costa rica family vacation

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA . Arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Transfer to Hotel Herradura and check In.

Day 2. TORTUGUERO. (B,L,D). We begin our trip early in the morning between 6:00 am to 7:00 am . You will be travelling with a bilingual naturalist guide on an air conditioned bus. Drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park , where you have the opportunity to see beautiful views and abundant vegetation. On the way we will stop for breakfast at Selva Tropical Restaurant where you can enjoy a butterfly garden with a variety of tropical flowers. After breakfast we will continue our trip to Caño Blanco deck driving by banana plantations.

At Caño Blanco, you will board the covered boat to the lodge, passing the Tortuguero canals arriving between 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. At the lodge our staff will be waiting for you with a refreshing cocktail, your rooms will be assigned and the guide will explain the afternoon activities after lunch -the visit to the Turtle Museum of the C.C.C. (Caribbean Conservation Corporation) and to the colourful Tortuguero town.

You will return to the lodge around 5:30 p.m. Free time to enjoy the pool, the bar service and prepare for your dinner. Dinner service from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and then rest of the night free to enjoy the surroundings, pool and bar. Note: National Park entrance fee not included and it is $10 per person.

Day 3 - TORTUGUERO. (B, L, D) Optional 6:15 am tour to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. Return for breakfast (service between 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ). Then another boat tour to admire the canals of Tortuguero National Park . This is a wonderful and interesting experience where you can see abundant flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park . Return to the lodge for lunch and free time for a siesta, enjoy the pool or go for a walk to the beach. Then you have another optional tour to the canals or stay at the lodge to explore the private trails of the lodge and visit the open butterfly garden. Dinner at the lodge and free night.

Day 4 – TORTUGUERO – ARENAL VOLCANO. (B, L, D) After breakfast, hotel check out and departure by boat to our next destination. On the middle of the way and after lunch, you will meet your private van or shuttle bus and proceed overland to Arenal, arriving at our accommodation for the next two nights. Our comfortable Hotel Arenal Paraiso or Volcano Lodge offer panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and have private baths with hot showers. In the afternoon and before dark, you will be visiting the most important touristy attraction of the area: Baldi Hot Springs where you will have the rest of the day for enjoy the thermal pools and spa. Dinner is included at this beautiful place. NOTE: Transportation form the hotel to the hot springs not included, but it is only 5 minutes by cab.

Day 5. A FREESTYLE DAY IN ARENAL (B) . Customize your vacation with the included adventure of your choice. Please select one. Some options include lunch.

- Safari Adventure Boat : Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour float with no motor, only the incredible sounds of nature around you. Our expert bilingual naturalist guide will describe the many different flora and fauna of the region.
- Horseback Riding to Arenal Volcano : It is the perfect horseback riding tour in this area. As we come closer to the volcano, we ride through rivers and tropical rain forest, and enjoying the magnificent Arenal Volcano.
- Cerro Chato Hike : You'll hike through lush rain forests and pasture lands, and witness spectacular scenic views. The tour begins at the Old Observatory Lodge after passing by the Arenal National Park , Volcano and Lake .
- Arenal Mountain Biking : With a moderate ranking, we offer you a mountain bike tour in one of the best-suited area of Costa Rica : the region of Arenal Volcano with its lush vegetation and excellent views.
• Horseback riding to La Fortuna Waterfall : A 90-minute horseback ride and short hike through the forest bring you to this spectacular waterfall.
• Hike Arenal Volcano : This hike takes you along the base of the volcano along forested trails and recent lava flows.
• Hanging Bridges : 15 hanging bridges wind their way through the forest, some with views of Arenal. Explore high in the canopy for an up-close observation of the rainforest's flora and fauna.
• Canopy Tour : Adrenaline-rushing adventure awaits – with 12 platforms and over 1,000 feet of cable strung through the tree tops. Gain a new perspective of the rainforest as you “fly” through the trees, safely attached by harness to the steel cables.
• Lake Arenal kayaking : You will embark in first class touring kayaks and spend a day paddling in the lake's calm waters while the beautiful view and energy of the Arenal Volcano penetrates your soul.
• Venado Caves : Be prepared to squeeze through small holes, crawl through tight passages, climb small rock formations, crawl on your stomach with only your head above water in a narrow tunnel as fish swim by, or walk up small waterfalls.
• Safari Kayaking . Relax and enjoy a day of heightened emotions on the quiet waters of the Peñas Blancas River .
* ATV Tour: ¿ Where are we going? We start on the ATV ARENAL TOURS base after a little explanation about how to drive the ATV and safety rules. We road to La Fortuna Waterfall , next after this we go to Jauri Town to watch different kinds of plantations, we followed to La Guaria Town looking for the Arenal River, right there we have time for a little snack; with a refreshing shower finishing soon to return to the base and its respective hotel.

Afternoon, free time at leisure. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 6. CAÑO NEGRO WILDLIFE REFUGE (B, L) The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frio are biological humid areas considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica . Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, iguanas, sloth's, turtles and Caymans. During this full day tour you will have a great ecological experience while enjoy the boat trip along the river. Dinner on your own.

Day 7. MONTEVERDE (B). After breakfast, you will start the trip to the next destination. Monteverde. A 3 hours bus ride will take us into the clouds of the mountains of this fascinating region. Our destination: Hotel Belmar or similar where you will have the rest of the day for relax and enjoy the place.

Day 8. MONTEVERDE - SKY TREK (B). After breakfast you will experience the most excited experience of your life. The Sky Trek. This is a system of three platforms suspended above the ground in the midst of tree boughs. Zippiness attached from one platform to another allows you to slide with the use of special equipment. A suspended bridge 90 m (300ft) long and 22 m (66ft) high, gives you the best view of the inner forest. An observation platform above the canopy offers visitors a panoramic view (360 grades) of the Guanacaste, San Carlos and Puntarenas lowlands. There are four cables, two of them 190 metros (633ft) run through the inner canopy and the other two 214 (713ft) are outside. The whole system is integrated by a path 2300 m long (7000ft) in length. Sky Trek gives you access to a world of incomparable beauty in the tropical cloud forest canopy. Through jumping, flying and gliding experience what it is like to be an inhabitant of the canopy. You will never forget the Sky Trek experience, which guarantees you 1,317 meters of secure and comfortable sliding adventure.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to take a look of the Town of Santa Elena and its beautiful souvenirs stores, Art Galleries , Cheese Factory and Butterfly Garden .

Day 9. QUEPOS - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK (B) Departure to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific slope. Arriving to Hotel Espadilla or similar in Manuel Antonio by noon, our passengers will have the chance to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and relax in the swimming pool. Free evening. Lunch and dinner on your own.

Day 10. MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK (B). The perfect spot for enjoy the beach, the rain forest and its rich biodiversity. During these 3 days, you will have the chance to explore one of the best places in Costa Rica on your own.

Day 11, 12 & 13. Manuel Antonio on your own. (B).

Day 14. SAN JOSE (B). During the morning, a great opportunity for explore the surroundings on your own and enjoy the beach. After lunch, transfer to San Jose . Overnight at Hotel Herradura and free time at leisure.

Day 15. GOOD BY (B). Transfer to the International Airport according to your scheduled flight and good bye.

WHATS TO BRING: Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Camera, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent.

INCLUDE:
14 nights lodging in high quality Hotels, all land and water transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, specified tours, private transportation or shuttle bus according with package selection and naturalist tour guide on tours.

NOT INCLUDED:
International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

 * LETTER CODES: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.