Ultimate Costa Rica Family Tour - 14 Days

Highlights

• Explore the Arenal Volcano National Park by foot, zipline, and boat
• Take a thrilling hanging bridge walk in Monteverde's Cloud Forest
• Sample authentic Costa Rican coffee and chocolate and learn how it's made
• Cruise, hike, and swim Manuel Antonio's pristine coastline
• Discover Costa Rica's history, cuisine, and culture in San José

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Museo de los Niños

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your driver will meet you at the airport and transport you to your San José hotel in comfort. Get settled, then head to the Museo de los Niños, San José's famous children's museum. Once a prison, the building has been transformed into a kid's wonderland, introducing young ones to real-world scenarios and science in playful and educational ways. Its increasing popularity has resulted in more than 40 interactive spaces, ensuring you and the kids hours of entertainment.

Learn about local history and industries, such as the coffee and banana trades, before heading to outer space, ancient Egypt, or even just the supermarket—kids will love role-playing the extraordinary and everyday adventures you'll find within these walls. With an on-site café, there's no need to leave to refuel—top the kids up, then relax with a coffee while your young explorers try their hands at the interactive exhibits. Head out for dinner to one of the city's many family-friendly restaurants before returning to your accommodation.

Day 2: Transfer to Arenal, Visit La Paz Waterfall & Gardens

Today, you and the kids will transfer three hours north to La Fortuna, the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park. You'll break up the trip with a stop-off at La Paz Waterfall Gardens—a first foray into Costa Rica's natural beauty that won't disappoint. You and the kids will be delighted with the country's most extensive butterfly garden, a hummingbird aviary, and snake, frog, and wildcat exhibits. Your taste buds will be satisfied, too, with a delicious buffet lunch to nourish you and the little ones before you head off on the trail again to explore an old farmhouse.

The gardens contain five waterfalls, and the trail will pass by each in turn. Where once they were inaccessible, platforms have now been constructed, allowing for panoramic views—and great family photos! La Fortuna is Costa Rica's most famous waterfall, but the cascades farther along the path are even more spectacular. The kids will love Magia Blanca, where a platform lets you stand right under the falls. Afterward, you'll be taken to your accommodation in La Fortuna. Head to one of the delicious local restaurants for dinner, then rest up for tomorrow's adventures. 

Day 3: Peñas Blancas River Rafting

Enjoy some waterborne family fun this morning with a relaxing rafting trip along the Río Peñas Blancas' quiet waters. You'll be accompanied by an expert guide, pointing out Costa Rica's distinctive flora and fauna along the way. The kids will be delighted to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, and turtles in real life—and you'll also likely see a crocodile or two at a safe distance! If you're lucky, you'll see the region's basilisks in action—they're also known as Jesus Christ lizards for their ability to walk on water for short distances as they escape.

Your tour finishes at the Rancho La Cocona de Tita Yolanda, where you and the kids can learn about life on a traditional Costa Rican ranch, including coffee, cocoa, and sugar cane production— all while enjoying fresh snacks and a drink. Afterward, your guide will transport you back to your La Fortuna accommodation. If time allows, head to one of the local hot springs to unwind—many are family-friendly, featuring kids' areas and waterslides—before relaxing at your accommodation for the evening. 

Day 4: Explore Arenal Volcano National Park

Enjoy exploring Arenal Volcano National Park today—giving the kids the chance to see a real volcano up close. There are also many other activities to keep them busy, making this an ideal destination for little ones. Start with one or two shorter, more accessible hikes, and hire a guide if you want to hear some commentary as you go—this will also likely give you the best chance of spotting wildlife like tree frogs, armadillos, and the many native bird species. Take the main route to the lava fields, or head out to Lake Arenal's peninsula—whatever you choose, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views.

The park is not just known for its hiking, however. There's a popular bike trail linking the main entrance with Lake Arenal, or if the kids are five and over, you can try a zipline canopy tour. Suitable for beginners, the whole family will get unparalleled views of the rainforest and its inhabitants. Kid-friendly kayaking is also offered on the quiet waters of Lake Arenal itself. Once you're through exploring, head to a hot spring to relax or return to your hotel, stopping off at one of La Fortuna's fantastic restaurants on the way. If the family's in the mood for more adventure, book a nighttime wildlife tour—the sun sets around 6 pm, so it's not too late for most kids.

