Dominical - on the beach across the street from Restaurante El Coco. Well maintained, lots of kids playing, and very cool two-story tree house-like play structure for climbing and viewing the beach.
Uvita - next to the soccer field and comunal salon, on the road to the Ballena National Park/Whale Tail entrance
Palmar Sur - The key feature here is the old train (playground becomes secondary!) that children can touch and play by. Also a nice park for adults, and only a couple minutes past the Palmar BM Supermercado (drop one adult off to grocery shop while the other plays with kids at this park!)
Other Kid-Friendly activities;
Manuel Antonio National Park- take a private guide, the extra $15 or so is worth it because you can travel the path at toddler speed and still see lots of great wildlife http://www.sinac.go.cr/ES/ac/acopac/pnma/Paginas/default.aspx
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary - education/rescue/rehab/release wilfdlife program. Recommend going in the am for better attention span and cooler temps https://alturaswildlifesanctuary.org/
Vista Ballena Hotel - put the kids in the pool and enjoy a meal in the poolside restaurant. Probably the closest thing to a "date" you get with chilren ;-) https://www.vistaballenahotel.com/
Playa Ventana's dinosaur - next to the gas station and shopping/business center between Uvita and Ojochal, you can't go wrong with a giant T-Rex. A lot of the smaller animals will draw kids' attention, too. Good photo ops.
Playa Ventanas at low tide - just past the caves on the north side of the beach, shallow tide pools formed at low tide and for a few hours after. This works great for toddler/baby friendly ocean time while the cave part is fun for the adults
Reptilandia - learn about and view a vast assortment of snakes, crocodilles, turtles, lizards etc. In Platanillo de Baru. 10 minutos east of Dominical on ruta 243, 8712-5192, [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/ParqueReptilandia
Art Classes with Pia (adults and/or children welcome) - Kid’s / adults art classes every Friday and Saturday 10-1 pm $50 per kid (max 3kids) Price includes 2 1/2 hour art class, all materials and pizza lunch (Parents can stay and paint with us) Pets are also more then welcome
GALERIA 1084 Art Class (adults and/or children welcome) Come learn to paint authentic Boruca masks from one of the masters! Cost: $50 per adult, $40 per youth (ages 10 and above) Boruca mask and all painting supplies will be provided - you’ll leave with a beautiful creation you’ll be proud to display in your home Space is limited to 25 participants, so sign up today! Message Nate Bright on WhatsApp: 506-8823-7180
Shopping;
Uvita BM Supermercado - large, clean, well stocked grocery store good for most baby-centric purchases (e.g. diapers, formula, etc).
Mama Toucans - in Dominical, has the BEST earth-friendly diapers. Worth a drive there for them (and their granola).
Babysitting/Nanny Services;
Please contact us if you wish referrals to local nannies, and we will share their contact information with you.
