Costa Rica Family Explorer
This 11 day trip is perfect for families, blending adventure with relaxation. Begin in Tortuguero, exploring dense rainforests, rivers and lagoons where birds, monkeys, frogs and turtles thrive. In Arenal, soar through the forest on a zip-line or the sky tram, kayak on lake Arenal and walk the famed hanging bridges. Finally, unwind on Guanacaste’s beaches and hike around Poas Volcano’s steaming crater.
Trip highlights
- Ascend over Arenal’s canopy by zip-line or Sky Tram
- Embark on a nighttime jungle walk in Tortuguero
- Paddle across lake Arenal on a guided kayak tour
- Enjoy a surfing lesson in Punta Islita
- Take a scenic hike around Poas Volcano’s steaming crater
- Relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Guanacaste
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. This bespoke trip includes:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Expert-guided tours
- Private transfers and internal flights
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–2
Overnight stay in San Jose
Enjoy your evening in the metropolitan capital city of San Jose. Stay nearby in the Coffee Valley, soaking up the peace and tranquility of nature. Allow yourself to relax and prepare for the adventures that await in this dynamic and captivating part of Central America.
Where you could stay
Ascend the Poas Volcano
Embark on a guided tour to see the impressive site of Poas Volcano. Other than the lush and exotic wildlife of Poas National Park, the highlight is the active crater, stretching to 1.5 kilometres wide and entirely safe to view.
Days 2–5
Three nights in Tortuguero
Spend your days in Tortuguero, the ‘Land of the Turtles’ exploring the myriad of waterways and nature trails with your expert guides and relaxing to the sound of the jungle from your lodge. Set off on activities such as kayaking, fishing and hiking as well as more specialist wildlife excursions. The turtle nesting season here is July to October.
Days 5–8
Three nights exploring Arenal
During your time in Arenal, there are a huge number of activities to enjoy. Thrill seekers can enjoy a range of exhilarating adventures whilst there are equally enticing options for those who want to enjoy the area at a more leisurely pace.
Where you could stay
Soar above Arenal
By tram
By zip-line
Arenal Sky Tram
Take a ride on a serene Sky Tram gondola as it soars smoothly through the rainforest, offering wonderful views of the Arenal volcano and the lake. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, the ride takes around 40 minutes with the possibility of short stops to take photographs or to spot tropical birds.
Zip line through the canopy
Enjoy this thrilling aerial adventure starting from a tower 13m (43 feet) high and glide your way down eight galvanized stainless steel cables, ranging from 80m (262 feet) to 750m (2460 feet) in length, with an average height of 38m (125 feet). All of the 14 platforms, five of which are constructed in trees, are strategically designed at varying heights to allow the you to observe the rainforest from different angles and photograph the awe inspiring scenery.
Kayaking exploration of Lake Arenal
This adventure will take you to Costa Rica’s biggest lake, right at the feet of the Arenal volcano. Once at the lake, the team will suit you up with a life jacket and a paddle as well as give you a brief explanation of kayaking basic techniques. Paddle across the lake with the possibility to observe different species of birds like flycatchers, kingfisher, great blue herons and anhingas and possibly hear howler monkeys call. End with a refreshing swim in the lake.
Nocturnal hanging bridges walk
Costa Rica currently makes up 5% of the biodiversity of the world and its forests teem with wildlife. One of the best times to experience the staggering range of fauna is at night, with many species coming to life after the sun goes down. There are around 2,000 species of butterflies active during the day but 4,500 are nocturnal. A similar pattern occurs with the activity of some amphibians, reptiles, mammals, as well as some species of exotic flowers that only bloom at night.
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park offers the opportunity to observe the forest in the darkness of the night during a walk that passes through the hanging bridges. It is also possible to observe animals such as frogs, snakes, lizards, mammals and nocturnal birds.
Days 8–11
Three nights on the Guanacaste Coast
With its stretches of golden sand beaches, wildlife reserves and ultra-easy-going atmosphere, the Guanacaste Coast is the perfect place to kick back and relax for a few days. Nicknamed the ‘gold coast’, it stretches all the way from the Nicaragua border south to the Nicoya Peninsula. There is lots to do here including surfing and snorkelling as well as horse riding and kayaking.
From here, we recommend a transfer to Liberia airport to begin your journey home.
Where you could stay
Surf the waves of Punta Islita
Under expert guidance, learn the fundamentals of surfing as you ride the waves of Punta Islita, feeling the invigorating sea breeze.
My trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. Every detail was taken care of. Accommodations were exceptional, and excursions were wonderful. There is always someone readily available for assistance if needed. Jacada plans incredible trips!
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
