Costa Rica Family Escape
Costa Rica Family Escape
Costa Rica Family Escape
8 Days Starting in San José and ending in Liberia Airport
Visiting: San José, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Balsa, Monteverde, Puerto Carrillo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FNS
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 20
Age range:
9-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Enjoy an unforgettable family adventure in Costa Rica, where natural wonders combine with exhilarating activities for all the family. Zip wire across the cloud forest and go white-water rafting on the Balsa River. Swim at La Fortuna Waterfall and take a boat trip to see dolphins off the Pacific Coast. We stay in well-located hotels (most with swimming pools), which means you will leave this action-packed week refreshed and with a full appreciation of Costa Rica’s most famous saying: pura vida or pure life.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start San José
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. Aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2. A free transfer is available to take you to our hotel in San José. Read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information on booking your seat.
Accommodation: Studio Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk
Location: La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We drive to the area surrounding Arenal Volcano. Following a large eruption in 1968, Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until recently when it entered a resting phase. There is a lot of geothermal activity in this area, with natural hot springs, waterfalls and Lake Arenal waiting to be discovered.
Today we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to a steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to exit – this takes around 20-30 minutes and is rewarded with a swim in the emerald pool. It is possible to visit the lookout point and wait for the group if you prefer. There is plenty of time to see what animals you can spot in the forest along the way; keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the trees!
Accommodation: Arenal Paraiso (or similar)
Day 3 : Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River
Location: Balsa, La Fortuna
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we head to the Balsa River for an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion. The rapids here are graded II and III and have nicknames such as Magnetic Rock and Dredges – prepare to get wet and wild! No experience of this activity is needed as a full safety briefing and instruction is given before getting into the rafts. Tropical scenery flanks the river and we may spot monkeys, toucans or other animals in the forest. There is also a stop for drinks and tropical fruits along the way.
On our return to La Fortuna, we stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at Vida Campesina, a traditional country estate that allows visitors to experience typical country life in Costa Rica. Lunch is made with ingredients harvested on the property and prepared on a wood stove in traditional style.
Accommodation: Arenal Paraiso (or similar)
Day 4 : To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation: Lodge, Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran mountain range in the Central Highlands for a taste of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Reaching Monteverde involves a fast boat across Lake Arenal, which is incredibly scenic and takes roughly 30 minutes. We then complete our journey by shared land transfer, climbing into the hills towards Monteverde, whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude in this Central Highlands region supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus varieties here. Our journey takes about 3hr 30min in total, including the lake crossing.
Around 6pm, we have a night walk to experience the forest in the dark. This gives an entirely new perspective on the cloud forest habitat, with many pairs of eyes staring back at you! We may see sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums and coatis and will surely hear a cacophony of insects and amphibians.
Accommodation: Monteverde Country Lodge or Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Day 5 : Zip-Line Adventure Through The Treetops; Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation: Lodge, Monteverde Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we visit Selvatura Park, where 850 acres (345ha) of protected land are dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with the hanging bridges excursion, a system of treetop walkways through the forest designed to let you experience the beauty of the cloud forest and observe its many inhabitants. We also visit the butterfly garden, which has one of the largest exhibitions of butterflies in the world. After, it’s time to try aerial manoeuvres on a zip-line adventure through the treetops! Before you fly, guides teach you the proper technique, including how to position yourself and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure above the trees.
Accommodation: Monteverde Country Lodge or Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Day 6 : To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach
Location: Puerto Carrillo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We travel to the Samara region on the Pacific Coast, one of the best-kept secrets in Costa Rica! The broad, shady bay is backed by coconut palms and the water is calm and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef just out to sea on which the normally large Pacific waves break before reaching the beach. There are plenty of facilities in this area but there’s a noticeable absence of big resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. Our hotel faces onto Carrillo Beach in the neighbouring bay to Samara. We have a free afternoon here to enjoy the facilities and discover the area.
Accommodation: Nammbu Hotel or Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Go Snorkelling
Location: Puerto Carrillo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we take a boat trip offshore from Carrillo Beach in search of dolphins. You could be lucky enough to see spotted dolphins, Central American spinner dolphins or common bottlenose dolphins, which all inhabit this area year around. Feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the scenic coastline as we search for these playful animals who love to swim in the bow wave of the boat! As we make our way back along the coast, we anchor near the shores of Isla Chora, a delightful white-sand beach full of hermit crabs and iguanas. This is a great spot for a refreshing swim and a chance to observe the underwater world by wearing a mask and snorkel. Beneath the surface teems a lively world with huge marine diversity. In total, today’s excursion lasts around four hours, with the rest of your time at leisure to enjoy the area.
Accommodation: Nammbu Hotel or Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 : Transfer Available To Liberia Airport; Trip Ends
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our adventure ends after breakfast, either at Carrillo Beach or at Liberia Airport if you join the group transfer. Check the Joining Instructions for more information on transfers.
What's Included
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts and two lunches
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Accommodation
We stay in four hotels during this tour for a total of seven nights.
In San Jose, we stay at the modern four-star Studio Hotel, conveniently located near the airport for an easy arrival transfer at the start of the adventure.
In Arenal, our accommodation is normally the Arenal Paraiso Hotel. This property is close to Arenal Volcano and has large natural grounds with wonderful views of Arenal Volcano. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped. There are several natural pools fed by spring water.
In Monteverde, we stay at the Monteverde Country Lodge, a three-star property providing cosy, comfortable and warm accommodation. This property doesn’t have a swimming pool or air conditioning as it’s in an area of Costa Rica that is typically much cooler.
By the Pacific Coast, we stay at either Nammbu Hotel or the Leyenda. Both are by Carrillo Beach and have a swimming pool.
Worth knowing
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.
Food
All breakfasts and two lunches are included in the price of the tour, allowing you plenty of flexibility for non-included meals to be taken as a family or with the group.
Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish considered a staple part of the local diet. Soups, stews and fresh fish are also common, and most hotels offer international menus. There is a lot of fresh fruit in the tropics – you may need to share your bananas with monkeys from the hotel gardens!
Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4 and 3 star
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 9 Years age children go on this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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