Day 1July 2th – Drive to La Fortuna (Tabacon Resort)
La Fortuna is where the perfectly shaped Arenal Volcano is located. You’ll be staying at the Tabacon Resort www.tabacon.com the premier resort in the area, well known for its thermal hot springs. Here you’ll have breathtaking views of the volcano in a lush, tropical setting. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 2July 3th – Zipline & Danaus (Tabacon Resort)
Arenal Volcano
We get the adrenaline going again today. There are over 70 different ziplines in the country but the one on the back side of the Arenal Volcano is still the best and safest there is. Not only are the views amazing but you happen to zip 700ft above primary rainforest. After lunch we’ll visit the Danaus Reserve. This is an easy little nature hike that gives everyone a chance to see almost all of the critters and animals in Costa Rica without having to hike for hours on end. This is a four acre reserve filled with poisonous dart frogs, tree frogs, caimans, birds, SLOTHS!, and much more. In the afternoon it is back to the Tabacon Resort so you can enjoy an evening in the hotsprings. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 3 July 4th - Travel to Monteverde (El Establo)
Hanging Bridges of Monteverde
Today you will make you way to the famous Monteverde Cloudforest. This is a beautiful area and you will travel by a boat across the beautiful lake of Arenal. Once you arrive on the other side of the lake it will be a 1 hour drive up into the mountains where you will arrive to your next hotel. The hotel is named El Establo and it has breath taking views of the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The weather is cool here as you will be high in elevation. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 July 4th - Visit Nature Reserve & Hanging Bridges (El Establo)
The Monteverde Cloudforest is most well known for it's reserve. This is a beautiful reserve and you will walk through with your private naturalist guide. This will give you a chance to see some of the animals of the cloudforest and hopefully Costa Rica's most famous bird the Quetzal. After the hike through the reserve you can make your way to the hanging bridges where you will get a chance to walk through the canopy of the cloudforest on bridges that are suspended up in the trees. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5July 6th – Drive to the Pacific Side of Costa Rica (Arenas Del Mar Resort)
Famous Quetzal
This will be a travel morning as we drive down to Manual Antonio, considered the most picturesque beach area in Costa Rica. The beautiful Arenas Del Mar Resort www.arenasdelmar.com will be your home for the next three days. It has its own private beach and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Days 6 & 7 July 7th 8th – Beach Days (Arenas del Mar Resort) (Meals Included: Breakfasts)
Day 8July 9th – Drive back to SJO for your return flight home. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Today you will meet your drive and guide outside the San Jose airport (SJO) where you will make the short drive to the Grano de Oro Hotel. This is one of San Jose's finest hotels and you will get a short history lesson on what makes San Jose a great city which not too many people understand. (Meals: None)
Today we will leave after breakfast and make our way south to the tallest volcano in all of Costa Rica. You will get a view of the beautiful landscape of Costa Rica as we drive and hike to the top of the Irazu Volcano. Here you get a chance to look into the crater of the volcano. We'll then head down to the Turrialba area where you will be staying at Casa Turire Hotel with excellent views of nearby Turrialba Volcano. Casa Turire is one of our favorite hotels in all of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
After breakfast at Casa Turire we'll drive to the Pejibaye River where your adventure will be running the river in a small raft for just two people. The second person in the duckie will be your guide, making it a perfect adventure for younger children as everyone gets a guide. The thrill of rafting down the Pejibaye keeps everyone wet and excited for all two hours on the river. After our river run we will stop at a local village where you'll enjoy an excellent Tico meal and a local dance performance in a rural mountain setting. In the evening you will have time to relax back at Casa Turire. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 4 ------ Enter Pacuare River (Pacuare Lodge)
Life is good in Pacuare
National Geographic has the Pacuare River listed as one of the top five scenic rivers on the planet and everyone we take down seems to agree. With our Costa Rican Resource River Operations you will enjoy a day on the upper part of the Pacuare River with your own private tour. Here we will get the chance to hike to different waterfalls and have a unique river lunch prepared for you right on the river. Our final destination will be the Pacuare Lodge which is one of the most picturesque settings you can imagine, here luxury meets the jungle. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
The second day of rafting on Pacuare is the best. Not only is the scenery breath-taking from start to finish but you also get to experience the larger rapids. Most months out of the year we can still run this section with little kids and can assure you safety is first and our guides are some of the finest you will find on Earth. Well, they did place 6th last year in the world rafting championship. Costa Rican Resource was a proud sponsor of the Costa Rican Team. After we make our way through this beautiful canyon, we will then drive to the Caribbean where you'll be staying in another luxurious setting surrounded by nature at Almonds & Corals Ecolodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
The clear blue water and white sand of the Caribbean is something you will not find on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. It is also the best area for snorkeling with 35 different species of coral and 500 different species of fish. We'll be walking right off the shore and snorkeling in some of Costa Rica's most biodiverse jungles but these just happen to be underwater. After we snorkel we can go to the nearby towns where you and the kids can do some trinket shopping for local crafts. A second option for this afternoon would be to rappel one of the nearby waterfalls. Your CRR guide can set you up for an amazing adventure of rappeling a 70 ft waterfall. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)
Costa Rican Resource Sponsor of National Team of Rafting
If you are a fan of chocolate you will be a fan of today as we learn the secrets of the Cacao fruit and where it has come from and the process of making it to the sweet tasting candy we all know and love. This tour is done by the local indigenous tribe and very educational for everyone. After the chocolate tour we'll hit the beach where it will be time to take on some waves and enjoy a surf class with the locals. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 8 ------ Fly Home!
