Trip Highlights
Organic Farm Experience at Finca Sur
Get hands-on at an authentic organic farm in Sarapiquí, where you’ll learn about sustainable agriculture, sample fresh produce, and experience life on a pineapple, cacao, and medicinal plant farm.
Relax at Baldi Hot Springs
Unwind in the natural thermal pools of Baldi Hot Springs, offering fun water slides and serene hot springs with stunning views of the Arenal Volcano.
Wildlife Encounter at Proyecto Asis
Participate in a wildlife rehabilitation project and get a chance to feed, care for, and learn about rescued animals like monkeys, parrots, and sloths.
Hanging Bridges at Mistico Park Walk
Walk through the rainforest on 15 breathtaking hanging bridges with incredible views of the Arenal Volcano, guided by a naturalist who will explain the local ecosystem.
Crocodile Watching on the Tárcoles River
Enjoy an exciting boat tour on the Tárcoles River where you’ll observe crocodiles up close, plus a variety of other wildlife like birds and iguanas.
Manuel Antonio National Park Adventure
Explore the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, home to sloths, white-faced monkeys, and vibrant birds, and relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Golfo Dulce
Work alongside scientists to protect sea turtles, monitor nesting beaches, and learn about conservation efforts in this biodiversity hotspot.
Chocolate-Making at Finca Kobo
Discover the art of chocolate-making at Finca Kobo, from harvesting cacao pods to crafting your own chocolate treats while learning about the farm’s sustainable practices.
Ziplining at Hacienda Baru
Soar through the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zipline adventure with panoramic views of the tropical landscape and wildlife.
Traditional Mask-Making Workshop
Engage in a fun and cultural activity by participating in a traditional mask-making workshop in Escazú, where you can learn about this Costa Rican art form and create your own souvenir.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to San José – Your Costa Rican Adventure Begins!
Your adventure begins as you touch down at Juan Santamaría International Airport, where your friendly guide and driver will be waiting to greet you.
Enjoy a comfortable transfer through the bustling capital city to your hotel, where you’ll have time to unwind and soak in the excitement of the journey ahead.
San José is the heart of Costa Rica’s rich culture and history, offering a perfect introduction to this beautiful country.
In the evening, gather for a delicious dinner at the hotel and prepare for the incredible experiences to come.
Journey time: Approx. 45 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel Park Inn (or similar) – Standard Room
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 - Sarapiquí - Organic Farm Experience and Relaxing Hot Springs
Wake up to the fresh mountain air and set off towards Sarapiquí, traveling through the misty landscapes of Braulio Carrillo National Park. The journey itself is a treat, with lush rainforests stretching as far as the eye can see.
Your first stop is Finca Sura. Finca Sura is a welcoming, family-run organic farm, perfect for families looking to experience Costa Rica’s agricultural life. The tour offers a hands-on exploration of the farm’s diverse crops, including pineapples, cacao, and medicinal plants like turmeric and ginger. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning how these crops are grown sustainably and sampling fresh produce. The warm hospitality of the farm’s owner, Don Rodolfo, makes the experience both educational and fun.
Enjoy a typical lunch on-site, featuring fresh produce from the farm.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to La Fortuna, home to the iconic Arenal Volcano. The Arenal volcano has experienced one of the most eventful volcanic histories of the last century in Central America. A perfect cone of 1633m altitude, which adjoins the lake of the same name, it offers spectacular landscapes which make it one of the unmissable destinations in Central America.
Free afternoon, recommended activities: visit to the La Fortuna waterfall, zip lines, visit to an organic garden, among others.
At the end of the day, you will enjoy the thermal waters at Baldi Hot Springs where you will find different pools at different temperatures coming from the Tabacon River at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. Perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy.
There are fun water slides and shallow pools for children, while parents can relax in the more serene hot springs.
Journey time: Approx. 3 hours
Accommodation: Catarata Ecolodge – Standard Room (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Wildlife Rehabilitation And Walking Among The Tree Canopies
Today, step into the world of wildlife conservation with a visit to Proyecto Asis, a rescue center dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals. This immersive experience allows your family to prepare food for monkeys, parrots, and coatis, and create toys for them to enrich their daily routine, while learning about Costa Rica’s conservation efforts from expert biologists.
These animals, often rescued from trafficking or injury, are cared for by expert staff and volunteers. The center’s goal is to release them back into the wild when possible.
After lunch, set off on an awe-inspiring walk through the treetops at Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. Wander along 15 suspension bridges with breathtaking views of the rainforest and Arenal Volcano. The tour is led by a naturalist guide, who through the natural history, will open the doors of a fascinating and colorful Tropical Rainforest world.
The imposing vistas of the Arenal Volcano and over the forest, from the hanging bridges, make a perfect combination for an unforgettable experience. If weather permits, you will also see different angles of the Arenal Volcano. If you’re lucky, you might spot toucans, sloths, and howler monkeys!
