Costa Rica: Family Adventures

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica! Arrivals will be received at the airport and taken to the Cariari Hotel.

Day 2: Appropriately, the first stop of our trip is at a coffee farm located along the arable slopes of Poás Volcano. During the visit, you’ll learn about production, harvesting, roasting, and packaging of the “Golden Bean” and why Costa Rica boasts perfect growing conditions for gourmet coffee beans. Continue to the top of Poás Volcano, where, weather permitting, you will have a view of active fumaroles and the blue-green lake at the bottom of the immense crater—one of the largest in the world. Next stop is La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private reserve with many waterfalls, hiking trails, and hummingbird and butterfly gardens—all of which offer beautiful photo opportunities. We will arrive in Arenal and transfer to La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of Arenal Volcano. The next three nights we will spend at the Hotel Tilajari.

Day 3: Today you will visit La Fortuna Waterfall through a combination of hiking and relaxed horseback riding. Admire the density of the forest of Mistico Arenal Park, and access the pastures located on the highest hills, which overlook the volcano and lake below. This outing to La Fortuna Waterfall will offer some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Costa Rica, as well as a refreshing swim. Alternative options will be available for those who do not wish to travel by horseback.

Day 4: Take in views of the forest from a different perspective today with a ride on the Sky Tram gondolas, a zip-line experience on Sky Trek, and a walk on the Sky Walk. Soar above the rainforest and enjoy a view of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Then, take a closer look at the complex canopy ecosystem with a Sky Walk over bridges and platforms. Relax after the day’s adventures with a visit to the Hot Springs at Ecotermales.

Day 5: Leave Arenal and enter Nectandra Cloud Forest, a horticultural display garden landscaped to exhibit the immense richness of flora and fauna of Costa Rica. The premontane cloud forest of this region has one of the highest densities of species in the world. Then, arrive at Tarcoles River for lunch and a safari boat tour to look for crocodiles, iguanas, and a variety of waterbirds, including roseate spoonbills, herons, and storks. Carara National Park, which is near our next accommodation, is home to nearly half of Costa Rica’s avian species, including the largest population of endangered scarlet macaws. The local species often visit the forested grounds of Hotel Villa Lapas, your home for the next 3 nights.

Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park is our next stop, and is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic parks in the entire park system. White sand beaches are backed by lush tropical forests, which are home to a variety of monkeys, two-toed sloths, agoutis, and iguanas. You may also spot coatis, armadillos, and parrots. The jagged coastline, stunning beaches, and sheltered tide pools showcase abundant marine life. Then, return back to the hotel for a festive New Year’s Eve celebration with your group!

Day 7: Happy New Year! Start off 2026 with a catamaran cruise and search for spotted dolphins, migrating humpback whales, sea turtles, and manta rays as we sail down the coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park. We’ll see mysterious islands, jagged cliffs, and unique rock formations, which are all home to numerous species of marine birds including frigates, pelicans, yellow-footed boobies, and white ibises. We will anchor in a protected cove for a snorkeling adventure in the warm Pacific waters.

Day 8: We’re touring Carara National Park today, which is an area of 4,700 hectares and home to nearly half of Costa Rica’s aviary species. With this tour, you’ll see the importance of the region, as it is situated in a transitional region between the tropical dry forest and the humid Pacific rainforest. This National Park showcases colorful species of flora and fauna as well as a varied ecosystem. You may get the opportunity to see white-faced and howler monkeys, iguanas, toucans, trogons, and scarlet macaws. Head to Hotel Villa Lapas to take in the sunset and a festive farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 9: We will bid you a fond farewell as you return to Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José for your return flight home.