The Perfect 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary for Families

Morning: Fly into San Jose (SJO) Arrive by 2pm latest

Logistics: Most US flights arrive San Jose 10am-2pm. Clear customs (30-60 min), pick up rental car at airport (Budget, Adobe, Europcar) or meet pre-booked shuttle.

Rental Car: Reserve 4WD SUV if traveling rainy season or want flexibility. $60-90/day including mandatory insurance. GPS often unreliable—download offline Google Maps.

Shuttle Option: Shared shuttle $50-60/person, private transfer $160-200 for family. Hotels arrange pick-up with name sign.

Afternoon: Drive to Arenal 3 hours $0 if self-driving

Route: San Jose → Route 1 north → Route 142 to La Fortuna (Arenal town). Well-paved roads, scenic mountain/valley views. Stop at Else Kientzler Botanical Garden (halfway point) for bathroom break and leg stretch.

Arrival: Check into eco-lodge by 5-6pm. Most lodges near La Fortuna town or along road to national park.

Parent Tip: "Get lunch in San Jose before leaving (Mercado Central for authentic casados) or stop in Sarchi (pottery town) for bathroom break and quick meal. No good restaurant options between Sarchi and La Fortuna."

Evening: Hot Springs Introduction $50-85/adult, $25-45/kid

Options: Tabacon Hot Springs (most luxurious, swim-up bar, waterslides), Baldi Hot Springs (26 pools, cheaper, family-friendly), Eco Termales (small, limited capacity, quieter).

Strategy: Go to hot springs tonight to ease travel fatigue. Volcanic-heated natural pools, tropical gardens, dinner available. Kids love the waterslides at Baldi.

Book Ahead: Tabacon and Eco Termales sell out—reserve online or through lodge. Baldi accepts walk-ins but book for guaranteed entry.

Morning: Zipline Canopy Tour 3-4 hours $85-110/person

Top Choice: Sky Adventures Arenal Park — Combines zipline (7 cables), hanging bridges, and aerial tram. Ages 5+, 50 lb minimum. Pick-up from lodge 7-8am.

What to Expect: Safety briefing, harness fitting (double cables for safety), progressive difficulty (starts easy, builds to longer/faster lines). Final line crosses canyon with volcano views. 2.5-3 hours total.

Parent Reality: "Both kids (7 and 10) were nervous at first but LOVED it by line 3. Guides attached kids to cables—we just supervised. Bring camera on body strap. They offer photos for $40 but quality mediocre—take your own."

Lunch Break: Return to Lodge or La Fortuna Town $30-50

Quick lunch at soda (local restaurant) in La Fortuna. Try casado (traditional plate), gallo pinto (rice & beans), fresh fruit batidos (smoothies). Soda Viquez or Que Rico recommended.

Afternoon: Arenal 1968 Trail Hike 2-3 hours $17 park entry

The Trail: 2-mile loop through lava rock field from 1968 eruption (killed 87 people, buried villages). Moderate difficulty, some uphill sections. Viewpoint overlooks volcano and Arenal Lake.

What Kids See: Hardened lava flows, pioneer plant species reclaiming rock, volcano smoking (sometimes), lake views. Educational—guides explain volcanic activity.

Logistics: Entrance at Arenal National Park. Arrive by 2-3pm (park closes 4pm). Bring water, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes. Optional guide $25-40 per group.

Evening: Lodge Wildlife Walk or Free Time

Many eco-lodges offer free naturalist-led walks on property at dusk. Spot frogs, sloths, coatis, birds. Or relax at pool, enjoy dinner at lodge restaurant.

Morning: White-Water Rafting on Balsa River 4 hours total $75-95/person

The River: Class II-III rapids, family-friendly for ages 6+. Rainforest canyon scenery, wildlife sightings (sloths, iguanas, birds from river), professional guides.

What to Expect: Pick-up from lodge 7:30-8am. Safety briefing, paddling lesson, 2 hours on river (8 miles), riverside lunch included (fruit, sandwiches). Return to lodge by 1pm.

Requirements: Must know how to swim. Ages 6+ (some operators require 8+). Weight minimum 50-70 lbs depending on company. Cameras stay in dry bags—operators offer photo packages $30-40.

Recommended Operators: Desafio Adventures, Wave Expeditions, Rios Tropicales.

Afternoon: Arenal Hanging Bridges 2-3 hours $26-35/person

The Experience: 2-mile trail with 15 suspension bridges up to 150 feet long, 100 feet high. Walk at canopy level—different perspective than ground trails. Spot sloths, toucans, monkeys from bridges.

Best Option: Arenal Hanging Bridges Park (Mistico Park). Well-maintained, naturalist guides available ($20 extra per group, worth it), visitor center, café.

Timing: Go late afternoon (3-5pm) for fewer crowds, cooler temps. Golden light filters through canopy—beautiful for photos. Kids not scared of heights—bridges sturdy and safe.

Evening: Farewell to Arenal

Final dinner at lodge or La Fortuna town. Pack for tomorrow's drive to Monteverde. Early bed—checkout by 8-9am tomorrow for mountain drive.

