Tailormade Tours - Costa Rica: Family

A fully customisable tour of Monteverde, Arenal Volcano & Pacific Coast.

• 2 nights in Monteverde lodge, with a Cloud Forest gondola tour and sky walk with zip lining
• 3 nights in hotel near Arenal Volcano, with whitewater rafting and canyoning waterfall rappel
• 4 nights in luxe beachfront hotel, Manuel Antonio National Park, offering a nature walk, Damas Island kayaking, Nauyaca waterfall & swimming, pristine beaches, snorkelling and surfing

The standard itinerary is 10 days (9 nights); additional nights can be added at each of the stops.

Day 1

San José Arrival (TA) – Transfer to Monteverde (approx. 3 hours)

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your itinerary starting point is San Jose International Airport. Our representative will escort you through the airport and introduce you to your private driver. If you have a car rental, hotel shuttle, booked transportation on your own, or a reservation for a local flight, our airport concierge will guide you to the relevant location.

Our Meet & Greet Service also includes in-country customer service (call us in-country at 506-4002-3661). This service is available to assist you in booking tours, answering concerns, or just for advice during your trip.

Private Transfer

We’ll be waiting for you outside the airport for your private transfer. Your driver will assist with your luggage, and ensure you’re comfortable for the journey. Along the way, you’re welcome to stop for meals, snacks, bathroom breaks, or photos, or head straight to your destination if you prefer.

• Your transfer includes: private transportation from airport to door, a personal driver, and bottled water.
• Duration: Direct drive time is approximately 3 hours without breaks.

Day 2

Sky Tram, Sky Trek and Sky Walk Tour Monteverde

Monteverde’s variable climate and high altitude has produced extreme biodiversity. The area is home to over 100 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, thousands of insect and plant species, and the largest number of orchids in the world. It is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges worldwide.

This tour includes a slow paced gondola ride over the cloud forest, 1.7 miles of zip lining and a walk through the rainforest over a series of bridges and trails! This is a wonderful, unique way of viewing the cloud forest whilst mixing nature with adventure.

Day 3

Private Van-Boat-Van Transfer Monteverde – Arenal (Jacamar)

Van-Boat-Van is the most commonly used way by visitors to move from Monteverde to Arenal Volcano and vice versa. It is a quick and practical transport that also allows you to enjoy an outstanding attraction of the area, the Arenal Lake. First, you’ll leave La Fortuna or Monteverde in a minibus that will take you to the Arenal Lake, where you’ll board a boat for about an hour until reaching the other side of the lagoon. Finally, on the other side of the lagoon, a minibus will be waiting to take you to your destination in Monteverde or La Fortuna. The journey takes around 3 hours and offers the chance to admire the amazing Arenal Volcano en route.

Day 4

White Water Rafting Class II-III Rio Balsa Half Day

Your river guide will pick you up at your hotel for an exciting white water rafting adventure on the Rio Balsa. After a 30-45 minute drive to the ‘put-in’ spot, your guides will provide a thorough safety briefing and equipment explanation. Your two-hour journey navigates Class II-III rapids with names like ‘Magnetic Rock’ and ‘Dredges.

This river, regulated by daily dam releases, is perfect for first-time rafters and families. During calmer stretches, watch for wildlife including monkeys, sloths, and toucans in the surrounding rainforest.

Midway through, enjoy a break with tropical fruits and cold drinks. The adventure concludes with a delicious traditional Costa Rican lunch at a country estate before returning to your hotel.

• Minimum: 2 people
• Minimum age: 8 years old
• Your tour includes: Transportation, professional guides, tropical fruit break, lunch, drinks, towels
• What to bring: Quick-dry clothing, bathing suit, secure water shoes (no flip-flops), sunscreen, change of clothes
• Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 5

Canyoning Waterfall Rappel Tour

This will be one of those days you will remember forever! Memorable adventure activities right under the backdrop of Arenal Volcano. Be picked up from your hotel and driven 30 minutes in a 4×4 along a dirt road and into the canyon right outside the quaint town of La Fortuna.

When you arrive, your guides will give you a thorough safety talk about important rappelling & down-climbing techniques and will prepare you with a harness, helmet and gloves.

You then begin your adventure: 5 rappels to the bottom of a 350-foot canyon, through 3 waterfalls, one dry rock face, one canyon wall and a monkey drop! You may spot wildlife such as monkeys, sloths and tropical birds along your way whilst you hike between each rappel!

After completing the rappelling, head back to base camp to shower and change into dry clothes. Then, sit down to a lovely traditional Costa Rican lunch with your guides before heading back to your hotel.

• Age limitations: Under 5 years old not allowed
• Your tour includes: Transportation, guides, equipment, lunch
• What to bring: Fast drying clothing (surf shorts, outdoor hiking type synthetic clothes), adventure sandals, tennis shoes or light hiking boots, change of clothes
• Duration: Tour Time (3 hours) + Transportation time (approx 30 minutes each way)

Please note: Moderate physical condition required. This tour is challenging, however you do not need experience.

Day 6

Arenal – Manuel Antonio

Hotel – Arenal Airstrip: Private Transfer

We’ll pick you up from your accommodations and take you on a short transfer to the local airstrip. On the way, take in the local scenery while your driver shares insights and answers any questions you may have.

