Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Costa Rica – San Jose – Dominical – Tarcoles – La Fortuna – Boca Tapada – Puerto Viejo
100% customisable for you
Your Costa Rican family adventure begins today with an 11-and-a-half-hour direct flight to San Jose, the country’s capital. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles in the airport lounge before bundling the little ones onto the plane.
Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel near the city. After taking some time to settle in, head out to explore the surrounding area and feast on some traditional Costa Rican cuisine at a restaurant recommended by our local Concierge.
Pick up your hire car this morning for the drive to Dominical via the scenic Costanera Sur road, which takes between three-and-a-half and four hours. The laid-back beach town of Dominical is your home for the next three nights, so unpack and settle in, ready for a fun-filled few days on the coast. Here, the sun-soaked beauty of your new surroundings is a rich reward for today’s long drive; just sit back, relax and enjoy a tasty sundowner (mocktails for the teens, of course).
Take to the water today for a whale watching cruise, which is sure to engage even the most device-devoted teens. Along the Pacific coast, the waters of Ballena Marine National Park welcome humpback whales twice a year – from August to October and again from December to April – when these gentle giants migrate from the north and Antarctic in search of warmer waters.
Your experienced skipper will sail to several spots in search of these magnificent mammals, who come here to breed and nurture their young. The marine park is also home to some blissfully deserted beaches, so if you fancy a change of pace, you can stop on the sand and try to spot dolphins as they glide by.
If you want to spend a little more time out on the water, we can also arrange for you to try your hand at surfing in a private lesson.
Boasting the best waves in Costa Rica and an almost two-and-a-half-mile-long beach, Dominical is a true paradise for surfers and nature lovers. The mountains in the hinterland are home to abundant flora and fauna, and the coastline is dotted with picturesque bays, promising breathtaking views over the deep green of the rainforest and the intense blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Today is yours to spend as you like, making the most of Dominical’s natural beauty while making memories as a family.
If your teens are keen hikers, trek up to the Nauyaca waterfalls (and enjoy a well-deserved swim when you arrive) or explore the rainforest on the lookout for local wildlife. Prefer to stick to the beach? Grab a mask and snorkel to get up close to the corals and colourful fish, or simply sit and savour a refreshing coconut water while watching the waves with your toes in the sand.
It’s time to pack up your hire car this morning for your drive along the Gulf of Nicoya to Tarcoles, which takes between two and three hours. Along the way, make a pit stop at Manuel Antonio National Park. This might be one of the smallest parks in the country, but also one of the most stunning: a true microcosm of Costa Rica, it’s home to magnificent white sand beaches, cascading waterfalls and viewpoints offering unique panoramic views, along with abundant wildlife, from howler and capuchin monkeys to raccoons and sloths.
Once you’ve been suitably wowed, continue your journey to Tarcoles. Located at the mouth of the river of the same name, this village offers remarkable vantage points for bird watching and crocodile spotting. The crocodiles here are among the largest in the world, measuring up to 23ft in length, while the nearby Carara National Park is renowned for its scarlet macaws, parrots, parakeets and hummingbirds. Settle in for the night in your new tropical surroundings, lulled to sleep by a symphony of rainforest sounds.
Before you hit the road this morning, there’s the option to head out on a guided walk along the Rio Tarcoles, keeping your eyes peeled for the resident crocs and other exotic inhabitants.
Your next destination is La Fortuna, a small town at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. The drive will take between three and four hours. Once you reach the volcanic vicinity of La Fortuna, settle in for two nights in your local accommodation, which makes a brilliant base for the adventures that await.
Arenal Volcano National Park is criss-crossed by suspension bridges, offering dramatic (and slightly dizzying) views of the rainforest. After a day of relaxing, head out at sunset with a private guide, hiking along paths, tunnels and bridges to reach the heart of the rainforest and discover the previously inaccessible treetop canopy. The experience is particularly mesmerising in the changing light, as day gradually gives way to night and nocturnal creatures begin to emerge under the cover of darkness.
If your teens don’t fancy a day of relaxation, we can arrange a more high-octane treetop adventure as you tackle a zip line course through the canopy – perfect for the more fearless family members.
Another day, another destination to discover. It’s time to travel north to Boca Tapada, which sits off the beaten tourist track, around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from La Fortuna. Settle in for two nights in this remote village, which is known for its dense rainforest and fabulous opportunities for bird and wildlife-spotting.
Speaking of wildlife-spotting, today’s optional activity is a nighttime walk with a friendly local guide to explore some of the local flora and fauna after dark.
Not far from the Nicaraguan border, nestled along the San Carlos River, lies Boca Tapada: a true natural haven of peace and pristine wilderness. This remote village is bathed in heavy rainfall from May to November and, as a result, is home to rich biodiversity, including more than 400 bird species. To protect this natural sanctuary, the Maquenque Nature Reserve's sustainable tourism project works to preserve the tropical forest for a variety of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs and kinkajous (also known as honey bears).
To see more wildlife from the water and put your family’s paddling skills to the test, head out with a naturalist guide for a kayak tour along the Tres Amigos River, keeping your eyes peeled for turtles, iguanas and monkeys.
After waking to the sounds of the rainforest, pack up the car and set off for the Caribbean Coast. You’re heading to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, between four and five hours away, where the beach awaits at the end of your long drive.
Once you’ve arrived and checked into your home for the next three nights, it’s time to take it easy, soak up the seaside scenery and enjoy a laid-back evening to begin the last leg of your trip.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a former fishing village, epitomises the fusion of Afro-Caribbean, Latin American and indigenous Bribri culture. Puerto Viejo combines a laid-back lifestyle with the magic that makes Costa Rica so special: exceptional flora and fauna on your doorstep, along with beautiful black or white sand beaches.
Spend today soaking up the sun and exploring your new surroundings. If you’re invited to a salsa brava, don’t be fooled: this isn’t a local dance, but rather Puerto Viejo’s famous wave, whose powerful force and sheer height attracts surfers from all over the world. This is the ideal place to learn this wave-chasing sport, which has become an institution in Costa Rica. Beyond the beach, sample some tasty cuisine and a little of the local nightlife (with something soft for the youngsters, of course).
Today’s all about discovering the compact yet captivating Cahuita National Park. Established in 1998 with the aim of preserving the coral reef surrounding Punta Cahuita, almost all of this pocket-sized park is ocean-based, but the rich variety of the inland wildlife never ceases to amaze: think howler monkeys, raccoons and sloths to be spotted as you explore this small parcel of pristine parkland.
If you’re teens have had their fill of exploring, we could also arrange a private tour of the Jaguar Rescue Centre (a rehabilitation facility and sanctuary for local wildlife) or a food-focused culinary tour and tasting session with a private guide.
Sadly, it’s time to say adios to Costa Rica today. Leaving the beach behind, drive to San Jose Airport (around four hours away) to drop off your hire car ahead of your flight home.
Travelling overnight, the flight takes around ten-and-a-half hours, and you’ll arrive back in the UK the next day, ready to share stories of this once-in-a-lifetime family adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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