Costa Rica Adventure Family Holiday

Name: Costa Rica Adventure Family Holiday
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (24 reviews)

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15 Days Excluding Flights

16 Days from

£ 2899

5.0/5 from

Family

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Family Group, Guided Group

Activity :

Family

Group Size :

6 - 20

Ages :

Trip Code :

FNR

Carbon Footprint :

11kg CO2e per person per day

Explore diverse ecosystems on a tropical adventure for all the family

Costa Rica is a natural paradise, with volcanoes, rainforest, waterfalls, wildlife and beaches. See them all on this Costa Rica family trip, which starts by travelling into the steaming jungle and exploring the Tortuguero waterways by boat, in search of monkeys, toucans and other colourful birds. We visit the Sloth Sanctuary and meet some of the residents, stars of their own Animal Planet TV show, and enjoy a night walk in the rainforest, try white-water rafting (optional) and splash in thermal pools at a waterpark near Arenal Volcano. There’s beach time too as we head to both Cahuita on the Caribbean coast and Manuel Antonio on the Pacific, where jungle cascades to white sand beaches.

Highlights

Explore one of the world’s great wildlife-watching destinations with other families
Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more
Play and relax on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts
Cruise down the river at the Sloth Sanctuary
Feel the rainforest come alive on a night walk in the Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Stay in jungle lodges and hotels, most with swimming pools

Key Information

Accommodation: 14 Classic nights (12 hotel, 2 lodge)
Travel by minibus, boat and on foot
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader

Countries visited: Costa Rica

What's Included

All accommodation
All breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

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.

TRIP

FNR - Costa Rica Adventure Family Holiday

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

San José San José

The adventure begins in San José, the 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.

Accommodation: Country Inn & Suites (or similar)

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a short drive to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Located within the transitional forest between the Central Valley and Northern Lowlands, the gardens host a wide variety of plants and bird life among stunning scenery. A short walk along a rainforest trail brings us to a great viewpoint, where we can watch the cascading falls. Entrance to the gardens includes a visit to the petting zoo, frog exhibit, aviary and butterfly observatory. Monkeys, sloths and toucans also inhabit this area, providing a great introduction to the incredible diversity of Costa Rica. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the hotel pool.

Accommodation: Country Inn & Suites (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We depart early this morning, travelling to Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean Lowlands of northeast Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, this vast network of waterways, canals and swamps is remarkably tranquil and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) which is on a small strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients.

Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen arriving on the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January, baby turtles hatch and head to the ocean.

Accommodation: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero on a boat trip, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. The lodge is a tranquil spot to relax this afternoon. Alternatively, join a second boat trip, visit the beach or follow a short walking trail through the forest.

Accommodation: Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived: taking a small boat. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Cahuita region on the Caribbean coast. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the pool, beach or discover our new surroundings. Caribbean culture thrives in this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. The white sand beach is fringed by tall palms, behind which is the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park.

Accommodation: Atlantida Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we drive to Aviarios del Caribe, the Sloth Sanctuary, subject of the Animal Planet TV show Meet the Sloths. This rescue and rehabilitation centre conducts sloth research and works tirelessly to return them to their natural habitat. You’ll learn all about these fascinating animals on a two-hour tour, where you’ll take a boat along the river to see sloths, monkeys, butterflies and birds. This afternoon, we return to Cahuita and visit the national park, following a coastal trail through the rainforest. The park has 2,711 acres (1,097ha) of land and 600 acres (245ha) of coral reef, which forms the largest reef system in Costa Rica.

Accommodation: Atlantida Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We depart for Sarapiqui, one of the main banana producing regions in Costa Rica, although coffee, cardamon, cacao, corn and fruits are also grown here. It’s also gathering a reputation as a great spot for adventure seekers with plenty of optional activities to keep you entertained. In the evening, we take a night walk through Tirimbina Biological Reserve for a different perspective on the many rainforest residents.

Accommodation: El Bambu Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

There are various optional excursions to try today: join a chocolate tour in Tirimbina Biological Reserve, take a safari floating trip down the Sarapiqui River, have a go at white-water rafting on Grade II and III rapids, or join a canopy tour and zip-line through the forest. Alternatively, there are several nature walks through beautiful surroundings.

Accommodation: El Bambu Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We transfer to the area around Arenal Volcano. Following a massive eruption in 1968, Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until 2010 when it entered a resting phase. Aside from the volcano, there are thermal waters, waterfalls and Lake Arenal to discover.