Today we drive back to the San Jose Airport and an afternoon flight would work best as it is a three hour drive from the Caribbean to San Jose (SJO)
Eating Termites on Nature Hike
Costa Rican Resource Call Today 1-855-CRR-TOUR info@crrtravel.com www.crrtours.com
Day 1 -------- Arrive & Drive to Dominical (Cuna del Angel)
Today your private guide and driver will meet you outside the San Jose airport. We will make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the beach town of Dominical which is home to some of the best surfing in all of Costa Rica. You will be staying at the Cuna del Angel which is just south of the beach town. When we arrive it will be a long day of traveling so you can rest up and get ready for the day 2 of surfing. (Meals: None)
Day 2 -------- Surf Class (Cuna del Angel)
Surf Classes Dominical
Get ready for a full day of surfing. Today we will have the board size of your choice and a chance to ride waves all day. We will visit a few different beaches and make our way up and down the coast exploring some of Costa Rica's most beautiful and untouched beaches along with perfect waves. (Meals: Breakfast)
Today we will make our way into the area where we will be rappeling down a waterfall and then sleeping behind a waterfall. This is a very intense hike to arrive and we can get a horse if the kids feel they will need one but we have had little ones make it before no problem. When we arrive it will be time to walk down a 150 ft waterfall with a rope. This is the sport of rappeling and it is one of the most adrenaline pumping events of the week. After the rappel we will go watch the sunset on top of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall and then back to our cots where we will spend the night and enjoy the beauty of the jungle and the sound of the water. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 -------- Leave Waterfall and Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)
After breakfast we will hike out of the area we will be staying and then make the drive over Costa Rica tallest mountain range. This is a beautiful drive with a chance to see both coast at the same time. Our final destination will be the Casa Turire Hotel located in Turrialba with beautiful views of the erupting Turrialba Volcano. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Walter & Martha in the Duckies
Day 5 -------- Raft in Duckies on Pejibaye (Casa Turire)
Probably our favorite adventure with families is our duckie adventure in the Pejibaye River. Here everyone gets their own duckie and their own guide to get them through the rapids of the Pejibaye River. This is a great day on the river and the best part is that this adventure ends at the Casa Turire Hotel where we park our duckies and you can then go relax in the pool. In the evening we can take you into a local nearby village for a meal and some Costa Rican flavor. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Rafting Pacuare
Day 6 -------- Raft Pacuare & Drive to Arenal (The Springs)
Voted as one of the top 5 rivers on the planet this is a must do in Costa Rica if you are looking for fun in adventure. Because the water will be running low and all of our tours are run privately with the top river guides we will have no problem taking the little ones on this amazing adventure. No doubt the most scenic spot in all of Costa Rica. In the evening we will drive to The Springs where the kids can enjoy the fastest waterslide in Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 7 -------- Zipline & Hotsprings (The Springs)
With over 70 different ziplines in the country this is for sure the best. It is the highest, fastest, & safest zipline with cables that hang 700ft above the rainforest floor along with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake below. After spending the day of adventure on the ziplines you will have sometime to relax in the Hotsprings and just enjoy the view and the slide. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 8 -------- Fly Home!
