Jungle canals, volcanic wonders & family beach adventures
When to go
Year-Round
Trip length
11 days / 10 nights
Typical investmentPrice
from $3,800 pp
Explore three beautiful sides of Costa Rica on a family journey from Tortuguero’s rainforest waterways to the Pacific beaches of Nosara. Begin with a night in San José before traveling by road and boat into the jungle. Cruise canals in search of monkeys, sloths, and birds, with a seasonal turtle-nesting excursion when available. Continue to Arenal for hanging bridges, wildlife, and a soak in natural hot springs. Finish on the coast with a family surf lesson and days of beachside play. On your final evening, gather around a private beach bonfire for marshmallows and stories beneath the stars.
Along the way
Watch sea turtles nest beneath the stars (July through October)
Soak in jungle hot springs
Surf gentle waves on Playa Guiones with expert instruction
Glide through rainforest canals on a wildlife boat safari
Your route
Your first sips of adventure on the North Caribbean
Arrive in Costa Rica’s capital and check into your family suite in a restored Victorian mansion. Spend the afternoon enjoying the courtyard or relaxing in the rooftop jacuzzi after your travels. Tomorrow’s breakfast is included before your jungle adventure begins.
Travel by shared transfer from San José to La Pavona, then continue by boat through rainforest-lined waterways to Tortuguero. Check into your family cabin near the water and spend the afternoon enjoying the pool and jungle surroundings. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included at the lodge.
Rise early for a guided canal safari, searching for monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife along the banks and treetops. After lunch, visit the lodge’s butterfly garden or relax by the pool. During nesting season, an evening turtle tour offers a chance to witness turtles on the beach, subject to availability and wildlife conditions.
Fire, Mist & Open Skies
Travel by boat and private transfer to Arenal and check into your hillside bungalow with sweeping volcano views. Spend the afternoon swimming in the pool or wandering the lodge’s nature trail, watching for sloths and toucans along the way.
Explore Arenal’s hanging bridges with your guide, following a rainforest loop and searching for wildlife among the treetops. This afternoon, enjoy a soak in Ecotermales’ natural thermal waters. Dinner is included here, a delicious finish to your forest-and-hot-springs adventure.
Enjoy a day at your own pace. Perhaps arrange kayaking on Lake Arenal or a visit to Proyecto Asis to learn about rescued wildlife. Or stay by the pool for a lazy family afternoon. Meals are on your own, with La Fortuna offering plenty of options to explore.
Ocean air & golden afternoons
Fly west to Nosara and check into your family suite above Playa Pelada. Follow the lodge’s trail to the beach for sandcastles and tide pools, or relax beside the infinity pool with a smoothie. Your next days belong to Pacific shores.
Head to Playa Guiones for a family surf lesson with expert instructors, who choose the session around your experience and conditions. Spend the afternoon beachcombing, relaxing, or exploring the lodge’s reserve trails in search of iguanas, crabs, and parrots.
Begin with the included beachfront yoga class or enjoy a leisurely morning. Explore the lodge’s nature reserve, spend time at the pool, or build sandcastles on Playa Pelada. Later, head into Nosara to enjoy its varied restaurants and cafés. A full day to choose your own family fun.
Spend the day relaxing, wandering, or playing along the coast. As the sun dips low, gather around your private beach bonfire for roasted marshmallows and Costa Rican stories. Waves nearby and stars overhead, a beautiful final evening together.
Enjoy one final breakfast overlooking the ocean before your private driver takes you to Liberia for your flight home. Bid farewell to jungle canals, volcanic views, and Pacific beaches. Pura vida!
Let's discover your next adventure
Our top picks
Hidden in the rainforest between La Fortuna and Costa Rica's Central Highlands, Chachagua spreads its rooms and villas across a private reserve of forest, gardens, and natural hot springs. Wildlife is common throughout the property, with toucans, monkeys, and sloths regularly spotted near the accommodations. La Fortuna is about 20 minutes away, leaving evenings noticeably quieter than staying in town.
Fifty standalone bungalows are spread across 370 acres of gardens and secondary rainforest just outside La Fortuna. Wide spacing between the accommodations gives the property an unusually open feel, with Arenal Volcano visible from much of the grounds. Early mornings often begin with birds, monkeys, and coatis moving through the gardens.
Nayara Gardens was the first of the three Nayara properties, and its mature tropical landscaping still gives it the most established feel. Casitas are hidden among dense gardens beneath Arenal Volcano, with restaurants, pools, and hanging bridges linking the wider resort. Guests also have access to the facilities at Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp.
River, mangrove, forest, and ocean all meet below Lagarta Lodge, creating one of the most distinctive landscapes in Nosara. Rooms and suites overlook the protected reserve, with wildlife frequently spotted from the restaurant, pool, and surrounding trails. It's a very different side of Nosara from the surf beaches, with nature taking center stage.
A naturally heated river flows through the heart of Tabacón, feeding a series of thermal pools and waterfalls beneath Arenal Volcano. The resort's 105 rooms and suites sit apart from the hot springs, allowing the rainforest to remain the focus of the property. The thermal river emerges naturally from the volcano, flowing through the gardens before continuing downstream.
Tortuga Lodge has welcomed travelers to Tortuguero for more than four decades and is now part of the Costa Rican-owned Boena collection. Spacious rooms and suites overlook the river from tropical gardens, while experienced naturalist guides lead daily excursions through Tortuguero National Park. Guests come for the wildlife, the guiding, and the setting rather than elaborate resort facilities.
The The Gilded Iguana has been part of Nosara's surf culture since the 1980s, evolving from a local gathering place into one of the town's best-known boutique hotels. A short walk from Playa Guiones, the property includes a dedicated surf club, equipment rentals, and coaching for every level. It's a natural choice for travelers who want surfing to shape their stay.
Across the river from Tortuguero village, Pachira Lodge is surrounded by canals, wetlands, and tropical forest on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast. Boats leave directly from the lodge for wildlife excursions through Tortuguero National Park, where monkeys, caimans, sloths, and hundreds of bird species are regularly seen. Green sea turtles come ashore nearby between July and October.
One of Nosara's original boutique hotels, The Harmony helped establish the town's reputation for surfing, wellness, and laid-back luxury. Its 24 rooms and suites sit within tropical gardens just a short walk from Playa Guiones. An excellent spa, yoga pavilion, and the popular Juice Bar restaurant remain central to the experience.
Developed by the team behind Sendero, Fermata brings a fresh take on luxury to Santa Teresa's beachfront. Thirty-five rooms, casitas, suites, and a villa overlook the Pacific beside the iconic La Lora surf break, while Fermata Kitchen has quickly become one of the area's standout restaurants. Guests can walk from breakfast to the surf without ever crossing a road.
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