Compare Costa Rica Family Holiday by Intrepid Travel vs Wildlife of Costa Rica by Audley Travel

Day 1 San Jose

Welcome to subtropical San Jose! Meet your leader and fellow family travellers at a welcome meeting at 5 pm at the hotel. If you arrive early there is plenty to see in this bustling city, and as the streets are laid out in a grid pattern it’s relatively easy to navigate too. Check out a few of the optional activities below, just note that as these activities are not included, they may incur an extra charge. The Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, for example, is the perfect way to introduce kids (and adults) of all ages to Costa Rican biodiversity while getting some respite from the clamour of the city. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a taste of ‘Tico’ food (and get to know the other families and your tour leader) with an optional dinner as a group.

Day 2 Santa Rosa de Pocosol

Fuel up on breakfast and get some books or classic car games ready for the 3-hour drive to Santa Rosa de Pocosol. The tiny agricultural community of Juanilama (pop. approximately 200) in the Santa Rosa de Pocosol area is predominantly dedicated to milk production and raising cattle. It’s the perfect place to experience life in small-town Costa Rica – you’ll even be staying with a local family! Settle in and get to know your hosts before going on an agricultural tour. During the tour the children will learn how to plant vegetables as well as gather some produce to be used in tonight’s cooking class. You will have some free time to wander around the community before coming together to create a meal with the produce collected earlier. Vamos a comer (Let’s eat)!

Day 3 Arenal

Today you’ll cross west through the north of the country to Arenal (approximately 1 hour), which lies beneath the volcano of the same name. Rising from verdant plains, Arenal Volcano shoots up 1633 metres in a perfect cone and in certain light resembles a storybook drawing. The landscape is mainly cloud forest and rainforest, cut through with rivers, lakes and -- thanks to the volcano’s inner workings -- thermal hot springs. On arrival you are free to explore the area at your own pace. Or perhaps you’d prefer to unwind by the hotel pool in view of the mighty Arenal Volcano. Your accommodation also features onsite hot springs where you can relax your muscles in preparation for an active day tomorrow.

Day 4 Arenal

Today begins with a hike to the Peninsula section of the National Park, near Lake Arenal. Here we will begin a 1.5 km (1 mile) long walk along an easy trail for about an hour. Throughout the tour you can enjoy excellent views overlooking Lake Arenal and the Tilaran Volcanic Mountain Range in the observation bays that are found along the trail. At the end of the walk, we will have the opportunity to climb to the observation platform of approximately 12 meters (40 ft) high for a closer and amazing view of the volcano. At the end of the trail, we will take our boat for a tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and islets to try to find some animals. This is the ideal place to take scenic photographs of the volcano, if it is clear. After about 45 minutes, the boat docks in the sector of the Arenal Dam. The afternoon is then free for optional activities in the local area. Please note as these activities are not included, some incur extra cost. To get a closer view of the majestic volcano peak, you could take a hike past old lava flows on the Arenal 1968 Trail. There are two options on the 1968, including a shorter route suitable for families with younger kids. Or maybe a slow-paced soar on the Sky Tram is more your family’s speed? Chat to your leader about these and the many other options on offer today.

Day 5 Monteverde

Today you’ll drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, before taking a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. Once you reach La Fortuna, a vehicle will take you to the hotel. There may be time to make an optional visit the nearby Butterfly Garden today upon arrival (an additional cost). Otherwise, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. In 1951 North American Quakers founded the nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call the reserve home, and over the next few days you’ll get acquainted with some of them.

Day 6 Monteverde

See the forest from a different perspective on an included canopy walk across the suspended bridges of Monteverde. The sheer variety of bird life in Monteverde is enough to make an ornithologist out of anyone, so don’t be surprised if younger children have a new answer to the question ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’ While you’re up among the treetops look (or listen) out for the reclusive resplendent quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot or the emerald toucanet. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or partake in some optional activities. You could visit an orchid farm or whizz through the trees on zip-lines. If conditions are right, there might be a chance to hike through the forest at dusk, a unique opportunity to see the area’s nocturnal creatures begin to stir.

Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park

Wave adios to Monteverde and hit the Pan-American Highway for a southward journey past beaches and palm plantations to Manuel Antonio (around 6 hours). Arrive at your accommodation, located close to the national park, and spend an evening at leisure. On your way you will stop at a local family home where you'll enjoy a cooking class and lunch. An activity the kids will enjoy! All the dishes will be based on traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Tonight, maybe take the family for a traditional Costa Rican meal at a soda (local restaurant), where you can mix with locals and try some of the region’s incredible fresh produce. Please note this dinner is not included, but your leader can give you tips on where to go and what to order!

