Summary
Enjoy this amazing 11-day Costa Rica Family Vacation Package: Manuel Antonio Animals Spotting and Beach (infants free) especially designed for parents and children, with the needs of the whole family in mind. You and your family, but children in particular, will adore spotting the abundant flora and fauna that inhabit the Monteverde cloud forest and Manuel Antonio National Park, including monkeys, iguanas, birds, raccoons and possibly even the three-toed sloth. Nothing brings learning to life like real-world experiences. You will enjoy exploring the Amazon-like natural canals in Tortuguero National Park surrounded by lush tropical forest filled with abundant wildlife and famous turtle nesting beaches. You will discover the Arenal Volcano, one of the natural wonders of Costa Rica and enjoy a free day on the beach in Manuel Antonio, where there are spectacular beaches such as: Espadilla, Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita. Playa Espadilla is one of the best family beaches in Manuel Antonio. The family-friendly nature of this beach located near the entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park, makes it perfect for just about any activity such as swimming, football or just laying around with a good book.
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Gabriela
Local travel expert in Costa Rica
I will be delighted to create amazing experiences for you in Costa Rica and show you what my beautiful country has to offer. Let’s design together the itinerary of your dreams, let’s make this trip the most memorable of your life.
Itinerary
On arrival in San José, Costa Rica, you will be welcomed at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free. San José, the capital of Costa Rica is located in the middle of the central valley and the centre of the country and is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. The city features popular tourist attractions, such as historical buildings, museums, theatres, artisan markets, beautiful parks, shopping centres, and a varied gastronomic scene. It became a strategic place from which to make endless daily activities.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will travel from San José by ground transfer, crossing the immense Braulio Carrillo National Park, to reach Guapiles. There you will enjoy a delicious typical meal.
Afterwards, you will continue your journey past banana and pineapple plantations until you reach the pier where you will board your boat to Tortuguero. The boat ride along rivers and canals takes approximately an hour and a half to arrive at your lodge. You will be just in time for lunch!
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour in the picturesque village of Tortuguero located on the Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the Limón Province.
The small village with a population estimated at around 1200-1500 inhabitants is sustained almost entirely by eco-tourism. Tortuguero can be translated as the “Land of Turtles”, as the beaches around it are key nesting sites for various more species of sea turtle, including two critically endangered species such as the green sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. The village is situated on a sand bar island, separated from the mainland by the Tortuguero River and bordering the Caribbean Sea and can be reached only by boat or airplane. Tortuguero is renowned for its navigable canals that run through the rainforest in Tortuguero National Park, nicknamed Costa Rica’s “little Amazon”.
In the evening, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation at the lodge of your choice in Tortuguero.
The day will begin with a walk along the lodge’s private trails with a naturalist guide, after which you will have some free time to enjoy the facilities before lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go on a boat tour through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, which is one of the country’s wilderness areas with the greatest biological biodiversity. The canals are surrounded by lush tropical forest filled with abundant wildlife, and the beaches are famous for being the habitat of various species of sea turtles. The optional night excursion (extra cost applies) to see turtle nesting (July to September) is also recommended. Tortuguero National Park also has an incredible biodiversity of insects, resident and migratory birds, and mammals, including jaguar and four species of monkey.
Dinner is included at the lodge.
Accommodation at the lodge of your choice in Tortuguero.
In the mid-morning you will depart by boat back to the main dock and then travel by ground transportation to Guápiles, where you will have lunch.
Afterwards, you will continue your journey to the Arenal Volcano in the Northern Plains region. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders and the most popular of Costa Rica’s volcanic giants. The Arenal Volcano (1,670 m) towers over the surrounding fertile landscape with plantations producing the best coffee in the world. While the volcano is quiet nowadays and there are no lava eruptions, you can still see clouds of smoke or ash emanating from the top of the cinder cone. The symmetrical cone-shaped Arenal Volcano erupted in the past an average of 41 times a day and while it currently slumbers, Arenal and the surrounding area are a great base for touring. You can also enjoy the plentiful hot springs in the more area. Along your journey to the town of La Fortuna, at the base of the volcano, you will see agricultural plantations, large ornamental plant nurseries, and cattle farms.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
The day will begin with a visit to Arenal Vida Campesina, a local farm where the owners grow organic crops and follow the environmentally friendly practices. You will learn about the importance of preserving Costa Rican rural culture and traditions and the main crops that have strengthened its economy. At Arenal Vida Campesina property, you can take part in various entertaining activities such as milking a cow, making tortillas, gathering of vegetables from the vegetable garden, cultural activities as the milling of sugar cane, typical dances and collecting water from a handmade well.
