Costa Rica is one big natural adventure playground and our Costa Rica Family Tour is the perfect adventure. Older kids will love the adrenaline of zip wires, rafting and whale watching whereas younger kids will be under the spell of the beautiful colourful birds and the safe natural environment. And parents will be able to appreciate the easy way to travel, the unfussy food, the tropical climate, lazing by the pool and all getting together in the open air.

As they say all the time in Costa Rica – ‘Pura Vida!’ It just means ‘pure life’ and is an easy way to understand the big smiles and laid back life here. Perhaps we should refer to this family tour as the Pure Life Family Adventure, enjoy!

Costa Rica is covered in 25% of protected land…so a quarter of all the land in the country is protected for wildlife and nature, and much of the rest is completely undeveloped. It’s not even got an army. Costa Rica is on course for being the first country in the world to be carbon neutral and because it sits between two seas it has amazing biodiversity. So for children and adults alike, it’s a window into how the world can be and what we can do to protect the environment. This all means that it’s a fun place to explore with no crowds or busy streets or boring museums!

It’s worth saying that the locals – the Ticos as they call themselves – are genuinely friendly and welcoming with a deep family culture. As a result kids, in particular, are welcomed with open arms.

In this family adventure, we suggest a variety of things to see and do to suit all ages. But if your clan is more into adventure than art, more into wildlife than whitewater or if you want to get a deeper hands-on experience in conservation, we’ll tailor it to you, as Costa Rica can give you all that.

So what are you waiting for, discover a new Garden of Eden!

Costa Rica: A Family Adventure – Tour Highlights

• Mountains, jungles and beaches in one easy trip

• Small country means easy to get around yet lots of variety

• Stay in the best family eco-lodges and resorts

• So many adventures - rivers, jungle, stargazing

• See birds and animals up close at a wildlife refuge

• Plenty of spas and hot springs for adults to escape into

Suggested itinerary – We customise this for you!

Day 1 – To San Jose

Fly to San Jose where you’ll be met by your friendly neighbourhood local guide for the private transfer to the hotel. We’ll make sure you get out of the airport as quickly as possible and out into the countryside.

Spend the night in a friendly lodge in a coffee estate and breathe in the tropical air.

Meals: None

Hotel: Finca Rosa Blanca

Finca Rosa Blanca

Finca Rosa Blanca is a hotel set within a coffee plantation in the lush central valley of Costa Rica. It’s well located close to San Jose and as it’s a friendly small hotel in a beautiful area it’s an excellent alternative to staying in the city. It combines a bit of luxury with local character, there are flowers everywhere and large rooms are in a Spanish colonial style each with individual decor. It’s a working coffee plantation and they run coffee tours, and it has a big sustainability ethos and is great for families. We certainly recommend more than one night if possible.

Day 2 – To Arenal and a mountain and jungle adventure

Start your day with some delicious Costa Rican coffee and fruit juices direct from the plantation.

Then set off on your exploration on a private drive through the central mountains, passing green fields with views of mountains and volcanoes.

I bet you’ve never visited an ox cart workshop before! Break the journey with seeing the uniquely Costa Rican art of painting ox-carts. No two are the same – and they’re fantastically colourful. Have a look around and maybe dream of owning your own painted ox cart one day.

Travel deep into Costa Rica and arrive at Tabacon Resort in the Arenal region. Who will be the first to sport Arenal volcano? It’s a perfect cone and if you’re lucky you might see a plume of smoke or lava coming out. Don’t worry it’s a long way away.

The area around Arenal is like a big adventure playground. Older kids will love the rafting and zip wires while young ones will love splashing around, exploring the forest and seeing monkeys.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

This is the place to come for some serious adult only relaxation amongst the nature of Costa Rica. The name speaks for itself as pure natural spring waters surrounding the hotel and there’s hot spring pools and waterfalls everywhere. Rooms are large and well equipped and it’s a convenient base close to Arenal Volcano. It is the largest resort in the Arenal area, but not big compared to international standards, and it’s got that natural spring attraction, so a regular haunt of ours.

Zip lining in the canopy at El Establo Costa Rica

Day 3 – Arenal and Asis Wildlife Protection Centre

Wake to the sounds of nature all around, listening out for beautiful bird calls or the spooky calls of howler monkeys, then head out with your private guide to the Asis Wildlife Projection Centre.

This is a hands-on visit, where you’ll all be able to learn about the wildlife of the area and help out in the animal rescue centre. The animals in the centre are not always the same s it depends on what furry visitors they have, but you might see some monkeys and sometimes sloths. The birds are beautiful with macaws, parakeets and toucans with their long bills. The team at the centre will show you how to prepare food for the animals and all get involved in feeding time.

Back at the resort in the afternoon, splash around in the pools, laze around and watch hummingbirds close up, or head out again maybe to Arenal lake.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

This is the place to come for some serious adult only relaxation amongst the nature of Costa Rica. The name speaks for itself as pure natural spring waters surrounding the hotel and there’s hot spring pools and waterfalls everywhere. Rooms are large and well equipped and it’s a convenient base close to Arenal Volcano. It is the largest resort in the Arenal area, but not big compared to international standards, and it’s got that natural spring attraction, so a regular haunt of ours.

