10-day itinerary

Family Fun Across Costa Rica

Costa Rica

An action-packed, kid-friendly Costa Rican adventure featuring incredible rainforest wildlife, suspension bridges, thermal waterparks, and scenic nature walks.

1. Day 1: Arrival and Easy Garden Exploring

   Overnight in Alajuela · Driving 26 km, 45 min

   • Juan Santamaría International Airport

     Arrival 13:30 · 1h

     Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport and collect your rental car.

   • Botanical Orchid Garden La Garita

     Botanical Garden 15:00 · 1h 30m

     Walk paved trails among orchids at Botanical Orchid Garden La Garita.

2. Day 2: Waterfalls and Wildlife to Arenal

   Overnight in La Fortuna · Driving 125 km, 3h 15m

   • La Paz Waterfall Gardens Wildlife Exhibit

     Wildlife Park 09:30 · 2h

     See rescued toucans at La Paz Waterfall Gardens Wildlife Exhibit.

   • La Paz Waterfall Walk

     Nature Trail 11:45 · 1h 15m

     Follow railed rainforest boardwalks on La Paz Waterfall Walk.

   • La Fortuna Countryside Scenic Drive

     Scenic Drive 16:00 · 1h

     Arrive via La Fortuna Countryside Scenic Drive with Arenal Volcano views.

3. Day 3: Hanging Bridges and Warm Pools

   Overnight in La Fortuna · Driving 42 km, 1h 10m

   • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

     Canopy Walk 08:30 · 2h 30m

     Spot coatis from suspension bridges at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.

   • Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park

     Water Park 13:45 · 3h

     Play in thermal pools at Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park.

   • La Fortuna Central Park

     Town Park 17:15 · 1h

     Stroll flower gardens at La Fortuna Central Park.

4. Day 4: Sloths and Family Rainforest Fun

   Overnight in La Fortuna · Driving 38 km, 55m

   • Bogarin Trail

     Wildlife Reserve 07:30 · 2h

     Spot wild sloths and toucans along Bogarin Trail.

   • Proyecto Asís Wildlife Sanctuary

     Wildlife Sanctuary 09:30 · 2h

     Meet rescued monkeys, parrots, and coatis at Proyecto Asís Wildlife Sanctuary.

   • Ecoglide Arenal Park

     Adventure Park 12:30 · 2.5h

     Ride zip-lines above the canopy at Ecoglide Arenal Park.

   • Don Juan Chocolate & Coffee Tour

     Chocolate Tour 15:30 · 1.5h

     Make chocolate on Don Juan Chocolate & Coffee Tour.

   • Lake Arenal Shoreline

     Scenic Viewpoint 17:00 · 1h

     Watch windsurfers at sunset from Lake Arenal Shoreline.

5. Day 5: Lake Arenal Drive to Cloud Forest

   Overnight in Monteverde · Driving 115 km, 3h 10m

   • Lake Arenal Scenic Drive

     Scenic Route 08:30 · 3h

     Follow Lake Arenal Scenic Drive past wind farms toward Monteverde.

   • Monteverde Butterfly Gardens

     Nature Centre 13:30 · 2h

     See blue morphos in enclosed gardens at Monteverde Butterfly Gardens.

   • Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond

     Wildlife Exhibit 16:00 · 1.5h

     See red-eyed tree frogs in terrariums at Ranario Monteverde Frog Pond.

6. Day 6: Cloud Forest Wonders and Tree Bridges

   Overnight in Monteverde · Driving 22 km, 50m

   • Curi-Cancha Reserve

     Nature Reserve 08:00 · 2.5h

     Walk nature trails to spot quetzals at Curi-Cancha Reserve.

   • Selvatura Park Treetop Walkways

     Adventure Walk 12:30 · 2h

     Cross suspension bridges above the canopy on Selvatura Park Treetop Walkways.

   • Selvatura Sloth Sanctuary

     Animal Sanctuary 14:45 · 1.5h

     Observe rescued sloths among trees at Selvatura Sloth Sanctuary.

7. Day 7: Crocodiles and Pacific Beaches

   Overnight in Quepos · Driving 195 km, 4h 15m

   • Crocodile River Tour Tárcoles

     Wildlife Boat Tour 10:30 · 2h

     See American crocodiles by boat on Crocodile River Tour Tárcoles.

   • Playa Espadilla Norte

     Beach & Recreation 14:30 · 2h 30m

     Build sandcastles with the kids at Playa Espadilla Norte.

   • Marina Pez Vela Boardwalk

     Promenade Walk 17:30 · 1h

     Watch the Pacific sunset from Marina Pez Vela Boardwalk.

8. Day 8: Monkeys and Sheltered Coves

   Overnight in Quepos · Driving 15 km, 45m

   • Manuel Antonio National Park Trails

     Nature Reserve 08:00 · 2h 30m

     Spot monkeys from boardwalks along Manuel Antonio National Park Trails.

   • Playa Manuel Antonio

     Beach & Swimming 11:00 · 2h

     Dip your toes into the protected waters at Playa Manuel Antonio.

   • Playa Biesanz

     Calm Beach & Kayaking 14:30 · 2h 30m

     Paddle tandem kayaks across the cove at Playa Biesanz.

9. Day 9: Coastal Fun and Valley Return

   Overnight in Alajuela · Driving 165 km, 3h 20m

   • Espadilla Beach Playtime

     Beach & Recreation 08:30 · 2h

     Gather seashells along the shoreline during Espadilla Beach Playtime.

   • Orotina Fruit Market

     Local Experience 12:30 · 1h

     Sample rambutan and mango at Orotina Fruit Market.

   • Parque Central de Alajuela

     Town Park & Play 16:00 · 1h 30m

     Watch sloths beneath mango trees in Parque Central de Alajuela.

10. Day 10: Easy Morning and Airport Departure

    Overnight in Alajuela · Driving 4 km, 15 min

    • Parque Central de Alajuela

      Sightseeing 09:30 · 1.5 hours

      Take a final stroll beneath mango trees in Parque Central de Alajuela.

    • Depart from San José

      Departure 13:00 · 2 hours

      Depart from San José after checking in for your flight home.