Compare Costa Rica Eco-Beach Adventure by Best Single Travel vs Costa Rica Family Holiday by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: San Jose

Our singles trip begins as you arrive in San Jose and are met at the Juan Santamaria airport and transferred to our hotel.

Our Welcome Dinner is at the RBG restaurant, right in our hotel (optional starting 2016).

Day 2: San Jose - Tortuguero

Today we depart to Tortuguero National Park on the Atlantic Coast, crossing Costa Rica from west to east, descending into the lowlands of the Caribbean coast. In Caño Blanco we board a river boat where our exciting tour really begins. During the two hour trip, we will observe various animals and vegetation. We arrive in time for lunch.

Spend the afternoon at the pool, kayaking or exploring the hotel.

Day 3: Tortuguero

After breakfast our group will explore by boat the National Park of Tortuguero which shelters a fabulous array of wildlife. There are unusually large populations of monkeys, amphibians, birds, including the great green macaw, fish and three species of marine turtles. Resident fauna include the tapir, ocelot, jaguars, collared peccaries, river otters, sloth, grisons, frogs, toucans, and the fascinating bulldog bats which feed on fish.

The wide-open canals make viewing easy for spotting crocodiles, giant iguanas, and basilisk lizards basking atop the branches, swallow-tailed hawks and vultures swooping over the treetops, and caimans on the fallen raffia palm branches at the side of the river.

After lunch back at the lodge we head into Tortuguero town and the Caribbean Conservation Center. The town of Tortuguero has a fairly basic life style. There are no cars in the island town of Tortuguero but there are a few shops and restaurants. Be sure to walk the little foot paths to Tortuguero beach, the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere.

Costa Rica Water fallAt night we can take an optional taxi boat in to town and dance or karaoke with the locals.

Day 4: Tortuguero - Arenal

Eat an early breakfast before we board the boats back to Caño Blanco port where our private transfer takes us to the Arenal Area.

After lunch at the El Ceibo restaurant, we continue to La Fortuna and get our first full view of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption producing huge ash columns, explosions & glowing red lava almost every day. It is considered one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

Day 5: Arenal

This morning it's time to explore the town and to explore La Fortuna Waterfalls. It is a short walk into the forest to the 230' high waterfall. The steps down to the base are steep but there's a “natural pool” for swimming so bring your suits and a hearty sense of adventure the water is chilly.

Now it is time to sit on our butts and float. Our tubing course is about 500 meters long in total but you can choose to run just the lower section which is only about 180 meters and maintains total visibility to our open viewing area to make you feel more comfortable.

After a long day soak in the hot mineral springs at The Springs. Take time out to relax in the thermal Hot Springs and naturally heated Jacuzzis, so close that you well feel the rumblings of the volcano. Then enjoy dinner at the Springs.

Day 6: Arenal - Monteverde

Costa Rica Sky TrekAfter breakfast we board our pontoon boat for a 40 minute ride to Río Chiquito, a little town on the other side of the lake from Arenal. Once there we have a short break before a 1.5 hour ride to our hotel in Monteverde.

The Monteverde Cloud Rain Forest is known for its conservation efforts and lifestyle centered on nature. There are more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species and 2,500 species of plants.

This afternoon it is time for ziplining through a canopy of trees. - Sky Trek is a system of trails, suspension bridges, and zip lines that offer visitors the opportunity to observe, view and appreciate tropical vegetation from different vantage points above the canopy. Two suspended bridges in, and above the canopy, one 265 feet long, and one 60 meters. There are three platforms above the canopy, connected by zip lines, a canopy observation tower 72' high and 10 cables system with the longest 1,400 feet.

Day 7: Monteverde - Manuel Antonio

Before we depart Monteverde we will hike in the reserve for a few hours. Elevation ranges from 600 meters above sea level to 1800 meters on isolated peaks. Trails are in excellent condition with railings on the steps and in some cases slices of tree trunks creating a lily pond like path to keep people from walking through mud.Then we transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio where we check into our full-service hotel, The Parador Resort and Spa. It's time for swimming or pool side sunning and we have three options, all overlooking the gleaming turquoise Pacific: choose from the beautiful centrally-located infinity pool with swim-up bar and terrace restaurant, our secluded adult-only pool, or the infinity pool with waterfall and Jacuzzi.

Day 8: Manuel Antonio

Sleep late or see how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot in a 2 ½ hour morning nature walk. Learn about the history of the Quepoa Indians and Costa Rica’s past in regard to the Manuel Antonio area, and come back with ideas as to how to help preserve this priceless. At the end of the walk savour some local fresh fruits and refreshments.

Enjoy the remainder of the day on the white sand beaches that stretch for miles along the coastline from Manuel Antonio Park, providing numerous options for surfing, sunning, kayaking and parasailing. The free shuttle service will transport you to the stunning beaches of Manuel Antonio, a quick ten minute ride away.

Tonight our singles group will get check out the local night life.

Day 9: Manuel Antonio - San Jose

After breakfast, free time to enjoy the hotel and the beach before we transfer back to San José.

Tonight enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant featuring mamba music and folklore show (subject to availability).

