Planning your perfect Costa Rica family vacation? Learn essential tips, itinerary ideas & how to pivot when travel goes wrong!

Join Melissa from Family Travel Unpacked for a complete guide to Costa Rica with kids—from cloud forests and coffee farms to zip-lining adventures and beach resorts. After an unexpected flight diversion forced a complete itinerary change, this family of four discovered amazing destinations most visitors skip entirely.

In this episode:

• Essential tips: car seats, souvenirs, feeding kids & must-have travel gear
• What to do when your flight gets diverted mid-air (yes, really)
• Hidden gems in Costa Rica's Central Valley most tourists miss
• Best family activities in La Fortuna including zip-lining and hot springs
• Honest Andaz Papagayo resort review with points & miles strategies
• Money-saving tips using credit card rewards and travel insurance
• What worked (and didn't) for kids ages 11 and 14

Perfect for families planning their first Costa Rica family trip or looking for adventure-plus-relaxation itinerary ideas. Includes specific recommendations for wildlife spotting with kids, maximizing points and miles and more.

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked
00:44 Essential Costa Rica Travel Tips
04:12 Unexpected Travel Challenges
07:43 Exploring Costa Rica's Central Valley
10:51 Adventures in La Fortuna
14:97 Relaxing at Papagayo Peninsula
19:50 Trip Highlights and Reflections
24:08 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Resources:

Our travel binoculars

Perfect 7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary for Families

Andaz Papagayo Review

La Fortuna with Kids Guide

Costa Rica Central Valley Day Trip

The Wildest Flight Diversion Story

Travel Insurance Comparison Tool

Best Travel Credit Cards for Families

Southwest Companion Pass

Hosted by Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

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Microvacations and weekend getaways don't have to be complicated! Learn how to plan the perfect 2-3 day family trip that actually refreshes you.

Melissa shares her proven formula for stress-free microvacations: finding affordable non-stop flights, choosing hotels with breakfast included, and picking compact destinations where you can maximize fun without the exhaustion of over-planning.

Episode highlights:

• The microvacation formula: short flights, easy logistics, compact destinations
• Best hotel chains for family weekend getaways (with points strategies)
• Top microvacation destinations from the Midwest
• Why shorter trips can be better than longer vacations
• Real examples: NYC, Chicago, and Florida beach weekends

Perfect for busy families juggling sports schedules, school commitments, and limited vacation days. Discover how to squeeze more travel into your year without breaking the bank or burning out.

00:00 Introduction to Micro Vacations

00:19 What is a Micro Vacation?

00:38 Keys to a Successful Micro Vacation

01:01 Affordable Flights

01:27 Choosing the Right Hotels

01:56 Ideal Destinations for Micro Vacations

02:40 The Benefits of Micro Vacations

03:15 Recap and Final Tips

03:53 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Resources:

All about the Southwest Companion Pass

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Hosted by Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

Chase Sapphire credit cards

Get family travel planning tips from a mom who books 10-12 months ahead! Learn how to choose destinations based on your family's schedule, using points & miles, weather, flight routes and more. Family Travel Unpacked host Melissa shares her "Where to Go When" spreadsheet system, real examples from Costa Rica and Italy, and how to balance everyone's needs with you travel with kids - from outdoor adventure to resort pools. Perfect for families juggling school schedules, dietary restrictions, and multi-generational travel.

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked

01:11 Understanding Travel Constraints

03:23 Flight Logistics and Planning

04:39 Balancing Family Needs and Preferences

05:26 Maximizing Points and Miles

06:34 Organizing Your Travel Plans

08:46 Weather Considerations

12:24 Making the Final Decision

14:44 Recap and Next Episode Preview

Hosted by Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

Chase Sapphire credit cards