Action-packed, 2 week self-drive holiday for independent families with an unabashed spirit of adventure. Experience the thrill of white-water rafting, cable canyoning and ziplining through rainforest tree canopies. Enjoy world-class surfing in laid-back Nosara and bathe in Rio Perdido’s hot springs. Witness Arenal’s volcanic terrain and spectacular wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park. Smart accommodation in rainforest retreats and beachside surfing paradise.
Tailor-made Luxury 2 weeks
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for two people sharing.
Flights are typically an additional $1,022 per person economy class from London
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for a family of four (two adults + two children under 12).
Flights are typically an additional $1,022 per person economy class from London
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DAY 1: ARRIVE SAN JOSE
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the colonial-style hotel, Grano de Oro. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure either exploring San Jose or relaxing at the hotel.
Accommodation: Grano de Oro
DAY 2: WHITE-WATER RAFTING IN PACUARE AND TRANSFER TO ARENAL
Boasting 18 miles of class III and class IV rapids and some of the most beautiful scenery in Costa Rica, the Pacuare River is ranked as one of the top five rivers in the world for white-water rafting. Cascading waterfalls and tropical flora and fauna provide a stunning backdrop to the adrenaline thrill of the rapids. You will be driven about 2 1/2 hours east of San Jose to the town of Tres Equis where the excursion begins. Following a fully comprehensive safety briefing, the excitement then kicks up a notch as you experience the rush of your first rapid! There’s a stop for lunch in a lovely spot with wonderful river views and the adventure then continues downriver through more rapids and striking surroundings. Arrival at the bridge in the town of Siquirres indicates the end of the excursion, and from here there’s a 2 1/2 hour transfer on to the Casa Luna Hotel and Spa in Arenal. Nestled in the rainforest and with fabulous views of the Arenal Volcano, this charming hotel is a superb base for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Casa Luna
DAY 3: PICK 'N’ MIX OF ACTIVITIES IN ARENAL
Today your 4X4 vehicle will be delivered to Casa Luna so you are free to explore the local area independently and take your pick of the various activities and attractions. Highlights include wallowing in hot springs, traversing hanging bridges and ziplining through the emerald tree canopy at 'Skytrek', an expansive complex where seven zipwires are suspended over a vertiginous canyon (not recommended for those afraid of heights or for children who don’t like being out of their comfort zone). A visit to the remarkable Fortuna Waterfall which cascades down about 75 metres from the tropical rainforest into a swimmable pool is a must – it’s best to get there early and make the steep but short hike to and from the waterfalls in the relative cool.
Guided or independent hikes on marked trails in the Arenal Volcano National Park are also superb; weather permitting, there will be stunning views of the volcano and the opportunity to walk on the now-dry lava fields. This rainforest-clad area teems with wildlife from jaguars to tree frogs, and although the volcano hasn’t erupted since the 1960’s, it can occasionally be heard rumbling and small clouds of vapour might be seen emerging from the cone. We recommend a morning’s activity followed by a visit to the hot pools – with two full days to explore Arenal, there's plenty of time to try a few things.
Accommodation: Casa Luna
DAY 4: SECOND DAY AT LEISURE IN ARENAL
Another day free to explore Arenal.
Accommodation: Casa Luna
DAY 5: DRIVE TO RIO PERDIDO AND EXPLORE
This morning, drive the 3 hours to Rio Perdido, a beautiful spot tucked away in Costa Rica's Guanacast province. Swim in the abundant and completely natural hot springs which are dotted along a mile of thermal gorge that cuts right through a spectacular, 600-acre reserve. Activities include ziplining, mountain biking, yoga classes and exploring the reserve's hiking trails.
Accommodation: Rio Perdido
DAY 6: RIO PERDIDO – CHOICE OF RIVER TUBING OR CANYONING
Today, opt for either white-water tubing or a canyoning adventure. The canyoning is a unique and relatively challenging trail which is reliant on a series of cables which criss-cross the stunning Rio Blanco Canyon. The route includes 15 platforms; 6 of them are rock-based, 9 are suspended on the canyon walls. There’s a pendulum cable, a 15-metre 'Tarzan swing', a 27-metre challenge bridge, 4 via ferratas with lengths varying from 5 to 15 metres, and 5 zip lines of various lengths from 73 to 80 metres.
Alternatively, give white water tubing a go (minimum age 12). This water-based challenge will enable you to safely traverse the river and get a real sense of the vast canyon in all its glory. Note that there are parts of the canyon where the rock walls narrow and daylight is scarce. This activity is great fun, but not suitable for everyone since while it’s a slow float for most of the journey, there are several intense rapids along the way. There’s always a chance of making contact with some of the exposed rocks, which can result in bruising and even minor cuts; however, this is more likely to occur in the dry season, when the current slows and the water level drops.
