Our 9 day, 8 night family fun package is chock full of adventures in the rainforests or Arenal, the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, and along Costa Rica’s pristine “gold coast” beaches. You’ll take a safari boat trip, visit a sloth sanctuary, zipline above the tree canopy with stunning ocean views, and enjoy the sunset on a catamaran cruise. It is perfect for the active family! You will stay at hotels that have just the right balance of luxury, convenience, and family friendly amenities. This vacation will help your family create memories to last a lifetime. 

 

Price

• $1,800 per person

• Based on a minimum of FOUR people in a quadruple occupancy room

• For fewer or additional person(s), or alternative lodging configuration, inquire for pricing

• Recommended age: 8 and up (if your children are younger, please contact us and we can recommend modifications to this package that would better suit a family with younger children)

• Prices valid through 2023 (excluding Semana Santa / Easter week 4/2/2023 to 4/9/2023 and 12/20/2023 to 1/5/2024). All pricing subject to change until booked and confirmed. Lower rates may be available during "green season" (May to November). Inquire when booking.

 

Destinations

Arenal, Monteverde, Playa Matapalo

 

Duration

9 days / 8 nights

 

ITINERARY

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 Day 1 

Arrive Liberia airport (LIR), transfer to Arenal

Upon arrival at LIR, your private shuttle will transport you to Arenal (approx. 3 hours). Depending on your arrival time, your driver will be happy to recommend a restaurant or store along the way for a meal stop. All private transportation has a 30-minute stop built in if needed. You will check into Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort (or comparable hotel) in Arenal and enjoy the hot springs and pool on the property while taking in views of iconic Arenal volcano. Wildlife abounds in this setting, so you are likely to spot monkeys, lizards, and exotic birds simply by walking around the grounds of your hotel.

 

Note: If your arrival at LIR is late in the day, we can tweak the itinerary so that you spend your first night at a hotel near the airport area, then get an early start the following morning, possibly extending your stay by 1 day in order to do this. Whenever possible, we like to get you to your first destination as soon as possible, but we understand that travel with children is challenging, and each family’s needs may be different in this regard. 

 

 Day 2 

Arenal

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then get ready for a jungle safari boat trip on the Sarapiqui River, where a traditional Costa Rican lunch, called a casado, will be served before you embark. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel.

 

 Day 3 

Arenal

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then get ready for a chocolate and coffee tour where you will learn about how two of our popular export products are made, complete with samples! Enjoy your last evening in Arenal with souvenir shopping and dinner in La Fortuna, or relax in the hot springs and dine at your hotel.

 

 Day 4 

Arenal to Monteverde

Check out of your hotel and you will travel by taxi/shuttle to Lake Arenal, where you will be ferried across the lake in a boat, observing wildlife (maybe even crocodiles!) along the way, and then you will be taxied/shuttled to your Poco a Poco Hotel and Spa (or comparable hotel), a small luxury hotel in the midst of the famous cloud forests of Monteverde. 

 

 Day 5 

Monteverde

After breakfast, you will be picked up by shuttle to spend the morning exploring the cloud forest on a series of hanging bridges, and receive guided tours of a sloth sanctuary and a butterfly gardens. We’ll skip ziplining at this location because we have it scheduled for a little later in your trip! Then you can enjoy the gardens and pool at your hotel, and eat dinner there or go back to town for one of many dining options and a little souvenir shopping. 

 

Note: If ziplining is a priority, especially if your children are older, inquire about adding ziplining at this location!

 

 Day 6 

Monteverde to Riu Guanacaste

Check out of your hotel in Monteverde and your private shuttle will take you to Riu Guanacaste (approx. 3 hours), a family-friendly all-inclusive resort at Playa Matapalo. Your shuttle driver can recommend a stop for lunch along the way. Upon arrival at the Riu, enjoy the pool, or spend time playing in the waves on beautiful Matapalo beach. There is children’s entertainment after dinner, depending on the ages of your children, and adult entertainment in the evenings. 

 

 Day 7 

Riu Guanacaste

Enjoy a day of active adventures at a nearby eco adventure park with lunch, located just minutes away from the Riu. Shuttle buses run all day between the hotel and the park. Your all-day pass includes the thrilling dual zip line (you can zip line next to your child or partner), with stunning ocean views. You can further explore the park through their series of hanging bridges. And be sure to visit the animal sanctuary where you can see rescued jaguars, toucans, sloths, and more! ATV and horseback riding are available for an additional fee. 

 

 Day 8 

Riu Guanacaste

Enjoy your last day at the Riu with some morning fun at the resort, followed by an afternoon/sunset catamaran boat cruise which sails out of nearby Playas del Coco. You will be picked up by a shuttle at the Riu, and returned there following the cruise. Enjoy seeing the Costa Rican coastline from the water! You will also be able to snorkel in a protected cove along uninhabited stretches of beach once the captain drops anchor. Yummy food and drinks will be prepared and served by the crew. Enjoy your last spectacular Costa Rican sunset as you return to shore.

 

 Day 9 

Depart Riu, transfer to Liberia Airport

Check out of the Riu, and your private shuttle will pick you up and take you to Liberia airport for your flight home (approx. 45 minutes).

 

Included

• Lodging for 3 nights at Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort (or comparable)

• Lodging for 2 nights at Poco a Poco Hotel & Spa (or comparable) in Monteverde

• Lodging for 3 nights at Riu Guanacaste All-Inclusive Resort

• All hotel and activity taxes are included in price

• Private transport from Liberia airport to Arenal

• Shared transport from Arenal to Monteverde by boat and shuttle

• Private transport from Monteverde to Riu Guanacaste

• Private transport from Riu Guanacaste to Liberia airport

• Jungle Boat Cruise on the Sarapiqui River with traditional Costa Rican lunch

• Coffee and Chocolate Tour (with samples!)

• Hanging bridges, sloth sanctuary, butterfly garden

• All day pass at an eco adventure park (zip lining, hanging bridges, botanical gardens, animal sanctuary, buffet lunch)

• Sunset Catamaran out of Playas del Coco with snorkeling, lunch and beverages

• Breakfast on days 2-9

• Lunch on days 2, 7, 8

• Dinner on days 6, 7, 8

• In-country assistance via text, phone and email

 

Not included

• You are responsible for lunch on days 3, 4, 5, 6

• You are responsible for dinner on days 1 (depending on arrival time), 2, 3, 4, 5

• Price does not include gratuities – it is customary to tip drivers, tour guides, boat staff, housekeeping staff. There is a 10% gratuity added to restaurant bills, but additional tips for good service are greatly appreciated.

• International airfare not included.

 

What to bring

• You will be traveling to different regions, which have their own climates. Depending on when you come, there may be some rain, so rain jackets (lightweight) or ponchos are a good idea. 

• It can also be chilly and misty in the higher elevations, so layers are important. 

• Be sure to bring several long sleeve and long pants options as your clothes may need to dry out in between wearings. 

• You will also want bug repellent and sun screen (ocean-friendly brands if possible). 

• Your footwear options should include flip flops, sports sandals, and sneakers. If you are most comfortable in hiking boots, feel free to bring them. 

• Cameras and binoculars are helpful. Sometimes your guides will bring binoculars to share.

 

Note

We always have one or more comparable back-up hotels. The further out you book your vacation, the better our chances of booking our preferred hotels. If hotel availability is going to have a significant impact on your stay, we will discuss alternatives with you prior to making hotel reservations on your behalf.