Costa Rica Family

Costa Rica Family Multisport

Biking, Walking & Rafting the Pacific Coast & Nicoya Peninsula

Holy cow! Or rather, holy huge millipede! Was that a toucan? Get a closer look from the suspended bridges high in the rain forest canopy. Can you spot those howler monkeys you've been hearing? Swinging through the jungle, Tarzan style. Do some swinging of your own on a zip-line. Or will it be beach time? Or paddling through mangroves? Or TLC at the spa? It's up to you. And you really can't go wrong. With these activities. With private charter flights connecting it all. With a week of Backroads family fun in Costa Rica.

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The Day-to-Day Itinerary

Days 1-2 A perfect line-up of activities make for great family adventures throughout the country Fly to the Pacific Coast Meander through Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist who helps us spot a wealth of exotic plants and wildlife, including white-faced monkeys, butterflies, sloths and iguanas  Picnic at the Rainmaker Reserve before a local naturalist leads a hike on jungle trails and along suspension bridges for a close-up look at a virgin rain forest and its inhabitants  The afternoon is yours to sea kayak, take a mangrove tour or go on a zip-line adventure through the jungle canopy.

Day 3 A local family invites us to their home for lunch Bike amid African Palm oil plantations and observe rural life in the countryside around Quepos Hike through the rain forest to our secluded hotel Relax on your private deck and swim in the lodge's pool, which features a 100-foot long waterslide - watch that landing!

Day 4 Make a splash during a thrilling white-water rafting excursion on the Río Savegre A short scenic flight whisks us to the Nicoya peninsula  Embark on a favorite Backroads ride that leads through the scenic coastal valley and past some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches As you pedal on quiet dirt roads, spot sabañeros (cowboys) working the pastures and tending their cattle.

Days 5-6 Sublime white-sand beaches great for swimming and surfing Our oceanfront resort offers many ways to play and relax: hike on nearby nature trails, go horseback riding, try kayaking, take surfing lessons, lounge by the pool or treat yourself to a massage Visit Islita village for a pick-up soccer game with local kids  Cap off your adventure with a dinner of fresh seafood specialties.

Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!

One of the best vacations I've ever been on. Our guides were knowledgeable, excellent teachers, and also patient with us. I appreciated their humor as well as their knowledge and insight. Aside from the wonderful leaders, great accommodations, and beautifully interesting country, another thing that made the trip so special was the chemistry of the group…it was so enjoyable to be traveling with such a friendly and interesting mix of people. It was also amazing how well the kids in the group gelled.
Michael Steinberg - West Hartford, CT More about this Trip All Guest Reviews

For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. 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

Premiere Inns*

Hotel Parador
Hotel Parador

Quepos (2 nights) A Spanish-style resort with blissful views of the Manuel Antonio rain forest and the azure Pacific. (pool, spa)

Rafiki Safari Lodge
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

Hotel Punta Islita
Hotel Punta Islita

Punta Islita (2 nights) Named one of the world's best by Travel + Leisure, this eco-friendly resort is tucked away between an ocean cove and the forest on the pristine Nicoya Peninsula. (pool, spa)

Costa Rica Family Multisport

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 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
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Walking 3.5 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Walking 1.6 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 3  5 Route Options Available
  • Biking 4.5, 8.5, 12, 20 miles
  • 100 - 600 feet elevation gain
  • Hiking 2.1 miles
  • 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Level 1 to 3  4 Route Options Available
  • Biking 6, 9, 12, 18 miles
  • 0 - 700 feet elevation gain
  • Rafting 2.5 hours
Day 5
  • Level 1  2 Route Options Available
  • Walking 2.5, 3.7 miles
  • 100 - 400 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Guided Walk 1 hour
Please note: 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.

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns Trip Price*
  • $3,398 to $3,698 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$660 for sgl. occ.)
  • Internal Flights:
    $530

Special Kids Prices

Trip Notes

All meals included

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

San José, Costa Rica

Special Interest

Horseback Ride, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Raft, Rainforest Exploration, Spa, Swim, Tropical/Winter Sunshine, Water Activities

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading


* Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Contact Us, call: 800-462-2848 or 510-527-1555, Fax: 510-527-1444, E-mail us or contact your travel agent