7-Nights Costa Rica Family Adventure: Volcano, Jungle & Sand from $3,083

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

Transfer: Liberia Airportto La Fortuna - Arenal

Hotel: Arenal Springs Resort & Spa (5 Star Rating)

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa is a peaceful getaway in Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano region. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the resort offers beautiful views of the volcano, soothing hot springs, spacious rooms, and great amenities. It's the perfect spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy nature's beauty.

During this tour, you will enjoy the sights and sounds of Costa Rican wildlife on a relaxing Safari Float from La Fortuna to Arenal. This trip takes place on Peñas Blancas river, and is a peaceful experience that allows you to enjoy the tranquility of Costa Rica's rainforest, soaking in all the sights and sounds of this astounding tropical setting. Be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of monkeys, caimans, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards and a wide assortment of colorful bird species. The river is home to small crocodiles that often duck in the water when you cruise past. Your naturalist guide will share the local history, knowledge of the plants and animals you encounter on the float. You will spend around two hours cruising at a relaxing paddle pace while exploring the riverbanks for rainforest inhabitants. After returning to the dock, you will depart for a tortilla making experience and visit a local family. At Doña Mara's home, you will get a better understanding of the meaning of "Pura Vida", a core philosophy held dearly by rural Costa Ricans. You will be welcomed with a tropical drink at the "rancho" and enjoy a delicious typical lunch prepared on Doña Mara's rustic wood-fired ground corn "masa". You will learn how to flatten the dough into perfect circles, ready for cooking and you will get to taste them. Upon completion of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

Arenal is well known for its impressively diverse range of fauna, however, the most popular species among them is quite likely the sloth. During this activity, you will have the opportunity to admire two or three finger sloths, and to do so in a completely natural setting. Pioneers in wildlife tours in the region, you'll set out alongside the expert guides with Callidryas Tours to explore the nearby countryside in search of sloths. Thanks to the knowledgeable and eagle-eyed guides (paired with the relatively limited movements of sloths) you are all but guaranteed to spot a few sloths throughout the tour. Along the way, you may also see other incredible creatures like toucans, poison dart frogs, iguanas and monkeys, among others. At the end of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

Today you will be transferred from Arenal to Monteverde, making use of both vehicles and a boat to turn this point-to-point transfer into an enjoyable and scenic experience alongside fellow travelers. The transfer begins at your hotel, where a minibus will pick you up and drive for approximately 30 minutes to Lake Arenal. Upon arrival you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon-type boat with other guests, and after a 45-minute journey, will arrive at Rio Chiquito, a small community on the other side of the lake. Lake Arenal is the largest and most important in Costa Rica. It is of artificial origin - built in 1974 in order to obtain hydroelectric power for the country - and is a place where you can spot a variety of resident and migratory birds, and often times mammals like monkeys and sloths. You will also take in excellent views of the Arenal Volcano when it is not cloudy. Once in Rio Chiquito, you will leave the boat and continue onward by land for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to your hotel in Monteverde (this portion of the transfer may take longer in the rainy season), making a stop along the way to purchase food and beverages and to use the washroom. It is recommended to wear long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof jacket. Approximate travel time is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Hotel: Hotel Poco a Poco (4 Star Rating)

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco has a total of 30 deluxe rooms, each featuring a comfortable private bath with a hot water shower, bathrobes, retractable chrome clothesline, lighted wall mounted mirror and hair dryer. All rooms are equipped with a telephone for international calls, alarm clock, coffee maker with coffee from Monteverde, iron, ironing board, cable, flat screen TV, safe deposit box and very comfortable orthopedic king and queen beds.

Set out on an extraordinary journey with TreeTopiaPark's Explorer Package: the ultimate blend of thrill, wonder, and exploration in Monteverde. Perfect for adventurers seeking both heart-pounding excitement and serene discovery, this three-in-one experience offers the best of the cloud forest from every perspective. After arriving from your hotel on a shared transfer, start your adventure with the TreeTram cableway, a relaxing ascent offering sweeping panoramic views of the lush, misty landscape. Next, take on the Sky Trek zipline circuit, an exhilarating flight over the forest canopy with nearly two miles of high-flying ziplines, reaching heights of up to 328 feet and speeds that will take your breath away. Finally, immerse yourself in the peaceful beauty of the Sky Walk hanging bridges, where you'll traverse elevated trails and suspension bridges with unique, up-close encounters with the cloud forest's incredible biodiversity. After the TreeTram, SkyTrek and SkyWalk tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Monteverde.

Transfer: Monteverde to Tamarindo

Hotel: Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort (4 Star Rating)

Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort is the only hotel located on the white sands of the world famous Tamarindo Beach. Spread out over 5 acres and featuring a large outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Tamarindo Diria Beach and Golf Resort offers the best of Costa Rica's natural beauty. This large resort has 3 restaurants, a spa and a casino. Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo are within a 25 minute drive of the hotel.

Spend your day at leisure soaking up coastal charm. Relax on powdery golden sands or poolside at your hotel, or consider participating in a catamaran cruise to nearby coves. Snorkeling and paddleboarding reveal colorful marine life, while charming towns offer aromatic taquerias and boutique shopping. For a more local touch, visit a resident art gallery, a coastal cafe, or explore trails at a nearby nature reserve. As evening arrives, a relaxing dinner by the water as the sky glows pink and gold is highly recommended.

Transfer: Tamarindo to Liberia Airport