FAMILY VACATION

4.75 (20 reviews)

Costa Rica Family Vacation

  • 7 Days
  • 16 People Max

    5 - 14 guests

  • Activity Level 2
    • Activity Level 2

      On the Move

      Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: San Jose
  • Trip End: San Jose
costa rica family

Experience Pura Vida on a Costa Rica family vacation as you explore lush green jungles, white sand beaches, and an incredible array of wildlife.

As one of the world’s greatest destinations for family travel, Costa Rica invites you 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 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 the 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.

The perfect balance of adventure and relaxation awaits you, whether you’re exploring a jungle, walking along a white sand beach, or just recalling the memories you’re making with your family. 

Trip Highlights

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

HikingHiking

Danaus Nature Reserve

HikingHiking

Arenal National Park Horseriding

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Surfing lesson

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Sierpe River

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Explore coral reefs

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Costa Rica Family Vacation ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: San Jose Trip End: San Jose
  • Day 1Arrive in San José, welcome!

  • Day 2Hike La Paz Waterfall Gardens and learn farming at Vida Campesina

  • Day 3Bird watching and canyoning in Arenal National Park, horseride around Arenal Volcano

  • Day 4Explore Carara National Park in search of wildlife

  • Day 5Surf in Marino Ballena National Park

  • Day 6Cruise the Sierpe River, kayak Marino Ballena National Park and Uvita Bay

  • Day 7Depart San Jose

  • Day 1

    Arrive in San José, welcome!

    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.

    Xandari Resort & Spa

  • Day 2

    Hike La Paz Waterfall Gardens and learn farming at Vida Campesina

    Meet your guides this morning for a trip orientation over breakfast. Begin the four-hour shuttle to the Arenal region, 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.

    Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs, San Carlos (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 3

    Bird watching and canyoning in Arenal National Park, horseride around Arenal Volcano

    Choose to take a birding walk in the early morning for anyone interested. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and gear up for an afternoon of canyoning and get your adrenaline pumping. Explore an organic orchard run by a local family, learning about traditional Costa Rican farming at Arenal Vida Campesina Organic Farm immersed in the warm and natural habitat facing the Arenal Volcano and surrounded by rivers and rainforests. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch prepared by the owners! 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. After a day full of adventure, return to the resort for dinner

    Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs, San Carlos (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 4

    Explore Carara National Park in search of wildlife

    This morning we’ll transfer to Uvita Beach by road, stopping along the way for a walk and lunch at Miriam’s House. Explore Carara National Park on its well-kept trails, rich in flora and fauna, Carara boasts many habitats including marshes, primary and secondary forests and is home to parrots, parakeets, toucans, trogons, three species of monkeys, agoutis, coatis, sloths, tamanduas and more. Check into our accommodation for the next three nights and enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight

    Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel, Puntarenas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 5

    Surf in Marino Ballena National Park

    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.

    Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel, Puntarenas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Notes: * Sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling available in the afternoon at an extra cost.

  • Day 6

    Cruise the Sierpe River, kayak Marino Ballena National Park and Uvita Bay

    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?). Discover the Marino Ballena National Park by sea kayak! Paddle across the calm waters of the Uvita bay, en route, take in the expansive views around you and the various hues of blue water below you, with the chance to see pelicans, boobies, frigate birds, colorful fish, and other marine creatures. After a pleasant walk on the beach we enjoy a final dinner back at the hotel.

    Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel, Puntarenas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 7

    Depart San Jose

    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.

    No Accommodation (Breakfast)

Costa Rica Family Vacation Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year

Discounted child prices are available for children 12-years-old and under. Click the BOOK button for your preferred departure below to see child prices.

USD $5999/per adult , USD $5399/per child

Child rates apply for children 12 years and under.

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Included

  • All guiding services with experienced guides
  • 7:1 guest to guide ratio
  • Our 'Red Carpet' pre-trip customer care service available to answer questions
  • Travel Wallet: a resource for everything you need to know about your trip in one secure space!
  • All accommodation for duration of your trip
  • Most meals (except where indicated, so you can experience local cuisine independently!)
  • Trekking and 'in-between-meal' snacks
  • All drinking water and puritabs (when drinking water not readily available)
  • Specially curated tour 'Wow' moments throughout your trip
  • All activities described in the itinerary
  • All necessary equipment where indicated in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation from trip start to end (including buses, boats, trains and included domestic flights)
  • All hiking permits
  • All Park entry fees (except for additional fee of US $120 per guest for ALL Galapagos trips)

Not Included

  • International/Domestic Flights before and after your trip
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Optional additional activities
  • Travel insurance (Mandatory for this destination)
  • Rental equipment available as per your itinerary
  • Gratuities for your guides at the end of your fabulous trip

Reviews from our Costa Rica Family Vacation

view all

Costa Rica Family Vacation - March 2023

Costa Rican Family Vacation Surpassed Expectations!

