San Jose:We Made It!
Traveling Costa Rica with Four Kids
We had a later flight out of Chicago and landed in San José around 7:30 PM. Traveling with four kids, I expected airport chaos, tired kids, and a late night before we could finally relax. Instead, everything went so smoothly that by 8:30 PM we were sitting poolside eating dinner and watching the kids swim.
Now that's how you start a vacation.
The shuttle from Adventure Inn picked us up right at the airport, and within an hour of landing, we were checked in, changed into swimsuits, and officially in vacation mode. As a family of six, finding accommodations can sometimes be a challenge, but Adventure Inn was perfect for us. They have rooms with three queen beds, which meant everyone had plenty of room and we could all stay together comfortably.
After getting settled, we headed down to the Moon Glow Bar & Grill, located right next to the pool. By this point we were hungry and ready to officially kick off our Costa Rican adventure.
Of course, my husband had to try the local Imperial beer, and I couldn't pass up the sangria loaded with fresh fruit. Both were absolutely delicious. The kids ordered fruit smoothies, and judging by their reactions, I'm pretty sure I'll be hearing about those smoothies for the rest of the trip.
Dinner was a hit all around. My daughter ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese, my 7-year-old chose the Shrimp Alfredo, my 12-year-old went with the Beef Fajitas, and I had the Chicken Breast with rice, sautéed vegetables, pico de gallo, and plantains. My husband and oldest ordered nachos.
Naturally, I made the kids try my plantains. The younger ones were not impressed. Not even a little bit. But that's part of traveling! I always encourage them to try new foods, even if they end up deciding it's not for them.
The same thing happened with star fruit. Anyone who knows me knows that star fruit has always been one of my favorite fruits, so I was excited for the kids to try it for the first time. Unfortunately, they all thought it was a little too sour. Their loss, my gain!
After they were done swimming, the kids brought the rest of their dinners up to the room while I turned on Paw Patrol. They immediately noticed something was different—it was in Spanish! They got such a kick out of hearing their favorite characters speaking another language.
Honestly, it was one of my favorite moments of the night.
One of the reasons I love traveling with my kids is because of those little experiences. Whether it's trying a new fruit, hearing a different language, meeting people from another culture, or seeing a completely different way of life, there is always something new to learn. I love watching their curiosity grow and seeing the world through their eyes.
One thing about me is that before we travel anywhere, I do a lot of research. Some people like to show up and figure it out as they go, but I like having at least a rough plan. With four kids, I don't want to spend our vacation sitting in a hotel room wondering what to do next. There is simply too much to see and experience.
I also try to involve the kids and my husband in the planning process as much as possible. I want everyone to have something they're excited about. Whether it's animals, food, beaches, adventures, or just pool time, I try to make sure each person gets a little piece of the trip that's just for them.
During my Costa Rica research, I learned that many locals rely on the sun and fresh air to dry their clothes rather than traditional dryers. That reminded me of the mini portable washer and dryer I bought my mom for Christmas last year. Before leaving, I asked if I could borrow it.
Best. Decision. Ever.
We packed pretty light for a family of six because I knew I could do laundry. After the kids got out of the pool, I washed swimsuits, towels, and several pieces of clothing. Everything was dry and ready to go by morning. As a mom, it felt like a dream. Less luggage, less clutter, and fresh clothes every day. If I could recommend one unexpected item to bring to Costa Rica, it would absolutely be a portable travel dryer.
Before calling it a night, I made sure everything was ready for the next day's adventure because our alarm was set for 6:00 AM.
One thing I always try to do is make that first full day count. The kids are excited, everyone's energy is high, and we're all ready to get the adventure started. So before we even arrived, I booked an 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM combo tour through the hotel. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch were all included.
Speaking of the hotel, I seriously cannot say enough good things about Adventure Inn. The airport shuttle was seamless, the room was perfect for our family, the restaurant was fantastic, the pool was beautiful, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful every step of the way.
If you're considering staying here, I highly recommend emailing them directly instead of using a third-party booking site. We received a discount for paying cash when we arrived, and because we booked two tours through them, we received an additional discount. Plus, I like knowing more of our money is going directly to a local business instead of a large booking platform.
With clean clothes, dry swimsuits, tours booked, and four exhausted kids finally asleep, our first day in Costa Rica came to an end.
And if Day 1 was any indication of what's ahead, this is going to be a trip we'll never forget.
Tomorrow, the adventure really begins.
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