Vacation Overview
Tour Details
Costa Rica Family Experience
Nothing brings learning to life like real-world experience. This week-long trip’s engaging lesson plan gives kids an education in biology and ecology that can never be found in a textbook. Here, spend the days (and nights!) studying the flora and fauna that inhabit the cloud forest and Manuel Antonio National Park. Elsewhere, get in touch with the land by rappelling, rafting, swimming, horseback-riding, and even surfing all over it. Science + gym? You do the math.
Highlights
Kick back on Costa Rica's pristine beaches, visit a local family to learn to make tortillas, spot nature in a dense cloud forest, enjoy the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park, kayak and paddle-board in La Fortuna.
Accommodation
Hotels (8 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 20, avg 10
Meals Included
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Tortilla Making and Local Lunch, La Fortuna
Your Hands-On Moment: Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour), Arenal
Your Hands-On Moment: Kayak Lake Arenal, La Fortuna
Your Discover Moment: Monteverde. Arrival transfer. Kayaking and paddle-boarding in La Fortuna. Guided cloud forest night walk (Monteverde). Guided hike in Manuel Antonio NP. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Daily Itinerary
G Adventures: Costa Rica Family Experience
Day 1: San José
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Amid the hustle and bustle of this busy capital, San José has beautiful parks, museums and an ornate National Theatre. Start your exploration of the city in the central plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
Day 2: San José/La Fortuna
Set off from the capital and enjoy the countryside of the Central Valley. Stop for a tortilla-making lesson, along with a typical Costa Rican lunch.
A three-hour van trip brings us to La Fortuna, near the base of the spectacular Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is a great base for active adventures. Along the way, stop to meet Doña Mara and learn the art of making (and eating!) tortillas. Once we arrive, there's time to relax in the hot springs that are heated by the volcano's lava. During our stay in La Fortuna, there is a wide selection of activities sure to please every member of the family. From river rafting, to rappelling down waterfalls, to floating along the canals of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in search of caiman, there is no excuse to be bored!
Day 3: La Fortuna
Take to the lake for a morning of stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking on Lake Arenal, before a free afternoon.
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 4: La Fortuna/Monteverde
Travel by bus and boat through the stunning Costa Rican scenery up into the cloud forest. Take an included guided night walk to learn about nocturnal life in the jungle firsthand.
From La Fortuna, we make our way first by boat, then by van up the rough mountain roads to reach the fresh misty air of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Spend two days exploring the community and nearby forest, truly a bird lover’s paradise.
Day 5: Monteverde
Enjoy a free day in this lush cloud forest region. Opt to fly above the trees on a canopy zipline tour, go horseback riding in the hills or visit the butterfly garden.
Day 6: Monteverde/Manuel Antonio
Travel to Manuel Antonio and enjoy free time for several optional activities like mangrove kayaking, surf lessons, a sunset catamaran tour, or take some time to relax on the beach.
The white sand beaches and warm Pacific waters are the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. Manuel Antonio NP offers excellent hiking, spectacular views, and abundant wildlife viewing. An included hike goes deep into the park, to explore everything that can be found here. Enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches and discover why the warm turquoise water is ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking, boogie boarding, sailing or surfing - the perfect finale to an exciting family adventure!Overnight in Manuel Antonio.
Day 7: Manuel Antonio
Take a guided hike through the national park keeping an eye out for the wildlife that can be seen through the trees.
Day 8: Manuel Antonio/San José
Free morning to enjoy more time at the beach. Return to San José in the afternoon. Free evening in San José.
After one final morning to soak up the sun on the beach in Manuel Antonio, we return to San José, and have time to enjoy one final evening together with our group.
Day 9: San José
Depart at any time.