Costa Rica Rain Forest & Pacific Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Costa Rica Rain Forest & Pacific Family Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-2
Casual & Deluxe Hotels
2025: Nov-Dec2026: Feb-Apr, Nov-Dec2027: Feb-Apr, Jun
Arenal Volcano to Manuel Antonio National Park
See the world from the perspective of a howler monkey or spiny-tailed iguana. Up, down, over and around—by raft, bike, zip line and your own two feet. This is Costa Rica from every angle.
Highlights
- Soak in geothermal hot springs at the base of majestic Arenal Volcano
- Raft the white water of the pristine Savegre River’s Class II-III rapids
- Discover Manuel Antonio National Park’s wealth of wildlife—monkeys, lizards, sloths, toucans and more
- Surf beginner’s waves with a local expert or just lounge on a secluded beach
- Hike and bike tropical trails surrounded by jungle teeming with wildlife
Start/End San José
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Adults join a naturalist on a trek across a lava field at the base of Arenal Volcano while kids hit a family-run farm for an interactive visit • Soak in geothermal hot springs nestled within a tropical forest • Adults ride around Lake Arenal while kids (and any adults who are more epicurious than bike-curious) dip into a chocolate tour and coffee tasting on a local farm • Enjoy scenic views while on a boat cruise across the lake • Optional on-your-own activities abound—fly through the treetops on a zip line, indulge in a massage or simply relax by the pool.
Nights 1-2
Take in majestic views of Arenal Volcano while soaking in your suite's private whirlpool. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Venture through the lush habitat of sloths, monkeys, toucans and lizards • Our private charter plane whisks us to Quepos, a beachside town on the central Pacific coast • Sit down to a home-cooked casado (traditional local meal) with a Costa Rican family • Hike through the pristine Savegre Valley • Kick back at our secluded lodge on your private deck or zoom down the 100-foot-long waterslide • Young explorers (and the young at heart!) have a chance to venture into the jungle on a guided walk at night 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 the Río Savegre • In Manuel Antonio National Park, look for white-faced monkeys, sloths and prehistoric-looking iguanas • Embrace the local rhythm with a beachfront dance class • Enjoy a hike through the rain forest, take an optional surf lesson or watch the waves of the Pacific roll in • Paint your own Boruca mask with an indigenous artist • Kids engage their inner vaqueros (cowboys) and explore the beach on horseback • Stretch out in a beachside yoga class before returning to San José.
Nights 4-5
Spacious private villas at this beachside resort feature large terraces and a mosaic-tiled shower that opens to your own garden. (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.
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 turboprop planes that seat ten to 12 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.
Due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure in Costa Rica, 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. The level of these activities, combined with enough downtime to relax and take advantage of the hotels, will be the ideal way to experience la pura vida.
During the trip there’s time for you to enjoy some of Costa Rica’s favorite activities, such as zip-lining, ATVing and waterfall rappelling. 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.
In order to bring you to diverse and unique regions, 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 that Costa Rica has to offer.
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, crowds and delays are unavoidable during certain times of the year.
At Rafiki Safari Lodge, we stay in large canvas-walled platform tents. Each is outfitted with an en suite bathroom. While our tents are comfortable, they do not have air-conditioning. The property has limited cell reception but does have Wi-Fi in the main common area. With canvas walls and doors, sounds may carry from nearby tents and chirping crickets, so we suggest packing earplugs.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Casual Hotel
Take in majestic views of Arenal Volcano while soaking in your suite's private whirlpool. (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
*Deluxe Hotel
Spacious private villas at this beachside resort feature large terraces and a mosaic-tiled shower that opens to your own garden. (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
- Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture it's own line of kid's bikes.
- Features smaller wheels -- the perfect choice for kids.
- On our Family Trips, you'll find 20"" and 24"" bikes.
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 6 customers
Stucki, Bapi and Jessica are amazing guides.
Costa Rica was an amazing experience mostly thanks for the 3 guides we had. Stucki, Bapi and Jessica went out of their way to make this trip one to remember. They took out all the hard work and really made it a trip of a lifetime. I saw monkeys and ate carrot flavored termites, what could be better!!
Incredible action packed trip!
This trip was just what we were hoping for and more! We saw so much beautiful scenery, were amazed by all the wildlife we saw up close, loved all the incredible experiences, local food and fresh fruit! The activities were so varied, well planned and I can't believe how much we did! Each hotel was unique and above expectations! And the guides couldn't have been better! Unforgettable family experience!
11 Joys
Verified Buyer
Eleven of us ranging in age from 5 to 75 had an unforgettable experience discovering Costa Rica. Guides, activities and accommodations were perfect.
A forever adventure
Ample challenges for the adults but within the capabilities of a 10 and 13 year old. Anyone could set up the same itinerary but the trip leaders and Backroads' deep connections in Costa Rica make this trip something that cannot be remotely duplicated by anyone. This trip is a great introduction to the Backroads ethos and experience. It was our first BR trip, but we will be back for more!
Our Favorite Backroads trip yet!
Verified Buyer
This trip was phenomenal all around! My son saw every animal he hoped to see (three kinds of monkeys, sloths, toucans, eyelash pit viper, and more!) The variety of activities on top of the excellent hiking and biking was impressive, from soaking in the natural hot spring pools, to the zip line through the forest, to the coffee plantation visit, to the kayaking at the end - so much fun! Delicious food, great hotels, and a bonus was watching Arenal Volcano spewing glowing lava at night from the comfort of the rocking chairs outside our hotel room. Our family has wonderful memories from this trip!
Wonderful family experience!
Our trip leaders were amazing and made this trip so much fun for adults and kids alike. We enjoyed the hiking, biking and kayaking, and the accommodations were fabulous... way beyond what we expected for "casual" inns. The best part about Costa Rica, even beyond the beauty and the wildlife, is the Costa Rican people. The "Ticos" are so incredibly friendly. I cannot think of another place I have visited where everyone is so consistently welcoming to visitors. Pura Vida!
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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