Play hard, bond deeply, and (shh... don't tell the kids!) learn tons on Boundless Journeys' Costa Rica Family Adventure.

Costa Rica is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. Howler monkeys, jungle-like rainforest, lava-spewing volcanoes, hot springs, crescent shaped beaches, and a huge variety of entertaining wildlife will provide memories for your family to last a lifetime. From the Highlands of Arenal to the Pacific Coast of Manuel Antonio, we hike, raft, zip, and canoe through this colorful country. Along the way we have opportunties to experience tico culture with visits to family run farms and a Costa Rican school, all with an experienced local guide. The memory of this Costa Rica family adventure tour is a gift each generation will cherish, as every moment renews in you a child-like sense of wonder in a world where there's much to discover.

Days 1-2: Meet your guide in San José, and take an exciting journey down the Sarapiqui River on the way to Arenal National Park.                                          

Day 3: Explore Arenal National Park with a zip line canopy tour, lunch at local farm, and a warm soak in Ecotermales Hot Springs.

Day 4: Experience the Pacific Coast with an outrigger canoe tour. Conclude the day at your luxurious resort in Quepos.

Day 5 - 6:  Discover the beauty of the rainforest with hikes in Manuel Antonio National Park and Los Campeninos Private Reserve.

Day 7: Choose from a variety of independent activities including snorkeing, surfing, horseback riding, or perhaps spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Day 8: Return flight to San Jose and departure.

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
   
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
   
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
   
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
   
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips, so that you can choose which works best for you.
   
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
   
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and protecting fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:
Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica (airport code: SJO)

Meeting Time and Place:
If you arrive on Day 1 of the trip, a Boundless Journeys driver will meet you at the airport when you arrive in San José to drive you to your hotel (you will find the driver holding a sign with your name on it after clearing customs, and exiting the right-hand side of the terminal). Check in time at our hotel is typically after 3:00 p.m. Please let us know if you are arriving earlier, and we will do our best  to arrange an early check in time.

Departure Time and Place:
On the last day of the trip we will be flying from Quepos back to San José. We are scheduled to arrive at the San José International Airport by 9:00 a.m.  Flights out on the last day of the trip should be scheduled no earlier than 12:00 p.m., although afternoon flights are safest.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Costa Rica: Rainforests and Volcanoes Family Adventure is rated 2, easy to moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). The walks on this trip range from 1-5 hours. The terrain is usually gradual, although you may encounter occasional steep sections.  Most walks are on unpaved paths and trails, with minimal vehicle support. Trails, at times, may be wet and slick with mud.

The white water rafting or float trip, as well as the outrigger canoe tour, are geared to all levels of boaters and swimmers. Please consider the minimum ages for the following tours:

White Water Rafting Tour: 9 yrs. old. A Float Trip is substituted for those younger than 9, or for those who prefer flat water.

Zip Line Tour: Options are available for children 5 and older.

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself!  Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness programs. 

Weather
The temperature in Costa Rica is influenced by altitude, and varies little over the course of the year. In San José, average temps are between 59 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. When cold fronts move in, as they can at any time of year, the weather can turn cooler and wetter, typically for a few days. In Arenal you can expect moderate days and cool evenings, with average temps between 65 and 85 degrees Farenheit.

The coastal areas are typically much warmer; Pacific coast averages lows in the mid to upper 70s and highs in the high 80’s and low 90s. You may obtain more detailed weather information by visiting www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
The dry season is from December to April, typically with only one or two rain days per month (although if a cold front comes in a rainier pattern can prevail even during the dry season).

The rainy season (or green season) begins in May and lasts until late October. During the day sunny skies generally prevail, though they usually give way to afternoon showers.

It is important that you come prepared for a variety of weather conditions regardless of the time of year. Over the course of your trip you will likely encounter both cool, rainy weather and warm, sunny weather. Please be prepared with clothing for both!

Overview:  Comfortable San José hotel and perfectly located nature lodges with many amenities and unrivaled scenery. All private baths.

Night 1:  Hotel Bougainvillea
Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica

Located in a quiet suburb of San José, Hotel Bougainvillea offers charming accommodations and a tranquil location to rest after your travels.

Nights 2 & 3:  Hotel Arenal Manoa
La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Nestled across the valley from Arenal Volcano, Hotel Arenal Manoa offers one of the world's most thrilling fireworks displays – regular volcanic eruptions.
 

Nights 4-7:  Hotel Si Como No
Quepos, Costa Rica

Proudly occupying the most idyllic hilltop in Manuel Antonio, this award-winning eco-designed resort & spa provides its own signature version of “barefoot luxury” to all its guests. Featuring 2 restaurants, a wildlife refuge, swimming pools, and a cinema, Si Como No is also a leader in green practices and economic sustainability for the local community.
 

DAY 1
Arrival in San José

Our trip begins upon the arrival of your flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. After clearing customs you are met by our driver and transferred to our hotel where you can settle in and freshen up after your flight. This evening you are free to enjoy dinner at your hotel or at a local restaurant.
Hotel Bougainvillea, San José

DAY 2
Rafting on the Sarapiqui River; Transfer to Arenal

White water rafting or float trip, 2 hours, Class II-III, easy.

This morning we are picked up by our naturalist guide for our drive to the Sarapiqui River. Along the way we pass by the majestic La Paz Waterfall and rolling, verdant fields of coffee, papayas, and ferns.

The Sarapiqui travels along green pastures and farmland, lush towering trees and vegetation, cascading mountains, and the La Selva Biological Reserve. The surrounding rainforest is home to several different species of monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, river turtles, iguanas, toucans, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers.

