This is a suggested Costa Rica family holiday itinerary. Dates, stops & activities are all flexible.
15 Days: San Jose - Tortuguero - Arenal - Monteverde - Santa Teresa - San Jose
Activities: boat excursions, turtle watching, whitewater rafting, wildlife hikes, sloth tour, bird watching, cloud forest, ziplining, beach
Day 1: Your family holiday to Costa Rica begins today! You'll arrive at San Jose airport, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time to do a walking tour around the centre of town.
Day 2: Your family adventure begins with a shared transfer to Guapiles, situated at the start of the inland canals that lead to Tortuguero National Park. During the drive you'll cross through the primary rainforest and rolling hills of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Then navigate the canals with a guide and boat from Tortuguero Lodge where, after a refreshing tropical drink and lunch, you can boat across the river to visit the Sea Turtle Museum, the beach and Tortuguero Village. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Take a 2 hour morning guided walk on nearby nature trails, before spending the afternoon encountering the incredible biodiversity found in its 11 different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps and lagoons. Despite its remote location, reachable only by airplane or boat, it is the third-most visited park in Costa Rica and its nearly 35 km beach is an important nesting ground for turtles from June-September. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Today you take a boat back to Guapiles for some lunch, then a shared transfer (max. 7 people) to the majestic Arenal volcano that, when active, sends up a cloud of smoke several times a day - sure to be a highlight for the kids! (B/L)
Day 5: Today is sure to be a memorable one for the whole family as you experience the thrill of class III rapids! Take on the mighty white water of Rio Pacuare for a half day rafting experience. After returning in the late afternoon you will have a few hours to further explore Arenal or simply relax after all the adventure. (B/L)
Day 6: Ready to spot some sloths? The Arenal area is well known for its diverse wildlife, including the two different sloth species living in Costa Rica. During this tour your main goal is to find as many sloths as possible and you are almost guaranteed to see them in the wild. On the search for these beautiful animals your expert guide will drive you around la Fortuna's beautiful spotting areas for more wildlife. Toucans, Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frogs, hummingbirds, iguanas and monkeys are among the animals that you might encounter along the journey!. (B)
Day 7: After a tasty breakfast take a shared transfer (including a boat across Lake Arenal) to the aptly-named Monteverde region - a place of magical cloud forests and coffee plantations, monkeys and mist. The afternoon is free to explore the beautiful, world-famous cloud forest reserve on a well-marked network of short or long walking trails. (B)
Day 8: No family holiday to Costa Rica would be complete without a treetop canopy walk and ziplining! While there are many canopy tours, Sky Trek is one of the biggest and we think the most fun, while still operating in harmony with the pristine forest. It features some of the longest cables in the country, well-maintained trails through the trees, suspension bridges and a super safe harnessing and pulley system that enables people of all ages to fly safely across the jungle. Don't forget your camera for this one! (B/L)
Day 9: After a relaxing morning you will be driven by private transfer to Santa Teresa and your beautiful beachside accommodation, Manala Hotel. Santa Teresa is a low-key little seaside town with just enough going on and while it is known as a surfer's paradise, it's also an excellent place to do nothing, so be prepared to just kick back and unwind. There are plenty of surf schools should you fancy having a go. The sleepy beach hamlet of Malpais lies just south and 6km beyond that you can explore Cabo Blanco National Park. (B)
Days 10 - 13: Finish the trip with 4 days of pure relaxation by the sea. Everybody enjoys the beach in different ways, so we've left the time free for you to spend however you like. (B)
Day 14: Today you bid farewell to the Pacific Ocean and return to San Jose. We will normally organise a shared shuttle bus to bring you back, but let us know if you prefer a private transfer. (B)
Day 15: Adios Costa Rica! Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to Costa Rica and head to the airport in time for your flight home, taking lots of unforgettable memories of this special country. (B)
Prices from: £2250 per person
Services included: hotels on shared room basis, meals, transfers and activities as mentioned, entry fees, English speaking guide, 24 hour assistance
Services not included: flights, drinks, tips and personal expenses
Note: We understand every family has different want and needed so stops can be extended, added or cut - just ask us!
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