Costa Rica Family Multisport
Biking, Walking, Rafting & Kayaking from Arenal Volcano to the Pacific Coast
With over a quarter of its land protected in parks and preserves, Costa Rica is paradise for anyone who loves wildlife and outdoor adventure. Howler monkeys scamper through the trees, and keel-billed toucans color the sky against a natural backdrop of an active volcano, a magnificent lake, flowing rivers and lush greenery. Jungle hikes, mountain biking and a kayaking adventure expose you to the region's incredible biodiversity, from the Los Angeles Cloud Forest to Arenal Volcano National Park and the Pacific coast. Your family is sure to have fun, relax and learn the true meaning of pura vida!
- Hummingbirds eating out of the palm of your hand
- View one of the world's most active volcanoes while relaxing in the hot springs of a forest hideaway
- Explore Lake Arenal and the surrounding rain forest by boat and bike
- The chance to see a variety of wildlife (sloths, monkeys, lizards and more) in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Kayak across the bay to a beautiful remote beach
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Los Angeles Cloud Forest
Meet in San José 
Adults jump-start the day with a challenging ride past brilliant-orange poró trees and farmers plying their trade Kids join in on the biking fun en route to the Los Angeles Cloud Forest An interpretive walk through the cloud forest showcases an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
Days 2-3 La Fortuna
Kids get a chance to hand-feed hummingbirds and learn how to milk dairy cows Pedal along rolling roads flanked by plantations of papaya, sugarcane and yucca to La Fortuna, nestled near the foot of rumbling Arenal, one of the world's most active volcanoes Take in views of the volcano while soaking in hot springs hidden in a forest oasis Explore the lush rain forest around beautiful Lake Arenal by bike, followed by a cruise on the lake The afternoon is yours to go zip-lining, horseback riding or hiking or simply relax by the pool.
Days 4-6 Manuel Antonio
Trek across a lava field in Arenal Volcano National Park Fly above the rain forest on our private charter plane to the white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio Ride into the countryside for stunning views of the forest, mountains and rivers around Quepos On a naturalist-led walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, witness white-faced monkeys swinging in the branches and neon iguanas slithering up tree trunks While away the afternoon soaking up the sun or splashing in the waves of the Pacific The crystalline waters off Quepos provide a calm setting for a sea kayaking excursion Paddle to a secluded beach on the other side of the bay Enjoy a lunch spread overlooking the tropical coastline before shuttling to San José.
Adult Route Rating What's this?
- 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:
Classic Premiere Inns Classic Casual Inns
Baja Multisport California Desert Multisport Arizona MultisportOther Central/South America Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
We have traveled quite extensively with guides as a family and without reservation, Backroads Leaders are the best. What great role models for our kids.- Chattanooga, TN More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport 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.
Costa Rica Family Multisport
COASTAL RETREATS: Casual Inns
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa
Los Angeles Cloud Forest (1 night) This eco-conscious boutique hotel features charming casitas, each with a breathtaking view of the cloud forest.
Hotel Mountain Paradise
La Fortuna (2 nights) On a clear night, relish unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano from this expansive resort's swimming pool or whirlpool.
The Falls Resort
Manuel Antonio (2 nights) Sparkling waterfalls, innumerable plant varieties and tropical flowers create a lush setting for this boutique hotel, just a short walk from a white-sand beach.
Costa Rica Family Multisport
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."
Day 1
- Level 1 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 6, 12 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Walking 2.2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 5 Route Options Available
- Hiking (Adults) 2.2, 3.1 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Biking 11, 22, 27 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 17, 31 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 6 Route Options Available
- Walking 2, 3, 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Biking 9, 16, 21 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Kayaking 2 hours
On this Family Trip, our routes are designed to be easygoing, with no significant gain or loss in elevation. However, rough terrain, heat and humidity can make biking in Costa Rica more challenging. Although these conditions may slow down your riding, it's also what makes biking in Costa Rica an adventure! Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.