This family experience travel is a nine-day tour with GAP Adventures and the travel itinerary highlights some of Costa Rica's top travel destinations. These include:

Embark on an action-packed family experience tour of Costa Rica's must-see travel highlights. From the hot springs of Arenal Volcano to a safari float on the Rio Penas Blancas, an incredible array of flora and fauna surrounds you. Learn to make tortillas with a local family or participate in planting trees at the Santa Elena Reserve. Walk among hundreds of tropical butterflies at the Butterfly Garden or make a new friend at the reptile and amphibian center at Selvatura Park.

  • Trip style: Discovery Adventures.
  • Service level: Comfort.
  • Travel highlights: San Jose, Arenal Volcano, Cloud Forest Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park.

Travel Itinerary for Family Experience Tour

family experience travel map for Costa Rica
  • Arrive San Jose. Arrive in San Jose at any time. Today there are no planned activities so we will head into the city to enjoy people-watching in the main plaza and catch the regular performances of mime artists, jugglers, marimba bands, magicians and storytellers. In the late afternoon the group will meet fellow travelers to go over the details of our trip.
  • Day 2-3 La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano (3B) On day two, the group will visit La Fortuna, at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. First stop is The Danaus Ecocenter, exhibiting 300 species of tropical plants and abundant animal life. The Danaus Ecocenter is also a great place to see butterfly and orchid gardens, as well as Costa Rica's famed red poison dart frogs. Afterward we will enjoy a local dinner and take a relaxing soak in the cascading hot spring waters at a local resort. Here we will soak under the shade of the surrounding canopy in one of the natural thermal baths, fed by rivers of volcanically-heated water running down from the volcano. On day three, the group will get to experience an authentic cultural exchange with a local family at Dona Mara's home. The group will prepare lunch while learning the art of tortilla making out of fresh ground corn masa. After lunch, you will explore the quiet waters of the Penas Blancas river on a safari float by raft. Along the way the guide will point out the beautiful flora and fauna of the region. Animals sightings can include sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, Jesus Christ lizards, birds and turtles.
  • Day 4-5 Monteverde Cloud Forest On day four, in the afternoon, the group will arrive in Monteverde. There's free time to relax at the hotel pool, take a walk around this quaint town or take in some optional activities. On day five, the group will visit the Santa Elena Reserve, located high on the Caribbean slopes of the Cordillera de Tilaran, which is the Continental Divide of Costa Rica. As a gesture of thanks to the incredible beauty, the group will have the opportunity to give back to mother nature by planting trees at the reserve school.
  • Day 6-7 Manuel Antonio National Park . Day six is dedicated to traveling to Manuel Antonio National Park where the group will have the remainder of the day to enjoy and relax. On day seven, the group will embark on a guided tour to one of Costa Rica's most popular national parks. This exotic, bio-diverse tropical coastal rainforest is considered a national treasure with fantastic wildlife, plants and a great trail system for walking and hiking. The group will have the opportunity to watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy. You can also look forward to searching for armadillos and coatis and just try and keep track of over 350 species of birds that call the park home.
  • Day 8 San Jose. Travel back to San Jose for some last–minute shopping and a final night on the town.
  • Day 9 Depart San Jose.

Trip summary/CRCFD

  • Price: US$1250 (approx)
  • Start Finish: ex San Jose
  • What's Included: Tour of Danaus Ecocenter - Visit the Hot Springs of Arenal Volcano — Safari float on the Rio Penas Blancas — Tortilla making and typical lunch with a local family — Walking tour and tree planting at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve — Walking tour in Manuel Antonio National park
  • Group Size Notes: Max 15, Avg 10
  • Group Leader: Discovery Adventures guide, local guides.
  • Meals Included: 8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner.
  • Transport: Van, Mini-bus, Boat, Walking .
  • Accommodation: Comfort hotels (8 nts).
  • Meal Budget: Allow $300 USD for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details.
  • My Own Room: Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops on tour.

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Arenal view

The Arenal Volcano area is scenic and charming. It is more spring-like and I can understand why so many ex-pats have chosen this area to retire.

Arenal has a lovely lake and around the lake there are homes, services, and in some places ranches.

You'll note the windmills throughout the area.

manuel_aerial_319

Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park but one of its most spectacular parks. Visitor will find everything from jungle, wildlife to incredible beaches.

Manuel Antonio is near a town called Quepos, a charming former fishing village.