
Costa Rica Family Multisport
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 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.
COASTAL RETREATS: Casual Inns
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa (1 night): This eco-conscious boutique hotel features charming casitas, each with a breathtaking view of the cloud forest.
Hotel Mountain Paradise (2 nights): On a clear night, relish unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano from this expansive resort's swimming pool or whirlpool.
The Falls Resort (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.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2010 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 3/14-19Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $270
- 4/4-9Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $270
- 12/19-24Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $270
- 12/26-31Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $270
2011 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 2/13-18Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 3/12-17Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 3/19-24Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 3/27-4/1Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 4/3-8Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 4/10-15Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 12/11-16Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 12/18-23Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
- 12/22-27Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $420 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $320
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
Minimum age restriction to sea-kayak: 5 years
No burleys available on this trip.
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty/restrictions of activities and route
- 9+ several long adult dinners; difficulty/restrictions of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.
Guest Trip Reviews
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

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. Our leaders overheard a conversation we were having on the bus about yoga and arranged an early morning class for us. It was great. I absolutely loved the place we stayed in Monteverde. I also really liked having an activity on our final day - a great way to end our trip with our new friends!- Cary, NC

This trip was fantastic and executed flawlessly by the Backroads leaders and in-country support team. They made it easy to let go and relax and just enjoy the activities and the amazing beauty of this country. We had great opportunities to see and enjoy the country's wildlife in its natural habitats.- Santa Clara, CA

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.

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

This trip is a cultural smorgasborg, full of different interesting ecologic environments, people, and activities. It was a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica. Reno, NV
