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Family

Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday

Excellent

20 reviews

14 days

Start

San Jose, Costa Rica

Finish

San Jose, Costa Rica

Trip Code

QCFB

Min Age

Trip Size

2 - 16

Physical Rating

Meals

13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotels (13 nights)

From £2,728(14 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Walk through the diverse forest and jungle and take an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Cloud Forest – lookout for sloths and various birdlife as you go.

Experience life as the locals do by spending time on a family farm and learning how to cook authentic local Costa Rican food.

Enjoy some family downtime in the seaside town of Dominical at your eco-hotel, surrounded by stunning beaches and a tropical jungle.

Look out for wildlife in the evergreen rainforest of Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity – and enjoy some free time to maybe learn about the nocturnal creatures that dwell here.

Get hands-on with conservation in Marino Ballena National Park during a coral restoration workshop.

Is this trip right for you?

Make sure you pack some sturdy and comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking around cities and towns and through forests and jungles on this trip.

There are a few days of long travel on this trip as you’ll be covering a lot of Costa Rican ground. These drives are along smooth roads in new and comfortable vehicles, and are great for games, chats and scenery spotting. You’ll also make interesting stops along the way to break up the longer drives.

Is it hot in here? You’re in tropical Central America so it can get very humid, although nighttime and locations at higher elevations can get chilly. Carry plenty of water, dress in light clothing and bring a waterproof jacket. We’ll give you every opportunity to cool off with a swim.

With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.

Itinerary

Make family memories among evergreen forests and towering volcanos

Get off the beaten track on this two-week family holiday in Costa Rica, exploring all the best highlights and hidden secrets. Starting in subtropical San Jose, you'll explore Tortuguero National Park – home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals and the nesting ground of the green turtle. Spend some time in biodiverse Sarapiqui and maybe take on a few fun, active adventures with the kids. Stay in La Fortuna under the mighty gaze of Arenal Volcano and soak in your onsite hot springs before heading to the cloud forest in Monteverde. Learn how popular Costa Rican food is made, enjoying a homecooked lunch with a local family. Visit Marino Ballena National Park and get hands-on with a coral restoration workshop experience. Explore Manual Antonio with local naturalist guide before returning to San Jose to toast to an amazing adventure.

