Costa Rica Family Adventure

Depart U.S. and fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. Transfer to the Bougainvillea Hotel, located in the hills of historic Heredia, a small town in the Central Valley just 15 minutes north of San José. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner.

Overnight: Bougainvillea Hotel

Meals: R, D

Travel by coach and boat to Tortuguero, along Costa Rica’s northeast coast and check into the Aninga Lodge.

Most of the hotel is constructed five feet above the ground with buildings on stilts and raised walkways to protect the natural habitat for animals and give guests panoramic views of the tropical rainforest. The lodge also built its own water treatment plant to prevent contamination of the fragile ecosystem.

Overnight: Aninga Lodge

Meals: B, L, D

Spend the day exploring Tortuguero’s calm, forest-lined rivers and man-made channels by small boat. Look for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caiman, turtles, and an abundance of colorful tropical birds.

Overnight: Aninga Lodge

Meals: B, L, D

Transfer to the Sarapiquí River for a fun-filled rafting experience through the lowland rainforest of Costa Rica’s northern zone, where exotic birds, such as the sun bittern, keel billed toucan and the endangered great green macaw are still spotted.

The Sarapiquí is a class II river (appropriate for kids 6 and older), with calm pools following each of its rapids. On the river’s edge is a private farm producing ornamental plants, and a delicious lunch with plenty of fresh fruit.

Continue to the Tilajari Hotel by Arenal National Park, featuring thermal springs, lush gardens, nature paths, and panoramic volcano and mountain views.

Overnight: Tilajari Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Explore the canopies of the rainforest on interpretive trails and 15 hanging bridges near Arenal Volcano. Continue to a cooking class with lunch and an appreciation of organic farming and the traditional country life of this rural area.

In the evening, take a night walk revealing the wonders of the region’s nocturnal animals.

Overnight: Tilajari Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Take a boat ride across Lake Arenal, which attracts many species of resident and migratory birds to the verdant hills along its banks. Mammals such as the playful coatimundi can occasionally be seen along with views of the Arenal Volcano.

Continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the El Establo Hotel, featuring spectacular views of the Monteverde mountains, the coastal plains, and Nicoya Gulf.

Overnight: To be announced

Meals: B, L, D

Start the new year choosing between two options: a scenic Sky Tram & ziplining or a visit to the Bat Jungle. The Sky Tram will lead you up to the Continental Divide, with short stops to observe the cloud forest biodiversity and panoramic views. Optional ziplining between five observation towers is also included.

Or, visit the Bat Jungle for a guided walk into the world of bats. Watch the bats and bat feeders from a "Bat Habitat", which is a separate glass enclosed viewing area. The Bat Jungle’s mission is to promote public awareness of the ecological importance of bats, thereby helping to conserve bat populations throughout the world.

Spend the afternoon at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and its easy trails through some of the most beautiful primary cloud forests in the world. Often shrouded in cloud blown in from the Atlantic Ocean, the forests of Monteverde are laden with epiphytic growth such as mosses, lichens, ferns, bromeliads, orchids-even small trees! Famous for its populations of Resplendent Quetzal, Monteverde has almost become synonymous with this legendary bird. Other cloud forest denizens include the Black-faced Solitaire, Golden-browed Chlorophonia and Black Guan.

This evening, celebrate your journey with a special farewell dinner.

Overnight: To be announced

Meals: B, L, D

Transfer to Liberia or San Jose airports for flights to the U.S.

Meals: B