The “Swiss Family Robinson” Experience

Day 1: San Jose
Your family trip to Costa Rica starts with when you arrive at Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO). Meet & Greet outside the airport terminal and  transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Park Inn

Day 2: San Jose – La Paz Waterfall Gardens – Sarapiqui
Breakfast, Lunch
The adventure begins with the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Here, you’ll stroll through the cloud forest, discovering waterfalls and verdant life along the way. At the wildlife refuge, you’ll visit the hummingbird garden, the serpentarium, the sloth habitat, the aviary, the butterfly garden, the jungle cats habitat, and the frog exhibit for an outstanding introduction to Costa Rica’s beloved creatures.
Following, you’ll continue to Sarapiqui in the Caribbean lowlands. Compare and contrast these rainforests to the cloud forests you’ve just come from! Experience a night walk through the forest, where you’ll all learn about the natural history of several of our nocturnal species.
Overnight at La Quinta Lodge

Day 3: Sarapiqui – Arenal
Breakfast
Today, your family will be able to choose one of the following morning adventures:

• A 2.5 hour canoe or duckie boat float on the Sarapiqui River, where your guide will help point out the enchanting flora and fauna that pops up along the way.
• A thrilling 45 minute river tubing experience that will give your family a rush of adrenaline and smiles on your faces.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue to La Fortuna town in the northern lowlands, where the famous conical Arenal Volcano is located. Take the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
Overnight at Arenal Springs

Day 4: Arenal
Breakfast
The highlight of this morning is a visit to the Sloth Territory, a unique family project where expert guides take you through a part of the forest where several sloths live. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see several of these tranquil animals in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, choose an optional tour in the area or leisure at the hotel’s facilities.
Overnight at Arenal Springs

Day 5: Arenal – Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
It’s back to adventure today! Start the day out with a ride up the side of the mountains in open-air gondolas, where you’ll be able to see the majestic volcano rising up beside you and the lake spreading out below. Once at the top, your family will head back down to the bottom of the mountain on 2 miles / 3km of zip line cables. There’s nothing quite like gliding above the rainforest this way!
In the afternoon, you’ll depart for Manuel Antonio on the mid-Pacific coast. The ride itself will give you a great opportunity to appreciate some of the different geographies and climates of Costa Rica.
Overnight at San Bada

Day 6: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
This morning, you’ll get a chance to visit the favorite Manuel Antonio National Park. This protected land forms around the Punta Cathedral, which often looks like a whale’s tale. Here, you’ll find three unique beaches and a wide variety of protected flora and fauna. There’s a trail to the highest point in the park, where you can see the ocean and rainforest from up high, before enjoying some time relaxing on the beach.
(Note that the national park is closed on Mondays. This activity will be rescheduled to another day, if necessary.)
Overnight at San Bada

Day 7: Manuel Antonio
Breakfast
Today is up to your family to decide what to do. Visit one or more of the nearby beaches to play in the sand and water, return to explore more of the national park, or enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
Overnight at San Bada

Day 8: Departure transfer
Breakfast
You’ll depart on a transfer from Manuel Antonio to the Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (SJO).
For those with early morning flights, we’ll gladly extend or adjust your itinerary to return to San Jose the night before and book an extra night at a hotel closer to the airport.

• Meet & Greet and private arrival transfer from San Jose Airport (SJO)
• Accommodation as specified:
  • 1 night at Park Inn by Radisson San Jose
  • 1 night at La Quinta Sarapiqui Lodge
  • 2 nights at Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
  • 3 nights at Hotel San Bada
• Meals as specified
• Guided tours/activities:
  • La Paz Waterfall Gardens (self-guided, unless you prefer to hire a private tour guide for your trip)
  • Night walk in the forest
  • Choice of Safari Floating or Tubing on the Sarapiqui River
  • Sloth´s Territory
  • Sky Tram & Sky Trek
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
• Private transfer from San Jose to Sarapiqui, visiting La Paz Waterfall Gardens on the way
• Private transfer from Sarapiqui to Arenal (approx. 45 min)
• Private transfer from Arenal to Manuel Antonio (approx. 4.5 hrs)
• Private transfer from Manuel Antonio to Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose (approx. 3 hrs)
• Current taxes
• Dedicated 24/7 in country support and emergency assistance
• Flexible change/cancellation policies
• Optional activities are not included
• This itinerary is also available with the option of a private driver/tour guide from Day 2 to Day 5

Important notes:

• Accommodations will be in the above-mentioned hotels or alternative properties of similar style and ambience, according to availability at the time of booking.
• Tours on the package may be adapted according to traveler preference.
• The itinerary can be adjusted based on the arrival and departure airports (San Jose/SJO or Guanacaste/LIR).

La Paz Waterfall Gardens: Family vacations in Costa Rica aren’t complete without this stop! This wildlife refuge and waterfall walk will instill in you some of the wonders that Costa Rica has to offer, from verdant jungles and powerful big cats to delicate humming birds and strange birds.

Sarapiqui: This off-the-beaten-path region of Costa Rica offers stunning rainforests, crystal clear rivers, and many of the animals seen at La Paz, but now in their natural, wild habitat.

Arenal: There’s so much for the family to enjoy in this lush rainforest, from adventurous zip lines to peculiar sloth sightings. All under the mighty gaze of the conical Arenal Volcano and alongside the Arenal Lake.

Manuel Antonio: Pristine beaches, jungle-covered hills, and abundant wildlife. This popular destination boasts a fun-loving beach town, plenty of beaches to choose from, and a truly incredible national park.