Free Wi-Fi, beach cruisers and laundry. It is a luxury eco-hotel for adventurous travelers! So you may not need to worry too much about exchanging money during your Costa Rica 10 day tour. WARNING!!! Astounding ziplines that go up to 328ft in height and 2460ft in length and impressive speeds that go up to 43.5mph. Get a copy of the Lonely Planet Costa Rica guide book for ideas of places to visit. For those who like to be up high, visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a must. you can see smoke seeping out of the top of the volcano! No, but it will certainly help in more remote areas. We are planning to have similar 10 day trip, including the Osa Peninsula. The Don Juan coffee tour is a real experience of family history and tradition. This kids museum is packed with interactive exhibits, and the kids had fun pretending to fly planes, shopping for food at the grocery store, and trying their hand at an escape room style activity. DAY 1 Arrive in Costa RicaDAY 2 Drive to La FortunaExplore around Arenal Lodge & Observatory, hike & hotspringsDAY 3 Explore La Fortuna La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park, and the Hanging Bridges. If your kids are on the younger side, you can request to have your child ride with a guide throughout the whole tour, like my son did. I'm spending 17 days in CR in September, I think I've made an itinerary on where I'm going to stay. We cant wait to work with you. Santa Elena is where most of the shops, restaurants and accommodations are located. Here are a few places to visit: Check out our Monteverde Travel Guide Everything you need to know. Rio Celeste or Llanos de Cortez waterfall: 1 day. El Manglar restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Depending on what you fancy, you cold go on one of the many treks inside Arenal Volcano National Park, go cycling or even take in the scenery on horseback. From whales and turtles, to monkeys, snakes and frogs, theres SO much to see. Larger family? And you should also bring bug repellent, especially if you plan on hiking in the forest. Titi Canopy Tour is equipped to handle families, and they have harnesses and helmets for kids aged 4 and older. No doubt youll want to see some more of the countrys wildlife before you round off your 10 days in Costa Rica, and there are two amazing spots near this funky Caribbean town. The second bedroom comes with a double bed and a single bed. Sign up to my email list andget your free Travel Budget Worksheet! Budget for 10 day Costa Rica trip: expect high prices! After dark it gets lively, especially as this a popular town for backpackers travelling through Central America. You can get public transport between key places but its not great for getting off the beaten track to some of the less touristy spots. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. But if your kids are young, like ours, than a river float, like the one we did in La Fortuna, is the way to go. Note, if your flight is a late arrival you may want to spend the night and head out the next morning. I hope youve enjoyed reading my 10-day Costa Rica itinerary and it helps you plan your holiday! Budget & Family Friendly Hotel Belvedere Gorgeous family run hotel, surrounded by jungle and only a 6 minute walk to the beach. Top of the list is of must-dos in is a guided Night Walk in Monteverde. Once rested you have a couple of options for the rest of your day four: Get an early start to your day and add a little pizazz to your morning trip from Arenal to Monteverde. Another park worth visiting is Tortuguero National Park. If you dont want to go off and explore Costa Ricas back roads, then its the quickest and easiest way to travel. full or half day tours 1:45 pm. Learn about the fascinating history of Costa Rican coffee and chocolate and try your hand at making some sweet sugar cane juice too. The two international airports in Costa Rica are located in the cities of San Jose (Juan Santamaria Airport) and Liberia. We had such a great time in Costa Rica, and we are so excited to tell you all about it! You can have a similar chocolate experience in Costa Rica by booking one of these chocolate tours: Rainforest Chocolate Tour from La Fortuna, Eden Chocolate Tour The best chocolate tour in La Fortuna. Despite the complimentary experiences, the views and opinions in this post are completely my own. Anyone who follows my blog will know that Costa Rica is one of my favourite countries on the planet. You have a few options: Short on time? Hot springs in Guanacaste Province 10:29 am. With two kids ourselves, we made sure to consider certain key factors for family travel, like drive times, so that your trip goes smoothly. Youll be mesmerised by views of the 1,670m peak as you drive around towards the small town of La Fortuna. Liberia to Manuel Antonio is 267 km and 4 hour 40 min drive. Start your day exploring Arenal. It is such a special place to visit, and one I was so glad to experience. The ultimate Costa Rica trip! You can swap out our extra days in La Fortuna or San Jose for any of these great options. Around three hours northwest of Naranjo is one of the most famous areas in Costa Rica and somewhere you cannot miss, whether this is your