south-america·Multi-day tour·8 days
8-Day Costa Rica Family Tour from San Jose: Tortuguero, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park | 1 Country and 8 Cities | 7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners
★ 4.9· 5 reviewsDaily breakfastSelect Meals IncludedAffordableLocal Specialty Meal
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Explore Arenal Volcano National Park for a guided hike
• Visit Tortuguero Village, Arenal Hanging Bridges, Zipline through treetops at a local adventure park, Manuel Antonio National Park
• View Arenal Volcano
• Cruise the canals of Tortuguero National Park
• Visit Tortuguero Village, Arenal Hanging Bridges, Zipline through treetops at a local adventure park, Manuel Antonio National Park
• View Arenal Volcano
• Cruise the canals of Tortuguero National Park
8 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Home - San Jose
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Cute sloths, boat rides and ziplines are waiting in the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica and we can't wait to show you them all.
On arrival, a local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Relax or hit the pool for a swim before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventurers for some fiesta fun at our Kickoff Party.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Sheraton San Jose Hotel - 2
Day 2 — San Jose - Tortuguero National Park
Rise this morning and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park, where we'll embark on a river journey with a Local Specialist through protected wetlands to secluded Tortuguero as we glide through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest.
Then continue to your Stays with Stories at Laguna Lodge, where you'll learn the story of how the lodge was built with materials that protect this biodiverse environment and natural habitat. For dinner tonight enjoy a buffet at the resort's open-air restaurant.Braulio Carrillo National Park

Tortuguero National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Laguna Lodge Tortuguero - 3
Day 3 — Tortuguero National Park
There's nothing like the wake-up call of a troop of howler monkeys to start your day. Set off on a Family Fun cruise through the park's canals with your Local Specialist and guide to explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park. You may want to start a tally of all the types of wildlife you'll see. Look out for sloths, green iguanas, caiman, crocodiles and colorful toucans. Of course, you'll spot tons of monkeys - agile howler and spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins swinging through the dense rainforest canopy.
This afternoon, venture back out on the canals to add to your wildlife tally or relax back at the lodge, the choice is yours. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience awaits this evening as you enjoy dinner while the young musicians of Tortuguero Music School entertain you with the joyful sounds of the Caribbean.
Tortuguero National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Laguna Lodge Tortuguero - 4
Day 4 — Tortuguero - Horquetas - Arenal National Park
Bid adiós to the monkeys for now as you boat back to the mainland and travel to Horquetas. Here you'll MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® and visit local Tico family's palm plantation to learn how they grow this exotic vegetable. Taste something you've probably never tried before, the delicate heart of palm.
After, head to a local restaurant for some refreshing passion fruit sorbet and view some of the huge green iguanas that hang around. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where kids get to make their own pizza.Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa - 5
Day 5 — Arenal National Park
Rise and shine as the forest and volcano call you back. Start the day with a guided trek around the quiet side of the volcano at Arenal National Park. Walk through the old lava rocks and learn about the powerful forces behind the volcano's past eruptions.
Then, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges to walk eye-level with the lush canopy, observe the monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close, and look out to see towering Arenal Volcano. Meet our hosts Rodrigo, Ana Julia and their family, for a Be My Guest experience hearing the amazing stories of the volcano eruptions. Explore the beautiful botanical garden and finish with lunch at the family ranch.
Later, relax in the thermal springs or take a swim in the pool back at the hotel.
Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Arenal Paraiso Resort and Spa - 6
Day 6 — Arenal National Park - Manuel Antonio National Park
Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline (Waiver Required) through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and ocean views. Later, head south to Manuel Antonio, renowned for its warm blue waters, beautiful beaches and abundant exotic wildlife.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Parador Nature Resort and Spa, Manuel Antonio - 7
Day 7 — Manuel Antonio National Park
Walking deep into the national park with your Travel Director, you'll definitely check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list-at last count, there were 109 different animals and 184 species of birds living here. Listen to the whooping bark of howler monkeys and the chattering of mischievous squirrel and white-faced monkeys.
