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Costa Rica is one of the world's most adventurous family-friendly places, widely known for its dedication to peace, cultural exchange, and environmental education. Our Costa Rica family adventure visits areas that exemplify these qualities creating wonderful shared memories for years to come. All aspects of this tour, from more spacious accommodations to less rigorous transfers to the planned activities, have been designed with the traveling family in mind. Starting with Arenal Volcano, with it's picture perfect cone and active lava flows, we explore this geologic wonder and the rich surrounding rainforests filled with waterfalls, wildlife, and opportunities for exploration. In Monteverde we hike through the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, walk the nearby platform bridges for an aerial view of these incredible forests, and visit the shining example of sustainable tourism in the town of Santa Elena. Conclude with mangrove kayaking, turtle sightings, and beach combing in Costa Rica's coastal playground of Tamarindo. Accommodations for this active adventure include wilderness lodges and boutique hotels.

Day 1 - Arrival

Upon arrival at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in San Jose.

Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea or similar
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Arenal Volcano

Start your tour with a scenic drive to Arenal Volcano, stopping en route at La Paz Waterfall Gardens for lunch and an up close view at a system of 5 different waterfalls. The gardens also include child friendly butterfly, hummingbird, and frog gardens. After lunch continue on through the scenic highlands to Arenal. From the lodge, which is situated safely on a high ridge only 1.6 miles south of the volcano, visitors have an impressive view of this "giant which rumbles" and erupts with spectacular displays of vapor and lava. The lodge is the only property located within the Arenal Volcano National Park, which encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rainforest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife.

Accommodations: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 3 - Arenal to Monteverde

Enjoy a morning hike to a nearby waterfall and an up-close exploration of a lava flow prior to the drive Monteverde. Crossing Arenal Lake by boat and then driving on, we make our way to Monteverde, one of the most diverse and richest tropical cloud forests in the New World is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but includes hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species. Arrive in time to explore the nearby town of Santa Elena.

Accommodations: Hotel Fonda Vela or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 4 - Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Morning guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve viewing the wet forest with its dense vegetation and majestic trees. The perpetually misty forests of the Reserve encompass eight distinct ecological zones and protect more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 1,500 species of plants. In the afternoon visit the SkyTrek, a system of suspended cable zip lines constructed within the cloud forest, that give the participant a unique thrill and vantage point high in the forest canopy. For those not interested in Zip Lines, the Sky Walk, a hiking system of suspended bridges, may be substituted at no additional cost.

Accommodations: Hotel Fonda Vela or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 5 - Mountains to Coast

Our representative will transfer you in an air conditioned vehicle on a scenic drive through the dry savanna of Guanacaste to the North Pacific Coast, and on to our luxury beachfront accommodations just outside of Tamarindo. The remainder of the day is yours to stroll the beach or relax by your hotel's pool.

Accommodations: Capitan Suizo or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 6-7 - Tamarindo Beach

Spend your days in Tamarindo simply soaking in the Pacific views, or opting for several activities available to your family at additional cost, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing lessons, kayaking, and more!

From mid-November though mid-March a miracle of nature occurs along the Guanacaste coast when thousands of Leatherback turtles come to nest on the beaches. During this season guided night walks are offered (at additional cost) along the beach to witness these massive females emerge from the sea to lay and bury their eggs. Later in the season, guests can witness hundreds of baby turtles hatch and scurry to the safety of the seas.

Accommodations: Capitan Suizo or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 8 - San Jose

Return by plane to San Jose where a representative will take you to your hotel in Costa Rica's capitol. Spend your last afternoon in Costa Rica taking in a museum or exploring one of San Jose's several colorful markets.

Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 9 - Return

Transfer to the international airport for your return flights home or begin your trip extension. See our Costa Rica Ala Carte Adventures for Trip Extension ideas.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Notes on Itinerary: This itinerary is designed for families, however is appropriate for any individuals looking for an adventure that highlights some of the best attractions that Costa Rica has to offer. Child rates are applicable to children 10 and under who are sharing rooms with parents.

Single Travelers: Single supplement added if single accommodations are requested, otherwise single travelers may request to share a same sex room. If another single traveler is assigned the single supplements will be waived.

Land Cost Includes: Eight nights lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group, meals as specified in the itinerary, hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking are included unless otherwise specified, guide services as specified in the itinerary, guides' expenses.

Not Included: Airfare to Costa Rica, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to transfer and naturalist guides, guided turtle nesting tour($25), items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Qualifications: This trip is available to any individuals or families with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips on one of our Costa Rica A La Carte Adventures and more.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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