Top Costa Rica Kid-Friendly

Head into the rain forest of Costa Rica and discover the Arenal Volcano on a half-day tour. Trek past lava formations, swim in a lake created by the volcano, and take a dip in the warm hot springs of the Tabacon River. Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch while taking in the views of the volcano and enjoy your day in the rain forest.

At a two hour drive from La Fortuna we visit the Tenorio volcano national park. After some hiking we will get to the Rio Celeste (blue river). The blue color you can see is the result of a chemical reaction between two merging rivers containing different volcanic minerals. (Foto tenideros) It’s a very rare phenomenon which creates a fairytale- like beauty. The hike itself is medium tough and takes about 4 hours. It will take you to a waterfall, a lookout point and the place where the river changes colors. (Foto waterfall)With the help of the guide there is a good possibility of seeing wildlife. After the hike we’ll have lunch and start our drive back to la Fortuna.

With its cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the Pacuare River is rightfully famous for its natural beauty. Paddle through the river gorge, navigating 52 Class II-IV rapids as you go, on this 12-hour trip from San Jose. Take in views of the tropical rain forest and wildlife such as sloths, parrots, and toucans as you ride the river (and your adrenaline rush) over the course of the day.

Visit the herpetarium in Monteverde’s Selvatura Park, and get a personal introduction to Costa Rica’s snakes, amphibians, and lizards on a guided, one-hour tour. Start times are available throughout the day, and your guide will share fun facts about Costa Rican wildlife, ecology, and history, as well as the unique characteristics of each creature you see.

Take a tranquil journey through Costa Rica's amazingly biodiverse rain forest on this half-day safari float down the Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna. Paddle through the calm waters without a motor so you can appreciate the many sounds of the jungle and observe wildlife like sloths, turtles, birds, and monkeys without disturbing them. Travel with a professional guide, who will point out passing plant and animal species and enhance your appreciation of the incredible ecosystem.

Visit the active Poas Volcano, an epic waterfall, and the one-and-only Starbucks Coffee Farm on a day trip perfect for nature and coffee lovers who are short on time but want to see it all. The small-group tour reveals cloud-forest scenery, plantations, and farms along the way to the second largest crater in the world. Plus, see behind the scenes at the farm that grows Starbucks’ renown coffee.

Spend your day on a hiking adventure through the Arenal Volcano National Park with a small group. Experience the natural beauty of La Fortuna as you navigate the trails and passes that wind through its stunning landscapes. When the day is done, relax and unwind with a dip in a natural hot water river before returning to your hotel.

Observe sloths in their natural habitat on this guided tour in La Fortuna. Naturalist guides will help you identify spots where sloths hang out and will provide scope equipment to help you take up-close photos. You’ll also get the chance to see different species of birds, snakes, spiders, and frogs such as the red-eyed tree frog and the blue-jeans frog, which looks like it’s wearing a pair of pants.

Join the rain forest’s late night crowd on this nocturnal wildlife tour at Arenal Mundo Aventura. Use lanterns to light your way down a trail and catch sight of animals like the red-eyed tree frog, pit vipers, and mottled owls—your guide points them out along the way so you don’t miss a thing.

See how La Fortuna transforms after sunset with this guided walking tour. Your guide will take you and your party into a natural area, where you'll learn about local crepuscular and nocturnal creatures and maybe see some yourself, such as owls, snakes, and colorful frogs—if you’re lucky, you may even spot a red-eyed tree frog.

Take a walk on Costa Rica's wild side with this guided nature trek at the Ecocentro Danaus, a sustainable ecotourism park. Learn about local wildlife and conservation efforts on a guided loop through the rain forest and wetlands, where you can see hundreds of species of tropical plants, plus butterflies, frogs, birds, monkeys, and other jungle-dwelling critters. Round-trip transport from La Fortuna and a fresh fruit snack make this a sweet and easy day trip during a visit to Arenal.

Wildlife enthusiasts love this tour of Arenal’s only frog sanctuary. Tour the wildlife sanctuary at night for chances to see rare and colorful tropical frogs in their natural habitat; a guide leads the way and helps you spot frogs and other creatures that only come out at night. Tours even include pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna so you don’t have to worry about driving at night.