Morning: Drive to Monteverde 3-4 hours Vary by route

Route Option 1 (Easier): Backtrack to Route 1, then Route 606 to Monteverde. ~4 hours. Paved roads most of way, final 15 miles unpaved but manageable.

Route Option 2 (Faster but Rougher): "Jeep-Boat-Jeep" route across Arenal Lake. Drive to lake (30 min) → 30-min boat ride → jeep shuttle up mountain to Monteverde (1.5 hours). $35-40/person including vehicles. Saves 1-2 hours but rough roads.

Parent Verdict: "We did Jeep-Boat-Jeep and loved the adventure BUT roads up mountain were ROUGH—steep, winding, potholes, not for nervous drivers. If you have time, take paved route. If you want adventure and have 4WD, jeep-boat is memorable."

Afternoon: Arrival & Santa Elena Town Exploration Flexible

Check into Monteverde lodge by 1-2pm. Explore Santa Elena town—artisan shops, coffee shops, ice cream, gear rentals (rain boots essential—rent for $3-5/pair).

Optional Activity: Monteverde Butterfly Garden ($20 adult, $10 kid), Bat Jungle ($17 adult, $10 kid), Herpetarium (frogs/reptiles, $18 adult, $12 kid). Save energy for night walk tonight.

Evening: Night Walk Tour 2 hours $25-40/person

The Experience: Guided walk on private reserve to spot nocturnal wildlife—sleeping birds, tarantulas (harmless), kinkajous, armadillos, frogs (poison dart, red-eyed tree frogs), snakes.

Why Do This: Night walk reveals completely different animal world. Kids LOVE seeing red-eyed tree frogs, tarantulas. Guides use flashlights and laser pointers to illuminate wildlife. Highlight of Monteverde for many families.

Top Operators: Night Walk with Tracie the Bug Lady (enthusiastic guide, kid-friendly), Selvatura Night Walk, Finca Modelo Night Tour.

Bring: Rain jacket (always), flashlight, closed-toe shoes. Trails muddy—rain boots ideal. Kids must be quiet (no running/yelling) to spot animals.

Early Morning: Monteverde Reserve Guided Hike 3 hours $25 park + $20 guide

The Reserve: Original cloud forest preserve, 8+ miles of trails, 400+ bird species including resplendent quetzals (March-May breeding season).

Guided Hike: Hire naturalist guide at entrance ($20 per group, 2-10 people). Guides spot wildlife in canopy (sloths, howler monkeys, toucans), explain cloud forest ecology (why it's misty, epiphyte plants, symbiotic relationships).

Best Trail: Triangulo Trail (1.9 miles loop, moderate). Cloud forest immersion, hanging vines, mossy trees, viewpoints (if not cloudy). Wear rain boots (provided by lodges or rent in town).

Educational Value: Kids learn about cloud forest vs rainforest, how mist forms, why biodiversity peaks here. Guides excellent with children—interactive teaching style.

Lunch: Santa Elena Town $30-50

Back to town for lunch. Stella's Bakery (empanadas, pastries), Tree House Restaurant (built around fig tree, kid favorite), Sabor Tico (authentic sodas).

Afternoon: Hanging Bridges + Optional Second Zipline $30-85/person

Hanging Bridges: Selvatura Park or Sky Adventures Monteverde. 6-8 suspension bridges through cloud forest canopy, 2-mile trail, self-guided or with guide. See different animals than ground-level trails (birds, sloths). $30-50/person.

Optional Zipline: If kids want MORE ziplines after Arenal, Monteverde has excellent options. 100% Aventura has Costa Rica's longest single cable (1 mile!). Ages 8+. $60-75/person. Skip if you did Arenal ziplines—similar experience.

Evening: Pack for Manuel Antonio Beach

Final Monteverde dinner. Pack swimsuits on top—tomorrow you hit the beach! Early checkout (8am) for 4-hour drive to Pacific coast.

Morning: Drive to Manuel Antonio 4 hours

Route: Monteverde → Route 606 → Route 1 south → Route 34 to Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Mountain descent, then coastal highway. Paved roads, easier than Monteverde climb.

Scenic Stops: Tarcoles Bridge (crocodile viewing—20+ crocodiles in river below, pull off safely, watch from bridge), Carara National Park (scarlet macaws, 30-min detour if time).

Parent Tip: "Stop at Tarcoles Bridge for 15 minutes—kids amazed seeing 15-foot crocodiles sunbathing on riverbank. Free, quick photo op. Don't skip this!"

Afternoon: Beach Arrival & Relaxation

Check into Manuel Antonio lodge by 1-2pm. Most lodges walkable to beach and park entrance. Afternoon pool time or beach exploration. Decompress after 5 days of adventure.

Beach Options Near Lodges: Playa Espadilla (public beach, vendors, surfable waves), Biesanz Beach (secluded cove, snorkeling, 15-min walk), park beaches (save for tomorrow).

Evening: Sunset Dinner

Beachfront restaurant in Manuel Antonio village. El Avion (restaurant built in old airplane fuselage, kids love it, sunset views), Agua Azul (refined, good seafood), Ronny's Place (budget-friendly, authentic).

Early Morning: Manuel Antonio National Park 4-5 hours $17 entry + $25-40 guide

Arrival Strategy: Park opens 7am, closes 4pm (closed Mondays). Arrive by 7am—park limits 600 visitors per day (sells out by 9-10am high season). Buy tickets online in advance: https://www.sinac.go.cr

Hire Guide at Entrance: $25-40 per group (up to 10 people). Guides have scopes/binoculars, spot sloths in treetops you'd never see, identify birds/frogs/insects. Worth EVERY penny. Book ahead in high season.

What You'll See: 90% chance of seeing sloths (three-toed), white-faced capuchin monkeys (bold, approach within feet), squirrel monkeys (endangered, only here and Osa Peninsula), iguanas, coatis, 200+ bird species.

Trail + Beach Combo: Main loop trail takes 1.5-2 hours through rainforest. Exit at Playa Manuel Antonio—safest beach for swimming (calm coves, lifeguard, no rip currents). Spend 2-3 hours on beach.

Important Park Rules:

• NO FOOD ALLOWED in park (protect wildlife from human food). Bring water only. Violators fined $100+.
• Do Not Feed Monkeys: Illegal, disrupts natural behavior, encourages aggression. Capuchins WILL steal unattended bags—keep belongings secured.
• Pack Light: Bring water, sunscreen (reef-safe), snorkel gear if snorkeling, towel, camera. Leave valuables at hotel.
• Bathrooms: Available at park entrance and main beach. No food vendors inside park (buy snacks before entering).

Afternoon: Return to Lodge, Pool Time

Exit park by 12-1pm (early morning is best for wildlife). Back to lodge for lunch, pool, relaxation. Beach access at lodge or public Playa Espadilla if kids want more swimming.

Option 1: Catamaran Snorkeling & Dolphin Tour $75-110/person

The Experience: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (7 hours) catamaran cruise along Pacific coast. Snorkeling at coral reefs, dolphin watching (common year-round), whale watching (humpbacks July-Oct, Dec-March).

What's Included: Lunch on board (fresh fruit, BBQ), open bar (drinks for adults, juice for kids), snorkel gear, guides point out wildlife. Departure from Quepos Marina.

Snorkeling Reality: Manuel Antonio snorkeling is decent (6/10) but not world-class like Belize or Hawaii. See tropical fish, rays, occasional turtles. Better than beach snorkeling—boat takes you to better reefs.

Recommended Operators: Oceans Unlimited, Planet Dolphin, Sunset Sails.

Option 2: Full Beach Relaxation Day $0-40

Why Skip Tour: By Day 8, kids may be tired from 7 days of constant activity. Beach day allows recharge—swim, build sandcastles, read, nap.

Best Beach: Biesanz Beach (hidden cove, 15-min walk from Manuel Antonio village, calm water, snorkeling at rocks, locals sell fruit/drinks). Or Playa Espadilla (longer, surfable waves, vendors).

Optional Lessons: Surf lessons ($60-80/person, 2 hours) at Playa Espadilla. Good beginner waves. Stand-up paddleboard rentals ($15-25/hour).

Morning: Beach & Pool Relaxation

Last morning at beach. Kids will want to revisit favorite beach or lodge pool. No scheduled activities—free time to decompress before travel day tomorrow.

Optional Morning Activity: Rainmaker Park $20-30/person

If kids want one more adventure, Rainmaker Aerial Walkway (20 min from Manuel Antonio) offers hanging bridges and waterfall hikes. Less crowded than Monteverde bridges. 2-3 hours. Good alternative to beach morning.

Afternoon: Souvenir Shopping

Manuel Antonio village has artisan shops, t-shirts, coffee (buy coffee to bring home—$10-15/bag, fraction of US prices). Pack tonight—early departure tomorrow.

Evening: Farewell Dinner

Special final dinner at beachfront restaurant. Reflect on trip highlights with kids. What was their favorite part? (Answer often: "seeing sloths" or "ziplining through cloud forest")

Morning: Drive to San Jose 3.5 hours

Route: Route 34 north → Route 27 to San Jose. Modern highway, well-paved. Leave by 8-9am for afternoon flights (most depart 2-5pm).

Return Rental Car: SJO airport has rental returns. Return 3+ hours before international flight (customs can be slow). Fill gas tank before airport ($60-80 full tank).

Alternative: Add Extra Night in San Jose $120-180 hotel

If flight is morning (before noon), stay in San Jose night before. Visit museums: Gold Museum ($15 adult, free for kids), Jade Museum ($15 adult, $9 kid), Central Market for souvenirs/coffee. Hotel near airport for easy 6am departure.

Afternoon: Departure

International flights San Jose (SJO) to US. Most routes 3-5 hours (Miami, Houston, Dallas, LAX). Kids sleep on flight—exhausted from adventure!