Accommodation: Rio Perdido
DAY 7: SCENIC DRIVE TO NOSARA, A WORLD-CLASS SURFING HOT-SPOT
Enjoy a picturesque 3 ½ hour drive to Nosara through Guanacaste Province. Note that the last hour's drive into Nosara is on rough dirt roads, and although the roads are regularly repaired, they can be uneven, especially after heavy rains. While the 4x4 is well equipped to deal with the terrain, we do recommend taking it slow.
Accommodation: Gilded Iguana
DAY 8: NOSARA – SURFING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, YOGA, LAID-BACK NIGHTLIFE
Nosara combines superb beaches with a laid-back atmosphere and its unique offering of world class surf, yoga expertise, great food, coffee and craft beer is hard to beat. Playa Pelada is best for swimming, restaurants and enjoying the sunsets, while Playa Guiones is the main surf beach with miles of golden sands lapped by consistent and clean 3-5 foot waves, ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. There are a handful of surf hire shops in town and lessons are easy to arrange. The Gilded Iguana has an excellent surf school of its own, with a wide range of boards available and there’s also a mountain biking centre on site. Surf lessons for beginners and children last approximately 90 minutes, and elite training is also on offer.
Accommodation: Gilded Iguana
DAY 9: NOSARA – SURFING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, YOGA, LAID-BACK NIGHTLIFE
If surfing’s not for you, then it’s possible to rent a body-board and play around in the waves. Nosara also has miles of mountain biking trails to explore, plus it’s known for being Costa Rica's premiere yoga location. Yoga is on offer not only at the hotel but also at the renowned Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort which offers daily classes to anyone who wishes to sign up. The nearby Ostional Beach offers some of the best turtle viewing in Costa Rica (seasonal). Turtles return to land to nest in the evenings, particularly during full moons. Ask at your hotel and they will let you know the best time to visit and arrange a tour for you. If self driving to the beach, please note the road involves a river crossing which may invalidate the insurance on your rental car.
Accommodation: Gilded Iguana
DAY 10: NOSARA – SURFING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, YOGA, LAID-BACK NIGHTLIFE
Another full day at leisure. Eating out in Nosara is fantastic fun, with half a dozen good restaurants to choose from, each with a buzzing atmosphere. 10 Pies (pizzas and swing chairs), Burgers & Beer (craft beer and burgers), El Chivo Cantina (tex mex & live music), La Luna (beachfront fine dining & sunsets) and Beach Dog Cafe (live music, tacos and cocktails) are all great options.
Accommodation: Gilded Iguana
DAY 11: NOSARA – SURFING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, YOGA, LAID-BACK NIGHTLIFE
Enjoy this final day in Nosara.
Accommodation: Gilded Iguana
DAY 12: DRIVE TO MANUEL ANTONIO
It’s a long, 5-hour drive to Manuel Antonio today so we recommend starting early to arrive in good time at the Hotel Si Como No, a smart property set in pretty gardens on a rainforest hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Accommodation: Hotel Si Como No
DAY 13: VISIT THE MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
The Manuel Antonio National Park is a small and incredibly picturesque National Park with a fantastic density of wildlife that pretty much guarantees sightings of monkeys and sloth bears. The park occupies a superb location around a point fringed on both sides by golden sandy beaches. Its small size, coupled with its huge popularity, means that it does get busy, so it’s best to arrive either early or late in a day to avoid the crowds. Pack a picnic, take a cooling swim in the sea and keep your eyes peeled for sloth bears, toucans, macaws and white-faced monkeys. We recommend a guided hike to provide the best chance of spotting the resident wildlife, but it’s also possible to explore independently on the well-marked trails.
Accommodation: Hotel Si Como No
DAY 14: DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT AND DEPART
Make the 2 to 3-hour drive to San Jose, return the hire car and fly home.
Guide price is based on recommended accommodations. Alternative accommodations and upgrades are available. Please get in touch for alternatives and upgrade options.
From the UK: Direct Flights with a flight time of approximately 11 hours from the UK to Costa Rica San Jose airport are offered by BA (Twice or thrice per week depending on season), TUI (once per week to Liberia, seasonal) and Thomas Cook (once per week to San Jose, seasonal). Direct flights tend to be considerably more expensive than indirect flights to Costa Rica. Indirect flights involving one stop in Europe, USA or Panama are available with BA, American Airlines, KLM , Norwegian, TAP Portugal, Air Canada, Delta, United, and Iberia offering overall flight times of between 14 – 22 hours. Competitive deals are often available with BA and American Airlines flying via Miami, with the option of combining your Costa Rica holiday with a stay on South Beach, Miami. Return flights range from £720 to upwards of £2,000, depending on seasonality and demand. Please get in touch for a detailed quote, including international flights from the UK.
