Costa Rica
Volcanoes, Tortuguero, Arenal and wonderful Playa Esterillos Beach
Family Adventure Tour - 14 Night Itinerary
A complete family adventure from the Caribbean side to the Pacific Ocean, exploring volcanoes, wildlife, rain forests, waterfalls and relaxing in the laid-back beach resort at Playa Esterillos.
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Travel Highlights
- The perfect family adventure including Tortuguero National Park
- Admire Irazu Volcano, the highest in Costa Rica
- Visit a butterfly garden and reptlle sanctuary
- Explore the wildlife in Tortuguero National Park on foot and by boat
- Hike in the foothills of the Arenal volcano and take a dip in the thermal hot springs
- Enjoy a range of optional activities in Arenal National Park
- Relax at a hotel on a quiet Play Esterillos beach, with many watersports for the family to enjoy
Tour Route
- San Jose - 3 Nights
- Tortuguero National Park - 3 Nights
- Arenal National Park - 4 Nights
- Playa Esterillos - 4 Nights
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.
Request QuotationTour Itinerary
San Jose
3 NightsDay 1 - Fly to San Jose
Day 2 - La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Day 3 - Irazu Volcano and Lankester Gardens
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Fly to San Jose
Depart the UK and fly (via Madrid) to San Jose. On arrival, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay including breakfast.
Saturday, 14 June 2025
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Enjoy a day at this private reserve featuring stunning waterfalls and safe hiking trails in the forest. There is also a butterfly garden, laboratory and Serpentarium with 30 of the most beautiful and deadly snakes of the country including the Golden Eyelash Viper. The La Casita de la Paz offers a cultural insight into the lives of rural Costa Ricans. The park has also a refuge for wild birds and felines. A super family day out.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Irazu Volcano and Lankester Gardens
Today we travel to the Irazu volcano, at over 3400 feet above sea level it is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica and it is easy to see why Neil Armstrong said that its desolate landscape looks like the surface of the moon. We continue to the lush Orosi Valley with its panoramic view of the Reventazon River and the Cachi Dam and onto Lankester Gardens, one of the largest collections of orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and anthuriums of the region. The gardens are the legacy of Sir Richard Lankester, an English botanist who made Costa Rica his home in the late 19th century and are now managed by the University of Costa Rica.
Balmoral Hotel
The Balmoral Hotel is located on Avenida Central, San Jose’s most famous street and walking distance to the historic centre. It is easy to visit the Iglesia de la Merced, the cathedral, the central and Morazán parks, as well as the impressive gold and jade museums.
The hotel’s rooms include double beds, complimentary coffee, safe, hair…
Buena Vista Hotel
Buena Vista hotel is a Spanish colonial style resort located just outside San Jose, at the top of a mountain offering panoramic views of three volcanoes in the Central Valley - Poas, Barva and Irazu. It is a super place to stay when you arrive in Costa Rica.
The hotel has 30 air-conditioned and comfortable rooms. Deluxe…
Tortuguero National Park
3 NightsDay 4 - Travel to Tortuguero National Park
Day 5 - Explore Tortuguero
Day 6 - Family Adventures
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Tortuguero National Park
An early morning departure by road from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park. Transfer to a small boat for the final transfer on the canals to your chosen lodge for a 3-night stay including all meals and excursions. In the afternoon, visit Tortuguero town, the green turtle information centre and the beach.
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Explore Tortuguero
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour through the forest trails. In the afternoon, visit to Tortuguero National Park, exploring the canals in small, open boats. Tortuguero is a network of navigable lakes, rivers and canals (both natural and man-made) that are used for transportation and are a great place for observing local wildlife such as birds, monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, American crocodiles and caimans. The canals also provide shelter to endangered animals such as the Oriental Indian Manatee, crocodiles, a large variety of crustaceous and about 30 species of sweet water fish, including the Gaspar, considered as a living fossil.
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Family Adventures
Today is free for you to choose on your preferred family adventure. Perhaps take a zip wire tour of the forest canopy, further explorations in the forest or by boat with a local guide, or relax at your lodge and enjoy time relaxing in the pool in this most unique environment.
Evergreen Lodge
Located near the entrance to Tortuguero National Park, Evergreen Lodge offers a sustainable way to explore the rainforest from the Penitencia Canal that flows directly in front of the Lodge.
