Family Experience In Costa Rica (14 Days / 13 Nights)

Welcome to Costa Rica – a land of unspoiled scenic beauty and protected ecological habitat, and one of the world’s most family-friendly destinations.In Costa Rica, you'll relax in hot springs, splash through rainforest waterfalls and maybe even snorkel among stunning coral reefs. A Costa Rica family vacation will create memories to last a lifetime. Visit the famous canals of Tortuguero, the Sarapiqui rainforest, the Arenal volcano, Monteverde cloud forest and the Manuel Antonio national park. Soar through the jungle canopy on a safe, guided zipline tour. Your kids will love the cool rainforest breeze in their hair, flying at eye level with birds and seeing the Costa Rican cloud forest from a unique perspective!

San José- Volcano Poas-Tortuguero- Sarapiquí- Volcano Arenal- Monteverde-Manuel Antonio- San José

Day by day itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at San José, Costa Rica. Transfer to hotel in San José. 
Welcome to Costa Rica! Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration you will be met by one of our representatives. He will take you to your hotel and give you our welcome kit. Overnight stay in San José City.

Option A: El Rodeo Hotel. Deluxe Room (B= Breakfast)
Option B: Grano de Oro Hotel. Family Suite (B)

Day 02: Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Tour and La Paz Waterfall tour.   
Your guide will pick you up at hotel and take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. En route we will see the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the popular Mango Park. As we ascend towards the volcano we will stop to discuss our golden bean, the coffee of Costa Rica. Then we will continue our trip through the fern, flower and strawberry farms. There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, so be prepared to experience the cool and exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano National Park. 

At the volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its fumaroles, and then hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon and learn about the different ecosystems. After visiting the volcano, we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch at Doka Estate. Third stop is the town of Grecia, considered one of the cleanest towns of Latin America. Grecia is home to one of the only Metal Churches in Central America. The church is a national monument that fills its inhabitants with pride. In order to experience the local lifestyle we will also visit the central market area.

Day 03: Transfer bus & boat  to Tortuguero National Park. 
Early in the morning a bilingual guide will meet you at the hotel. Tortuguero National Park offers a great biological variety due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats including rainforests, swamps, beaches and lagoons. The park is located on the Caribbean coast and its beaches are key nesting ground for endangered sea turtles such as Hawksbill, Loggerheads, Green and Leatherbacks. The rivers within the park are home to sensitive populations of manatees as well as caimans, crocodiles and Tropical Gar, which is considered a living fossil. In the forests there are living jaguars, three-toed sloths and three of Costa Rica's four species of monkeys. Basilisk lizards and poisonous frogs also inhabit the area, along with 375 species of birds, including kingfishers, toucans, blue herons, peacocks and parrots. There are more than 400 species of trees and approximately 2,200 species of plants. 

Option A:  Pachira Lodge. Standard room (B, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Option B: Manatus Lodge. Standard room (B, L, D)

Day 04: Programmed activities in Tortuguero. 
You have the opportunity to explore the Tortuguero National Park area. Hiking and boat trips are included. During the turtle nesting season (July to October) there is an optional tour at night available upon request at the hotel (not included).  (Entrance fee to National Park $10 per person not included).

Day 05: Car Pick Up and self-drive or transfer to Puerto Viejo.

The Caribbean side of Costa Ricais renowned for its variety of aquatic ecosystems and its different colored sandy beaches, an ideal setting for varied beach and nature activities.  

Option A: Hotel Totem. Standard Room. (B).
Option B: Hotel Le Cameleon. Superior Room. (B).

Day 06: Free day in Puerto Viejo. 
A nice option for today is Cahuita National Park: It protects a well - developed coral reef and is one of the most visited parks on the Caribbean Coast. Over 23,000 hectares make up the marine park including the reef system. Aside from the howler monkeys and sloths in the tropical humid forest, you can see angel fish and brain coral in the water. Cahuita is one of the more pleasant parks to hike through since it runs primarily along the beach.

