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A family adventure through Costa Rica filled with hands-on workshops, indigenous culture, wildlife, and beachside fun

from US $ 5520 pp

Costa Rica Map

Tour Highlights

Indigenous Huetar Lifestyle

Clay Making Workshop

Mask Making

Volunteer Wildlife Rescue

Lake Boat Trip

Cloud Forest Reserves

Volcanic Mud Pools

about this tour

about this tour

This Costa Rican experience brings together nature, creativity, and community through a variety of activities suited to curious and active families. Learn from Indigenous Huetar hosts, shape clay using age-old techniques, and try traditional food preparation rooted in deep cultural knowledge. Visit local artists reveal the meaning behind handmade masks and giant puppets used in community celebrations, adding layers of context to the country's living traditions. Wildlife plays a central role throughout, with a hands-on conservation day supporting a local rescue project that rehabilitates animals and promotes environmental awareness. In the cloud forests, shifting mists and rich biodiversity create an otherworldly setting where families can connect with Costa Rica’s wild beauty in a more personal way - through observation, guided exploration, and quiet time in nature. Thermal rivers and volcanic pools offer a natural playground for relaxation, while forest trails, river kayaking, and coastal paths provide both gentle and adventurous ways to explore the landscape. Local encounters over a shared meal, a workshop, or informal conversation add warmth and authenticity at every stage. With meaningful interaction, outdoor fun, and time to simply enjoy the surroundings, this tour blends education and adventure. It’s an experience shaped by place, guided by people, and filled with opportunities to create lasting family memories in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.

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LOCAL TRADITIONS TOUR Experience Costa Rican culture on a guided walk through the towns of Barva and Heredia. In Barva, explore the time-honored tradition of handmade masks, created by local families for annual celebrations that echo the energy of Mardi Gras. Step into the workshop of an artist who designs towering puppet costumes used in lively parades and street performances. As you move through these welcoming neighborhoods, you’ll gain a deeper sense of how art, humor, and tradition continue to shape daily life in the area.

  • 1

    Arrival in San Jose

    Once you've touched down in San Jose, you'll be warmly welcomed at the airport for private transfer to your hotel. Having settled in, you’ll be able to spend some time with our local specialist who is always happy to hear about your travel plans in Costa Rica and beyond - now’s the time to make the most of their many years of local know-how and ask questions until your heart’s content! The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore. Costa Rica is internationally renowned for it's excellent coffee. Coffee production transformed the economy, and contributed to the modernization of Costa Rica. The revenue from coffee also funded the first railroads linking the country to the Atlantic Coast in 1890 and the construction of the Grand National Theater in San José’s center. San Jose, located at about 3,770ft. (1,253 m.) above sea level, is a metropolitan city and sits in a high valley between green volcanic mountains.

    Once you've touched down in San Jose, you'll be warmly welcomed at the airport for private transfer to your hotel. Having settled in, you’ll be able to spend some time…
  • 2

    The Quitirrisí Indigenous Community

    Visit the Indigenous Territory of Quitirrisí and connect with the traditions of the Huetar people, once Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group. Led by a family dedicated to cultural preservation, this three-hour tour at El Rancho Biriteca offers an authentic look into their heritage. Begin with an introduction to Huetar history, including Cacique Garabito’s resistance against Spanish colonization. Walk through a reforested area that was once a coffee plantation, now a thriving secondary forest. Along the way, explore sacred tombs and ceremonial altars, gaining insight into the community’s spiritual traditions. Engage in hands-on workshops, shaping clay with ancestral techniques, preparing 'chilate' - a maize-based drink - and practicing traditional bow and arrow skills. These activities reflect knowledge passed down for generations. The experience concludes with a meal featuring traditional dishes, offering a taste of the Huetar way of life. More than just a tour, Rancho Biriteca stands as a testament to the resilience and cultural identity of the Huetar people, ensuring their legacy endures.

