Family Adventure Holiday In Costa Rica

Arrive San Jose and check-in at hotel. San Jose lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150m. Coffee and sugar cane are grown in this area and coffee is still planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Swimming available

This morning we’ll head up to Volcan Poas National Park where the smoking volcano rises majestically from the beautiful tropical rainforest. The main crater is one of the largest in the world and there are many trails, one of which leads to a forest fringed lake where fiery throated humming birds can be seen feeding on colourful flowers. Alternatively, depending on cloud level, we may drive up a winding road to the top of Irazu Volcano – on a clear day (and with luck) it is possible to see both the Caribbean and the Pacific. In the afternoon we make an orientation tour of San José to get a feel for the city centre and main sights, including the National Museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

We drive to Cartago, the old colonial capital until 1823, situated at the foot of the Irazu volcano and encircled by mountains. We continue through coffee farming land to the town of Turrialba where we will visit the fascinating Serpentarium. In the late afternoon, your tour leader may be able to organise a visit to a typical ‘Finca’, where you can enjoy dinner prepared in a traditional family way (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

A short bus journey brings us to the excavated Indian ceremonial centre at Guayabo, dating from AD 1000 to 1400. Here it is possible to see the excavated remains of village life as paved streets and water channels have been uncovered. The rest of the day is left free for personal exploration. This afternoon we can do some whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye river, depending on the season and water levels. It’s a good fun ride with plenty of birds in the trees along the banks (grade II-III).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

This morning we drive through extensive banana plantations to Cano Blanco where we board our boat to cruise through the jungle waterways to Tortuguero. Partly artificial, created from narrow lagoons, and partly natural, a complex canal system links small isolated settlements. The rivers are rich in fish, including the unique fresh water shark, rainbow bass and grouper and support an abundance of birds such as heron, stork and kingfisher amongst others. We stay in a lodge inside National Park.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

A full day to explore the Park. At certain times of the year green turtles, leatherbacks and occasionally loggerheads can be seen struggling ashore to lay their eggs (leatherbacks can weigh up to 700lbs). Every year between June and September over five thousand turtles come ashore to nest on Tortuguero’s beaches (optional). There are many other animal species to watch out for such as the howler monkey noisily protecting its territory. The osprey, toucan, parrot and humming bird are amongst the hundreds of birds to be spotted whereas the ocelot, jaguar and tapir are shy and elusive. There is a full programme of included and optional excursions by boat and on foot to get the most out of this unique environment.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Swimming available

This morning we travel by boat on this system of waterways, seemingly impenetrable with dense vegetation. In fact 33% of the jungle’s total biomass is made up of ants and termites. We return the way we came to Cano Blanco from where we contine to Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui. Arriving at our hotel early afternoon, the rest of the day is free to relax, looking for frogs or fishing in the pools. We can have a refreshing dip in the Rio Sarapiqui.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Swimming available

This morning we set off skirting the great central volcanic massif, past fertile farmlands, rich with a diversity of tropical crops. Arriving in Fortuna, we may be afforded a sight of Arenal Volcano. This classic cone, which rises to 1,633m is covered by a tangled mass of vegetation on one side while the other is starkly barren and lava flows are visible. This afternoon we drive to the Mirador del Silencio Reserve where we take a short nature trail observing endemic flora and fauna at the foot of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoe.

Overnight Standard Hotel Swimming available

This area is rich in possibilities. Time may be spent whitewater rafting or walking to a spectacular waterfall, where it is possible to swim. We recommend an evening bathe in the nearby thermal baths (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Continuing west, rounding the lake we cross the continental divide and enter into Guanacaste Province, which is named after the national tree. Throughout the dry season the region displays a succession of glorious colours through the blooms of the unique dryforest trees such as the scarlet Royal Poinciana or the Malinche tree. We drive up a winding road towards the Monteverde cloud forest – acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics – and our accommodation in a village near the Reserve. This afternoon we have some free time to enjoy a number of nearby attractions, including the orchid gardens and frog pools, then in the evening you can take part in an optional forest walk to see such delights as Tarantulas!

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

The resplendent Quetzal is best spotted early in the day and is fairly commonly seen in Monteverde particularly in March and April, the breeding months. With the aid of a local guide, we hope to catch a glimpse of these mystical birds whose feathers were traded as valuable items throughout pre-Columbian America. We can spend the day in and around the reserve walking the paths that wind their way through gigantic ferns and giant trees dripping with lichen and moss. In the afternoon there are various optional activites available, including hanging walkways or swing through the trees like Tarzan on a canopy tour! Very safe wire walkways strung from towers amongst the trees suspend you at canopy height for a perfect view. Alternatively you could visit the Santa Elana Reserve, an area of cloudforest owned and protected by school children around the world.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

From the cloud forest we descend to the Pacific coast enjoying staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south,we cross the Rio Tarcoles bridge from which huge crocodiles are regularly seen, we then pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this transitional forest, before continuing along the Pacific coast to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Today we explore the Manuel Antonio park area, famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife which includes white-faced Capuchin monkeys (who can be seen coming down to the beach), coatimundi, sloth and the tiny squirrel monkey. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the beautiful white sandy beaches, enjoying a swim in the warm azure waters. The sunsets from this coast have to be seen to be believed!

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

After a morning relaxing, we leave the Pacific Ocean at about Midday, following the road back the way we came to Costa Rica’s capital.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Depending on your departure time this morning youi may wish to take an optional visit to La Paz Waterfalls with an option of an included lunch.

Included meals: Breakfast