Our rafting tour is ideal for families, with its moderately flowing rapids interspersed with tranquil stretches, where swimming and nature watching is encouraged.

After our rafting adventure, we continue to Arenal National Park abounding with flora and fauna species, innumerable rivers, waterfalls, thermal hot springs, and of course the majestic Arenal Volcano.
Hotel Arenal Manoa, La Fortuna

DAY 3
Arenal Zip Line Canopy tour; Ecotermales Hot Springs

Zip line tour, 2-3 hours.

This morning we arrive in Arenal National Park, for a leisurely or heart-pounding adventure – the choice is yours. We board gondolas providing a smooth and peaceful ride through the rainforest, with endless views on the way to the top. Once at the observation deck, we take some time to simply enjoy the magnificent views of the volcano’s south face.

From here, we have two options for returning to the base. The first option is to ride back down on the gondola, noticing along the way how the vegetation varies as the altitude changes once again. The other option is to zip your way to the bottom along a series of fast moving canopy zip lines, a great option for those seeking a rush of adrenaline!

After our morning adventure, we continue our drive to the farm of Don Juan Bautista, a former teacher now living in the town of La Fortuna farming a small amount of land. A specialist in sustainable farming, Juan introduces us to his methods of growing cassava, lettuce, plantains, sugar cane, and more. For lunch, our new friend teaches us to make tortillas, and we enjoy them with a fresh, home-cooked meal.

Later this afternoon we enjoy the benefits of this geothermal area with a dip in the Ecotermales hot springs – one of the less frequented but most scenic springs in the Arenal region. Here we have time to relax before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. Depending on the weather conditions, we may even have the opportunity to witness one of Arenal’s frequent eruptions.
Hotel Arenal Manoa, La Fortuna

DAY 4
Agujas Beach Outrigger Canoe Tour; Transfer to Manuel Antonio

Canoeing, 3-4 hours, easy; Transfer time - 3.5 hrs, to Agujas Beach, 1.5 hrs. to Manuel Antonio.

Our day begins with a typical Costa Rican breakfast before to departing to Agujas Beach, near the town of Jaco in the Central Pacific. Here we discover why the outrigger canoe is the perfect way for your family to appreciate nature and explore the beautiful Pacific coastline. The water is calm and warm, the fish are colorful and plentiful, and we will see many tropical seabirds and rock formations along the way. In the outrigger canoe there is always a guide steering the canoe for you, and there can be up to seven other paddlers to share the load. They are incredibly stable, comfortable, and easy to paddle.

After our half day out at sea, we continue to Si Como No Resort located in the jungle-covered hills just above Manuel Antonio National Park. Its pura vida vibe is perfect for families. Amenities include a private Wildlife Refuge and Butterfly Atrium, swimming pools, a spa, and even an on-site cinema.
Hotel Si Como No, Quepos

DAY 5
Los Campesinos Private Reserve

Hiking – 6 miles, 4-5 hours, moderate (horse support is available for tired legs!)

After a hearty breakfast, we drive 40 minutes to the start of our hike to Los Campesinos Private Reserve. Hiking past creeks and waterfalls inside untouched rainforests, we have great opportunities for wildlife and bird observation. The Campesinos Reserve, located on a beautiful mountain range between the Naranjo and Savegre River watersheds, is managed by Don Miguel Mora, his brother Visaí, and his wife Doña Juanita. During our visit this family will share their experience of tico traditions, local food, and rainforest knowledge. Once in the Reserve there is time to swim in a natural pool at the base of a waterfall, and take in the sights and smells of tropical species such as vanilla orquids.

After lunch, a short hike takes us to the Savegre River where with the help of the local guides we use a traditional manual tram to get across the river. Here our driver will be waiting to take us back to our hotel for some rest and relaxation, or perhaps a swim in the hotel pool. We enjoy dinner this evening at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Hotel Si Como No, Quepos

DAY 6
Manuel Antonio National Park

Hiking, easy to moderate – 3 hours

This morning we explore the small but rich Manuel Antonio National Park. This park offers a rare combination of beautiful tropical coastal forest filled with diverse species of birds, monkeys, and other mammals, as well as inviting, crescent shaped white-sand beaches.

By midday we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps sampling casado (rice and beans with meat) – a favorite of the locals. This afternoon, we visit a local school where we have the opportunity to learn about the Costa Rican education system and interact with local children. If school is not is session, we have the option of contributing to the Rio Naranjo Biological Corridor Project by planting a tree. The main objective of the project is to create biological connectivity between the two most important wild areas of the Aguirre county – Manuel Antonio National Park and Cerro Nara Protected Area. This connectivity will allow movement of the wildlife, and especially isolated troups of Titi Monkeys.
Hotel Si Como No, Quepos

DAY 7
Independent Activities

Today you are free to choose from a variety of independent activities such as snorkeling, surfing, sea kayaking, fishing, or horseback riding (all at an additional expense), or perhaps you will want to stroll along the beautiful beaches or relax at the hotel pool. Another option is to explore the nearby town of Quepos with its inviting blend of ex-pat and tico culture. Tonight you may enjoy venturing to a local restaurant or choosing from one of the dining experiences at your hotel.
Hotel Si Como No, Quepos

DAY 8
Flight from Quepos to San José; Departure

Today we say goodbye to the pacific coast of Costa Rica, arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José by 9:30 a.m. for flights home.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

$2995 per person; $800 discount under 12 yrs. of age (when sharing a room with two adults); $500 discount 12-15 yrs. of age. Minimum Age: 5 yrs. old

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals except two dinners and one lunch
• All transportation during the trip, including boat transfers and internal flight
• Park fees
• All activities as noted in the itinerary