Travel to Costa Rica: Costa Rica Family Vacation

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Costa Rica Family Vacation

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $1965 per person (Includes Local Air) * 1 additional free night at the beach on Sept & Oct * HIGHLIGHTS: La Paz Waterfall Gardens Hotsprings Arenal Volcano Hanging bridges Los Angeles Cloud Forest Villa Blanca zipline canopy tour Nocturnal Walk Damas Island Kayaking float tour Family friendly hotels in Costa Rica ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE COSTA RICA
Arrive San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport and after passing through customs your family is met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea, Hotel El Rodeo or similar. [meals on own]

Your guide will educate you on the wonders of the forest.

DAY 2 :  LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS AND HOTSPRINGS
This morning we meet the other families traveling with us and begin our adventure with a scenic one hour drive through the Costa Rica countryside escorted by our driver/guide. La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a paradise; four spectacular waterfalls connected by three kilometers of easy to walk paved trails. Adjacent to the gardens is the Hummingbird Garden and the world's largest enclosed Butterfly Observatory, both of which can be visited. Expect to see species of birds and butterflies from both cloud forest and rain forest environments. The reserve encompasses both these ecosystems and has a year-round cool climate. A small restaurant features typical Costa Rican fare and refreshments. We continue on to the Arenal Volcano area, en route stopping at La Fortuna, a small piece of paradise in the shape of an enormous hot spring owned by Dona Mireya and her family. It is a unique place; five creek-fed pools, one of which is always the perfect temperature for a late day dip. We take plenty of time to play or relax in the warm water as the sun sets, and then enjoy one of Dona Mireyas delicious meals under a rustic wooden rancho. Overnight Arenal Observatory Lodge or similar [BLD]

DAY 3 :  ARENAL VOLCANO AND HANGING BRIDGES
This morning we experience the high rain forest canopy from the exhilarating aerial perspective of a system of hanging bridges, which wind through the old growth forest surrounding the volcano. Over 250 species of birds and animals, including the White Hawk, Great Curassow, Rufous Motmot, Howler Monkey, Spider Monkey, Coatimundi, Sloth and White-collared Peccary have been sighted in this area.   In the afternoon we embark on a half-day guided hike with our expert naturalist guide to explore the forest and slopes around the Arenal Volcano. We search for local wildlife, clamber over lava flows from the 1968 eruption, and learn why the geology of this area has made Costa Rica so unique.  An afternoon we drive (approximately 2.5 hours) to Los Angeles Cloud Forest in San Ramon, a small farming community in the heart of Costa Ricas Central Highlands. We stay in a remote and tranquil hacienda, featuring twenty cozy chalets with private baths and lots of charm; the perfect base from which to explore the adjacent Los Angeles Cloud Forest. Trails through this private 800-hectare reserve begin at an elevation of 2,300' and wind up through the lush tropical cloud-forests to as high as 6,000.' Listen for the calls of Howler Monkeys and watch for Spider Monkeys and Capuchins. Some 210 species of birds have been identified as resident, including Bellbirds and Trogons.  Overnight at Hotel Villa Blanca. [BD]

	Watch for Keel billed toucans in the cloud forest.

DAY 4 :  VILLA BLANCA CANOPY TOUR, NATURE TRAIL AND NIGHT WALK
This morning we experience a bird's eye view of the cloud forest on a zip-line canopy adventure through the treetops - and through an occasional cloud. The flora and fauna is truly exuberant, with the canopy playing host to a variety of bird species unique to this ecosystem. This canopy adventure takes us to seven different platforms along zip-lines varying from 30 to 260 meters in length, a truly exhilarating experience. In the afternoon we explore the Silence of the Angels trail; a 1,000-meter (1 kilometer) trail carefully engineered by Villa Blanca's own professional nature guides. With only 2.5% of the planet's cloud forest remaining, this is an important attempt at environmental preservation. The trail has no steps or obstacles to interfere with our observation of the countless varieties of tropical flora and fauna, and has been specially designed as a user-friendly interpretive trail. Conveniently located within Villa Blanca's 75 acre hotel property, the unique energy of this cloud-shrouded forest habitat continues to marvel both scientists and novices alike. Also included is a guided nocturnal nature walk on the hotels trail network. Beginning at 5:30pm, just before darkness falls, participants are given a flashlight to help navigate the trail and to spot animals in the dark (headlamps are recommended for children). Our guide discusses the unique qualities of the cloud-forests night habitat, revealing that most nocturnal species are very small, especially the enormous variety of insects you will observe, and the many frogs, snakes, owls and other nocturnal mammals. The slow-paced of the tour to gives us a greatest opportunity to observe the wildlife close-up and to discover many characteristics never seen during daylight. Overnight at Hotel Villa Blanca. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  MANUEL ANTONIO
In our private vehicle, we descend toward the Pacific coast and the Quepos region of western Costa Rica, arriving in the Manuel Antonio area in the late morning. This afternoon is at leisure to explore the area as a family, or simply relax at our hotels pool. Our hotel, the Parador, is an upscale property located on 5 acres near the tip of Punta Quepos. The elegant Mediterranean style architecture is modeled after traditional Spanish Paradores and quaint European boutique hotels. The Parador overlooks Playa Besianz to the North and Playa Espadilla to the South and offers a huge terrace bar, fine restaurant, two swimming pools, and health spa. All rooms have large sliding doors and are carefully decorated with earthy tones and hues of blue, blending the natural environment with the decor.  A typical lunch is included en route to Manuel Antonio.  Overnight at Hotel Villas Si Como No, El Parador or similar [BL]

Squirrel monkeys are one of the species of primates in the Manuel Antonio area.

DAY 6 :  DAMAS ISLAND MANGROVE KAYAKING TOUR
Today we experience the Damas Island Estuary and Mangrove ecosystem up close and personal, in a single or double open-seat kayak. We spend a few luxuriously indulgent hours paddling with the current as our highly trained and bilingual naturalist guides reveal the secrets of this protected inland waterway and its mangrove habitat. The pace of our adventure is determined by our abilities and interests, and by the abundance of wildlife to be observed. Watch sloths and monkeys gracefully navigate the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes resting in the mangroves as a myriad of marine birds glide over our kayaks looking for their own adventures. Dependent on the time our trip began, we take either a delicious and well-deserved Tico Style meal (either lunch or dinner) at a local Manuel Antonio restaurant.  Overnight at Hotel Villas Si Como No, Hotel EL Parador or similar. [B, L or D]

DAY 7 :  MANUEL ANTONIO FREE DAY
Today is free for each family member to choose our own adventures from the many optional (not included) activities, or to relax at the hotel or nearby beach. Optional activities in Manuel Antonio include rafting, kayaking, sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin & giant sea turtle viewing, beachcombing, horseback riding, or rainforest hiking in the national park.  Overnight at Hotel Villas Si Como No, Hotel EL Parador or similar. [B]

DAY 8 :  SAN JOSE
Today we continue enjoying hotel facilities and activities in the Manuel Antonio area, before being picked-up and transferred to the Quepos airstrip for our 30 minute flight to San Jose. (An overnight in San Jose enables you to make an early morning international departure. Alternatively, those with a later international departure may choose to spend the night in the Manuel Antonio area on a space available basis.)  Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea, Hotel El Rodeo or similar [B]

DAY 9 :  DEPARTURE
Depart for the airport approximately two hours before your scheduled international flight. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453