Costa Rica Family Holiday

A 14 day Costa Rica Family Holiday. A family focussed program including some of the top, family-friendly, off the track destinations like Heredia city, Sarapiquí Rainforest, Tortuguero waterways and tropical forest, Turrialba and Savegre Valleys, Esquinas Rainforest and Uvita beach in the beautiful southern Pacific coast.

"This trip is a very well-balanced itinerary which includes a nice variety of landscapes and climatic zones, specially designed to be a first introduction to the country’s attractions and lifestyle. It allows clients to get a wonderful introduction and overview of our country, its natural heritage, and its people. We have selected these areas as well, based on the facilities they provide for children, offering excellent value and a series of attractions and activities."

 If you are interested in chatting about this or any other family trips do contact us.

Day 1 San José

Arrive in San José. Meet and greet at the airport by one of our guides and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Heredia at Bougainvillea hotel in a Mountain view room.

Day 2 Sarapiquí

This Costa Rica family holiday adventure begins today travelling towards the Caribbean lowlands, to Sarapiquí town, home of the tropical rainforest. This region is mainly agricultural, and one of the major banana producing sectors of the country. The land is very fertile thanks to the Sarapiquí River, this waterway irrigates the whole region, transforming the area into an ideal crop-growing location.

Our journey will take you through the marvellous rainforest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. On the way we stop at the Rainforest Aerial Tram tour site for a ride on an open-air gondola for an hour and 20mins, covering a distance of 2.6km/1.6miles, through the treetops of an amazing primary forest. A local naturalist guide will accompany you in the gondola pointing out all wildlife spotting. Then go on a guided nature walk on paved nature trails. Visit the beautiful, specialized Butterfly Garden where you will be able to learn a lot among their colourful wings,  walk through the orchid garden comprised of orchids rescued from fallen tree trunks and finally a visit to the Terrarium where you will see many interesting amphibians and reptiles species.

You then continue onto Sarapiqui for check-in and an afternoon at leisure at the hotel to rest and enjoy the swimming pool or to discover the surroundings. After dinner, enjoy a wonderful night tour where children will learn about the natural history of several nocturnal species. When night falls, a new world awakens within the rainforest since a significant part of the resident wildlife is much more active during the evening. Overnight in Sarapiquí at Selva Verde Lodge in a Sarapiquí River view room.

Day 3 Sarapiquí Nature Reserve & Boat Trip

During the morning we will visit La Tirimbina Biological Reserve to discover the wonders of the tropical forest and one of its jewels, the Cacao fruit, one of the mankind’s favourite foods: chocolate. In the company of an experienced guide, you will cross Tirimbina’s hanging bridge and head into a section of the rainforest, where a small acreage of cocoa is found. You will be able to witness the traditional method of processing cocoa (harvesting, fermentation, drying, etc.) while at the same time learning more about its pre and post-colonial history. You will also have the chance to taste the different handmade chocolates that are prepared on site.

In the afternoon be part of an enchanting safari floating trip down the Sarapiqui River, a leisurely float of 2.5 hours down the river, allowing you to witness the breathtaking natural surroundings. Exotic amphibians, numerous tropical birds, otters, fish, snakes, sloths, iguanas, and an impressive variety of fauna will make your tour unforgettable. Overnight in Sarapiquí

Day 4 Tortuguero

No Costa Rica family holiday is complete without a trip to Tortuguero. After an early breakfast transfer from the hotel to Guapiles town to meet the boat transfer to Tortuguero town, travelling along the canals that run parallel to the Caribbean Coast. Tortuguero National Park will be your final destination.

Encompassing an area of 80937ha, Tortuguero National Park is filled with beaches, lagoons, swamps, wet forests, and marshes. Its network of streams, rivers, and canals serve as trails for exploring this magnificent natural sanctuary. The park is home to many endangered species, including great green macaws, manatees, tapirs, jaguars, and sea turtles. These last are what give the national park its name and its worldwide renown.

During the afternoon, enjoy a guided visit to Tortuguero town, where you will be given a glimpse of the way of life of the local inhabitants and witness some of the daily activities of the town. Afterwards, you will have some free time to do some exploring on your own. Overnight in Tortuguero at Laguna Lodge.

Day 5 Tortuguero

Discover today the wonders of the Tortuguero National Park’s canals on this guided boat tour, witness and enjoy the exuberance of the tropical rainforest. The park is one of the most important nesting sites of Chelonia Midas, the green sea turtle, whereas its forests and waterways are home to endangered mammals such as sloths, monkeys, agoutis, coatis, and manatees. It also boasts abundant bird species, such as toucans, trogons, egrets, herons, and anhingas. Additionally, it is home to crocodiles, turtles, and countless colorful butterflies, including the iridescent blue morpho. Afternoon at leisure to rest by the pool or to enjoy the hotel premises.

Optional in a season: Night tour turtle’s laying eggs on the beach (from June to October), a huge attraction that brings tourists from all around the world to these shores. Overnight in Tortuguero

Day 6 Turrialba

Today after breakfast, return by boat to the pier and continue by ground transportation to Guapiles, where you will have lunch and from there you will be transferred by land to the Turrialba Valley, full of rural charm, surrounded by fertile lands and incredible natural vistas.

