In short: A multigenerational trip to Costa Rica hinges on four things: privacy for each generation, a pace that doesn't force everyone into the same plan, meals handled without anyone stuck cooking, and a smooth arrival. On Playa Junquillal, two adjoining beachfront villas let a family be together without living on top of each other.
Grandma is up at six with coffee, watching the ocean from the terrace. The grandkids are up at seven and want the pool now. Their parents, who haven't slept through the night in a year, would rather nobody spoke to them before nine. Nobody's wrong. The trouble starts when all of them share one living room, one kitchen and one hallway. Three-generation trips rarely fail because of the destination. They fail because of the floor plan.
How do you give each generation privacy on the same trip?
The honest answer: not under one roof. On one domain. In Junquillal, Villa Diosa del Mar and Villa Hermes sit side by side on the beach, each with five bedrooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning, and each with its own infinity pool. One branch of the family in each house, a garden in between, one shared beach to meet on.
Patrick Rey, who designed and built both with Valérie, puts it this way: the two villas belong together, but they offer a different experience, a different architecture, a different interior, so in one place you can live two entirely different stays. For a big family that isn't an aesthetic footnote. It means the grandparents can take the quieter house, with its gardens and century-old trees painted by hand, while the cousins claim the other. And Saturday dinner with everyone feels like an occasion rather than a daily obligation.
How do you plan activities for grandparents, parents and kids?
The classic mistake is a single itinerary. A three-generation group does better with a calm home base and two or three optional plans a day. Junquillal helps here: it's a natural, lightly developed stretch of coast with no nightlife and no beach crowds. Nobody misses out by staying at the villa.
From there, the concierge sets up what each person wants, without everyone piling into the same van:
- For the ones who want to move: surf lessons, horseback rides on the beach, kayaking the Estero de Venado mangroves, ziplining, sportfishing.
- For the ones who want stillness: in-villa massages, yoga with an instructor, a book and the Pacific.
- For everyone together: a sunset catamaran out of Flamingo, a day at the Rincón de la Vieja hot springs, or turtle nesting when the season allows.
And for parents who need a night to themselves, there's a nanny. More ideas in our concierge guide to Junquillal activities.
Who cooks when the whole family travels together?
Almost nobody asks this before booking, and it causes the most friction afterward. Junquillal is quiet partly because it has very few places to eat. The village is five minutes away and its grocery store is basic; the well-stocked one is in Tamarindo, 30 to 45 minutes out.
That's why we always recommend the private chef. They cook with local ingredients, work around the family's clock (kids' dinner at six, grown-ups later) and free up the one person who, on any other trip, ends up in the kitchen. If your group wants to cook some nights, grocery pre-stocking means the pantry is ready before you land. And when you feel like going out, there are good spots nearby: Lochito's in Junquillal for whole snapper and ceviche, or Lola's in Avellanas.
How do you get to Junquillal with young kids and grandparents?
The closest airport is Liberia (LIR), roughly an hour and a quarter by road. From San José (SJO) it's about four and a half hours, which we'd avoid with small children. A regular car works, though we recommend a 4x4 in the rainy season.
The simplest option is a transfer from LIR arranged by the concierge. But the detail that really matters is the people. Gaby, the online concierge, sorts everything before you arrive, and on site there's Luca, Patrick and Valérie's son, who grew up at Diosa while it was being built. He knows every step of the house. If someone in your group has limited mobility, tell him ahead of time: Diosa has a private staircase down to the beach, and Luca knows which room suits whom.
Where to stay
- Rent both villas together as Odisea Retreats →
- Villa Diosa del Mar — beachfront art retreat →
- Villa Hermes — modern architectural beachfront villa →
Still weighing options? Read private villa vs. resort, or talk to the concierge.
Frequently asked questions
Can one family rent both villas together?
Yes. Villa Diosa del Mar and Villa Hermes rent together as Odisea: ten bedrooms, two infinity pools, gardens and private beach access. Each branch of the family gets its own house while everyone shares the same stretch of ocean. The concierge confirms availability and helps you split the group.
How many people can stay at Odisea?
It depends on your mix of adults and children and how you want to use the bedrooms. The best move is to tell the concierge who's coming and what each generation needs. From there they'll suggest a layout and confirm what works for your family specifically.
Is a nanny available at the villa?
Yes. The concierge can arrange a nanny so parents get a dinner or an afternoon to themselves. It's best to request one in advance, especially in high season, along with the other services you want: chef, airport transfer, massages or activities. Everything is set up before arrival.
Is Junquillal a good area for kids?
It's a quiet, natural, lightly developed area with no party scene, which makes it comfortable for families who want space and calm. Ocean conditions change with the day and the tide, so check with the team on site before heading into the water with children.
