Where to stay in Domincal, Costa Rica – Family Friendly

If you’re planning a visit to Dominical, you’ll quickly realise it has a very different vibe to places like Jacó or La Fortuna.

Dominical is slower, greener, and far more nature-led and choosing the right place to stay here is key, especially when traveling as a family.

During our time on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Hotel Villas Río Mar turned out to be one of the best places to stay in Dominical for families, offering space, wildlife, and a calm base for exploring the surrounding area.

Why Visit Dominical, Costa Rica?

Dominical is known for its:

• laid-back surf culture
• lush rainforest surroundings
• wildlife encounters
• quieter, more local feel

Unlike some of Costa Rica’s busier beach towns, Dominical feels intentionally unrushed. For families, it’s a wonderful place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy Costa Rica beyond the tourist hotspots.

It’s also well-positioned for exploring waterfalls, beaches, and national parks along the southern Pacific coast.

You can visit Uvita here if that’s on your go to list as it’s no more than 20 minutes and buses run here, but we did actually stay in Uvita.

Where Is Hotel Villas Río Mar Located?

Hotel Villas Río Mar is set just outside the centre of Dominical, surrounded by greenery and bordered by a river giving it a peaceful, nature-immersed feel.

The location is ideal because:

• you’re close to Dominical Beach
• restaurants and shops are a short walk away
• wildlife is often spotted on the grounds
• it feels secluded without being remote
• Alegria Soul Spa was AMAZING – I had my first ever bamboo massage and I’ll never forget it

For families, this balance of convenience and calm makes a huge difference.

One of our favourite restaurants which we ate at a few times is “La Junta” The owners were fantastic and the food was WOW.

Rooms & Accommodation: Ideal for Families

One of the biggest reasons Hotel Villas Río Mar works so well for families is the room and villa layout.

Accommodation options offer:

• generous space
• comfortable beds
• outdoor seating areas
• easy access to the pool and gardens

Having room to spread out, unpack properly, and enjoy quieter evenings made this stay particularly comfortable when traveling with children.

Side note, this place was so clean that Jacob (our eldest) ran into the patio doors TWICE because they thought it was open. Don’t worry – you can laugh. I still laugh, it was the funniest thing ever and he was ok.

Facilities & Amenities

Hotel Villas Río Mar offers everything families need without feeling overwhelming:

• large swimming pool & length pool
• on-site restaurant
• expansive gardens and walking paths
• parking for rental cars
• peaceful communal areas

The pool area was a favourite for downtime days and I personally loved getting up and having a pool I could just swim in without interruptions. Also, the walking paths during the evening and night time were fab for wildlife – the boys loved this learning experience.

Is Hotel Villas Río Mar Good for Kids?

Yes and especially for families who enjoy nature and outdoor space.

This stay works well because:

• children have space to move around
• wildlife sightings turn the hotel into an experience itself
• the atmosphere is calm and safe

It’s not a resort with kids’ clubs or entertainment schedules instead, it encourages a more natural, exploratory kind of family travel with a gorgeous beach within walking distance which can give you more action packed activities with surfing etc!

What You Can Easily Do From Dominical

Staying at Villas Río Mar gives you easy access to some fantastic experiences, including:

• Dominical Beach and surf schools
• waterfalls in the surrounding jungle
• wildlife spotting in nearby reserves
• day trips along the southern Pacific coast

Dominical also works well as a stop between other Costa Rica destinations, making it a great addition to a longer itinerary. If you are looking at a longer itinerary – this is the perfect place to introduce our blog post with a full itinerary which you can read here.

Who Is Hotel Villas Río Mar Best For?

Hotel Villas Río Mar is ideal for:

• families traveling Costa Rica
• nature-loving travelers
• those wanting a quieter beach town
• families who prefer space over luxury
• surfers

It may not suit travelers looking for nightlife or high-energy resort vibes but that’s exactly why it’s so appealing to many families.

Final Thoughts: Best Place to Stay in Dominical for Families

If you’re planning a visit to Dominical and want somewhere comfortable, spacious, and surrounded by nature, Hotel Villas Río Mar is a fantastic choice for families.

It’s the kind of place that lets you slow down, spot wildlife with your kids, and enjoy Costa Rica at a gentler pace while still being well-located for exploration.

And if you’re looking for ways to save on accommodation across Costa Rica, including places like Dominical, you can read how we do that here:
👉 How we travel so often (and YOU can too!)