8 breakfasts, 1 lunch

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. Please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Minimum age of 6 years for this trip.

Most women dress respectfully when in towns, shorts are uncommon

1. Costa Rica will not be allowing anyone to enter the country without proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.). If you are travelling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your itinerary and a departure ticket from your last destination. Please print the itinerary and voucher and bring it with you.

2. Be prepared for rain and lower temperatures during the winter season (June-November), especially in Costa Rica’s central valley.

3. Please note that on all Family Adventures one adult can only accompany up to two minors. If you have over two minors planning on travelling then a second adult will be required to attend.

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a G Adventures representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Accommodation for family trips has been chosen to give the best location and facilities for your family. They may vary depending on the location and destination, but designed to give the most comfortable experience while travelling.

You and your family will generally be sharing rooms on a twin or triple share basis. These rooms will be either adjoining or located at close proximity to each other.

Families will be roomed together and not with other families everywhere we stay. If you have any special hotel requests at the time of booking, let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate them.

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying and handling your own luggage.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Transition to the cloud forest on day 4 with a scenic combination transfer: ride to the lakeshore and cross Lake Arenal by boat, the volcano reflected in the water, then continue by vehicle up misty mountain passes toward Monteverde.

Your CEO shares how Arenal’s 1968 eruption reshaped the region, and how the lake—expanded for hydroelectric power—now supports both communities and wildlife. Watch for kingfishers and distant farms tucked into emerald ridges before the air cools and bromeliads begin to appear, signaling your arrival in the highlands.

After dusk on day 4, join a naturalist for a guided night walk in the cloud forest. Move slowly beneath moss-draped branches as flashlights reveal leaf-cutter ants on parade, the gleam of spider eyes, and perhaps a curious kinkajou. The forest hums with a chorus of insects and dripping mist.

At roughly 1,400m elevation, Monteverde’s moisture-laden winds nurture orchids, ferns and towering strangler figs. Your guide explains nocturnal adaptations—from camouflaged insects to sleeping birds perched like ornaments—while highlighting the region’s pioneering conservation story. It’s an intimate, sensory window into life that awakens after dark.

On day 5, enjoy a free day in Monteverde to choose your own adventure. Your CEO helps with ideas and logistics—wander Santa Elena’s cafés and craft shops, or lace up for independent trails in nearby reserves where clouds drift over ferny ravines.

This unprogrammed time lets families match energy levels and interests. Seek birdsong at sunrise, sample local coffee and chocolate, or simply soak in the highland atmosphere with sweeping views toward the Gulf of Nicoya. Optional activities can be arranged on the spot if you crave more adrenaline or natural history.

On day 7, step into coastal rainforest for a guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s smallest yet wildlife-rich reserve. Follow easy trails toward palm-fringed coves as guides help you spot three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins and bright land crabs among buttressed trees.

Learn how protection since 1972 preserves habitats that spill onto white-sand beaches. Ascend to a viewpoint to pause for photos and reflection over turquoise water and offshore islets, then descend for optional beach time where jungle meets the Pacific.

Spend an evening near La Fortuna unwinding in natural hot springs warmed by the geothermal energy of Arenal Volcano. Slip between mineral-rich pools of varying temperatures as steam mingles with rainforest scents and night sounds rise.

Venues range from serene, lantern-lit gardens to playful family complexes with slides, so your CEO can suggest a style that suits you. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, typically on day 2 or 3 after daytime adventures.

Harness up on day 5 to fly above the trees on a canopy zipline, zipping between platforms strung across misty canopy. After a thorough safety briefing, step off into cool mountain air as the forest drops away and the horizon opens toward distant ridges.

Monteverde helped pioneer canopy tours as a low-impact window into treetop ecosystems; some parks also include rappel stations or a Tarzan swing. Expect a mix of adrenaline and awe, with family-friendly guides managing pace and comfort. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Discover delicate worlds on day 5 as you visit a butterfly garden and insectarium. Walk through warm, plant-filled enclosures where blue morpho and owl butterflies glide close, and learn about metamorphosis, camouflage and pollination from local naturalists.

