Family Experience In Costa Rica
(14 Days / 13 Nights) Price from: $ 1,295.00
Inquire NowWelcome 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. Country Inn by Carlson. Standard room.
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. The modern full-service hotel is conveniently located only five minutes from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and 10 minutes from downtown San José. For the youngest guests they offer activities such as babysitting and a children's pool area.
Day 02: Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Tour and La Paz Waterfall tour. Country Inn by Carlson. Standard room. (B)
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 to Tortuguero National Park. Pachira Lodge. Standard room (B, L, D)
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.
Day 04: Programmed activities in Tortuguero. Pachira Lodge. Standard room (B, L, D).
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 Sarapiquí. Hacienda La Isla Lodge. Superior room (B).
Hidden in the foothills of the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Spanish colonial-built Hacienda La Isla Lodge is very well located in the center of numerous top attractions of Costa Rica. Its setting alongside mountain streams and exuberant rainforest and pasturelands is breathtaking. Guests will encounter the mysteries of the rainforest while enjoying a comfortable stay in the historically designed rooms of the hacienda. Hacienda La Isla lodge is a unique departure from the common tourism experience in Costa Rica. It offers visitors and guests an imaginative program that expands a visit from passive to personal.
Day 06: Free day in Sarapiquí. Hacienda La Isla Lodge. Superior room (B).
Optional activities: a river float on the Sarapiquí River with no rapids, making it an easy paddle, perfect for bird watchers and nature lovers. This part of the Sarapiquí runs through dense stands of tropical rainforest where you are likely to spot everything, from trogons and toucans to monkeys and river otters. Opt to join a Chocolate & Pineapple Plantation with the Family tour in Tirimbina Rain Forest, home to the longest hanging bridge in Costa Rica. Kids of all ages will try their hand at making their own chocolate cookies!
Day 07: Self-drive or transfer to Arenal Volcano. Hotel Arenal Springs. Junior Suite (B).
The Arenal National Park lies within the Arenal Conservation Area which is protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, including Lake Arenal. The Arenal Volcano has been constantly active since it woke up after 400 years. As one of the world's most active volcanoes, the Arenal produces huge ash columns, explosions and glowing red lava almost every day. A fascinating flora and fauna can be found here as well in amazing quantities, making the area a prime location for examining many different species of both, plants and animals.
Day 08: Free day Arenal Volcano. Hotel Arenal Springs. Junior Suite (B).
Immerse yourself today in this region with an optional Treetops Walk with the Family through the rainforest on the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Or, if you’re daring enough, you might instead choose to try Ziplining with the Family (minimum age: 4 years) through the tree canopy with safety equipment and experienced guides. In the evening, relax with a visit to the local hot springs, which are fed by the natural healing waters of the Arenal volcano.
Day 9: Self-drive or transfer to Monteverde. Fonda Vela Hotel. Standard room (B).
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".
Day 10: Free day in Monteverde. Fonda Vela Hotel. Standard room (B).
Optional activities: for example “Sky Walk”, a complex construction of bridges and platforms in the midst of a cloud forest. 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.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.
Day 11: Self-drive or transfer to Manuel Antonio. El Parador Hotel. Garden room (B).
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.
Day 12-13: Free day in Manuel Antonio. El Parador Hotel. Garden room (B). Keep an eye out for sloths, agoutis, green iguanas, basilisk lizards and howler, squirrel and white-faced monkeys today!
Day 14: Self-drive or 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 / Sarchi tour included.
- (Transp/entrance/guide/lunch)
- All meals, transfers by boat and bus, guide and tours in Tortuguero
- 10 days rental car
- Toyota Prado or similar
- free mileage
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$28,00 per person
Price Conditions:
With rental car Toyota Prado Semifull
High Season
November 1, 2011 - April 30, 2012 and July 01 – August 31, 2012
=> USD$ 1,375.00 per person
Green Season
May 01 to June 30, 2012 and September 01 - October 31, 2011/2012
=> USD$ 1.295.00 per person
Price per child => US$240.00
Price per person in US dollars
based on double occupancy
includes local taxes.
Additional cost might apply if traveling between
Dec 20 – Jan 05 or Easter week ( Apr 01-08 ) 2012
1 -This itinerary includes accommodation for two adults and children (younger than 10 years of age) sharing the same room. In case of 10 years or older, please contact us
2 -There is a maximum of 2 children sharing the room with their parents
3 -Prices are per person in US-Dollars, based on double occupancy and including all taxes
With shuttle transfers between destinations
High Season
November 1, 2011 - April 30, 2012
July 01 – August 31, 2012
=> USD$ 1,340.00 per person
Green Season
May 01 to June 30, 2012
September 01 - October 31, 2011/2012
=> USD$ 1.310.00 per person
Price per child
=> US$285.00
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.
