Fun For the Whole Family: Exploring Costa Rica

Searching for a vacation spot with your multigenerational family to explore nature and create fun-filled memories? Look no further than Costa Rica! This exciting eco-destination offers everyone the chance to spot active wildlife and enjoy immersive adventures during the day before relaxing in perfectly-sited hotel accommodations each night. From lush rainforests to pristine beaches and charming villages to volcanic landscapes, there is so much to see and do in this coastal country. And with our local connections, you’ll get to see the best of it all on foot and at eye level.

The famous Costa Rican phrase “Pura Vida” embodies the country’s laid-back and positive approach to life. Imagine your family embracing this philosophy while enjoying the slower pace, connecting with nature, and spending quality time together. Join us as we embark on adventures for all ages with an expert local guide to lead the way.

Spend Time With Ticos

Costa Rica’s warm and friendly locals, known as “Ticos” and “Ticas,” welcome visiting families with open arms. Interacting with the community allows everyone to learn about the local culture, traditions, and cuisine for authentic cross-cultural experiences. While many Ticos speak English, learning some basic Spanish phrases can enhance your interactions and show respect for the local culture. Simple greetings that all ages can say, such as “hola” (hello), “por favor” (please), and “gracias” (thank you), go a long way in establishing connections.

One memorable morning on tour with us will begin with meeting the locals behind the freshest cup of coffee you’ve ever had. Costa Rica grows some of the world’s best coffee in the volcanic soil of the central valley and you’ll get an unforgettable look at the multi-step process of growing and harvesting the beans. Savor your own cup of delicious brew while seeing first-hand how the raw coffee “cherries” dry before getting roasted. It’s a fun chance to learn about this distinctive agricultural tradition and dive into their culinary heritage. You’ll also get the special opportunity to stop at a local village school, and because you are traveling in a small group, you’ll be welcomed in for this interactive visit. Watch as your kids make authentic connections with these school children and their teachers, perhaps practicing the few Spanish words they’ve learned while in-country. It’s a great conversation starter to discuss how things are similar to their own classrooms back home (and serves as a heartwarming reminder that we are all more alike than we are different).

Explore La Paz’s Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardens

Get ready for an immersive experience that will leave everyone smiling as you discover the colorful creatures and beautiful scenery at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. In the company of an expert naturalist guide, you’ll explore lush trails that lead you to five stunning waterfalls, each more enchanting than the last. Stroll alongside your loved ones and notice the soothing sounds of nature (as opposed to the video game and cell phone noises that typically surround your family). With miles of walking trails and active wildlife sightings, La Paz Waterfall Gardens offers beautiful wilderness which impresses at every turn.

At the on-site aviary, you’ll get the chance to marvel at the vibrant butterfly observatory and hold out your hand for the chance to feed some beautiful hummingbirds. With strategically placed feeders and natural perches, the garden attracts 26 different species of hummingbirds. Watch them hover, feed, and engage in their acrobatic displays while showing off their bright colors. Bring your camera and be prepared to capture them in mid-flight or sipping nectar from flowers. Can you see if one will land on your hand or your shoulder? It’s a fantastic opportunity to take pictures of each other with these gentle creatures. Insider tip: wear the color red (they are attracted to red because it looks like their food), so you will get an advantage in taking the ultimate selfie.

Spot Wildlife at Tarcoles Estuary and Manuel Antonio Park

Have you ever been on a jungle river safari? Your family is in for an unforgettable adventure today as you board a boat on the Tárcoles River and drift through its extraordinary estuary. Keep an eye out for the many crocodiles that live here and have your camera ready to catch them swimming or lounging on the riverbanks. Your expert local guides will point them out (try seeing who can spot them first!) as well as the scarlet macaws, kingfishers, vireos, hawks, and many other birds that call the Tarcoles Estuary home. Leisurely cruising down the river is sure to be a highlight of your family’s trip.

More wildlife awaits you in Manuel Antonio National Park with more than 100 mammal species and nearly 200 bird species—each more colorful than the last you spotted. Hidden in the lush forests are both two-and three-toed sloths, agile monkeys jumping from branch to branch, and tiny geckos running across the forest floor. You’ll marvel at the wildlife in every direction and with your binoculars in hand, you’ll be able to see them up close in the jungles that they call home. How many species can you find? Keep an on-tour tally to see who will win in your family!

Costa Rican Adventures for All Ages

With so much family fun at your fingertips, you’ll all get the opportunity to zipline through the rainforest, walk across hanging bridges in the jungle and explore the wildlife by foot and by boat in Manuel Antonio Park. Prefer to opt out? No problem. While all of the included activities can be enjoyed by grandparents and teens alike, our guides are happy to find alternatives for you. One of the most popular activities on tour is exploring the Savegre River, and everyone will get the opportunity to choose the best way to do that.

For an exciting rush of adrenaline, join us for whitewater rafting on a river that gushes through the jungle. In the company of your expert rafting guide (and outfitted with the best rafting and safety equipment available) you’ll make your way down the rapids that range from Class II through IV. It’s a wild, wet ride with beautiful vistas and incredible wildlife viewing. You’ll even get to pull onto shore for a delicious snack along the way for an unforgettable picnic.

Prefer quieter water? Team up with your naturalist guide to paddle through the mangrove trees in a scenic tidal estuary. You can slip into a 1- or 2-person kayak or propelled aboard a flat-bottom fishing boat. Either way, the monkeys that live in the trees come up next to you and there is a chance of spotting anteaters, egrets, Basiliscus lizards, and various marine animals. Afterward, you’ll all get to meet up together to soak up the sunny climate on the beach or lounge at the hotel pool. Whether you’re 8, 18, 48, or 80, you’ll enjoy customized explorations on tour for a wide range of ages and abilities. So even if your group has different levels of adrenaline, you’ll get to choose-your-own-adventure that suits you best while also getting to make memories together… the best of both worlds!

Ready to explore Costa Rica with your family? Join us on our multigenerational walking tour for memorable adventures for all ages!

Explore Costa Rica

With Classic Journeys