Costa Rica Family Adventure Tour

Our journey begins in San José, Costa Rica’s vibrant capital. Founded in 1738 and set in a fertile valley blanketed in a lush abundance of coffee and sugar cane plantations, the city is one of the youngest and most cosmopolitan capital’s in Central America. It is also our gateway onto Costa Rica’s abundant natural treasures.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Swimming available

Leaving the city behind this morning we head first for one of Costa Rica’s most visited volcanoes, located just a 2 hour drive from the capital. Poas Volcano lies amongst the lush landscapes of the Volcan Poas National Park, a 5600 hectare haven that surrounds two volcanic craters and contains an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. The park is home to nearly 80 species of birds, as well as coyotes, skunks and the endemic Poas green-yellow squirrel, whilst a number of well kept trails surrounding the rim of the crater allow us see into the volcano below. These rich volcanic slopes provide the perfect growing conditions for many of Costa Rica’s famous coffee plantations and after visiting the park we will continue by way of the Doka Estate in Sabanilla Alajuela, to enjoy a tour of one of the country’s finest estates. Coffee has been produced here for over 70 years and the estate is home to the oldest humid coffee processing plant in the country, declared an architectural treasure in 2003. The final leg of our journey today then sees us skirting the great central volcanic massif, passing a patchwork of fertile farmland as we make our way towards the classic cone of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano. A smoking giant that rises to 1633m, one side of the volcano lies enveloped beneath a tangled mass of vegetation, whilst the other is barren and scarred by the constant flow of molten lava.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Today we enjoy a trek through the forest that introduces us to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. Taking a short 4WD journey into the tropical rainforest on the outskirts of the town of Arenal, we spend the morning trekking and rappelling through a landscape of incredible natural beauty. In the company of experienced and fully trained guides, we will rappel down cascading waterfalls into a timeless jungle landscape, inhabited by sloths, monkeys and parrots. No experience is necessary and all safety equipment and instruction will be provided. Returning to our hotel after lunch, the rest of the afternoon is free with a number of optional activities available should you wish to continue in the adventurous mood. Later this afternoon we have an included visit to the nearby Hot Springs, to enjoy the facilities of one of the area’s most expansive thermal areas.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

This morning we visit the still active Arenal Volcano. Set in an area of national park covering some 9,884 acres, the volcano has been constantly active since the late 1960s and that, along with the impressive manmade Lake Arenal (the largest in Costa Rica) has helped the area to regenerate through tourism. After taking a closer look at the volcano we continue north east, towards the Nicaraguan border and the incredible biodiversity of Sarapiqui, home to the endangered Green Macaw. Famed for its rich natural diversity, its outdoor festivals and its sense of adventure, Sarapiqui is home to a number of national parks and reserves and this afternoon we pay a visit to the Bat Centre. Bats represent an astonishing 50% of all Costa Rica’s mammal and 12% of the total bat species worldwide, so this illuminating 2 hour night time tour should prove both educational and fascinating.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner Swimming available

Costa Rica has been rated as one of the best white water rafting destinations in the world, so this morning we tackle the foaming torrents of the Sarapiqui River. Classified as a Grade III river, the Sarapiqui is fringed by lush vegetation that provides an ideal refuge for toucans, monkeys, parrots and all manner of birdlife, making it the perfect setting to combine exhilarating rafting with some stunning natural backdrops. We will travel with an experienced rafting company who will supply equipment, safety training and lunch, so sit back, hold on and enjoy! After lunch, the afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure and you might like to spend it on a canopy tour; zipping through the trees on wires and flying across the forest and the river below. Later this afternoon we will pay a visit to a local school.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

Driving towards Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline today we head for the beaches of Punta Uva, lying between Playa Chiquita and Manzanillo. En route we will stop to visit Cahuita National Park, an area of protected beaches and lowlands that is a nesting ground for sea turtles. Its offshore reefs include 35 species of coral, 44 different types of crustaceans and over 120 species of fish, whilst its coastal forests are home to sloths, mantled howlers and a staggering diversity of birds. We’ll spend some time here, swimming and exploring and take lunch at a local restaurant, before heading on to Punta Uva later this afternoon.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Swimming available

This morning we head back to Cahuita to enjoy some more snorkelling in the clear waters of the Caribbean. The offshore waters here are calm and very safe, whilst the beach itself is one of the best anywhere along this coast. Close to the reefs you can find a wide array of colourful reef fish, as well as lobster, crabs and white shrimps. These seas are also a haven for green turtles, so there is always a chance you may spot one amongst the coral. Please be aware that the shallow water closer to the beach can be quite rough and is not recommended for swimming. We will be taking you farther out, to the calmer waters beyond the surf, which is almost like being in a salt water swimming pool, making it ideal conditions for beginners. After lunch the afternoon is free to try your hand at surfing, or return to Punta Uva to spend a final day relaxing on the beach, listening to reggae and chilling out Caribbean style.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Swimming available

Included meals: Breakfast