DAY 1
Day 1 • San Jose
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure starts in subtropical San Jose, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at the hotel. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see in this bustling city. Maybe take the kids to the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden – the perfect way to introduce the family to Costa Rican biodiversity (while also getting respite from the clamour of the city). After the meeting tonight, maybe get a taste of Tico food (and get to know the other families and your trip leader) with an optional group dinner. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Accommodation
Hotel Autentico or similar (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Tortuguero
This morning, you’ll travel by private vehicle to the Caribbean lowlands on a scenic (and slightly bumpy) journey that ends at the port of La Pavona – this rustic port is your entry point to Tortuguero. Hop aboard a small boat and journey into the depths of the Costa Rican wilderness. Arrive in the middle of this biodiverse area, where freshwater lagoons rest under the canopy of rainforest bordering the ocean. Many animals call this place home, so look out for jaguars, various birds and turtles as you sail quietly across the water and traverse the lush jungle. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Accommodation
Hotel Tortuguero Beach Front or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Tortuguero
This morning, head to Tortuguero National Park for a boat tour of the canals. This park, established in 1970, is now home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals, including manatees, ocelots and jaguars. This is also the nesting ground of the green turtle, which comes ashore between July and October to lay its eggs on the beach. The hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle and giant leatherback turtles also nest within the park, but at different times of the year. This afternoon, maybe wander around some of the park’s walking trails or just kick back and relax at your lodge. Tonight, you might want to head out on a turtle-watching tour – part of the cost of this optional activity will support a program to patrol the beach for poachers, keeping the turtles and their eggs safe.
Accommodation
Hotel Tortuguero Beach Front or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Tortuguero - National Park Entrance
Tortuguero - Boat tour of the canals
Optional activities
Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD45
Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD45
DAY 4
Day 4 • Sarapiqui
This morning, say goodbye to the evergreen rainforest and make the journey to Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity. When you arrive you'll have time to settle into your hotel. This evening join your leader for a walk through the rainforest, crossing trails as you look out for wildlife, an excursion to learn about the region’s nocturnal creatures – including sloths, howler monkeys, snakes and frogs. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Accommodation
La Tirimbina or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Sarapiqui - leader led rainforest night walk
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Sarapiqui
Today is a free day to explore Sarapiqui. Maybe you and your family could take a trip down the river on a float or get adventurous and go white water rafting through the rapids. Maybe you’d like to jump in a kayak and discover the lush surroundings on a more leisurely on-water experience. If you need to recharge, maybe you’d like to just relax by the pool at your accommodation. The price for the River float tour is for the float trip only and excludes transportation. Transport will need to be paid in addition to this amount and the price will vary depending on the size of the group.
Accommodation
La Tirimbina or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Sarapiqui - River float tour - USD78
Special information
The price for the River float tour is for the float trip only and excludes transportation. Transport will need to be paid in addition to this amount and the price will vary depending on the size of the group.
DAY 6
Day 6 • La Fortuna
Today, you’ll cross west through the north of the country to the Arenal volcano area, which lies beneath the volcano of the same name. Rising from verdant plains, Arenal Volcano shoots up 1633 m in a perfect cone and in certain lights, it resembles a storybook drawing. The landscape is mainly cloud forest and rainforest, cut through with rivers, lakes and (thanks to the volcano’s inner workings) thermal hot springs. For lunch today visit a local rural community where you and your family will take part in an authentic Costa Rican cooking experience set in a beautiful farm environment. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy La Fortuna at your own pace. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Accommodation
El Faro Arenal or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
La Fortuna - traditional tortilla making and lunch
Optional activities
La Fortuna - Los Laureles Hot Springs - Free
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
DAY 7
Day 7 • La Fortuna
Today is a free day to explore La Fortuna and all it has to offer. Maybe grab the kids and head to the La Fortuna Waterfall – at the base of the dormant Chato volcano, the waterfall is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, and you can even swim at the base of the cascades! Maybe the kids would rather get a new perspective of Arenal Volcano from the 1968 trail, where you can also explore lava trails. The above optional activity prices include an entrance fee only. Transportation will need to be paid in addition to the entrance fee and is subject to change depending on the number of participants.
Accommodation
El Faro Arenal or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
Special information
The above optional activity prices include an entrance fee only. Transportation will need to be paid in addition to the entrance fee and is subject to change depending on the number of participants.
DAY 8
Day 8 • Monteverde
Today, you’ll take the scenic route to Monteverde. Travel by minibus to Lake Arenal, then cross the water by boat. On the other side of the lake, re-board a minibus and continue to your destination. In 1951 North American Quakers founded the nearby Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve – a sanctuary for the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call the reserve home, and over the next few days, you’ll get acquainted with some of them. Tonight you will be able to relax in your boutique accommodation on a family-run farm, surrounded by spectacular cloud forest, gardens, coffee fields and views of the Nicoya gulf. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Accommodation
Jardines de Monteverde or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 9
Day 9 • Monteverde
This morning, see the forest from a different perspective on an included canopy walk across the suspended bridges of the cloud forest. The variety of bird life in Monteverde is enough to make an ornithologist out of anyone, so don’t be surprised if younger children have a new answer to the question – what do you want to do when you grow up? While you’re up among the treetops, look (or listen) out for the reclusive quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot or the emerald toucanet. The rest of the day is free to relax or partake in some optional activities. You could visit an orchid farm or whizz through the trees on ziplines. If conditions are right, there might be a chance to hike through the forest at dusk – a unique opportunity to see the area’s nocturnal creatures begin to stir.
Accommodation
Jardines de Monteverde or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Monteverde - Sky Walk (Entrance)
Optional activities
Monteverde - Sky Tram & Zipline - USD101
Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
DAY 10
Day 10 • Dominical
Wave 'adios' to Monteverde and hit the Pan-American Highway for a southward journey past beaches and palm plantations to the beachside town of Dominical. Along the way, you’ll stop at a local family home where you’ll have the opportunity to see how authentic local Costa Rican food is made and enjoy a delicious lunch. Spend some time with the three generations of Costa Ricans here and learn about their stories as you enjoy the essence of the Pura Vida lifestyle. Your accommodation while in Dominical is an eco-hotel, surrounded by lush rainforest, with all the comforts you could want. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Accommodation
Villas Rio Mar or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
DAY 11
Day 11 • Marino Ballena National Park - Dominical
Set off this morning on a short drive to Marino Ballena National Park, a vital conservation area know for it's diverse marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles and of course whales! Today your family will enjoy a special experience as you participate in a hands-on coral restoration workshop with a local non-profit organisation. Then the rest of the day will be yours to enjoy as you like. You can hike through the national park, relax on the beach or join in on one of the many optional activities on offer. Total travel time today is approximately 1 hour.
Accommodation
Villas Rio Mar or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Uvita - Marino Ballena National Park
Uvita - Coral Restoration Workshop
Special information
Total travel time today is approximately 1 hour.
DAY 12
Day 12 • Dominical
Today is a free day in Dominical. Flanked by the Baru River, this town is known for its surfing beach and tropical forest hiking trails, so there are plenty of options if you and the kids want to get outdoors (and who wouldn’t when you’re in this natural paradise?).
Accommodation
Villas Rio Mar or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Optional activities
Dominical – Mangrove Boat tour - USD85
DAY 13
Day 13 • Manuel Antonio National Park - San Jose
Today on the return to San Jose, you'll make a stop at Manuel Antonio National Park – the most popular national park in Costa Rica, to enjoy a guided walk along the trails with a Naturalist guide. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse flora and fauna. Look and listen carefully, and you may just be able to spot howler monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, iguanas and heaps of various birds. Then, continue on to San Jose, arriving to the hotel in the late afternoon. You may like to head out with the other families for a final group dinner together to toast to an amazing adventure. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Accommodation
Hotel Auténtico or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide
Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 14
Day 14 • San Jose
After breakfast today your trip comes to an end. As there are no further activities planned you are free to depart anytime. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Meals
Breakfast