Day 5: Nature Walk at Ecocentro Danaus & Butterfly Garden 

Venture deeper into Arenal's rainforest today with a trip to the Ecocentro Danaus. A small reserve established by local conservationists, the secondary rainforest here now regenerates naturally—it's a fascinating place to visit, not just for the wildlife but also if you're interested in sustainable tourism. An easy hike on a circuit trail will take you through a botanical garden, home to more than 600 varieties of plants, a butterfly garden with more than 40 species to spot, frog habitats, and wetland nesting sites. Along the way, you'll also have the chance to spot tree frogs, caimans, monkeys, sloths, and many birds. 

Partway through, you'll visit the Maleku Village Cultural Center, where you'll learn about this Indigenous tribe firsthand. With only 650 members remaining, discovering their traditional way of life, language, and locally- grown and harvested medicines is precious. You'll be inspired by their focus on the environment, reforestation, and efforts to preserve their cultural heritage. Your tour finishes with a snack of fresh fruit at the park's souvenir shop. 

Day 6: Boat Ride to Monteverde

The journey is (at least partly) the destination today, with a scenic shuttle transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde. Your pickup will be either in the morning or the afternoon—if it's later, take the opportunity to explore more of Arenal. The Bogarin Trail is an excellent option to see more rainforest wildlife—it's short, flat, and stroller-friendly, so the little ones won't be too tired for the afternoon's adventures. There's the option of a paid tour to assist you in spotting the different reptiles, birds, and sloths.

Afterward, head back to your accommodation to meet your shuttle. You'll be taken to the shores of Lake Arenal to board your boat—from here, it's a scenic one-hour crossing to Monteverde on the other side of the lake. Another shuttle will meet you here and take you to your hotel. If you have some spare time, try souvenir shopping in nearby Santa Elena, which is also a great place to grab dinner—it's home to several family-friendly restaurants. Then head back to your accommodation and relax for the evening.

Day 7: Selvatura Park Hanging Bridges 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading to Selvatura Park, home to Costa Rica's longest and strongest hanging bridge network. You'll find 1.9 miles (3 km) of sturdy trails ranging between 170 feet (52 m) and a thrilling 560 feet (171 m) in height, ensuring a safe but exciting canopy walk for the whole family. Cloud forests are rare, making up less than one percent of all global forests, so linger and enjoy the unique flora and fauna here. The walkways will lead you through several layers of rainforest and multiple vantage points to enjoy the park from almost every angle.

Be sure to allow some time to visit the sloth sanctuary located here. Although the hanging bridges are the park's most well-known attraction, the sanctuary will likely be a highlight for adults and kids alike. As you move through an exhibit that closely mimics their natural environment, you'll have the chance to observe 20 sloths rescued from poaching, illness, or accident. You and the kids can watch them going about their day without causing them any distress—you'll come away knowing much more about this slow-moving species and its fragile home.

Day 8: Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Monteverde

While the kids might not be sampling too much coffee, the hands-on coffee and chocolate tour that you'll take at the Don Juan Farm in Monteverde today will appeal to all ages. You and the youngsters will be involved in each step of the process, starting with a trip out into the fields to harvest the ripe red berries before peeling, roasting, and sampling. The chocolate tour is arguably even more fun. Help harvest the large pods, then snack on the delicious pulp covering the beans before roasting them. Afterward, you and the kids will get to sample high-quality chocolate—it has plenty of health benefits, so treat yourselves! 

The tour only takes a few hours, so spend the rest of your day exploring Monteverde's other attractions. There are some great butterfly parks, wildlife refuges, and rainforest walks— or for something different, brave the Bat Jungle, a simulated nighttime jungle environment housing 90 bats. Monteverde is also a great area to do another evening wildlife-spotting tour. Dine on traditional Costa Rican fare at one of the great local restaurants, then relax back at your accommodation for the rest of the evening.