Kids can peer at leaf insects and beetles while adults appreciate the region’s biodiversity and conservation efforts. It’s a gentle, educational contrast to ziplining, perfect for curious minds. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Saddle up on day 5 for a relaxed horseback ride in the Monteverde hills, following country lanes and pasture tracks with sweeping views to misty ridgelines. Local guides match mounts to experience levels and share stories of dairy farms and coffee plots that shape rural life.

Expect fresh breezes, birdsong and time to appreciate the patchwork of forest and fields that defines the highlands. This outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Glide through quiet channels on day 6 as you kayak the Damas Island mangroves near Quepos. With the tides as your guide, slip beneath arching roots where green herons hunt and bright fiddler crabs wave oversized claws along the banks.

Naturalists explain how brackish waters nurture nurseries for fish and birds, and how different mangrove species anchor the coast. It’s a calm, wildlife-focused paddle ideal for families. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Try something new on day 6 or day 8 with a surf lesson on Playa Espadilla. Local instructors cover ocean safety and technique on the sand before you paddle out to the warm Pacific to practice popping up on gentle beach breaks.

Small-group coaching keeps it friendly for first-timers and fun for kids, with boards and rash guards provided. Celebrate your first ride with sandy smiles and a fresh coconut from a beach vendor. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Cap a beach day on day 6 with a sunset catamaran cruise along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Sail past forested cliffs and the Punta Catedral headland as golden light softens the sea; keep watch for dolphins or sea turtles in season.

Depending on conditions, there’s time to swim or snorkel in a sheltered bay before toasting the evening with tropical fruit and refreshments on deck. It’s a mellow, photogenic finale to a day by the ocean. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Prefer a paddle seat? On day 3 you can kayak Lake Arenal, tracing the blue-green shoreline with Arenal Volcano in constant view. Guides set an easy rhythm, pointing out jacanas tiptoeing on lily pads and the echoing calls of howler monkeys from the forested slopes.

The pace invites conversation and discovery—dip your fingers in the cool water, then pause for photos and reflection as the volcano’s silhouette shifts with the light. Fruit snacks and a steady return make this an ideal family adventure. Note: you’ll choose one morning activity—kayaking or SUP—based on preference and conditions.

Begin on day 1 with an included arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel in San José. Settle in, then later meet your CEO and group for a friendly welcome and trip briefing. Pick up insider tips for strolling to the lively Plaza de la Cultura and the jewel-box National Theatre, and learn how to navigate Costa Rica’s currency, climate and pace.

This relaxed start helps younger travellers feel at ease and sets expectations for the journey ahead. Your CEO outlines the route from the volcanic highlands to the Pacific coast and answers questions before you enjoy a free evening to find dinner, people-watch on Avenida Central, or simply rest up for the adventure.

En route to La Fortuna on day 2, stop at a family home to learn the art of tortilla making. Grind corn, mix warm masa, pat dough into rounds and cook them over a wood-fired comal. Then sit down to a hearty local lunch—a traditional casado with rice, beans, sweet plantain and homemade salsas—fresh from the kitchen.

Alongside hands-on fun, your hosts share why maize has anchored Costa Rican life for generations. Hear stories of Sunday gatherings and farm-to-table simplicity while aromas of cilantro and simmering beans fill the air. It’s a gentle immersion into rural hospitality before continuing to the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

On day 3, greet the morning calm as you stand up paddle on Lake Arenal, gliding across glassy water with Arenal Volcano rising ahead. Guides offer an easy lesson, then lead the group along the shoreline to sheltered coves where herons stalk and the rainforest leans close.

Expect gentle exercise, playful balance checks and time to drift while the lake reflects shifting clouds. Snack on tropical fruit and swap boards for photos as the volcano’s perfect cone frames the scene. Note: you’ll choose one morning activity—SUP or kayaking—so everyone has time to enjoy the lake at a relaxed, family-friendly pace.