Costa Rica family activity holiday
| country: | Costa Rica |
| departures: | 2008: 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug |
| price: | From £2320 - £2520 (14 days) per adult including flights from the UK, depending on activities chosen. Deduct £600 per child (under 12) when sharing with 2 adults or £300 per child when 2 children are sharing a seperate room. Minimum age 9 years |
the amazing things you'll be doing
If there is any other country in the world that is more suited to active exploration than Costa Rica then we would like to know about it. From coast to country, volcanoes to rainforests, Costa Rica has everything: rafting, kayaking, canyoning, trekking, horse riding and even rainforest zip wires are but a few of the highlights.
Throw in the remarkably diverse flora and fauna, stunning land and seascapes and, best of all, the genuine warmth of the local people and you have a unique and truly unforgettable family activity holiday.
Accommodation: 3 nights in El Rodeo Country Inn, San Jose, a characterful hotel with 27 large bedrooms, cable T.V, air conditioning, and queen/king-sized beds. Hotel amenities include: restaurant, sauna, pools & tennis court.
2 nights in Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero, reached via a 2 hour river boat trip, features 54 basic but comfortable rooms with private shower rooms, hot water and ceiling fans. Additional features include a pool, gardens and restaurant.
1 night in La Quinta Country Inn, Sarapiqui, a family owned, eco-friendly hotel set amongst beautiful pineapple plantations. It’s a vibrant and colourful hotel, with en-suite bedrooms with a ceiling fan and hammocks. Other facilities include a pool and gardens.
1 night in Cuculmeca Tented Camp, Sarapiqui; 27 tents pitched on platforms in the forest with capacity for four mattresses in each and an electric bulb outside, a sink with drinking water, mattresses, sleeping bags and torches. There are two wooden shower and toilet blocks with hot running water. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to sleep at La Quinta Country Inn (a supplement may apply).
3 nights in The Arenal Kioro, Arenal, one of the best hotels in Costa Rica providing 5-star luxury with sumptuous suites with two terraces and hydro-massage hot tub. Hotel facilities include a stunning spa, an excellent restaurant and pool.
3 nights Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, considered to be the most beautiful coastline in Costa Rica. Stunning views, excellent accommodation, Serenity Spa, wonderful activities and a great range of restaurants and cuisines.
Throw in the remarkably diverse flora and fauna, stunning land and seascapes and, best of all, the genuine warmth of the local people and you have a unique and truly unforgettable family activity holiday.
Accommodation: 3 nights in El Rodeo Country Inn, San Jose, a characterful hotel with 27 large bedrooms, cable T.V, air conditioning, and queen/king-sized beds. Hotel amenities include: restaurant, sauna, pools & tennis court.
2 nights in Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero, reached via a 2 hour river boat trip, features 54 basic but comfortable rooms with private shower rooms, hot water and ceiling fans. Additional features include a pool, gardens and restaurant.
1 night in La Quinta Country Inn, Sarapiqui, a family owned, eco-friendly hotel set amongst beautiful pineapple plantations. It’s a vibrant and colourful hotel, with en-suite bedrooms with a ceiling fan and hammocks. Other facilities include a pool and gardens.
1 night in Cuculmeca Tented Camp, Sarapiqui; 27 tents pitched on platforms in the forest with capacity for four mattresses in each and an electric bulb outside, a sink with drinking water, mattresses, sleeping bags and torches. There are two wooden shower and toilet blocks with hot running water. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to sleep at La Quinta Country Inn (a supplement may apply).
3 nights in The Arenal Kioro, Arenal, one of the best hotels in Costa Rica providing 5-star luxury with sumptuous suites with two terraces and hydro-massage hot tub. Hotel facilities include a stunning spa, an excellent restaurant and pool.
