Join us on this action-packed Costa Rica Family Vacation. As one of the world’s greatest destinations for family travel, Costa Rica invites you and yours to discover the natural beauty and welcoming culture of Latin America’s eco-tourism gem. From Arenal to Marino Ballena, swim crystalline bays, hike in cloud forests, rappel down refreshing waterfalls, and surf in the Caribbean. Explore National Parks in search of curious spider monkeys, drowsy sloths, screeching toucans, poison dart frogs, and creepy-crawly bugs. All the while, the perfect balance of adventure and luxury awaits you, whether you’re in a dripping jungle or walking along a white sand beach. Relax at the finest regional accommodations and savor Costa Rica’s divine cuisine.
Experience the Best of Costa Rica With Kids & Family
Each day filled with Austin’s signature touch of inspired, thoughtful service, you’re sure to receive a true taste of Pura Vida! Explore by foot two of Costa Rica’s most intriguing national Parks searching for crawling bugs, sleepy sloths, twisting vines, and blooming buds. Horseback ride through forests and pastures to reach postcard-perfect views of iconic Arenal Volcano. Peek into the dense vegetation of Arenal National Park to catch a glimpse of screeching toucans, endangered poison dart frogs, and curious spider monkeys. Relax in the volcanically heated waters of Tabacón Hot Springs at your hotel. Surf in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and search for camouflaged wildlife on a boat tour through the mangroves of the Sierpe River.
Costa Rica Family Vacation Highlights
Hike through the lush interior to La Paz Waterfall Gardens for a picnic lunch at the base of Peace Falls
Ride horses into the picturesque hills of Arenal National Park
Savor the sweet smell of orchids and ferns at the Danaus Nature Reserve, keeping an eye out for resident sloths, iguanas, basilisks, bats, frogs, and butterflies
Take a private surfing lesson from the beach on the Marino Ballena shore
Enjoy a day of leisure exploring the coral reefs and crystalline waters of Costa Rica’scentral Pacific coast
Explore a beautiful maze of canals, river mouths, and estuaries on a boat tour along the Sierpe River
Relax and recharge at the end of the day with the finger-licking flavors of authentic Costa Rican cuisine and a night of restful sleep in the comfort of your carefully selected resort
Monkeys: They're everywhere! There's nothing quite like seeing (or hearing) one leap from tree to tree right above your head.
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Butterflies: Learn about the life-cycle of nearly 1,000 species of butterflies.
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Kick-back time: Get swept away in tropical bliss as you swim in the clear waters of a refreshing waterfall or walk in the surf along a white-sand beach.
Arrive at the San José International Airport and transfer to your hotel for the evening. Once you arrive, you are free to explore the expansive private forest reserve at the resort, take a dip in the sunset pool, and enjoy a delectable local meal on your own.
About Xandari Resort
Xandari Resort & Spa offers the quintessential Costa Rica experience. The property’s forest reserve, with five waterfalls and miles of trails for bird-watching, provides the nature guests expect from a visit to Costa Rica.
Meet with your guide for a trip orientation over breakfast. Begin the four-hour shuttle to the Arenal region, stopping along the way first at a coffee plantation and then for a hike through lush tropical rainforest and lunch at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Finish up the day learning about traditional Costa Rican farming at Arenal Vida Campesina Organic Farm followed by an authentic meal.
About The Springs Resort
Towering one thousand feet above the Arenal Valley, the 165-acre Springs Resort is the peak of luxury accommodation in Costa Rica. Indulge in natural cold and hot springs, a 14,000 square foot full-service spa, and five unique dining experiences during your time at this gorgeous resort. You’ll relax after a long day of adventure with your feet up in a modern room with full amenities; anything your heart desires is available at the ring of your room phone!
Optional birding walk in the early AM for anyone interested. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and take off on a brief transfer to our horseback ride. Mount a horse and ride off into the picturesque hills of Arenal Volcano, riding through cattle fields and beautiful primary forest along the way. Take in views of the Arenal Volcano, dense forests, and the vast Arenal Lake, and afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Gear up for an afternoon of canyoning and get your adrenaline pumping. After a day full of adventure, return to the resort for dinner.
