2 women stand on a hanging bridge in dense rainforest & point out wildlife during the Costa Rica Family Adventure.
Girl zip lines above bright green rainforest on a sunny day during the Costa Rica Family Adventure.
father and son on boat on costa rica family adventure land tour
Girl in white helmet, yellow tank top & jeans rides a brown horse on the beach beside lush rainforest on the Costa Rica Family Adventure.
Girl surfs a small wave in bright blue ocean with a tan cliff behind on a sunny day during the Costa Rica Family Adventure.
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Central America Costa Rica Land Tour

Costa Rica Family Adventure

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most adventurous family-friendly places, widely known for its dedication to peace, cultural exchange and environmental education. The 9-day Costa Rica Family Adventure visits areas that exemplify these qualities, creating wonderful shared memories for years to come. All aspects of this tour, from more spacious accommodations to less rigorous transfers to the planned activities, have been designed with family travel in mind. 

Starting with Arenal Volcano, with its picture-perfect cone, explore the geologic wonder and the rich surrounding rainforests filled with waterfalls, wildlife and opportunities for exploration. In Monteverde, hike through the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, walk the nearby platform bridges for an aerial view of these incredible forests, experience the famed Costa Rica zip lining and visit the shining example of sustainable tourism in the town of Santa Elena. Conclude with mangrove kayaking, turtle sightings and beachcombing in Costa Rica’s coastal playground of Tamarindo. Accommodations for this active adventure include wilderness lodges and boutique hotels.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Costa Rica adventure tours and Costa Rica vacations.



Itinerary

Costa Rica Family Adventure Itinerary

The 9-day Costa Rica Family Adventure begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica, at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).

Costa Rica Family Adventure route map.
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Day 1
Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica

Upon arrival at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in San Jose.

Accommodations

Park Inn, or similar

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Day 2
Arenal Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Start the tour with a scenic drive to Arenal Volcano, stopping en route at La Paz Waterfall Gardens for lunch and an up-close view at a system of five different waterfalls. The gardens include child-friendly butterfly, hummingbird and frog gardens. After lunch continue on through the scenic highlands to Arenal. From the lodge, which is situated safely on a high ridge only 1.6 miles south of the volcano, take in an impressive view of this giant which rumbles. The lodge is the only property located within the Arenal Volcano National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife.

Accommodations

Arenal Observatory Lodge, or similar

Meals

breakfast, lunch

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Day 3
Arenal to Monteverde

Enjoy a morning hike to a nearby waterfall and an up-close exploration of a lava flow prior to the drive to Monteverde. Skirting the shores of Arenal Lake, make your way to Monteverde, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World. Monteverde is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but includes hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species. Arrive in time to explore the nearby town of Santa Elena.

Accommodations

Hotel Senda Monteverde, or similar

Meals

breakfast

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Day 4
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve & Zipline Tour

During a morning guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, view the wet forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. The perpetually misty forests of the reserve encompass eight distinct ecological zones and protect more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. In the afternoon visit the SkyTrek, a system of suspended cable zip lines constructed within the cloud forest, which provides a unique thrill and vantage point high in the forest canopy. For those not interested in zip lining, the Sky Walk, a hiking system of suspended bridges, may be substituted at no additional cost.

Accommodations

Hotel Senda Monteverde, or similar

Meals

breakfast

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Day 5
Mountains to Coast

Be driven in an air-conditioned vehicle on a scenic road through the dry savanna of Guanacaste to the North Pacific Coast and on to your luxury beachfront accommodation just outside of Tamarindo. The remainder of the day is yours to stroll the beach or relax by the hotel’s pool.

Accommodations

Capitan Suizo, or similar

Meals

breakfast

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Days 6 - 7
Tamarindo Beach

Spend two days in Tamarindo soaking in the Pacific views. Opt for several family-friendly activities available at additional cost, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing lessons, kayaking and more.

Accommodations

Capitan Suizo, or similar

Meals

breakfast

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Day 8
San Jose

Return by plane to San Jose, where a representative transfers you to your hotel in Costa Rica’s capitol. Spend the last afternoon in Costa Rica exploring a museum or one of San Jose’s several colorful markets.

Accommodations

Park Inn, or similar

Meals

breakfast

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Day 9
Depart San Jose, Costa Rica

Transfer to the international airport for your return flights home or begin your trip extension.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Eight nights lodging; all land, air and water transportation within Costa Rica as stated in itinerary; all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group; meals as specified in the itinerary; hotel taxes; entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest unless otherwise specified; guide services as specified in the itinerary; guides’ expenses.

Exclusions

Airfare to Costa Rica; airport departure tax; excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees; gratuities to transfer and naturalist guides; guided turtle nesting tour fee ($25); items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages and insurance of any kind. Holiday supplement may apply during Christmas, New Year’s and Easter weeks; contact AdventureSmith for pricing and availability.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days – 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Costa Rica Family Adventure begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica, at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive in San Jose any time on day 1 and depart any time on day 9 of the itinerary. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the guides can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include hiking, ziplining, canopy walks, beachcombing, swimming, cultural visits and added-cost activities such as snorkeling, horseback riding, taking surfing lessons and kayaking.

Room Configuration

If you would like to share accommodation with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to connect you with a suitable match. This program allows you to pay the per person adult double-occupancy rate if a match is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Child rate applies for age 11 and under and valid if sharing room with two adults, maximum two children per room with adults.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

This itinerary is designed for families but is appropriate for all individuals looking for a Costa Rica adventure. Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the guides’ discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of adventure travel unique.

Rates & Dates

Trip Rates & Details

Departures available daily, year-round. Contact us for current rates and availability.

Accommodations

Learn About the Lodges & Hotels on Your Itinerary

Hotel
Park Inn

Park Inn by Radisson is a 117-room hotel located three blocks from Paseo Colón, San Jose's main avenue, and in walking distance of downtown.

Lodge
Arenal Observatory Lodge

Set high on a ridge facing Costa Rica’s most active and spectacular volcano, the Arenal Observatory Lodge offers adventure travelers a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Lodge
Hotel Senda Monteverde

Relax in this tucked-away yet convenient mountain retreat in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest. Warm interiors, sustainable practices, an onsite yoga studio and nature trails, hyper-local cuisine and an attentive, all-local staff make every stay unforgettable.

Hotel
Capitan Suizo

Hotel Capitán Suizo rests on Playa Tamarindo, one of the most beautiful Pacific coast beaches in all of Costa Rica.

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Extend Your Trip

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