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Costa Rica Holidays

Family Tour: National Parks, Volcanoes, Magnificent Wildlife and Beaches

14 Night Itinerary from  £3,800

Ninos Arenal Tour

A slow pace tour of Costa Rica, perfect for families; Arenal Volcano, rainforests, birdwatching and excellent lodgings with activities for families of all ages. Plus, relax on the beach near Manuel Antonio National Park and great surfing at Jaco Beach.

Select your preferred departure date

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Our specially designed family tour to Costa Rica
  • Enjoy a landscape of smouldering volcanoes, tropical rainforest and golden beaches
  • Get closer to nature in a country famed for its abundant wildlife
  • Hike in the foothills of the Arenal volcano and take a dip in the thermal hot springs
  • Experience the hanging bridges of Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Relax at a hotel on a quiet Pacific Coast beach
  • Fly direct from London Heathrow to San Jose with British Airways

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

San Jose in Costa Rica.jpg

San Jose & Irazú Volcano - 4 Nights

Day 1 - Fly to San Jose

Day 2 - Day at leisure

Day 3 - Irazú Volcano

Day 4 - San Jose at leisure and family visit

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 09 June 2023

Fly to San Jose

Departure on a daytime flight to San Jose. On arrival, your body clock will feel like late at night. You will be met and taken to your hotel with gardens, tennis court, bicycles and swimming pools, for 4 nights.


Saturday, 10 June 2023

Day at leisure

Day at leisure to relax after the long flight and explore San Jose at your own pace. Enjoy the facilities of your chosen hotel.


Sunday, 11 June 2023

Irazú Volcano

With our local guide, you visit the Irazú Volcano, with its impressive green crater lake rising out of a desolate grey moon landscape. Continue on to the stunning Orosí Valley, where the Reventazón River cuts its swirling swathe through the surrounding mountains. We visit the Lankester Botanical Gardens, housing thousands of species of plants endemic to Costa Rica. We also take an exciting ride on the aerial train into the rainforest canopy for amazing views.


Monday, 12 June 2023

San Jose at leisure and family visit

One day free for some shopping, swimming in the hotel pools, optional excursions of the city or just relax. Our guide can arrange for you to meet a local Costa Rican family with children of similar ages in San Jose to gain an exclusive insight into life in Costa Rica. This arrangement needs to be pre-booked in the UK before you travel, but is recommended. 

Buena Vista Hotel

San Jose - First 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 standard rooms have private bathroom, TV and mini-bar.

Public facilities include the Quetzal Grille restaurant, of international and typical cuisine, a bar, an outdoor pool, gift shop, masseuse, free WiFi, and lush gardens ideal for walks.

Buenavista Hotel 01

Finca Rosa Blanca

San Jose - First Resort

Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica, offering amazing views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations and nestled amongst 10 acres amid hundreds of fruit trees and tropical flora. It offers luxurious rooms including mini bar, Jacuzzi bath and private verandas overlooking the Valley. Each room has its own decoration allowing its unique atmosphere.

The hotel provides lots of amenities such as games room, large swimming pool, TV and reading area and 2 large dinner tables for group dining. The restaurant offers a spectacular view of the coffee plantation and serves delicious local cuisine with fresh products.

4810 Finca Rosa Blanca

Xandari Resort

San Jose - First Boutique

Xandari Resort and Spa is perfectly located for excursions to Poas Volcano, La Paz waterfall gardens, and Doka coffee plantation, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from San Jose International airport. Over 3km of scenic trails through coffee and fruit orchards lead into a lush natural tropical setting with a year-round river and five beautiful waterfalls.

The hotel consists of 24 comfortable and spacious villas, decorated in bright colours and adorned with original works of art. Set on top of a hill on a 40 acre coffee and fruit plantation, all the rooms are overlooking the Costa Rica's Central Valley, featuring private terrace. Each room has a bar kitchen and a private bathroom with toiletries. The resort has 3 swimming pools, with one overlooking the valley, as well as a spa offering a variety of treatments.

4808 Xandari Resort
best places to go in Costa Rica - Arenal.jpg

Arenal Volcano - 3 Nights

Day 5 - Travel to Arenal volcano

Day 6 - Hiking and hot springs

Day 7 - Optional activities

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Travel to Arenal volcano

Transfer to Arenal for 3 nights at your chosen hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.


