Day 1 – Arrival in 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.
Day 2 – San José city tour
This morning, you’ll be picked up and taken to our local office, where you’ll be greeted with a steaming cup of Costa Rican coffee. One of our local team members will talk you through your Costa Rica trip and give you some great tips to help make the most out of your time in Costa Rica. San Jose may not be the most beautiful of cities, but there’s still fun to be had!
As some of the areas of interest are not too easy to find, we’ll map out a 2-hour walk for you around the city, with an English-speaking guide. You’ll be able to ask them any questions you might have. You’ll stop by museums, the park and the central market. Here you can learn all about typical food, tropical fruits and perhaps enjoy a delicious ice cream or a coffee. The tour will end at around lunchtime time giving you the rest of the day free.
Day 3 – 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. You’ll be staying at a comfy lodge amongst the trees where there’s a swimming pool for the kids to jump into, and a freshly prepared lunch will be served after you’ve settled into your cabin. In the afternoon, you’ll set out on your first nature tour by boat, where you’ll hopefully glimpse a sloth or two!
Day 4 – Exploring nature
Today is a full day for your family to really get in touch with nature, and you’ll head off on foot in the morning with a guide to spot some of the park’s most famous residents, such as toucans, monkeys, caimans and brightly coloured frogs. In the afternoon, you’ll hop back on the boat to visit a nearby town and then onto the beach where you can dip your toes in the ocean (just toes though – the currents can be strong around here), before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
*During turtle season (Jul-Oct) you can book an additional night tour to see the green turtles laying their eggs on the beach….a really unforgettable experience for the whole family!
Day 5 – Footsteps on the Arenal volcano
At the end of your stay in the rainforest yo,u’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 2.5 hours. 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. You’ll be staying at a lodge just outside the village with a swimming pool and a jacuzzi, with stunning views of the volcano. After arriving at your lodge, enjoy the native garden or relax on the terrace of your room before heading into the village for dinner.
Day 6 – Free time & hot springs
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, this morning is free for you to explore. You can take the easy walk to the waterfall for a refreshing swim, visit the national park and see the majestic volcano – whether it’s covered in clouds or sunshine-soaked, it’s always a must-see when visiting La Fortuna. After a morning of exploring, you and your family will head to one of the smaller hot springs where you can all enjoy these naturally heated pools.
Days 7 – Head to 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. Your home for the next two nights is a lodge nestled in lush gardens, within walking distance to the town. Here you’ll find a range of restaurants, shops and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. The frog pond is a great place to learn all about the many species in Costa Rica, including the lesser seen nocturnal varieties if you visit after dark!
Day 8 – Monetverde cloud forest walk
This morning, you and your family will learn about the biodiversity in the cloud forest as you cross hanging bridges high above the forest floor with an expert guide. Most of the animals here are nocturnal, so the tour is geared towards the diverse plants, but if you look really closely, you might spot a sleeping sloth 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.
Day 9 – 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.
Day 10 – Surfing in Samara
Today, we’ll arrange a surfing lesson with a local expert, so the kids (and maybe you too?) can learn the basics. You can even rent boards afterwards, and the surf is ideal for beginners. If your kids start to get restless, then you can arrange dolphin spotting, snorkelling trips, rent a quad bike or even go ziplining. In the evenings, you can sit by the sea with a drink or two – total relaxation!
Day 11 – Free time in Samara
Let’s not beat around the bush – the whole point of adding a little beach time into your holiday is to not do very much, and that’s exactly what you can choose to do! After breakfast, you can pop down to the quiet beach, and the kids can mess around in the sand and dip their toes in the Pacific. The town itself has everything you need: places to eat and drink, and a little supermarket too.
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 beachside 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.
Day 13 & 14 – Manuel Antonio National Park tour and free time
This morning, you’ll learn about Costa Rica’s wildlife with a visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll take a guided tour to learn about the flora and fauna, and spot even the smallest and well-camouflaged inhabitants of the rainforest. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish, so head to the beach or spot more wildlife in the National Park.
The following day is free to spend exploring the National Park or hanging out at the pool or the beach.
Day 15 – Departure from Costa Rica
Today, your stay in Manuel Antonio comes to an end, and you’ll head back to San Jose for your flight home. The drive is around 3 hours. If you would prefer to stay near the airport for your last night, just let your travel specialist know.
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!