Compare Costa Rica Family Adventure by Adventure Smith vs Costa Rica: See & Experience it ALL in 11 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea or similar

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

Day 2: Arenal Volcano

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Start your 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 5 different waterfalls. The gardens also 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.

Day 3: Arenal to Monteverde

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Fonda Vela

Enjoy a morning hike to a nearby waterfall and an up-close exploration of a lava flow prior to the drive 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.

Day 4: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Fonda Vela

Morning guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing 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, that give the participant 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.

Day 5: Mountains to Coast

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Capitan Suizo

Our representative will transfer you in an air-conditioned vehicle on a scenic drive 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 your hotel's pool.

Days 6 – 7: Tamarindo Beach

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Capitan Suizo

Spend your days in Tamarindo simply soaking in the Pacific views, or opting for several activities available to your family at additional cost, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing lessons, kayaking and more!

Day 8: San Jose

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea

Return by plane to San Jose where a representative will take you to your hotel in Costa Rica's capitol. Spend your last afternoon in Costa Rica taking in a museum or exploring one of San Jose's several colorful markets.

Day 9: Depart San Jose

Meals: Breakfast

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

Day 1: A Social Gathering on the Sand & Horseback Riding

Our tour to Costa Rica starts in Tamarindo. This beach village is a popular destination for couples and families looking for a good time. Tamarindo is the epitome of everything Costa Rica prides itself on. Let's head to the beach, where there is likely to be a gathering/party of some sort. On a side note, Tamarindo is also home to leatherback turtles. The day ends with horseback riding on the beach and in a nearby valley.

Day 2: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar & Appetizers & Going Snorkeling

We go on an excursion today. Passing by the beaches in Brasilito and then Potrero, we stop at Flamingo beach so we can go swimming. Afterwards, we do a cruise into the bay. We are provided with snorkeling gear, local appetizers and access to an open bar. Enjoy the sunset while “sipping on some bubbly.”

Day 3: Zip-Lining & a Night Expedition in a Cloud Forest Reserve

We relocate from Tamarindo near to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There we go on a zip-lining tour. We return in the evening for a night tour.

This reserve draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year. It consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest and 6 ecological zones, 90 percent of which are virgin forest. A high biodiversity-consisting of over 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species and thousands of insects-has drawn scientists and tourists alike.

Day 4: Rappelling, Climbing & Hiking & Bathing in Natural Hot Springs

We relocate from Monteverde to the town of La Fortuna. Shortly thereafter, we are taken on an adrenaline-pumping adventure to the Lost Canyon. There we climb and hike and otherwise go waterfall rappelling. Lunch is included on today’s tour.

After the Lost Canyon, we are taken to one of the many natural hot springs in La Fortuna. More specifically, we are taken to a resort called Ecotermales Fortuna. There we bathe as well as eat. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 5: Walking Over Hanging Bridges & Swimming Under a Waterfall

Today we are taken on a tour to the nearby surroundings. First is Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, which features cool-looking bridges hanging in the tropical rain forest. Next is La Fortuna Waterfall, where we can go swimming. Following the waterfall is lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Lastly for today is Arenal Volcano National Park. It offers a nice hike amid tropical scenery. The volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) high and is estimated to be less than 7,500 years old.

Day 6: An Intimidating Volcano

We go on a daytrip today. We are taken to Tenorio Volcano National Park. The jewel of this national park is its volcano, from which it receives its name. Tenorio Volcano consists of 4 volcanic peaks and 2 craters. Thermal springs and small geysers dot the area, as do rivers, waterfalls and lagoons. The upper area of the park is dominated by primary cloud forest, while the lower regions are carpeted with rain forest. The summit can be reached via the Lago Las Dantas Trail, which winds up the volcano and passes through forested terrain before eventually reaching the peak. From the park’s entrance, it takes about an hour to hike up to the peak/main viewpoint. Lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 7: The Country's Most Famous Beach

We relocate from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. We see why this town is so popular with tourists. Its national park receives almost 150,000 visitors annually. Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica at its most tropical. Let's head to the beach.

Day 8: White Sand & Taking a Surf Class

The day starts with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests. The second half of the day is spent taking a surfing class.

Day 9: Discovering Wildlife Inside an Animal Kingdom

Before relocating to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, we are provided with a guided tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Extra time is given so we can go swimming. This park has impressive landscapes and several coves with many white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests.

Day 10: The Most Stunning Volcano in Costa Rica & a Coffee Plantation Visit

We go on a daytrip today. We are first taken to Doka Estate. There we are provided with breakfast followed by a guided tour of a coffee plantation. Next, we visit Poás Volcano National Park. There we are provided with a guided tour. Please note that Poás Volcano National Park is often closed due to eruptions. If this is the case during your visit, then this park would need to be removed from today’s itinerary. Lastly, we visit La Paz Waterfall. There we are provided with lunch as well as a guided tour.

Day 11: Our Tour Ends This Morning

San Jose is the final destination on our tour around Costa Rica. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the international airport.