Wednesday, 14 June 2023

Hiking and hot springs

Today enjoy included guided hiking tours in the park by the impressive active volcano and a dip in the Tabacon hot springs. Trek through pristine rainforest and understand the unique flora and fauna of the National Park dominated by the powerful volcano. A fascinating - and quite educational - day awaits!

 


Thursday, 15 June 2023

Optional activities

There are a wide range of optional activities available for your family to enjoy. Our guide will be able to ensure you get the best and most appropriate experiences. On offer includes river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, zip wire adventures and an evening excursion to view the live volcano with its golden lava splaying from the surface like a firework show.

Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Arenal Volcano Park - Deluxe Resort

Located in the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano, Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens provides a uniquely natural experience. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of its 24 spacious casitas provides an exclusive retreat in which you can relax amidst the breathtaking view of the volcano. Interwoven with rich gardens its tropical grounds create the perfect setting to rest and enjoy nature. A large Jacuzzi and wet bar provide a place to rest after enjoying the various guided activities, including white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, volcano treks, and hot springs. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens offers a full service restaurant, where local ingredients blend with a world-class cuisine to provide an incomparable dining experience. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and boasts a direct view of the active volcano. 

Every (room) casita at the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens has been designed to provide the utmost in comfort and style while maintaining a close connection with the natural surroundings. With the guests' experience in mind, Arenal Nayara offers a unique concept of individual casitas separated by lush tropical gardens. Each one of its large suite-size casitas provides independent space and privacy that includes a private backyard with an outdoor shower and a front balcony overlooking the volcano. For a full pampering experience select the Nayara Suites featuring in-room breakfast, bathrobe, and the best panoramic volcano view. Each of the casitas is equipped with a King or two full size beds, Plasma 27" Cable TV, DVD / CD Player, IPod Stand, Internet Access, Safe Box (Laptop capacity), Air Conditioning, private bathroom with hot water and rain shower, backyard with outside shower, in room "mini" bar service, coffee maker, front balcony overlooking the volcano with jacuzzi for two, high speed internet connection. Accommodation includes room and breakfast. 

Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Arenal Springs

Arenal Volcano Park - First Resort

Arenal Springs Resort is the ideal combination of modern comfort and exuberant tropical surrounding. The rooms are all in semi-detached bungalows spread over a wide area directly facing Arenal Volcano. Each room has a patio with seating, as well as air conditioning. The hotel also has its own hot springs, which feed into a number of hot tubs and pool of different temperatures, all of which guests can enjoy at their leisure. There is also a spa, a yoga studio, and two restaurants.

2043 Arenal Springs
what to do in Costa Rica - Monteverde.jpg

Monteverde Cloud Forest - 3 Nights

Day 8 - Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest

Day 9 - Exploring the Cloud Forest 

Day 10 - Exploring the Cloud Forest

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 16 June 2023

Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest

Transfer to Monteverde, staying for 2 nights at your chosen lodge.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a private nature reserve located in the mountain area that defines its climate: humid prevailing air currents from the Caribbean coast strike the mountainside, which cool to produce the high levels of rain and fog that have led to the development of the cloud Forest. In some places the wind can be strong and layers of clothing are recommended. The humidity is lower on the Pacific side of the reserve, but the temperature tends to stay between 14-20°C throughout the area.

These conditions have led to a huge degree of biodiversity, with hundreds of species of migrating and endemic birds, including the famous but elusive Resplendent Quetzal. There is also a huge variety of mammals, reptiles and insects. The best time to see the wildlife is on an early morning or evening hike.

The forest trails are very well laid out amongst the trees making it easy to discover on your own, we can arrange a specialist guide to show you round.

 


Saturday, 17 June 2023

Exploring the cloud forest

A further day to explore the Cloud Forest Reserve, or take optional family orientated excursions bookable locally at your lodge.


Sunday, 18 June 2023

Exploring the Cloud Forest

A further day to enjoy optional guided excursions in the Cloud Forest Reserve, perfect for learning about birds and wildlife.

Monteverde Lodge

Monteverde Cloud Forest - Deluxe Lodge

The Monteverde Lodge is located in the Tilarán Mountain Range at 4,600 ft above sea level on the edge of the world's best known mid-elevation cloud forest. All designing with a nature theme, and all whilst protecting from mist and strong wind familiar to the area, rooms provide all the amenities for a perfect stay such as an in-room safe, coffee maker, ceiling fan, Wi-Fi and large bathroom with toiletries and hair dryer.