From the US:
From the East Coast, United offer direct flights to San Jose, taking approximately 5 ½ hours, with prices from $515 return. Avianca fly with one stop and a 7 - 8 hour flight time, with prices starting at $370 return. From the West Coast, American Airlines, United, and Avianca offer a flight time of between 8 - 10 hours involving one stop. Prices range from $450 to $610 return. Please get in touch for a detailed quote, including international flights from the US.
Price for this sample itinerary is based on 2 people travelling together (or a family of 4 travelling together for the family price). Price includes all accommodation, AWD SUV Car hire and guided activities where mentioned. Accommodation is on a Bed and Breakfast basis. The price includes white water rafting, Canyon Cable Adventure or tubing in Rio Perdido and guided nature hike in Manuel Antonio. Price is given as a guide and does not include International Flights, actual quote will vary depending on the number and age of your children, your travel dates and accommodation availability. Please call or enquire for a tailor-made quote including International flights.
Costa Rica’s densely verdant terrain and sweeping rainforest owe much to its tropical climate. Generally, the country experiences its peak dry season from December to April, with May to November heralding the rainy or ‘green’ season. Rainfall can occur year round, although showers during the dry season tend to be short lived.
December to April: Peak visitor season: beaches and national parks are busy, and accommodation is in high demand. Most of the country enjoys plenty of sun and high temperatures, with minimal rainfall. The Caribbean Coast is usually at its driest during March. Wildlife viewing is generally excellent, including whale watching at Uvita from December to March.
May to August: The green season begins, bringing frequent showers to most regions. National parks see a slowdown in visitors, allowing crowd-free wildlife viewing, and surfing conditions can be good on key beaches. May and June can be good months to visit Arenal, when good visibility permits great views of the volcano. There are sunny periods in the Central Valley areas of San Jose and Manual Antonio National Park, and on the Caribbean Coast, where green sea turtle nesting along Tortuguero’s coastline is at its peak during July and August. July heralds the start of whale watching season at Uvita on the Southern Pacific Coast. The Northern Pacific coastline, including the Nicoya Peninsula, receives less rainfall year-round than the country as a whole, and often basks in sunny spells during July and August.
September to November: The height of the rainy season, with prolonged heavy rain showers and storms sweeping most of the country, and resultant sea swells bringing great surfing conditions along the Pacific Coast. Tourist accommodation may be closed, and roads in rural areas can be off limits, due to flooding. The Caribbean Coast, hot and humid for most of year, is usually at its driest during September and October, coinciding with the end of turtle nesting season. The Uvita whale watching season reaches its peak during October. In November the rains begin to abate, allowing low-season uninterrupted wildlife watching for nature lovers who don’t mind the odd shower. By the end of the month, visitor numbers are on the increase again.
Note the seasonality of turtle viewing in Nosara: Wet season is best in September and October, but it's also possible to view them in July and August if lucky.
This holiday has a strong focus on the adventure highlights of Costa Rica and would suit those looking for a relatively independent and adventurous trip. It is a self-drive itinerary - we find driving in Costa Rica fine, but if you are nervous we can arrange transfers instead.
If you are not interested in surfing we may recommend a shorter time in Nosara, maybe 3-4 nights. Accommodation proposed for this sample itinerary is in a mix of good quality 3 star and lovely 4 star properties.
If you are tight on budget, please get in touch and we will be happy to suggest lower cost alternative accommodation in Nosara and Manuel Antonio.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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Hi Lisa, We loved Costa Rica. The transfers worked amazingly well, Franx from Costa Rica Trails regularly checked that we were happy with everything and made sure we knew the transfer plans, the hotels were all very different. I wish we'd had an extra night in the Grano de Oro to give us a day in San Jose, it was a stunning hotel and felt wasted for the under 12 hours we were there. I very much got the feeling that the Evergreen Lodge was geared towards just a 2 night stay, which resulted in an awkward/funny moment in the 3rd evening when they presented us with specially prepared fish meals for the 4 of us "as we'd already had the 2 nights of the fixed menu and it was cycling round again" The Arenal Observatory Lodge was the star of the show, we absolutely loved it and would have gladly spent longer there time/budget allowing. The staff were brilliant throughout, the setting was breathtaking, the wildlife and walks were amazing and lots to do in the local area. The Gilded Iguana was the nicest hotel by a mile for facilities/appearance (fantastic service too) but Nosara was a little bit of a shock for us two oldies. Took us half a day to click into the feel of the place. Very Americanised, a little more lively than I was expecting. But grew to love it. We wouldn't rush back but the kids would, it was their highlight of the trip. As I said at the start, an amazing trip with lots of variety and superbly well organised. Thanks Stuart
Stuart H reviewing Costa Rica Adventure For Families on 11 August 2023
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024
We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.Will be a trip we remember forever
Maritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024
Our itineraries are carefully designed by our experienced travel designers based on years of experience and customer feedback. For a custom itinerary tailored to you, please enquire giving as much detail as possible on your brief.