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Costa Rican Family Adventure

From £4360

Excluding Flights

13 Nights

Year Round

Overview

Picture your nearest and dearest zip-lining through lush rainforests, coming face-to-face with monkeys and sloths in their natural habitat, and enjoying fun in the sun on a tropical beach. Costa Rica’s unique blend of adventure, nature and culture promises unforgettable memories for every generation. With immersive multi-night stays and less time on the road, this is the perfect trip for the young and the young-at-heart – a family adventure like no other!

Your adventure begins as soon as you land with an overnight stay at Xandari Resort on the outskirts of San Jose. Spacious villas fringed by forest offer spectacular views over the city and surrounding mountains. Explore the hotel’s nature trails and enjoy a reviving dip in the pool before dinner. The next morning your hire car will be delivered ready for your short drive to Sarapiqui, a region full of lush rainforests, unique wildlife, and active adventures.

During your 3-night stay you’ll enjoy a floating river safari by raft on the Sarapiqui River, in search of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and a wealth of tropical birds. Also included are a guided night hike through the jungle, and a tasty chocolate tour.

The next stop is the region of Arenal and its majestic volcano, full of exciting outdoor experiences and a lively town, where you’ll stay for the next 4 nights. You’ll get to experience the Sky Tram & Sky Trek, an exhilarating zipline through the forest canopy. Also included is an impressive underground exploration of the Venado Caves and a fascinating Sloth Walking Tour to learn all about these amazing creatures. You’ll have plenty of time available for optional activities too, like exploring the volcano, paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or even a hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. Round off your day’s adventures with a soak in naturally heated hot pools.

From Arenal you’ll head south to Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast. Included is a visit to the stunning National Park for more wildlife spotting and a fun Catamaran Tour. There’s plenty of time at leisure too, so you can enjoy relaxed pool time or visit the nearby beaches. As your adventure comes to an end you’ll drive back to San Jose for a final night stay.

This holiday is available as a flexible self-drive exploration, and as an independent tour utilising private transfer services. 

Itinerary

Upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation on the outskirts of San Jose. This idyllic spot will ensure a great first night to relax and enjoy its beautiful surrounding nature.

After breakfast your car hire will be delivered to your hotel to start your journey to Sarapiqui, an area surrounded by dense rainforests. You’ll have the day to explore the eco lodge’s surrounds and join optional activities. A guided night tour is included this evening, a fascinating experience to learn about the area’s ‘nightlife’ and its nocturnal inhabitants including the red eyed tree frog.

Your rainforest adventure continues on the calm lower section of the Sarapiquí River, with a scenic River Floating Safari. Starting with a short ride from your hotel, professional guides will set you up before embarking on a two-hour journey on inflatable rafts. As you paddle gently, soaking in the rainforest’s sights and sounds, you may encounter wildlife like monkeys, sloths, birds, and iguanas along the riverbanks, offering glimpses into the region’s rich biodiversity.

The next day you’ll take an enlightening and tasty tour to learn about the chocolate-making process, delving into the rich history and artistry of chocolate production. Begin your journey amidst the lush surroundings of a cacao plantation, where you’ll see the cultivation and harvesting of cacao beans, discover traditional techniques and participate in hands-on activities to create your own chocolate delicacies, a real treat.

 

Sarapiqui River Floating Safari

Take a relaxing raft journey down the lower reaches of the beautiful Sarapiqui River.

Sura Indigenous Chocolate Tour, Sarapiqui

It’s thought that the Olmec civilisation were the first to transform the humble cacao plant into chocolate, nearly 4000 years ago.

After breakfast today it’s time to continue your journey to Arenal. Another scenic drive through mountains, farmland and villages will bring you to the base of the mighty Arenal, where you’ll stay for 4 nights in your selected hotel. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure to explore – perhaps visit the Arenal Park to marvel at the volcano or enjoy a soak in geothermal hot springs. The nearby town of La Fortuna features a wide choice of restaurants.

A variety of activities are included during your stay in Arenal. First up, it’s zip-lining! You’ll ascend 800 metres on the Sky Tram before unleashing your thrill-seeking spirit on the Sky Trek, a 2-hour adrenaline-pumping experience across seven zip-lines up to 200 meters high and 750 meters long.

For a complete contrast you’ll travel deep into the bowels of the earth at the Venado Caves, revealing a labyrinth of ancient underground rivers and seabeds, exposed after millions of years. Look out for the stalactite and stalagmites as well as the large bat colonies that inhabit the caves.

