Family Fun in Costa Rica: Culture, Wildlife & Natural Wonders - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Explore 

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your flight lands in San José, the country's capital and its largest city. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to transport your family to your hotel. Once you've had a chance to rest and regroup, head out on a self-guided tour and explore this vibrant metropolis! Located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, San José is home to historic buildings, world-class museums, beautiful parks, and of course, plenty of restaurants and shopping. This is also a very kid-friendly and walkable city, so you'll be able to manage strollers easily and take lots of breaks with the little ones.

Start your immersion into the city with a visit to Mercado Central, where you'll find local vendors selling produce, souvenirs, and delicious street foods. From here, head to Parque Central, a lovely green space with room for the kids to run and play. Not far from the park is the Teatro Nacional, built in the late 1800s and an excellent example of neoclassical architecture. The theater also offers free guided tours, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to see more of this famous landmark.

Finish your day at the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum) and the Museo del Jade (Jade Museum), where you can learn about Costa Rica's rich history and culture. Marvel at the extensive collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts and learn about their significance. At the Jade Museum, view thousands of unique pieces made from this precious stone and gain a deeper understanding of its cultural importance.

Day 2: Transfer to Arenal/La Fortuna, Guided Family Walk of Arenal Volcano

You're off to the town of La Fortuna, which serves as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. After breakfast, your driver will collect you from your hotel, and you'll make the 3.5-hour drive to your hotel. After check-in, you'll set out on a guided walking tour of the incredible Arenal volcano. 

Rising more than 5,300 feet (1,633 m) above the town and countryside, this active stratovolcano dominates the landscape and, until recently, often had more than 40 eruptions per day. Visitors can't hike to the top, but there are several trails around the base. The trails are generally flat and not very strenuous, making them accessible for all ages and abilities. 

Your guide will take you along the trails and to the Lake Arenal area while explaining the history of the region, as well as sharing information on previous eruptions and the impact of lava flow on the area. Enjoy views of the volcano, Lake Arenal, and the extinct Cerro Chato volcano. There are also several forested areas along the trail, and the kids should keep their eyes peeled for birds, monkeys, and other animals. Tonight, relax at your hotel or explore more of the town on your own. 

Day 3: Sloth's Territory Excursion, Free Afternoon in La Fortuna

Head into the rainforest for a visit with two and three-toed sloths today! Sloth's Territory, a natural reserve that encompasses 32 acres (13 ha), provides a permanent habitat for sloths and other wildlife, and your family will have a chance to see these slow-moving creatures in their natural environment.

Walk along the trails that take you through lush vegetation and under the forest canopy as you search out the sloths. You're likely to catch the two-toed sloths fast asleep in a tree, as they're primarily nocturnal, but their three-toed cousins are more active during the daytime hours, so the kids might get to see them slowly making their way along tree branches, munching on leaves, and even toting along their babies! As an added bonus, the reserve is also home to opossums, frogs, and colorful birds, making for excellent wildlife viewing for the whole family. 

Later, return to La Fortuna and spend some time getting to know the town. Visit the central plaza, where you'll find a well-manicured park, fountains, and gardens. The many restaurants and shops surrounding the plaza make it a great place to grab a snack. For more outdoor fun, the Avenal/La Fortuna region is also bursting with hot springs! Choose from Baldi Hot Springs, a lively, kid-friendly property with slides and plenty of space, or the quieter Tabacón and its natural rock baths. If you prefer something more rustic, head to the river, where there are natural hot springs with no entry fee!

Day 4: La Fortuna Waterfall & Lake Arenal, Family Cooking Class with Dinner

Start your day with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, a short taxi ride from town with gorgeous falls and a large pool. Depending on currents and temperatures, the pond is swimmable, so bring your suits! Stop in at the Visitor's Center to learn more about the falls and the history of the region, and if the kids are up for it, you can also walk down to the base of the falls. Afterward, you can spend some time at Lake Arenal, which sits at the base of the volcano. In addition to easy hikes and wildlife views, the lake also offers kayak and paddleboard rentals or kitesurfing for the more adventurous ones in your group.

This afternoon, enjoy an immersive, hands-on culinary experience with a family cooking workshop. Meet with your guide, who will take you on a tour of local farms and gardens to show you where the fresh ingredients for your meal come from. Learn about the different plants and crops grown in the area, and see the hard work and care that goes into cultivating the ingredients that make up Costa Rican cuisine.

Then, it's time to step into the kitchen with a local chef. You and the kids will learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as picadillos (vegetable hash), pollo guisado (chicken stew), and handmade tortillas. Let the kids try their hand as well, all under the expert guidance of your chef. When you're done, sit down to a meal that you created, along with some extra treats and beverages prepared by the chef. Your family will come away with full stomachs and a new connection to the delicious flavors of Costa Rican cuisine.

Day 5: Boating in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

Get a closer view of Costa Rican wildlife with a visit to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Meet your guide in the morning, and make the two-hour drive through the countryside, heading north to the refuge, which sits near the border of Nicaragua. Encompassing more than 25,000 acres (10,117 ha), the refuge dedicates itself to ecotourism and the preservation of the country's flora and fauna. 

Upon arrival at the refuge, you'll head to the nearby dock at Los Chiles to board a covered boat with your guides. Have your binoculars ready as you journey along the Río Frio because this is considered one of Costa Rica's top places for birding! Catch glimpses of the jabiru stork, the tallest flying bird found in Central and South America, as well as wood storks, cormorants, and many other varieties of birds. The kids will delight in the howler monkeys and sloths hanging in the trees above the river, and don't be surprised if you see caimans—a smaller cousin of the crocodile—lounging on the banks. 

