Costa Rica. Costa Rica Active Family Adventure

Day 1: San Jose

Begin your multisport Costa Rica family adventure with a warm Tico welcome after passing through customs. Transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea where you can stroll through the gardens with your family or relax by the pool before turning in for the evening.

Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea

Day 2: Arenal Volcano - Vida Campesina Farm, La Fortuna Waterfall and Hotsprings

Join your Costa Rica family guide for breakfast and orientation. Travel by private vehicle through scenic mountains and rich agricultural land (3 hrs) to experience rural life in Costa Rica. Here you will meet farmer Don Erasmo Gonzalez and his family to learn about local life on the farm.

Sample Freshly squeezed sweet cane juice from a hand-operated sugar mill (seasonal) and learn about typical Costa Rican crops including coffee, bananas, various tropical fruits and vegetables. Don Gonzalez and his children invite you and your family to step onto the farm and meet their cattle, chicken, sheep and rabbits. Here you will learn about the conversion of organic waste to biogas and organic fertilizer. Spend time in the garden harvesting vegetables before moving to the kitchen to make fresh tortillas to enjoy as part of your delicious Costa Rican lunch!

Your journey continues farther into the Central Highlands where you will hike through a lush rainforest canyon and stop for a refreshing swim under La Fortuna waterfall. Continuing on to La Fortuna Hotsprings, a piece of paradise owned by Dona Mireya and her family, you will enjoy a typical "Tico-style" dinner served under an open-air rustic rancho. Spend the night at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accommodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Arenal Volcano - Don Tobias Horseback Riding or Mountain Biking and Zip Line Canopy Tour

Begin your exciting day of exploration on a 1-3 hour horseback riding adventure, depending on abilities and interest*. Ride through fields, streams and rainforest around the base of Arenal enroute to a spectacular lookout where you can marvel at the majestic volcano. Keep a keen eye out for wildlife along the way, including monkeys, sloth, iguanas, butterflies and flowers.

*Mountain biking is available upon advance request instead of horseback riding at no additional cost.

Ride the Sky Tram gondola to the highest point of Arenal Reserve to begin the Sky Trek, one of the most exhilarating zip-line canopy tours in Costa Rica. The system includes 8 cross- sectional cables with a total length of 1.75 miles elevated 66-660 feet above the ground. Recount the days adventures in Costa Rica over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in La Fortuna before spending the night at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accommodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Arenal Volcano - Canyoneering and Hanging Bridges

An exciting day begins as you gear up to rappel down a lush jungle canyon and tropical waterfalls. A team of experienced guides will equip you and your family with all the safety gear needed to canyoneer down a series of stunning waterfalls. Make your way down progressively heightening falls until you reach the grand finale: a 210 ft, 3-stage waterfall! Waterproof camera recommended.

Your Costa Rica adventure continues as you cross a series of hanging bridges that wind through rainforest surrounding the Arenal Volcano. Keep your binoculars and camera handy as your guide identifies an abundance of wildlife. Be on the lookout for up to 250 species of birds and mammals including toucans, motmots, howler monkeys, coatimundis, sloth and white-collared peccary. Return to your hotel to rest, relax pool side or take a short hike with your guide. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accommodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Manuel Antonio - Local Lunch and Outrigger Kayaking

Pack up and prepare for a long but fun transit day from the highlands to the tropical Pacific Beach! Take a break to view huge American Crocodiles basking in the sun at the Tarcoles River bridge. Experience the true spirit of "Pura Vida" as members of the Tarcoles community open their doors to you and serve a local style Tico lunch. At Don Urbano and Dona Miriam's simple casa you will enjoy Urbano's fresh catch of the day prepared "Tico" style as well as many other typical Costa Rican treats. Keep your binoculars handy as there is a good chance of viewing scarlet macaws as they feed on almond trees near the house.

Head straight for the calm bays of Manuel Antonio where you and your family will venture out in stable eight-person outrigger kayaks used for centuries for exploration and ocean-transport. Glide beneath sea cliffs filled with pelicans and frigate birds and over clear tropical waters, then haul out onto a secluded beach to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. For those interested in paddling themselves, single and double kayaks are also available (please request in advance). Arrive at your Manuel Antonio family friendly hotel in the late afternoon and spend time exploring the area or relaxing. Total driving time: 4 hours. Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accommodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio National Park and Beaches

Pack your water bottle, sunscreen and binoculars for an exciting eco tour exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. This small, but biologically diverse rainforest reserve is composed of three long strands of magnificent white sand beach bordered by a vine-draped jungle filled with wildlife. Be on the lookout for a slow moving sloth perched in a tree. Rustling branches could mean howler, white-faced capuchin and spider monkeys observing you. A sharp eye may catch the Central American squirrel monkey, known locally as the mono titi, which is found in very few parks around the country. After lunch, your Costa Rica tour guide bids you farewell. Spend the remainder of your day enjoying the beaches, surfing or sea kayak along the Pacific coastline. You may also choose to ride horseback at a local reserve or just relax poolside (additional activities not included). Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accommodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Manuel Antonio - Campesinos Day Hike or Rafting

Grab your hiking shoes and daypack for an exciting day with local Costa Ricans as they share their experience and knowledge of local Tico traditions, local food and life in the rainforest. After a coffee stop at Viki’s Restaurant you will depart for the 4-mile hike to the Campesinos Private Reserve. Begin your hike on an old farm road and make your way down the trail. Enroute you will pass creeks and waterfalls, take in beautiful views and watch for birds and wildlife. Continue on until reaching the Campesinos Reserve, a family-run retreat in the coastal highland community of Quebrada Arroyo. Here you will meet Don Miguel Mora, his brother Visa and his wife Dona Juanita who will share an unforgettable day with you and your family in their rural community.

Be sure to check out the highlight of the Reserve: a system of suspension bridges you can cross over a deep river gorge. After lunch, a 1.5 mile hike will take you to the Savegre River where, with the help of the local guides you will use a traditional manual tram suspended by cables to cross the river.

White Water Rafting on Savegre River

Alternatively, a day of rafting (Class II-III) can be arranged for those interested in a more challenging adventure. Considered one of the cleanest rivers in Central America, the Savegre River will provide an authentic full day adventure for you and your family. Experience both relaxation and pure action while enjoying the fantastic landscapes surrounding Manuel Antonio National Park. Your day begins with an early 1.5-hour drive south of Quepos to the river put-in. After a safety briefing you will start maneuvering the mild rapids of “Boca Diablo” and “Washing Machine”. You will later tackle the "Screaming Child" rapid before disembarking for lunch at the nearby Silencio Lodge. From there you will have a short 50 minute drive back to Quepos. Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accommodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Manuel Antonio - San Jose

Bid your farewells and take a short transfer to the Quepos airstrip where you will board a twin engine charter flight (25 minutes) direct to the San Jose International airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by a driver waiting to take you to the terminal.