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Peregrine Travel Centre

Costa Rica Family Holiday

Costa Rica Family Holiday

From $ 2,880 AUD

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Description

Bring the family together for a hands-on Costa Rican adventure from San Jose to Manuel Antonio. Learn about animal conservation with a naturalist at Proyecto Asis, hike beneath towering Arenal Volcano, cross Lake Arenal by boat and explore the cloud forest and hanging bridges of Monteverde. Visit a family farm, make casado in a local home and trek through Manuel Antonio National Park, keeping watch for three-toed sloths, monkeys and iguanas. With free time to swim and relax, this your family’s chance to discover the incredible biodiversity of this tropical wilderness.

Trip Name
Costa Rica Family Holiday
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Prepare traditional casado with the Delgado family in their home, learning how Costa Rica’s classic lunch of rice, beans, salad and tortillas comes together.
  • Get up close to the unique wildlife of Costa Rica on a guided tour of an animal sanctuary, where each resident – sloths, monkey, macaws and more – has a rescue and recovery backstory.
  • Hike in Arenal National Park for an impressive view of the volcano before taking a boat ride along the lake to try and spot some local wildlife.
  • Walk along suspension bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve for the best biology lesson the kids have ever had.
  • Immerse yourself in nature on a guided walk with a naturalist guide in Manual Antonio National Park. The kids will love spotting sloths and listening for the evocative call of howler monkeys.

