Costa Rica Beaches & Wildlife Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Families with Kids & Teens
Costa Rica Beaches & Wildlife Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Families with Kids & Teens
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-2
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jul-Aug, Nov-Dec2026: Feb-Apr, Jul-Aug, Nov-Dec2027: Jan-Apr, Jun-Aug
Manuel Antonio National Park to Nicoya Peninsula
This week, Costa Rica is your family’s playground. Trade the monkey bars for a swing on a zip line. A trip down white water rapids. A leap from a jungle waterfall. Or all of the above. Recess, anyone?
Highlights
- Link tropical highlands with two regions of the Costa Rican coast on this beach-centric itinerary
- Come face-to-face with sloths, monkeys, lizards and more in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Kayak along the Pacific coastline and swim in the warm turquoise waters of our hotel’s sandy beach
- Catch some adrenaline in the white water rapids of Río Savegre, one of the most pristine rivers in Central America
- Spy elusive critters while on a rain forest night hike

StartSan José
EndLiberia
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary

Days 1-2
Hop on a scenic flight down the coast to Quepos, a beachside town located on the central Pacific coast • Walk through Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist who helps us spot white-faced monkeys, butterflies, sloths and iguanas • Or, if you prefer, grown-ups have the option to join a leader for a rugged single-track jungle hike, known locally as the Reto Mae • Bike past small villages and through open farmland, mountains and rivers en route to an organic spice plantation in the heart of the rain forest • Walk on the beach or relax in a hammock • Kids paint their own Boruca mask with an indigenous artist • Enjoy a sunset from our retreat perched overlooking the Pacific—or perhaps climb down for a dip at its private beach.





Nights 1-2
A luxury oasis tucked away on the coast with peaceful views of Manuel Antonio National Park and the azure Pacific. (pool, spa)

Day 3
Sea kayak along Costa Rica’s coastline and observe spectacular marine life and rain forests from a different perspective • A local family invites us into their home for a traditional lunch • Hike through the rain forest to our remote jungle safari lodge • Kick back on your private deck or go for a plunge on the 100-foot-long waterslide • Young explorers (and the young at heart!) have a chance to venture into the jungle on a guided night walk and catch a glimpse of elusive nocturnal creatures.

Night 3
African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)

Days 4-6
Make a splash on a thrilling white water rafting excursion on Río Savegre • Fly to Liberia, a popular gateway to Costa Rica’s famous Pacific coast beaches and a prime destination for surfers • Fly through the jungle canopy on a zip line • Take to the water behind our hotel for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and boogie boarding • Optional on-your-own activities abound: mountain bike, head to the beach or indulge at the world-class spa • Take in the tropical landscape with a view of the crashing waves, libation in hand.





Nights 4-5
Cool elegance and modern colonial style await at this beautiful boutique hotel by the sea. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Costa Rica is world-renowned for numerous eco-adventures; however, due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge and options for bike routes are limited. As a result, we've paired our core activities with ones that are suited to this destination, such as rafting and kayaking; and due to these challenges of the road, kids don't bike on this trip at all. We're confident that our mix of alternate activities, combined with enough downtime to relax and take advantage of the hotels, is the ideal way to experience la pura vida.
In order to bring you the full gamut of Costa Rica’s splendor, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on many other Backroads trips. Our time in the shuttles will allow us to experience the incredible variety of ecosystems, scenery and activities Costa Rica has to offer. So sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
“Pura vida,” or “pure life,” is not just a Costa Rican greeting–it’s a state of mind. While Costa Rica’s tourist industry is well accustomed to welcoming foreign visitors, you may still notice that service here can lack a sense of urgency, reflecting the slower pace and relaxed approach to life that is typical throughout the region. As such, patience and a sense of humor are always recommended when traveling in Central America. Your Backroads leaders will be close by to ease the way.
During the trip there’s time for you to enjoy some of Costa Rica’s favorite activities, such as surfing and ultralight flights. These activities are often a highlight for those who choose to do them, but due to liability issues and because they’re not to everyone’s liking, they’re not included in the cost of the trip and participation is at your own risk.
The holiday and spring break months are a great time to travel; however, with days off and the desire to escape for sunshine many others have the same idea. While we always aim to get off the beaten path, during certain times of the year crowds and delays are unavoidable.
On this trip we travel by air to reach the exclusive areas this destination has to offer. We will be flying by charter with Sansa Airlines aboard turbo-prop planes that seat eight to 14 passengers. These flights occasionally experience delays or cancellations due to inclement weather. In the rare instance a flight is cancelled we are prepared to travel by land.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
A luxury oasis tucked away on the coast with peaceful views of Manuel Antonio National Park and the azure Pacific. (pool, spa)
Night 3
*Casual Hotel
African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Cool elegance and modern colonial style await at this beautiful boutique hotel by the sea. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only

