Family Autotour
The Costa Rica family tour is ideal for discovering the diversity of Costa Rica's superb landscapes and numerous animals. This itinerary is ideal for the whole family. It can be adapted to suit your own pace.
You'll begin your Costa Rica family tour by exploring the famous Tortuguero canals and observing the incredible wildlife that resides there.
You'll stop off in the Sarapiqui region, where the river is ideal for rafting and other wildlife-watching activities.
You'll then skirt around Lake Arenal on your way to the Volcano of the same name.
Then on to the mountainous Monteverde region and the enchanting world of the "cloud forest".
You'll finish with a relaxing break on the heavenly beaches of Samara and Manuel Antonio.
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Paradise Beaches, Nature travel, Road trip and autotour, Multi-destination stay.
Best months to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
You can go all year round.
How to get there?
You can get there by Plane.
Detail of the stay : Family Autotour - 13 days
Your arrival - San José
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Steps: Santa Ana
When you arrive at the airport, we'll meet you and take you to your hotel. We suggest you spend your first night in Santa Ana, a quiet town close to the airport.
Tortuguero - Day 1
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First immersion in this tropical rainforest nicknamed the Little Amazon. You'll get to your lodge by boat via the canals, the only means of communication. You'll be able to observe toucans, howler monkeys, iguanas, spiders, herons and many other animals. In July and August, green turtles flock to the beaches of Tortuguero to lay their eggs: a sight not to be missed!
On this first day, you'll visit the village of Tortuguero. Its canals are well worth a visit, as are its colorful little houses. You'll then head off for a walk with an English-speaking naturalist guide, who will explain the different species of flora and fauna in the area.
Tortuguero - Day 2
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Steps: Parque Nacional Tortuguero
On this second day in Tortuguero, you'll go wildlife-watching on the canals. You'll also have free access to kayaks. You'll be able to wander at your own pace along these famous canals.
We also recommend the National Park, the area's main attraction, home to a wide variety of turtles, including the leatherback.
Sarapiqui
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A veritable biological corridor, the Sarapiqui region boasts some exceptional flora and fauna. The region boasts several nature reserves renowned for their high biodiversity. But Sarapiqui is also a meeting place for adventure sports enthusiasts, with rafting and zip lines, as well as a mecca for agrotourism (cocoa, pineapple, heart of palm plantations, etc.).
You'll discover Finca Sura on a guided tour. A member of the family will show you around this superb organic farm. You'll discover the pineapple, pepper, vanilla, cocoa and sugarcane crops. You'll learn about reforestation projects and respect for the environment. You'll also observe the wildlife (toucans, parrots, frogs, sloths...) that inhabit the property. At the end of the tour, you'll taste homemade cinnamon or cane sugar rum.
Arenal - Day 1
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Steps: Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
Imagine waking up to the sound of birdsong, only to find yourself face to face with one of Costa Rica's most majestic volcanoes... It's a dream come true, isn't it? Hiking in the park and around the lake, observing the surrounding flora and fauna, strolling on suspension bridges among century-old trees... The region is overflowing with activities for the whole family. At the end of the day, relax in the hot thermal springs emerging straight from the volcanic rocks. A moment of pure relaxation.
On this first day, you'll visit the trails of the Observatory Lodge: you'll embark on a 2.5-hour guided tour of the trails on the lodge grounds. Your guide will show you around the lodge, where you can observe nature, both flora and fauna. You'll then embark on an adventure on the suspension bridges with an English-speaking guide, to gain height in the jungle.
Arenal - Day 2
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On this second day in Arenal, we suggest you relax and discover the thermal waters. The Arenal region is full of such complexes. The water is heated by volcanic activity underground. The temperature ranges from 25 to 40 degrees depending on the pools and fountains.
You can also visit the Rio Fortuna waterfall. Located a 10-minute drive from the center of La Fortuna, the Rio Fortuna waterfall is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Before reaching the waterfall, you'll have to climb down 500 steps. At the foot of the waterfall, you'll discover a large pool of crystal-clear water where many locals and tourists gather for a refreshing swim. A little further downstream is the "El Salto" pool, where, as the name suggests, you can take a plunge into the water.
Monteverde - Day 1
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Steps: Monteverde
Immerse yourself in the heart of Monteverde's cloud forest and enchanting mountains. Accessible only by trail, the Monteverde reserve has to be earned. But what a sight it is! You may be lucky enough to spot the famous Resplendent Quetzal while sipping a cup of locally-grown coffee. I promise, it'll be quite different from what you drink during coffee breaks!
In terms of activities, we suggest a walk in a reserve with a French-speaking guide to learn more about the cloud forest and its inhabitants.
Monteverde - Day 2
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There's no shortage of activities in the Monteverde region. There are several zip-line parks to choose from, with varying degrees of thrills, including zip-line programs with breathtaking views of the town below, and pendulum jumps. If you prefer nature, you can visit other reserves. As well as Monteverde, there's Santa Elena and Curi Cancha. There's also an orchid sanctuary where you can visit over 450 different varieties.
Samara - Day 1
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Steps: Playa Sámara
Head for Samara, a small family seaside resort with beautiful beaches to discover and spend a few days relaxing and unwinding. Are you a caving enthusiast? Don't miss Barra Honda National Park, a vast park in the middle of the rainforest containing almost 40 caves. Only the impressionistic La Terciopelo cave is open to visitors, but it's well worth the detour.
Samara - Day 2
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Samara has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, so you can make the most of them in many different ways. If you like water activities, there's something for everyone: catamaran sailing, snorkeling, tubing, surfing lessons and more. You can also go horseback riding on Buenavista beach.
Tarcoles
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Located in the center of the country, the Tarcoles River is home to many species of birds, including magnificent scarlet macaws. But it's best known for its very large colony of American crocodiles (the largest crocodiles in Costa Rica), easily observed from the bridge. We warn you, it's quite an impressive sight! Nearby, don't miss a visit to Carara National Park, a goldmine for birdwatchers.
Manuel Antonio - Day 1
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Steps: Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is famous for its park, home to sloths, koatis and white-headed monkeys. Magnificent rainforest-fringed beaches make this a popular seaside resort. From August to October, you can watch humpback whales and their calves come to enjoy the warm waters of the Pacific. A dream come true, don't you think?
The park is a must-see, as are its beaches, where you'll see magnificent sunsets.
Manuel Antonio - Day 2 and your departure
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Steps: Manuel Antonio
Enjoy your last moments in Costa Rica at Manuel Antonio and its beaches.
You'll then take the road to Alajuela airport for your return flight. We hope you enjoyed your stay in Costa Rica, and we look forward to seeing you soon!