Agriculture is the main economic activity of the area, meaning visitors will see a great number of cattle ranches, milk processing plants, and great swathes of coffee, sugar cane, and Macadamia nut plantations. It is also home of the famous ‘Turrialba’ cheese where it is still produced. One of the main natural attractions of the region is the impressive Turrialba Volcano and its surrounding natural park (located only 15kms/9.3miles northwest of town). The volcano is active and from time to time it is possible to see fumarole eruptions accompanied by small clouds of ashes. Evening at leisure to rest and discover the hotel surroundings. Overnight in Turrialba at Casa Turire

Day 7 Savegre

Departure today to Savegre Valley, surrounded by amazing rainforests with huge oaks and cedars, filled with waterfalls, great trails, and the most magical birds. Nestled in the highlands of San Gerardo de Dota, at almost 3000 meters above sea level, Savegre is a great destination for a Costa Rica family holiday as it is one of the main destinations for nature lovers, hikers, and birdwatchers. Free afternoon to discover the surrounding forest and an optional visit (not included) to the spa! Overnight in Savegre Lodge.

Day 8 Savegre

Enjoy a morning bird-watching & forest expedition on the trails surrounding the hotel’s private reserve. After meeting your expert guide at the hotel front desk, you will set out on your walk. The local bird list has more than 170 species, some endemic to the area. Along the trails, you will be able to find the most elusive and hard-to-spot species, real trophies for birders who want to increase their life list. The cloud forest of Savegre has been acclaimed by birdwatchers as the best place in the country to see the Resplendent Quetzal all year round as in other forests throughout Costa Rica the quetzal is seen only on a seasonal basis. Overnight in Savegre.

Day 9 Esquinas Rainforest

Get deeper into the south! In the morning you will head with our driver to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge located in Golfito and bordering the Piedras Blancas National Park. The Lodge is surrounded by untouched wilderness, highly recommended for bird watchers and nature lovers wishing to experience the sounds and sights of a tropical rainforest in a tranquil, undisturbed atmosphere.

The hotel features 14 eco-designed bungalows, a restaurant, a bar and a spring-fed pool. The 37-acre private reserve and the adjacent forest of Piedras Blancas National Park attract over 300 species of birds, almost 100 species of mammals and many amphibians and reptiles.

Join tonight a guided hike that starts right after dinner and provides an opportunity to experience the forest by night. Naturalist experienced guides will take you through the riverbed of Quebrada Negra and through the garden of the lodge. Nocturnal Wildlife to be seen includes snakes, frogs, toads, bats, owls, spiders and maybe bigger mammals. Overnight at Esquinas Lodge

Day 10 Esquinas Rainforest

Enjoy today a boat tour along the Golfo Dulce and a visit Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden. After a short land transfer to Golfito pier, board the motorboat that will take you along the untouched, barely inhabited coast of the Golfo Dulce, where the jungle meets the beach. Pelicans sit in the trees, and there is a good chance of seeing dolphins. After an hour, we reach Casa Orquídea, a beautifully landscaped private tropical garden with hundreds of species of ornamental and edible plants. After a guided tour, there is time for swimming on the beautiful beach and a picnic lunch. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Overnight at Esquinas Lodge.

Day 11 Uvita Beach

The final destination on this Costa Rica family holiday is of course the beach! After breakfast, one of our drivers will take you to Uvita beach. The area around Uvita & Dominical beach, including the Marino Ballena National Park, is still widely unexplored by tourism but nevertheless has much to offer. Lots of nature, scenic coastal views, and lovely beaches, as well as whales and dolphins passing by at certain times of the year, are the main attractions of this zone. Uvita beach is a lovely spot to visit, boasting spectacular sunset views where the verdant rainforest meets the deep blue ocean. Enjoy a day at leisure to rest by the pool or to visit the beach (transportation can be arranged with the hotel). Overnight in Uvita at Villas Gaia.

Day 12 Uvita Beach

Be part today of a thrilling Whale & Dolphin watching tour in the Marino Ballena National Park. The boat departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous “Whale’s Tail” formation, the islets of the “three sisters” (Tres Hermanas) and the Ventana Sea Caves. As we travel through these nature formations our quest for the humpback whales (Seasonal) and the two different dolphins of the area is happening. The crew is very experienced and they easily recognize the sounds and movements that these mammals create in the water. As the whales are spotted the boat will come as close as possible always with logical respect for the animal’s welfare and the passengers’ safety. During the tour, you might observe turtles, marine birds and fantastic views of the Southern Pacific Osa coastline. Overnight in Uvita.

Day 13 Uvita beach

Enjoy a day at leisure to rest by the pool, to visit the beach, or to sign on any of the optional activities available at the hotel such as nature walks, surfing lessons, boat or kayak tours, and snorkelling amongst other great Costa Rica family holiday experiences.
Overnight in Uvita.

Day 14 Transfer to San José International Airport

After breakfast one of our drivers will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and take you to San Jose International Airport at the end of this Costa Rica family holiday.

 If you are interested in chatting about this Costa Rica family holiday, or any other family holidays, do contact us.