RIPJACK INN

RipJack Inn is a small and friendly hotel with 21 rooms and suites.

• Best for larger families is the self-contained bungalow, sleeping up to 5 in two bedrooms with Queen-size beds, with a small patio and spa shower.
• We love the two large Family Suites beside the swimming pool. Sleeping 4, these are decked out a living area, kitchenette and a private patio (perfect for keeping an eye on the kids in the pool).
• Deluxe can also rooms sleep up to 4, with two queen-size beds, a sofa and a small fridge.
• Standard rooms have a Queen-size bed, one single bed and a patio – these are perfect for budget-conscious families with just one child.
• All rooms have a coffee maker and air-con.

The vibe is tropical and relaxed, with everything you need from two swimming pools, to table tennis, hammocks to relax in and a treetop restaurant. Facilities include:

• A yoga shala with a daily timetable from Vinyasa to Yin (drop in $15 per class/ 3 classes $40 /5 classes for $60)
• A tree-top restaurant serving delicious Tico cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Ping pong, hammocks, a little shop for beach basics.
• Rejuvenate with a deep-tissue massage, sports massage or relaxation massage.
• Beach towels and free wifi.
• Babysitting service ($10 per hour)

PLAYA GRANDE

• It's footsteps along a sandy track to the stunning palm-fringed Playa Grande, a surfing Mecca and part of the Park Nacional Marino Las Baulas.
• This thee miles of golden sands is world-famous for its surf and for being one of Costa Rica’s key nesting sites for leatherback turtles (November to mid February).
• Perfect for families, it’s un-crowded – and the waves get mellower the further south you venture. Swells are smaller from December to February and more challenging from March onwards.
• The sunsets are blazing – make sure you sit on the shoreline or even enjoy them on your board in the ocean.
• It’s a short hop by panga boat over the estuary to the surf hub of Tamarindo.

SURF'S UP Surfing lessons are run by the experts at Frijoles Locos (frijoleslocos.com) surf school.

• Frijoles Locos provide excellent instruction for children as young as 4.
• Lessons will be conducted at the breaks best suited to your ability.
• Group lessons from $40pp/ semi-private lessons from $55pp/ private lessons $120.
• Playa Grande has four different surf breaks along the 3-mile stretch of beach.
• The main break is best for intermediates and advanced surfers, while beginners can head further south along the beach.
• Tamarindo, just across the estuary (hop over on a little panga boat) is home to a great beginner break but it gets super crowded.
• Babysitting is available if you want to sneak out for a solo session.

Sip smoothies in your salty beach wear or tuck into a three-course seafood feast in the open-air treetop restaurant.

• Family-friendly dishes including traditional Tico cuisine using ingredients from the land and sea.
• From breakfast burritos to Costa Rican specialities, food is served all day, from menus scrawled on floor-to-ceiling blackboards (from garlic shrimps and fish tacos, to nachos and tuna steaks).
• Happy hour is popular, with bargain beers, cocktails and tapas plates.
• With a nod to RipJack’s eco-friendly values, the ingredients are local and food packaging and takeaway cups are made from corn starch and avocado seeds.
• The kids’ menu includes favourites such as meatballs and pizzas.
• Food served all day 8am–9pm.

When you're not surfing, stretching out in a yoga class or stretching out in a hammock, there's plenty to do on the doorstep.

• Go snorkelling on the famous Playa Conchal (about 30 minutes’ drive north).
• It’s a short hop by panga boat to Tamarindo – arguably Costa Rica’s most popular surf town, with great waves and an array of cafés, bars and seafood restaurants.
• About 45 minutes’ south is Playa Avellana, dubbed one of the most stunning beaches in Costa Rica.
• Take a 4WD ATV tour along the Gold Coast.
• Swing through the tree tops on a canopy tour.
• Hop aboard a sunset sailing trip.
• Encounter wildlife on a horse riding adventure.
• Try all sorts of watersports including snorkelling, paddleboarding and fishing.
• Spot crocodiles, visit National Parks and dip in hot springs.