Costa Rica Family Multisport
- Kids paint their own Boruca masks with an indigenous artist
- Watch for signs of life from an active volcano while hiking, biking and soaking in hot springs
- Manuel Antonio National Park's wealth of wildlife: monkeys, lizards, sloths, kingfishers and more
- Sea-kayak across a bay to a beautiful remote beach
- Befriend furry and feathery critters at a wildlife rescue center
Call 800-462-2848, Every day 7am–5pm,PST
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Biking, Walking & Kayaking to Arenal Volcano & 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!
Day
1 Hike through the Los Angeles Cloud Forest, where an interpretive walk showcases a spectacular array of plants and animals 
Jump-start the day with a tour (and tasting!) at a coffee plantation Visit a hummingbird sanctuary and perhaps even feed them by hand.
Days
2-3 Hot springs soaking and volcano gazing Befriend furry and feathery characters at a wildlife rescue center Bike rolling paved roads flanked by plantations of papaya, sugarcane and yucca to La Fortuna, nestled near the foot of Arenal Volcano Take in scenic lake views on a private cruise on Lake Arenal Fly through the treetops on a zip-line, indulge in a massage or simply relax by the pool.
Day
4 Kids check out snakes, frogs and butterflies at a serpentarium while adults trek across a lava field in Arenal Volcano National Park 
Our private charter plane whisks us to the white-sand beaches of Quepos Look for fast-moving basilisk lizards, blue morpho butterflies and endangered squirrel monkeys on our walk in La Foresta Reserve.
Days
5-6 In Manuel Antonio National Park, discover white-faced monkeys swinging in the branches and prehistoric-looking iguanas slithering up tree trunks Kids paint their own Boruca masks with an indigenous artist While away the afternoon soaking up the sun or splashing in the waves of the Pacific Sea-kayak on calm crystalline waters that lead to a secluded beach.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
This was the best family trip we have ever taken, hands down. I never expected a group trip could be so enjoyable. We bonded with our leaders and the other families immediately - so much so that I expect we will keep in touch with them for a long time. This trip was different from others we have taken - it was an adventure, a challenge, and a growth opportunity for us. Normally, I wouldn't expect my kids (age 10 and 12) to think favorably of a "growth opportunity", but they loved this trip and are still talking about it.
The trip and leaders far exceeded my expectations. This is our third trip with you all and the activities were so well balanced and diverse. Our 18 and 20 year old sons participated in the childrens kalidescope activity one afternoon and even enjoyed that! You all have this trip down to a science of exceptional activities. I had to keep a journal so that I wouldn't forget a single thing.- Cary, NC
This was our first group trip as a family. Having traveled with Backroads before as a couple, we were pretty sure it would go well, but you never know with kids. Our boys say this was the best trip they have ever taken and they loved everything about it - learning about a new country, the biking, the food, having fun with other families, and most of all - the great leaders! Our leaders made it easy for all the kids on the trip to become fast friends and for the parents to find time to relax. We'll definitely be doing another family Backroads trip again soon! Reno, NV
Casual Inns
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel
Los Angeles Cloud Forest (1 night) This eco-conscious hotel features charming casitas, each with a splendid view of the cloud forest. (spa)
Hotel Mountain Paradise
La Fortuna (2 nights) When skies are clear, relish unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano from this hilltop resort. (pool, spa)
The Falls Resort
Manuel Antonio (2 nights) Cascading waterfalls, innumerable plant varieties and tropical flowers create a lush setting for this boutique hotel, just a short walk from a white-sand beach. (pool, spa)
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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.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking | 1.5 | 100 | ||||||||
| Walking | 2.2 | 300 | |||||||||
| 2 | Biking | 6* | 800 | 16* | 1500 | 21 | 2400 | ||||
| 3 | Biking | 10* | 800 | 17 | 1700 | ||||||
| Other | Boat cruise on Lake Arenal (30 minutes) | ||||||||||
| Other | Optional zip-lining or hiking | ||||||||||
| 4 | Walking | 2.2 | 300 | ||||||||
| Walking | 3.0 | 100 | |||||||||
| Kids | Serpentarium visit (1 hour) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Walking | 2.0 | 100 | ||||||||
| Walking | 3.5 | 300 | |||||||||
| Other | Optional surfing, mangrove tour or horseback riding | ||||||||||
| Kids | Mask painting | ||||||||||
| 6 | Kayaking | Around Quepos (2 hours) | |||||||||
On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 10% dirt and 90% paved).
Please note: There is a lot to experience in Costa Rica and this trip is nothing short of action-packed! We have kept route distances short to ensure you have plenty of time to take advantage of the multitude of activities available. While distances suggest a Level 1 - 2 trip, we've rated it 1 - 3 instead due to the abundance of activities, as well as the heat, which require a bit more get-up-and-go.
* Includes a shuttle
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For 34 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.
