Costa Rica Family Experience
Experience Overview
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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1840
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle, boat, walking
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget, Family
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: CRFA
Starts: San José, Costa Rica
Finishes: San José, Costa Rica
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- 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
Accommodation
- Hotels (8 nts).
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
- Private vehicle, boat, walking
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,249 ($250 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
David S. - Traveled, November 2023
I would recommend to a family looking for an authentic group travel experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Caroline B. - Traveled, November 2023
Very well organised trip, this is our 3rd family adventure with a different company each time. Only downside is that you need to accommodate the younger travellers especially if there is a large time difference! If we say we don't want to do something because the kids are beside themselves with exhaustion, please respect our decision
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Paul B. - Traveled, November 2023
Good locations, good trip, format, sustainable tourism
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Daniel G. - Traveled, November 2023
Great activities, peace of mind, fun times
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Melanie Z. - Traveled, November 2023
Overall, I had a great experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Irene M. - Traveled, October 2023
Every touch point and engagement with G Adventures was fantastic. From booking and preparing, through to the tour itself, it has all been fantastic. The tour itself was phenomenal. I was able to relax and enjoy as every detail, transfer etc was taken care of by Roy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Anne S. - Traveled, October 2023
The itinerary was well planned, ease of transportation, great guides enriched the planned activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Jillian B. - Traveled, October 2023
Our Family adventure in Costa Rica was an amazing experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2023
Joanna W. - Traveled, October 2023
Excellent guide (we had Danny J. Alvarado Solano as our guide/ trip leader) who cared and was passionate about his work. He was extremely accomodating and helpful to us all. Great hotels to stay and good comfortable transportation. Small group of true travelers (not just tourists). Nice experiences included and quality menu of adventures to choose from. Overall an A+
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2023
Peter W. - Traveled, October 2023
If they are interested in this type of trip,I would recommend G Adventures. I am unfamiliar with this type of travel, but I had a mostly positive experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2023
Jasmine P. - Traveled, October 2023
Great experience, terrific guide and trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2023
Jeannette W. - Traveled, October 2023
GREAT for families! Pace was good, sights and activities for children and adults, good accommodations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2023
Melanie C. - Traveled, July 2023
Great for a family holiday
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Claire D. - Traveled, July 2023
Excellent organisation, good value. Brilliant experience. Some of the options I thought we were going to be given we weren't ie white water rafting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Andrew W. - Traveled, July 2023
Amazing experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Caroline R. - Traveled, July 2023
Best family vacation ever - suitable for everyone & my kids made lifelong friends in the group
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Pamela E. - Traveled, July 2023
We had a great time, the tour was not too structured but fully supported and we loved the family tour concept with other kids for our kids to hang out with
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
William F. - Traveled, July 2023
everything was very well planned, the hotels were great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
Amylia B. - Traveled, July 2023
Our guide, Maikol, was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and kind. We went on a family tour. He made sure that every family',s needs were met, and that they had a great time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
Heather S. - Traveled, July 2023
Well managed trip with a great and helpful guide and fun group that also allowed plenty of personal/family time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2023
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