Day 10: San Jose - Costa Rica Singles Vacation Ends

Have breakfast at your leisure then say goodbye to your new single friends as you take the provided shuttle to the airport. You can depart anytime during the day (just remember you will have to depart the hotel about 3 hours before your flight)

Day 1 San Jose

Welcome to subtropical San Jose! Meet your leader and fellow family travellers at a welcome meeting at 5 pm at the hotel. If you arrive early there is plenty to see in this bustling city, and as the streets are laid out in a grid pattern it’s relatively easy to navigate too. Check out a few of the optional activities below, just note that as these activities are not included, they may incur an extra charge. The Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, for example, is the perfect way to introduce kids (and adults) of all ages to Costa Rican biodiversity while getting some respite from the clamour of the city. After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a taste of ‘Tico’ food (and get to know the other families and your tour leader) with an optional dinner as a group.

Day 2 Santa Rosa de Pocosol

Fuel up on breakfast and get some books or classic car games ready for the 3-hour drive to Santa Rosa de Pocosol. The tiny agricultural community of Juanilama (pop. approximately 200) in the Santa Rosa de Pocosol area is predominantly dedicated to milk production and raising cattle. It’s the perfect place to experience life in small-town Costa Rica – you’ll even be staying with a local family! Settle in and get to know your hosts before going on an agricultural tour. During the tour the children will learn how to plant vegetables as well as gather some produce to be used in tonight’s cooking class. You will have some free time to wander around the community before coming together to create a meal with the produce collected earlier. Vamos a comer (Let’s eat)!

Day 3 Arenal

Today you’ll cross west through the north of the country to Arenal (approximately 1 hour), which lies beneath the volcano of the same name. Rising from verdant plains, Arenal Volcano shoots up 1633 metres in a perfect cone and in certain light 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. On arrival you are free to explore the area at your own pace. Or perhaps you’d prefer to unwind by the hotel pool in view of the mighty Arenal Volcano. Your accommodation also features onsite hot springs where you can relax your muscles in preparation for an active day tomorrow.

Day 4 Arenal

Today begins with a hike to the Peninsula section of the National Park, near Lake Arenal. Here we will begin a 1.5 km (1 mile) long walk along an easy trail for about an hour. Throughout the tour you can enjoy excellent views overlooking Lake Arenal and the Tilaran Volcanic Mountain Range in the observation bays that are found along the trail. At the end of the walk, we will have the opportunity to climb to the observation platform of approximately 12 meters (40 ft) high for a closer and amazing view of the volcano. At the end of the trail, we will take our boat for a tour along the forested shores of Lake Arenal and islets to try to find some animals. This is the ideal place to take scenic photographs of the volcano, if it is clear. After about 45 minutes, the boat docks in the sector of the Arenal Dam. The afternoon is then free for optional activities in the local area. Please note as these activities are not included, some incur extra cost. To get a closer view of the majestic volcano peak, you could take a hike past old lava flows on the Arenal 1968 Trail. There are two options on the 1968, including a shorter route suitable for families with younger kids. Or maybe a slow-paced soar on the Sky Tram is more your family’s speed? Chat to your leader about these and the many other options on offer today.

Day 5 Monteverde

Today you’ll drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, before taking a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. Once you reach La Fortuna, a vehicle will take you to the hotel. There may be time to make an optional visit the nearby Butterfly Garden today upon arrival (an additional cost). Otherwise, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. 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.

Day 6 Monteverde

See the forest from a different perspective on an included canopy walk across the suspended bridges of Monteverde. The sheer 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 resplendent quetzal, the blue-crowned motmot or the emerald toucanet. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or partake in some optional activities. You could visit an orchid farm or whizz through the trees on zip-lines. 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.

Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park

Wave adios to Monteverde and hit the Pan-American Highway for a southward journey past beaches and palm plantations to Manuel Antonio (around 6 hours). Arrive at your accommodation, located close to the national park, and spend an evening at leisure. On your way you will stop at a local family home where you'll enjoy a cooking class and lunch. An activity the kids will enjoy! All the dishes will be based on traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Tonight, maybe take the family for a traditional Costa Rican meal at a soda (local restaurant), where you can mix with locals and try some of the region’s incredible fresh produce. Please note this dinner is not included, but your leader can give you tips on where to go and what to order!

Day 8 Manuel Antonio National Park

After breakfast enjoy a 3-hour guided walk along the trails that snake through Manuel Antonio National Park. Immerse yourself in nature and learn more about the area’s diverse wild and plant life from your guide. Look and listen carefully and you may be able to spot howler monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, iguanas and more. The afternoon is free to explore this magical area further at your family’s desired pace. Maybe you’d like to relax on one of the idyllic palm-lined bays while the kids splash in the water. Active types have the option to rent equipment to kayak, surf or fish in the glittering ocean (for an extra cost). There are no wrong choices in this balmy paradise.

Day 9 San Jose

Rise and shine for your final morning in this beachside haven. Enjoy your last hours in Manuel Antonio with some free time before making the return drive to San Jose in the mid-afternoon (approximately 3 hours). There are no activities planned on arrival at San Jose but maybe head out as a group for a final optional dinner to reminisce about your time together.

Day 10 San Jose

There are no activities planned for today. Please remember to comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times if you are leaving today. Can’t get enough of San Jose? Why not head out on a Tropical Rainforest and Chocolate Urban Adventure, which uncovers the chocolate and wildlife secrets of the jungle. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/San-Jose-tour-tropical-rainforest-and-chocolate-adventure.