10 Days | Make memories among the evergreen forest, towering volcanos and pristine beaches of Costa Rica
Discover the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica – and the culture shaped by the tropical wilderness – with your loved ones, on a trip that’s tailored for families. Pick produce and make dinner with a local family during an agricultural homestay, look for three-toed sloths in the thickets of the Manuel Antonio National Park and walk through the canopy of Monteverde’s cloud forest on a suspended bridge. Take a break from active adventure by soaking in springs heated by Arenal Volcano and lying beneath swaying palms on pristine beaches while the kids play nearby. This adventure takes you into the wild heart of a country many visit but few truly know.
Trip overview
- Start
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Finish
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Theme
- Family, Wildlife
- Destinations
- Costa Rica
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 5
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- QCFM
- Go beyond a biology lesson and immerse yourself in nature, from spotting rare birds in Monteverde to listening for the evocative call of howler monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Harvest produce and come together to cook a rustic meal from scratch during a homestay with family in an agricultural community.
- Get active on guided walks through forest and jungle, plus an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
- Family holidays aren’t always relaxing, but this trip offers plenty of opportunities to take it slow in thermal springs and pools and on beaches.
- End this adventure by hitting Manuel Antonio National Park, where the evergreen forest grows right up to the long, white beaches and irresistible water.
- Make sure you pack some sturdy and comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking around cities and towns and through forests and jungles on this trip.
- There are a few days of long travel on this trip as you’ll be covering a lot of Costa Rican ground. These drives are along smooth roads in new and comfortable vehicles, and are great for games, chats and scenery spotting. You’ll also make interesting stops along the way to break up the longer drives.
- Is it hot in here? You’re in tropical Central America so it can get very humid, although nighttime and locations at higher elevations can get chilly. Carry plenty of water, dress in light clothing and bring a waterproof jacket. We’ll give you every opportunity to cool off with a swim.
- With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Private Minivan
Hotels (8 nights), Homestay (1 night)
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - agricultural tour
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Cooking Class
- Arenal National Park - Hike and Lake
- Monteverde - Sky Walk (Entrance)
- Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - Butterfly farm - USD10
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Thermal Waters - USD45
- La Fortuna - Hike to La Fortuna Waterfal - USD18
- La Fortuna - Sky Tram & Sky Trek - USD89
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Sky Tram & Sky Trek - USD84
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise - USD100
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Age restrictions apply to this trip: minimum age 5 years old. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
2. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 or younger at the time of travel.
3. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays to provide this information may result in changes to your itinerary, and we will not be able to guarantee entry. Details provided must be accurate as per your passport bio page.
4. First day - there will be a group meeting at 5 pm on Day 1
Last day - no activities are planned for your last day, so you can depart at any time.
5. The minimum age for white water rafting on the Pacuare River is 12 years (day 6). Any children under 12 will not be able to participate in this optional activity.
6. A single supplement is available on this trip with the exception of Day 2 at the homestay.
7. Costa Rica is a tropical country, so rain can be excepted at any time. The rainy season in Costa Rica runs from May – November. While July and some of August does experience dry spells, families need to be prepared for the rain. Rain does usually come in the afternoons, and it can pour. So you will need to be prepared with wet weather gear. Hurricane season in this region is from June to November, when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services can occur. Intrepid monitors any situations that arise and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.
8. Many hotels outside of San Jose have been built further out from the centre of town so travellers can enjoy the countryside, rainforests and views, where people can wake up to birds, not cars. Many of the hotels we use are in such locations.
9. Costa Rican food is known for being fairly mild, with high reliance on fresh fruit and vegetables. Rice and black beans are a staple of most traditional Costa Rican meals. Meals in Costa Rican are more expensive than its neighbouring countries.
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