Costa Rica: Pura Vida en Familia
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Strolling Through San Jose
Costa Rica’s capital might not be top of your family’s must-do list, but the city has its Latin charms and is a pleasant place to start your journey through the country. You’ll be transferred to a comfy hotel with a pool just outside of the city centre, where you can recharge your batteries and set out to explore the city at your own pace. Whether you’re travelling by hire car or transfers, we’ll have made all the arrangements for you and you’ll also meet with our local partners who’ll be there to support you throughout your trip.
Days 3-5 – Wildlife & waterways of Tortuguero
From San Jose, you’ll be picked up by coach for the journey through the mountains to the east coast, and to Tortuguero. After about 3 hours you’ll stop for refreshments, before switching to a boat for the final 90 minutes of your journey into the rainforest. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
For the next couple of days you’ll be taking your family back to nature as you stay in the lush Parque Nacional Tortuguero – a breeding ground for sea turtles, and home to sloths, monkeys, toucans, caimans, river otters and a whole host of birdlife. The park is full of waterways cutting through the jungle and you’ll set out to explore them by boat, and on foot, with experienced local guides who’ll know exactly where to look for all that wildlife the kids (and adults) will love.
You’ll spend 2 nights at a comfy lodge amongst the trees, with a swimming pool for the children and freshly prepared food throughout your stay. If you’re travelling during turtle season (July to October) then you can arrange a night tour with the lodge, to see the green turtles laying their eggs on the beach….a really unforgettable experience for the whole family, if you get the chance!
Days 5-7 – Footsteps on the Arenal volcano
At the end of your stay in the rainforest you’ll travel around 3 hours by boat and bus to nearby Guapiles, where you’ll jump on the shuttle bus, or pick up your hire car to head to La Fortuna, a journey of roughly 2.5hrs. La Fortuna is home to the famous Arenal Volcano, a lush destination full of nature and adventure – something for all the family. Despite La Fortuna becoming more and more popular, it still maintains that ‘small-town’ feeling and is the perfect place to explore the greenery of Costa Rica. Take a wander around the national park, over the volcanoes or head into the waterfalls for a slightly cold but refreshing dip before visiting the stunning hot springs for some relaxation.
Whilst here you’ll also take a night tour with a local guide to find all the different frogs living in the forest.
Days 7-9 – Head in the cloud forest – Monteverde
Next, we’ll arrange for a jeep and boat transfer to take you from your hotel in La Fortuna to your hotel in Monteverde, which should take about 3 hours. If you’re driving you’ll take a bumpy road and perhaps along the way stop off at a cafe. Driving time is usually about 4 hours.
Over the next few days, you and your family will explore the cloud forests of Monteverde, a hilltop town with a laid back feel and plenty of family-friendly activities. You’ll stay in a lodge on the outskirts of town, perfect for getting back to nature. You’ll explore the tree-tops on a guided walk through the cloud forest as you cross hanging bridges high above the forest floor, learning about the biodiversity of the plants here and keeping your eyes peeled for sleeping sloths high up in the trees. If your kids are adrenaline-junkies then we can also add on a gondola ride and zip lining, just ask your Travel Specialist.
Days 9-12 – Sand & surf in Samara
Next, you’ll jump in your hire car or hop aboard the shuttle bus for the journey to the Pacific Coast, and the town of Samara, around 3 hours away. Relax and play around on the quiet beaches of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. You’ll stay in a small-scale hotel with a pool in the little beach town of Samara, where life moves at a snail’s pace and you can spend a few days reading your book whilst the kids splash around in the sea. The waves here are perfect for learning to surf too, and we’ll arrange a lesson to get you all started! You can arrange dolphin spotting, snorkelling trips, rent a quad bike or even go zip lining. In the evenings you can sit by the sea with a cocktail or two – total relaxation!
Days 12-14 – Beaches & monkeys of Manuel Antonio
Next up you’ll head south along the coast to Manuel Antonio, either in your hire car or by private transfer, around 5hrs away. Over the next few days you can kick back at the coast with a visit to the beach-side town of Manuel Antonio. This gem on the Pacific coast is famous for its National Park, a great place to spot animals in the jungle. The area also has great sandy beaches, lots of choices for dining out and some of the best family hotels in Costa Rica. You’ll stay in a hotel close to the ocean with an inviting pool and an on-site restaurant.
During your stay you’ll take a trip inland to an animal sanctuary, originally set up by two 9-year-old girls back in 1999! Here you and your family will learn about the individual animals and the issues they face, along with some of the initiatives the sanctuary is implementing to help solve them. The rest of your time here is free to spend exploring the National Park or hanging out at the pool or the beach. Next, you’ll take the 3 hour trip to the outskirts of San Jose, either by hire car or by shuttle bus.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Travel by Hire Car
For a little extra freedom, you can choose to travel by hire car. Aside from the occasional pothole on the rural roads, driving in Costa Rica is pretty easy and stress-free, and we think it’s a really lovely and adventurous way to explore the country. You’ll have a modern SUV car complete with GPS and insurance cover, so you’re all good to go!
