Costa Rica Family Holiday

10 Days | Make memories among the evergreen forest, towering volcanos and pristine beaches of Costa Rica

4.7 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
Family
Wildlife
From
NZD $2,980
View dates and book

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

Map of Costa Rica Family Holiday including Costa Rica
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
This trip generates 10 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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. Carry plenty of water, dress in light clothing and 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

Map of Costa Rica Family Holiday including Costa Rica

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Minivan

Accommodation

Hotels (8 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Activities
  • Santa Rosa de Pocosol - agricultural tour
  • Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Cooking Class
  • Arenal National Park - Hike and Lake
  • Monteverde - Sky Walk (Entrance)
  • Manuel Antonio - Cooking Class & Lunch
  • Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
Add on activities
  • San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD11
  • San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD16
  • 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) - USD21
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD45
  • Monteverde - Sky Tram & Sky Trek - USD84
  • Manuel Antonio – Cruise - USD95

Dates and availability

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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.

Essential Trip Information

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Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Mabli · Traveled August 2023
I really enjoyed this trip. The tour guides were lovely and explained everything well and the activities were awesome. Each place and activity was picked out really well to be suitable for all the kids on the trip. My favourite experiences were seeing wild sloths and ziplining through the cloud forest. I have loved this trip and would travel with Intrepid again. Mabli, aged 11.
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023

Joanna · Traveled August 2023
Wonderful trip experiencing the Pura Vida of Costa Rica - so many animals, delicious fruits, interesting places and so much fun for our 5 year old and us. Highly recommended!
Review submitted 13 Aug 2023

Melissa · Traveled July 2023
Great trip for families with some unique stays. No big corporate chains, a lot of learning about local living. Really great way to dive into the culture. Lots of flexibility with the schedule and more excursions.
Review submitted 07 Aug 2023

Naomi · Traveled July 2023
Amazing, well thought out, trip. Perfect for families and the right mix of activities. Our guide was very kind and helpful. Highly recommend.
Review submitted 17 Jul 2023

Nisha · Traveled July 2023
Amazing experience! Highly recommend intrepid for families. Something for everyone and well organized. Will definitely come back again!
Review submitted 18 Jul 2023
Costa Rica Family Holiday
From
NZD $2,980