Name: Costa Rica Family Escape
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (4 reviews)

Costa Rica Family Escape Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Family Group, Guided Group
Destination: Costa Rica
Programmes: Family
8 Days: Land Only
Ages: 9+
Trip Code: FNS
Carbon Footprint: 16kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Awaken your senses on a magical escape full of activities the whole family will love

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.

At a Glance

Accommodation: 3 Superior nights (hotels), 4 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by minibus, boat and on foot
Group normally 4 to 16, plus a local leader

Highlights

Join adventurous families to experience the wildlife and exhilarating activities of Costa Rica
Enjoy exhilarating zip-lining and white-water rafting excursions
Cool off in the jungle pool underneath La Fortuna Waterfall
Join a night walk in Monteverde to see the cloud forest come alive at night
Relax on Carrillo Beach and enjoy downtime on the Pacific coastline
Watch playful dolphins on a fun-filled boat excursion

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Though this trip has been designed for 13 to 16-year-olds, it’s also suitable for nine to 12-year-olds. Our Family trips are aimed at children in the primary age group, so if your child is in the secondary age group, they may find it a little harder. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

This trip aims to show you the best of Costa Rica using a mixture of buses and boats. Most of the roads we travel on are good quality. However, some roads have a poor surface and this can result in slow driving times, particularly following heavy rain. There are also some longer drives on the itinerary; when rest stops and meal breaks are taken into account, a 4-hour drive may take 6-7 hours in total. Costa Rica can be hot and humid, which can be tiring.

There are some dangerous insects and snakes in the jungle, although incidents are extremely rare. Advice from the guide must be heeded at all times – it is the responsibility of parents to ensure children listen to the guide and don’t stray from paths.

The trip involves a walk to reach La Fortuna Waterfall that has some steep steps. There are also several included activities, such as white-water rafting and a zip-wire canopy tour: experience of these activities is not required as a full safety briefing is covered at the start, and all necessary equipment is provided. Please be aware, some activities may be changed as a result of the weather.

All the accommodation has private bathrooms and everywhere has air conditioning apart from the lodge in Monteverde. For further details, please see the accommodation section.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Adult min age: 9

Min group size: 6

Max group size: 20

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: San José
End City: Liberia Airport

Land Only Itinerary

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)

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

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)

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)

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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels in Costa Rica

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.

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 holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.

Single supplement from £ 550

Food & Drink

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.

Transport

Most of our travel is in an air-conditioned 16-seater minibus, but we also use small motorboats for some activities such as the Lake Arenal crossing and the boat excursion to see dolphins. Due to the type of vehicles we use, it’s common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by a tarpaulin.

Weather & Seasonality

Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place.

Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year.

Rainy season (May to November): Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Studio Hotel, 50 metros norte de la Cruz Roja, San José, Santa Ana, 10901
Phone: +(506) 2282-0505
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: San Jose Airport (SJO)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 30 min drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfer is to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Liberia Airport (LIR) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: San José
Location end: Liberia Airport

What To Take

Essential Equipment

We advise you to pack as light as possible for your convenience as you will be on the move during this trip. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take – it is not an exhaustive packing list. You should prepare for a variety of climates.

Lightweight waterproof jacket/trousers (pants) or rain poncho
Warm mid-layer (fleece or wool) – for cool evenings
Lightweight cotton (or quick-drying fabric) clothes for low-lying areas
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (pants) to help prevent mosquito bites
Shorts
Lightweight walking/trail boots
Comfortable shoes
Sunhat
Swimwear and towel
Torch (flashlight)
Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip salve
Water bottle
Insect repellent
Personal first-aid kit
Travel adaptor/chargers
Hand sanitiser/biodegradable wet wipes
Wet shoes or old sports shoes you don’t mind getting wet for the rafting and boat trip (these can be bought locally if necessary)

If you wear glasses, you should have a sports band to secure these to your head for the rafting excursion (or take them off). Glasses bands can be bought locally if necessary.

A laundry service may be available in some hotels, but we recommend you take biodegradable travel detergent so you can wash clothes as you choose.

Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours so avoid wearing dark blue or green T-shirts.

Please limit your luggage to one main suitcase/backpack per person (weighing no more than 50lb/23kg) and one piece of hand luggage. This is for the health and safety of our local team and due to the limited space and weight allowance on the transport.

Water included: Please bring a reusable bottle, as we provide safe drinking water throughout this adventure. Single-use plastic bottles are banned in Costa Rican national parks and we do not recommend drinking the tap water.

Optional Equipment

Camera
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Small backpack for the day
Universal sink plug
Reusable fabric tote bag to avoid using unnecessary plastic bags

Practical Information

Visa

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html

Vaccinations and Health

Costa Rica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, rabies and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Many travellers will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, Tanzania and Zambia.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Costa Rica. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Please check all requirements and travel vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Costa Rica's time zone: America/Costa_Rica (UTC -06:00)

Electricity

Costa Rica's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard) and B (three pins, US standard) – 120V, 60Hz

Money

Costa Rica's currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC); however, US dollars are widely accepted

ATM Availability

ATMs are increasingly available in Costa Rica and are now present in most tourist areas. A flat fee of up to US$5-$7 and a small commission usually applies with debit card withdrawals. Mastercard and Visa are quite widely accepted in the bigger hotels, restaurants and tourist shops though not in rural areas. Always check the handling fee when paying by credit card, as it can be high. We recommend you bring some small denomination notes (US$1 and US$5 notes) since getting change is often a problem when paying for small items/taxis.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica; however, change will likely be given in local currency and the exchange rate fluctuates. We suggest taking some US dollars with you but then using ATMs to withdraw the rest of your money in local currency while you’re there.

You should allow extra to cover the cost of those meals not included in the price of the trip. Approximate costs are given for guidance only and may vary widely according to location and type of establishment.

Coffee/tea: US$2-US$5
Soft drink: US$2-US$5
Medium beer: US$4-US$7
Local snack lunch: US$15
Three-course dinner at a reasonable mid-range tourist-class restaurant: US$45- US$50
Bottle of wine: US$50-US$60
Bottle of water: US$2

Optional activities (bookable locally):

Monteverde

Don Juan Coffee tour: from US$46
Trapiche tour (sugarcane mill): from US$50
Frog pond tour: from US$50
Monteverde Orchid Garden: from US$50

Samara/Carrillo

Stand-up paddleboarding mangrove tour: from US$53
Wildlife and mangrove kayak: from US$59
Turtle-nesting tour (nightime): from US$53 (visits Camaronal, Corozalito or Ostional beach depending on season)

Optional excursions can be paid for by cash (preferably), credit or debit card and can only be booked locally.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid fairly for their work with Exodus. However, it is usual for groups to tip tour leaders and drivers, and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute US$45 for the tour leader and US$30 for the driver. Smaller contributions on behalf of children are also accepted – for each child, we recommend US$25 for the tour leader and US$15 for the driver. You may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group.

The tour leader may organise a tipping kitty to facilitate tips for other staff members including porters, local guides and restaurant waiting staff, which will be collected at the start of the trip. The amount may vary per departure, but we recommend a starting point of US$80 per group member.

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

Important Information

Optional activities and excursions

If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Family trips

Our staff and leaders are there to ensure the trip runs as smoothly as possible. However, company policy states they cannot take care of children; it is your responsibility to look after your young ones throughout the trip. During free time or if you decide to opt out of part of the itinerary, you are responsible for your family and any arrangements that need to be made, though your leader will be happy to make recommendations.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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