Today you’ll leave the city behind and head straight to the tropical wet forests of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Costa Rica is all about the nature, so what better way to start your Costa Rica family holiday than immersing yourselves straight into nature? Sarapiqui is home to countless activities as well as some of the best-preserved areas of primary rainforest in Costa Rica that’s still accessible to visitors. The birdlife in particular is staggering here, with more than 489 species recorded in the regions’ forests. Spend your first afternoon exploring some of the local jungle trails or relaxing by your hotel pool before a day packed full of adventures tomorrow. 

Today you and your family will have your pick of exhilarating activities. With plenty of adrenaline-infused excursions on offer, including white-water rafting adventures, horse riding expeditions through thick forests, or even the chance to rappel your way down a cascading river canyon, there’s plenty of family memories to be made here. It’s not all about the white-knuckle adrenaline, though. Head off on a cacao plantation tour to learn all about Costa Rica’s chocolate making process from start to finish, or take a guided walk through the jungle after the sun sets, spotting wildlife, colourful reptiles, amphibians and maybe even the odd tarantula hiding in a hole (if you’re brave enough!) 

You’ll leave Sarapiqui today and head for Arenal, best known for its perfect conical volcano and huge range of activities on offer in the surrounding forests and rivers. No matter how fussy your kids are and how many different preferences you’re having to cater for, there will be something here for you all. You might find yourselves hiking through real-life lava fields or meeting some of the resident wild sloths that call the surrounding forests home. Perhaps you’ll head off on a pedal board adventure across the shimmering waters of Lake Arenal and smile for a family photo in front of the imposing volcano? Or spend a few hours splashing about in the natural, soothing hot springs? One thing’s for sure: your two days in Arenal will be adrenaline-packed, and we’ll make sure you’re staying in the perfect hotel for plenty of R&R in between, too. 

Today, you’ll hop in the car and glue your eyes to the view out of the window for your scenic transfer from Arenal to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Perched at 1,400 metres above sea level, Monteverde is the most famous of Costa Rica’s cloud forests. This does mean that it can get a little busy, but it also means that there are a huge number of unmatched family-friendly activities to enjoy. We recommend heading off on an early morning guided walk through the cloud forest with your very own naturalist guide. The guides here are absolutely brilliant and will give you a real insight into what makes the ecosystem here so special. They’re also seriously eagle-eyed when it comes to spotting wildlife – sloths can often be curled up right out of sight, and colourful poison dart frogs hide under leaves you’d never dare disturb. After your tour, it’s time to experience the cloud forest from a different, more exhilarating perspective. You’ll explore the canopy walkways suspended high above the treetops, before jumping into harnesses, channelling your inner Tarzans and flying through the clouds on a zipline adventure. 

What’s a family holiday without a bit of beach fun? Splashing about in the waves and playing on pristine sandy beaches. Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Coast offers all of that, and more. With jungle-fringed beaches that draw a sandy line between the crashing waves and the lush wildlife-packed rainforest beyond, it’s a beautiful spot. We’ll make sure you’re staying at a brilliant beach hotel with all of the facilities that are so important when travelling with children. So you can enjoy unwinding in the sunshine (perhaps with a cocktail?) whilst the kids splash about in the pool. Break up the time in the sunshine with a hike along one of the many hiking trails, keeping your eyes peeled for playful monkeys, snoozy sloths and the myriad of colourful birds that pepper the skies. There are also horse riding adventures and mangrove safaris to enjoy if you or the kids are getting restless! However you choose to pack your coastal days, this will be the perfect end to your Costa Rica family holiday.

Today it’s time for your family to head back to San Jose airport for your flight home. It’s never going to be anyone’s favourite day of the holiday, but we hope you’ll be all smiles with cameras bursting with memories. One thing’s for sure, your kids won’t want this to be the last family holiday.