Costa Rica Family Tour
8 Days/7 Nights
From $1,579 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Overview
Costa Rica is a great place for a family vacation. In Tortuguero National Park, you can observe a wide variety of wildlife including monkeys, toucans, herons, and other water birds, while boating through jungle canals, and witness sea turtles nesting on the beach. Enjoy whitewater rafting and chocolate and bat tours in Sarapiqui. And, in Arenal, experience the mineral rich thermal hot springs of Tabacon, the Sky Tram gondola ride, and zip-lining through the rainforest of the national park.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (1 night in San Jose, 2 nights in Tortuguero, 2 nights in Sarapiqui, and 2 nights in Arenal) and 21 meals (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners).
Best Time to Go: December-April.
Destinations: Central America and Costa Rica.
Interests: Adventure, Family Tours, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing, and Zip-Lining.
Places Visited: San José & the Central Valley, Tortuguero & the Caribbean Coast, and Arenal Volcano.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: San Jose.
Day 2: San Jose-Tortuguero-Sea Museum.
Check-in at the Lodge followed by lunch. Afternoon visit to the Sea Museum of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation in the small village of Tortuguero. Overnight in Tortuguero. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Tortuguero-Canal Tours.
Day 4: Tortuguero-Sarapiqui-Bats of Costa Rica.
In the evening, you will learn about the Bats of Costa Rica at Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Bats represent almost 50% of the mammals in Costa Rica (113 species). The presentation consists of a multimedia presentation of about 30 minutes regarding the natural history of bats, their classification, diversity, adaptations, reproduction, threats and more. At the end of the presentation, a trained guide will provide you with a safe opportunity to observe up close some of the bats that were captured during the evening for research projects. Finally, you will visit the site of a demonstration snare net that is used in bat research, where the method of capturing bats is explained. The bats are captured and held for less than two hours. The methods used insure the well-being of the animals. Overnight in Sarapiqui. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Sarapiqui-Whitewater Rafting.
Day 6: Sarapiqui-Chocolate Tour-Arenal-Tabacon Hot Springs and Dinner.
Late afternoon, set out for the thermal natural springs at Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. Enjoy a relaxing mineral bath followed by dinner. Overnight in Arenal. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Arenal Sky Tram Gondola-Sky Trek Zip-Lining.
Day 8: Arenal-San Jose.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel and other transfers including baggage handling.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- English-speaking tour and naturalist guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- International airport departure tax ($29).
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
- Gifts and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
San Jose
Budget – El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel
Budget – Hotel Presidente
Standard – Hotel Grano de Oro
Standard – Courtyard San Jose Escazu
Superior – Costa Rica Marriott Hotel
Superior – Finca Rosa Blanca (Heredia)
Tortuguero
Sarapiqui
Budget – Selva Verde Lodge
Standard – La Quinta Sarapiqui Country Inn
Arenal
Budget – Arenal Paraiso Hotel & Spa
Budget – Arenal Volcano Inn
Standard – Arenal Manoa Hotel
Standard – Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Superior – Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
Superior – Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort
Additional Details
Group Private: All transfers are private except for San Jose to Tortuguero. All excursions are provided on a group basis.
Elevations: San Jose is 3,700 feet above sea level, Sarapiqui is 722 feet, and Arenal is 1,600 feet.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Costa Rican embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of the international airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
