Costa Rica Family Adventure

In Costa Rica, steaming volcanoes rise out of the jungle, sea turtles troop up long stretches of pristine beach, and monkeys and exotic birds fill the rain forest canopy. Introduce your family to Costa Rica’s wonders on an expedition to three national parks. In the company of naturalists, explore the crater of Poás volcano, and get surrounded by hundreds of hummingbirds and butterflies in the misty cloud forest. Encounter wildlife close up in the Sarapiquí River valley, and learn about local culture. Then keep an eye out for parrots, iguanas, and poison dart frogs as we glide up the waterways of Tortuguero National Park, and learn about the life cycle of the green sea turtle.

Day 1 — U.S./San José, Costa Rica

Depart for San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, and transfer to our hotel upon arrival. After an orientation and time to explore the hotel’s spectacular tropical gardens, meet up for a welcome dinner.
Xandari Resort & Spa (D)

Day 2 — Poás Volcano National Park

Set off for Poás Volcano National Park this morning, and ascend to the crater to see its steaming lake and learn about the surrounding ecosystem. Then head to a nearby coffee farm to watch how coffee beans are harvested and processed, and taste the lucrative local grano de oro (golden bean). This afternoon, while adults enjoy free time to relax or enjoy the spa amenities at the hotel, kids take part in a craft workshop with a local artist.
Xandari Resort & Spa (B,L,D)

Day 3 — La Paz Waterfalls/Sarapiquí

Journey to the Sarapiquí region, an area known for its incredible biodiversity, and stop on the way to see the tumbling cascades of La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Venture into the cloud forest on foot to explore breathtaking waterfalls and gardens brimming with colorful tropical species; and see a mind-boggling array of butterflies, birds, and reptiles. Next, discover the history of Costa Rica’s native peoples at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures. Here, kids try their hand at making traditional ceramics with a member of the indigenous Chorotega community. Later this afternoon, settle into our hotel, a Spanish colonial hacienda in the foothills of Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Hacienda La Isla Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Sarapiquí

Kick off the day with a white-water rafting adventure (or a river safari float) on the Sarapiquí River. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the river’s edge, including sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and numerous species of monkeys and birds. Back on terra firma, relax back at the lodge and stroll through the extensive orchards, bursting with orange, banana, papaya, mango, avocado, and grapefruit trees. Or, if you wish, choose from several optional afternoon activities: sail through the forest canopy on a zip line; go for a horseback ride; visit a historic cacao plantation; or learn about the cultivation of pineapples, Sarapiquí’s most important crop.
Hacienda La Isla Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Sarapiquí/Tortuguero National Park

Join a naturalist at a biological research station to examine the unique flora and fauna of the rain forest. Then learn about another important Costa Rican export: the palmito, or heart of palm—a culinary specialty harvested from the core of certain palm trees. On our way to the coast, stop at a working banana plantation to learn how bananas make their way from the plant to your kitchen. Then climb into a boat on the Caño Blanco River and navigate the still waterways that cut through lowland tropical wet forest of Tortuguero National Park. Our destination is a secluded hotel, perched right on the water’s edge. This incredibly rich ecosystem supports a wide spectrum of wildlife, from poison dart frogs to spider monkeys to the park’s namesake—the green sea turtles who return here each year to nest. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to watch these turtles nesting and their young hatching, a fascinating ritual that dates back millions of years (during the nesting season, from July to October).
Tortuga Lodge & Garden (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Tortuguero National Park

Climb into a private jungle boat and head deeper into Tortuguero’s backwater lagoons and creeks. The morning hours are an especially active time for this tropical wildlife kingdom, so keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, sloths, river otters, caimans, and a variety of lizards and birds. Later, learn about conservationists’ efforts to restore and protect Tortuguero’s long stretch of beach where the turtles make their nests. This afternoon, kids learn to make tortillas and other local specialties during a hands-on cooking class. Or, choose an optional kayaking activity and explore narrow channels reachable only by small, hand-propelled boats. Celebrate our adventure at a fun farewell dinner at the lodge tonight.
Tortuga Lodge & Garden (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Tortuguero National Park/San José/U.S.

After a final breakfast in our jungle paradise, board a private charter plane back to San José and connect to your flight home.
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