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
Tour Route
- San Jose & Irazú Volcano - 4 Nights
- Arenal Volcano - 3 Nights
- Monteverde Cloud Forest - 3 Nights
- Esterillos Beach - 4 Nights
- Return to San Jose & Fly Home - 0 Nights
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 & 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.

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.

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.


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.

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.


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.

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.

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.


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.


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
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FAMILY HOLIDAYS: Multi Generation Quality Time
COSTA RICA LODGES: Rainforest & Costal Habitats
CHINA & INDIA: Open for travel, no PCR/Quarantine
ANTARCTICA: Fly-Cruise, Sea Spirit, Aurora Cruise
GUIDES by Veloso Tours, are the best Local Hosts
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