Day 9: Transfer to Quepos, Gateway to Manuel Antonio

This morning, your family heads to your next destination, with a four-hour transfer south to the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park. It's a beautiful place to relax with the kids, with its white-sand beaches, mountains, and forests. Your driver will take you to your accommodation in Quepos, on the park's border. After you've checked in, it's time to go swimming—either make the most of your hotel's pool or head to the nearby beach and let the kids build a few sandcastles while you relax or take a dip. Aim for dinner at a seaside restaurant close to sunset for a fresh seafood meal with an idyllic view. 

Day 10: Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Manuel Antonio National Park contains some of the world's most impressive landscapes; today, they're yours to explore. Get the family dressed in comfortable walking clothes and tour the park's most kid-friendly spots. The trail you'll follow is flat, easy for even the most diminutive legs, but picturesque, winding over about 2 miles (3.2 km) through the park and giving fantastic views of the mountains and forest-lined coves. As you walk, your guide will provide fascinating historical context and highlight all the flora and fauna along the way. 

Manuel Antonio is home to three of Costa Rica's four monkey species, and spotting howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys is likely to keep the kids pretty busy. You'll hear the vocal howler monkeys before seeing them, but who will find the shy squirrel monkeys? You're also highly likely to see both two and three-toed sloths, various bird and reptile species, butterflies, and exotic orchids and trees. Once your tour is finished, head back to your hotel and relax by the pool or explore the surroundings. 

Day 11: Explore the Manuel Antonio Area

Exchange your walking shoes for flip-flops today and take the kids out to the beach—head into the park to Playa Espadilla Sur (not to be confused with its northern counterpart just outside the park). This peaceful beach has nearly a mile of sand and gentle turquoise waves, making it perfect for a morning of family fun. This is one of the many beaches the park offers, so feel free to explore. For a complete change of scene, head to the Marino Bellena National Park for an off-the-beaten-path day at a mangrove-forest-lined pristine stretch of coastline.

Day 12: Catamaran Cruise & Beach Afternoon

Get out on the water this morning with a catamaran cruise sure to satisfy any nature lovers in the family. With stunning views of the park as a backdrop, everyone will be captivated as they spot humpback whales, dolphins, stingrays, and other marine wildlife. There's the option to dive or snorkel for older family members and plenty of snacks and juice onboard to keep hungry little ones content. After a few hours of happy sightseeing, you'll round the tour off with a delicious lunch. 

The afternoon brings the opportunity to laze on one or two of Manuel Antonio's famous beaches. Journey inside the park to enjoy small, sandy coves bordered by exciting jungle trails, ideal for wildlife spotting between dips—by now, your family may even have a favorite spot. Alternatively, relax outside the park's borders at Playa Espadilla Norte—this is the perfect choice if you have adventurous youngsters keen on surfing or boogie boarding, though the waves are gentle enough for most ages to enjoy. With restaurants right across from the beach, it's a handy place to grab dinner.

Day 13: Transfer to San José

It's time to head back to the colorful bustle of Costa Rica's capital, with a roughly three-hour morning shuttle ride to the city. Once you arrive, settle into your accommodation, then head out to explore. Try local street food (think kid-friendly empanadas, tamales, and churros—not to mention delicious local ice cream!) at the Mercado Central, or learn more about the city's culinary heritage and sample plenty of treats with a kid-friendly walking food tour. The city also has several parks and playgrounds, including the extensive Parque La Sabana, which contains several play areas and a fishing lake.

Day 14: Depart San José

It's your family's last day in Costa Rica. If time allows, explore the city's colorful streets a little further. Pick up a few souvenirs, linger at a café, or grab some more of your favorite street food treats. If you'd like a last glimpse of Costa Rica's colorful wildlife, head to the city's Butterfly Kingdom to see these spectacular species up close or to the Animal Rescue Center to meet parrots, monkeys, and sloths before you head out. When it's time, head back to your accommodation. Your driver will meet you there and take you directly to San José International Airport. Safe travels! 

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