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. Your adventure begins in subtropical San Jose, where you'’ll meet your leader and fellow families at a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see in this bustling city. As the streets are laid out in a grid pattern, it’s relatively easy to navigate. Maybe head to the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden to introduce the kids (and adults) to Costa Rican biodiversity while getting some respite from the clamour of the city. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a taste of ‘tico’ food with an optional group dinner group.
Day 2 - La Fortuna
On your way to La Fortuna today, you’ll take an insightful Costa Rica wildlife tour at Proyecto Asis. During your visit to the sanctuary, you’ll hear from a trained naturalist and take a guided tour to get to know each animal and its story. You and the kids are sure to leave thinking about conservation in a new way – your visit today also helps to support the animals that live here!
Day 3 - La Fortuna
This morning, set out on short but moderately difficult hike along a path of volcanic stones. When you reach the viewpoint, your guide will explain how Arenal Volcano was formed, its periods of activity and even some unpublished details of its first eruption in 1968. From here, you’ll get excellent views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal. Return along the same trail, then enter the regenerating forest along the outskirts of the volcano. With a little luck, you’ll see a wide variety of plants and animals that inhabit the rainforest, like toucans, turkeys, orioles, peccaries and monkeys. After, take a boat tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and its islets to try and spot more wildlife. This is the ideal place to take some photos of the volcano (if the weather allows). The rest of the day is free for you and your family to relax or take part in one of the many optional activities on offer.
Day 4 - Monteverde
Today you’ll drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, where you’ll take a boat across to Monteverde. If it’s a clear day, you’ll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. Enjoy some free time for lunch, then relax in the afternoon before your visit to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest – Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and an Intrepid Foundation partner. Take a guided walk led by an experienced naturalist – the younger family members can take part in a fun ‘treasure hunt’ in the forest to discover different species and learn about biodiversity.
Day 5 - Monteverde
This morning is an early start as you join a local family for a tour of their farm to learn more about daily life in Costa Rica. The visit begins with the family’s history, photos and family tree, followed by a trip to the hydroponic garden. Feed the chickens and walk through the farm, where the family maintains tomato gardens, corn, cassava, carrots and other crops. After, head to the dairy to learn about the milking process before finishing at the on-site restaurant for a delicious breakfast. Later, head to the Sky Walk at Treetopia Park in Monteverde for a self-guided tour through the cloud forest canopy – six hanging bridges span up to 236 m (774 ft) and reach heights of 50 m (164 ft).
Day 6 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Set off towards Manuel Antonio National Park, stopping along the way for a hands-on cooking class with the Delgado family – a local family who will welcome you into their home and invite you to help prepare casado. This traditional Costa Rican lunch is a platter that includes a base of white rice and beans, a serving of meat like chicken or fish (a vegetarian option can be provided), salad and tortillas. After your feast, you can have a coffee before saying goodbye to the family and continuing to your accommodation. Tonight, maybe take the kids for a traditional Costa Rican meal at a soda (local restaurant), where you can mix with locals and try some of the region’s incredible fresh produce.
Day 7 - Manuel Antonio National Park
After breakfast, take a guided walk along the trails that snake through Manuel Antonio National Park. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse wild and plant life from your local naturalist guide. Look and listen carefully and you may be able to spot howler monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, iguanas and more. The afternoon is free to explore this magical area further at your family’s desired pace. Maybe you’d like to relax on one of the idyllic palm-lined bays while the kids splash in the water. Or, rent a kayak, surf or fish in the ocean. There are no wrong choices in this balmy paradise!
Day 8 - San Jose
Rise and shine for your final morning in Manuel Antonio. Hit the beach or enjoy some time to relax before making the return drive to San Jose in the afternoon. Tonight, you might like to get together with the other families for a final group dinner to celebrate an amazing week in Costa Rica.
Day 9 - San Jose
There are no activities planned for today and you're free to leave any time after checkout. Can’t get enough of San Jose? Why not head out on a Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Urban Adventure, which uncovers the chocolate and wildlife secrets of the jungle. If you need extra accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.
Day 10 - San Jose
There are no activities planned for today and you're free to leave any time after check-out. Can’t get enough of San Jose? Why not head out on a Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Urban Adventure, which uncovers the chocolate and wildlife secrets of the jungle. If you need extra accommodation, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-12-202621-12-2026AUD $ 2,880-
19-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 3,420-
24-12-202602-01-2027AUD $ 3,195-
26-12-202604-01-2027AUD $ 3,195-
02-01-202711-01-2027AUD $ 3,190-
13-03-202722-03-2027AUD $ 3,190-
25-03-202703-04-2027AUD $ 3,190-
27-03-202705-04-2027AUD $ 3,315-
30-03-202708-04-2027AUD $ 3,190-
01-04-202710-04-2027AUD $ 3,190-
03-04-202712-04-2027AUD $ 3,190-
08-04-202717-04-2027AUD $ 3,190-
26-06-202704-07-2027AUD $ 3,075-
03-07-202711-07-2027AUD $ 3,075-
24-07-202701-08-2027AUD $ 3,075-
31-07-202708-08-2027AUD $ 3,075-
07-08-202715-08-2027AUD $ 3,075-
14-08-202722-08-2027AUD $ 3,075-
18-12-202726-12-2027AUD $ 3,075-
23-12-202731-12-2027AUD $ 3,075-
25-12-202702-01-2028AUD $ 3,075-
30-12-202707-01-2028AUD $ 3,075-
01-01-202809-01-2028AUD $ 3,075-
11-03-202819-03-2028AUD $ 3,075-
01-04-202809-04-2028AUD $ 3,075-
08-04-202816-04-2028AUD $ 3,075-
12-04-202820-04-2028AUD $ 3,075-
24-06-202802-07-2028AUD $ 3,075-
01-07-202809-07-2028AUD $ 3,075-
22-07-202830-07-2028AUD $ 3,075-
29-07-202806-08-2028AUD $ 3,075-
05-08-202813-08-2028AUD $ 3,075-
12-08-202820-08-2028AUD $ 3,075-
16-12-202824-12-2028AUD $ 3,075-
20-12-202828-12-2028AUD $ 3,075-
23-12-202831-12-2028AUD $ 3,075-
27-12-202804-01-2029AUD $ 3,075-

Accommodation

Hotels (6 nights), Farm stay (2 nights)

Transport

Private Minivan

Map

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