Family Fun in Costa Rica

Explore the stunning natural diversity of Costa Rica and sample the very best activities on this action-packed and fun-filled family adventure across the jewel of Central America. Try rafting, paddle boarding and look out for the incredible wildlife!

1. Days 1-2: San Jose

   Arrive in Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, where you and your family will spend one night before your adventure begins. We recommend enjoying dinner in one of the city’s good restaurants before a good night’s sleep so you’re raring to go the next day.

   Accommodation: Grano de Oro (1 night)

2. Days 2-4: Turrialba and Pacuare

   It’s an early start today as you’re picked up from your hotel and transferred in a private vehicle out of the city, through countryside to a drop off point where you and your family are met and greeted by a guide, who will give you all a quick introduction to white water rafting. From here, begins your thrilling adventure along the beautifully wild Pacuare River to Pacuare Lodge. The gentle hour and a half raft in will take you through stunning jungle scenery and occasionally across rushing rapids for a short sharp blast of adrenaline, before the beautiful Pacuare Lodge comes into view. This remote jungle hideaway is a magical place for discovering the rainforest and contains Costa Rica’s highest canopy walkway, as well as offering activities such as canyoning, horse riding, zip-lining and visits to some of the local indigenous Cabecar Indian communities.

   Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge (2 nights)

3. Days 4-7: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

   Return by an exhilarating raft ride to the river’s put-out point and transfer back to San Jose, where you’ll catch a short flight to the incredible Osa Peninsula, one of the most bio-diverse and untouched places in the country. We’ve included a selection of activities here from sunrise and sunset tours, trips to wild waterfalls, hikes through the rainforest both during the day and the night so you have the chance to meet the jungle’s day and night-time residents! Guiding is excellent and the tours are both fun and educational, striking the right balance between respecting and having fun in nature. Lodges in this area are ecologically conscious with a touch of luxury - perfect for those looking to really immerse themselves in nature whilst not having to sacrifice any of the creature comforts that make for a relaxing stay!

   Accommodation: Lapa Rios Lodge (3 nights)

4. Days 7-10: Arenal

   After a few days of indulging in more nature orientated adventures, it is time for some real adrenaline inducing activities, and so for this it’s on to one of Costa Rica’s top highlights, the Arenal volcano.  Arenal is a great base for all kinds of adventure activities with extreme ziplining, white water rafting, quadbike roaming, volcano hiking and waterfall rappelling madness on offer. We’ve included the famous zip-lining adventure through the canopy as a starting point but Arenal really is the country’s activity hub and has something suitable for all the family.

   Accommodation: Nayara Gardens (3 nights)

5. Days 10-14: Papagayo Peninsula

   After this long and activity filled itinerary, head for a well-deserved few days of pure beach chill-out before the journey home. You will be privately transferred to the beautiful Papagayo Peninsula to spend four nights on the sun-kissed beaches of the Pacific Coast. Here you can do as much or as little as you’d like. If your thirst for adventure has not already been quenched, you can go snorkelling, windsurfing and sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, white water rafting, tubing, zip-wiring between the forest canopies or hiking on volcanic slopes in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Alternatively, just sit back, soak in the views and relax on the beach or by the pool; it's the perfect place to end a high-energy, Indiana Jones-esque trip - in a true oasis of cool.

   Accommodation: El Mangroove (4 nights)

6. Fly home from San Jose

• Arenal Sky Tram & Sky Trek

  Soar through the rainforest canopy on this thrilling zip wiring adventure in the Arenal reserve. Experience the sights and sounds of the rainforest from a bird’s-eye view, admiring the wildlife and spectacular scenery from above. Minimum age 8 years old.

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• Arenal Volcano Walk

  The best way to get as close as possible to the spectacular Arenal Volcano is to walk the reserve’s easy series of trails, which will take you through secondary rainforest and former lava fields. The park is known for its diverse wildlife.

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• Horseriding to the volcano at Arenal Nayara

  Wind your way to the Silencio Observation Point, to view the magnificent Arenal Volcano and its lava fields! Whatever your level of riding, the experienced bilingual guides will have the perfect horse for you so you can explore and enjoy stunning views.

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• Pure Nature Exclusive Safari Float Adventure

  Take a raft through the jungle, floating down the Rio Frio river, keeping your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, sloths, bats and crocodiles as the jungle turns from day to night!

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• Rafting the Pacuare River

  The Pacuare River offers some of the finest white water in Latin America, winding through rugged canyons deep inside one of Costa Rica's impressive rainforests. As no roads lead to Pacuare Lodge, rafting in and out is the perfect way to arrive in style!

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San Jose, Pacuare, Osa Peninsula, Arenal & Papagayo