Three capuchin monkeys Costa Rica

Day 4 – Arenal & Penas Blancas River Canoeing

Take to the water today on a private canoeing trip on the Penas Blancas River from La Fortuna to Arenal. This is on calm waters and is an easy paddle downstream. It’s all about drifting along surrounded by jungle, spotting monkeys up in the canopy, toucans with their long beaks, and on the bank’s iguanas and lizards. It’ll be like paddling into Jurassic Park – without the dinosaurs.

Well …there are some prehistoric animals because you’ll see small crocodiles submerge into the water as you go past.

After all that you’ll be hungry so go for lunch at Dona Maria’s where the family will greet you in true Costa Rican ‘Pura Vida’ style. Enjoy some fresh organic tropical juice drinks and help out making tortillas the traditional way, flattening out the dough and putting them on the wood-fired cooker… as they say in Latin America – que rico (delicious!)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Hotel: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

This is the place to come for some serious adult only relaxation amongst the nature of Costa Rica. The name speaks for itself as pure natural spring waters surrounding the hotel and there’s hot spring pools and waterfalls everywhere. Rooms are large and well equipped and it’s a convenient base close to Arenal Volcano. It is the largest resort in the Arenal area, but not big compared to international standards, and it’s got that natural spring attraction, so a regular haunt of ours.

Day 5 – To Rio Perdido – The Lost River

You’ll be driven north today into a secret world away from all the touristy stuff to begin a cloud forest adventure.

On the journey stop for a traditional lunch of food straight from the farm at El Establo. The family here rescue injured horses and you can see a demonstration of lovely Costa Rican Paso horses, which are special to Costa Rica and are a bit smaller and steadier than other breeds.

Continue to Guanacaste province, a beautiful region of untouched forests, volcanic peaks, waterfalls and hidden villages. Arrive at the Rio Perdido Lodge – meaning the Lost River, a name that conjures up the reason to stay here. It’s an amazing eco-lodge which looks space-age yet at the same time is close to the natural environment. The first thing you might want to do is take a dip in the natural hot springs and beautiful rock pools.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Hotel: Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido is a futuristic-looking and minimalist place hidden away in the forests close to Costa Rica’s north-west coast. In fact, the translated name Lost River says it all. Minimalist guest rooms and open lobby areas invite the forest colours in and provide a sense of serenity as well as sustainability. A big focus here is the action, with hanging bridges, white water rafting, tubing and zip lining and plenty more besides. It’s an excellent stop off on the way to the coast and a completely unique place to stay. We’re just not sure whether to call it a lodge, a hotel or a retreat, it doesn’t fit a category and that’s why many of our guests seek it out.

Hanging bridge canopy walk at Rio Perdido Costa Rica

Day 6 – Rio Perdido – Canyon adventures

Spend the day doing what you want to do, and what a choice. On the river there’s tubing – and yes that means going down the river in a big inner tube. There’s a pretty adventurous canyoning course which includes zip-lining over the river and a big Tarzan swing. There’s also an awesome mountain bike trail run by the lodge, although that’s for riders with a bit of experience.

In the evening, go for an exciting guided family night walk. The hike begins through the spooky forest where you can try and spot the nocturnal animals. You’ll then soon come upon to a clearing where because of the complete lack of artificial light the views of the stars the sky are amazing. Look out for shooting stars and satellites and see the Milky Way.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido is a futuristic-looking and minimalist place hidden away in the forests close to Costa Rica’s north-west coast. In fact, the translated name Lost River says it all. Minimalist guest rooms and open lobby areas invite the forest colours in and provide a sense of serenity as well as sustainability. A big focus here is the action, with hanging bridges, white water rafting, tubing and zip lining and plenty more besides. It’s an excellent stop off on the way to the coast and a completely unique place to stay. We’re just not sure whether to call it a lodge, a hotel or a retreat, it doesn’t fit a category and that’s why many of our guests seek it out.

Day 7 – Rio Perdido

It’s a free day today, we certainly recommend staying three nights as there’s no need to rush around. Rio Perdido is an excellent base to see and do all sorts of different activities. A bit further afield the Palo Verde National Park is a cool trip through mangrove wetlands.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido is a futuristic-looking and minimalist place hidden away in the forests close to Costa Rica’s north-west coast. In fact, the translated name Lost River says it all. Minimalist guest rooms and open lobby areas invite the forest colours in and provide a sense of serenity as well as sustainability. A big focus here is the action, with hanging bridges, white water rafting, tubing and zip lining and plenty more besides. It’s an excellent stop off on the way to the coast and a completely unique place to stay. We’re just not sure whether to call it a lodge, a hotel or a retreat, it doesn’t fit a category and that’s why many of our guests seek it out.

