Costa Rica Families with Teens

1 nts San Jose, 2 nts Tortuguero, 2 nts Turrialba, 4 nts Arenal Volcano, 5 nts Nosara, Nicoya Peninsula

Costa Rica is the ideal destination for families with teenage children and this itinerary includes wildlife spotting on the Tortuguero canals, rainforest adrenaline activities in the Arenal region followed by beach and surf (or bodysurf) time on the less visited Nosara region on the Nicoya peninsula. *Note. two rooms are included in the guide price, let us know when enquiring if you are happy to share a room with your children.

Starting in the remote Tortuguero region, staying in a rustically comfortable lodge, you will cruise along the canals flanked by thick, lush jungle, spotting wildlife such as caimans, white faced capuchin monkeys, toucans and possibly the Great Green Macaw. If travelling between the months of July and October you have the opportunity to witness the huge Atlantic Green Turtles that come at night to lay their eggs on the Tortuguero beach. Although accommodation is simple, teenagers will appreciate the pool at the lodge in this hot and humid environment, listening to the sounds of nature early morning and evening through the open air windows, the chance to see red eyed tree frogs and poison dart frogs on the grounds, and the buffet meals that include local and continental dishes.

Next you will travel to the Pacuare River where you will begin your white water rafting adventure into your rustically comfortable eco-lodge where you will spend several nights, before rafting and then vehicle transfer to the Arenal region. This really is a back to nature environment, again in simple accommodation.

Engage in a number of rainforest activities such as hanging bridges walk, ziplining, sloth spotting and hiking to the base of Arenal volcano. Relax in your thermal spring pools back at your hotel in the evenings.

The last part of the holiday is a chance to relax on the beach, take surf lessons and visit the laidback town of Nosara on the Pacific coast. The whole family can enjoy the chance to bodysurf, ride boogie boards or go surfing at the nearby beach to the hotel or further afield at the stunning Guiones Beach. Other activities ideal for you and your family are snorkelling at San Juanillo, visiting nature reserves, river kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. If you didn't see turtles in Tortuguero, there may be a chance at nearby Ostional, around the full moon you can witness an arribada where hundreds of turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs.

Price Guide

14 nights from £12,740 per person based on family of four travelling together

These prices are excluding international flights. Average direct flight prices to Costa Rica range from £900 per person to over £1,000 per person at peak times (Christmas, Easter and Summer). Flight routes vary, there are direct flight options with British Airways from London Gatwick but also many alternative routes via the US. Please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival and transferred to Presidente Hotel in downtown San Jose. Dine at the hotel's roof top bar or into town to dine in town.

Day 2

Depart at 6am by coach and then boat, stopping for breakfast on the way, for your group tour to Mawamba lodge which is situated between the beach and the main Tortuguero canal (journey time approx. 6 hours). After lunch you will have a guided tour of Tortuguero village and the Sea Turtle Information Centre. *Between the months of July and October you can book onto an additional evening tour witness the Atlantic Green Turtle laying her eggs on the beach behind the lodge. Overnight Mawamba Lodge (BLD).

Day 3

Early morning additional activities can be organised through the lodge that can include guided kayaking. After breakfast take a group guided walk around the grounds of the lodge which include visiting the butterfly farm and frog pond, a chance to see the red eyed tree frog and poison dart frog. Around the grounds you may see toucans, monkeys, chachalacas and other species. After buffet lunch you will take a guided boat tour deeper into the canals which are lined with thick lush jungle, your guide will point out caimans, white faced capuchin monkeys, iguanas, herons and a variety of other wildlife. Overnight Mawamba Lodge (BLD).

Day 4

After breakfast you will be transferred by boat and vehicle back to Guapiles, journey includes lunch and takes approx. 6 hours. Met by your rafting guide and transferred to the Pacuare River where your family will raft along the rapids of the breaktaking Pacuare River to your lodge. This simple lodge is deep in primary rainforest and has 2,000 acres of land you can explore. The rapids are class II and III on the journey to the lodge. Overnight Tropical Rivers Lodge (BLD)

Day 5

Day at leisure to enjoy the trails at the lodge or optional excursions such as canopy zipline or canyoning. Overnight Tropical Rivers Lodge (BLD)

Day 6

Leave the lodge via more white water rafting, an adrenaline packed morning will see you rafting along Class III and IV rapids and past the famous Pacuare Gorge. Transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to Arenal region. Arenal Springs Hotel has several restaurants including a swim up sushi bar at the pool. All the family will enjoy the thermal hot spring pools heated by Arenal volcano and its underground rivers and has a high mineral concentration. Overnight Arenal Springs (BLD).

Day 7

Experience a guided hanging bridges tour, a 3km trail takes you through the rainforest with glimpses of the Arenal volcano, your guide will point out wildlife such as snakes, monkeys, birds and other wildlife. In the afternoon take a guided vehicle sloth spotting tour. A great chance to see this iconic and fascinating animal, which although slow moving are very well camouflaged in the canopy, a guide is essential. Overnight Arenal Springs (B).

Day 8

Take the Sky Tram, a ride in an open air gondola to the top, enjoy the views before zip lining through the canopy, mountain to mountain back down to the base. A series of 8 zip lines will ensure a high adrenaline experience for all the family.

Day 9

Another adrenaline pumping family bonding experience today, as you venture back into the forest to do a half day canyoning and waterfall abseiling tour. Includes three waterfall abseils and a rock abseil with the stunning backdrop of the rainforest. Lunch is included. This evening venture out on a guided night walk where you may see frogs such as red eyed tree frog and the spectacular glass frog, snakes, nocturnal birds and spiders. After the walk you will have a typical Costa Rican dinner. Overnight Arenal Springs (BLD).

Day 10

Transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to Nosara on the Pacific coast and your hotel Lagarta Lodge, stopping en route for a snack and to try and see some Scarlet Macaws (journey time approx. 5 hours). Lagarta Lodge has a stunning location, high up on the hilltop, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The view from the infinity pool is one of the best in Costa Rica, perfect location for watching the sunset . Overnight Lagarta Lodge (B).

Day 11

Day at leisure. Walk to nearby Pelada beach, hire boogie boards and enjoy some of the best consistent waves to surf on in Costa Rica! Or take the complimentary shuttle to nearby Guiones beach for beginner surf lessons. Overnight Lagarta Lodge (B).