There’s something special about a Costa Rica family holiday. More than a break from routine, it’s a chance to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the joy of being together. And there’s no better setting than Hacienda Pinilla, where 4,500 acres of golden coastline, tropical savannah, and resort-style amenities come together within a secure, gated community.
Wake to the sound of howler monkeys, sip coffee on your terrace while the sun rises over the palms, and end each day with your feet in the sand at Playa Avellanas. Between it all, you’ll find something rare: space and time to truly connect – as a family, a couple, or simply as yourself. Whether you’re here for the surf, the golf, or the stillness, Hacienda Pinilla brings it all within reach – the perfect foundation for your family vacation.
Make Time for Meaningful Family Time
Modern life doesn’t always make it easy to stay connected. Between work, school, and daily distractions, true quality time often feels like a luxury.
A family getaway changes that dynamic. Here, there are no alarms or agendas – just sun-dappled mornings, ocean breezes, and the kind of easy laughter that happens when everyone finally has time to exhale.
A getaway together can be transformative – not in grand gestures, but in quiet, meaningful moments. Maybe it’s your teenager’s first successful surf ride, your parents smiling as the little ones chase hermit crabs at low tide, or an impromptu family dinner under the stars, everyone glowing from sun and salt air. These are the kinds of memories that linger long after you’ve returned home.
That’s the essence of a Costa Rica family holiday: not just travel, but connection.
The Heart of Your Stay: Hacienda Pinilla Beach Club
Every Costa Rica family holiday deserves a touch of indulgence, and Hacienda Pinilla’s Beach Club delivers it beautifully.
Set directly on Playa Avellanas, the Beach Club is a place your family to linger from morning to sunset. The oceanfront infinity pool overlooks rolling waves and soft golden sand – the perfect spot to cool off after a beach walk or surf session. Younger children can splash safely in the shallows, while parents relax with cocktails or fresh coconut water from the bar.
Lunch at the beachfront restaurant is an experience of its own. Fresh ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi, and crisp salads are served with panoramic Pacific views and the sound of the surf just beyond your table. There’s also a fitness center with ocean-view treadmills, so even your workouts come with a dose of pura vida.
Come sunset, the Beach Club transforms again – glowing lanterns, live music, and a view of the sky igniting over the sea. This is more than a place to relax; it’s a gathering space that defines your Hacienda Pinilla experience.
Adventure at Every Age
Hacienda Pinilla was built around the idea that adventure, connection, and well-being all belong in one place. For families, this means a playground of possibilities: endless ways to explore, to play, to learn something new – and to do it all together.
Surfing at Playa Avellanas: The Soul of Pura Vida
If Costa Rica has a heartbeat, it’s in its waves. No matter where you stay at Hacienda Pinilla, just minutes from your villa lies Playa Avellanas, one of the most famous surf beaches in Guanacaste.
For beginners, the beach’s gentle southern breaks offer the perfect training ground. Local instructors know how to get first-timers on their feet safely – and with a smile. Parents and kids often take lessons together, sharing the thrill of catching their first waves side by side.
More experienced surfers gravitate toward the northern section known as “Little Hawaii,” where powerful right-hand barrels roll over deep-blue water. It’s a favorite spot for seasoned riders and spectators alike – few experiences rival watching the sunset behind a lineup of surfers silhouetted against gold light.
Surfing at Hacienda Pinilla isn’t just a sport; it’s a family memory in motion – a moment of pure freedom that defines the best Costa Rica family holiday.
Golfing with a View: A Family Tradition in the Making
The par-72, 7,200-yard Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course was designed by renowned architect Mike Young.
Golf may seem like an adult pursuit, but at Hacienda Pinilla, it often becomes a family tradition. The par-72 championship course, designed by Mike Young, is as much a work of art as a sport – 7,200 yards of emerald fairways that weave through oceanfront vistas, tropical forest, and the occasional passing deer.
The course is certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which means your game unfolds alongside Costa Rica’s wildlife. Families might spot iguanas basking on sunlit rocks, a hawk circling above, or even a troupe of howler monkeys moving through the treetops as you putt.
For younger players, the wide fairways and forgiving layout make it approachable, while serious golfers appreciate the technical challenge and steady ocean breezes. After a round, the clubhouse’s terrace becomes the perfect place to recount your best shots over fresh tropical drinks. We like to think of it as golf as it’s meant to be: scenic, soulful, and shared.
Trails and Discovery: A Natural Playground
Get out and onto Hacienda Pinilla’s extensive trail system, where you can hike and bike into the great outdoors
If your family loves to explore, Hacienda Pinilla’s 45 kilometers of trails are pure gold. Winding through dry forest, mangrove wetlands, and along rugged coastline, they’re ideal for hiking, running, or mountain biking.
Early mornings are magical here: light filters through the trees, monkeys chatter overhead, and the air is filled with birdsong. Families with older children often rent bikes to ride together – a gentle yet exhilarating way to see more of the property and its wildlife.
Along the way, you’ll encounter lookout points with panoramic views of Guanacaste’s rolling hills and Pacific coastline – perfect for a photo stop or picnic. And for kids, every turn holds a new discovery: a colorful butterfly, a tiny crab scuttling across the trail, or the echo of the ocean in the distance.
In our normally over-connected, these trails offer something invaluable: the joy of being outside, moving together, and simply seeing the world anew.
