12 NIGHTS · 13 DAYS · ALL REGIONS

Costa Rica Family Tours: Volcanoes, Rainforest & the Pacific

From steaming volcanic craters and hanging bridges buzzing with wildlife, to hot springs at sunset and a secluded Pacific beach.
This is the Costa Rica trip your kids will talk about for years.

Expert local guides included

Hand-picked family-friendly hotels

Airport transfers & car rental included

Child seat provided (1 included)

WHY FAMILIES LOVE THIS PACKAGE

Costa Rica Family Tours: The Country's Greatest Hits for Families

Our Costa Rica family tours are not generic packages. Every destination, activity, and hotel has been chosen because it works brilliantly for parents and children alike.

Costa Rica is consistently ranked among the world’s top ecotourism destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Three volcanic landscapes

Poás, Arenal, and Rincón de la Vieja. Each has a completely different personality and unique activities for kids.

Wildlife at arm’s reach

Sloths, toucans, howler monkeys, poison dart frogs, and river caimans. Costa Rica’s wildlife puts any zoo to shame.

Isolated Pacific beach finale

Playa Carrillo: calm, uncrowded, and safe for swimming with dolphins, sea turtles, and kayaking just offshore.

Self-drive freedom

A Toyota RAV4 (or similar) gives your family the flexibility to stop, explore, and travel at your own pace.

Hot springs relaxation

After active days, unwind in geothermal hot springs with jungle views. Pure paradise for parents and children alike.

Educational & engaging

Volcano geology, biodiversity talks, and river ecosystems. Your children will learn while they adventure. No classroom needed.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Moments your family will never forget on these Costa Rica family tours

Walk to Poás Volcano’s acid lake
One of the world’s most accessible active volcanic craters. Dramatic and utterly unforgettable.

Hanging Bridges through primary rainforest
Spot toucans, monkeys, and butterflies from 50m above the canopy floor at Arenal.

Peaceful river safari on Peñas Blancas
Float through the jungle on a gentle river, watching caimans, kingfishers, and sloths.

Sea turtle & dolphin encounters
Three beach days at Playa Carrillo include guided dolphin watching and turtle observation.

Volcanic mud & hot springs at Rincón de la Vieja
Kids go wild in the volcanic mud pools. Adults find bliss in the natural thermal pools.

Guided sloth & wildlife walk
A specialist naturalist guide leads you through 12 hectares of rainforest — sloths guaranteed.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

13 days, four magical regions

Every day has been crafted to balance action with rest. Because happy children make happy holidays.

1

DAY 1

Welcome to Costa Rica. A warm arrival in Alajuela.

A Costa Rica Top Tours representative greets you at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, your hotel in Alajuela is a peaceful sanctuary. Perfect for families with children to decompress after the journey. Enjoy the views, breathe in the jungle air, and let the adventure begin.

2

DAY 2

Poás Volcano. Your first volcanic crater, and your kids’ first “wow” moment

After breakfast, a rental car is delivered to your hotel at 9 AM — your ticket to freedom for the rest of the trip. Drive to Poás Volcano National Park, where short, easy, wheelchair-accessible trails lead to one of the world’s most spectacular active craters. Watch steam rise from the turquoise acidic lake while children discover geology through vivid, interactive information panels. Safe, educational, and visually extraordinary.

Learn more about Poás Volcano National Park on the official SINAC website.

3

DAY 3

Arenal. The adventure capital of Costa Rica, and a family favourite.

After breakfast, drive to La Fortuna de San Carlos (approx. 3 hours, 118 km). Home to the iconic Arenal Volcano. Check into your hotel, then choose your family’s afternoon adventure: easy rainforest hikes, monkey-spotting, hanging bridges, canopy zip lines, or a boat ride on Lake Arenal. As the sun sets, soak in the natural volcanic hot springs surrounded by lush vegetation and views of the volcano; the ideal end to your first big drive.

4

DAY 4

Hanging Bridges. Walking above the rainforest canopy

This morning’s guided walk through a 3 km trail over a series of suspended bridges across primary rainforest is one of the most memorable family experiences in all of Costa Rica. Look out for poison dart frogs, toucans, howler monkeys, and extraordinary tropical plants from above. The bridges are safe and suitable for children of all ages. The afternoon is free to explore the trails within Arenal Volcano National Park at your own pace.

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DAY 5

River safari & sloth watching. The ultimate wildlife double-header

Start the morning on a gentle river safari along the Peñas Blancas River. Floating peacefully through the rainforest while spotting caimans, kingfishers, river otters, and tropical birds. Open to children from age 5 and up. In the afternoon, a specialist naturalist guide leads your family through 12 hectares of private rainforest on the search for two-toed sloths, tree frogs, insects, and tropical birds. A genuinely extraordinary wildlife afternoon.

6

DAY 6

Transfer to Rincón de la Vieja. Costa Rica’s wild northwest

After breakfast, drive northwest towards Guanacaste (approx. 3 hours, 141 km). Stop for lunch at Hacienda La Pacífica. A beautifully restored ranch with outdoor seating, wildlife in the gardens, and a relaxed atmosphere that children love. Arrive at your hacienda hotel and spend the late afternoon exploring the grounds before dinner.

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DAY 7

A full day of adventure: mud pools, canopy, tubing & horseback riding

Today is entirely yours to design, and Hacienda Guachipelín has one of the most impressive activity menus in Costa Rica. Choose from canopy zip lines, hanging bridges, white-water tubing, horseback riding through volcanic dry forest, and volcanic mud baths followed by a dip in the natural geothermal springs. A perfect combination of adventure, nature, and wellness for the whole family, children and adults are equally thrilled.

8

DAY 8

Hello, Pacific Ocean. Arrival at Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica’s hidden gem beach

Drive southwest to the Pacific coast (approx. 3 hours, 150 km) to discover Playa Carrillo. A calm, horseshoe-shaped bay with crystal-clear water and almost no crowds. Unlike the busier beaches of Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio, Playa Carrillo remains wonderfully quiet and safe, ideal for families with young children. The soft sand, gentle waves, and swaying palms set the scene for three days of pure relaxation and ocean adventure.

9-11

DAY 9-11

Three days of Pacific bliss: dolphins, turtles, kayaking & snorkelling

Three glorious days with no agenda except enjoyment. Snorkel in the crystalline bay, kayak along the coast, and join guided dolphin watching tours out on the Pacific. In season, watch sea turtles arrive on the beach at dusk. One of the most moving wildlife encounters on the planet. Ride horses along the shoreline at sunrise, build sandcastles in the afternoon, and fall asleep to the sound of waves. This is the beach holiday your family dreamed of.

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DAY 12

Last Pacific sunrise then onward to San José

After a final breakfast with ocean views, drive back towards San José and check into a comfortable hotel in the upscale Santa Ana district (approx. 4 hours, 229 km). With a full evening to spare, consider a last dinner out at one of Santa Ana’s excellent restaurants. A relaxed and fitting final night for your Costa Rica family adventure.

13

DAY 13

Farewell, Costa Rica. Until next time

Enjoy your final breakfast, then return the rental vehicle to the conveniently located office near the airport. A shared transfer will take you to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your departure. You leave with suitcases full of treasures, memory cards full of wildlife photos, and children who now know exactly what “pura vida” really means.