Today we will take you back to the San Jose airport. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 1 ----- Arrive & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)
Today your guide and driver will meet you outside the San Jose Airport and you'll drive through the capital city of San Jose and then through rural Costa Rica as you make your way to the area of Turrialba. Here you will be staying in the beautiful Casa Turire Hotel which is located on a lake with excellent views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano. Depending on your flight arrival we can take you into a local mountain village for dinner and a chance for the kids to interact with some of our local friends. (Meals: None)
Day 2 ----- Raft Pacuare (Pacuare Lodge)
Pacuare Lodge
National Geographic has this river listed as one of the top five rivers on the planet and the scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping. After breakfast in the hotel we will make our way to the area of La Cruz where we will begin our adventure on the Pacuare. We will spend half of the day rafting, visiting waterfalls, and having a river lunch as we raft our way to the Pacuare Lodge. The Pacuare Lodge is one of a kind on the Pacuare River and a perfect blend of ecolodge and luxury. Your time at the lodge will be spent completely surrounded by nature and the nearby river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Nayara Hotel & Spa
Day 3 ----- Raft Canyon & Drive to Arenal (Nayara Hotel)
Today we will take on more rafting as we visit the Pacuare Canyon which is home to the larger class IV rapids of the Pacuare and the most picturesque area of the river. The rafting today will be intense and we will be rafting as a team enjoying some of the finest scenery on Earth along with some very adventurous rapids. When we take out of the river in the town of Siquirres we will drive north to the Arenal Volcano. Here we will be staying in the luxurious Nayara Hotel which is considered one of the finest in all of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Let the adventure continue as we drive to the other side of the volcano where it opens up to some of the best views of the Arenal Lake and the volcano. Here we will be doing the zipline. With over 77 different ziplines in the country this stands as still my favorite and best operated. The zipping will take us on 8 cables that hang almost 1km long and up to 700ft high. This is an adventure you will not want to miss! After the ziplining we'll make go to the Nature Reserve of Danaus where you will get a chance to learn about and see all the different critters in the rainforest. After the nature reserve you will have time to relax in the beautiful suites of Nayara. If you're up for it we will take you out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the area. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Today we'll drive to the Central Pacific to an area known as Manuel Antonio. You will be staying at Arenas del Mar which is a perfectly located small hotel with a private beach. The views are breath-taking and this is one of our favorite places in all of Costa Rica. The drive is long and will take around 4 1/2 hours but very scenic. You do have the option of flying from the Arenal area down to Quepos if you do not want to spend your day in a car. We will arrive to Arenas del Mar Resort just after lunch so you'll have time to check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Well the kids are back at it with some adventure and you are welcome to join in the surf classes. Costa Rica is known for having some of the best waves in the world. Don't worry we know the perfect beaches for learning and you will spend the day getting lessons and learning how to surf from some of Costa Rica's experts. In the afternoon after a day of fun in the sun you can relax at the Arenas del Mar Resort and we can take you out to eat in the evening if you would like.
Day 7 ----- Rappel Waterfall (Arenas del Mar)
Waterfall Rappel
Today we will make the 1 hour drive south only because it is completely worth it. This is very unique experience and one of the most exciting adventures we offer. We'll be rappeling down a canyon with 5 different waterfalls. Between each waterfall we'll be swimming through pools to get to the next waterfall. The adrenaline will be pumping and it is a great way to spend your last day in Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 8 ------ Fly Home!