The rest of the day is free to explore, either at your own pace or on one of the optional excursions available. You could take the Sky Walk (canopy walk) or Sky Trek adventure (which has an optional zip-wire through the canopy) or enjoy the hotel pool.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we have a guided nature walk through Arenal Volcano National Park. The park has a great system of trails passing through secondary forest and near lava fields created by eruptions. In the late afternoon, we visit Baldi Hot Springs as a group to enjoy a hot thermal bath from the volcanic spring water – a refreshing end to the day. Please note, on weekends or Mondays we visit alternative hot springs called Ecotermales.

Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We travel southeast along the coast, following the Pan-Am Highway to Dominical, passing African oil palm and teak plantations on the way. Our hotel is on the coast near Dominical, around 50 minutes south of Manuel Antonio. The hotel is set in lush gardens overlooking the river and just a 20-minute walk to the beach. We spend the next three nights here. Depending on our arrival, we should have time to visit the beach or splash in the hotel pool.

Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar in Dominical (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we drive to Manuel Antonio National Park, home to a vast marine reserve plus 1,700 acres (690ha) of mangrove swamp, primary and secondary rainforest. The forest vegetation stretches as far as the high-tide line and provides a stunning backdrop to the expansive sandy beaches, forested islands and dramatic rocky headlands.

We have a guided nature walk today, which should include some very close wildlife encounters. White-faced capuchin monkeys play and are frequently sighted on the beaches, while noisy howler monkeys are usually heard moving through the trees and calling to each other before they are seen. The endangered titi monkey (squirrel monkey) are fewer in number but can sometimes be spotted in this area. Iguanas, agouti, and two- and three-toed sloths are also commonly sighted here. Better yet, the Manuel Antonio beaches are among the most beautiful in the country. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel.

Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar in Dominical (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today has been left free for you to relax – make the most of the hotel pool, visit the beach or explore the area. There are a few optional activities available, such as a whale and dolphin-watching boat trip (from mid-July to October and mid-December to March) or a snorkelling tour.

Accommodation: Villas Rio Mar in Dominical (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we return to San José (approximately three-four hours plus rest stops and lunch). If you wish to travel into the downtown area by taxi, you will have time to see the modern capital and pick up souvenirs. Alternatively, relax by the hotel pool.

Accommodation: Country Inn and Suites (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The trip comes to an end today after breakfast and it’s time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Transfers to San José airport are available to all clients today. But if you don’t want the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay and enjoy more time in the capital.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

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 nine to 12-year-olds, it’s also suitable for 13 to 16-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 easier. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Transport: This adventure aims to show you the best of Costa Rica using buses and boats. While the driving distances are not huge and most roads are good, some sections are of poor quality/potholed, which can result in slower driving times. The longest journey (approximately six hours) is to Tortuguero on Day 3. There is also a journey of approximately five hours on Day 11 when we travel from La Fortuna to Dominical. Other drives are around four hours. All drives are broken up with regular stops; when rest stops and meal breaks are taken into account, the total journey duration may be one-two hours longer. On some travel days, we depart early in the morning to optimise the time at our next destination.

Animals: There are some dangerous insects and snakes in the jungle, although incidents are extremely rare. The guide’s advice must always be followed – it is the responsibility of parents to ensure children listen to the guide and don’t stray from paths.

Walks: The trip involves some short, easy walks in tropical conditions. There are also several optional activities, including a zip-wire canopy tour, rafting and more. There will be a full safety briefing at the start of each (so no prior experience is needed to take part) and all necessary equipment will be provided. Some activities may be changed because of the weather.

Swimming: The sea has very strong rip currents in the Tortuguero and Cahuita regions and is not suitable for swimming from the beach.

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.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Country Inn & Suites, Sobre Autopista General Cañas, Cariari, Heredia Province, San José, 40701
Phone: +506 2239 2272
Recommended arrival time: Afternoon/early evening
Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 10 to 15 minutes’ 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.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; 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.

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: San José

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.

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

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners 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 and 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 – though the monkeys in the hotel gardens may well want to share your bananas!

Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.

Weather

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.

TRIP

FNR - Costa Rica Adventure Family Holiday

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Family-friendly hotels and lodges

For this Costa Rican adventure, we’ve picked family-friendly hotels and lodges, all of which have swimming pools. Below are the accommodations we typically use.

San José: Country Inn & Suites (nights 1-2 and 14)