Costa Rica Family Holiday
Experience Overview
Discover the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica – and the culture shaped by the tropical wilderness – with your loved ones, on an adventure 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.
Highlights
- Come together to cook a rustic meal from scratch during a homestay with family in an agricultural community.
- Get up close to the unique wildlife of Costa Rica on a guided tour of an animal sanctuary. Learn how to prepare the animal's meals and make enrichment toys as part of a hands-on volunteering experience.
- Hike in Arenal National Park for an impressive view of the volcano before taking a boat ride along the lake to try and spot some local wildlife.
- Walk along suspension bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve for the best biology lesson the kids have ever had.
- Immerse yourself in nature on a guided walk with a naturalist guide in Manual Antonio National Park. The kids will love spotting sloths and listening for the evocative call of howler monkeys.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2457
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Minivan
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: QCFM
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Finishes: San Jose, Costa Rica
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (9), Lunch (1), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotels (8 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2795 ($280 /day)
Itinerary
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in subtropical San Jose, where you'll meet your leader and fellow families at a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, there's plenty to see in this bustling city. As the streets are laid out in a grid pattern, it’s relatively easy to navigate. Maybe head to the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden to introduce the kids (and adults) to Costa Rican biodiversity while getting some respite from the clamour of the city. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a taste of ‘tico’ food with an optional group dinner group.
Optional Activities:
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) (11 USD)
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) (17 USD)
- San Jose - Butterfly farm (10 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Palma Real or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, head to the tiny agricultural community of Juanilama in the Santa Rosa de Pocosol region. This area is predominantly dedicated to milk production and raising cattle. It’s the perfect place to experience life in small-town Costa Rica – you’ll even be staying with a local family! Settle in and get to know your hosts before going on an agricultural tour, where the kids will learn how to plant vegetables and gather some produce for tonight’s cooking class. You'll have some free time to wander around the community before coming together to create a meal with your hosts. Vamos a comer (let’s eat)!
Included Activities:
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - agricultural tour
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol - Cooking Class
Accommodation:
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Visit a local wildlife sanctuary for a day the kids will never forget! Get up close to the colourful and unique animals of Costa Rica on a guided tour of the centre before taking part in a fun volunteering experience. Learn how to prepare for the different diets of the resident animals and help to make enrichment toys, which is an important part of their recovery. After a fun-filled morning and a stop for lunch, you'll continue on to La Fortuna where you'll spend the next two nights. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to swim, relax or explore the local area.
Included Activities:
- Proyecto Asis - Wildlife tour and volunteering
Accommodation:
- Secreto de la Fortuna or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today begins with a hike to the Peninsula section of the Arenal National Park. Walk along an easy trail, soaking up the excellent views overlooking Lake Arenal and the Tilaran Volcanic Mountain Range. If you like, you can climb to the observation platform (about 12 m or 40 ft high) for a closer view of the volcano, which is 1633 m high in a perfect cone!. At the end of the trail, take a boat for a tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and its islets to try to find some animals. This is the ideal place to take some photos of the volcano (if the weather allows). The afternoon is then free to maybe take a hike past old lava flows on the Arenal 1968 Trail. There are two options on the 1968, including a shorter route suitable for families with younger kids. Or maybe a slow-paced soar on the Sky Tram is more your family’s speed?
Included Activities:
- Arenal National Park - Hike and Lake
Optional Activities:
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Thermal Waters (45 USD)
- La Fortuna - Hike to La Fortuna Waterfal (18 USD)
- Arenal - Safari river float (85 USD)
- Lake Arenal - Kayak (20 USD)
Accommodation:
- Secreto de la Fortuna or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, before taking a boat across the lake towards Monteverde. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. When you arrive, maybe head to the nearby Butterfly Garden or just enjoy the tranquillity of nature at your accommodation. In 1951, North American Quakers founded the nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call the reserve home, and over the next few days you’ll get acquainted with some of them.
Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) (22 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Don Taco or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
See the forest from a different perspective this morning on a canopy walk across the suspension bridges of Monteverde. The sheer variety of bird life in Monteverde is enough to make an ornithologist out of anyone, so don’t be surprised if your kids have a new answer to the question ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’ While you’re up among the treetops, look (or listen) out for the reclusive resplendent quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot or the emerald toucanet. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or partake in some optional activities. You could visit an orchid farm or whizz through the trees on zip-lines. If conditions are right, there might be a chance to hike through the forest at dusk, a unique opportunity to see the area’s nocturnal creatures begin to stir.
Included Activities:
- Monteverde - Sky Walk (Entrance)
Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour (47 USD)
- Monteverde - Sky Tram & Zipline (101 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Don Taco or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Wave adios to Monteverde and hit the Pan-American Highway for a southward journey past beaches and palm plantations to Manuel Antonio. Arrive at your accommodation, located close to the national park, and spend an evening at leisure. Tonight, maybe take the family for a traditional Costa Rican meal at a soda (local restaurant), where you can mix with locals and try some of the region’s incredible fresh produce.
Accommodation:
- Hotel Mono Azul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, take a guided walk along the trails that snake through Manuel Antonio National Park. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse wild and plant life from your local naturalist guide. Look and listen carefully and you may be able to spot howler monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, iguanas and more. The afternoon is free to explore this magical area further at your family’s desired pace. Maybe you’d like to relax on one of the idyllic palm-lined bays while the kids splash in the water. Maybe rent a kayak, surf or fish in the ocean. There are no wrong choices in this balmy paradise!
Included Activities:
- Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
- Manuel Antonio - National Park tour with a naturalist guide
Optional Activities:
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise (Inc transport, guide, lunch and drinks onboard) (95 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Mono Azul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise and shine for your final morning in this beachside haven. Enjoy your last hours in Manuel Antonio with some free time before making the return drive to San Jose in the mid-afternoon. You have a free afternoon to relax or continue epxloring. Tonight, maybe head out as a group for a final optional dinner to reminisce about your time together.
Accommodation:
- Hotel Palma Real or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned for today and you're free to leave any time after check-out. Can’t get enough of San Jose? Why not head out on a Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Urban Adventure, which uncovers the chocolate and wildlife secrets of the jungle. If you need extra accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2023
Nisha - Traveled, July 2023
Amazing experience! Highly recommend intrepid for families. Something for everyone and well organized. Will definitely come back again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2023
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2023
Bernard - Traveled, December 2022
Think again about taking this trip. The hotels will make you regret it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/13/2023
Leanda - Traveled, July 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed this amazing trip and learnt so much about this lovely country and their fascinating animals. The flexible itinerary meant we adapt each day to how the family was feeling and was a great introduction for the children to the beautiful 'real' world
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2022
Bethany - Traveled, July 2022
It was amazing and so helpful if you want to learn about Costa Rica and the animals!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2022
Christopher - Traveled, July 2022
Costa Rica was a must to go to for our family. With younger children (9 & 11) we were a little concerned whether this trip was going to be a little too "wild" for them. However, the destinations we visited were well managed and at no time did we feel unsafe. The guide (Jamie) was excellent, approachable, well organised and his knowledge of the wildlife and culture was amazing. With the wildlife we saw, the different types of destinations and the experience of the local culture, I am sure this experience will stay with our children for a long long time. Thanks Jamie and Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2022
Aaron - Traveled, July 2022
Great experience with my 10 and 8 year old. Group size was perfect, and tour leader Imalay so friendly and knowledgeable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2022
Kristine - Traveled, April 2022
A holiday for both children and adults! It is fantastic to be able to experience so much, without having to stress with all the details related to transport, accommodation etc. You get to see and learn much more on a trip like this than if you travel on your own. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2022
Madeleine - Traveled, April 2024
Costa Rica was an incredible place to visit - people were so welcoming, the forests teeming with life, and so beautiful. We had a wonderful family holiday there, one that we will never forget.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2024
Maria - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent for families, great adventure and rest with excellent guides. A safe and well organized way to experience adventure for the whole family.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
Eva - Traveled, March 2024
Just an amazing family trip in a natural and so friendly country . I would always recommend to go there again to explore the nature and see the exotic animals
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2023
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!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/13/2023
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