9-Nights Costa Rica Family Adventure - Tailormade Journeys

Cloud forests, national parks, scores of volcanoes: all this and more can be found in Costa Rica’s Alajuela Province, which spreads north from just outside capital San José towards Nicaragua. The landscape is lush, giddy with get-up-and-go spirit whether you’re clambering through the highlands to reach volcanic craters and turquoise lagoons in Bajos del Toro, hiking to the thundering waterfalls of Las Gemelas, or learning how to brew like a local at one of the largest coffee plantations in the country.

Kick off your family adventure with a hike to Las Gemelas waterfall. Your guide leads the way down the winding trail, tracing the path of a river renowned for its light blue waters. Pause to take in heavenly pools and scenic vistas as you make your way to this hidden waterfall that plunges into a striking aquamarine basin — the perfect place to cool off. Later, explore Bajos del Toro by horseback. This four-legged foray affords riders a more immersive experience of the mountainous terrain with views of the Poás Volcano and national park along the way.

Experience spectacular Poás Volcano National Park, home to one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. Next, explore the cultivation, harvesting, roasting and tasting processes at one of Costa Rica’s largest coffee estates.

Golfito is often seen as a gateway, where surfers pass through for the record-breaking waves at Pavones and anglers cast their lines into the fjord of the Golfo Dulce. But there’s plenty to reel you back in, too – not least the nature and biodiversity of this southern slice of Costa Rican coast. On land, the canopy is home to sloths and incredible birdlife from toucans and tanagers, while anteaters and agoutis navigate the rainforest floor.

A kayaking trip through the mangroves and mudflats of Rio Esquinas reveals aquatic birdlife like ibis, egrets and anhinga. Later, an after-dark wildlife safari is accompanied by a chorus of nocturnal frogs and insects.

The sparkling Golfo Dulce is renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most exciting snorkeling spots. Whether you choose to dive in or watch from the excursion boat, the water’s exceptional clarity often reveals thriving coral reefs, pods of dolphins, rays and hawksbill turtles.

On the Nicoya Peninsula’s Pacific coast, Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s coolest hangout. Surfers are silhouetted against pear-drop-pink sunsets; fire dancers spin between tables at barefoot beach bars; roof racks creak under custom boards; and wave-chasers of all levels hop between Playa Carmen, Cocal and Hermosa. The palm-fringed white-sand beaches are heaven for surfers and sun-lovers, while day trips to Montezuma’s waterfalls or the quieter beach at Manzanillo make for a pleasant change of pace.

An ISA-certified surf instructor helps you perfect your pop-up in no time with a private lesson tailored to you and your family’s needs.

Visit the nearby beaches of Malpaís or Santa Teresa, which stand out for their beautiful palm-fringed sands and excellent surfing. Or, head to Montezuma, a former fishing town that’s blossomed into a popular hotspot. Here, a short walk upstream reveals a beautiful waterfall and basin.

Depart San José.