Monkeys, Jungles & Volcanoes
8 Days from $1,665 per person
Family Friendly Vacation
This family friendly vacation is designed for the whole family. Glide along the canals of Tortuguero under the watchful eyes of colorful toucans and trek up the slopes of the Arenal Volcano—a family adventure in the Pura Vida playground.
Overview
Family Friendly Vacation
This family friendly vacation is designed for the whole family. Glide along the canals of Tortuguero under the watchful eyes of colorful toucans and trek up the slopes of the Arenal Volcano—a family adventure in the Pura Vida playground.
-
Day 1: Arrive San José
Leave your boots at the door and embrace the Pura Vida playground of Costa Rica. A local host will greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer to the hotel, where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow adventurers this evening for a Kick-off Party.
-
Day 2: San José – Tortuguero National Park (2 Nights)
Rise with the roosters and head east through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Board a river boat, gliding through canals, lagoons and lowland rainforest, then join a Local Specialist from the Sea Turtle Conservancy Foundation to learn about the Tortuguero turtles. Enjoy a buffet dinner tonight at the resort's open-air restaurant.
-
Day 3: Tortuguero Sightseeing
Set off on a cruise through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park keeping a keen eye for sloths, crocodiles and colorful toucans. If you're visiting during nesting season (Jul-Sep), you may choose to join an optional experience night walk with a naturalist guide to witness the turtles laying their eggs.
-
Day 4: Tortuguero – Horquetas – Sarapiquí – Arenal National Park (2 Nights)
Travel to Horquetas to visit a local Tico family's palm plantation. Dive into culture and taste the delicate heart of palm before you head to Sarapiquí and visit the Snake Garden Wildlife Center for amphibians and reptiles. This evening, enjoy a pizza party in an open-air kitchen where you can make your own pizza.
-
Day 5: Arenal National Park Sightseeing
Start the day with a guided trek around the volcano at Arenal National Park. Then head for the Arenal Hanging Bridges to observe monkeys, sloths and chattering birds up close.
-
Day 6: Arenal National Park – Manuel Antonio National Park (2 Nights)
Imagine yourself soaring high above the jungle floor as you zipline* through the treetops, eye-to-eye with the lush foliage and exotic rainforest creatures. Head south to Manuel Antonio National Park.
*Note: Participation in this activity is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
-
Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing
Walking deep into the National Park with your guide, you'll check off a few more creatures on your wildlife list. Then it's time to hit the beach. Laze in the warm Pacific or choose an optional catamaran cruise with snorkeling (available Jan-Apr). This evening, celebrate new friendships over a Farewell Dinner.
-
Day 8: Manuel Antonio National Park – Depart San Jose
Travel back to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight or extend your stay at the Sheraton San Jose. Airport arrival will be at 11:30 am. Please be aware when booking your flights.
Please note: For the more remote areas of Costa Rica (such as Tortuguero), we use the best available hotel facilities with comfortable but simple guestrooms and eco-friendly amenities perfectly suited to the natural surroundings. This journey requires walking on uneven surfaces and steps and sometimes through heavy showers (rain ponchos provided). This journey is best enjoyed by the experienced traveler in good health who can take such conditions in stride.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 19 | 23 Feb 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 2 Mar 19 | 9 Mar 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 16 Mar 19 | 23 Mar 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 8 Jun 19 | 15 Jun 19 | $1,875$1,688pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 22 Jun 19 | 29 Jun 19 | $1,875$1,688pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 13 Jul 19 | 20 Jul 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 20 Jul 19 | 27 Jul 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 3 Aug 19 | 10 Aug 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 10 Aug 19 | 17 Aug 19 | $1,950$1,755pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Nov 19 | 16 Nov 19 | $1,850$1,665pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 17 | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement. As this is a family vacation, single room request must be part of a larger family group reservation.
Single Room Supplement: $595.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on this trip.
Triple Room Discount $150 p.p.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $85 per person.
Luggage: For the two night excursion to Tortuguero National Park guests are permitted to bring a maximum of 25 lbs of luggage. Your primary suitcase will be transferred and securely stored at your Arenal hotel.