Day 8 – To the Pacific Ocean via a hidden waterfall

Head out of the forest and take the journey to Papagayo, swapping the steamy jungle adventure with the tropical Pacific Ocean adventure.

On the journey, you can stop at the impressive Llanos de Cortes waterfall. Walk through the forest to get there, you’ll hear it well before you see it. It’s a twelve-metre high waterfall and it’s a great place to see colourful birds and monkeys exploring in the trees. Bring your swimmers as you can take a dip in the refreshing pools by a little beach formed below the falls.

Who’ll be the first to spot the sea? It’s a big sea here, the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. Get to your hotel this afternoon, El Mangroove. As the name suggests it’s a pretty laid back place yet maintains the attentive service which is natural to Costa Rica with excellent facilities for all.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: El Mangroove

El Mangroove

El Mangroove is as you would expect a pretty casual and fun resort which is great for families on a beach of the Papagayo Gulf. However, there’s also substance behind the quirkiness with luxury rooms and lots of international resort facilities. We like it for families because unlike some of the five-star hotels in the region it’s close to the action in the local town and rainforest activity centres. El Mangroove is full of facilities, restaurants with all kinds of food choices, a large pool, a kids zone and friendly staff everywhere. It’s a great place to switch off and enjoy.

Llano de Cortes waterfall and pools Guanacaste region Costa Rica

Day 9 – El Mangroove and a snorkelling trip.

Go out onto the sea with an expert guide on a snorkelling trip to uncover the beautiful underwater world in these protected seas. This is a private tour so you can do whatever you and your family are happy with. Your guide will take you to the best places to snorkel, whether it’s your first time as a family or you’ve done it loads of times, you’ll see some wondrous things here and your expert guide will explain the sea life – you might even see marine turtles and dolphins. And you might find Nemo!

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the beach and resort. For dinner, everything is available at the hotel, although we do recommend at least one night getting a taxi to local Coco Beach. South America Travel Specialist can guide you to cool little restaurants, all part of the service.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: El Mangroove

El Mangroove

El Mangroove is as you would expect a pretty casual and fun resort which is great for families on a beach of the Papagayo Gulf. However, there’s also substance behind the quirkiness with luxury rooms and lots of international resort facilities. We like it for families because unlike some of the five-star hotels in the region it’s close to the action in the local town and rainforest activity centres. El Mangroove is full of facilities, restaurants with all kinds of food choices, a large pool, a kids zone and friendly staff everywhere. It’s a great place to switch off and enjoy.

Day 10 – El Mangroove and more Pacific Ocean adventure

Blissful family days spent by the tropical Pacific Ocean. The coast around Papagayo is home to a number of Costa Rica’s larger resorts, yet it’s still got a wild feel and is surrounded by national parks and protected coastline.

Choose from an abundance of activities on sea and land from the hotel or close by. There’s sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding or literally push the boat out and hire your own yacht for the day! Additionally inland, we recommend a trip to Diamante Eco Adventure Park close by which has some epic zip lines.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: El Mangroove

El Mangroove

El Mangroove is as you would expect a pretty casual and fun resort which is great for families on a beach of the Papagayo Gulf. However, there’s also substance behind the quirkiness with luxury rooms and lots of international resort facilities. We like it for families because unlike some of the five-star hotels in the region it’s close to the action in the local town and rainforest activity centres. El Mangroove is full of facilities, restaurants with all kinds of food choices, a large pool, a kids zone and friendly staff everywhere. It’s a great place to switch off and enjoy.

Running in the surf Costa Rica

Day 11 – El Mangroove the final day

You’ll have got well into the groove at El Mangroove by now (sorry!). There’s still plenty to do, or do nothing at all. You’ll all enjoy the different food and drink treats available, and being a natural Costa Rican place, it’s all very laid back, casual and super friendly.

If you want to keep in touch with guys in Costa Rica or get involved further with any of the conservation work you’ll have seen on your trip, we can arrange this with you.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: El Mangroove

El Mangroove

El Mangroove is as you would expect a pretty casual and fun resort which is great for families on a beach of the Papagayo Gulf. However, there’s also substance behind the quirkiness with luxury rooms and lots of international resort facilities. We like it for families because unlike some of the five-star hotels in the region it’s close to the action in the local town and rainforest activity centres. El Mangroove is full of facilities, restaurants with all kinds of food choices, a large pool, a kids zone and friendly staff everywhere. It’s a great place to switch off and enjoy.

Day 12 – To San Jose and departure

Drive back to San Jose, a lovely farewell journey through the beautiful countryside. Arriving at the airport to check-in for your flight, your guide will be there to assist you with all the arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: None

Day 13 – Arrive home

Land back home. We are sure that Costa Rica changes everyone who visits and gets to the heart of the country. You’ll have so many stories to share and lifetime memories. For kids and parents alike it shows us a different way of living, of coming together to protect the planet and a bit of inspiration to take forward. And as much as any of that, it’s lots and lots and lots of fun.