Check out the beautiful turtles on one of Costa Rica’s most gorgeous beaches on this private, nocturnal turtle watching tour in Guanacaste. Operating from mid-December to April, this tour includes hotel pickup, bottled water, and a certified naturalist guide. Use your provided flashlight to observe turtle life at night during this 4 to 5-hour experience.

Explore the jungle in a protected area just outside of Quepos at night—when the temperatures drop and nocturnal animals come alive. Follow your guide along hiking trails through the dense jungle for about two hours, searching for tree frogs, insects, snakes, various nocturnal mammals, and other wildlife. Use flashlights and a spotting scope to get a closer look.

Maximize your port day in Puntarenas with this jam-packed combo tour that introduces you to the best of the Gulf of Nicoya. Drive through the Costa Rican countryside to a nature reserve, explore the rain forest canopy on hanging bridges, and spot crocs on a cruise down the Tarcoles River. Check out local culture with shopping stops at a replica Spanish Village and fun souvenir store, and finish with a city sightseeing tour.

Take home frame-worthy photos of Costa Rica’s sublime rain forest and its inhabitants with a photography tour at Arenal Natura Ecological Park in La Fortuna. Bring your camera and snap away among the unspoiled natural setting of this private reserve, where a naturalist guide will lead you along jungle trails and though diverse wildlife habitats. Capture all the details of incredible animals like crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, and butterflies, plus delicate orchids and other tropical flora.

Learn about the chocolate industry in Costa Rica on this private 7-hour tour from San Jose. You'll visit Tirimbina, a private biological reserve in the rain forest and take a guided hike across a suspension bridge to a cacao plantation. Get an intimate look at the chocolate-making process, from fruit to chocolate bar. Lunch is included.

San Jose is filled with amazing attractions to see such as the National Theater of Costa Rica and the Metropolitan Cathedral, but if you’re not familiar with San Jose, it could take you ages to see everything on your list. Take this San Jose nighttime city tour and travel with a guide who knows their way around under the city lights. Plus, dinner and round-trip transport are both included.

Experience the adrenaline of Bungee jump (150 meters) above La Balsa river. You will enjoy the life of the forest from the top  of the trees - more than 500 acres of forest with an amazing view: 10 cables, 10 platforms, 3 trails, 2 hanging bridges, 1 Tarzan swing - total of 1045m. The canopy is a network of cables, towers and suspended platforms through the treetops of the cloud forest.

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this walking tour that includes snacks. Explore Costa Rica’s capital alongside a guide who alleviates the hassle of navigating, and learn about the city’s history, architecture as you taste. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews.

If you're planning a cruise ship stop at Limon, explore Costa Rica’s famous rain forest by air and water on this combo eco adventure. Spot native wildlife like howler monkeys, sloths, and crocodiles on a cruise down the bio-rich Tortuguero Canal, and then get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling zipline flight through the treetops. Round-trip transport from the cruise terminal and between activities makes for a seamless and stress-free day at port.

Weave your way past the giant twisted root systems that characterize mangrove forests on this boat tour of the largest mangrove ecosystem in Central America at Damas Island. This biodiversity hotspot is home to tons of birds, reptiles, and aquatic animals that you can spot easily with the help of your guide. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Manuel Antonio or Quepos lodging as well as lunch or dinner.

Spend a half day touring the Arenal Volcano with a guide, learning the history of the volcano from its first eruption in 1968. You’ll have a moderate walk of about 1.5k to the viewpoint, where you’ll have views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal. Along the way you’ll see the wildlife of the rainforest, including turkeys, toucans, monkeys, orioles, and snakes!

Exchange the sun and surf for a high-flying adventure in the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest on this full-day combo tour. Fly through the forest canopy on a 15-cable zipline course with an optional Tarzan swing, and slow down for a closer look at Monteverde's rich biodiversity while walking through the treetops along hanging bridges. In between adventures, refuel with a typical Costa Rican lunch (select tours only).