Today we will drive you to the San Jose Airport to catch your flight home and start planning your return trip to Costa Rica! (Meals: Breakfast)
28th ---- Travel from Tamarindo to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)
Nayara Resort
Today you can travel from Tamarindo to the famous Arenal Voclano. This is must see while in Costa Rica and depending on availability there are a number of great hotels in the area but the Nayara Resort is one of our favorites. You have great views of the volcano and surrounded by lush tropical forest. (Meals: None)
29th ---- Visit Danaus Reserve & Don Juan Organic Farm (Nayara Resort)
You won't find me in Jersey
We really enjoy the Danaus Reserve because it is a small reserve, very easy hiking, and a chance to see so much in just a short hike from poisonous dart frogs, sloths, agoutis, caiman, many different birds and butterflies. After the hike in the reserve we will take you to the man who we consider the Eli Manning of Costa Rica. His name is Don Juan and he has a small organic farm that has the best food in the country and he loves giving a little walk around the farm before the meal. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
If you are in to wildlife this is another chance to see a number of different species from Costa Rica while being on an easy boat float. There will be monkeys all over and we like to go in the afternoon on a private boat to avoid the crowds and makes for a very pleasant evening. We could squeeze in an amazing zipline today also if you would like. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
2nd ---- Travel to Villa Blanca Hotel & Night Hike in Cloud-forest (Villa Blanca)
Today you will travel to another one of our favorite places and this place is just 1 1/2 hour from the San Jose airport but located in a beautiful cloud-forest where you will get the chance to see the famous Quetzal bird because now is the season for it. The hotel is absolutely beautiful with amazing views. In the evening you will get to see everything that does not come out during the day as your naturalist guide takes you on a night hike. (Meals: Breakfast)
Famous Quetzal
3rd ----- Travel to San Jose for flight Home!
Today you will leave the Villa Blanca hotel around 10am and make the drive to the San Jose airport. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 1 --- Arrive & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Tabacon Resort)
Today we will meet you Ron and your 23 other family members and welcome you into the beautiful country of Costa Rica. You will be met at the airport by your driver and guide who will be with you the entire week. From the San Jose airport we will be making a 2 1/2 hour drive through the cloud-forest to the Arenal Volcano. This is a perfectly cone-shaped volcano and one of the most well known on the planet for it's beauty. You will be staying at the famous Tabacon Resort. The best part about staying here is that you have access to the genuine thermal springs. The Resort, situated at the base of the volcano, is beautiful and a 5-Star setting in every part of the hotel. (Meals: None)
Today we plan on getting this trip started with some adventure. There are over 70 different ziplines in the country but the one on the back side of the Arenal Volcano is still the best there is. Not only are the views amazing but you happen to zip 700ft above primary rainforest. The little ones will have to enjoy the gandola ride but we invite everyone else to take part in this great adventure. Our naturalist guides will take the little ones on the gandola ride and then a filled-with-nature hike over some hanging bridges to keep them interested.
Sloth: See you at Danaus!!!
After the zipline adventure we will go down to the town of La Fortuna where we will invite you to lunch in one of our favorite spots. After lunch we will make our way to the Danaus Reserve. This is an easy little nature hike that gives everyone a chance to see almost all of the critters and animals in Costa Rica without having to hike for hours on end. This is a four acre reserve filled with poisonous dart frogs, tree frogs, caimans, birds, SLOTHS!, and much more. In the afternoon it is back to the Tabacon Resort so you can enjoy an evening in the hotsprings. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 3 ---- Canyoneering & Don Juan Organic Farm (Tabacon HotSprings)
Ok Ron, you said you guys were active so I am putting this adventure on the tour. This is the famous canyoneering adventure and everyone can enjoy. For the little ones they will go hooked up to a system that makes it easy for them but for the rest of us you will be rappeling the waterfall. It is a day of fun in a beautiful pristine canyon surrounded by the tropical rainforest. After the day of adventure we will invite you to the house of one of the neatest Costa Rican's you will ever meet. That would be Don Juan, who has a completely organic farm. We will walk around the farm as a group. Here the kids and adults will get to make their own sugar-cane juice, harvest some yucca that we will be eating for dinner, and even try some of Don Juan's famous sugar-cane white lightning (we suggest just a small sip). After seeing his small two acre farm we will enjoy dinner on a river in a beautiful setting feasting on all the food that has come from his farm. This is probably the best tasting (and best for you) food you will have all week. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 --- Drive to Central Pacific (Cuna del Angel)
Last Year 3 Families in the Dominical Area
Today we will be leaving the Arenal area and making our way to the Central Pacific. We will be staying just south of the Manuel Antonio in an area known as Dominical. The hotel you will be staying at is called Cuna del Angel and will work perfectly for your group because you will practically be taking up the entire small boutique hotel. The Cuna del Angel is surrounded by jungle and located around some of the finest beaches on the Pacific. This will be a travel day and you will have time to enjoy much of the coast and landscape of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 --- Raft Savegre River (Cuna del Angel)
