Kids tell Mom and Dad where to go... (on vacation in Costa Rica!)

Kids tell Mom & Dad where to go... (on vacation in Costa Rica!) 

And now they're bringing Grandma and Grandpa, too!

by Christine Krishnan

My daughter is getting to that age where she is becoming increasingly aware of a place called Disneyland. The constant TV commercials she sees about vacations to Disneyland are probably to blame, but it's interesting how influenced I suddenly feel about my daughter's enthusiasm for us to plan a family vacation around her wide-eyed suggestions.

It is no surprise that studies have proven kids have a big say in where mom and dad decide to take the family. Preferred Hotel Group says "...40 percent of kids 'actively participate in or influence' vacation planning, specifically with respect to daily activities (77 percent) and deciding which destinations to visit (62 percent). Almost half (49 percent) of all multigenerational travelers say their grandchildren influence the selection of the hotel or resort."

However, the Baby Boomer generation is footing the bill for these multigenerational vacations and we have definitely seen that trend here in Costa Rica.

Our average age of active adventurers has increased even to the extent we increased the age recommendations on some of our high-intensity tours like rafting and canyoning in Costa Rica -- and the older participants are generally in better health and more-adventurous than ever before and join the grandkids on many of the adventures.

Adventure tourism overall is becoming very fashionable. Some of the reality TV shows and documentaries sponsored by Disney and other companies are now involving family-based adventures in what they film here in Costa Rica. Travelers know that because we live such a fast-paced life, we often do not have enough time to spend with our children and grandchildren and develop a sense of guilt. A customized Costa Rica vacation is an ideal way to bring the family back together.

Awhile back, we helped with the production of a show called "Are We There Yet World Adventures" that portrayed a young sister and brother team conquering the world -- they braved the Whitewater and Wildlife rapids of the Río Balsa in Costa Rica with us. The producers told us "shows like this really benefit the Costa Rican Tourism Board because Costa Rica is so family-friendly and when children see our show, they are going to be begging mom and dad to take them rafting in Costa Rica!"

But we recognize not everyone in the family wants a lot of adventure, so we even have found ways for grandpa and grandma to come along for fun, without getting in harm's way. 

For example, although it's a bumpy drive on our Jungle Limos up to the Lost Canyon, we have had older folks come along for the ride and watch the younger generation get ready for canyoning and then stay behind at our Lost Canyon Headquarters up in the rainforest to do birding and get photos of our friendly wild pizote that visits up there. They sit back and relax, have a nice warm cup of coffee, read a book while the rest of the group is out in the wilderness descending 200-ft waterfalls and having the time of their lives. When the rest of the family comes out of the Lost Canyon, everyone then gets together to have lunch together. 

Another example is our Stand Up Paddling on Lake Arenal with the Desafío Adventure Boat. Clients come with the whole family for a fun time out on Costa Rica's largest fresh water lake. Some members take a lesson on how to do Stand Up Paddling and paddle out to an isolated, deserted island while the others sit back and enjoy the ride on the boat.

What's interesting for us is that many of our Millennial and Generation X travelers have come to Costa Rica and done activities with us and then come back to Costa Rica and bring more family members, such as their parents and children with them the next time for a multi-generational travel experience. 

The number of grandparents is on the rise so we have seen that multigenerational travel is also growing. It is estimated that grandparents will account for nearly one-in-three adults by 2020 and are expected to work longer, have higher incomes, and spend more on travel than ever before. A recent study showed that nearly 35 percent of grandparents took a trip with their grandchildren in 2014. Here at Desafío, we also have found some of the best hotels in Costa Rica that are now catering to multi-generational travel and providing larger accommodations like villas and multi-bedroom suites that are more suitable for multigenerational groups.

So, when you're ready to start planning your trip to Costa Rica and your children and their grandparents are pitching you ideas, we are here to customize your Costa Rica Vacation to make it the most memorable, multigenerational vacation ever!