Then, it's time to hit the beach. Laze in the warm Pacific or choose an optional Beach Kayak tour or Boat tour where you may see various bird species, reptiles, anteaters and white-faced monkeys. This evening, join your fellow explorers to celebrate new friendships over a Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Parador Nature Resort and Spa, Manuel Antonio - 8
Day 8 — Manuel Antonio National Park - San Jose
Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight home or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton San Jose. Airport arrival will be at approximately 11:00 am, please be aware when booking your flights.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- 7-night hotel accommodation
- 7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Trip Highlights: Stay with Stories, Tortuguero River Journey, Music School Presentation Tortuguero, Heart of Palm Plantation Experience, Discover Arenal National Park, Arenal Volcano Lunch, Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
Not included
- Service fee for travel director and driver
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and departure city
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals the tour guide arranges
- Optional tours and mandatory fees are not covered in the tour cost; kindly pay these directly to the guide during the tour. For details, please check the daily itinerary. (Costs listed are estimated; the tour guide will provide final confirmation.)
- Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 3 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 4–31 days before | 20% | Cancellation Made Within 4 days to 31 days prior to departure, Refund 20% of total purchase amount |
| 32–92 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 92 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 93+ days before | 350% | Cancellation Made 93 or more days prior to departure, only $350 charge handling fee by person |
Important info
Special notes
- Important info:
- Please note: For the more remote areas of Costa Rica, we use the best available hotel facilities with comfortable but simple guestrooms and eco-friendly amenities perfectly suited to the natural surroundings. This journey requires walking on uneven surfaces and steps and sometimes through heavy showers (rain ponchos provided). This journey is best enjoyed by the experienced traveller in good health and who can take such conditions in stride.
- For the 2-night excursion to Tortuguero National Park, guests are permitted to bring a maximum of 25 lbs. (11 kilos) of luggage. Your primary suitcase will be transferred and securely stored at your Sarapiqui hotel.
- Visitors pay a departure tax of US$29 (subject to change) in cash or credit card at the airport when departing Costa Rica. Some airlines are adding the departure tax into the cost of the ticket. Please check with your airline if this fee has been included.
- Yellow Fever vaccination is required when travelling directly from at risk countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Please check with consulate for more information.
- Passports with a minimum of 6 months validity after return date are required and are at your expense.
- Non-US citizens please check if visas are needed with your nearest consulate.
- Day 1 is the start date and first hotel night included with the journey. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
- To give ample time for check-in and security, we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight departure. - Travel insurance:
- We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip.
- Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events. - Luggage:
- Travelling with the local operator entitles each guest to travel with one suitcase not exceeding 23kg (50lbs) in weight, with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30” x 18” x 10”). Carry-on/hand luggage is restricted to one piece per person, not exceeding 12”x11”x6” (30x28x14 cm) to fit under your coach seat or in the small overhead compartment. Telescopic handles or wheels not permitted.
- Internal flights: Luggage allowance is limited to 1 piece per person (maximum of 20Kg/44lbs) and 1 hand luggage per person (maximum of 7Kg/15lbs).
- We strongly recommend that you test the weight of your baggage prior to travel. You should be able to lift and comfortably transport it for short distances.
- Baggage allowances vary from airline to airline and you should check with your chosen carrier for details prior to travel. - Border crossings and visa requirements:
- Each guest must ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of their trip and that they have acquired all necessary visas and permits. You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas before the departure of your guided holiday. Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks before your departure. It is strongly advised that you consult your Travel Agent and the local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting well in advance to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Price for Single Occupancy applies when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Price for Double/Triple Occupancy applies when two/three people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Maximum room capacity: 3 people including adult and child/infant.
* Triple room bookings are available on the majority of our tours, suitable for 2 adults and 1 child. When booking your trip, we define a child as somebody aged 5 – 17, we do not accept children under the age of 5. A triple room is not recommended for 3 adults, as the third bed is often a rollaway, which may not be comfortable for an adult.
* If you're on a trip as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), then you would require 1 triple room (for 1 adult and 2 children), and 1 double room (1 adult and 1 child).
* Price for Double/Triple Occupancy applies when two/three people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Maximum room capacity: 3 people including adult and child/infant.
* Triple room bookings are available on the majority of our tours, suitable for 2 adults and 1 child. When booking your trip, we define a child as somebody aged 5 – 17, we do not accept children under the age of 5. A triple room is not recommended for 3 adults, as the third bed is often a rollaway, which may not be comfortable for an adult.
* If you're on a trip as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), then you would require 1 triple room (for 1 adult and 2 children), and 1 double room (1 adult and 1 child).
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$2423
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