Bring on the Grand-kids Ron
We love rivers and we plan to show you an amazing day on the Savegre River. We will start the day by driving up into the hills on some dirt roads that we like to say are your free back massage. Once we get to the put-in, we will get everyone geared up and ready to raft. We operate our own rafting trips and will be happy to take everyone from the group down the river if we run the lower section. For those that want a little more adventure they can start farther up the river and we can all meet for lunch at a central point. We take pride in the lunch we prepare for our guests. Being a large family group we will be preparing a beautiful riverside meal for you that will give you time to relax and enjoy the river as we eat lunch on the Savegre. The Savegre is one of the most picturesque rivers you will find as it is filled with tropical forest canyons and waterfalls we will stop and visit. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Howler Monkey: "Welcome Ron to Costa Rica"
Day 6 ---- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park (Cuna del Angel)
Today we will be going to Manuel Antonio National Park. Although it is touristy the park is a must-see. We like to think there are still more monkeys than people in the park and it is a chance to see plenty of monkeys while we make the easy hike through the park. Your naturalist guide won't let you miss a thing or creature and will fill you in on all the information about the natural history of Costa Rica. We will make a day out of being in the area, having lunch and giving the ladies a chance to enjoy some of the shops. In the evening we w'll head back to Cuna del Angel where you can enjoy some of finest food in their gourmet restaurant. (Meals: Breakfast)
Last Year's Family Group in Domimical Surf Class
Day 7 ---- Beach Day (Cuna del Angel)
Today is a free day to relax. There are many activities to do in the area and we can organize anything form surf classes, horseback riding, sea-kayak, snorkeling, zipline, waterfall rappeling, and much more. Another option would be to just relax at the hotel and enjoy the pool. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 8 -------- Fly Home!
Today we'll make the 2 1/2 hour drive back to the (SJO) San Jose Airport to catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)
June 30th ------ Arrive and Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)
Today you will be met outside the airport by your private guide and driver. We will make the drive to the famous Arenal Volcano where you will be staying in the world famous Nayara Resort. I wish I could put all of our groups here but unfortunately because of availability it is always full. We happen to be lucky enough to get rooms blocked for you on these dates. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
July 1st -------- Visit Danaus & La Fortuna Waterfall (Nayara Resort)
After breakfast we will make our way to the Danaus Reserve which is a very small, easy hike, and a chance to see little colorful rainforest species such as frogs, sloths, birds, and butterflies. It is a great little hike for the little ones and short enough to keep their attention. After the visit to the Danaus Reserve we can visit the La Fortuna waterfall which is a hike of around 400 stairs which if you feel is too much we can just enjoy it from the viewing area up top and then back to the Nayara Resort to enjoy the grounds and room. (Meals: Breakfast)
July 2nd ------- Visit Cano Negro or Canyoneering (Nayara Resort)
Today we have the option of canyoneering or visiting Cano Negro. The canyoneering is a great adventure for all ages as you make your way down a canyon and the little ones are hooked up to cables and let down while the adults rappel down the side of the waterfall. If you think this might be a little extreme for the little guys (just depends if your children might not like the height which is around 100ft) then we have another option of a boat float in the northern wetlands where you can see much wildlife such as monkeys and more sloths. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Zipping through the Rainforest
July 3rd ------- Zipline & Travel to Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today we will make our way to the Pacific coast again staying at a hotel which is often full but we were able to find availability. Before we arrive to the beautiful Arenas del Mar we will stop to do the zipline through the cloudforest. This is a great zipline that is kid-friendly. The adults will go alone while the kids will go tandom with a guide. Our final destination of the day will be the Manuel Antonio area which is home to Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
July 4th ------- Visit National Park Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today your naturalist guide will take you to visit the National Park of Manuel Antonio where you will see plenty of monkeys as there are still more monkeys than people in the park. The park also gives you a chance of visiting the most amazing beaches in the area. The afternoon can be back to the room and a chance to relax or maybe the kids will want to rent some boogie or surf boards and test their skills on the small waves. (Meals: Breakfast)
Amanda, Table for 4
July 5th ------- Raft Savegre (Arenas del Mar)
Get ready for one more adventure. We will be taking on some whitewater on the Savegre River. We run all of our own rafting trips and they are privately operated. Here you will enjoy a day on the river on small class I & II rapids while we get everyone wet but keep everyone in the boat. This is a great day on the river and a chance to be surrounded by virgin rainforest. The afternoon you can relax at the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
July 6th ------- Fly Home!
Today we will transfer you back to the San Jose airport for your flight home!