    Visit the Indigenous Territory of Quitirrisí and connect with the traditions of the Huetar people, once Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group. Led by a family dedicated to cultural preservation, this…
  • 3

    Transfer to Arenal & Campesino Farm

    After breakfast, set out with your guide on a 4-hour drive to your next hotel in Arenal. Once you've checked in, you'll be taken to a traditional local farm in the nearby town of Agua Azul, just 10 minutes from La Fortuna. There, a local family will welcome you and introduce you to the farm’s sustainable practices and Costa Rican traditions. Learn how to milk cows, make chocolate, and extract sugar cane juice. Taste fresh milk, homemade liquor, chocolate, and other organic products straight from the farm. Visit a small archaeological ranch with ancient indigenous artifacts, stroll through medicinal and orchid gardens, and finish your tour with a delicious sampling of farm-fresh favorites like coffee, cheese, tortillas, and more. This hands-on cultural experience offers an authentic look at rural Costa Rican life. After the visit, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

    After breakfast, set out with your guide on a 4-hour drive to your next hotel in Arenal. Once you've checked in, you'll be taken to a traditional local farm in…
  • 4

    Volunteer with Wildlife Rescue

    Start your day contributing to Costa Rica's wildlife conservation at the Wildlife Rescue Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to animal protection and environmental conservation. Engage in an educational tour, learning about the institute's efforts to rehabilitate and release injured wild animals. Participate in volunteer work, preparing food and feeding the animals, supporting the project's mission. In the afternoon, relax at your hotel, surrounded by beautiful gardens and hot spring pools.

    Start your day contributing to Costa Rica's wildlife conservation at the Wildlife Rescue Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to animal protection and environmental conservation. Engage in an educational tour, learning…
  • 5

    Lake Crossing to Monteverde

    Travel to Monteverde with a scenic boat trip across Lake Arenal and a drive through lush mountain landscapes. This four-hour trip is the quickest route to the cloud forest, offering views of Arenal Volcano and tropical birds along the way. Nestled in the Pacific highlands, the quaint town of Santa Elena serves as the gateway to the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, renowned as some of the most extraordinary wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. With its alpine-style wooden houses and cool, misty climate, Santa Elena evokes the charm of a tropical Switzerland. Here, the altitude creates a unique environment where the forest rises through the clouds, earning it the name "cloud forest" rather than "rainforest." After settling into your accommodation, the remainder of your day is yours to relax or explore. For a taste of local flavor, try the Monteverde Cheese Factory, established in 1953 by the area’s original Quaker settlers. Famous for its Monte Rico cheese and creamy ice cream, it’s a must for food lovers. Alternatively, dive straight into Monteverde’s wildlife attractions, such as the Butterfly Garden, Serpentarium, Frog Pond, or Bat Jungle, all offering a closer look at the region’s incredible biodiversity.

    Travel to Monteverde with a scenic boat trip across Lake Arenal and a drive through lush mountain landscapes. This four-hour trip is the quickest route to the cloud forest, offering…
  • 6

    Monteverde Cloud Forest & Night Walk

    Today, your guide will collect you from your hotel for the drive to Santa Elena. Nestled in the Pacific highlands, the quaint town of Santa Elena serves as the gateway to the stunning Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, amongst the most remarkable wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. Santa Elena has a unique charm, with wooden houses and an alpine-like climate. The region’s weather alternates between light drizzle and warm sunshine, a combination that contributes to Monteverde's global renown. It is classified as a cloud forest, not a rainforest, due to its elevation; the high-altitude forest rises through the clouds. In the evening, discover the diversity of nocturnal life with a guided tour, where cloud forest and lower-elevation forest ecosystems meet. This mid-forest region features fruit trees that attract a variety of animals, including mammals, birds, and insects. The trails are wide and easy to follow, and exploring the jungle at night offers a rare glimpse into the lives of creatures that are active only after sunset. You may come across mammals that remain hidden during the day. Your guide will help you spot tarantulas, sleeping birds, and more, while the sounds of frogs and insects create an unforgettable auditory experience. Your guide will be equipped with a telescope, binoculars, and reference materials, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. Be sure to bring your camera, as you can capture incredible photos through the telescope.

    Today, your guide will collect you from your hotel for the drive to Santa Elena. Nestled in the Pacific highlands, the quaint town of Santa Elena serves as the gateway…
  • 7

    The Road to Rio Perdido

    This morning you will leave the magnificent Arenal volcano behind and head to Costa Rica's Pacific lowlands to the aptly named Rio Perdido (Lost River); a secret treasure in the midst of the dry-tropical forest. When recently rediscovered, traces of the Chorotega indigenous civilization that dates back hundreds of years were found, adding to the magic of this beautiful and ancient destination. Looking down at the carved riverbeds in the Rio Perdido Canyon is like looking into a basket of snakes with the serpentine twists curving throughout the canyon floor. Surrounded by a dwarf forest that is almost completely dry in summer time the forest is transformed during the wet season as its foliage forms a dense, green cover. This amazing canyon where the cool Rio Blanco meets the hot waters of Rio Perdido was during the times of the Chorotega an important sacred gathering place, and the beauty of this destination has kept people coming back to this region ever since. Having settled into your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to explore and take in your magical surroundings. We are certain that you will immediately feel at peace at your forest bungalow surrounded by the sounds and aromas of the rare and quintessential dwarf forest. At Rio Perdido, an experience has been created; allowing you to get the most out of a beautiful and historic place that has been naturally formed over time.

    This morning you will leave the magnificent Arenal volcano behind and head to Costa Rica's Pacific lowlands to the aptly named Rio Perdido (Lost River); a secret treasure in the…
  • 8

    Leisure Day Rio Perdido

    This secluded eco-lodge offers a unique opportunity to soak up nature; with a hike through lush forests, where you can spot wildlife like monkeys and iguanas, and admire the beauty of rare orchids. Thrill-seekers will love the Canyon Adventure tour. Zipline through the stunning Rio Blanco canyon, rappel down rock faces, and challenge yourself with the Tarzan Swing and Challenge Bridge. For a more leisurely experience, enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pools or soak in the thermal river. Spend the afternoon exploring the area at your own pace. Hike to hidden waterfalls and medicinal springs, or simply relax in the tranquility of your surroundings. Don't miss the chance to experience the rejuvenating effects of the natural volcanic mud pools and three thermo-mineral pools. Later there is a guided magical night experience. As the sun sets, the peaceful darkness of the jungle takes over. By nightfall, more than 60% of the forest life awakens, just as the day creatures disappear for the night, allowing you to observe different mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles. Your guide will lead you through the forest for some stargazing, with the absence of artificial light the stars seem bigger and brighter.

    • (Note: These options are offered by the hotel and are not included in the price of the tour)*
    This secluded eco-lodge offers a unique opportunity to soak up nature; with a hike through lush forests, where you can spot wildlife like monkeys and iguanas, and admire the beauty…
  • 9

    Journey to Nosara

    After breakfast, you’ll set off for Nosara, a peaceful beach town tucked away on the Nicoya Peninsula, renowned for its pristine shorelines, where the ocean stretches endlessly in every direction. Check out Playa Guiones, a favorite for surfers, drawn to its perfect waves and open spaces. For a quieter experience, head to Playa Pelada, where the rocky coastline and tidal blowhole create an atmospheric landscape. If your visit falls during turtle nesting season (September through November), you'll have the rare opportunity to see sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, a breathtaking natural phenomenon that unfolds under the moonlit sky. Nosara is a town that thrives on a slower pace of life, making it the perfect place to unwind. Enjoy the fresh seafood caught locally, often served with tropical flavors that are the essence of the area.

    After breakfast, you’ll set off for Nosara, a peaceful beach town tucked away on the Nicoya Peninsula, renowned for its pristine shorelines, where the ocean stretches endlessly in every direction.…
  • 10

    Leisure Day

    Today is yours at leisure. We recommend taking a morning horseback ride through the scenic countryside, where you'll have a chance to see the lush jungle, rivers, and maybe even a few waterfalls. Afterward, you could visit the Nosara Biological Reserve for a gentle walk through trails that offer the chance to appreciate the flora and fauna. Later in the afternoon, try one of the local cafes or beachfront restaurants to try some fresh seafood or Costa Rican specialties, perfect for enjoying while watching the sunset. To finish the day, why not treat yourself to a massage at one of the local wellness centers? It’s a great way to unwind and truly relax before winding down for the evening.

    Today is yours at leisure. We recommend taking a morning horseback ride through the scenic countryside, where you'll have a chance to see the lush jungle, rivers, and maybe even…
  • 11

    Kayaking Mangrove and Beach

    Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and head towards the protected reserve at the Nosara River mouth. You will board either a single or double seat ocean kayak to paddle through this natural paradise. You will row on Montaña river which runs parallel to the ocean. Quietly paddling through the mangroves and not using a motor, will give you the chance to observe the different species of animals without disturbing them and allowing you to take even better photos. Keep your eye out for brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, ibis and ospreys, as well as two types of monkeys, iguanas and American crocodiles! After paddling for about an hour, you'll climb out of your kayak at Nosara beach that can only be accessed by water. You will have the entire beach for yourself while enjoying some fresh fruits and coconut water, that will give you all the natural energy and hydration you need, to continue enjoying this beautiful environment. Once the tour is over you will be transferred back to your accommodation in Nosara where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend on the beach, enjoying a tropical cocktail while watching the sun go down.

    Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and head towards the protected reserve at the Nosara River mouth. You will board either a single or double seat ocean…
  • 12

    Leisure Day Nosara

    Today is at leisure, you can enjoy one of stunning beaches around Nosara, each offering something unique. Playa Guiones is perfect for a mix of relaxation and adventure, with its wide, sandy shore and consistent surf for those looking to try surfing or paddleboarding. If you're seeking a quieter, more tranquil atmosphere, head to Playa Pelada, where you can enjoy peaceful walks along the shore, explore rocky outcrops, or take a dip in the calm waters. For a more secluded experience, check out Playa Nosara, with its natural beauty, tidal pools, and opportunities for kayaking or just unwinding away from the crowds. In the afternoon, you could take a trip to the nearby Ostional Wildlife Refuge, a peaceful spot where you can explore jungle trails, spot howler monkeys, and enjoy the rich birdlife. It’s an excellent place to connect with nature and see wildlife in its natural habitat. Whether you’re looking for beach time or a nature escape, the area offers plenty of options for a great day.

    Today is at leisure, you can enjoy one of stunning beaches around Nosara, each offering something unique. Playa Guiones is perfect for a mix of relaxation and adventure, with its…
  • 13

    Return to Central Valley & San José

    Today you will leave the beaches and travel back to the Central Valley. To head back from the Nicoya Peninsula, you will be picked up by our driver and private transportation to the Puerto Jimenez airport for your flight to San José. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and driven to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to enjoy the surroundings and facilities on offer for the last day of your vacation.

    Today you will leave the beaches and travel back to the Central Valley. To head back from the Nicoya Peninsula, you will be picked up by our driver and private…
  • 14

    Departure Day

    Enjoy some of the Lodge's early morning tropical birdlife before leaving. And if you have time, enjoy the pool and tropical gardens with various on-site waterfalls at the resort. Your private transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to San Jose's International Airport (SJO) where you will board your flight back home. We wish you a pleasant flight and great memories of Costa Rica.

    Enjoy some of the Lodge's early morning tropical birdlife before leaving. And if you have time, enjoy the pool and tropical gardens with various on-site waterfalls at the resort. Your…

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Our in-country expert

Unlock the secrets of Costa Rica with our local expert Cristina, for an unforgettable adventure. Young yet highly experienced, Cristina is a trusted advisor, not just another tour guide. Her infectious passion fuels her expertise, extending beyond typical tourist routes. Explore ancient history, delve into local culture, and discover unique locations known only to locals....
Cristina
Cristina

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