👨👩👧👦 Kids > The Ultimate Guide to Fun Beach Activities
With its warms waters and lush tropical forests, Santa Teresa is a beautiful place for your family to explore the outdoors and have fun.
Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly beaches, safe nature adventures, or easy meals the whole family will enjoy, this guide is your go-to resource. Written by locals, tried by families like yours.
From ziplining through the treetops to learning how to surf, there are plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
Kids can also join local activities like kids camp where they will learn aerial skills.
On the plus side, the beach and all the spots mentioned in this list have parking available! So, rent a car or a UTV vehicle 4WD and enjoy exploring Santa Teresa Beach with your kids!
🏖️ Safe beaches & playful waves
Santa Teresa is known for its long, golden beaches — but not all are ideal for young swimmers. If you’re looking for safe waves and soft sand, Playa Hermosa (especially the northern end) is a local favorite. At low tide, natural tide pools appear, perfect for toddlers to splash around.
Mal Pais is also great place for kids as they can swim and enjoy the tide pools. Under the palm and almond trees is a great spot for a healthy picnic. You’re guaranteed to have an exciting environment-friendly day out at the beach with your family.
🐒 Nature & Adventure for All Ages
You won’t find amusement parks here — but you will find tree canopies, jungle trails, waterfalls, and guided tours that bring the whole family closer to nature.
Recommended kid-friendly activities:
Montezuma Waterfall – short hike with rewards
Canopy Mal País – safe zip-lining, ages 4+
Horseback riding at sunset – great for families with kids 6+
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve – longer walk, ideal for older children
Ask us for providers that offer child-sized gear, bilingual guides, and safety-focused experiences.
🥞 Smoothies, Snacks & Happy Tummies
Santa Teresa’s food scene is relaxed and fresh — and many spots cater naturally to young eaters. Think fluffy pancakes, tropical fruits, smoothie bowls, and crispy snacks.
Top kid-approved spots:
The Bakery – fluffy pancakes, sweet empanadas
Rocamar – open-air beach front dining, great for toddlers
Zwart Café – games, books, and organic bites
Ani’s Bowls – colorful smoothies, calm garden seating
➡️ Coming soon: Downloadable family food map
Family day-trip to Montezuma
Going on a UTV vehicle 4WD through Cabuya and ending up in Montezuma is SO fun!! Feeling the wind through the hair, watching the birds and admiring the blue sky! Once in Montezuma, you can explore the Waterfalls and have lunch at Soda Las Palmeras. If your kids like the animals, it is an excellent opportunity to help protect turtles, see the programs here. If you have read that there is also a wildlife sanctuary in Montezuma, I am sad to say that now is close for the public.
🐴 Family-friendly adventures
Let your kids experience horseback riding in Santa Teresa Beach, exciting and fun! Horseback riding for kids is an excellent way to get them out of their comfort zone and into nature, the tour takes place at the beach and through Manzanillo. The tour takes 3 hours, there is also the option to do it private and manage your timing.
Explore with your kids Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve
Do your kids like hiking? Hiking with kids is an exciting and rewarding experience. With a local guide, you can visit the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve and make a safe hike for children while also teaching them about the local animals and plants they may encounter along the way.
Bioluminescence at Tambor
Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon that can be observed in Tambor close to Santa Teresa and Mal Pais areas. Taking a night-time dip in the Pacific Ocean, you can witness the magical sight of lights glimmering in the water around you. With each splash, the water comes alive with sparkles of blue and green light.I always recommend to go in a private tour if you are sailing with kids so you can decide how long do you want to stay in the ocean.
Bioluminescence is an amazing opportunity for kids to learn about nature, science and have fun with their family at the same time.
🧘♀️ Slowing down together
Recycling is essential for a sustainable future, and it’s possible to make it fun! There are plenty of fun and educational ways to get our kids involved in recycling. Raiding the recycling bin can be a fun family activity, here some ideas
We can also teach them that a zero-waste activity at the beach or park is possible. In Santa Teresa we can do the proper groceries to reduce the use of plastic !
🛟 Tips for a smooth family trip
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — and lots of it
- Baby carriers work better than strollers on dirt roads
Do not forget mosquito repellent, sun hats & refillable bottles
Pharmacies are available in town; the nearest clinic is in Cóbano
➡️ Recommended read: Our guide on how to move around Santa Teresa
FAQs
🏡 Where to stay with kids in Santa Teresa
Hotels are the best options for kids as they usually has easy access and amenities that makes everything easier for the family. Some names: Ohana, Casa Marbella, Hotel Griss, Principe del Pacifico.
🔗 Need help planning your family trip to Santa Teresa?
Let us create a custom itinerary for your crew — contact us
Baby groceries in Santa Teresa
Nappies, wipes and products can be easily find at supermarkets. Also, if you need a crib for you stay, ask your accomodation in advance or contact usand we will help in the reserch!
Do people use strollers?
Santa Teresa nowadays is not a place to walk on the street as there is no sidewalks. I would rather not bring a stroller and in stead bring the baby carrier backpack
Is Santa Teresa good for swimming?
Santa Teresa is famous for its world class waves, so I will not say is the best place to go for a swim unless you are a pro. For kids to swim best place is Natural Pools in Mal Pais and in Hermosa
