Sloths, Surf & Hot Springs

  • Trip Type
  • Mid-Luxury
  • Length
  • 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • When to Go
  • November - August

  • Epic volcanoes, wild creatures, and beach bliss—fun for the whole crew

    Costa Rica is nature’s ultimate playground—where smoking volcanoes, lush rainforests, and golden coastlines set the stage for adventure. This immersive 8-night family journey sweeps you from the cloud-kissed canopy of Arenal to the palm-fringed beaches of Manuel Antonio, striking the perfect balance between adrenaline, relaxation, and connection. Wander through mist-draped hanging bridges, spy sloths and toucans in their natural habitat, and roll up your sleeves for a private chocolate-making workshop that’s equal parts fun and delicious.

    Note: Prices are listed per adult based on double occupancy. Children sharing a room with adults are priced from $1,400 in low season and $1,650 in high season

     

    Trip Highlights

    • Exotic wildlife, volcano vistas & natural hot springs in Arenal 
    • After-dark creature quests & zipline adrenaline rushes in Monteverde
    • Spot sloths & monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park
    • Create sweet treats in a private chocolate-making workshop
    • Sun, swim & unwind with Pacific Coast beach time

     


    similar trips per person from:

    $2,950.00 low season (May - Oct)
    $3,300.00 high season (Nov - Apr)
    prices vary based on departure season.


    At a Glance

    Click each day for more details.

    • Day 1: San José to Arenal - Arrival - Welcome to the jungle

      Touch down in San José, then kick off your journey with a scenic private drive through rolling hills and rainforest to Arenal. Your home base is Lomas del Volcán, a charming lodge with wooden bungalows and front-row views of the volcano. Spend the afternoon spotting toucans along the property’s nature trail or making a splash in the pool.

    • Day 2: Arenal - Wildlife & volcano views from the hanging bridges

      Step into the treetops on a guided hike across Arenal’s famous hanging bridges. This misty 2-mile loop offers up-close encounters with monkeys, sloths, and technicolor birds, with plenty of wow moments for little explorers. This afternoon, slip into the warm embrace of Ecotermales Hot Springs—natural pools tucked into lush jungle. As twilight falls, enjoy a delicious dinner onsite, followed by a family toast (mocktails included) back at El Volcán Bar.

    • Day 3: Arenal - Choose your own adventure

      Enjoy a free day to explore—or unwind. Explore town, hike to Fortuna Waterfall, paddle across Lake Arenal on a serene kayak tour, or visit Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue to feed monkeys and learn about animal rehab. Prefer to keep things low-key? Lounge by the pool or take a self-guided hike along the lodge’s peaceful trails.

    • Day 4: Arenal to Monteverde - Into the cloud forest

      Head skyward with a transfer to Monteverde, a cool, misty realm of cloud forest wonders. Settle into Senda Monteverde, an eco-luxe retreat with cozy bungalows and mountain breezes. After dark, head out on a guided night walk to spot glowing frogs, sleeping birds, and maybe even a tree-dwelling kinkajou.

    • Day 5: Monteverde - Zipline thrills & butterfly gardens

      Fly through the forest on a thrilling zipline adventure—10 cables, sweeping views, and endless excitement. After lunch, head to a butterfly garden where kids can marvel at the colors and creatures flitting all around. Back at Senda, unwind with board games or a family soak in the hot tub.

    • Day 6: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio - The beach is calling

      Trade mist for ocean mist as your private driver whisks you to Tulemar Resort, nestled in the jungle above the Pacific. Settle into your villa, then hit one of four pools (one just for kids!) or hop the resort shuttle to Tulemar’s secluded beach for sand, sun, and splash time.

    • Day 7: Manuel Antonio - Monkeys, surf & coastal bliss

      Explore Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide who’ll help you spot sleepy sloths, playful monkeys, and colorful birds. Cool off with a swim at Playa Manuel Antonio, perfect for kids and calm enough for wading. In the afternoon, try a beginner-friendly surf lesson on Playa Playitas—ideal for teens and adventurous parents alike. Then, back to Tulemar for a breathtaking Pacific sunset.

    • Day 8: Manuel Antonio - Bean to bar - a private chocolate-making workshop

      End your trip on a high note with a private chocolate-making workshop in Quepos. Learn the bean-to-bar process, then dive hands-first into creating (and tasting!) your own treats. Spend your final hours poolside or back at the beach. Need a little parent downtime? Babysitters are available while you sneak off to Tulemar’s adults-only pool.

    • Day 9: Manuel Antonio to San José - Departure

      After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell. Your private driver returns you to San José, with volcano views in the rearview and hearts full of pura vida.


    Accommodations

    What's Included?

    Your trip includes everything you want & need, plus a few surprises along the way. Unique, unforgettable destinations; tours with local experts; authentic local cuisine; lessons, demonstrations & new cultural insights; more adventure than you can handle; blissful relaxation; romantic touches; and a feeling of total freedom. ROAM takes care of everything so that you can enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about a thing.

    • Airport pickup
    • All hotel accommodation
    • All breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
    • Detailed maps and trip preparation guide
    • All special events and tours
    • All vehicle and regional air transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
    • All baggage transportation

    Know Before You Go

    • Itinerary prices are dependent on season of departure. Christmas, New Years and Easter (Semana Santa) are peak season, and prices during these periods are significantlky higher than other times of year. High season runs from November through April, and green season from May through September.
    • Arrival: hotel check-in times are at 3:00pm, but you may arrive at any time during the day. If you arrive prior to the scheduled check-in time, we will arrange for early check-in wherever possible.
    • Departure: hotel check-out times are at 9:00am. International flights on your departure day should be arranged to depart after 1:30pm.
    • All prices in USD.
    • For vaccination recommendations, please visit the CDC website.
    • For American, Canadian, and British citizens, a valid passport with 6+ months remaining is required for entry to Costa Rica.
    • Debit cards may not work in Central America, but most establishments accept major credit cards.
    • Please ensure you have immediate access to a minimum of USD $250 as an emergency fund to be used if circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) require changes to your planned route.
    • If departing Costa Rica by air, most major airlines include exit taxes in the price of your airfare; if departing via ground or boat, departure tax is USD $29.
    • It is customary to tip service providers (waiters) around 10% depending on service. Tipping taxi drivers is not required.
    • Gratuities for guides and drivers are deeply appreciated, and provide an important supplement to their income. If you are pleased with the tour services you've received, a guideline for tipping in Central America is USD $8-10 per person per day for multiple-day tours, or USD $5-10 per person for day tours.

    Terms & Conditions: By reserving your space with registration and payment, you are agreeing to the policies, terms and conditions in our Terms & Conditions Agreement.

    Privacy Policy: Before communicating with ROAM – and particularly before you provide personally identifiable information to us – you should check out our Privacy Policy. Your use of this site, and any communication with us constitutes your agreement to the terms of this policy. Questions? Contact us here.

    Getting There

    From North America: several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to Costa Rica’s two international airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (airport code: SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (airport code: LIR). Including connection time, flights from the USA typically range from 2.5-9 hours in duration, while most flights from Canada range from 9-15 hours in duration.

    From the UK: there are currently no direct flights to Costa Rica from the UK, but there are several flight options connecting in the United States and/or Canada. Including connection time, flights from the UK typically range from 12-18 hours in duration.


    When you arrive in SJO or LIR, there will be an airport transfer waiting to take you to your hotel downtown, or in some cases, your next destination. If you have questions about flights, or require assistance booking, please contact us here. We're here to help!

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