With fun-filled activities, jungle-fringed beaches and magical wildlife including monkeys and sloths, there is no better place than Costa Rica for a family holiday to remember. Costa Rica's rainforests, cloud forests, volcanic national parks and rushing river valleys play host to an array of activities that cater to children of all ages. Younger visitors will love seeking out colourful wildlife in the jungle and crossing canopy bridges through the treetops, while older children are spoiled for choice with thrilling adventure options which range from white water rafting and kayaking to exhilarating canopy zip lining through the cloud forest. Weary parents are not overlooked, with a carefully selected range of luxury hotels offering plentiful opportunities to relax in thermal springs and by the spectacular Pacific coastline.
COSTA RICA FAMILY ADVENTURE
HIGHLIGHTS
- Search for sloths in the tropical forests surrounding the Arenal Volcano
- Stay in a magical rainforest lodge accessed by a rafting safari
- Fly through the Monteverde Cloud Forest treetops on a canopy zip lining adventure
- Unwind in picture-postcard Manuel Antonio where the jungle meets the Pacific Ocean
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in San Jose
Arrive in the Costa Rican capital today where you will be met at the airport by a private driver. You will then be transferred to your colourful coffee plantation hotel set in beautiful tropical gardens.
Overnight: Finca Rosa Blanca
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Day 2 Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Estate & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
After a delicious first breakfast at Finca Rosa Blanca, meet your private driver-guide who will escort you on a tour through some of the most interesting places to visit in the Central Valley. Begin with an enjoyable insight into your morning brew with an interactive tour of the Doka Coffee Estate before continuing on to the Poas Volcano. The crater of Poas is one of the largest active volcanic craters in the world, with steam and mist constantly swirling around the enormous crater lake. Your guide will accompany you around the trails of the national park before you continue on to the beautiful La Paz Waterfall Gardens to round off your day.
Overnight: Finca Rosa Blanca
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Day 3 To Pacuare Lodge
Today you will be collected from your hotel to begin the incredibly scenic journey to Pacuare by road and white-water raft. The final section of your journey takes you through a pristine river valley surrounded by lush rainforest. After a well-deserved first lunch at the lodge, you may wish to take a guided hike through the lodge's protected forest to a waterfall, or simply relax and begin absorbing the tranquillity of these memorable rainforest surroundings.
Overnight: Pacuare Lodge
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Day 4 - 5 Activities from Pacuare Lodge
Enjoy two full days to enjoy all that Pacuare Lodge has to offer. This is without doubt one of the most remarkable lodges in the country, and not just because of its magnificent location. A wealth of small group activities are on offer to keep the whole family amused, from canyoning, waterfall hikes and ziplining to chocolate tours or a fascinating visit to a Cabécar community to learn about traditional indigenous customs and beliefs.
Overnight: Pacuare Lodge
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Day 6 To Arenal
Bid farewell to Pacuare Lodge in memorable style as you take a thrilling white rafting expedition through the valley. Refuel with a gourmet picnic stop along the way before continuing your journey out and on to your hotel in the Arenal Volcano region.
Overnight: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
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Day 7 Free time in Arenal
Spend a day at leisure to enjoy your Arenal hotel or take advantage of some of the fabulous activities that can be arranged in the area. Gain an elevated view of the volcano and surrounding forests from the Arenal hanging bridges, or as part of an exciting aerial tram and zip lining circuit. Go kayaking or paddle boarding on Lake Arenal, or remain on dry land with a riding or mountain biking expedition. Alternatively venture into the Arenal Volcano National Park and walk through tropical forest to explore the old lava flows.
Overnight: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
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Day 8 Searching for sloths
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide who will take you on a leisurely excursion through the forests surrounding Arenal in search of one of their most famous residents - the sloth. You will be taken to the favourite hiding places of the two-toed and three-toed sloths, and you may well spot other fascinating creatures along the way including howler monkeys and colourful toucans. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the fabulous facilities at your hotel which include a swimming pool and fabulous complex of hot springs.
Overnight: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
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Day 9 To the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Today you will take an incredibly scenic journey to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, crossing the vast expanse of Lake Arenal by boat. Having traversed the deep blue waters, you will continue by road to your cosy mountain hotel in the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to recover from the journey and start settling into your cloud forest surroundings.
Overnight: Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
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Day 10 Cloud forest canopy walkways & zip lining
There is no better setting than the Monteverde Cloud Forest to try canopy ziplining, and that is what you will experience today on a thrilling circuit through the treetops. You will also be able to enjoy a more leisurely overview of the cloud forest at canopy level as you explore a network of canopy walkways through the treetops. The afternoon is free for you to relax or perhaps stroll into town to explore its shops, cafes and restaurants.
Overnight: Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
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Day 11 To Manuel Antonio
Leave the cooler climes of the cloud forest behind and take a private transfer to Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. This beachfront resort boasts golden sand beaches which fringe the tropical rainforest, home to plentiful wildlife. The best hotels in Manuel Antonio cling to the hillside looking out over the spectacular turquoise bay, and your base for the coming days is the best luxury resort in the region.
Overnight: Arenas del Mar
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Day 12 - 13 Beach relaxation in Manuel Antonio
Take some time to relax in the beautiful coastal setting of Manuel Antonio. Your resort offers access to two different beaches, as well as two ocean-facing swimming pools. Should you find yourselves getting restless, the nearby national park offers opportunities to spot sloths and monkeys on its forest trails, and enormous iguanas scuttling along its pristine beaches. Surfing lessons, paddle boarding and mangrove kayaking are just some of the additional activities that can be arranged.
Overnight: Arenas del Mar
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Day 14 Depart
Depart Manuel Antonio today with a private transfer to San Jose airport in plenty of time for your flight home.
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| Low season | $ 8,650 |
| Mid season | $ 9,634 |
| High season | $ 10,508 |
BOOKING NOTES
- Price is per person based on two adults and two children sharing a family room in all hotels, except at Arenas del Mar where an interconnecting room and suite are included.
- The minimum age for white water rafting to / from Pacuare Lodge is 12 years old. Land transportation is available as an alternative.
- Some activities at the lodges included incur an additional cost.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast, all meals at Pacuare Lodge, and one lunch in the Central Valley.
- All transfers on a private basis (excluding group transfers operated by the lodges).
- Activities detailed in the itinerary, with guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance
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REASONS TO BOOK
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