At the end of the afternoon, night tour at Arenal Oasis wildlife refuge. It offers families a magical experience in the lush rainforest. Guided by knowledgeable naturalists, you’ll explore the reserve’s unique nocturnal wildlife, including frogs, insects, and various creatures that come alive at night.
Along the way, families can learn about the ecosystem and conservation efforts while enjoying the sounds and sights of the rainforest after dark. This immersive adventure promises an unforgettable evening filled with discovery and wonder.
Journey time: Short transfers throughout the day
Accommodation: Hotel: Catarata Ecolodge – Standard Room (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Crocodiles and Scarlet Macaws in Carara
Leaving La Fortuna behind, journey towards Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast and stop at the Tárcoles River, home to some of the largest crocodiles in the world!
An exciting and educational experience for families that allows you to explore the wildlife-rich waters of Costa Rica. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you will observe crocodiles up close and learn about their habitats and behaviours. The tour also features opportunities to see a variety of other wildlife, including birds and iguanas, all in a safe and engaging environment. This interactive adventure promises to be both fun and informative, making it perfect for all ages.
Possibility of visiting the Carara National Park (entrance fee $10 per adult &v 5$ per child). This park has the particularity of being in a transition zone between the dry tropical forests of the north and the humid tropical forests of the south.
It is also one of the best places in the country to observe the Scarlet Macao. On the Laguna Meandrica trail, you are also likely to encounter more than 400 different species of birds: great-crested savacou, herons and night herons, scarlet macaws, tanagers, warblers, etc.
Once at the hotel you will be able to enjoy a refreshing swim in the hotel’s pool or a walk in their beautiful garden.
Highlights:
Journey time: Approx. 3.5 hours
Accommodation: Cerro Lodge – Standard Room (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Beaches and Wildlife in Manuel Antonio
After a delicious breakfast, head towards the famous seaside resort of Manuel Antonio which was recently included in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.
Today we visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio Park occupies an area of 683 hectares. It concentrates the most varied and splendid landscapes. It is surrounded by an exuberant, very humid tropical forest.
Its trails are visited by white-faced monkeys, sloths, badgers, raccoons, iguanas and many species of birds; there is also the squirrel monkey, a breed endemic to Manuel Antonio, which is found nowhere else in the world. The species is increasingly threatened; according to the last census, only 1,500 remained.
The Park also protects 12 islands which serve as excellent refuges for many species of seabirds. It is made up of three excellent beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Escondido. This is your chance to relax and try surfing or other water activities. In addition, it is home to a 14-hectare lagoon and a mangrove swamp. Punta Catedral which connects the beaches of Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur is a charming place.
Journey time: Approx. 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Yara – Suites (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Cultural Immersion with a Local Community
Today we spend the day with a local community in Playa Blanca, where you’ll get a deeper understanding of Costa Rican traditions. Engage in hands-on activities such as cooking local dishes, crafting, and learning traditional dances.
We head to the south of the Osa peninsula to Puerto Jimenez. The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park were considered a wild and unknown no-man’s land until the 1960s. The first pioneers were gold prospectors and new inhabitants in search of land braving inhospitable conditions to exploit natural resources which seemed inexhaustible.
The environmental damage caused by the hand of man did not have time to spread as in other Latin American countries thanks to the early declaration of the Corcovado National Park.
You will settle in Finca Kobo a lodge in Puerto Jimenez, Finca Kobo is a sustainable cacao farm located in Costa Rica, known for its commitment to organic farming and environmental conservation.
After lunch at the lodge, there is a quick transfer to the local community of Playa Blanca. Morpho Evasions, in partnership with the National University of Costa Rica, has developed a sustainable development project in the community of Playa Blanca.
The tour is a cultural immersion into the life of the residents of Playa Blanca. It goes beyond the tourist facade of the town, allowing travellers to understand how people live and their daily routines. While sharing valuable information about the lifestyle and history of the village. Additionally, the guide will reveal the natural secrets of Playa Blanca, with opportunities to observe various animals like sloths, toucans, macaws, and stingrays during the tour.
The tour includes:
– The art of artisanal fishing with Doña Maria
– Craft workshops with Mama and daughter Calderón
– Collection center for recyclable waste
– Cajeta workshop with Doña Cristina
– Sonia’s restaurant offering a typical drink (for both kids and parents 😊.
Journey time: Approx 2h50
Accommodation: Hotel Finca Kobo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Sea Turtle Conservation in Golfo Dulce
Today is very exciting… You’ll be heading out to sea with scientists where you’ll work alongside marine biologists in a sea turtle conservation project. Help collect data, relocate nests, and, if lucky, release baby turtles into the ocean!
The organisation is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles in Costa Rica through conservation and awareness-raising activities. Its main activities include monitoring nesting beaches to protect eggs, rehabilitating injured turtles, and research projects on their behaviour and migrations.