Finally, you’ll embark on a sloth walking tour. You’ll be equipped with binoculars to watch these cute and rare animals as they doze in the treetops. Your guide will provide expert insights into sloth behaviour, habitat preservation and local wildlife.

If you’re still feeling energetic there’s also plenty of time for optional adventures – perhaps try paddle boarding or kayaking on Arenal Lake, hike at the base of the volcano or go souvenir shopping in town.

Sky Tram and Sky Trek Zip-lining, Arenal

Soar like a bird over the rainforest canopy for unforgettable views of Arenal Volcano and the beautiful Arenal Lake.

Venado Caves Tour, Arenal

Head deep into the bowels of the earth through a labyrinth of ancient underground rivers and caverns.

Sloth Watching Walk, Arenal

The iconic sloth is top of the list for wildlife-spotting in Costa Rica - you’re may encounter both the two- and three-toed species on this guided walk.

Today you’ll drive a few hours south to one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, Manuel Antonio. As you descend towards the coast, you’ll feel a warm change in temperature and the landscapes will be adorned by the various beaches along the Pacific coast until you reach Manuel Antonio, a gorgeous spot that mixes charming white sand beaches with tropical forest full of wildlife. A 4-night stay here will allows plenty of time to try out the immense variety of activities on offer, as well as enjoy some time at the beach to relax and reflect on your Costa Rican adventure.

Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for its stunning beauty, blending crystal-clear beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforests across 683 hectares of protected land. An included guided tour into the park will offer the chance to explore its scenic trails, guided by experienced naturalists equipped with spotting scopes to observe abundant wildlife like monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more.

Also included is a Catamaran Cruise. Keep watch for possible dolphin sightings and seabirds like the brown booby and magnificent frigatebird. A snorkeling stop at a secluded bay allows you to explore underwater life, including parrotfish and starfish, before enjoying lunch onboard.

With a free day to fill as you please, why not consider a Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour (additional cost), where you can discover a vibrant ecosystem where rainforest meets the ocean. Or perhaps just take some time out to play at the beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

Picture exuberant rainforest fringed by Pacific beaches and a maze of mangroves, scattered islands and a vast lagoon – all brimming with life.

Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise

Set sail towards Manuel Antonio National Park, charting a picturesque course over the sapphire-hued ocean.

Optional Experiences

Damas Island Kayaking, Manuel Antonio

The incredible mangrove forests of Damas Island are best explored by kayak.

Local Flavour and Spice, Manuel Antonio

Embark on a gastronomic adventure that combines an organic farm tour with a hands-on culinary experience, preparing your own local Costa Rican dishes.

Today it’s time to leave behind the beaches and rainforests of Manuel Antonio and start your journey back to San Jose. You can leave early and make a stop en route for lunch at one of the beaches or villages further north, or head straight to San Jose with time to go shopping downtown or relax at your hotel.

Your family adventure comes to an end today as you make your way back to the airport for your onward journey.

Included activities

What are the minimum ages?
Ask our Travel Specialists for advice on what would be most suitable for your children. As a general guide, below are the minimum ages for the experiences featured in this holiday. We can tailor the inclusions to suit your age ranges and preferences.

  • Sarapiqui Night Hike No minimum age
  • Sarapiqui Chocolate Tour No minimum age
  • Sloth Walking Tour No minimum age
  • Catamaran Adventure Tour No minimum age
  • Sarapiqui River Floating Safari Tour Children must be aged 7 or over
  • Manuel Antonio National Park Children must be aged 7 or over
  • Sky Tram & Sky Trek Zip-lining Adventure Children must be aged 8 or over
  • Venado Caves Tour Children must be aged 8 or over

Prices & departures

What's Included

  • Accommodation in family rooms with private bathroom

  • 13 breakfasts & 1 lunch

  • Car rental with full insurance and WiFi

  • Private airport-hotel transfer on arrival

  • Sarapiqui River Floating Safari

  • Sarapiqui Night Walk

  • Sura Indigenous Chocolate Tour

  • Sky Tram & Sky Trek Zip-lining

  • Venado Caves Tour

  • Sloth Watching Walk

  • Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

  • Catamaran Adventure

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £4360 Excluding Flights

13 Nights

Year Round

Prices are per person based upon 2 adults sharing, subject to availability. Up to 2 children under 11 years travel free if sharing a room with their parents. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Should you prefer an alternative to self-driving, this holiday is also available with private transfers – please contact our Costa Rica Specialists for more details and prices.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Phoebe
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Hanging bridges walked across

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Glacier hikes

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience