Experience the thrill of a class III, moderate white water rafting trip on the Sarapiquí River, amidst some of Costa Rica's most vibrant tropical scenery and luscious landscapes. Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest, where the tranquility provided by this forest's rich habitat makes the perfect setting for a quality vacation with your family. Live the excitement at Monteverde's SkyWalk tour, where you get to appreciate the tropical forest at treetop heights! An ideal activity with the kids, SkyWalk is a system of trails, suspension bridges, and ziplines built within the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We continue building meaningful moments at Costa Rica's quintessential Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Witness Arenal's perfect cone as it expels loud explosions accompanied by mushroom clouds of gray, brown and orange smoke. Lastly, relax with your children inside the crystal-clear thermal waters that naturally emanate from Arenal Volcano. The last three days of your journey are spent enjoying a sunny tropical beach in the warm waters of the Northern Pacific, allowing yourselves time to lay back and appreciate your family adventure!

Day 1 - Arrival in San José

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to San José for an overnight stay at the Hotel Don Carlos, located in the heart of San José's cultural district. This hotel is an elegant Victorian home built at the turn of the century, completely restored and made into a fine hotel with individually designed and decorated rooms.

The adventure begins early morning, when we pick you up from your San José hotel and drive you towards the lowlands of the northeastern region of Sarapiquí in a comfortable minivan. Virgin tropical rainforest and rich, second-growth habitats are found in this region, which borders the cloud forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. The forests in Sarapiquí provide refuge for such species as the tapir, jaguar, sloth, white-nosed coati, white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys. Along the way, we stop at a local restaurant for a traditional breakfast, which prepares you for a day of paddling fun.

Upon arrival at the Sarapiquí River put-in, our experienced guides will thoroughly brief you on safety measures before getting started. This narrow, low-volume river is ideal for white-water novices and families, all of whom will enjoy its moderately flowing rapids. Trees overhanging the river provide a home to many different species of birds, including the ever-popular Toucan. Tranquil stretches of water passing through virgin rainforest will ease your soul and free your mind on this 9-mile river journey.
A picnic lunch is served on the peaceful river banks before the end of this rafting experience. Take out will be in the early afternoon, at which time you may change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities.

From here, the journey continues in a comfortable minivan or rental car towards the candescent Arenal Volcano area. Take pleasure in your children´s "oohs" and "aahs" as you approach the volcano's perfect cone that emerges from Alajuela's gentle green hills. From time to time you may hear loud explosions, accompanied by mushroom clouds of gray, brown and orange smoke visible both day and night. After a full day of activity, you arrive at Tabacón Resort, built around endless streams of thermal waters naturally emanating from nearby Arenal Volcano. You may soak your tired muscles in the crystalline waters, while you and your kids enjoy the breathtaking sight of the glowing rock and lava showers that cascade nightly from the mouth of the crater.

After breakfast, a guided tour will take you and your family on a bike or hike trip to the area where the forest, the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake meet, leading through a beautiful trail. Our journey starts at Arenal Lake Dam, where you will take an old trail into the forest. At the end of the trail, you will arrive at the entrance of Arenal Volcano National Park, leading you to the Arenal Observatory and later back to the main road.

On this exciting and peace-evoking outing, you will be able to come across many bird species, such as toucans and trogons, as you enjoy the beauty of the Arenal area. At the end of your journey, we will take you back to your hotel, where you may leisurely have lunch and get ready to continue the adventure!

From here on, the journey continues to Monteverde, Costa Rica's premier cloud forest. Home of the exotic and resplendent quetzal, the cloud forest is also the habitat of many rarely seen endangered species, such as the jaguar. The forest stretches from the lush ferns and mosses that cover the ground up to a dark canopy formed by the tallest trees. This afternoon will include a visit to one of the local reserves, where birds such as the yellow-throated finch, black-thighed grosbeak, spangled-checked tanager, and silvery-throated jay may be spotted. You may also see mountain deer, pumas and peccaries.

You will delight your family at El Establo Hotel- a charming lodge nestled in the heart of the conservation area of Monteverde. Within walking distance of the Ecological Farm and Butterfly Garden, the hotel prides itself on providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. El Establo is conveniently located seven kilometers from the Santa Elena Rain Forest reserve and four kilometers from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Spacious grounds and gardens provide a safe outdoor environment for childen's play. From here, activities include: a visit to the Butterfly Garden, the Serpentarium, or delighting yourselves in the local Cheese Factory Tour, mountain biking, horseback riding, or experiencing the must-do Sky Trek Canopy Tour!

After a restful night, sunlight's warmth slowly begins creeping inside your window as you awaken to the sweet sounds of chirping birds.

A hearty breakfast will heighten your senses in preparation for the SkyWalk tour, a system of trails and suspension bridges built at canopy levels within the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This attraction allows you to become one with nature within the cloud forest, as you are able to view it all from above!

The rest of the afternoon will be open for you and your family to explore the area, hike along Monteverde's beautiful trails or simply go shopping for local arts and crafts. At dinnertime, you may choose from any of the various cozy and welcoming restaurants in the area.

Rising to the refreshing air of the cloud forest, you will continue on to the next leg of the journey, either by private minivan or rental car. A tranquil drive of about 5 hours will take you to the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. Guanacaste displays a wide variety of exotic beaches, from beautiful white sands to darker, volcanic ones surrounded by dry-tropical vegetation. Weather conditions are unmatched here, where warm waters and clear, sunny skies prevail year-round. You and your family may take part in plenty of activities in this popular area, ranging from deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving to horseback riding on the beach, or simply relaxing in the pristine waters of the Pacific ocean. We recommend any of the two following hotel options, depending on your preference:

Allegro Resort Papagayo, Manzanillo Beach- All-inclusive hotel: Allegro Resort is a 300-room hotel located on the Papagayo Gulf, our northern Pacific coast. The total driving distance from Monteverde is approximately 4 hours. The hotel overlooks the beautiful Papagayo Gulf, an area full of tropical vegetation, marine life and blue waters.

The hotel's features include a large swimming pool, solarium, sight-seeing tower, medical services, laundry, tour desk, baby sitting service and a rental car agency. The Occidental Fun Club will provide entertainment for everyone, including beach volleyball, water sports, aerobics, hiking, archery, children's activities and family night shows.

Standard room ammenities: two queen-sized beds, a/c, private bath with hair dryer, direct-dial phone, ocean-view balconies, electronic safety deposit box and satellite TV.

Hotel Capitán Suizo, Tamarindo Beach: Bordering the golden sands of Tamarindo Beach, towards the center of the Pacific beachline, is the charming Hotel Capitán Suizo. The total driving distance from Monteverde is approximately 5 hours. Playa Tamarindo is 45 miles from the International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste's capital, and 2 miles from the local airport in Tamarindo, from where you will fly out on your return to San José.

Directly on the beach, the hotel is surrounded by large native trees and colorful gardens in a laid-back, casual atmosphere. This easy-going seaside community is filled with wonderful local cuisine wherever you go-a blend of international and local flair. Mostly owned by foreign chefs now residing in Tamarindo, these popular eateries combine their international cuisine with our local exotic ingredients for a great dining experience!

Hotel amenities include a first-class, Swiss-style restaurant and bar, a boutique, laundry service and a free-form swimming pool in front of the ocean. Bands of howler monkeys and a variety of birds frequently visit the hotel grounds throughout the day. The spacious bungalows and rooms feature a mezzanine bedroom with king-size bed, and sliding doors that open to a patio or balcony. Private bathrooms include enclosed shower and deep bathtub with window view. Other amenities include telephone, FM/AM radio, a safety box and a small refrigerator.

Enjoy your resort's grounds and amenities, and the entire Pacific beach area at your leisure! Take in the fresh seabreeze, lay under the sun or under a palm tree, swim in the ocean, ride a horse along the beach and renew your energy surrounded by nature!

Dinner is on your own tonight, so enjoy your hotel's restaurant or explore the area's menu varieties that best delight your family's palate!

After half a day of sunshine and fun at your leisure, a comfortable minivan will pick you up at your beach hotel around 12:30 p.m. If you are driving a rental car you will return it at your hotel. Your family will then be transferred towards the closest airport to your beach area, where you will board a light plane for your return to San José. Transfer from the airport to your hotel in San José will be taken care of.

In the evening, reminisce about the highlights of this unforgettable family adventure, as you dine at your choice of restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Don Carlos or similar.

Day 8 - Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home or optional extension.

Above itinerary includes: Two-night stay at Hotel Don Carlos in San José or similar accommodation with breakfast included; full-day Sarapiquí rafting trip with breakfast & lunch included; 1-night stay at Arenal's Tabacón Resort, dinner, breakfast and guided mountain biking tour ; 2-night stay at Monteverde's El Establo Hotel or similar accommodations, breakfast included; visit to local reserve and SkyWalk tour in Monteverde; two-night stay at either Allegro Resort (all-inclusive) or Hotel Capitán Suizo in Guanacaste; all land transfers and one-way flight from Guanacaste to San José.

Transportation Methods:

Semi-Private Transfer: The day after your arrival, Aventuras Naturales will pick you up from your hotel in San José in a comfortable minivan. We will drive you and that day's rafting companions all the way to Sarapiquí River´s put-in. At the end of the Sarapiquí Rafting trip, a comfortable mini-van will be waiting for you and your family. For your return, we will transfer you to the airport that is closer to your beach hotel, where you will take a short flight back to San José. Once you reach the airport in San José, we will provide a private transfer back to your hotel.

Car Rental: The day after your arrival, Aventuras Naturales will pick you up from your hotel in San José in a comfortable minivan and drive you all the way to Sarapiquí River´s put-in. You will be supplied with a car rental at the end of the Sarapiquí Rafting trip, for you to continue your journey from Sarapiquí to Arenal Volcano, later towards Monteverde and finally from there to your beach hotel in Guanacaste. You will return your rental at your beach hotel; a transfer will be provided to drive you to the airport closest to you for your return flight to San José. Once you reach the airport in San José, we will provide a private transfer back to your hotel.

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