NOMADVENTURE

Crossing Costa Rica to Nicaragua With Kids (2026 Guide) Short answer: Plan for 2–4 hours, bring USD, and expect chaos. Why You Need to Cross Tourist visas typically last 180 days, requiring exit. Step-by-Step Process Arrive at Peñas Blancas Pay exit fee Walk border Enter Nicaragua (USD required) What Nobody Tells You Taxi drivers will swarm you Lines can be confusing Bring small bills FAQ How long does it take? 2–4 hours typically. Is it safe? Generally yes, but stay aware. Disclaimer: Border requirements change frequently. Always verify with official sources.

Traveling to Costa Rica With Kids (2026): What It’s Really Like Short answer: Costa Rica is one of the best countries in the world for family travel — but your experience depends heavily on where and how you live. We traveled through Costa Rica with three kids and quickly realized something important: the experience you have here can feel completely different depending on location, budget, and expectations. Best Places in Costa Rica for Families Not all destinations are equal when traveling with kids. Caribbean Coast (Cahuita, Puerto Viejo): Lower cost, quieter, more community feel Pacific Coast (Tamarindo, Nosara): More developed, more expensive, more tourists We found the Caribbean side far better for long-term family living. What Kids Actually Love Wildlife everywhere — monkeys, sloths, birds Warm ocean water year-round Outdoor lifestyle with freedom to explore This isn’t a theme park — it’s real life, and that’s what makes it powerful. Challe...

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear and services we personally use and love — thanks for supporting Nomadventure! Short answer: A few simple swaps can eliminate some travel waste — without making life harder. We spent 3 years traveling through Central America with three kids. These are some low-waste habits that actually held up in real life. 1. Reusable Water Bottle (Essential) This eliminates the majority of plastic waste. A filter bottle is ideal in areas with questionable water quality.  LifeStraw Filter Water Bottle 2. Stainless Steel Straws Durable, easy to clean, and actually useful — especially for fresh coconut water. Get one with a pouch and straw cleaner:  Stainless Steel Straws 3. Reusable Utensils Perfect for street food and markets where plastic utensils are common. Try light weight titanium:  Travel...

BaseCamp — 2012 Chevy Express 3500 Camper Van / Bus Conversion | Maine Registered Motor Home |  BaseCamp is a proven family adventure rig — she’s carried us from Maine through the deserts and mountains of Mexico all the way to the Pacific Ocean on a camping, climbing, and surfing winter journey. 🔧 The Rig • Chevy Express 3500 | 6.0L gas • 155K miles — strong runner • New transmission (2023) • Synthetic oil (Mobil 1) always ☀️ Power • Solar + AGM battery bank • High-output alternator (2025) • Inverter + USB outlets • MaxxFan ventilation 🛏️ Sleep / Seating • Sleeps 5 | Seats 7 • Loft bed (6’+ headroom) • Triple bunks (~5’7”) • Original bus seats — great for kids 🍳 Kitchen • Slide-out 2-burner propane stove • Fold-out table + 12V cooler 🌡️ Comfort • Rear heater • Backup camera 🎒 Extras • Huge gear storage (surf, climb, bikes) • Comes stocked with tools, spares & med kit Not a tiny home — a purpose-built adventure vehicle.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear and services we personally use and love — thanks for supporting Nomadventure! Planning a two-week Costa Rica trip with kids sounds overwhelming. We know — we've done it with our family of five, year after year. So we've distilled everything into this day-by-day itinerary that balances adventure, wildlife, surf, and downtime. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, this route delivers. Why 2 Weeks Is the Sweet Spot for Costa Rica Families One week in Costa Rica is too rushed. Three weeks requires serious budgeting. Two weeks gives you time to cover the Pacific Coast, the cloud forest, and a volcano region without spending half your trip in a rental car. It's the itinerary we keep coming back to, before settling into our Caribbean digs. What to Pack Before You Go Before we dive in, here'...

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission for purchases made via these links at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site up and running. Thank you for your support! When I started traveling to Costa Rica as a solo backpacker in 1997, I had done a ton of homework, and thought I was prepared for 6 months of travel through Costa Rica’s extraordinarily varied microclimates. During my adventures I struggled with being perpetually damp and often cold in the cloud forests of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Rivas . Unfortunately my tent had been devoured by a type of nylon chewing ant that turned waterproof fabric into confetti! It’s hard to be prepared for everything… Now I am part of a family of 5, so planning a yearly 6 month trip has taken on new challenges. Fortunately we have years of experience now. So here is what I have to share. Whether you’re exploring the lush mountains of Monteverde or soak...