Costa Rica Family Wild Adventure

Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. Aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the afternoon of Day 2. A free transfer is available to take you to our hotel in San José. Read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information on booking your seat. Accommodation: Sleep Inn (or similar)

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San José as we travel to the northeast of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, the vast network of waterways, canals and swamps in Tortuguero is remarkably tranquil and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients. Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum. Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for the endangered green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region; during November to January, baby turtles hatch and scramble to the ocean. Today’s travel time is about six hours including a break for breakfast. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero on a morning boat trip, passing serenely along the waterways. At this time of day, wildlife is usually at its most active and (with the help of our expert guide) we are likely to see monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We return to the lodge and we have the afternoon to relax. There’s a pool if you fancy a splash. Alternatively, join a second boat trip, visit the beach or follow a short walking trail through the forest. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat. Our bus is ready at the pier to drive us to the Sarapiqui region, stopping for lunch en route. Sarapiqui, blessed with abundant vegetation and the beautiful Sarapiqui River, is one of the main banana-growing areas in Costa Rica, although coffee, cardamon, cacao, corn and other fruits are also produced here. In the evening, we take a night walk through Tirimbina Biological Reserve, crossing a suspension bridge for a different perspective on the rainforest and its many inhabitants: see how many eyes you can spot staring back at you! Our guide focuses on nocturnal species, such as insects, frogs and mammals, who are active in the dark. Accommodation: La Quinta Sarapiqui (or similar)

After breakfast, we check out and head to a pineapple plantation in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, an area with excellent growing conditions. During our morning tour, we discover the organic philosophy of the farm: learning about crop rotation, companion planting and the concept of rural agritourism – a great introduction to Costa Rican heritage. After, we transfer to La Fortuna near the now-dormant Arenal volcano, arriving around lunchtime. This afternoon we have time to explore the Hanging Bridges: a series of treetop walkways, from which we can explore the forest from above and spot the resident wildlife. Accommodation: Arenal Country Inn (or similar)

This morning, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to a relatively steep set of steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to exit – this takes 20-30 minutes and is rewarded with a swim in the emerald pool below. It is also possible to visit the lookout point and wait for the group instead. Keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the rainforest. Then, enjoy the sweetest rainforest experience of all: discovering the ancient secrets of chocolate. Considered a ‘gift of the gods’, the cacao tree was vital to the ancient culture here: it helped produce their ceremonial drink and the seeds were used as currency. In this hands-on activity, we dive into the fascinating history, learn about the production process and, of course, sample their high-quality chocolate. Accommodation: Arenal Country Inn (or similar)

From Arenal, we travel to the Tilarán Mountains in the central highlands for our first taste of a Costa Rican cloud forest. The journey provides breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are more than 400 varieties here. Today’s drive is around four hours — the last 25mi (40km) of road is gravel and can be bumpy, particularly following heavy rain. Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Belcruz Family Lodge (or similar)

Today we visit Selvatura Park – 850 acres (345ha) of protected land dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with a visit to the butterfly garden, which has one of the largest exhibitions of butterflies in the world. After, it’s time to try out your own aerial manoeuvres on a treetop zip-line adventure. Before you fly, guides teach you the proper technique, including how to position yourself and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure suspended above the trees. Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde or Belcruz Family Lodge (or similar)

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out and transfer to Rincón de la Vieja, an area of dry forest and enchanting waterfalls but best known for bubbling mud pots, steaming vents in the earth, hot springs and a whole host of wildlife. Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or Buena Vista del Rincón (or similar)

There are two activities to choose between today: a canyon canopy tour or tubing. The cost of joining one activity is included, so it’s up to you to decide which you would like to do! The canyon canopy tour is a zip-line adventure involving rappelling, climbing, a Tarzan swing and hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. Tubing takes place on the Rio Negro, with individual inner tube rafts across 3mi (5km) of class II and III rapids. Experience is not needed for either of these activities and you can decide which you prefer once you’re in Costa Rica. Afterwards, we visit hot springs. Heated naturally by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, these feed directly from the Rio Negro and are mineral rich with supposed therapeutic properties. There are 10 human-made pools created to capture the steaming mineral water, surrounded by thick forest. Smooth volcanic clay over yourself, let it dry and wash off with a cool shower or jump in the river before soaking again in the hot pools! Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or Buena Vista del Rincón (or similar)

Today we travel to Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast, a fairly small beach town with lots to do and see. It is bordered by several breath-taking beaches, which are a few minutes’ away from the downtown area. We have a free afternoon here to enjoy the facilities and discover the area. Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)

We hop on an open catamaran in Playa Tamarindo and travel along the Gold Coast, passing exotic bays, white-sand beaches and tropical jungles as we scann the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish or even a breaching whale. We stop in a tranquil bay with time to snorkel or relax on the deserted white-sand beach as the crew prepares a feast of barbecue chicken, yellow Spanish rice, fruit, chips, black bean puree, pico de gallo (a zingy salsa) and homemade chocolate chip cookies for lunch. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel in Tamarindo with time to relax. Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)

Today has been left free for you to enjoy the Pacific coast, Tamarindo Beach and the hotel facilities. Accommodation: Wyndham Tamarindo (or similar)

We return to San José today, where the afternoon is free for you to explore the city or relax at the hotel. Accommodation: Sleep Inn (or similar)

The trip ends after breakfast and it’s time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Transfers to San José Airport are available to everyone today. If you don’t want the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay and enjoy more time in the capital.