Costa Rica is a fine place to bring children. Costa Ricans love them and welcome visitors with them. The cleanliness of food and water leaves you few worries. There's lots for them to see and do. They'll pick up Spanish quickly if they play with local children. Restaurants often have high chairs and booster seats, but car seats are not generally available. Milk which has been radiated so it doesn't have to be refrigerated until it's opened is available in any large town.

Children, even infants, need passports. If they are under 18 and stay in Costa Rica more than 30 days, they require permission from the Patronato Office (Calle 19, Ave. 6) to leave the country. Both parents must go to get it, or a single parent traveling alone must have the permission of the other parent notarized by a Costa Rican consul in the parent's home country. A travel agent may be able to get the permission from Patronato if you give him the child's passport and two extra passport photos.

Some parents find it simplest to make their trips with minor children for 30 days or less.

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