Costa Rica. Costa Rica Active Family Adventure

Day 1: San Jose

We begin our multisport Costa Rica family adventure with a warm Tico welcome after passing through customs. Transfer to your overnight accommodations at Hotel Bougainvillea and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Accomodations: Hotel Bougainvillea

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

Early morning welcome breakfast and orientation briefing with your guide. We then board our private vehicle for the journey overland through scenic mountains and rich agricultural land. At El Bosque, a small town near the Arenal Volcano we visit Don Erasmo Gonzalez, a local farmer who operates his organic farm with his four children. Visitors will see and learn about common Costa Rican crops such as coffee, bananas, medicinal plants, and more. At the end of the farm tour, guests proceed to the garden area where they can harvest organic vegetables and bring them to the farm’s restaurant where they will be washed and prepared for lunch. In addition to freshly harvested vegetables, lunch includes a hands-on demonstration on tortilla making which are then served with the meal!

Further into the Central Highlands we hike through a lush rainforest canyon for a refreshing swim under La Fortuna waterfall. We continue on to La Fortuna Hotsprings, a piece of paradise owned by Dona Mireya and her family. A Costa Rican typical dinner is served under a rustic rancho. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accomodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Prepare for an exciting day of exploration as we join a horseback riding adventure. We travel through Arenal’s fields, streams and rainforest and ride along old trails and private grounds that were used by Don Tobias, a well known horse breeder in the Arenal area. These trails give us the opportunity to observe a vast array of wildlife along the way including monkeys, sloth, iguanas, butterflies, and flowers that our guide will point out along the way. We get to a lookout point where we can marvel at the majestic Arenal Volcano and its beautiful surroundings. (Note if you prefer to do Mountain biking instead of horseback riding, the option is available at no additional cost, just let us know.)

In the afternoon we board the Sky Tram gondolas for a ride upward through the forest 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 and 66-660 feet above the ground. We will recount our experiences over a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in La Fortuna. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accomodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Arenal Volcano - Canyoneering & Hanging Bridges

Today prepare to get wet as we rappel down a mystical jungle canyon filled with tropical waterfalls. We are assisted by a team of experienced guides using safety equipment before setting off down a series of stunning waterfalls that get bigger and Bigger and BIGGER; the grand finale is a 210 ft, 3-stage waterfall!

We continue exploring the rainforest canopy with our guide on a series of hanging bridges winding through the old growth forest surrounding the Arenal Volcano. Keep your binoculars and camera handy as our guide shows us an abundance of wildlife, including up to 250 species of birds and animals including the white hawk, great curassow, rufous motmot as well as howler monkeys, coatimundis, sloth and white-collared peccary. After return to our hotel to rest and relax pool side or take a short hike with our guide. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Nayara or Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Accomodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Nayara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Manuel Antonio - Outrigger Kayaking

Prepare for a long but fun transit day to the beach! En route we stop for lunch and to view the huge American Crocodiles basking in the sun at the Tarcoles River bridge. Later join a fun and unique outrigger kayak excursion on stable eight-person boats that have been used for centuries for exploration and ocean-going transport. We glide beneath sea cliffs filled with pelicans and frigate birds. Weather permitting, we relax at a secluded beach where we enjoy some of the best snorkeling on the central coast. For those interested, personal and double kayaks are also available (please request them in advance).

Arrive late afternoon at Manuel Antonio and our family friendly Costa Rica hotel. Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accomodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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

Today our eco tour explores 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. A rustle in the branches above probably means there are howler, white-faced capuchin and spider monkeys looking down at you. A sharp eye may catch the Central American squirrel monkey, locally called the mono titi.

After lunch the rest of the day is free to enjoy the beaches, try surfing, sea kayak along the Pacific coastline, ride horseback at a local reserve or just relax poolside (additional activities not included). Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accomodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Manuel Antonio - Campesinos Day Hike or White Water Rafting on Savegre River

After enjoying fresh fruits and coffee at Viki’s Restaurant we depart for the 4 mile hike to the Campesinos Private Reserve. The hike begins at an old farm road passing creeks and waterfalls and offering beautiful views and great opportunities for wildlife and bird watching. Our hike ends at The Campesinos Reserve, located on a beautiful mountain range that is part of the community of Quebrada Arroyo, managed by Don Miguel Mora, his brother Visa and his wife Dona Juanita. These three local Costa Ricans love to share their experience and knowledge of Tico traditions, great food and the rain forest. A highlight of the Reserve is the system of suspension bridges over a deep river gorge. After lunch, a 1.5 mile hike takes us to the Savegre River where, with the help of the local guides we use a traditional manual tram (metal tram suspended by ropes) to get across the river. After the tram and river crossing we return to Manuel Antonio. Alternatively, a day of rafting (Class II-III) can be arranged for those looking for more challenging adventure.

White Water Rafting on Savegre River. Considered one of the cleanest rivers in Central America; the Savegre is an authentic full day adventure: relaxation and pure action while enjoying the fantastic landscapes surrounding Manuel Antonio National Park. After a safety briefing we start maneuvering rapids like “Boca Diablo” and “Washing Machine”. After rafting a five minute drive will take us to Silencio Lodge where a hot Costa Rican meal will be served.
Overnight at Hotel El Parador or Villas Si Como No.

Accomodations: Villas Si Como No, Hotel Parador

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Manuel Antonio - San Jose

It's time to say goodbye to our new friends. A short transfer will take us to the Quepos airstrip where we board a twin engine charter flight (25 minutes) direct to the San Jose International airport. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to the terminal.