Family Tours

Understanding the unique needs of family travelers, we create affordable Costa Rica travel packages that balance adventure and relaxation. If you are planning your family’s first vacation to Costa Rica, here are four highlights not to be missed on your itinerary.

Marvel at a Volcano and Relax in a Natural Hot Tub

The Arenal Volcano, located in La Fortuna in the Northern Lowlands region of Costa Rica, has been one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Kids of all ages love this are for so many adventurous activities they can do. Zip lining, hanging bridges, hiking through nature, visiting waterfalls are all great adventures for younger kids, and even rappelling down the waterfall is safe for five-year-olds. White water rafting, horseback riding and canyoning are all exciting options for teenagers. And while it’s impossible to view the Arenal volcano from the top of the crater, if your family is keen to get up close and personal with a volcano from the top, we can help you arrange a connection tour between San Jose and Arenal to take a peek at the crater of Poas, volcano that has the second widest crater in the world.

Thanks to the all of this geothermal activity in Arenal volcano area, there are also dozens of natural hot springs throughout the area. Grab your swimsuit and some water shoes and head over to our favorite family-friendly Tabacon Hot Springs to relax after a day of volcano exploring. Here kids love jumping between jungle waterfalls, waterslides, and natural pools of varying temperature.

Kids Explore a Living Zoo at Manuel Antonio

No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without spotting a sloth or a monkey. Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s most famous national reserve, is home to brown throated and Hoffman’s sloths, locally known as two-toed and three-toed sloths; several species of monkey including the white-faced capuchin monkey; green iguanas as well as numerous snakes, bats and tropical birds.

This park combines two stunning landscapes, rolling jungle hills and pristine beach coastline. Kids will love interacting with the social white-faced capuchin monkeys, who live in large numbers right on the beach on Manuel Antonio’s beach. Our nature guides will escort your family on a walk through this beautiful park, as you spot wildlife and admire the view including rice fields, palm plantations and the beautiful Pacific coastline.

Older children will love exploring this rainforest and viewing sloths, monkeys and crocodiles from the vantage point of the mangrove forest. Choose between a mangrove boat tour or a guide-led tour of the mangrove forest by kayak.

Explore Costa Rica Above Ground in Monteverde

The Monteverde Cloud Forest and Biological Reserve is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. Here even the youngest kiddos can enjoy a “sky tour” of this spectacular cloud forest by boarding a gondola and soaring over the jungle. This is a great opportunity to watch for howler and capuchin monkeys, tapir and even sloths. Adventurous children ages four and up will also love strapping into the zip-line, and swinging through the treetops.

A series of suspended bridges are another fun way to explore this breathtakingly rich and diverse ecosystem. Set out on foot, walking over a connected series of five hanging bridges. The trails extend for slightly over a mile and a half (2.5 km), making this tour accessible for kids of all ages.

Experience Authentic Costa Rican Culture

Bordering Manuel Antonio National Park is rural Costa Rica, where communities subsist on agriculture and live as they have for hundreds of years. This is the heart of palm oil production and processing in Costa Rica. Santa Juana is a community in this area that has opened their doors to families seeking a close-up view of rural Costa Rican life.

Here kids will love horseback riding around the community and getting their hands dirty as they learn about sugar cane production. You will also visiting the local school and interact with children who are eager to meet visitors from afar and practice their English speaking skills. It is a special opportunity for kids to share their experiences with one another, noting both similarities and differences between their ways of life.