Costa Rica is a veritable playground for families, providing endless opportunities for fun. Enjoy an active adventure that also teaches the kids about nature, conservation, and sustainability.
Experience a lush rainforest forest in Sarapiqui, learn about wildlife from an expert, visit a butterfly garden, plus zip-lining and canopy walks at Arenal volcano and for those that are looking for an extremely pampered all-inclusive experience the program concludes with a very family friendly all-inclusive resort with lots of beautiful swimming pools.
This escape will be one your family talks about forever – action and adventure, balanced with plenty of rest and relaxation.
Program summary:
Day 1: San Jose
Day 2: Sarapiquí // Irazú Volcano & Sarapiquí River
Day 3: Arenal Volcano // Baldi Hot Springs
Day 4: Arenal Volcano // Family Canopy Tour + Eco-Walk at Natura Park
Day 5: Jacó Beach or Puntarenas
Day 6: Jacó Beach or Puntarenas
Day 7: Departure via SJO
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SJO INT’L AIRPORT – SAN JOSE
Arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). A Swiss Travel representative will meet and greet you upon your arrival and will provide you with all the necessary documentation you will need during your trip, itinerary and the main contact information and phone numbers in case further assistance is required.
Then, you will be transferred to San Jose area where you will be staying the first night in Costa Rica.
Day 2: SAN JOSE – SARAPIQUI RAINFOREST
Breakfast & Lunch
Early in the morning, you will depart from San Jose to the Sarapiqui Rainforest area. On the way, you will visit some of the ruins of the Cartago City and learn about the history of this colonial city, which was once the capital city of Costa Rica.
From there, you will be able to travel to the Irazú Volcano, Costa Rica’s highest volcano and one of the highest peaks in the country. The view and the scenery are always amazing; on a clear day, you can even see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
The tour will also take you to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, an area that is covered in beautiful tropical forests, where you will board a boat to discover the natural wealth of the country as you glide along the river. At the end of this river adventure, you will arrive at a private farm to enjoy a home-style lunch, hiking and the opportunity to visit a butterfly garden, Serpentarium, frog sanctuary and botanical garden. After this experience, you will be transfer to selected hotel where you will lodge one night.
Day 3: SARAPIQUI RAINFOREST – ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast & Dinner
Morning at leisure to enjoy the optional activities (extra cost)
These plains are characterized by biological reserves that seem as havens for eco-tourism as well as family tourism projects, which offers a different way of using natural resources with a large number of adventure activities.
During the afternoon our transportation will meet you at the hotel to transfer you to Arenal Volcano area and if weather conditions allow it you will enjoy the greatest natural attraction in the country; Arenal Volcano which welcome with its majestic volcanic cone. Registration at selected hotel for the next two nights. During the night, you will visit Baldi Hot Springs a family oriented resort located at the Arenal Volcano feet. The 25 Thermal water pools are filled by crystalline waterfalls, amidst the tropical rainforest. Children enjoy all the benefits of thermal waters with appropriate games designed for each age group while parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy their vacation. A perfect option for a family day, with comfortable facilities surrounded by exuberant gardens and a wide variety of activities. Boost your adrenaline by taking the dare ride these spectacular water slides which start at the highest point of our pool resort and experience a complete wonderful adventure with your whole family combining nature and recreation. Baldi’s Xtreme slides with warm thermal water are pure fun where excitement and speed flow from start to finish throughout each ride.
In addition, when you are ready, sit down to a delicious dinner in the restaurant before being driven back to your hotel.
Day 4: ARENAL VOLCANO
Breakfast
During the morning, enjoy the Ecoglide Canopy Zip line tour located in the rainforest at the base of the volcano and offers high energy family fun thought 15 zip line cables. The tour also includes an enormous Tarzan Swing so you can test your children’s courage and soar like the jungle barbarian himself! In the afternoon, you will discover the beauties of the nature when you visit Natura Park where the educational is waiting for you. Once in the place you will start to cross the trails of the place and observe the regenerating forests home of different type of migrant and resident animals, the frog garden is the next stop, here you will discover more diurnal and nocturnal frogs that could be find in the tropical areas and learn about the importance and the life style of these species in the forests. The serpentarium is one spot that you cannot forget to visit, here different species of poison and non-poison snakes are waiting to show you their different colors and characteristics well explained by your specialized guide. Finally, the turtles in pond show us how they take the heat of the sun to regulate the temperature of their body or just move slowly looking for a good place to rest.
Day 5: ARENAL VOLCANO – CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST
Breakfast & Dinner
Today, travel to central pacific Coast and stay at two nights at All Inclusive Hotel for two nights.
Hotels offer both meals and accommodation for one set price, leaving you to enjoy plentiful rest and relaxation. A variety of these all-inclusive resorts is located near popular beach destinations like Jacó Beach and Puntarenas City. All-inclusive resorts are great at catering to families, besides the standard rooms and meals that are typically included, hotels offer additional services as part of their packages, like on-site childcare, excursion planning and fun activities.
Day 6: CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST
All Inclusive System
Days at leisure for you to enjoy the hotel grounds, the beach and even consider on taking an optional (extra cost) day tours in the area.
Day 7: CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST – SJO INT’L AIRPORT
Breakfast
Your amazing Costa Rica family vacation ends today. You will be transferred to Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO) for your departure flight back home (1.5 hours’ drive).
*Please note: When choosing your flights, please select one with a return flight that departs no earlier than mid-day, in order to accommodate the transfer time from central Pacific to Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO) and the timing for check in at the airline and migration procedures.
END OF SERVICES
Standard Category
| Location | Name of the Hotel | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Sleep Inn | 3 Stars | Standard | 4 |
| Sarapiquí | La Quinta de Sarapiquí | 3 Stars | Superior | 5 |
| Arenal Volcano | Casa Luna | 3 Stars | Standard | 3 |
| Jaco Beach | Best Western Jacó | 3 Stars | Standard | 4 |
Superior Category
| Location | Name of the Hotel | Category | Type of Room | CST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José | Radisson Europa | 4 Stars | Standard | 5 |
| Sarapiquí | Sueño Azul | 4 Stars | Superior | 4 |
| Arenal Volcano | Volcano Lodge | 4 Stars | Superior | N/A |
| Jaco Beach | Fiesta Resort | 4 Stars | Standard | 3 |