Day 07: Self-drive to Arenal Volcano.  
On the way the tour held at the Shrine of Sloths
When customers arrive at the Sanctuary welcomes them, then see a small video presentation lasting 12 minutes. In this video you will learn the wonders of these small and mysterious creatures known scientific studies on the lazy and the project being carried out as the only sanctuary in the world. Then show them some of the lazy adult residents know their stories and have the opportunity to take pictures. A visit to our new sloth nursery where orphans live smaller babies, where they heard the story of how they came to our center and made this their new home and hopefully the surprise lunchtime. Then take a boat for up to six people, and guide / boatman who will take you through tropical vegetation Estrella River, see the wealth and richness of the forest in the humid tropics of Costa Rica Caribbean, this ride will last approximately 45 minutes. Follow the chance to meet and take photos of Buttercup who is the founder of the center lazy.

Option A: Hotel Arenal Springs. Junior Suite (B).
Option B: Arenal Nayara Hotel. Casita Deluxe (B).

Day 08: Day Arenal Volcano. Safari Float.
Peñas Blancas Safari Float. The Peñas Blancas is a slow-flowing and mellow river, which makes it perfect for wildlife observation. Keep your eyes on the passing rainforest and you may be able to spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans, and different kinds of tropical birds. As you float down the river, your experienced guide will teach you about the surrounding area and help you spot creatures.

Day 9: Self-drive  to Monteverde. 
Monteverde is internationally renowned as one of the most outstanding and exceptional wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics. The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a very important and popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. This biological reserve with its unique cloud canopy is located in the province of Puntarenas, 6 km east of the town of Santa Elena. It is one of the most stunning and breathtaking nature reserves in the entire world. Unlike rainforests, cloud forests usually receive much less rain. Due to the fact that it is situated at a higher altitude, a cloud forest, however, has more humidity as a rain forest and is therefore a lot cloudier. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve sits at an elevation of between 1,200 m to 1,600 m and is surrounded by a misty cover that supports a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. You will find here at least 400 bird species in this high elevation rain forest including the resplendent quetzal, ancient holy bird of the Mayans, as well as over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants making Monteverde a true "nature lover's paradise". 

Option A: Hotel Poco a Poco, Standard Room (B)
Option B: El Establo Hotel. Deluxe Room (B)

 Day 10:Day in Monteverde. Canopy + hanging bridges tour.
There are several things to do in Monteverde, for example “Sky Walk”, a complex construction of bridges and platforms in the midst of a cloud forest.  Consisting of five suspension bridges and over 1,800 meters (5,400 ft) of trails, where more than 90% of are located within primary forest, Sky Walk is a wonderful and peaceful experience. The trail and bridge system is designed for one-way traffic as an attempt to reduce the frequency of groups passing on the bridge and trail system. Aventura Hanging Bridges offers the option of walking through the cloud forest in three different levels; on the ground, at the middle level and at top of the forest. This tour last approximately 2 hours; it is a 2.3 kilometers journey. Monteverde Canopy has some of the most beautiful views of the area which can be observed during the tour. Combine the amazing views together with the adventure of reaching extreme heights, while admiring the natural beauty of the forest and its treasure. 

Day 11: Self-drive to Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio National Park, with an extension of almost 1,800 acres, attracts the visitor with gorgeous hiking trails through abundant tropical jungle which borders white sand beaches and blue-green waters. The evergreen fascinating forest is home of about 100 species of mammals and 180 kinds of birds. Here, you will find a splendid combination of nature experience and beach fun. The hotel El Parador is an elegant Mediterranean-styled architecture, harmoniously combined with the trimmings of traditional Spanish government-sponsored inns. And all this in the midst of exotic tropical gardens, inhabited by colorful birds, fascinating iguanas and playful monkeys. It is also a place of golden sunsets and warm hospitality. You will reach the beach in about 5 minutes with free shuttle transportation available.   

