Around a volcano. Through the rain forest. Under lush canopies and across sandy beaches. Seeing the world from the perspective of a spider monkey or spiny-tailed iguana. Up, down, over and around—by kayak, raft, bike, zip-line and your own two feet. On this family trip, it's Costa Rica from every angle.
Day 1 Bike rolling paved roads flanked by plantations of papaya, sugarcane and yucca to La Fortuna, nestled near the foot of Arenal Volcano | Befriend furry and feathery critters at a wildlife rescue center | Kids join the Kids Activity Expert for a chocolate-making experience, learning about the entire process from plant to delectable product.
Day 2 Ride around Lake Arenal, listening for the call of howler monkeys | Enjoy scenic views on a boat cruise across the water | Soak in a geothermal hot springs and gaze at majestic volcanoes | Opt to fly through the treetops on a zip-line, indulge in a massage or simply relax by the pool.
Days 3-4 Kids can check out exotic snakes and frogs at a serpentarium or join the adults on a trek across a lava field near Arenal Volcano National Park | Our private charter plane whisks us to the white-sand beaches of Quepos | 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 hotel on your private deck or zoom down the 100-foot waterslide—look out below! | Make a splash on a thrilling white-water rafting excursion on Río Savegre | In Manuel Antonio National Park, discover white-faced monkeys swinging in the branches and prehistoric-looking iguanas slithering up tree trunks.
Days 5-6 Youngsters paint their own Boruca masks with an indigenous artist while parents enjoy a coastal rain forest trail | At our tropical resort, stroll through a butterfly garden, cool off in the pool or hike to the beach | Swim in the ocean or walk out to a viewpoint and take it all in | Enjoy an afternoon soaking up the sun, getting a surf lesson or watching the waves of the Pacific | From a secluded beach, sea-kayak on calm crystalline waters.
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!- El Cerrito, CA
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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Take in majestic views of Arenal Volcano while soaking in your suite's private whirlpool. (pool, spa)
African-style luxury safari tents offer the ideal setting for enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle. (pool)
Luxurious suites with incredible views at a Spanish-style resort overlooking Manuel Antonio and the Pacific Ocean. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Comments about Costa Rica Family Multi-Adventure Tour � Teens & Younger Siblings:
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!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Claire C.
Images shared by Claire C.
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Comments about Costa Rica Family Multi-Adventure Tour � Teens & Younger Siblings:
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!
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| 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 | Biking | 5* | 200 | 17* | 400 | 22* | 900 | 28 | 2000 | ||
| Kids | Chocolate Tour (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 2 | Biking | 10* | 1000 | 15* | 1600 | ||||||
| Other | Boat Ride on Lake Arenal (30 Minutes) | ||||||||||
| Other | Optional Rain Forest Canopy Excursion | ||||||||||
| 3 | Walking/Hiking | 2 | 500 | 4 | 400 | ||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 3 | 300 | |||||||||
| Kids | Serpentarium Visit (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | Walking/Hiking | 2* | 200 | 4 | 600 | ||||||
| Rafting | Savegre River Class II-III | ||||||||||
| 5 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 800 | ||||||||
| Other | Optional Surfing | ||||||||||
| Kids | Boruca Mask Painting | ||||||||||
| 6 | Kayaking | around Quepos (2 Hours) | |||||||||
Note: On this Family Trip, our routes have relatively little elevation gain or loss. However, the terrain, heat and humidity can make biking more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary and mileage is moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Most companies' trips in Costa Rica are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.
When everyone's together, there's lots going on; and when kids' and adults' priorities diverge, it can seem like two different trips. That's why our Family Adventures in Costa Rica have three Trip Leaders—including a dedicated Kids Activity Expert who regularly takes younger travelers off to do their own thing. Other companies try to get by with two leaders; we step up and do it right. For more on our family focus, check this out.
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this trip featuring Casual Hotels includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Costa Rica, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politics – and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
A great bike is obviously critical for a great multi-adventure trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Costa Rica, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
At Backroads we've honed our expertise in active family travel over many years and a lot of trips. We host at least 20 times more family guests than any other active company, so we're constantly gaining new insights that make our trips even better. Detailed planning, behind-the scenes logistics, unrivaled support from three Trip Leaders—all backed by a team that proudly creates the kind of experiences we'd want to share with our own families.
We design and support our Costa Rica trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Backroads is the leader in designing trips that ensure everyone, young and young-at-heart alike, has an amazing time. Your Backroads Family Adventure balances family activities with diversions designed exclusively for the kids—giving the adults a welcome break from making decisions, other than choosing whether to explore a few more miles or just enjoy each other's company. A family vacation where everyone gets to relax, recharge and have fun – what a concept!
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group of 8 or more. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