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotels (13 nights)

Included activities

Tortuguero - Boat ride to Tortuguero

Tortuguero - National Park Entrance

Tortuguero - Boat tour of the canals

Sarapiqui - leader led rainforest night walk

La Fortuna - traditional tortilla making and lunch

Monteverde - Sky Walk (Entrance)

Manuel Antonio - Homecooked lunch

Uvita - Marino Ballena National Park

Uvita - Coral Restoration Workshop

Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide

Manuel Antonio National Park - (Entrance fee)

Optional activities

Tortuguero - Turtle Watching Night Tour - USD45

Tortuguero - Sunrise canoe trip around canals - USD45

Sarapiqui - River float tour - USD78

La Fortuna - Los Laureles Hot Springs - Free

La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25

La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25

Monteverde - Sky Tram & Zipline - USD101

Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47

Dominical – Mangrove Boat tour - USD85

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Saturday Dec 20, 2025

Friday Jan 02, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - Sold Out

Thursday Dec 25, 2025

Wednesday Jan 07, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£2,822

Saturday Dec 27, 2025

Friday Jan 09, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 9 spaces left

£3,014

Thursday Mar 26, 2026

Wednesday Apr 08, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,855

Saturday Mar 28, 2026

Friday Apr 10, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 4 spaces left

£3,234

Tuesday Mar 31, 2026

Monday Apr 13, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,855

Saturday Apr 04, 2026

Friday Apr 17, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,855

Saturday Jul 04, 2026

Friday Jul 17, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 11 spaces left

£2,992

Saturday Jul 18, 2026

Friday Jul 31, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 13 spaces left

£2,965

Saturday Jul 25, 2026

Friday Aug 07, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 12 spaces left

£2,965

Thursday Jul 30, 2026

Wednesday Aug 12, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,965

Saturday Aug 01, 2026

Friday Aug 14, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 14 spaces left

£2,855

Saturday Aug 08, 2026

Friday Aug 21, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,855

Saturday Aug 15, 2026

Friday Aug 28, 2026

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,728

Saturday Dec 19, 2026

Friday Jan 01, 2027

Trip size max: 16 - 16 spaces left

£2,855

Important notes

1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

2. CHILD AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Most children travelling on Tuuur Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old.

3. DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room to themselves. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

5. PASSPORT DETAILS: Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays to provide this information may result in changes to your itinerary, and we will not be able to guarantee entry. Details provided must be accurate as per your passport bio page.

7. HOTEL LOCATIONS: Many hotels in Costa Rica have been built further out from the centre of town so travellers can enjoy the countryside, rainforests and views, where people can wake up to birds, not cars. Many of the hotels we use are in such locations.

Reviews (20)

5 stars

4 stars

Esther

Sep 01, 2025

This was our first trip with Intrepid and it was one of the best holidays we’ve ever had. We did things that are out of our comfort zones and experienced much more than I thought we would. We absolutely loved it!

Chris

Aug 31, 2025

The trip of a lifetime! We never would have experienced so much of Costa Rica without Intrepid’s itinerary or our wonderful tour guide.

Lisandra

Aug 22, 2025

Intrepid offers an excellent, well planned, and safe tour experience for travelers interested in local culture, sustainability, and the environment. They offer a mix of immersive local and regional experiences, exploration activities, and cultural education. Guides are well informed and considerate. We will definitely be doing more trips with Intrepid in the future!

Clare

Aug 19, 2025

Our visit with intrepid to Costa Rica was incredible! Stunning locations, plentiful wildlife, exciting activities all brought to life by our amazing guide Emil - sharing his passion for his county made us fall in love with it too.

Natalie

Aug 17, 2025

Intrepid are an excellent choice for safe, family based adventure holidays with enthusiastic, experienced, knowledgeable guides. Our trip to Costa Rica exceeded our expectations as did our wonderful guide Emil.

Kerry

Aug 08, 2025

We have just returned from the Costa Rica family tour and found the trip very interesting with beautiful scenery and wildlife and lots of variety with regards the activities. We went to Vietnam with intrepid last year and used them again as a result of that experience

Olivia

Jul 26, 2025

10/10! Our trip was excellent and we would definitely do it again! We participated in so many activities and went to so many different places that would be hard to do without intrepid. Everything was so easy to plan.

Fergie

Jul 26, 2025

This was the most amazing trip ever our tour guide Lourdes Mora was so amazing and knowledgeable on the local history. The activities where so fun and immersive all of the hotels where beautiful and all of the locations where so amazing everyone was also so nice . Would 100% recommend

Tricia

Jul 21, 2025

Costa Rica is like a big green hug! It's so full of life and beauty. Our whole family (including my 14 year-old daughters) thoroughly enjoyed our 14 day tour. We really felt we got the absolute best experience of the country through the intrepid itinerary. Lu our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and knew just where to find the extra special wildlife and the best restaurants. She was also fabulous at keeping the kids happy and entertained. Travelling with like minded families really enhanced the experience. The kids encouraging each other to try new things and learnt a lot about each other's lives in there respective countries. Much of the accommodation was located close to forests or beaches, which meant I could do some extra exploring while the kids played with their new friends in the pool. A perfect family holiday with a positive conservation message.

Aidan

Jul 19, 2025

Our trip to Costa Rica was fantastic, and doing it with intrepid meant that all the hard work was done for us in selecting amazing places to stay and visit. Our guide Lourdes was key to making the whole trip perfect for the whole family and we can’t thank her enough!

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Day 14 • San Jose
After breakfast today your trip comes to an end. As there are no further activities planned you are free to depart anytime. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
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DAY 14
Day 14 • San Jose
After breakfast today your trip comes to an end. As there are no further activities planned you are free to depart anytime. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Meals
Breakfast