Then, you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. There is a possibility to see diverse wildlife in the park more including deer, tapir, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and birds like parrots, orioles and brown magpies, along with a great variety of vegetation including various species of palms and bromeliads, guayabo de monte, ceiba, bait, cirri, laurel, fungi, higuerones, orchids, and ferns. You will notice how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. The Arenal Volcano National Park covers an area of 12,016 ha and is situated within the larger 204,000-ha Arenal Conservation Area protecting 16 reserves between the Tilarán and Guanacaste mountain ranges.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano area.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Monteverde. Encompassing rainforest, cloud forest, and spectacular biodiversity, Monteverde has one of the rarest and most unique habitats on the planet, not to mention an astonishing variety of flora and fauna. Its strategic position straddling the Continental Divide between the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts creates a rare cloud forest, a distinctive microclimate for the many extraordinary species that inhabit this area.
At dusk, you will depart from the hotel for a Night Walk tour. At night, many species emerge that you do not usually see during the day, offering a unique show in the forest. You will be immersed in the exotic cloud forest and experience a world full of biodiversity. You will look at the top of the huge trees where over 500 bird species live, a paradise where the main stars are the majestic quetzal and the three-wattle bellbird. more More than 3,000 plants, 500 of them being orchids, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 130 mammals can be seen in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
One of the main attractions of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is its 13-kilometre network of trails. While walking the trails, visitors are offered a number of options. One alternative is the walk up to "La Ventana" scenic overlook, where they may witness the contrasting panoramas exhibited naturally by the Continental Divide, a geographical feature that traces the main mountain ranges of Costa Rica. You will experience beautiful landscapes during your journey and will see how locals live when passing through typical small villages.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Monteverde.
Get ready for a day of adventure to experience the cloud forest at all levels. First, you will go on a zip line tour, crossing the forest canopy while being suspended on cables using specialized mountaineering equipment. It’s an incredible experience, comparable to flying through the forest.
Next, you will walk the trails (3.06 km) in Selvatura Park. Eight suspension bridges of different sizes, which oscillate between 57 and 170 metres in length, span canyons and treetops, connecting parts of the trail and allowing you to admire the amazing canopy of the cloud forest and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest canopy is unique in the world. The suspension bridges offer the best vantage point to enjoy the beauty of the cloud forest at all levels.
Each bridge has a width of 1.5 metres and a capacity of up to 80 people per bridge which makes the more hanging bridges of Selvatura Park not only the largest in the system of hanging bridges, but also the toughest of Costa Rica. Additionally, the hanging bridges of Selvatura Park are certified by the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica, which ensures that these have been built following the best construction standards, as well as offering the best quality possible. You will admire these magnificent structures which were assembled in San José and then transported to Monteverde to be carried by the workers in the forest and in this way minimize the damage to nature.
You will have lunch in the park.
Next, you will visit the butterfly garden that houses more than 30 different species, including the beautiful common blue morpho butterfly (Morpho helenor) also found on the 50.000 cólones banknote issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The morpho family (Morphidae) includes many species of large tropical butterflies with spectacular iridescent wings, usually with a pronounced blue area. The morpho butterflies are among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from 7.5 cm (3.0 in) for Morpho rhodopteron to 20 cm (7.9 in) for Morpho hecuba.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Monteverde.
On this day of Costa Rica Family Vacation Package you will travel to the warm coast of the Central Pacific reaching Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica due to its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest and at the same time, the most visited Costa Rica’s national parks due to its beautiful beaches between coastal foothills, lush forest, and abundant wildlife. It is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica. You will be able to visit virgin beaches, with coral reefs, bordered by lush vegetation and natural wonders of the rainforest. The beaches of Manuel Antonio are highly coveted as some of the best Costa Rica has to offer. Many popular activities such as world-class surfing and snorkelling are available.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
In the morning, you will visit Manuel Antonio National Park, often called a natural jewel due to its picturesque beauty and abundant wildlife diversity. There are several trails for walking with many viewpoints, and there is a high probability of seeing animals in their natural habitat. At various points, the trails branch off and lead to four separate beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita, where you can swim in the crystal clear and warm water.
