New York and Costa Rica family trip

Itinerary in brief: 

• 4 nights New York City
• 1 night San Jose 
• 3 nights Arenal 
• 3 nights Manuel Antonio National Park 

Day 1: UK to New York City

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. You’ll arrive in New York City later the same day, where you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel to check in for four nights. 

Included: International flights, transfers, 4* hotel  

Days 2 - 4: New York City

With several days to explore this huge city, we’ve included the New York Pass which gives you entry to various sites. This includes the Empire State Building where you can enjoy views over the Hudson as well as of the nearby Chrysler Building, the American Museum of Natural History, where dinosaurs come to life and a cruise around Manhattan, visiting Ellis and Liberty Island. Three full days gives you plenty to time to hit the highlights of New York. 

We’ve also included a brilliant graffiti workshop in Brooklyn on Day 3, where you’ll learn different aerosol art techniques along with the history and cultural significance of graffiti from a local street artist. Your family will love getting stuck into this arty challenge. 

Included: New York Pass, graffiti workshop, 4* hotel      

Day 5: Fly to Costa Rica

After one final morning in New York City, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport in time for your flight to Costa Rica. On arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, where you’ll check in for one night in San Jose, ready to head off and explore Costa Rica tomorrow. 

Included: Transfers, international flights, 4* hotel           

Day 6: Travel to Arenal 

After breakfast, you’ll head off to Arenal in the heart of the country. Arenal Volcano is currently in a resting phase but continues to be Costa Rica’s most active volcano, at 5,437 feet this imposing natural phenomenon sits in the midst of pastured green hillsides. It’s a beautiful region, perfect for exploring with your children. You’ll check into your hotel for three nights and spend the rest of your day at leisure. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel  

Day 7: Chocolate tour and sloths

With the view of the majestic Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, this morning you’ll tuck into the sweetest rainforest experience discovering the ancient secrets of chocolate. Considered as ‘a gift of the Gods, the cacao tree was very important to the ancient culture. It was not only used as a ceremonial drink, but its seeds were also used as currency because of its economic value in many regions of Mesoamerica, including Costa Rica. In this 2-hour ‘hands on’ tour, you will have the opportunity to learn many interesting facts about cocoa and chocolate, from the harvesting of the fruit to the drying and grinding of the seed. 

In the afternoon, you’ll head off to try and find some sloths in the wild. Although wildlife cannot be guaranteed, you are very likely to spot both two or three finger sloths, this being the most popular species in the region. Your guide will look for the best places to observe them in their natural habitat, leading you through beautiful open areas in La Fortuna whilst also looking out for multicoloured toucans, the poison dart frog, iguanas, and monkeys.

Included: Morning chocolate tour, afternoon sloth tour, 4* hotel             

Day 8: Natural history rainforest walk

We have included a morning tour today, perfect for families who want to learn more about the rainforest. You will be collected from the hotel and head out to explore in the Arenal Rainforest. Here you will combine a hike through the lush rainforest with walks along the suspended bridges. Built to help biologists learn more about the rainforest, these bridges get you up close to the ecosystem that exists in the canopy. Away from the dark rainforest floor here you can witness an abundance of leaves, fruit and seeds that attract various local wildlife. 

Included: Breakfast, natural history walk, 4* hotel  

Day 9: Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Manuel Antonio National Park, on the Pacific coast. This exotic area is one of the smallest national parks in the country but is absolutely jam-packed with incredible wildlife and natural beauty. Combining rainforest, coral reefs and beaches, it’s a beautiful area to spend a few days relaxing and exploring with your family. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel  

Day 10 & 11: Manuel Antonio National Park 

On your first day in the park, we’ve included a morning of kayaking and snorkelling off one of Manuel Antonio’s beautiful beaches. Paddle along one of the most beautiful coastline in Costa Rica and pass by islands where seabirds including boobies and frigates nest. The adventure begins in Nahomi Cove, in the town of Quepos, and winds along the Manuel Antonio coastline to reach Biezans Bay, a nice and isolated beach. During this stop, you can enjoy some snorkelling, looking out for parrotfish, starfish, angelfish and even sea turtles. Upon returning to the pier, you’ll head back to base camp to enjoy a little conversation over a delicious homemade meal. In the afternoon, you’ll head out for a two hour hike, looking for sloths, birds, hummingbirds, frogs and orchids in the rainforest. 

On your second day, you’ll visit a nearby wildlife sanctuary. During this interesting and educational tour, you’ll learn lots about rescued animals. This Wildlife Sanctuary was designed for animals that can never be released because either they were raised in captivity or have been injured so can never live in the wild again. During the tour you’ll meet spider monkeys, white-face capuchin monkeys, squirrel (titi) monkeys, plus marmosets, tamarins, kinkajous, parrots and parakeets. 

The rest of your time in Manuel Antonio is yours to relax at your hotel and enjoy the beaches with your family. 

Included: Breakfast, kayak tour, nature walk, wildlife sanctuary visit                   

Day 12: Depart Costa Rica

After breakfast, you’ll be taken back to San Jose for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfer, international flights          

Day 13: Arrive UK