The lodge has 66 rooms and private bungalows constructed over pillars designed in a Caribbean style, with wooden and bamboo furniture. Each has comfortable beds, ceiling…
Manatus hotel
The Manatus Hotel is located 2.5km from Tortuguero town centre, very close to the airstrip that you fly into thus avoiding a long transfer by road. It is also one of the few properties that sit directly on a strip of land separating the Caribbean Sea from several canals. With only 12 bungalows with 2…
Arenal National Park
4 NightsDay 7 - Travel to Arenal National Park
Day 8 - Exploring Arenal Volcano
Day 9 - Optional tours and excursions
Day 10 - At leisure
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Arenal National Park
Drive to Arenal National Park and check into your chosen hotel for a 4-night stay including breakfast. the rest of the day is free to relax at your hotel.
Friday, 20 June 2025
Exploring Arenal Volcano
Take an included half day tour of Arenal Volcano, beginning with a 1km walk at the El Silencio Private Reserve along a volcanic rock path to reach the observation point that is the closest to the base of the volcano. Enjoy the incredible views of the Arenal volcano and lake! We continue to the regenerated forest and a small area of primary forest that is at the base of the Arenal Volcano and discover a great variety of biodiversity, such as toucans, turkeys, orioles, peccaries, snakes and monkeys.
Saturday, 21 June 2025
Optional tours and excursions
Today is free for you to relax at your hotel, or enjoy an optional family excursion. Choose from:
- A hike to the Hanging Bridges Hike
- Paddle boarding on Lake Arenal
- A full day enjoying the Aerial Sky Tram & Trek Zipline
- Rafting on Rio Balsa
- A river safari at Rio Frio or Penas Blancas
- A volcano hike at Arenal
- A hike to the waterfalls at Rio Celeste
- Mountain Biking to Arenal Lake and El Castillo Villages
- Tabacon hot springs swim
- A coffee and chocolate tour
- A visit to the Maleke Indigenous Village
- Sloths and birdwatching nature tour
- Cano Negro and Rio Frio boat tour
Sunday, 22 June 2025
At leisure
Your final day in Arenal National Park. Relax at your hotel or take another optional excursion, depending on your interests.
Arenal Volcano Inn
Arenal Volcano Inn is a cozy hotel located in front of the Arenal Volcano, just minutes away from the main attractions in Arenal National Park.
The hotel has just 25 rooms, from standard to deluxe. Each is air-conditioned with FREE Wi-Fi, private bathroom with shower, cable TV, mini bar, safe and telephone. Choose from a garden…
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa is a green-friendly luxury hotel framed by the crystalline waters of the La Palma and Kioro streams, lush, vibrant gardens and private thermal water spas. It is a peaceful setting for exploring the beauty and exhilarating activities of Arenal Volcano National Park.
There are 53 spacious, air conditioned suites designed for couples…
Playa Esterillos
4 NightsDay 11 - Travel to Playa Esterillos
Day 12 - At leisure
Day 13 - At leisure
Day 14 - At leisure
Day 15 - Fly back to the UK
Day 16 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Travel to Playa Esterillos
Travel by road to Playa Esterillos, located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, and check into your chosen hotel for a 4-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Playa Esterillos is a wide sandy beach. There are few local amenities, but our recommended hotel, Alma del Pacifico, has all the services you need for a relaxing beach stay including great surfing. The small town provides a mini-supermarket. It is the perfect spot for family groups who want to enjoy some calm, sun, and beautiful pristine beach.
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
At leisure
Playa Esterillos is ideal for family groups of all ages, with a good range of watersports available on the beach to enjoy. All ages will enjoy a spot of surfing in the Pacific Ocean.
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
At leisure
Relax on the beach or at your hotel.
Thursday, 26 June 2025
At leisure
Your final day to enjoy the delights and friendliness of Costa Rica.
Friday, 27 June 2025
Fly back to the UK
Enjoy the morning at leisure. After lunch, transfer to San Jose International Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK (via Madrid).
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Arrive in the UK
Arrive back in the UK in the morning.
Alma del Pacifico
Situated on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast just 2 hours drive from San Jose Airport, Alma del Pacifico is a small hotel made up of 20 colourful villas set among lush tropical gardens, connected by paved walkways and fronting onto a wide sandy beach.
The spacious and comfortable air-conditioned rooms are full of vibrant works of…
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | Year round | |
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms | £3,844 | £4,201 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 16 Days/14 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- Breakfast everyday and meals as described on the itinerary
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
- Children aged 7-11 have a 20% reduction when sharing a room.
Complete a form or call our specialist advisors to start planning your trip. Please provide as much information as possible, and we will aim to respond to your enquiry the same or next working day.
Specialist Advice & Ideas
Since 1999, we focus on carefully crafting unique and authentic travel experiences in Latin America and beyond.
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Your holiday is tailored by our specialist advisors to fit your preferences using our extensive kowledge of each destination
The Best Local Guides
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Travel with Confidence
Our local guides are your hosts providing support, information and so you visit the main sites and experience life like a local.
READY - 12 June 2025
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