Costa Rica Family Insider
From Cloud Forest to Volcano to Beach
Delve into Costa Rica's natural wonders and cultural riches on this exclusive family-friendly itinerary that features the best of our insider connections. Travel through wildlife-rich national parks to the shell-strewn Pacific coast with knowledgeable leaders and local experts. You and your family will be welcomed into the homes of our longtime friends, who happily share Costa Rican traditions and reveal the pura vida lifestyle that defines the Tico culture. And spot elusive jungle creatures with help from our naturalist guides, whose passion for the environment will expand your understanding of Costa Rica's incredible ecosystems and deepen your appreciation of the natural world.
- Check out the jungle canopy from the suspension bridges at Arenal Volcano National Park
- Spot monkeys, birds and sloths during a river float trip
- Experience rural life on visits to local homes and plantations
- Our amazingly knowledgeable naturalist guide Maurilio Cordero
- A kids-only surfing lesson - get stoked!
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Bajos del Toro
Meet in San José 
Kick-start your journey with a visit to a coffee plantation and learn about Costa Rica's grano de oro (golden bean) java Meet a local artist for lunch at his home in Sarchi and explore traditional oxcart-painting techniques Follow interpretive trails through a cloud forest oasis.
La Fortuna
Learn about the cloud forest ecosystem on a walk with our "eco-host," then plant an indigenous tree Float down the Río Peñas Blancas, watching - and listening - for howler monkeys, frogs and colorful waterfowl View steam-spouting Arenal Volcano from your private terrace Get a bird's-eye view of the jungle canopy from Arenal Volcano National Park's suspension bridges Find out from a volcanologist how an effusive eruption differs from a pyroclastic flow Wander among ferns, fig trees and bromeliads looking for white-nosed coatis and iguanas Enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Arenal Immerse yourself in soothing geothermal waters.
Playa Esterillos Este
Fly to Quepos Savor fresh pescado and other typical fare beside the azure Pacific Join our naturalist guide to discover Manuel Antonio National Park, home to more than 100 mammal species and 180 bird species Spot white-faced monkeys, green kingfishers and brilliant purple and orange land crabs Spend time with a native Boruca artist, who offers insight into Costa Rica's oft-overlooked indigenous cultures Spend an afternoon strolling the beach, relaxing by the pool, or perhaps indulge at the spa Return to San José on a scenic flight.
Maurilio Cordero, Rainforest Naturalist
Our experience in the Costa Rican wilderness is brought to a whole new level thanks to local expert Maurilio Cordero. A dedicated guide and naturalist for the past 16 years, Maurilio will amaze you with his knowledge of the region's diverse ecosystems and delight you with his uncanny ability to spot seemingly invisible wildlife hidden in the jungle. With his experienced eye and trusty scope, you stand an excellent chance of seeing creatures - such as collared aracaris, "Jesus Christ" lizards and perhaps even a few endangered squirrel monkeys - that other visitors might completely miss.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Costa Rica Multisport Yucatan Multisport Ecuador MultisportOther Central/South Amercia Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Backroads is really excited to add our latest way to explore the world - Insider Trips - to our award-winning biking, hiking and multisport vacations. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus, or in a few excursions from a cruise ship or a secluded resort.- Backroads President and Founder All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For Insider tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Insider tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Costa Rica Family Insider
TROPICAL ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Bajos del Toro (1 night) Nestled in the cloud forest, this 500-acre sanctuary is the antidote to stress. Relax in your luxury suite, complete with a private deck, hot tub and gas fireplace.
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
San Carlos (2 nights) This eco-friendly hotel's nearest neighbor - Arenal Volcano - may rumble a bit, but that's part of the ambience! Enjoy superb views of the molten mountain from the pool deck or from the Jacuzzi of your private suite.
Xandari by the Pacific
Playa Esterillos Este (2 nights) Breathe in fresh ocean air at this exclusive beachfront hotel with spacious private villas, a spa, two outdoor swimming pools, an art gallery and breathtaking vistas of the sparkling Pacific.
Costa Rica Family Insider
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned above, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."