Just before the entry point to Nicaragua, Costa Rica's northern neighbor, you'll disembark and have a picnic lunch on the riverside. Make sure the kids take a minute to look up—there might be some sleeping sloths in the trees overhead! Get back on the boat to finish the return journey to the dock, then transfer back to La Fortuna and your hotel. 

Day 6: Transfer to Monteverde, Fun at Monteverde Frog Pond Ranario

Your next destination is Monteverde, a small town located in the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range. Located approximately 3.5 hours from La Fortuna, this region is considered one of Costa Rica's main ecotourism destinations, known for its incredible cloud forests, wildlife, and endless choices in outdoor activities and adventures. Your private transfer will collect you from your hotel after check-out, and after you arrive and get settled at your lodgings, head out for a tour of the very family-friendly Frog Pond Ranario theme park.

This fun-filled "frog theme park" is dedicated to the preservation of various amphibian species around the world, educating its visitors on the importance of frogs and insects and sharing information on the threats to their habitats. You and the kids can observe different species of frogs from many different parts of the country, as well as their impressive exhibition of national and international insects.

Visit the indoor frog pond and the snakes at the nearby snake pond, and spend some time at the learning center where the kids can get a close-up view of a variety of live caterpillars feeding and developing on their host plants. The park has several trails and paths, with waterfalls, gardens, and trees. There are also several species of free-flying "butterfly-friendly" birds that live on the grounds. Before returning to your hotel for the evening, make a stop at the attached gift shop and pick up a few frog-centric souvenirs for the kids or friends back home. 

Day 8: Free Morning in Monteverde, Butterfly Gardens

Take time to relax this morning with a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or one of the nearby restaurants. You and the kids can take a stroll around town, checking out some of the sights in Monteverde or the nearby town of Santa Elena, located just a short bus ride away. Santa Elena has plenty of shops and amenities, and if the kids want to see more of the cloud forest, it also has its own reserve area, with several hiking trails worth exploring. Do keep in mind that these trails can be narrower than the ones at Monteverde, so they may be less accessible for families with very small children. 

This afternoon, visit Monteverde Butterfly Gardens, one of the largest butterfly gardens in the Americas. This huge domed structure has special temperature controls that make it the perfect environment to host the more than 30 different species of butterflies that reside here. You'll meet with a guide, who will share information and education on the butterflies, their life cycles, and their habits, and the kids will be able to wander the lush gardens while enjoying close contact with hundreds of colorful butterflies. 

Day 9: Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Family Beach Day 

Get ready for some coastal fun as you head to the beaches of Manuel Antonio. This popular resort district is located just south of Manuel Antonio National Park, offering endless expanses of sand and sea, rainforests, and abundant wildlife. Your driver will pick your family up from your hotel after check out, and you'll make the scenic four-hour drive to your accommodations in Manuel Antonio. Once you've checked in, make the most of those gorgeous sandy shores with a family beach day! 

Start at Playa Espadilla, which is actually comprised of two beaches, Espadilla Norte and Espadilla Sur. Espadilla Norte is located closest to town and has equipment rentals, restaurants, lifeguards, and other amenities, while Espadilla Sur is part of the national park—you'll need to pay a fee to enter, and it's about a 30-minute walk through the jungle to get to the beach. Families with infants or toddlers will find Espadilla Norte very family-friendly, with gentle waves and soft, warm sands.

If the kids are interested in beachcombing and marine life, spend some time at Playa Manuel Antonio. This is also part of the national park but is considered more easily accessible than Espadilla Sur. With pure white sand and clear blue water, this is an excellent snorkeling spot, and the tidal pools around the beach are brimming with sea life. The kids will love seeing the small fish, crabs, and sea urchins in the pools, and older kids can snorkel with tropical fish! Tonight, relax at your hotel or take the family to dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 10: Catamaran Cruise & Snorkeling Tour

See more of Manuel Antonio National Park via catamaran. Your tour leaves either in the morning or early afternoon (your choice), departing from the docks and taking you into the park, cruising along the coast, and enjoying the sea breezes and sunshine. Visit the secluded bay of Playa Biezans, where you have the option of trying freestyle diving or snorkeling in the turquoise waters. Marine life is abundant here, so tell the kids to look for whales, dolphins, stingrays, and seabirds soaring overhead! Have lunch on board, and after more snorkeling, you'll head back to shore.

Day 11: Active Fun Around Manuel Antonio Town

Take things at a slower pace and spend time seeing the sights around Manuel Antonio town today. In addition to the region's glorious beaches and the greenery of Manuel Antonio National Park, there are plenty of things to see and do both in and just outside of town.

Day 12: Guided Hike Through Manuel Antonio National Park 

The day starts early as you set out on a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. At 1,680 acres (680 ha), this is the smallest of Costa Rica's national parks, but it's also one of the most biodiverse, with a vast range of plants and forested areas, and wildlife that includes sloths, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species. The rainforest here runs all the way from the mountains to the coast, stretching across white-sand beaches and coral reefs. 

You'll meet up with your expert naturalist guide and head out along what are mostly flat, easy trails—perfect for the little ones! Along the way, you'll learn about the more than 300 species of mammals and birds that call the reserve home and see some of them in their natural habitats. Your guide will have a spotting scope on hand so the kids can get a look at even the shyest residents. You'll also have time to walk through the rainforest to the park's expansive beaches, where the kids can run and play in the surf. Have lunch at the park's restaurant before returning to town this afternoon. 

Your Costa Rican family adventure comes to an end today. At the appointed time, a driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels! 

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