- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
Nothing brings learning to life like real-world experience. This week-long trip’s engaging lesson plan gives kids an education in biology and ecology that can never be found in a textbook. Here, spend the days (and nights!) studying the flora and fauna that inhabit the cloud forest and Manuel Antonio National Park. Elsewhere, get in touch with the land by rappelling, rafting, swimming, horseback-riding, and even surfing all over it. Science + gym? You do the math.
Travel Style: Family
Trip Type: Small Group
Service Level: Upgraded
Age Requirement: 6+ (Under the age of 18 must be with an adult)
Day 1 San José
Day overview
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Arrival Transfer
Juan Santamaría International Airport - San José,
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
A representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our joining point hotel. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Radisson San Jose (or similar)
Day 2 San José / La Fortuna
Day overview
Set off from the capital and enjoy the countryside of the Central Valley. Stop for a tortilla-making lesson, along with a typical Costa Rican lunch.
Meals included: breakfast | lunch
Private Vehicle
San José - La Fortuna, 3 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tortilla Making and Local Lunch
Visit a local's home to learn the art of tortilla making. Grind the corn, mix the “masa” (dough) into balls, flatten into circles, and then cook them up on a wood-burning stove. Afterwards, dig into a tasty “casado” – a typical Costa Rican dish including black beans and plantains – complete with your own hand-made tortillas.
Accommodation: Magic Mountain (or similar)
3 optional activities
Whitewater Rafting $61 USD - $86 USD per person
Ecotermales Hot Springs $64 USD per person3hr - 5hr
La Fortuna Waterfall Swim $20 USD per person
Day 3 La Fortuna
Day overview
Take to the lake for a morning of stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking on Lake Arenal, before a free afternoon.
Meals included: breakfast
Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour)
Grab a long wide board and show those surfer dudes how it’s done without waves on Lake Arenal with the volcano looming above. Tour picks up from the hotel and includes a tour of the west-end of the Lake while you’re getting the hang of the paddle board. Enjoy the amazing view, with chances to spot wild birds like Great Blue Herons or even Howler Monkeys. Learn more about the area while exploring the lake and snack on some tropical fruit before heading back to the hotel. Please note the price listed does not include the IVA Tax.
Kayak Lake Arenal
Zip up your life jacket, grab a paddle and get ready to be wowed by beauty in every direction. Admire Arenal Volcano as you kayak the blue-green waters of Lake Arenal, Central America’s second largest lake. Scan the shores for more than 300 species of birds, listen for howler monkeys and fish for sharp-toothed rainbow bass. Take time to float and soak in the stunning scenery of the rolling hills, secret coves and sky that stretches forever.
Free time
Free afternoon in La Fortuna. Experience the outdoor adventures and amazing wildlife and natural wonders in this area.
Accommodation: Magic Mountain (or similar)
6 optional activities
Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping $125 USD per person
Whitewater Rafting $61 USD - $86 USD per person
Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning $99 USD per person4hr
Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle $149 USD per person
La Fortuna Waterfall Swim $20 USD per person
Hanging Bridges $75 USD per person1.5hr - 2hr
Day 4 La Fortuna / Monteverde
Day overview
Travel by bus and boat through the stunning Costa Rican scenery up into the cloud forest. Take an included guided night walk to learn about nocturnal life in the jungle firsthand.
Meals included: breakfast
Private Vehicle
La Fortuna - Arenal, 15 minutes
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Boat
Laguna de Arenal - Laguna de Arenal, 45 minutes
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Private Vehicle
Laguna de Arenal - Monteverde, 3 hours and 30 minutes
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Guided Cloud Forest Night Walk
Join a naturalist guide for a 1.5-2 hour tour in the cloud forest after dark. Learn more about the habits of the area's nocturnal wildlife including mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, and keep your eyes and ears open on this slow-paced walk. You never know what you might see – it depends on the day and your luck!
Accommodation: El Establo Hotel (or similar)
3 optional activities
Arenal Horseback Riding $66 USD - $68 USD per person
Birdwatching
Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit $20 USD per person
Day 5 Monteverde
Day overview
Enjoy a free day in this lush cloud forest region. Opt to fly above the trees on a canopy zipline tour, go horseback riding in the hills or visit the butterfly garden.
