13 and older pay adult rates. There are almost no options for people with young kids outside of the pool areas.

Rooms: All room types except for Bark Junior Suite are suitable for two adults and two kids, with a King bed and a pullout sofa as a bedding option. Note that the sink area in the bathroom is openly connected to the room.

Food: With two restaurants on-site, El Mangroove has somewhat limited options. While minding allergies and dietary restrictions, the menu is not extensive and food quality is not consistent at times.

Activities: There is access to four pools, a beach, kayaks, and long boards you can access. Board games and a pool table are available too.

Price: Mid-range to high.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded time.

El Mangroove Snapshot

Pros:

• Tranquil location.
• High-quality spa services.

Cons:

• Limited dining options.
• Some guests have reported inconsistent customer service.
• Privacy and isolation in the rooms at times can be an issue.

Costa Rica’s Margaritaville Beach resort is true to its name, situated just off the white sands of Flamingo Beach, the resort offers 120 guest rooms and the easiest access to the ocean there is in Costa Rica.

Convenience: Easily accessible with a location near the Liberia International Airport, and offers a range of room services and restaurants.The overall facility is not very big which means the ocean and the pool are easily accessible from any room.

Value: Margartiville’s all-inclusive package is somewhat limited, covering meals with two restaurants and a pizza bistro. There is an unlimited selection of soft drinks, draft beers, and/or wine, and a limited selection of alcohol options where premium liquor is not included. Boogie board rental (for ages six or up) or bicycle rental (for ages 10 and up) is complimentary but needs parental supervision.

Peace of mind: While basics are covered, don’t expect above-and-beyond service.

Location: Situated on a beautiful sandy beach, with easy access to nearby natural attractions.

Age of the children: No charge for three-year-olds or younger kids. Children four to 17 pay a special rate. Activities for all age groups are available, including an on-site movie theater.

Rooms: The Family Studio can accommodate up to three adults and two children, with garden and/or pool views (maximum four adults), while the Family Suite has bunk beds and a pullout sofa (maximum three adults and four children). Finally, the Ocean View Suite is the largest of the rooms (up to six adults).

Food: Margaritaville offers two restaurants, two bars, and a fun poolside bar where you can enjoy tropical cocktails, fruity drinks, and light snacks.

Activities: Offers a range of activities, including water sports, fitness classes, and live entertainment.

Price: Low to mid-range.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded time.

Margaritaville Beach Resort Snapshot

Pros:

• Fun and lively atmosphere.
• Great swim-up bar.
• Variety of activities for kids.

Cons:

• Can be a bit noisy, especially at night.
• Not as luxurious as some other resorts.

RIU Guanacaste, with more than 500 rooms, is by far the biggest all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica. Featuring a massive pool with lively entertainment and a booze-fueled atmosphere, it caters to party crowds first, and everyone else second.

Convenience: Located on the secluded Matapalo Beach, this resort is easily accessible from the airport (only 25 minutes away) and offers a range of room services and restaurants.

Value: The all-inclusive package covers meals, drinks, and most activities, though some may have additional costs.

Peace of mind: Expect clean rooms and other essentials to be taken care of. However, don't anticipate a service that goes the extra mile.

Location: Situated on the beach, RIU has easy access to local attractions. The beach itself is rocky, so if you decide to stay at this all-inclusive resort and are a beach-lover, make it a priority to visit other beaches in the area

Age of the children: Activities for all age groups are available. RIULand is a kids’ club that has supervised activities, games, and a dedicated children's pool.

Rooms: Rooms at the RIU are spacious, but a bit dated. There is no room service available, and no in-room internet access.

Food: There are several restaurants to choose from, including a buffet-style option and several specialty restaurants serving Italian, Asian, and steakhouse cuisine on a first-come, first-serve setup.

Activities: RIU offers a range of activities including water sports, themed parties, and live shows. What makes RIU Guanacaste stand out from other all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica is a water park, featuring thrilling slides, splash pads, and interactive water play areas, providing endless fun and excitement.

Price: Low to mid-range.

Time of the year: Best visited during the dry season from December to April, though this is also the most crowded time.

RIU Guanacaste Snapshot

Pros:

• Beachfront location.
• All-inclusive packages offer good value for money.
• On-site shops.

Cons:

• Often can be crowded: think log lines for check-in/out, or for finding a good spot at the pool.
• Some guests have reported subpar food quality.
• Inconsistent service.
• With a casino and lively entertainment, the party atmosphere at the pool isn’t for everyone.