This morning takes us to the Danaus Nature Reserve on a guided nature hike. Savor the sweet smell of orchids and ferns, keeping an eye out for resident sloths, iguanas, basilisks, bats, frogs, and butterflies. Check-in for a short charter flight to Quepos near Costa Rica’s Pacific shore. Transfer one hour by road to Uvita, stopping for lunch en route. Check into our accommodation for the next three nights and enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.
About Cristal Ballena Hotel
Cristal Ballena Hotel offers you everything you need for your dream beach, adventure, and nature vacation in Costa Rica. This beautiful four-star Mediterranean-style hotel rests on a rainforest-covered hill overlooking the famed Ballena Marine National Park, a crucial site for the world’s Pacific Humpback Whales to reproduce and give birth. On the expansive 12-hectare (29.6 acres) grounds near the City of Uvita, you will find luxury suites, the reception building, a souvenir shop, an immense ocean-view swimming pool, an open-air gourmet restaurant and bar, soothing Spa, and rainforest hiking paths.
Meet your instructors on the beach for private surfing lessons on the Marino Ballena shore. Break for lunch at a local restaurant. Shuttle back to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure: hang out by the swimming pool, walk along the hotel’s rainforest hiking path or take a shuttle to the beach.
** Sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling available in the afternoon at an extra cost.
After breakfast, we head out on the Sierpe River for a boat tour exploring the beautiful maze of canals, river mouths, and estuaries that flood the largest untouched expanse of mangroves in all of Costa Rica. Eat lunch in Palma Sur followed by a visit to Stone Spheres Park (can you figure out the mystery of how they were created and why?). After a pleasant walk on the beach, we enjoy a final dinner back at the hotel.
Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer one hour to the Quepos Airport. Sit back and relax on a charter flight to San José. From here, you can board your international flight to make your post-trip connections home.
**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, trail, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Costa Rica Sun Tours.
On Day 1, arrive at San José International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Xandari Resort. On Day 7, you will transfer one hour from your hotel to Quepos Airport for a short charter flight to San José where you may choose to extend your stay in Costa Rica or fly out of the international airport in the afternoon.
Activities
Hiking – Easy to moderately strenuous hikes ranging from 1.5 to 3 miles (1 – 3 hours) through national parks and nature reserves.
Horseback Riding– Relaxed 2.5-hour ride overlooking Arenal Volcano and Lake.
Canyoning– Tour includes a short rappel, hanging bridge, zip line, and mellow hike. Guides provide detailed instructions on how to use the equipment. No experience necessary.
Surfing – No experience necessary, kid-friendly. Guides will provide detailed instructions.
Boat Tour – Sit back and relax as you and your guide search for wildlife among the mangroves of the Sierpe River.
Our guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels.
Cultural Discoveries
Costa Rica, a tiny country that forms the land bridge between North and South America, is almost too good to believe. Although slightly smaller than West Virginia, it boasts a world-famous National Park system, unmatched flora (including over 3,000 species of wild orchids), world-class rivers, active volcanoes, and more species of mammals and birds than the continental United States and Canada combined. Did you know that a sloth has a unique sort of fur that is a breeding ground for algae? (The algae help it blend in with its environment!) Could you have guessed that an armadillo is a good swimmer and can hold its breath for up to six minutes? Were you aware that when a number of howler monkeys let loose their lungs in concert, often at dawn or dusk, the din can be heard up to three miles away? Discover Marino Ballena National Park which is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate there each year from December to April to mate before returning to the frigid waters to the north. Come explore “The Crossroads of the Americas!”
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire, and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in the Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as indicated by itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Local flights on Day 4 & Day 7.
Austin Adventures T-shirt and luggage tags.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not Included in the Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Meals as not indicated by the detailed daily itinerary.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Costa Rica Expert
Carol Austin
As Vice President of Operations at Austin Adventures, Kasey Austin can tell you the logistical ins and outs of every single trip. More than that, though, Kasey has lived and breathed most of the company’s featured destinations and will eagerly share her contagious passion for the transformational power of active travel. Kasey grew up in the adventure travel business; she knows the positive, lifelong impact of family travel, a quality that earned her the distinction of being named top family travel guide by Outside Magazine in 2014.