"Our guide Marco "Tex" Fallas made Costa Rica come alive for my family and me.… read more

"Our guide Marco "Tex" Fallas made Costa Rica come alive for my family and me. From the moment Tex picked us up his energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and love for Costa Rica inspired us all. We learned so much about the culture, history, flora and fauna while enjoying great food and adventures. Each of the four of us had different favorite activities: My husband particularly loved the ocean-side lunch at Miriam's house. One of my 15 year old twins can't stop talking about snorkeling at the Whale's Tale. Our other twin thought surfing lessons with Dennis at the perfect sandy bottom Pacific beach was the hi light. And I couldn't get enough of the amazing birding everywhere we went. Tex is an ornithologist and studied under and has worked with the man who literally wrote the book on Costa Rica birding. ("The Birds of Costa Rica A Field Guide" by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean). Our patient, alert and unflappable driver, Worner completed the team. Worner had a great eye and spotted squirrel monkeys, sloths, toucans and even frogs while driving. He would alert Tex who would say, "Perfecto!" The van would be pulled over on the side of the road, Tex would grab his scope and lead us all in a mini impromptu lesson or adventure. We cannot wait to return to Costa Rica and plan to do it again with Tex and Worner and Austin Adventures. read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Denise,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - July 2022

Hospitality

"I can't be more thankful for our hospitable guide (Roy) and devoted driver (Jose). They… read more

"I can't be more thankful for our hospitable guide (Roy) and devoted driver (Jose). They worked incredibly well as a team and made my family feel welcomed and well cared for. Roy had a vast amount ok knowledge that he shared enthusiastically. He had a knowledgeable answer for any question we threw at him! He showed us a fantastic time! Costa Rica is a beautiful place, I'm grateful we got to experience it. read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Raymond, United States

Costa Rica Family Vacation - June 2022

Pura Vida

"Fantastic, adventure filled, perfect read more

"Fantastic, adventure filled, perfect read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Crystal, United States

Costa Rica Family Vacation - December 2021

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"We had a wonderful trip. Our guide made everthing so easy and accommodated evwry request.… read more

"We had a wonderful trip. Our guide made everthing so easy and accommodated evwry request. We loved costa rica, the country, the people, the weather. We only wish we could have shared the experience with other people. Costa rica is very outside oriented and very safe during these strange times. Austin Adventures makes traveling during covid easy. read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Virginia,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - June 2021

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"Extremely well organized with FANTASTIC Guide (Marco F.) and congenial driver (Jos read more

"Extremely well organized with FANTASTIC Guide (Marco F.) and congenial driver (Jos read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Carole,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - June 2021

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"Wow!!! What an incredible time we all had in Costa Rica! Our experience was so… read more

"Wow!!! What an incredible time we all had in Costa Rica! Our experience was so rich in every way.

Costa Rica is a breathtaking country, full of color, texture and beauty wherever you look. From hiking in the jungle, to walking along the sandy beaches, to cruising down the river to see wildlife; every view was spectacular. The monkeys, sloths, and birds did not disappoint! What a treasure to see them in their natural habitat!

The food we experienced was definitely some
of the best we read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Kelly,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - December 2019

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"Well organized, varied program, good communications in preparation and during trip read more

"Well organized, varied program, good communications in preparation and during trip read less

4 Stars (20 reviews)

David,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - July 2018

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"Great accommodations, great food, very knowledgeable guide read more

"Great accommodations, great food, very knowledgeable guide read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Kristen,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - July 2018

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"This trip was advertised as a 7 day trip but really was only 4 days… read more

"This trip was advertised as a 7 day trip but really was only 4 days with 2 travel days. read less

4 Stars (20 reviews)

Michelle,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - March 2018

Costa Rica Family Vacation

"Amazing trip! Our guide Leo and our driver were fantastic! read more

"Amazing trip! Our guide Leo and our driver were fantastic! read less

4 Stars (20 reviews)

Kelley,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - December 2014

Costa Rica Family Vacation

" read more

" read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Vicki,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - March 2014

Costa Rica Family Vacation

" read more

" read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Monica,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - December 2013

Costa Rica Family Vacation

" read more

" read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Chuck,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - September 2013

Costa Rica Family Vacation

" read more

" read less

4 Stars (20 reviews)

Patty,

Costa Rica Family Vacation - June 2013

Costa Rica Family Vacation

" read more

" read less

5 Stars (20 reviews)

Lorraine,

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip we’ll meet you at the San José at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport when you arrive and transfer you to the Xandari Resort and you're arriving in Costa Rica earlier, you are welcome to make your own way to the hotel on Day 1, and you'll meet the group for breakfast and orientation at 7am on Day 2.

After passing through Immigration, you will be greeted by a member of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR). You will be given a sticker that helps our Costa Rica Sun Tours representative identify you once you exit the airport building.
Take the right-hand side exit door and proceed to customs. When you leave the building after clearing customs, look for a Costa Rica Sun Tours representative who will be holding a sign with the Austin Adventures logo and your name on it.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a transfer to the 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.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving at Juan Santamaria Airport the night before the trip starts, or no later than 12pm on the first day of the trip. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Juan Santamaria Airport after 2pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What accommodations do we stay at on this trip?

You'll encounter a quintessential Costa Rica experience at Xandari Resort & Spa, with the property’s forest reserve hosting five waterfalls and miles of trails for bird-watching, it provides the nature guests expect from a visit to Costa Rica.

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs provides beauty and tranquility of the Costa Rica countryside, with tunning views of the Arenal Volcano, warm, friendly hospitality and fresh, seasonal and local cuisine come together to create one of Costa Rica’s most relaxing resorts.

The last 3 nights will be spent at t his beautiful four-star Mediterranean-style hotel. Cristal Ballena Hotel offers you everything you need for your dream beach, adventure, and nature vacation in Costa Rica. Resting 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.

Is tipping expected in Costa Rica?

Most people do choose to tip their Active Adventures guides and we recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. During your Active Adventures trip, your guides will take care of all included restaurants and service tips for you. For other restaurants or services during your time in Costa Rica, 5-10% is a typical gratuity amount.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. 

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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Why Travel With Us

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”

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Costa Rica Family Vacation