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Costa Rica Premium Family Holiday

Costa Rica Premium Family Holiday

From $ 5,190 AUD

Description

Starting in San Jose, spend seven days seeing the best of Costa Rica with your family. Volunteer at Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Centre, home to sloths, spider monkeys, macaws and toucans. Learn to craft traditional Maleku wares with members of Costa Rica’s smallest indigenous community and make tortillas and rosquillas (corn cookies) with a local family. Soak in the mineral-rich waters of the hot springs on your doorstep at your Feature Stay located in the rainforest near La Fortuna, then cruise along the Papagayo Peninsula on a catamaran. With opportunities for snorkelling, ziplining and epic volcano views, this trip is full of lifelong family memories waiting to be made.

Trip Name
Costa Rica Premium Family Holiday
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
7
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Volunteer at Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Centre. You and the kids will help to prepare food and make enrichment toys for the animals, then watch them at feeding time.
  • Relax in the hot springs at your Feature Stay accommodation – Heliconias Nature Inn, set in the rainforest with the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica at your doorstep.
  • Spend time with the Maleku indigenous community. Share a meal, learn about their culture and have a go at making your own Maleku handicrafts to take home as a keepsake.
  • Visit a local family in a village near Santa Cruz and learn to make tortillas and rosquillas (corn cookies), then join the family for a traditional lunch.
  • Sail along the Papagayo coastline on board a catamaran. Go snorkelling, have a barbecue lunch and watch the sunset as you sail.

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 and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , 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
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other families who will be joining you for your trip. After the meeting, you’ll have a welcome dinner where you can get to know your fellow families and try some delicious Costa Rican cuisine.
Day 2 - La Fortuna
Jump straight into the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to the San Jose Central Market this morning. Browse handicrafts, tropical fruits, aromatic herbs and spices, leather goods and street food straight off the grill. Next, drive to Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Centre in the small town of La Fortuna. On a guided wildlife tour at this not-for-profit animal sanctuary, you and the kids will encounter Costa Rican wildlife like sloths, macaws, toucans, spider monkeys, coatis, snapping turtles and caimans. Learn about the sanctuary’s conservation work, then you’ll do some volunteering – the kids will love getting involved with making enrichment toys and preparing food for the animals. Then, watch the animals in action during feeding time. Later today, you’ll drive to your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights – Heliconias Nature Inn. From your comfortable room set in the rainforest, you’ll have access to hot springs sourced from the mineral-rich rivers of the Arenal Volcano.
Day 3 - La Fortuna
Today is a free day for you and your family to enjoy La Fortuna however you like. Speak to your leader about the optional activities on offer – you might like to go on a hike to get some excellent views of Arenal Volcano or (if you've got some thrill seekers in the family) go ziplining. You could also go on a coffee and cacao tour of a family-run farm, where you can learn to prepare your own cup of coffee using a traditional chorreador – a wooden device that’s been used to brew coffee in Costa Rica for more than 200 years – and the kids can get their turn with a chocolate-making experience, where they can make their own artisanal chocolate bars to take home. This evening, go on a guided hike through nearby forest, where kids will have fun spotting nocturnal wildlife like colourful tree frogs, sloths, insects and birds. Dinner is also included this evening.
Day 4 - Playa Hermosa
Venture off the beaten track today with a visit to a Maleku community – the smallest indigenous community in Costa Rica, with only around 650 members left in the tribe. Meet with Maleku locals and hear about their history, culture and the challenges they face in modern Costa Rica. Learn about the community’s deep connection to nature and their work towards reforesting to encourage wildlife to return to their natural habitats. See some examples of traditional Maleku handicrafts, then you and the kids will have a go at making your own. Using carved calabash fruit and acrylic paints, each of you will craft your own jicara (traditional drinking cup) to take home as a souvenir. Share a traditional Maleku meal with your hosts for lunch, then continue to Playa Hermosa, where you’ll spend the next three nights.
Day 5 - Playa Hermosa
Head to a village near Santa Cruz to meet with a local family and get hands-on in the kitchen. Learn how to make tortillas, then watch a demonstration on how to make the regional specialty of rosquillas (corn cookies) – a bite-sized sweet and savoury treat that’s sure to be a favourite for the kids. Sit down with the family for lunch, then the rest of your day is free. You might like to head to the beach or relax by the pool at the hotel.
Day 6 - Playa Hermosa
This morning is free for you and your family to spend as you wish. In the afternoon, set sail on a catamaran to explore the Papagayo coastline. Hop into the water for a swim or some snorkelling with the kids to see sea turtles, rays and colourful tropical fish. Then, kick back and relax on board the spacious boat with a drink in hand from the open bar serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Enjoy a barbecue lunch on board, then watch the sky transform as the sun sets over the water. Tonight, consider heading to a restaurant with the other families for a farewell dinner to celebrate the memories you’ve shared!
Day 7 - Playa Hermosa
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. A transfer to Liberia Airport will be provided. Alternatively, the option for a transfer to San Jose Airport will also be provided (at an additional cost). If you’d like to extend your stay in Costa Rica – and it’s highly recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-03-202719-03-2027AUD $ 5,190-
27-03-202702-04-2027AUD $ 5,190-
03-04-202709-04-2027AUD $ 5,190-
12-06-202718-06-2027AUD $ 5,190-
26-06-202702-07-2027AUD $ 5,190-
10-07-202716-07-2027AUD $ 5,190-
24-07-202730-07-2027AUD $ 5,190-
07-08-202713-08-2027AUD $ 5,190-
14-08-202720-08-2027AUD $ 5,190-
18-12-202724-12-2027AUD $ 5,190-
25-12-202731-12-2027AUD $ 5,190-

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Rainforest Bungalow (2 nights), Boutique Hotel (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map