Day 8 Manuel Antonio National Park

After breakfast enjoy a 3-hour guided walk along the trails that snake through Manuel Antonio National Park. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse wild and plant life from your guide. Look and listen carefully and you may be able to spot howler monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, iguanas and more. The afternoon is free to explore this magical area further at your family’s desired pace. Maybe you’d like to relax on one of the idyllic palm-lined bays while the kids splash in the water. Active types have the option to rent equipment to kayak, surf or fish in the glittering ocean (for an extra cost). There are no wrong choices in this balmy paradise.

Day 9 San Jose

Rise and shine for your final morning in this beachside haven. Enjoy your last hours in Manuel Antonio with some free time before making the return drive to San Jose in the mid-afternoon (approximately 3 hours). There are no activities planned on arrival at San Jose but maybe head out as a group for a final optional dinner to reminisce about your time together.

Day 10 San Jose

There are no activities planned for today. Please remember to comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times if you are leaving today. Can’t get enough of San Jose? Why not head out on a Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Urban Adventure, which uncovers the chocolate and wildlife secrets of the jungle. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/San-Jose-tour-tropical-rainforest-and-chocolate-adventure.

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San Jose.

Day 2 : San Ramon

On arriving in Costa Rica you're met at the airport by an Audley representative and driven to your lodge by private transfer. The drive takes around an hour. After arriving at your lodge in the Los Angeles Cloudforest Reserve, you may wish to spend the rest of the day relaxing in your hotel after your flight. If you're feeling more energetic, you could try out one of the reserve's canopy zip lines.

Day 3 : San Ramon

This morning, you head off on a birdwatching tour with a specialist guide in search of hummingbirds and a variety of other species, many endemic to the region. You have the afternoon free to relax or keep exploring the area under your own steam. We suggest getting out on one of the forest's walking trails or taking a trip to the nearby arty town of San Ramon with a local guide.

Day 4 : Arenal Volcano

Today take a private transfer to your next destination, Arenal Volcano. The drive takes around three hours, passing through mountain ranges, pasture land and several volcanoes before reaching your accommodation. After arriving, relax in your hotel's grounds or start exploring: we can help you to arrange hikes around Arenal Volcano, or a visit to the cyan blue Rio Celeste waterfalls.

Day 5 : Arenal Volcano

This morning you're woken early to depart on a shared group tour to the Arenal Hanging Bridges - a beautiful canopy walkway through the cloudforest, where your guide will point out the flora and fauna that grows in this habitat. This afternoon, explore the geology of Arenal National Park, followed by an evening soak in the secluded hot springs at Eco Termales. Dinner is included as part of this trip, after which you'll be dropped off back at your hotel.

Day 6 : Arenal Volcano

Today enjoy a group trip to the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve. You're picked up from your hotel by bus and take a four hour journey to Los Chiles near the Nicaraguan border. Here you'll take a rainforest boat safari in search of sloth, caimans, monkeys and turtles. Keep an eye out for Jesus Christ lizards (so-called because they can walk on water), among other species. This full day return trip includes drinks, snacks, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Day 7 : Manuel Antonio

Take a private transfer to Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast, where jungle meets beach. The journey takes about five hours as you leave the mountains behind and descend through cloudforest via pasture land to the warmer Pacific coast. The final part of the drive follows the coast road southeast. After arriving you're free to relax in your hotel for the rest of the day.

Day 8 : Manuel Antonio

Enjoy a private three hour guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Explore some of the coastline walking trails leading to beaches, and keep an eye out for wildlife such as white-faced capuchin monkeys, racoons and tropical birds. Many trips end with some time to swim in the ocean. After your tour is over, you're free to explore on your own. We recommend bringing a picnic lunch and taking a private transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 9 : El Remanso

Journey by private transfer to Puerto Jimenez, the gateway to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Here you're met by your hotel representative and take a shared transfer to your lodge. The first part of the journey takes four hours, then you continue to your lodge on unpaved roads which may take up to an hour. On arriving, you'll meet with lodge guides who will run through the activities and experiences taking place over the next couple of days.

Day 10 : El Remanso

A day at leisure. To make the most of your time in the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula, we recommend spending as much time as possible on the forest trails with your lodge's specialist naturalist guides. They help you to spot toucans, macaws, squirrel monkeys and the many local species of butterfly. Enthusiastic birders with a head for heights can take a zip line to a special birdwatching platform, allowing you to immerse yourself in the canopy.

Day 11 : El Remanso

Another day at leisure in the Osa Peninsula. In addition to wildlife walks, we can also help you arrange horse riding, surfing lessons and sea kayaking, or even waterfall rappelling for the more adventurous. Dolphin watching, tree climbing and yoga sessions are also on offer.

Day 12 : International return flight

Take a shared 4x4 transfer back to Puerto Jimenez where you'll catch a domestic flight back to San Jose, in time for your international flight home.

Day 13 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.