Meals included: breakfast
Free time
Get out and explore the cloud forest region of Costa Rica.
Accommodation: El Establo Hotel (or similar)
9 optional activities
Birdwatching
Ziplining $73 USD per person3hr - 4hr
Horseback Riding $66 USD - $68 USD per person
CASEM Coop Visit
Hanging Bridges Monteverde $56 USD - $60 USD per person - 2.5hr
Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit $20 USD per person
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Guided Tour $50 USD per person - 2hr
El Trapiche Tour Monteverde $33 USD per person2hr - 3hr
Monteverde Coffee Plantation Tour $40 USD per person
Day 6 Monteverde / Manuel Antonio
Day overview
Travel to Manuel Antonio and enjoy free time for several optional activities like mangrove kayaking, surf lessons, a sunset catamaran tour, or take some time to relax on the beach.
Meals included: breakfast
Private Vehicle
Monteverde - Manuel Antonio, 6 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free time
Relax and enjoy the delightful Pacific coastline or enjoy some of the activities available in Manuel Antonio.
Accommodation: Hotel Villas Lirio (or similar)
5 optional activities
Fishing
Kayaking $70 USD per person - 4hr
Sailing - 2hr
Surfing $55 USD - $75 USD per person 1hr - 5hr
Swimming
Day 7 Manuel Antonio
Day overview
Take a guided hike through the national park keeping an eye out for the wildlife that can be seen through the trees.
Meals included: breakfast
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Pack your sunscreen, camera, hiking shoes and bug repellent and prepare for a great day in Costa Rica’s smallest yet biodiverse national park. Manual Antonio offers four white sand beaches, separated by jagged rock outcrops and tidal pools. Head to the shade of the nearby tropical forest in search of sloths, monkeys, armadillos and iguanas. Climb to the lookout to capture views of the pristine Pacific Ocean and the area’s off-shore islands. Learn how the wildlife has adapted to their environment and enjoy your exotic experience.
Accommodation: Hotel Villas Lirio (or similar)
7 optional activities
Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour
Fishing
Kayaking$70 USD per person - 4hr
Sailing - 2hr
Surfing $55 USD - $75 USD per person1hr - 5hr
Swimming
Whitewater Rafting Manuel Antonio $75 USD - $98 USD per person
Day 8 Manuel Antonio / San José
Day overview
Free morning to enjoy more time at the beach. Return to San José in the afternoon. Free evening in San José.
Meals included: breakfast
Private Vehicle
Manuel Antonio - San José, 5 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free time
Take advantage of your final hours in the capital and buy some last-minute souvenirs, sit in the park or just pack and relax.
Accommodation: Hotel Radisson San Jose (or similar)
Day 9 San José
Day overview
Depart at any time.
Meals included: breakfast
What’s included
-
Accommodation: Hotels (8 nights)
-
Meals Included: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch
-
Transport: Private vehicle, boat, walking
-
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
-
Your Local Living Moment: Tortilla Making and Local Lunch, La Fortuna
-
Your Hands-On Moment: Stand Up Paddle (Lesson and Tour), La Fortuna
-
Your Hands-On Moment: Kayak Lake Arenal, La Fortuna
- Your Discover Moment: Monteverde.
- Arrival transfer.
- Kayaking and paddle-boarding in La Fortuna.
- Guided cloud forest night walk (Monteverde).
- Guided hike in Manuel Antonio NP.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
The Extras
-
Your flights: Call us, we can help.
-
Whitewater Rafting: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Ecotermales Hot Springs: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
La Fortuna Waterfall Swim: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Hanging Bridges: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Arenal Horseback Riding: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Birdwatching: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Ziplining: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Horseback Riding: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
CASEM Coop Visit: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Hanging Bridges Monteverde: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Guided Tour: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
El Trapiche Tour Monteverde: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Monteverde Coffee Plantation Tour: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Fishing: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Kayaking: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Sailing: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Surfing: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Swimming: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
Whitewater Rafting Manuel Antonio: Optional activity (additional cost).
-
My Own Room: From NZ$2,159 NZD
-
Meal Budget: Allow USD380-495 for meals not included.