3 nights Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, considered to be the most beautiful coastline in Costa Rica. Stunning views, excellent accommodation, Serenity Spa, wonderful activities and a great range of restaurants and cuisines.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flights, arrival & introduction. You will be met at Juan Santa Maria Airport and transferred to your hotel. There will be a brief introduction en route followed by a free evening to relax. |
| Day 2: | San Jose and welcome. After a lie in and breakfast we get together for an introductory meeting, before our sightseeing and shopping excursion into bustling San Jose. In the evening we visit a downtown restaurant for our welcome meal featuring typical local dishes to get you in the Costa Rican spirit. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3: | Rainforest boat trip and Tortuguero. An early start today as we drive through beautiful mountains and plantations to the Tortuguero Canals. We change our mode of transport for a two hour boat trip through the rainforests to Mawamba Lodge. Look out for caiman on the way! In the afternoon we visit Tortuguero Village, explore the beach and learn about turtle conservation. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4: | Tortuguero exploration day. An early morning boat trip gives us the best chance of spotting howler monkeys, caiman, otters, toucans and iguanas in their natural habitat. After breakfast we hike into the rainforest to explore the flora and fauna. The afternoon is free to relax or you have the opportunity to take to the water again for a kayak trip (optional activity - see prices below) exploring the Tortuguero canals. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5: | Tortuguero to Sarapiqui. We leave the canals behind today and head inland to beautiful Sarapiqui. En route we stop at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and will arrive at the hotel with time to relax and explore. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6: | Adrenaline day. Today’s activities are purely optional (see prices below) but don’t miss out on a day of pure fun and adrenaline which includes: an exhilarating three hour rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River, horse riding and finally, zip wires through the forest canopy. We then head to our forest camp for a well earned rest under canvas. And, even if you don’t fancy sleeping in a tent, wait until you hear the sounds of the rainforest at night! (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | Volcano hike and hot springs. We transfer to Arenal and our luxury hotel with amazing views of an active volcano! After lunch, we trek (optional activity - see prices below) towards the volcano. Our efforts are well rewarded when we arrive at an awe-inspiring view point in time to see the sun go down and the lava glow. We then head for a dip in the hot springs at the foot of the volcano. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8: | Rainforest volunteering. Costa Rica is at the forefront of responsible tourism and travel management. We are trying to play our part by encouraging our clients to get closely involved with local communities and conservation projects. Today we visit Eco-Centre Danaus and, working with the local people and their children, we will be helping on a reforestation project. We will spend time planting trees and seedlings and generally getting a bit mucky as well as witnessing local lifestyles at close quarters. (B,L) |
| Day 9: | Rainforest canyoning (optional activity). After a free morning we will be picked up and taken for lunch at the canyoning base camp (optional activity at extra cost). A 30 minute drive in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano takes us to the edge of the rainforest. From there, a short descent on foot takes us to the top of our first abseil, a stunning 50m waterfall. Four more descents await us in this tropical paradise before we reach the foot of the canyon and return to the hotel doubtless reliving the experience as we go. (B,L) |
| Day 10: | Arenal to Manuel Antonio. From Central Costa Rica we head to the Pacific Coast and with a mid-afternoon arrival the rest of the day is free to relax. Our hotel boasts one of the best hilltop positions in Manuel Antonio. (B,L) |
| Day 11: | Free day. In this surfer’s paradise it is almost compulsory to have a go at riding the Pacific waves. The hotel can arrange lessons. Alternatively, you can try out one of the many other activities available locally or simply relax by the pool. The choice is entirely yours. (B) |
| Day 12: | Sunset sailing. In the afternoon we set sail for a truly memorable afternoon (optional activity - see prices below). We sail around the islands lying just off this stretch of coast and take time out for swimming and relaxing before dining as the sun sets. (B,D) |
| Day 13: | Return to San Jose. In San Jose there’s time to pack before heading to the famous El Rodeo steak house for our farewell meal (vegetarians well catered for!). (B,D) |
| Day 14: | Adios Costa Rica. All good things must come to an end and after breakfast we head to the airport for our return flights home. (B) |
how this holiday makes a difference
This family activity holiday is designed to showcase the best of Costa Rica’s activities and landscapes whilst positively benefiting the local communities which we visit. Our Costa Rican partner was the first tour operator in Costa Rica to win the Certificate of Sustainable Tourism. They put a great deal of emphasis on using hotels and suppliers with well implemented policies regarding sustainability and the environment.
Throughout this holiday we use smaller, family run accommodation and local activity providers. These establishments provide vital employment in rural areas of Costa Rica where young people may otherwise be forced into urban areas to find work. Throughout the trip we encourage our clients to eat in local restaurants and purchase goods from local suppliers thus stimulating the economy of the areas we visit. We also encourage the learning of some basic Spanish to allow for a better cultural exchange.
This holiday also incorporates a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation where clients will learn about the plight of the endangered Sea Turtles that nest along the Caribbean coast. We also include a day of volunteering at an Eco Centre in Arenal where guests will aid with the reforestation projects and interact with the local community.
We hope that families will return from this thrilling holiday with a true sense of having experienced the real Costa Rica.
Throughout this holiday we use smaller, family run accommodation and local activity providers. These establishments provide vital employment in rural areas of Costa Rica where young people may otherwise be forced into urban areas to find work. Throughout the trip we encourage our clients to eat in local restaurants and purchase goods from local suppliers thus stimulating the economy of the areas we visit. We also encourage the learning of some basic Spanish to allow for a better cultural exchange.
This holiday also incorporates a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation where clients will learn about the plight of the endangered Sea Turtles that nest along the Caribbean coast. We also include a day of volunteering at an Eco Centre in Arenal where guests will aid with the reforestation projects and interact with the local community.We hope that families will return from this thrilling holiday with a true sense of having experienced the real Costa Rica.