Option A: Hotel El Parador, Garden Room (B)
Option B: Hotel El Parador, Tropical Room (B)

Day 12: Free day in Manuel Antonio. Frog night tour.
The park also protects 12 islands that serve as excellent refuges for several seabird species, as well as several stunning beaches (Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Escondido), a 14-hectare lagoon and a mangrove swamp. Connecting Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur beaches, Punta Catedral is a place of great natural beauty. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signage and several natural viewpoints.

Night walk: Experience the magic of the most exotic nocturnal creatures on the jungle night walk. Here you will have the opportunity to see local reptiles, toads, insects and tree frogs, while immersed in the raucous symphony that fills the night air of this tropical jungle.

Day 13: Self drive to San José. Drop off car rental.

Hotel El Rodeo, Deluxe Room (B)

Day 14: private transfer to the International Airport of San José.

Includes

• Personalized information, maps, brochures, vouchers

• Airport transfers upon arrival
• Local Travel Program Support 24 hours emergency service
• 13 nights lodging at hotels indicated at the preceding itinerary
• breakfast and local taxes
• Poas Volcano / Doka Coffee tour / La Paz tour included.
  • (Transp/entrance/guide/lunch)
• All meals, transfers by boat and bus, guide and tours in Tortuguero
• 09 days rental car
  
  • Rav 4 or similar
  •  free mileage, Basic insurance not included.

Excludes

• Basic car insurance US $ 20.00 per day, additional insurance
• GPS, or gasoline.
• Other meals than indicated as included
• Personal expenses and tips
• Extras at hotels
• Entrance fees, entrance to TortugueroUS $ 10,00 per person
• Optional excursions and activities
• International flights
• Airport taxes US$29,00 per person

Price Conditions

High Season: November 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013 and July 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013

Green Season: May 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013 and September 1, 2013 – October 31, 2013

Notes
1-This itinerary includes accommodation for two adults and children (younger than 10 years of age) sharing the same room. In case of 10 years or older, please contact us
2-There is a maximum of 2 children sharing the room with their parents
3-Prices are per person in US-Dollars, based on double occupancy and including all taxes. Additional cost might apply if traveling between Dec 20 – Jan 05 or Easter week (March 24 - 31) 2013

Important Note

What makes us different? You can customize your Costa Rica trip to fit your exact needs. Maximize fun time and minimize hassles, mistakes and travel time. Every detail from airport pick-up to adventure tours and activities are arranged by us to make sure the only thing you have to worry about is having fun. Use our quick and easy trip customization form and find out how affordable your dream Costa Rica vacation can be! With CRS you don´t just vacation in Costa Rica, you experience it. Why settle for less? Contact us today.

What To Bring

The most important things to bring are your travel documents: a valid passport, flight and hotel information, health insurance card and driver's license (if you plan on renting a car in Costa Rica). We advise you to make three copies of these documents. Put one copy in your carry-on bag, one copy in your suitcase and leave one copy at home.

Basic Tropical forests, colorful wildlife and spectacular beaches are part of daily life in Costa Rica. The climate varies depending on where you are, so pack accordingly.

1 Prepare for hot, humid summers. Shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, skirts and tank tops in lightweight fabrics should keep you cool. Take a sweater for evenings at a higher elevation.
2 Bring plenty of sunblock. Also include insect repellent, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a swimsuit.
3 Take rubber-soled sandals or hiking boots for journeys into the rain forests. Flip-flops and sandals are great for resorts and hanging out by the beach.
4 Pack separate clothes for evenings. Simple dresses are great for women, while men will do well in long shorts and a button-down shirt.
5 Prepare for cool winters, particularly in the northern regions and at higher elevations. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are a must, while a fleece jacket or a sweater is advisable.
6 Take an umbrella if you plan to travel between May and November - Costa Rica's wettest period. A rain slicker will come in handy while hiking.
7 Take an electric converter and adapter.