Costa Rica for Families
$4,390 for adults; from $3,880 for children; $1,500 single supplement
See the brochure (pdf)
Trip Overview
This eight-day trip begins with a visit to Poas Volcano. An active volcano accessible by paved road, this is one of the widest crater's in the world. Later glide from platform to platform for a bird's eye view of the forest on a canopy tour. In the Monteverde Region, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Central America. Learn about the birds, butterflies and insects that thrive in this ecosystem. Optional adventures include skywalks, horseback riding and more. Next, travel to the beaches of Guanacaste—relaxing on a safari float along the way. Enjoy canoeing and snorkeling amid a wide variety of coral reef and marine life.
Trip Itinerary
Saturday, December 20: USA / San José, Costa Rica
Arrive in San José and step out of the airport into the warm, tropical air. Burbling volcanoes, lush rain forests, abundant wildlife and postcard-perfect beaches await, but first things first—you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel for a good night's rest. Doubletree Cariari
Sunday, December 21: Poas Volcano Area
A breakfast briefing orients you to Costa Rica, starting with Poas Volcano. One of two active volcanoes in Costa Rica's Central Mountain Range, Poas's crater is one of the widest in the world and is accessible by paved road almost all the way to the edge. From the visitors center, walk a half-mile for a close-up look at the volcano. Descend to the base of Poas Volcano, where you will enjoy the Las Colinas canopy tour. Secured to steel zip line cables with the help of our experienced guides, glide from platform to platform to see the forest from a bird's eye view. Doubletree Cariari (B,L,D)
Monday, December 22: Monteverde region
Travel via coach to the Monteverde area, stopping along the way at the Mercedes de Atenas organic coffee plantation. Children who participated in our pen pal program in advance of the trip will get the chance to meet local children. After a barbecue lunch, continue to Monteverde. Our home for the next two days is an eco-lodge set on 35 acres of land just outside of the reserve. Visit Frog Pond and observe more than 20 species, including the colorful poison arrow dart frog and the famous red-eyed tree frog, plus other amphibians. Fonda Vela (B,L,D)
Tuesday, December 23: Monteverde Region
Visit a fascinating butterfly garden this morning. At the garden’s nature center, learn about the complexities and nuances of the butterfly lifecycle. Stroll through the four enclosed gardens and admire adult butterflies feeding, flying and breeding. After a pizza lunch, head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in Central America. It is home to more than 100 mammal species, 400 bird species, 2,500 types of plants and tens of thousands of insects. Be on the lookout for the magnificent bird called a quetzal and for dozens of types of hummingbirds that call this reserve home. Fonda Vela (B,L,D)
Wednesday, December 24: Guanacaste beaches
In the morning, travel by coach from Monteverde to the beaches of Guanacaste. Enjoy a "safari float" on an inflatable raft on the Tenorio River. The gentle river is bordered by a tropical dry forest that is home to exotic birds, including toucans, parrots, laughing falcons and kingfishers. Search for howler and white faced monkeys, iguanas, river otters and other wildlife. Enjoy a typical Guanacaste lunch at historic, eco-friendly Hacienda la Pacifica. The century-old working ranch/research center is a successful model of sustainable development. Ocotal Resort (B,L,D)
Thursday, December 25: Guanacaste beaches
Today, enjoy an outriggers ocean canoe tour. Our fiberglass outriggers are modeled after traditional Polynesian boats, and we’ll paddle to quiet Pacific Ocean coves for snorkeling or explore tide pools or walk and play on the beach. This stretch of coast is one Guanacaste’s best places to snorkel, with a wide variety of coral and other marine life. Lunch will be a seaside picnic. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beach or the pool at our resort. Dinner will be at a nearby restaurant. Ocotal Resort (B,L,D)
Friday, December 26: Guanacaste beaches
Spend the day at leisure to enjoy the beach and the amenities of your hotel and have lunch on your own. Tonight, the group meets for a special farewell dinner, where you can say goodbye to Costa Rica and to your new friends. Ocotal Resort (B,D)
Saturday, December 27: Liberia / Arrive United States
Depart from Liberia International Airport for your return home.
Optional Extension
