Zicasso Travel Stories: Trading travel fears for a child’s fearlessness in Costa Rica

In today’s fast-paced world, a family vacation is an important time to bond and see the world through your children’s eyes.

In 2017, Zicasso Content Manager Doug Weissman visited Costa Rica with his then-girlfriend Lisa. There, he went down on bended knee and proposed to the woman who is now his wife.

Fast forward to June of 2024 and the couple returned to the country to celebrate their anniversary and, with some trepidation, give their daughter her first taste of international travel.

Their destination experts found ways to combine adventures, luxury, and downtime so the entire family could enjoy a stress-free vacation.

“We did a quetzal tour in the Quetzales National Park. The birds are very rare and extremely difficult to spot, so we wondered how we would make that interesting for a four-year-old who doesn't know what a quetzal is. But we had a great guide who made the experience engaging for our daughter by pointing out other wildlife she found interesting while we searched for the birds. And because it was outdoors, she was just able to enjoy running around searching for other birds and animals,” said Doug.

Though none of the activities on their tour were specifically tailored to their daughter, the family’s experiences with their guides highlight the importance of touring countries with experts, who provided them with unforgettable memories of their first tour abroad with their little one.

The four-year-old’s imagination also took flight on boat ride in the Osa Peninsula.

“During the 45-minute trip to the very remote resort, we passed through a mangrove forest where we saw a crocodile. This really excited our daughter, and our guide was only too happy to spend time teaching her about the animal. The way he held her interest and engaged with her mattered to her and to us. We were able to use the boat ride as a type of water safari because in the span of 10 minutes, we also saw a troop of spider monkeys, a boa constrictor, and a stick bird.”

The family had a similar experience when attempting a five-hour hike in the remote Corcovado National Park.

“That’s a long time,” Doug said.  “Lisa and I wondered how our daughter would manage, but the guides were able to use their understanding of her, their understanding of children, and their understanding of the ecosystem to make sure she was interested the entire time. There was always something new to see, which also provided Lisa and me with experiences we might not have given a second thought.

“On the hike, we spent 15 minutes watching a colony of leaf-cutter ants the guide had pointed out to our daughter. He provided her with so much information about the insects’ habits in those 15 minutes. If we hadn’t been with him, there is no way Lisa and I would have spent that amount of time watching ants!

“Our guides continuously sparked her curiosity with their in-depth knowledge of the landscapes and wildlife we came across, and they did it safely. This was demonstrated on the same walk when the guide taught our daughter how to check whether the stick she was about to pick up was a stick or a snake,” Doug said.

The biodiversity of Costa Rica was perfect for keeping their youngster engaged. No matter where they traveled or rested, they found more wildlife to witness amidst the diverse wilderness across the country.

“From monkeys swinging by the pool to colorful birds in the forest, there was always something exciting to see. The variety of ecosystems meant every day brought something new to see, like the day we nearly bumped into a tapir casually grazing on the resort grounds. It was a thrilling surprise for all of us. Another memorable moment was when our daughter discovered a ‘pool party’ of toads one evening.

“We were at dinner and all of a sudden I saw a cane toad, which took me back to Australia, where everybody talks about how awful they are. Our daughter was curious, but it jumped into the bush. She immediately told us she was going toad hunting and scampered off to the pool. All of a sudden there was a swarm of toads around, and in, the pool. So again, it comes back to that surprise, that delight, but also those little moments in which we could bond as a family. Because it wasn't planned, it made it even more special. Those unplanned encounters really add to the magic of the trip.”

Doug is as complimentary about their accommodations as he is about the family’s guides, particularly the one in the Osa Peninsula.

“Our resort screamed high-end luxury, but was surprisingly family-friendly. The accommodation offered activities for all ages and had a pool, which was a hit with our daughter. The staff went above and beyond, providing fresh juices for her and even preparing simple meals she would enjoy, like pasta and chicken fingers.”

Though this was his first international trip with a very young child, Doug is well-placed to handle such an experience, having approximately 50 countries ticked off his travel list.

“It's crucial to find a balance between entertainment and relaxation when traveling with children. We tried to maintain some routines from home, like having snack times and quiet periods. Bringing familiar toys and games helped [our daughter] feel comfortable in new environments. Also, it’s important not to overpack the schedule – allow for downtime and spontaneous discoveries.

“Our tours were very active, but she was appropriately tired rather than overtired, so when we did have downtime, she was happy to play with toys or watch a movie. We also brought games we could all play, so that familiarity made her feel safe. We followed a similar structure to the one we follow at home.”

Doug found the essence of luxury travel with a young child is about having experiences tailored to the family's needs. The personal touches, like guides who could engage a four-year-old or staff who remembered her name and favorite juice, made all the difference.

“It allowed us to relax and truly enjoy our time together as a family while experiencing Costa Rica,” Doug said.

Come nightfall, Doug and Lisa put each day’s wonders to bed with “a simple little detail” that took their luxury experience to the next level: “I never understood how luxurious turn-down service was until we had it every night. It might sound silly, but slithering into a bed that's been turned down is just so cozy. I never wanted to leave that experience.”

Doug, Lisa, and their little one’s adventure demonstrates that with the right planning and a responsive travel company, luxury and adventure can go hand in hand during family-friendly travel. Costa Rica's natural wonders, combined with thoughtful customization and luxurious accommodations, created an anniversary trip that was not only memorable for the couple, but a fabulous adventure for their daughter as well.

“Everyone has their non-negotiables for a family trip, which could come at the expense of what someone considers luxury,” Doug said. “But that style of trip doesn’t have to sacrifice luxury. In fact, a family trip should be the embodiment of a luxury vacation. It’s a shared experience—a demonstration of what matters to me with those I am closest to.”

From cloud forests to rainforests, birding experiences to wildlife, a travel expert can arrange a trip that has something for everyone, no matter their age or interests.

For more information, see our comprehensive Costa Rica travel guide or be inspired by our Costa Rica tours and vacations.