Costa Rican Family Adventure

After breakfast your car hire will be delivered to your hotel to start your journey to Sarapiqui, an area surrounded by dense rainforests. You’ll have the day to explore the eco lodge’s surrounds and join optional activities. A guided night tour is included this evening, a fascinating experience to learn about the area’s ‘nightlife’ and its nocturnal inhabitants including the red eyed tree frog.

Your rainforest adventure continues on the calm lower section of the Sarapiquí River, with a scenic River Floating Safari. Starting with a short ride from your hotel, professional guides will set you up before embarking on a two-hour journey on inflatable rafts. As you paddle gently, soaking in the rainforest’s sights and sounds, you may encounter wildlife like monkeys, sloths, birds, and iguanas along the riverbanks, offering glimpses into the region’s rich biodiversity. The next day you’ll take an enlightening and tasty tour to learn about the chocolate-making process, delving into the rich history and artistry of chocolate production. Begin your journey amidst the lush surroundings of a cacao plantation, where you’ll see the cultivation and harvesting of cacao beans, discover traditional techniques and participate in hands-on activities to create your own chocolate delicacies, a real treat.  

Your rainforest adventure continues on the calm lower section of the Sarapiquí River, with a scenic River Floating Safari. Starting with a short ride from your hotel, professional guides will set you up before embarking on a two-hour journey on inflatable rafts. As you paddle gently, soaking in the rainforest’s sights and sounds, you may encounter wildlife like monkeys, sloths, birds, and iguanas along the riverbanks, offering glimpses into the region’s rich biodiversity.

The next day you’ll take an enlightening and tasty tour to learn about the chocolate-making process, delving into the rich history and artistry of chocolate production. Begin your journey amidst the lush surroundings of a cacao plantation, where you’ll see the cultivation and harvesting of cacao beans, discover traditional techniques and participate in hands-on activities to create your own chocolate delicacies, a real treat.

 

In pictures

After breakfast today it’s time to continue your journey to Arenal. Another scenic drive through mountains, farmland and villages will bring you to the base of the mighty Arenal, where you’ll stay for 4 nights in your selected hotel. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure to explore – perhaps visit the Arenal Park to marvel at the volcano or enjoy a soak in geothermal hot springs. The nearby town of La Fortuna features a wide choice of restaurants.

A variety of activities are included during your stay in Arenal. First up, it’s zip-lining! You’ll ascend 800 metres on the Sky Tram before unleashing your thrill-seeking spirit on the Sky Trek, a 2-hour adrenaline-pumping experience across seven zip-lines up to 200 meters high and 750 meters long. For a complete contrast you’ll travel deep into the bowels of the earth at the Venado Caves, revealing a labyrinth of ancient underground rivers and seabeds, exposed after millions of years. Look out for the stalactite and stalagmites as well as the large bat colonies that inhabit the caves. Finally, you’ll embark on a sloth walking tour. You’ll be equipped with binoculars to watch these cute and rare animals as they doze in the treetops. Your guide will provide expert insights into sloth behaviour, habitat preservation and local wildlife. If you’re still feeling energetic there’s also plenty of time for optional adventures – perhaps try paddle boarding or kayaking on Arenal Lake, hike at the base of the volcano or go souvenir shopping in town.

A variety of activities are included during your stay in Arenal. First up, it’s zip-lining! You’ll ascend 800 metres on the Sky Tram before unleashing your thrill-seeking spirit on the Sky Trek, a 2-hour adrenaline-pumping experience across seven zip-lines up to 200 meters high and 750 meters long.

For a complete contrast you’ll travel deep into the bowels of the earth at the Venado Caves, revealing a labyrinth of ancient underground rivers and seabeds, exposed after millions of years. Look out for the stalactite and stalagmites as well as the large bat colonies that inhabit the caves.

Finally, you’ll embark on a sloth walking tour. You’ll be equipped with binoculars to watch these cute and rare animals as they doze in the treetops. Your guide will provide expert insights into sloth behaviour, habitat preservation and local wildlife.

If you’re still feeling energetic there’s also plenty of time for optional adventures – perhaps try paddle boarding or kayaking on Arenal Lake, hike at the base of the volcano or go souvenir shopping in town.

In pictures

Today you’ll drive a few hours south to one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, Manuel Antonio. As you descend towards the coast, you’ll feel a warm change in temperature and the landscapes will be adorned by the various beaches along the Pacific coast until you reach Manuel Antonio, a gorgeous spot that mixes charming white sand beaches with tropical forest full of wildlife. A 4-night stay here will allows plenty of time to try out the immense variety of activities on offer, as well as enjoy some time at the beach to relax and reflect on your Costa Rican adventure.

Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for its stunning beauty, blending crystal-clear beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforests across 683 hectares of protected land. An included guided tour into the park will offer the chance to explore its scenic trails, guided by experienced naturalists equipped with spotting scopes to observe abundant wildlife like monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more. Also included is a Catamaran Cruise. Keep watch for possible dolphin sightings and seabirds like the brown booby and magnificent frigatebird. A snorkeling stop at a secluded bay allows you to explore underwater life, including parrotfish and starfish, before enjoying lunch onboard. With a free day to fill as you please, why not consider a Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour (additional cost), where you can discover a vibrant ecosystem where rainforest meets the ocean. Or perhaps just take some time out to play at the beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for its stunning beauty, blending crystal-clear beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforests across 683 hectares of protected land. An included guided tour into the park will offer the chance to explore its scenic trails, guided by experienced naturalists equipped with spotting scopes to observe abundant wildlife like monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more.

Also included is a Catamaran Cruise. Keep watch for possible dolphin sightings and seabirds like the brown booby and magnificent frigatebird. A snorkeling stop at a secluded bay allows you to explore underwater life, including parrotfish and starfish, before enjoying lunch onboard.

With a free day to fill as you please, why not consider a Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour (additional cost), where you can discover a vibrant ecosystem where rainforest meets the ocean. Or perhaps just take some time out to play at the beach.

In pictures

Today it’s time to leave behind the beaches and rainforests of Manuel Antonio and start your journey back to San Jose. You can leave early and make a stop en route for lunch at one of the beaches or villages further north, or head straight to San Jose with time to go shopping downtown or relax at your hotel.

Your family adventure comes to an end today as you make your way back to the airport for your onward journey.