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Overview
Costa Rica is the planet's greatest classroom.
This 8-day family expedition turns the country into a living textbook — where biology class happens while watching a sloth cross a canopy bridge, geography class is hiking the rim of an active volcano, and PE is zip-lining 200 feet above the cloud forest floor.
Every activity is designed for families with children aged 6 and up. The pace is intentional — active mornings, lazy afternoons, early dinners. No 5am wake-up calls. No marathon bus rides. Just the right amount of adventure, wrapped in the safety and predictability that families need.
WorldAdventure built this for parents who want their kids to put down the iPad and pick up a pair of binoculars.
The WorldAdventure Difference
Family travel is only fun if the parents relax too. Our Costa Rica expedition includes a dedicated family coordinator who handles logistics, knows every kid-friendly restaurant, and carries the emergency snack bag so you don't have to.
What's Included
Included
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7 nights family accommodation (eco-lodges, beachfront resort)
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All ground transfers in private family vehicle
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Cloud forest zip-line adventure (ages 6+)
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Arenal Volcano guided nature hike
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Wildlife night walk with naturalist guide
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Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour
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Surf lessons for the whole family
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Chocolate farm tour (kids love this)
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Daily breakfast + 5 family dinners
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Dedicated family trip coordinator
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WorldAdventure family safety pack
Not Included
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International flights to San José / from Liberia
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Travel insurance
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Meals not specified
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Optional white-water rafting (ages 10+)
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Personal expenses & souvenirs
Pricing
Day by Day
01
San José — Rainforest Gateway
San José → La Fortuna (3 hrs)
Arrive in San José and transfer to La Fortuna, gateway to Arenal Volcano. Check into a lodge with views of the iconic cone. Afternoon nature walk spotting howler monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds. Evening soak in natural hot springs heated by geothermal activity beneath Arenal.
Highlights
Arenal Volcano viewsRainforest wildlife spottingHowler monkey callsNatural hot springs soak
Accommodation
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Eco-luxury lodge with natural hot springs. Volcano views from every room.
Meals
Welcome dinner with volcano backdrop
02
Arenal National Park — Rainforest Canopy Walk
Arenal National Park
Morning guided rainforest hike through Arenal National Park. Walk the suspension bridges high in the canopy, spotting toucans, macaws, and poison-dart frogs. Afternoon visit to a local village, learn about traditional cocoa farming, and participate in chocolate-making. Evening wildlife spotting around the lodge.
Highlights
Rainforest canopy bridgesExotic bird spottingPoison-dart frog searchChocolate-making classNight wildlife watching
Accommodation
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Meals
Breakfast; packed lunch on trail; dinner at lodge
03
Monteverde Cloud Forest
La Fortuna → Monteverde (4 hrs via suspension bridges)
Drive to Monteverde, the crown jewel of Costa Rica's protected cloud forests. Walk through the misty forest where trees drip with moss and ferns. Search for the rare Resplendent Quetzal bird. Stay at an eco-lodge among the clouds. Evening: fall asleep to the sound of the forest.
Highlights
Cloud forest ecosystemQuetzal bird spottingEpiphyte plant forestsMisty canopy walksForest soundscapes
Accommodation
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Eco-lodge in the cloud forest with expert naturalist guides on staff.
Meals
Packed lunch; farm-to-table dinner
04
Monteverde — Night Tours & Sky Walks
Monteverde cloud forest reserve
Morning guided cloud forest walk seeking the Resplendent Quetzal. Afternoon zipline canopy adventure (8 platforms through the trees). Evening night tour to see nocturnal forest creatures: tarantulas, snakes, and kinkajous. Experience the forest's transformation after dark.
Highlights
Quetzal bird searchZipline canopy adventureNight forest tourNocturnal wildlife watchingForest ecosystem immersion
Accommodation
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Meals
Breakfast; picnic lunch; dinner at the lodge
05
Manuel Antonio National Park — Beaches & Monkeys
Monteverde → Manuel Antonio (5 hrs)
Drive to Manuel Antonio, where rainforest meets pristine Pacific beaches. Check into a beachfront lodge. Afternoon beach time and snorkeling. Explore Cathedral Point — a dramatic cove surrounded by jungle. Spot white-faced capuchin monkeys and tropical birds. Evening sunset on the beach.
Highlights
Beach relaxationSnorkeling in clear waterCathedral Point coveWhite-faced capuchin monkeysPacific sunset
Accommodation
Arenas del Mar
Luxury beachfront resort with jungle views. No cars on the property.
Meals
Lunch at beach; sunset cocktails; dinner overlooking ocean
06
Manuel Antonio — Jungle Hikes & Rainforest Exploration
Manuel Antonio National Park
Full day in Manuel Antonio National Park. Hike multiple trails through primary rainforest. Watch sloths in the canopy, see howler monkeys, find poison-dart frogs. Visit pristine Espadilla Beach. Option for a sunset catamaran cruise to spot dolphins and whales (July–November: humpback whales; December–April: migrating Pacific whales).
Highlights
National Park rainforest trailsSloth spottingHowler monkey encountersCatamaran dolphin cruisePristine beach swimming
Accommodation
Arenas del Mar
Meals
Breakfast; packed trail lunch; dinner at the resort
07
Manuel Antonio — Rest & Adventure (Your Choice)
Manuel Antonio
A flexible day. Relax on the beach, swim in the ocean, enjoy spa treatments at the lodge. Optional activities: horseback riding through the jungle, ATV adventure, sport fishing, or a guided mangrove kayaking trip. Most travelers choose a mix of relaxation and adventure.
Highlights
Beach relaxationSwimming & snorkelingSpa treatmentsOptional: horseback riding or kayakingResort exploration
Accommodation
Arenas del Mar
Meals
Breakfast; lunch on own; dinner at resort
08
Departure — Pura Vida
Manuel Antonio → San José → International airport
Final morning at the beach. Breakfast with ocean views, one last swim or walk along the sand. Transfer to San José and international flight home, carrying the phrase "Pura Vida" (Pure Life) — the Costa Rican spirit that transcends beyond these eight days.
Highlights
Final beach morningBreakfast with viewsSouvenir shoppingDeparture with memories
Meals
Breakfast at the resort
Your Organizer
Paul Arguello
Founder of WorldAdventure.ai. Paul believes family trips should create the stories your kids tell their own kids. Costa Rica is where that story starts — with a toucan, a zip-line, and a sunset that makes everyone forget about WiFi.
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