first trip to the country or your tenth. The parks canals, lagoons, and rivers are also worth touring by boat. With so much to discover in this Central American country, Id recommend a minimum of 10 days. Id also say its a bit cheaper as you might end up on expensive tour after expensive tour if you try to plan an alternative way of seeing key spots. For me though, it was the view that took my breath away. We did so many nature-based experiences! From San Jose to Arenal, then to Monteverde and Playa Samara and then back to San Jose its a minimum of 14 hours driving, a little longer trip. Expect rasta vibes, the sounds of reggae and the scent of jerk chicken. Thanks. Thanks! Afternoon of day seven, get settled into your rooms, and then just head to the beach and wander about town. 7 days in Costa Rica from Liberia. One Full Bathroom. Venture out to the rainforests for incredible wildlife encounters, relax in bubbling hot springs and get stuck into simple, delicious BBQed Costa Rican food on the Caribbean coast. We hope to inspire you to travel more with your kids, while providing useful tips, and resources to make planning as easy as possible. Theyre on my list for a future trip! Most hotels can help your family arrange either a private taxi or shuttle back to Liberia. There is so much you can squeeze into a 10 day Costa Rica itinerary for families, from rainforests to hot springs to beaches. Nosara has three different beaches: Playa Guiones, Playa Nosara and Playa Pelada. If you only have 5 days in Costa Rica to spend (or fewer), you can take out either Manuel Antonio or La Fortuna. Costa Rica-Panama-Nicaragua tour Mundo Verde, Mexico Family Vacation Explore the Yucatan Peninsula, Dominican Republic All-Inclusive Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Nicaragua: Granada and Emerald Coast, Panama Self-Drive Tour: Between Two Oceans, The Best Day Tours from Panama City, Panama, The Best Honeymoon Destinations in Central America in 2023, The Best Tropical Destinations On A Budget, 5 Reasons to Travel to Central America in 2023, 8 ziplines, 6 hanging bridges, and a tramway over the forest, Unmatched views of the Arenal Volcano, Nicoya Gulf, and more. These rules include putting family first . While Costa Rica with Kids is a great adventure for spring break, or a family beach vacation, there are a few things youll want to consider. Even on the drive to the national park we spotted scarlet macaws and monkeys playing in the trees. You may need to stay over near the Liberia (or San Jose airport) depending on when you arrive. Swimming at the river on the side of the waterfall! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. by Anja Phillips | Blog, Costa Rica, Family Vacation, Vacation | 0 comments. Many roads dont have adequate lighting, so driving at night is not recommended. Monteverdes famous canopy tours include miles of cables, multiple platforms, and unimaginable views above the clouds. Also consider visiting places that arent necessarily popular with tourists. Minibar & living area with sofa, table & chairs. In putting this post together, I decided to condense our Costa Rica with kids itinerary into activities families love and can do in Costa Rica in 10 days. Plus spent time in the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay, Montezuma & Santa Theresa for beaches and Monteverde for cloud forests, and skipped Arenal. Day 5 - La fortuna. Arenal Volcano is a highlight of any trip to Costa Rica. Your email address will not be published. Will you please provide some suggestion, which airlines to use to fly in to Puerto Jimenez, from San Jose, how many days you stayed there. Dont miss a trip to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve too. What You Will Find In These Costa Rica Itineraries Get a Unique Experience! Explore the beautiful hotel grounds or relax by the pool. OVERVIEW OF A RELAXED 10-DAY COSTA RICA ITINERARY Day 1: Arrive in San Jose & Transfer to the Central Valley Day 2: Explore and Relax in the Central Valley Day 3: Discover Arenal Volcano Day 4: Cao Negro & Rio Frio Boat Tour Day 5: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve & Coffee Tour So, this is 3 in 1 living history. Hike around and active volcano (dont worry its not shooting lava) and its lava fields. If you arrive early enough, have a driver take you directly to La Fortuna. During the second day of our 10 day Costa Rica itinerary, we rented a private car to take us to Manuel Antonio National Park. For decades, Nosara has been protected by the national park system, in addition to longstanding efforts of local citizens to ensure that this unspoiled forest and beach destination remains as such. The master bedroom is equipped with a King-size bed and a single sofa bed and features a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? We know our kids. Thanks for this. Thanks! Admission to Kalambu Hot Springs ranges from 10,000 colones (roughly $17) to 12,500 colones (roughly $21), depending on the type of ticket you purchase. Explore Our Costa Rica Itineraries Escape the Ordinary. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Liberia airport to Arenal is 140.3km and approx. Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Read about our hot springs experience in Bali! Visiting Costa Rica is a great idea for a family vacation! Be sure to also take into account the time it takes to travel between cities when youre putting together your 10 day Costa Rica itinerary. Explore Santa Elena.DAY 6 Explore MonteverdeHike through cloud forests, and visit the Butterfly Gardens or go ZipliningDAY 7 Drive to the Beach Playa SamaraStop at Palo Verde National Park along the way. Thank you for the excellent blog. I recommend the largest villa called Star Villa which measures 1,420 sq. There are so many amazing beaches around Costa Rica to check out. We will offer local advice and knowledge. We have written two Costa Rica family itineraries in this post. Youll have two full days to hang on the beach or do a little exploring of the area. Find out in my handy Costa Rica packing guideor learn more about the country before you get there with 34 fascinating facts about Costa Rica. Including the best ways to get around, and fun things to do in Costa Rica with kids. But this turned out to be a good thing as it actually made it a lot easier for our kids to communicate with people. We suggest staying outside of the noisy capital and starting your Costa Rica Itinerary with a stay at the beautiful Xandari Resort. The best thing is, as an experienced family travel agency, TropiQ Trips can take the stress out of planning your Costa Rica vacation and help you create the perfect itinerary for your family. Theres a big difference from Caribbean coast to the Pacific, and its something youll feel as you arrive in this hippie town. Use Expedia to find and book flights into Costa Rica. Youre going to love it. For our first full day at Manuel Antonio, we booked a ziplining tour with a company called Titi Canopy Tour. Due to time considerations, and the fact that there is no direct bus to La Fortuna from Manuel Antonio, we opted once again to hire a private driver. Me and my partner are heading to CR in December for 10 days and loved reading your pages! Ive featured a few other great spots in my guide to the best beach towns in Costa Rica, including Manuel Antonio National Park, Nosara, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo and Tortuguero National Park. Learn why slow travel is sustainable. There are mainly birds on exhibit, but you will also see some monkeys, crocodiles, and a sloth as well. My son really wants to go to Costa Rica for the surfing but I think my kids would love the zip lining and river float as well. When I visited a few years ago I was invited to sit inside one of the monkey enclosures while spider and squirrel monkeys played around. We managed to see only a few animals while we were there. I hear Costa Rica has some great surfing. Slip it into conversation and youll certainly impress the locals! Amazing it was such a great trip! It captivates guests with its unique and creative ambiance. I picked up a few bags of coffee beans to take home too. Our tour lasted around 6 hours, and included a night-time visit to local hot springs. Along the way, you can marvel at the roaring waterfall and try coconut water on the beach. Expect to pay around $75 per person for the canopy tour. It is possible to rent a car and drive safely around Costa Rica if thats your preference. The drive from La Fortuna to San Jose takes around three hours, so if you get into San Jose early enough, you can squeeze in a visit to Museo Nacional De Costa Rica. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Its bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It includes two bedrooms, a salon and dining area, a full kitchen, and an office/study with internet, plus a private terrace and private garden. Playa Flamingo & Playa Hermosa are fairly close to the Santa Rosa National Park (a 1-1.5 hour drive), so are better places to stay if youd like to go there as well. After spending a few days in Manuel Antonio, we continued our 10 day Costa Rica itinerary to the town of La Fortuna. So its best to arrive early to ensure you get in that day. How do you take advantage of the best Costa Rica family itinerary if your time is limited? Hey, splurge a little and avoid the stress of driving in an unfamiliar country. Please fill out the form below and we'll be in touch within 24 hrs. Get back to nature in Arenal Volcano National Park, where you can find most of the 850 species of birds identified in Costa Rica, plus frogs, snakes, monkeys, sloths and more. This is where you can see green sea turtles from Playa Tortuguero. I havent used it, but other bloggers have recommended Adobe Rental Car. Wetlands, native and migratory birds, sloths, caimans, and a great variety of trees, flowers, and plants. We spent about five hours at Kalambu Hot Springs, and had so much fun! As youre doing your 10 days itinerary Costa Rica planning, consider what transportation option is most convenient for your family. To be honest, I think visiting Costa Rica is much better with your own set of wheels. And fortunately, our 10 day Costa Rica itinerary gave us plenty of opportunities to do just that! Essentially, rather than sit on a bus for the day, you could get picked up from Arenal, spend the day out on the water and still end up in Puerto Viejo at the end of the day! Take a look at all the fun experiences for families in this part of Central America. Flora and fauna thrive in this high elevation, as the forests are constantly in cloud cover resulting in in higher precipitation and moisture. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. DaysDAY 10 Drive back to Liberia or San Jose. Think about what fits best with the ages and abilities of your own kids. Love hot springs? The accommodation at Chayote Lodge is stunning, designed around the old coffee receiving stations. Book this San Jose city walking tour to get an introduction to the city. Private transfer of about 45 min to your first accommodation. Take a peek at our Costa Rica 10 Day Itinerary for a guide through one of the most popular first-timers Costa Rica routes - Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. Start with a guided (or non-guided) morning hike to look for animals that make Costa Rica so magical, visit waterfalls and of course admire the best volcano views. If youre a nervy flier you might not like it, but I think most people would enjoy the experience. You can also opt to hire a private driver. And you will learn a lot about chocolate as well as sugarcane, as both contribute to Costa Rican culture. Ive also included additional suggestions of activities we didnt get to do so you can truly experience the best of Costa Rica in 10 days. Some are positioned on hilltops with incredible views all the way to the Gulf of Nicoya. The following 10-day Costa Rica itinerary will give you some great ideas for your route. There are plenty of great ways to see this unique scenery too. Once there, make your way to an eco-lodge, get an early night and prepare for one of the best days of your life as you go trekking in Corcovado National Park. we decided to head back to San Jose a couple of days before our flight in order If you pay in dollars, youre likely to receive colones as change. Tamarindo: 2 days. There is also a jaguar rescue center that families can visit. While you could spend all 8 days in one place, such as an all-inclusive resort or a health retreat, visiting three destinations is far more rewarding. Preparing supplies for travel to Costa Rica with kids is really no different than preparing your travel must haves for any other trip. While Costa Rica is a small country, the roads are often small, and bumpy, with one way bridges, and few lights. Are you ready? of 2 adults + 1 or 2 small children. Join us as our family of three (and sometimes five) explore our world at home and abroad, one extraordinary adventure at a time. Costa Rica is a jewel in Central America and a perfect place for a family vacation. Get to discover the secrets of nature in hanging bridges and trails guided expedition. You may also like Family Beach Vacation Tips For More Fun in the Sun! They decided to set up the rescue centre and its been expanding ever since. Required fields are marked *. What ages and activity levels are your fellow travelers? I was in Corcovado for 3 days roughly, but would love to stay longer! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You're awesome for doing it! In the late afternoon join a2-hour Night Walk: When the sun sets across the park, a different side of the Costa Rican rainforest comes to life under the cover of darkness. If youre planning a trip to Costa Rica with kids, you should plan to include a visit to the Museo de los Nios in San Jose. Take the first step to living a life of full time travel. A guide will be able to teach you all about the plants and animals of this unique, diverse ecosystem. Located just outside of La Fortuna, Kalambu Hot Springs is a water park with hot springs pools for soaking, as well as water slides and splash towers for kids. Useful Info For Planning A Trip To Costa Rica. San Jose and Poas Volcano: 1 day. View Map Plan the perfect week in Costa Rica with these family-friendly itinerary ideas. This 10 day Costa Rica itinerary will let you experience all the best that the country has to offer and it's perfect for families. There are so many wonderful things to do. So, youve kicked off your 10 days in Costa Ricawith a flavour of what the country is all about, with some epic wild encounters in Corcovado. Corcovado National Park: 2 Days. We flew into San Jose airport in the morning, and had the rest of the day to relax. A Dream of Costa Rica. On the Nicaragua side, the main border crossing is Penas Blancas. Day 1: Arrive in San Jose There were many places we missed that we wished we could have visited. We struggled a lot with internet connectivity while we were in Costa Rica, to the point where it severely interfered with productivity for our work. People are warm, friendly and helpful, plus theres a huge passion for the countrys nature and landscapes the Costa Ricans really want to preserve their country, as they know more than anyone else, that its a very special place. Looking out from my little wooden home, I could see three volcanoes, layers and layers of stunning morning mist and epic sunsets, along with lush gardens filled with more hydrangeas than Ive ever seen in my life. day tour to see La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcanos and the Hanging Bridges. Read my post about how to do affordable world travel with your kids. Thank you for your support Learn more. Help spread the word. The drive to San Jose Airport takes about 4 hours and the private shuttle will cost about $250 to $300 for 1-6 people. Offering casual luxury, Olas Verdes Hotel has the best location to explore the towns of Guiones and Nosara. If youre in the mood for adventure during your visit to La Fortuna, visit the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. There are lots of zip lines at 100% Aventura Extreme including the longest zip line in Central America and a heart rate inducing Mega Tarzan Swing! hike ON the volcano, but we did do a hike around the base of the volcano. Even our youngest one was brave enough to try it out, though he always had a guide to accompany him. If you go this route, choose ones that have air conditioning. Additionally, you may want to bring along reef-safe or biodegradable sunscreen. Located on the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo is known for its black sand beaches. Its really one of the most perfect destinations for worldschooling. Costa Rica is definitely a beach destination, and the perfect place to relax, and soak up some salty air and rays of sunshine before your trip home. Olas Verdes Hotel is an all-suite boutique hotel, just a short walk through the forest to Playa Guiones. Hello! Day 5 - Spend a day in La Fortuna. Share with me your ideas for spending 10 days in Costa Rica in the comments. The main roads are fairly good during the day, but smaller roads are not as well maintained and often full of potholes. Its still fairly remote, and not easy to get to. So, no all-inclusive resorts or hotels for us. During our time in La Fortuna, we did a chocolate workshop at a place called ChocoMuseo (which no longer exists in La Fortuna). But during our more recent trip, we did a mix of car rental and private driver. This 10-day Costa Rica itinerary gives you a balanced mix of all the best of Costa Rica. Check out this awesome itinerary and Costa Rica guided tour: Costa Ricas Caribbean Coast. The drive to La Fortuna winds around mountain roads, so if you tend to get car sick easily, take a few ginger pills before the drive. When traveling to Costa Rica with kids, its important to plan your time together carefully. If you want to plan an activity or two for the day youre in this region, Id recommend visiting Espiritu Santo for a coffee tour, or taking a trip to see the impressive Catarata Del Toro waterfall. It is the only remaining old growth rainforest on the Pacific Coast of Central America. From the wildlife in Corcovado and Puerto Viejo, to the beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean, and adventure activities including zip lining and white water rafting, this really is the best way to spend 10 days in Costa Rica! Spot sloths and monkeys in the wild on a guided jungle hike, soak in natural hot springs, and sail along the Gold Coast at sunset. It takes you to an active volcano, lush rainforest, and ends with time at the beach. Mountain to mountain and canyon crossing ziplines, Professional certified braking systems on ziplines, Hanging Bridges: 6 with distances up to 774ft and heights up to 165ft, Admire primary and secondary forests with varying vegetation on our hanging bridges and trails walk, Hot springs at Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Another off the beaten path surf destination is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Day 4 - MTV to La fortuna. Do you want to see sloths, volcanoes and the beach, and dont mind driving? We visited Costa Rica in 2019, and actually spent more than 10 days in Costa Rica. A visit to La Fortuna, Costa Rica wouldnt be complete without a trip to the hot springs. Heading back to Liberia to fly home (~2 hrs 40min from Monteverde ). The downstairs living room has a pull-out sofa bed, mini-fridge, coffee maker, toaster oven, large ceiling fan and wet bar, while the upstairs living room has a sofa, microwave oven, full-size fridge/freezer, breakfast area, and a large ceiling fan.Each bedroom has a queen size bed and a single bed, closet, desk, safe box, large ceiling fan and air conditioning. Easily get around by bike and ATV, car or golf cart as there are many rentals in the area. Sleeping Arrangement: King-sized bed and a twin day bed in the living area. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. During the course of the day 5 -hour private transfer to the international airport near San Jose. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Restaurants and credit cards 8:31 am. Sustainable travel is so important to us as a family. However, the jungle backdrop makes it a favorite for travelers looking for off the beaten path Costa Rica experiences. The transfer takes about 3h 30 min. Day 1: Fly in to Liberia - Rio Negro Hot Springs and Waterfalls Day 2: Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Oropendola Waterfall Day 3: Liberia to Monteverde - Monteverde Night Walk Day 4: Monteverde - Zip-lining and Hanging Bridges Day 5: Monteverde - Bird-watching and Cloud Forest Hiking
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