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Peregrine Travel Centre

Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday

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Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday

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Description

Get off the beaten track on this two-week family holiday in Costa Rica, exploring all the best highlights and hidden secrets. Starting in subtropical San Jose, you’ll explore Tortuguero National Park – home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals and the nesting ground of the green turtle. Spend some time in biodiverse Sarapiqui and maybe take on a few fun, active adventures with the kids. Stay in La Fortuna under the mighty gaze of Arenal Volcano and soak in your onsite hot springs before heading to the cloud forest in Monteverde. Learn how to cook authentic local Costa Rican food in Dominical with three generations of locals and then take a day trip to the popular Manuel Antonio National Park. After a huge adventure full of natural wonders and wildlife, meet the Indigenous community along the Terraba River and learn about their matriarchal society before ending it all back in San Jose.

Trip Name
Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
14
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Spend time with the Terraba community – an Indigenous group who have survived off the land for more than 500 years – and enjoy a shared lunch of local eats. The kids will love the chocolate-making lesson here!
  • Walk through the diverse forest and jungle and take an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Cloud Forest – lookout for sloths and various birdlife as you go.
  • Experience life as the locals do by spending time on a family farm and learning how to cook authentic local Costa Rican food. 
  • Enjoy some family downtime in the seaside town of Dominical at your eco-hotel, surrounded by stunning beaches and a tropical jungle.
  • Look out for wildlife in the evergreen rainforest of Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity – and enjoy some free time to maybe learn about the nocturnal creatures that dwell here.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - San Jose
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure starts in subtropical San Jose, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at the hotel. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see in this bustling city. Maybe take the kids to the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden – the perfect way to introduce the family to Costa Rican biodiversity (while also getting respite from the clamour of the city). After the meeting tonight, maybe get a taste of Tico food (and get to know the other families and your trip leader) with an optional group dinner.
Day 2 - Tortuguero
This morning, you’ll descend to the Caribbean lowlands on a scenic (and slightly bumpy) bus journey that ends at the port of La Pavona – this rustic port is your entry point to Tortuguero. Hop aboard a small boat and journey into the depths of the Costa Rican wilderness. Arrive in the middle of this biodiverse area, where freshwater lagoons rest under the canopy of rainforest bordering the ocean. Many animals call this place home, so look out for jaguars, various birds and turtles as you sail quietly across the water and traverse the lush jungle.
Day 3 - Tortuguero
This morning, head to Tortuguero National Park for a boat tour of the canals. This park, established in 1970, is now home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. This is also the nesting ground of the green turtle, which comes ashore between July and October to lay its eggs on the beach. The hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle and giant leatherback turtles also nest within the park, but at different times of the year. This afternoon, maybe wander around some of the park’s walking trails or just kick back and relax at your lodge. Tonight, you might want to head out on a turtle-watching tour – part of the cost of this optional activity will support a program to patrol the beach for poachers, keeping the turtles and their eggs safe.
Day 4 - Sarapiqui
This morning, say goodbye to the evergreen rainforest and make the journey to Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity. When you arrive you'll have time to settle into your hotel. This evening join your leader for a walk through the rainforest, crossing trails as you look out for wildlife, an excursion to learn about the region’s nocturnal creatures – including sloths, howler monkeys, snakes and frogs.
Day 5 - Sarapiqui
Today is a free day to explore Sarapiqui. Maybe you and your family could take a trip down the river on a float or get adventurous and go white water rafting through the rapids. Maybe you’d like to jump in a kayak and discover the lush surroundings on a more leisurely on-water experience. If you need to recharge, maybe you’d like to just relax by the pool at your accommodation.
Day 6 - La Fortuna
Today, you’ll cross west through the north of the country to the Arenal volcano area, which lies beneath the volcano of the same name. Rising from verdant plains, Arenal Volcano shoots up 1633 m in a perfect cone and in certain lights, it resembles a storybook drawing. The landscape is mainly cloud forest and rainforest, cut through with rivers, lakes and (thanks to the volcano’s inner workings) thermal hot springs. When you arrive in La Fortuna, you’re free to explore the area at your own pace. Maybe just unwind by the hotel pool in view of the mighty Arenal volcano and get the kids to practice their drawing skills.
Day 7 - La Fortuna