• Your transfer includes: door-to-airport private transportation, personal driver, and bottled water
• Duration: Direct drive time is approximately 30 minutes without breaks.

Arenal / Fortuna – Quepos: Sansa Airlines

Take a short flight to your destination, flying over Costa Rica’s most beautiful scenery. There is a 30lb checked luggage + 10 lb carry-on weight allowance per passenger, taxes and gas fees included. Excess baggage charge is $1.5 per lb over. All flights operate with Cessna Grand Caravan 208B Aircraft – Approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Please note that all passengers must be at the airstrip 45 minutes prior to the flight departure time.

Manuel Antonio Airstrip – Manuel Antonio Area: Private Transfer

After you land, your driver will be waiting to assist with your luggage and take you on a short transfer to your accommodations. On the way, take in the local scenery while your driver shares insights and answers any questions you may have.

•  Your transfer includes: Airport to door private transportation, personal driver, bottled water
•  Duration: Direct drive time is approximately 20 minutes without breaks

Day 7

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest national park in Costa Rica at 683 hectares and combines rainforest and beaches. In 2011, Manuel Antonio was listed by Forbes among the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks. With over 100 mammals and 184 bird species, this is a great excursion for anyone looking to experience the abundance of wildlife in Costa Rica.

You start your day when your guide picks you up at your hotel. Your local, bilingual nature guide will take you on an informative hike through the park where you can spot 3 of the 4 species of monkey in Costa Rica: the White-faced Capuchin monkey, red-back squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys. You may also spot sloths, coatis, agoutis, deer, brilliantly colored land crabs, butterflies, pelicans, laughing falcons, common black hawks, and plenty more.

The relaxed walk through the park lasts around 2-3 hours. As well as spotting an abundance of wildlife, you’ll also learn a great deal about the history, flora and fauna of this stunning part of the country. If time allows, you’ll have a chance to swim at one of the 2 pristine beaches. Bring your bathing suit and a towel.

• Please note: The park is closed on Tuesdays
• Minimum age: Available to all ages
• Your tour includes: Park entrance, snacks, transportation and bilingual guide
• What to bring: A clear picture of your Passport or a hard copy (required to enter the park), camera, t-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes, insect repellent, sunblock, bathing suit & towel
• FOOD IS NOT ALLOWED. You can only bring natural drinks or water in reusable bottles
• Duration: Tour Time (3 hours) + transportation time (approximately 40 minutes total)

Day 8

Damas Island Kayaking Tour

Transportation is provided; you will be picked up at your hotel and during the 20-minute drive, your guide will describe the scenery highlights. This Manuel Antonio tour allows you to explore the wonders of the unique Costa Rican mangrove ecosystem.

You will set out in the Paquita river, facing an island and float along the soft currents under a verdant forest canopy. Make sure you keep your eyes wide open so you can spot the countless bird species, reptiles, anteaters and white-faced monkeys. While you silently observe this amazing habitat your guide will offer explanations about the flora and fauna found in this incomparable region.

This Manuel Antonio tour takes you across the waters for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes; lunch is arranged before or after the trip. This tour does not require previous experience. The kayaks are available for 1 or 2 passengers. Kids must be at least 8 years old to paddle alone.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Note: Tour schedule time may vary depending on the tide
• What to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, waterproof camera, hat/visor, mosquito repellent, swimsuit and cover-up, and beach towel
• Duration: 4 hrs + Transportation time (approx 20 mins each way)
  
• Tour includes: Transportation, bilingual guides, beverages and lunch

Day 9

Get to see one of Costa Rica’s most secluded waterfalls in the Manuel Antonio area, nestled in the tropical forest. A van picks you up at your hotel and takes you to the Nauyaca Waterfalls, in the south of the country. The adventure begins with a gorgeous hike through the jungle where you can admire the lush vegetation.

Try to spot as much wildlife as you can while walking up. The space opens up to your beautiful destination: a two-tiered waterfall, falling down a canyon!

Spend about 1.5 hours refreshing yourself in the waterfall, which has an 80-foot face. There’s a wide area for you to swim and relax. There are three spots where you can also jump into the natural pools. You can also climb to get to the second tier. This waterfall is 190 feet high and is in a rocky area. Enjoy an added highlight of a return ride on a tractor.

This tour is great for those who love venturing off the beaten path and into nature. You must be able to endure the walk and climbing up the jungle path and various rocks, so be careful if you have knee problems or get tired easily.

• Please note: this tour is public. For an extra fee it can be upgraded to private.
• Minimum: 4 people
• Tour includes: transportation to and from Nauyaca, snacks, water, and lunch.
• What to bring: shoes or rugged sandals (NO flip flops, they’re too slippery), camera, towel, sunscreen, bug spray, and an extra set of dry clothes.
• Duration: tour time + transportation time is 6 hours total. This tour is available at 9:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.

Day 10

Manuel Antonio – San Jose /SJO Airport: Private Transfer

Enjoy your private ground transfer as you explore the scenery of Costa Rica in a private air-conditioned unit with your English-speaking driver. Drive time is approx 3 hours.