Please note: For the more remote areas of Costa Rica (such as Tortuguero), we use the best available hotel facilities with comfortable but simple guestrooms and eco-friendly amenities perfectly suited to the natural surroundings. This journey requires walking on uneven surfaces and steps and sometimes through heavy showers (rain ponchos provided). This journey is best enjoyed by the experienced traveler in good health who can take such conditions in stride.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
-
Professional Travel Director
-
Sightseeing with Local Experts
-
VIP Access
-
WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
-
Cultural Enrichment
-
Expertly Selected Hotels
-
Hotel Tips
-
Most Meals
Meal Summary
16 meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, 1 Kick-Off Party.
Included Highlights
- Visit a local Tico family's palm plantation to learn about and taste the delicate heart of palm
- Learn about some of Tortuguero's most famous residents, its nesting sea turtles
- Visit a wildlife center in Sarapiquí and interact with the resident reptiles and amphibians
- Walk along the Arenal Hanging Bridges and go ziplining on the slopes of Arenal Volcano
- Help to support a local community and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor with a visit to the family-run Snake Garden Wildlife Center
Sightseeing Highlights
- Visit Tortuguero National Park, Sarapiquí, Areanal National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park
- Cruise through the canals and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park seeking out incredible tropical wildlife species
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Passports and Visas
-
Currency
The currency in Costa Rica is the colón. You’ll usually find the best exchange rates in your destination and can pay with your debit or credit card in many places. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Costa Rica. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
-
Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. In Costa Rica food mild and simple with many dishes centered on rice, beans, vegetables and meat. Try the local ceviche prepared with octopus, shrimp, tilapia and seabass cured with lemon juice and spices. You’ll find an abundance of fresh produce to enjoy including plantains, coconut, papaya and mango. Costa Rican coffee is strong and rich; try it black or order it with milk (café con leche).
-
Packing
Costa Rica has an enjoyable climate with sunshine throughout the year. We suggest bringing a variety of comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Sturdy walking shoes are important. Insect repellant and sunscreen may come in handy, as well as a light jacket and reusable water bottle. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
-
Tipping
Restaurants in Costa Rica are required by law to add 13 percent tax and 10 percent gratuity to the bill. For this reason Costa Ricans do not tip. If you would like to leave an additional tip to reward good service, it’s appropriate to leave 5-10 percent for your waiter.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend the equivalent of $4 per person/per day for your driver and $6 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is the equivalent of 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
-
Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
-
Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
-
Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Arenal
Arenal Natura Ecological Park
Adult Price: $42.00 | Child Price: $29.00
At this wonderful park you will have the opportunity to experience Costa Rica’s wildlife up close and personal where beautiful frogs, birds, reptiles, and their natural habitats will have the starring role. This package includes a frog sanctuary, bird watching, a serpentarium (home to different species of snakes found in Costa Rica), a reptile lagoon (to observe crocodiles) and a heliconia garden. Total duration is approximately 2 hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Arenal
Kayak On Lake Arenal
Adult Price: $63.00 | Child Price: $34.00
Arenal Lake is the largest in the country and home to a wide diversity of birds, both resident and migratory, such as flycatchers, kingfishers and great blue herons. Kayaking on Arenal Lake is a great way to take part in an outdoor activity while you enjoy the amazing, one-of-a-kind views of Arenal Volcano. Along the shoreline, watch for howler monkeys enjoying the good life high in the trees. Total duration is approximately 4 hours. Gratuity included. (Minimum 2 Guests)
Manuel Antonio
Catamaran And Snorkeling Adventure
Adult Price: $89.00 | Child Price: $89.00
Your naturalist guide will provide commentary as you sail by islands, cliffs, and rock formations while watching for bird nesting grounds and marine wildlife. Beverages and snacks are available onboard the catamaran throughout the trip. After exploring the coastline, your captain will drop anchor in a secluded bay where there will be time to snorkel. Be on the lookout for parrotfish, angelfish, starfish and maybe even a friendly dolphin. Total duration is approximately 6 hours. Available late Nov to mid-April.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