Today is a free day to explore La Fortuna and all it has to offer. Maybe grab the kids and head to the La Fortuna Waterfall – at the base of the dormant Chato volcano, the waterfall is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, and you can even swim at the base of the cascades! Maybe the kids would rather get a new perspective of Arenal Volcano from the 1968 trail, where you can also explore lava trails.
Day 8 - Monteverde
Today, you’ll take the scenic route to Monteverde. Travel by minibus to Lake Arenal, then cross the water by boat. On the other side of the lake, re-board a minibus and continue to your destination. In 1951 North American Quakers founded the nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve – a sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call the reserve home, and over the next few days, you’ll get acquainted with some of them. Tonight you will be able to relax in your boutique accommodation on a family-run farm, surrounded by spectacular cloud forest, gardens, coffee fields and views of the Nicoya gulf.
Day 9 - Monteverde
Start the day experiencing life on the small family run farm of the Torres family. The farm has been in the family since 1954, and is the current home of 2 grandparents, their 5 children and 9 grandchildren, all of whom are comitted to sustainably managing the farm and conserving the forest. Learn more about small-scale farming and campesino life, in this hands-on breakfast & farm visit in which you can feed chickens, harvest eggs, and meet the family. Mid-morning, see the forest from a different perspective on an included canopy walk across the suspended bridges of the cloud forest. The variety of bird life in Monteverde is enough to make an ornithologist out of anyone, so don’t be surprised if younger children have a new answer to the question – what do you want to do when you grow up? While you’re up among the treetops, look (or listen) out for the reclusive quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot or the emerald toucanet. The rest of the day is free to relax or partake in some optional activities. You could visit an orchid farm or whizz through the trees on ziplines. If conditions are right, there might be a chance to hike through the forest at dusk – a unique opportunity to see the area’s nocturnal creatures begin to stir.
Day 10 - Dominical
Wave adios to Monteverde and hit the Pan-American Highway for a southward journey past beaches and palm plantations to the beachside town of Dominical. Along the way, you’ll stop at a local family home where you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to cook authentic local Costa Rican food. Spend some time with the three generations of Costa Ricans here and learn about their stories as you enjoy the essence of the Pura Vida lifestyle. Your accommodation while in Dominical is an eco-hotel, surrounded by lush rainforest, with all the comforts you could want.
Day 11 - Dominical
Today is a free day in Dominical. Flanked by the Baru River, this town is known for its surfing beach and tropical forest hiking trails, so there are plenty of options if you and the kids want to get outdoors (and who wouldn’t when you’re in this natural paradise?).
Day 12 - Terraba community / Dominical
This morning visit a small Indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage – The Terraba (or Teribe). Located on approximately 34.7 square miles (9000 hectares) along the Terraba River, they have survived off the land for over 500 years. The community consider themselves matriarchal, and women are the teachers responsible for passing information down through the generations. Here, you’ll learn how to carve your own wooden mask and participate in some chocolate-making before sitting down for a shared local lunch with the community. Arrive back to Dominical in the afternoon to enjoy some free time and perhaps a swim in the pool.
Day 13 - Manuel Antonio National Park / San Jose
Today on the return to San Jose, you'll make a stop at Manuel Antonio National Park – the most popular national park in Costa Rica, to enjoy a guided walk along the trails with a Naturalist guide. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse flora and fauna. Look and listen carefully, and you may just be able to spot howler monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, iguanas and heaps of various birds. Then continue on to San Jose, arriving to the hotel in the late afternoon. You may like to head out with the other families for a final group dinner together to toast to an amazing adventure.
Day 14 - San Jose
After breakfast today your trip comes to an end. As there are no further activities planned you are free to depart anytime. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-12-202428-12-2024AUD $ 4,120-
28-12-202410-01-2025AUD $ 3,862-
05-04-202518-04-2025AUD $ 3,916-
12-04-202525-04-2025AUD $ 3,916-
05-07-202518-07-2025AUD $ 3,916-
12-07-202525-07-2025AUD $ 3,916-
19-07-202501-08-2025AUD $ 3,916-
26-07-202508-08-2025AUD $ 3,916-
02-08-202515-08-2025AUD $ 3,916-
16-08-202529-08-2025AUD $ 3,916-
20-12-202502-01-2026AUD $ 4,895-
25-12-202507-01-2026AUD $ 4,895-
27-12-202509-01-2026AUD $ 4,895-
03-01-202616-01-2026AUD $ 5,140-
02-04-202615-04-2026AUD $ 5,140-
04-04-202617-04-2026AUD $ 5,140-
02-07-202615-07-2026AUD $ 5,140-
04-07-202617-07-2026AUD $ 5,140-
23-07-202605-08-2026AUD $ 5,140-
25-07-202607-08-2026AUD $ 5,140-
01-08-202614-08-2026AUD $ 5,140-
15-08-202628-08-2026AUD $ 5,140-
19-12-202601-01-2027AUD $ 5,140-
24-12-202606-01-2027AUD $ 5,140-
26-12-202608-01-2027AUD $ 5,140-

Accommodation

Hotels (13 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Boat,Public Transportation

Map

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