Included in your trip price
- For children up to 85 pounds
- Attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort!
- Ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
- Cannot be pulled by an e-bike.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 13 customers
The most amazing trip!
We LOVED our week in Costa Rica. We felt like we were able to see so much of the country and our kids had the BEST time. Backroads made it fun, adventurous, cultural, educational, and seamless. Our leaders we fantastic, the food was excellent, the landscapes were breathtaking and the wildlife was abundant! We can't wait to book our next trip.
Fantastic guides, activities, and lodging
This was our second Backroads trip as a family and we are continuously impressed with the excellent travel experience. No place else will you find such exceptional guides, variety of active adventures, and amazing meals & lodging. There is no way we would be able to experience the many different area of each country on our own. Thank you!
My bucket list Backroads family trip to Costa Rica: perfect
I took my two sons and their families on this wonderful trip. The five grandchildren ranged in age from 6 - 13. Every one of us was able to, and wanted to do, all of the activities - the zip line, the white water rafting, all of it. Leaders Fernando (Nano) and Amanda (who had to step in at the last second because another trip leader got sick) were absolutely terrific with the kids. It warmed my heart to see my six-year-old granddaughter grab Nano's hand to show him things. So fun to observe how well my nine-year-old grandson could find night creatures at Rafiki. It was fantastic to watch my 11-year-old grandson overcome his fear of the zip line and see the joy on his face at the end. Costa Rica is nothing short of breathtaking. The Pura Vida attitude is everywhere, from trip leaders to bus drivers to local guides. You can't help but feel it too. While I could say so much about this trip, here's what's really telling. My three grandsons have a lot of family, and were fortunate to have a wonderful and full summer of traveling. They spent a week each at a stay-away camp in Texas (which they love), in beautiful wooded northern Arkansas, on an Atlantic beach in Florida, in the mountains of North Carolina, and our ten days in Costa Rica. When I asked them what their favorite thing they did this summer, each of them said "Costa Rica"!



Amazing trip, beautiful, fun, and busy (but in a good way)
FIrst time going to Costa Rica, it was great. The leaders were all very inviting and made a unique relationship with each person. :) All the activities were super fun, ziplining, whitewater rafting, kayaking.. etc. Overall it was my favorite backroads trip so far, out of 5. The only reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5 was because there were 2 instances where this trip did not feel like a premiere trip. After a boat ride, we had to walk barefoot across the dirt, concrete, and gravel to return to our hotel due to red tide. And, after kayaking, the changing rooms were locked and we were forced to change with someone holding a towel up halfway in the open. Those were things I expected from a camping trip, not a premiere hotel vacation. Besides that, it was a once and in a lifetime experience and I would definitely recommend it.
Bring the FAMILY and ENJOY "Pura Vida" at it's finest
What a sensational, well planned, well executed, well lead, family vacation. Backgrounds has excelled in creating a perfect family vacation. Everything was stress free. Everything was thought out and executed to perfection for fun in fabulous Costa Rica. Our vacation had just he right amount of fun, excitement, and learning, The hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and zip lining were so much fun. The visits to the sugar plantation, Senora Edith's garden, Manuel Antonio park with our naturalist, all highlighted the unique Pura Vida culture of Costa Rica. The hotels, the food... each were unique and wonderful. Then to top it all off are the people we met; the historian of culture, the chocolate lady. And let us not forget our guides Cara and Kat, and or wonderful drivers and local guides. Well done.... No Exceptions... Highly recommend. Thank you Backroads. PS Our children had as much or more fun than we did. Total Success
Great mix of activities for families
Verified Buyer
Loved the variety of activities that kept kids and adults interested every day. Have not seen another trip with so much variety: biking: hiking; horseback riding; zip lining; rafting; surfing; swimming (with hot tub and water slide); "cliff" diving; animal, bird, insect and plant viewing (in native environments); crafts; educational presentations; equestrian show; spa time; along with downtime and relaxation. Loved the view of the country from the charter plane flights.
Our trip with the whole family was spectacular in every way!
Verified Buyer
Backroads did a fantastic job in showing us various areas of Costa Rica. We were a family of fifteen, ranging in age from 70 to 8. The guides are particularly good at entertaining the kids while the adults had some alone time. All adventures for the week were well organized and totally fun. Accommodations were wonderful and all meals were very delicious. I would travel with Back Roads in a heartbeat!
We loved our trip to Costa Rica.
Verified Buyer
Our leaders were great and so much fun. It was very organized and the activities were so much fun. One of my most memorable vacations with my family.
Perfect Carefree way to take an impeccable family trip!
Verified Buyer
From beginning to end this family trip exceeded our expectations. Knowing that the experiences were one of a kind and taken care of allowed us to enjoy the company of our kids without stress. Perfect outcome.
We are hooked on Backroads!
This was our second Backroads trip. We love multi sport adventures with like minded travelers. We meet amazing people who love doing the same things we do. It's an immediate bonding that takes place that really makes for a great time. Costa Rica is beautiful, the activities are fun-tastic, and the local culture is so warm and inviting.

Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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