Costa Rica Family Multisport
- Gaze at Arenal Volcano while soaking in hot springs hidden in a forest oasis
- White-water rafting the Río Savegre, one Central America’s most pristine rivers
- Experts who intimately know the country’s incredible flora and fauna
- Venture through the jungle habitat of sloths, monkeys, toucans and lizards
- Kids paint their own Boruca masks with an indigenous artist
Adventures in Paradise from Arenal Volcano to the Pacific Coast
Ready to treat yourself to an intimate encounter with Mother Nature? Come play with us in Costa Rica! Beloved for its parks, biological reserves and wildlife refuges, this friendly Central American nation protects a larger proportion of its land than any country in the world. On this action-packed multisport journey, you'll experience many of Costa Rica's precious ecosystems firsthand. Marvel at an active volcano, bask on untouched beaches, venture through lush jungles, encounter wildlife at every turn and enjoy a rich array of activity options, from rafting and hiking to surfing, horseback riding, and zip-line flying.
Days 1-2 Gaze at Arenal Volcano while soaking in hot springs hidden in a forest oasis 
Sugar cane, papaya and yucca plantations line your bike route to La Fortuna, set at the foot of rumbling Arenal, one of the world's most active volcanoes Cruise across Lake Arenal by boat, then explore its lush jungle surroundings by bike The afternoon is yours to zip-line, horseback ride, hike or simply relax by the pool.
Day 3 Join a local famiy for a homemade lunch in their rural village Adults walk across a barren lava field and though rain forest in Arenal National Park, while kids check out snakes, frogs and butterflies at a serpentarium A private charter plane whisks us to the white-sand beaches of the Pacific coast While hiking through the pristine Savegre Valley, our local guide points out flora and fauna, and shares tips on how to survive if you're lost in the jungle Kick back at our secluded hotel on your private deck or - look out below! - zoom down the 100-foot waterslide.
Day 4 Venture through the lush habitat of sloths, monkeys, toucans and lizards Make a splash during a thrilling white-water rafting excursion on Río Savegre On our naturalist-led walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, white-faced monkeys frolic in the canopy and prehistoric-looking iguanas slither up tree trunks.
Days 5-6 Kids paint their own Boruca masks with an indigenous artist, while adults are as active (from beach walking and kayaking to horseback riding and surfing) or inactive (from pool lounging to spa treating) as they like Pedal on the beach, then turn inland through a landscape of banana and African palm trees After a morning seaside stroll, shuttle to San José, stopping on the way to look for crocodiles.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Fabulous. The leaders were outstanding and our kids had the time of their lives. Backroads is a great way to travel for a busy family - minimal preparation required, and a rich and diverse schedule of activities and experiences that we never could have planned on our own.- Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Backroads has freed me up from the time-consuming research, planning and decision making I do to ensure an exciting adventure for our family vacations. The leaders are phenomenal and traveling with other like minded families has put a new twist on our usually independent travels. This was our first trip with Backroads and it will not be our last. I am looking forward to many more.
This trip was unbelievable! We went to places we never would have found by ourselves. Each day was packed with exciting adventures and the leaders were phenomenal. We could not have asked for anything more from them.- Walden, NY
Premiere Inns*
Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
La Fortuna (2 nights) Set on 27 acres of lush jungle gardens, with suites offering panoramic volcano views. (pool, spa)
Rafiki Safari Lodge
Savegre (1 night) These African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)
* Casual Inn
Alma del Pacifico Hotel
Playa Esterillos Este (2 nights) The spacious private villas at this beachside resort feature large terraces and a mosaic-tiled shower that opens to your own garden. (pool, spa)
Costa Rica Multisport
Biking, Walking & Kayaking to Arenal Volcano & the Pacific Coast
Family:
Costa Rica Multisport
Wildlife Encounters on the Pacific Coast & Nicoya Peninsula
Family:
Ecuador: Galapagos & Andes Multisport with Haciendas & Adventure Lodges New!
Ancient Culture & Wondrous Wildlife in Ecuador's Islands & Highlands
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Peru Multisport
Cultural Discoveries & Epic Landscapes from Cusco to Machu Picchu
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
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 | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
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 below, 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."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 23, 31 miles
- 700 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 17 miles
- 300 - 600 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 2.1, 3, 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 3.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Rafting 1.5 hours
Day 5
- Level 1 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 5, 8, 14 (tide dependent)
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
More Recommended Trips
For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Costa Rica tour experts. See our award-winning Latin America multisport tours, Latin America biking tours and Latin America walking and hiking tours.
