Family Border Run (Costa Rica - Nicaragua)
Last week, my kids (6 and 11 years old), my 76-year-old dad, and I embarked on a border run from Costa Rica to Nicaragua. My dad has been visiting us from the Philippines, and since his Costa Rican visit visa needs to be renewed every 30 days, we’ve had to get creative. Last month, we flew to Panama City and spent a few days exploring the beautiful colonial town of Casco Viejo & Panama city before heading back to Costa Rica. This time, we opted for the classic border run from Costa Rica to Peñas Blancas, Nicaragua.
Our main destination was to visit Granada, a beautiful colonial town in Nicaragua. To get to Granada from Peñas Blancas, Nicaragua, you have two main options: take a chicken bus, which makes multiple stops along the way, or hire a taxi. The taxi ride from Peñas Blancas to Granada typically takes about 1.5 hours and costs between $90–$120.
We managed to find a taxi driver who agreed to take us for $65—a great deal at first glance. However, we quickly realized that his car didn’t have air conditioning or seatbelts. When I asked about the seatbelts, he assured me they weren’t necessary and casually mentioned that it’s legal in Nicaragua to drive without them. Not wanting to take unnecessary risks, I improvised by strapping the seatbelt around my kids’ waists, though I knew it wouldn’t offer much protection in an accident.
Thankfully, our taxi driver was cautious and drove safely, getting us to Granada without any issues. Moral of the story: always check that your taxi has everything you need—especially working seatbelts—before agreeing to the ride. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
We really enjoyed a couple of days adventuring in Granada, a colonial town in Nicaragua where we went biking and indulged in tasty local cuisines.
We also spent some quality time at Laguna de Apoyo, swimming and kayaking in a volcanic lake crater formed 23,000 years ago. It was incredible to experience this natural wonder and share an unforgettable adventure with our kids while teaching them about the immense power of nature's history. After a couple of days relaxing in Nicaragua, it was time to head back to Peñas Blancas and cross the border back into Costa Rica.
If you’ve ever done a border run, you know it’s not exactly a walk in the park. While it’s usually more affordable than flying to another destination, it comes with its own set of challenges—especially when you’re traveling with young kids. That said, with enough time, energy, and patience, it’s entirely doable.
Social media often paints family travel as an endless string of fun, adventure, and picture-perfect moments. And don’t get me wrong, those moments are real, but they’re only part of the story. The reality is that traveling with kids can be tough. They get bored, tired, cranky, and sometimes have full-blown meltdowns. These moments rarely make it onto Instagram, but they’re a big part of the journey and, honestly, worth embracing. Despite the challenges, I’m a firm believer that traveling with kids is absolutely worth it. You just need the right mindset, an adventurous spirit, and the determination to power through the hard parts because the rewards are so worth it. No pain, no gain, right?
Our border run from Costa Rica to Nicaragua was all of that: challenging, but manageable. Leaving Costa Rica and entering Nicaragua went relatively smoothly, but the return trip was another story—especially since it was over the weekend. Costa Rica is a hugely popular destination, so the queue at the border was massive, stretching for what seemed like miles. My husband and I had done border runs before in our backpacking days, but this time, with my dad and two young kids in tow, I wasn’t sure how we’d get through when I saw the line at the Costa Rican border. Lesson learned: avoid weekend border crossings at all costs. If you must go, do it super early, before the immigration office even opens. We arrived just after 11 a.m. and didn’t make it back into Costa Rica until 4:30 p.m.
Thankfully, there was a small waiting area with a little park where the kids could sit while I stood in line, guarding our spot for five hours. There were no restaurants nearby, only a few women selling drinks and snacks. I was thrilled to find a lady selling casados (a meal of rice, beans, salad, and chicken or fish) and managed to get food for everyone. After lunch, the line started moving a bit faster (go figure), and we finally crossed the border just before sunset. What a day!
Potrero Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Once we were back in Costa Rica, we headed straight to Potrero, a beach town in Guanacaste, for two days of much-needed relaxation and to visit our friends who live in the area. After two days, it was time to head back to San José. We left around 1 p.m. on a Monday, which turned out to be a mistake. The seven-hour drive was grueling, thanks to heavy traffic. Another lesson learned: always start long drives early in the day.
In Guanacaste, we had the unique experience of staying in a beautiful glamping tent and an igloo tent nestled in the mountains. Since it’s high season in Guanacaste (December to April), finding accommodation was a real challenge. We had no choice but to switch to another hotel the next day, but the adventure of trying out different places added to the fun.
While in Potrero, we took the time to explore Flamingo Beach and the nearby marina. Watching the sunset over the ocean was magical, especially as our kids played in the sand with their friend, Alina. Reuniting with friends made our stay in Guanacaste even more special, and moments like these reminded us why this trip was so worth it.
While in Potrero, we took the time to explore Flamingo Beach and the nearby marina. Watching the sunset over the ocean was magical, especially as our kids played in the sand with their friend, Alina. Reuniting with friends made our stay in Guanacaste even more special, and moments like these reminded us why this trip was so worth it.
Despite all the hiccups, the trip was a success. It wasn’t easy, but we made it through together, and the experience left us with memories we’ll never forget. Traveling with kids and an elderly parent is no small feat, but it’s all part of the adventure.
So, what's the takeaway? When in doubt, always pack snacks, plenty of drinks, and extra change for the vendors. Don’t underestimate the power of a good attitude (and a big helping of casado). Oh, and next time, make sure to bring a portable chair or a hammock because who doesn’t want to nap on the side of a border for five hours?