The lodge offers daytime and night-time’s experiences such as guided hikes with experienced local naturalist guides, horseback riding for everyone, visits of the Butterfly Garden, the Bat Jungle and the surrounding Coffee Plantations. Guests can also experience the gastronomic delights of El Jardin Restaurant & Bar, which features a variety of cuisine and has its unique cloud forest mural, as well as enjoy the Jacuzzi in an enclosed atrium and let the Monteverde Lodge staff take care of everything. 

4803 Monteverde Lodge

Trapp Family Lodge

Monteverde Cloud Forest - Tourist Lodge

Nestled on a hillside with spectacular mountain views, these Villas and Guest House provide all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay in the cloud forest. This hotel will allow you to enjoy an extraordinary vacation in the middle of a paradise of flora and fauna. Its rustic atmosphere will provide you with an agreeable and pacific setting. The hotel 10 rooms, each with private bath and hot water, restaurant, bar, laundry service, guided tours, and a butterfly garden. Accommodations include room and breakfast.

2039 Trapp Family Lodge

Fonda Vela

Monteverde Cloud Forest - First Hotel

The Fonda Vela Hotel is located in beautiful Monteverde, featuring six buildings within a 35 acre property and just a 15 minutes walk away from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The views of the Gulf of Nicoya from the hotel's 1400 meters elevation are spectacular. All rooms have large windows with views of the forest, private bathroom and telephone. All 20 junior suites have a small refrigerator, table, king and queen-size beds, a comfortable sofa and 14 also have a TV. There are two restaurants, La Chimenea perfect for a relaxing evening meal.

2038 Fonda Vela
Manuel Antonio

Esterillos Beach - 4 Nights

Days 11-14 - Esterillos Beach Resort

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Monday, 19 June 2023

Esterillos beach resort

Transfer to the coast, staying at the family friendly Alma del Pacifico Hotel for 4 nights.

The hotel is right on the Esterillos Beach and halfway between the surfer's paradise of Playa Jaco and Manuel Antonio National Park, perfect for relaxing but also with the option of walks and activities to suit families of all ages.

Optional activities include: Surfing and surf lessons, trekking in Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara National Park, Adventure tours by quad bike, Fincas Wildlife refuge, river rafting, a visit to Villa Vanilla to see how vanilla is cultivated, a jungle crocodile safari, rainforest adventures in Manuel Antonio National Park, zip wire adventures and Pure Vida gardens and waterfalls.


Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Surfing and exploring

At leisure


Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Treks, beaches and optional activities

At leisure.


Thursday, 22 June 2023

Relax on the beach

At leisure.

Alma del Pacifico

Playa Esterillos Beach - First Hotel

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 art from artiste Charlene Broudy (the hotel in fact shows over 150 pieces of original art), and each has a large private terrace with outdoor seating, private bathroom, kitchenette, TV, hair dryer and mini bar. Most of the rooms are ocean facing, with terraces looking onto the beach, while others have a garden view with a short walk to the sea shore.

Public areas include the Alma Restaurant, beach bar, spa, gardens, swimming pool and direct access to the stunning Playa Esterillos. The hotel can arrange a wide variety of activities and excursions to suit your requirements, from nature treks to canopy tours, water sports to horse riding.

Rooms are on a bed and breakfast basis.

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Frog, Costa Rica

Return to San Jose & Fly Home - 0 Nights

Days 15 -16 - San Jose and return home

  • Full Description

Friday, 23 June 2023

Return home

Transfer to San José airport for your overnight flight home.

 


Saturday, 24 June 2023

Arrive in the UK

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season High Season
Travel Dates 1Jan-27Jun, 2 Sep-19Dec 28Jun-1Sep, 20 Dec-31 Dec
Room Arrangement Tourist First Deluxe Tourist First Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £3,800 £4,362 £4,985 £4,260 £4,809 £5,546

Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, 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.

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READY - 2 June 2023

MEXICO FOCUS: Tour Itineraries, Hotels, Culture

LANDMARK TOURS Multi-Country & Cross Continent

FAMILY HOLIDAYS: Multi Generation Quality Time

COSTA RICA LODGES: Rainforest & Costal Habitats

CHINAINDIA: Open for travel, no PCR/Quarantine

ANTARCTICA: Fly-Cruise, Sea Spirit, Aurora Cruise

GUIDES by Veloso Tours, are the best Local Hosts

TRAVEL INSURANCE with extensive COVID-19 cover