A learning experience for both you and your children, this is certainly one trip that everyone will remember for years to come. Forget the large amusement parks that try to replicate nature and become an active participant in a real life eco-class. Join Head Out Adventures' local guides as they share, first hand, the beauty of their beloved homeland. Gaze in awe at an active volcano, ride a horse along the base of the beautiful Arenal volcano (children's saddles available), rest in the natural hot springs, ride along the tops of the jungle on an exhilarating canopy course, see indigenous animals up close, and most of all experience nature at its purest and best.

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose
Day 2: Transfer to Tortuguero National Park, jungle boat ride
Day 3: Full day at Tortuguero National Park, search for sea turtles
Day 4: Jungle boat ride, transfer to La Fortuna, volcano hike, hot springs
Day 5: Animal Rescue Center visit
Day 6: Horseback ride along Lake Arenal, transfer to Monteverde
Day 7: Monteverde Children's Rainforest Reserve and butterfly gardens
Day 8: Canopy zipline, transfer to Samara Beach
Day 9: Free day in Samara
Day 10: Free day in Samara
Day 11: AM at beach, transfer to San Jose
Day 12: Trip ends, transfer to airport


Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1
San Jose

Arrive in San Jose. The day is free to explore the city. Arrival transfer included.

Day 2-3
Tortuguero National Park

In the morning we travel about 3 hours through the green rolling hills and enchanting valleys of the lush rainforest. Our first destination of this wonderful trip is the isolated jungle river canals. Here we take a sight filled 4-hour jungle boat ride to Tortuguero national Park where you will spend two nights at a beautiful jungle lodge. In the evening you can walk to beaches and, if you are one of the lucky few, you'll get the rare chance to view the arrival of nesting turtles.

Day 4
La Fortuna

Taking a return boat ride down the San Juan River, we transfer to the cozy town of La Fortuna and what is considered Costa Rica's premiere Adventure Zone - the famous Arenal Volcano area. That afternoon, you're bound to see wildlife as we head out on an exciting volcano walk with a naturalist guide through the forest to the base of the active volcano. We'll wait for it to get dark so we can hopefully spot the molten rocks pouring down the side of one of the world's most-active volcanoes. Later relax in natural hot springs and do more lava viewing. (Breakfast included)

Day 5
La Fortuna

Today we'll stop by the famous Proyecto Asis Animal Rescue Center to visit wild animals such as monkeys, sloths and crocodiles that have been rescued from the surrounding jungle. We'll all have the chance to help out and give back to nature by feeding the animals, plant trees and more. (Breakfast included)

Day 6
Monteverde

Today we enjoy a nice and easy horseback ride from La Fortuna, along Lake Arenal, and finally to the beautiful town of Monteverde in the midst of the cloud forest. This extraordinary family orientated ride is a unique and special form of transport and affords unsurpassed opportunities to see nature and the true beauty of Costa Rica up close. It truly is one of those memory makers that will hold a special place for years to come. (Children's saddles and helmets are available for the horseback ride.) (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 7
Monteverde

We continue this exciting and educational adventure with a guided tour of the Monteverde Children's Rainforest Reserve. Later, take some time to visit the butterfly garden, galleries and delicious restaurants on your own. (Breakfast included)

Day 8
Playa Samara

Today will be your chance to participate in the most quintessential of Costa Rican activities: riding through the treetops like Tarzan on a safe, yet incredibly exhilarating canopy zip-line tour. We then make our way to the Pacific-side beach of Samara to catch a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The evening is yours to relax and relive all the amazing experiences everyone in the family has encountered so far. (Breakfast included)

Day 9-10
Playa Samara

With a week of exciting adventures behind you, it's time to relax with two blissful days of free time. Spend that time at the beach, swimming, or participating in the various water sports... there are countless options to choose from at Playa Samara, one of Costa Rica's most-beautiful and safest swimming beaches. Need some ideas? Try some surf lessons, take a sea kayaking tour or go out on a snorkeling outing... or simply sit and take in the beauty of Costa Rica.

Day 11
San Jose

With a few days of rest and relaxation, we drive back to the capital city of Costa Rica - San Jose

Day 12
San Jose

Tour ends after breakfast. Fly home or, even better, continue with another one of our great adventures.