In the park, you can simply relax and enjoy the beach, sunbathe or walk the trails of the park, which will allow you to observe the abundant flora and fauna of Manuel Antonio. You and your family can see several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds, raccoons and possibly even the three-toed sloth. Children in particular will adore this activity!
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
Today you will have a free day to enjoy your hotel’s facilities and the spectacular beaches such as: Espadilla, Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita. Playa Espadilla is one of the best family beaches in Manuel Antonio. The family-friendly nature of this beach located near the entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park, makes it perfect for just about any activity such as swimming, football or just laying around with a good book. It features a sandy beach that stretches out for nearly 1.6 km (a mile), so it’s also a great spot to wind down with a long, leisurely beach watch.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Manuel Antonio.
Today, you will be transferred to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. Please note that you should be at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs.
Prices
Travel dates
Prices for private tours
Upon request
Price per person in €
1 Pers.
2 Pers.
3 Pers.
C hotels (Dec. 1 - 13, 2023)
2768€
1807€
1583€
C hotels (Dec. 14 - 31, 2023)
3018€
1944€
1687€
C hotels (Jan. 1 - Mar. 25, 2024)
2805€
1833€
1610€
C hotels (Mar. 26 - Apr. 9, 2024)
2815€
1843€
1620€
C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
2805€
1833€
1610€
C hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024)
2732€
1797€
1586€
C hotels (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024)
2781€
1836€
1623€
B hotels (Dec. 1 - 17, 2023)
2961€
1935€
1699€
B hotels (Dec. 18 - 31, 2023)
3583€
2248€
1912€
B hotels (Jan. 1 - Apr. 9, 2024)
3205€
2058€
1786€
B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024)
3142€
2022€
1759€
B hotels (May 1 - June 23, 2024)
2999€
1951€
1711€
B hotels (June 24 - Aug. 31, 2024)
3102€
2018€
1768€
B hotels (Sept. 1 - Nov. 26, 2023)
3050€
1992€
1751€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 1 Pers. | 2 Pers. | 3 Pers. | ||
|
Prices for private tours Upon request |
C hotels (Dec. 1 - 13, 2023) | 2768€ | 1807€ | 1583€ |
| C hotels (Dec. 14 - 31, 2023) | 3018€ | 1944€ | 1687€ | |
| C hotels (Jan. 1 - Mar. 25, 2024) | 2805€ | 1833€ | 1610€ | |
| C hotels (Mar. 26 - Apr. 9, 2024) | 2815€ | 1843€ | 1620€ | |
| C hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 2805€ | 1833€ | 1610€ | |
| C hotels (May 1 - June 30, 2024) | 2732€ | 1797€ | 1586€ | |
| C hotels (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024) | 2781€ | 1836€ | 1623€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 1 - 17, 2023) | 2961€ | 1935€ | 1699€ | |
| B hotels (Dec. 18 - 31, 2023) | 3583€ | 2248€ | 1912€ | |
| B hotels (Jan. 1 - Apr. 9, 2024) | 3205€ | 2058€ | 1786€ | |
| B hotels (Apr. 10 - 30, 2024) | 3142€ | 2022€ | 1759€ | |
| B hotels (May 1 - June 23, 2024) | 2999€ | 1951€ | 1711€ | |
| B hotels (June 24 - Aug. 31, 2024) | 3102€ | 2018€ | 1768€ | |
| B hotels (Sept. 1 - Nov. 26, 2023) | 3050€ | 1992€ | 1751€ | |
What's Included
- 10 nights accommodation in a single (SGL), double (DBL) / twin (TWN) or triple (TPL) room at the hotels of your choice: B (Superior) or C (Tourist);
- Breakfast at the hotels of your choice (breakfast en route on day 2);
- Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 2, 3 of the itinerary;
- Regular guided excursion: Walk to the town of Tortuguero;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike the private trails of the lodge in Tortuguero;
- Regular guided excursion: Exploration of the Tortuguero Canals by boat;
- Entrance to Tortuguero National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Visit to the Arenal Vida Campesina farm;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park;
- Regular guided excursion: Night Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest;
- Regular guided excursion: Selvatura Park zip lines and Butterfly Garden;
- Regular excursion: Selvatura Park Hanging Bridges Trail;
- Regular guided excursion: Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- Infants from 0 to 2 years do not pay;
- Children’s rate applies for ages 3 to 11 years. Maximum 2 children sharing a room with their parents.