Costa Rica Family Holiday

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.

On your way to La Fortuna today, you’ll take an insightful Costa Rica wildlife tour at Proyecto Asis. During your visit to the sanctuary, you’ll hear from a trained naturalist and take a guided tour to get to know each animal and its story. You and the kids are sure to leave thinking about conservation in a new way – your visit today also helps to support the animals that live here!

This morning, set out on short but moderately difficult hike along a path of volcanic stones. When you reach the viewpoint, your guide will explain how Arenal Volcano was formed, its periods of activity and even some unpublished details of its first eruption in 1968. From here, you’ll get excellent views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal. Return along the same trail, then enter the regenerating forest along the outskirts of the volcano. With a little luck, you’ll see a wide variety of plants and animals that inhabit the rainforest, like toucans, turkeys, orioles, peccaries and monkeys. After, take a boat tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and its islets to try and spot more wildlife. This is the ideal place to take some photos of the volcano (if the weather allows). The rest of the day is free for you and your family to relax or take part in one of the many optional activities on offer.

Today you’ll drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, where you’ll take a boat across to Monteverde. If it’s 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. Enjoy some free time for lunch, then relax in the afternoon before your visit to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and an Intrepid Foundation partner. Take a guided walk led by an experienced naturalist – the younger family members can take part in a fun ‘treasure hunt’ in the forest to discover different species and learn about biodiversity.

This morning is an early start as you join a local family for a tour of their farm to learn more about daily life in Costa Rica. The visit begins with the family’s history, photos and family tree, followed by a trip to the hydroponic garden. Feed the chickens and walk through the farm, where the family maintains tomato gardens, corn, cassava, carrots and other crops. After, head to the dairy to learn about the milking process before finishing at the on-site restaurant for a delicious breakfast. Later, head to the Sky Walk at Treetopia Park in Monteverde for a self-guided tour through the cloud forest canopy – six hanging bridges span up to 236 m (774 ft) and reach heights of 50 m (164 ft).

Set off towards Manuel Antonio National Park, stopping along the way for a hands-on cooking class with the Delgado family – a local family who will welcome you into their home and invite you to help prepare casado. This traditional Costa Rican lunch is a platter that includes a base of white rice and beans, a serving of meat like chicken or fish (a vegetarian option can be provided), salad and tortillas. After your feast, you can have a coffee before saying goodbye to the family and continuing to your accommodation. Tonight, maybe take the kids 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.

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. Or, rent a kayak, surf or fish in the ocean. There are no wrong choices in this balmy paradise!