During our Trafalgar Costa Rica Nature Adventure tour, my 10-year-old daughter suddenly said, “I think this is the longest I’ve gone without hanging out with kids.” She seemed more curious than bothered by being the only child in a group of adults ranging from their late 20s to late 70s.

As the sole kid on the tour, my daughter Vivi effortlessly adjusted to the adult environment, a shift I hadn’t fully considered. It must have been quite a change for her, especially coming from a background where she was often surrounded by siblings and cousins, to be in an adult setting all day. When I asked her about her feelings, she paused before replying, “I think it’s kinda cool. It’s a bit odd that there are no other kids, but everyone is really nice, and we’re doing so many fun things.”

Initially, I didn’t plan to take her on an adult-focused tour in Costa Rica. We had been looking forward to an adventure together for years, and Costa Rica—with its incredible wildlife—felt ideal. We had signed up for Trafalgar’s family tour called Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes, but when our intended tour date was canceled, we switched to the adult-focused one. Vivi was thrilled at the prospect of seeing sloths and quickly agreed to this new plan, despite the possibility of being the only child.

And she truly was. On the first night during dinner, as everyone introduced themselves, I could see people glancing at her, intrigued as she waited for her turn to talk. After dinner, several adults approached her first, then turned to engage me.

By the second day, I recognized a special vibe in the tour. The group included honeymooners, retired diplomats, and a pair of cousins in their 20s who had won the trip on Wheel of Fortune. Vivi’s presence naturally encouraged the grandparents and those who seemed like grandparents in the group (and there were many), who comfortably included her in conversations and kept a watchful eye on her during our adventures in Costa Rica, which involved small boat rides, ziplining, hiking, and swimming.

Traveling felt like being with a big extended family. By the second day, while many were still learning names, everyone already knew Vivi’s and she knew theirs. During the hot evenings, many group members gathered at the hotel pool after dinner, and she received multiple invitations to join them (I tagged along too). After she briefly became upset from enduring two hours of ziplining in the pouring rain at Monteverde Cloud Forest, fellow traveler Marg sang a fun call-and-response song while we walked along, which was exactly what Vivi needed in that moment. As a solo parent, it was comforting to feel I had extra support when I really needed it.

Considering taking your child on a tour primarily designed for adults? Here are some important points to think about.

Ensure it’s the right tour for your child

It’s crucial to ensure your child is genuinely interested in the destination, especially when considering a tour not specifically aimed at families.

The Costa Rica trip worked perfectly for us because my daughter loves wildlife and enjoys taking nature photos. Many others in the group shared similar interests, creating a common conversation starter revolving around nature, making engagement easy for everyone, regardless of age.

Understand your child’s personality

Being the only young person on a tour primarily for adults can be challenging for kids. These types of tours often have less time for playful activities, leading to more sitting and listening, with events sometimes designed with adults in mind.

However, it might suit older kids who enjoy adult company or have longer attention spans. One young traveler, Vivi, expressed her appreciation, saying, “Everyone is so nice to me and makes me feel included,” as she drifted off to sleep one evening.

When possible, choose a guide experienced with families

Victor, our guide, not only led Trafalgar’s Costa Rica Nature Adventure but also their family-oriented tour, Monkeys, Jungles, and Volcanoes. Right from the start, it was clear how adept he was at engaging Vivi while also catering to the needs of the adult guests—definitely a mark of a skilled family tour leader.

It’s not always feasible to meet the guide beforehand, but during the booking process, you might inquire about them. Guides with a background in leading family tours often bring a unique touch that can enhance the experience for families traveling with children.

Pack helpful tools to ensure your child’s enjoyment

Considering my daughter had different needs compared to the adults, we prepped to ensure she had what she needed for the journey, especially during tougher stretches.

We brought two quart-sized bags loaded with almonds, trail mix bars, dried fruit, and various easy snacks so she could munch whenever she felt hungry (she can get quite hangry!).

A camera also proved to be a fantastic way to keep my 10-year-old engaged, particularly on lengthy wildlife boat rides and hikes. It gave her something to do besides sitting still—she could frame shots, zoom in on animals, and compose her photographs.

One of my smartest decisions during the trip was downloading an audiobook to share during our longer travel days. This gave us something exciting to look forward to and made the time fly by, especially since we were both immersed in the storyline (it was the second book in Megan Whalen Turner’s “The Thief” series).

As it was quite warm in Costa Rica, we made sure that her bathing suit was always accessible. A refreshing dip in a cool pool before dinner can really revive you after a day packed with activities.

Keep in mind their age

There were times—like an hour into an exploration of Monteverde Cloud Forest’s history or during a lengthy bus ride—when I noticed Vivi becoming a bit restless. When I later checked in with her, she mentioned, “I sometimes zone out a bit, but it was interesting overall,” indicating that the length of the activities was simply too long for her young attention span.

By keeping in mind her age and that she wasn’t a mini adult, while also wanting to respect the adults who were focused on the discussion, I sought compromises. This would often mean giving Vivi a napkin and a pen to doodle during lengthy rides, allowing her to enjoy a video game for a while, or handing her the camera to explore and take her own pictures. And, naturally, ensuring she had breaks when necessary.

She enjoys time in the pool daily, allowing her to expend energy and cool off.

Even though this wasn’t specifically a kid-friendly tour, we would definitely do it again without hesitation. Being part of a guided experience allowed us to learn together with the comfort of knowing everything was organized. This way, we could truly enjoy our time together and explore this unique location for the first time.

This article “I took my kid on a mostly adults tour. Here’s why I’d do it again in a heartbeat” was originally published on FamilyVacationist.com.

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The views and opinions shared in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YSL News. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com operate under Vacationist Media LLC. We curate family vacation ideas, destinations, all-inclusive resorts, and classic vacation options for all family members based on the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology. TourScoop focuses on guided group tours, tour operator reviews, itineraries, and travel gear recommendations.