Back at the lodge in the afternoon, we will enjoy a chocolate tour! At Finca Kobo, the chocolate tour is an exciting and educational experience for families. You will learn about the entire chocolate-making process, from cacao tree cultivation to the delicious finished product.
The tour includes hands-on activities, such as harvesting cacao pods and making your own chocolate treats. It’s a fun and engaging way for kids and adults alike to appreciate the art and science behind chocolate!
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the pool or explore the surrounding gardens, enjoy the lush scenery, and learn about sustainable farming practices.
Accommodation: Hotel Finca Kobo (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Dominical and Ziplining Through The Jungle
After breakfast, we hit the road to Domincal. Settling in an ecolodge between sea and mountains, Hacienda Baru has its own private reserve on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and Playa Barú.
Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge is an internationally known nature reserve with 330 hectares of protected area, including primary forest, secondary forest, selectively logged tropical wet forest, swamp forest, mangrove estuary, brush land, river bank and seashore. Get ready to observe a rich and varied fauna!
In the afternoon you will enjoy The Vuelo de Tucán: an exhilarating zip-line experience that allows visitors to glide through lush rainforest. This adventure features multiple cables, providing stunning views of the diverse flora and fauna, and the chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. Suitable for families and thrill-seekers, it offers a fun and safe way to enjoy Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
Journey time: Approx 2h20
Accommodation: Hacienda Baru (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Relax at Marino Ballena National Park
Today is a day at leisure in Dominical during which you can enjoy the wild beaches of Uvita, Dominical.
We recommend a visit to the Marino Ballena National Park (entrance approx. $9 per person), known for its wild beaches and its famous tombolo in the shape of a whale’s tail.
Not far from there, you can find the Nauyaca Falls but also the Baru refuge which is of great biological importance as it is home to several different tropical habitats (mangroves, primary and secondary forests, beaches, rivers)., 10$ per person as an entrance fee.
The foodies will appreciate a lunch or dinner break in Ojochal, long recognized as the culinary capital of the Pacific coast with a most tempting gastronomic offering!
Accommodation: Hacienda Baru (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Tour de Mascaradas and Mask-Making Workshop
Return route to the Central Valley and the Escazú neighbourhood, located east of the capital.
You will join in with a Tour de Mascaradas: Masquerades are the most traditional form of celebration in Costa Rica. Whenever there are local festivals, masquerades take centre stage. We will visit a masquerade workshop, where you will learn about its history, creation process, and the techniques used to craft this art in a fun and interactive way. The visit includes creating your own mask as a souvenir of this experience!
Check-in at the hotel for your last night in Costa Rica. Dinner at the hotel.
Journey time: Approximately 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel Park Inn – Standard Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Depart
As your incredible Costa Rican adventure comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable memories you’ve created together.
From exploring lush rainforests and encountering exotic wildlife, to relaxing in natural hot springs and diving into local traditions, this journey has been filled with moments of wonder and connection.
Whether you were ziplining through the jungle, making your own chocolate, or contributing to important conservation efforts, each experience has left a lasting mark on your heart.
Now, as we bid farewell to this beautiful country, we hope you take with you not just souvenirs, but the warmth of its people and the magic of its landscapes. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Costa Rica someday!
** The itinerary is subject to changes – Whilst we do our best to keep to our planned itinerary, on occasions things do have to be altered.
FAQ
What's Included
- Airport Pickup – Please make sure you have landed by 10am, – arrival after this time will incur an additional transfer fee
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Transfers throughout the tour
- Entrance Fees – Admissions and Entrance fees
- Professional Guides
- Pre-departure Support – Facebook group and app
- 24hr On-Site Support – We will be supported by our suppliers in country as well as a Wild Hearted Advenutres host
- Airport Drop-Off – Return transfer to the airport – on the final day of the trip
What's not included
- Flights – International Flights
- Drinks – Additional Drinks throughout the trip
- Some Meals – Any meals NOT mentioned in the itinerary – Where meals are not included we will find places to eat in the local area
- Extra Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visas – Any visa required for the trip
- Personal Items – Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, landry & sim cards
- Gratuitues and Tipping – Additional cash for tips for guides etc.
- Travel Insurance – It is important that you purchase travel insurance as soon you book.
Your host
This unforgettable Costa Rican Family adventure is hosted by Anna, whose warmth, inspiration, and charm set the perfect tone for our getaway. With Anna at the helm, our adventure promises to be an enriching blend of adventure and camaraderie.
Anna Miller
Anna is the visionary founder of Wild Hearted Adventures, whose warmth, inspiration, and charm set the perfect tone for our retreat. Her boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm will inspire you to embrace every moment of this experience.
She is also a travel writer and the creative mind behind the popular family travel blog, Twins and Travels.
At times, unforeseen circumstances may require a change in your assigned host. However, rest assured that you’ll always be in the capable hands of a passionate, knowledgeable, and exceptional host from the Wild Hearted team, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