Tennis in the Shade of the Palms
Few settings make you want to pick up a racket quite like this one. The tennis courts at Hacienda Pinilla sit nestled among royal palms, their surface shaded and surrounded by ocean breezes.
Families can book private or group lessons with the on-site pro, join friendly doubles socials, or simply play for the fun of it before heading to the beach. Kids and teens love the casual, open-air vibe, while adults appreciate the chance to stay active in such an inspiring setting.
And when your game is done, cool off in the nearby pool or grab a fresh fruit smoothie at the Beach Club – proof that a little friendly competition and a lot of relaxation can coexist perfectly.
Equestrian Adventures and Hidden Moments
One of Hacienda Pinilla’s most unique offerings is its equestrian center, where families can saddle up for guided rides through forest trails or along the beach at sunset. The gentle rhythm of the horses, the sound of waves, and the freedom of the community’s open landscapes create a sense of peace that appeals to riders of all ages.
For many of our younger guests, it’s their first time on horseback, and the instructors make it both safe and memorable. Couples, meanwhile, love the romance of a sunset ride along Playa Langosta, with the Pacific glowing gold ahead. Truly, it’s these hidden moments – small, quiet, unexpected – that turn your Costa Rica family holiday into something extraordinary.
Wellness, Nature, and the Art of Slowing Down
For many, a Costa Rica family holiday isn’t just about activity – it’s about presence. It’s in the morning yoga class by the sea, in the natural rhythm of days spent outdoors, in the nourishing simplicity of tropical fruit and ocean air.
Wellness here is organic, woven into each day rather than scheduled into it. Even meals become mindful experiences – fresh local seafood, tropical fruit, and farm-to-table produce sourced from nearby fincas. After a few days, you’ll feel not only relaxed but rebalanced, connected again to both nature and one another.
From spa treatments and surf therapy to simple moments like floating in your villa’s pool beneath the stars, wellness here feels deeply personal – a gentle reminder that slowing down can be its own kind of luxury.
Moments That Stay With You
A Costa Rica family holiday at Hacienda Pinilla becomes a story you’ll tell for years: the waves you surfed, the trails you explored, the laughter shared around a pool. It’s a reminder that life’s richest moments are rarely planned – they’re discovered, together.
It’s knowing that, for one perfect stretch of time, everyone was fully present, together, and at peace.
Where to Stay
Every unforgettable holiday begins with a home that feels just right. At Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, each villa is a private retreat of comfort and calm – spacious enough for the entire family, intimate enough to feel connected.
Our beach house rentals Costa Rica are known for blending resort-quality amenities with the soul of a coastal home. Expect light-filled living spaces, outdoor dining areas shaded by palms, chef’s kitchens perfect for family meals, and private pools where afternoons stretch lazily into evening.
Villa Alegria
6 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | 17 Guests
For families who travel to laugh a little louder and stay a little longer, Villa Alegría (Home of Joy) lives up to its name. Just a five-minute walk from the beach, this solar-powered sanctuary blends eco-minded design with pure indulgence.
Days revolve around its expansive private pool – a sparkling centerpiece complete with a 3 × 3 meter heated jacuzzi that seats 10 for sunset soaks and storytelling. Each master suite opens onto a private balcony or terrace with pool views, while the children’s bunk room doubles as a miniature adventure zone, complete with a mezzanine and mini climbing wall.
Between pool parties, beach walks, and the warmth of shared meals prepared in the open-concept kitchen, Villa Alegría is more than a vacation home; it’s a playground for every generation and a reminder of how joyful life can feel when the whole family is together.
Casa Bahau
4 Beds | 4 Baths | 10 To 12 Guests
Just three minutes from the sand, Casa Bahau invites families to embrace both energy and ease. This private retreat was designed for restoration – morning laps in your sparkling pool, workouts in the indoor gym, or peaceful minutes in the sauna followed by a cool plunge beneath the palms.
Parents can recharge while the kids splash in the water or explore nearby trails, and everyone comes together for breakfast cooked by your dedicated housekeeper, served al fresco as the day begins. Your personal concierge can arrange surf lessons, horseback rides, or tee times so every moment flows effortlessly.
From sunrise yoga to starlit dinners, Casa Bahau is where well-being and family life meet – the perfect setting for a Costa Rica family holiday that restores body, mind, and spirit.
Tesoro Del Bosque
Hacienda Pinilla | 12 bedrooms | 15 baths | 18 to 28 guests
Translating to “Treasure of the Forest,” Tesoro del Bosque is just that – a rare gem for multigenerational families or large groups seeking privacy, space, and effortless luxury within Hacienda Pinilla.
Two contemporary villas nestle amid tropical greenery, connected by pathways that lead to twin private pools, a heated jacuzzi, and an open-air rancho ideal for yoga sessions, shared meals, and celebrations that last late into the night. Twelve spacious suites ensure everyone has a personal retreat, while shared gathering spaces encourage togetherness.
Guests enjoy access to Bosques de Pinilla’s resort amenities – including a 70-foot lap pool, children’s play area, and fitness and yoga studio – plus Elite Service with daily housekeeping, laundry, and breakfast or cocktail preparation. Whether your family’s perfect day includes surfing at nearby Mansita Beach or relaxing under the trees, Tesoro del Bosque offers the best of both worlds: serenity and adventure, side by side.
Get Started on Planning Your Costa Rica Family Holiday
Did you know that when you book adventure, adrenaline, and the best family vacation with Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, you gain access to our full concierge services?
When you book, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!