After breakfast and checking out, you will receive the car and can leave around 9:00 for your journey to Puerto Viejo. The estimated travel time is approximately 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

🧭 Route Overview:
Alajuela → San José → Route 32 (through Braulio Carrillo National Park) → Limón → Route 36 → Puerto Viejo.

🛑Suggested Short Stops (for comfort and exploration):

As you drive between San José and Guápiles, you will pass through the lush Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica’s largest rainforests. This scenic drive is an extraordinary experience! Keep an eye out for mist drifting through the trees, as well as tropical birds and butterflies.

💡Tip for Kids: This is a fantastic opportunity to talk about the rainforest and its wildlife, along with Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity.

🍴 Lunch Stop:

Consider stopping at Restaurante Río Blanco or Los Lagos in the Guápiles area. Here, you can enjoy traditional Costa Rican dishes, such as casados, soups, and freshly squeezed juices. Some locations feature small ponds, colourful flowers, and even hummingbirds, making it a pleasant spot to stretch your legs and take a short walk.
Learning Moment: Talk about what it’s like to live near the rainforest!

Optional Short Stop at Cahuita Village:

You will arrive at Puerto Viejo about an hour later. Take a quick walk on the beach or enjoy fresh coconut water. Keep your eyes peeled; you might spot sloths or monkeys in the trees! You can also pick up a smoothie or some local fruit juice from a roadside stall.

🎒 Bonus: Keep the Kids Engaged Along the Way:

Create a wildlife spotting checklist featuring toucans, vultures, butterflies, monkeys, and rivers. Bring binoculars and play nature-themed ‘I Spy’ games. Consider downloading children’s audiobooks or rainforest soundscapes for entertainment.

🍎 Pack plenty of snacks, juice, and wet wipes for easy access during quick breaks.

You will arrive at your child- and environmentally-friendly accommodation around 16:00, where you can check in.

Wake up surrounded by nature and the sounds of wildlife. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, featuring Costa Rican-style pancakes for the children, before getting ready for your third day of adventure.

Activity Options:

• Visit the Sloth Sanctuary to learn about rescued sloths and observe them up close.
• Spend time at family-friendly beaches like Playa Cocles, which is known for its calmer waves, perfect for swimming with children.
• Take a chocolate tour to discover how cacao is grown and transformed into delicious chocolate.
• Join a wildlife-watching tour at Cahuita National Park.
• Explore the Jaguar Rescue Centre to meet rescued animals and hear their stories.
• Go snorkelling in the clear Caribbean waters.
• Visit an indigenous village to learn about local traditions, crafts, and ways of life.

Please note that this itinerary only covers the first two days. Full details of the remaining days, including the route, activities and accommodation, are available via email.

Enjoy breakfast and check out by 9:00 before departing from Puerto Viejo. The estimated travel time to Chilamate is between 5.5 and 6.5 hours, covering a distance of approximately 200 km. You will arrive at your accommodation in the heart of the rainforest, so please check in by 16:00.

After breakfast, it’s time for some exciting adventures in the rainforest!

You can choose from the following activities:

• A guided hike at the Ranger Station, where you’ll learn about the incredible biodiversity and wildlife of the region.
• A night jungle walk, which offers an unforgettable opportunity to explore the rainforest after dark.
• Aerial trams and zip lines, perfect for older children and adults seeking a thrilling way to experience the canopy.
• Rafting for those who enjoy water adventures.
• A cacao or chocolate tour provides a delicious and educational journey into the world of chocolate.

After breakfast and check-out, you will depart for Tenorio. The drive time is approximately 4 hours, covering a distance of around 150 km.

After breakfast, take some time to relax in the afternoon. In the evening, engage in various activities.

Here are some options for both days:

• Río Celeste Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park: Explore a stunning trail that leads to the famous blue river and waterfall.
• Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other wildlife within the park.
• Hot Springs: Unwind in the natural hot springs near Tenorio, which are perfect for family relaxation.
• Cacao Farm Tour: Experience the journey of chocolate, from bean to bar, in an interactive and delicious tour.

Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:30.
Check-out: 9:00.
Distance: Approx. 185 km.
Drive Time: approx. 4 hours (via Nicoya, the most popular route).

Once you arrive, check into your accommodation in Ostional.

Ostional Wildlife Refuge: Experience the “arribada,” when thousands of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. This unique event offers an educational experience for kids.

Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:30.
Check-out: 9:00.
Distance: approx. 163 km.
Drive Time: approx. 4 hours

Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation in Santa Elena.

After breakfast, exciting adventures for kids await you for two days. Activities include hiking, zip-lining, hanging bridges, a coffee tour, and visits to a butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, and frog garden.

Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30.
Check-out: 9:00.
Distance: Approx. 230 km.
Drive time: Approx. 5 hours.

Check in to your accommodation in Dos Bocas before 16:00.

Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30.

Choose from various activities on both days:

• Hike to Nauyaca Waterfall.
• Whale, dolphin, and snorkelling tour.

You can also enjoy a wonderful hot spring experience, pristine waterfalls, or a kayak tour through the mangroves.

To travel by car and boat via Sierpe, expect a drive time of approximately 5 hours. Boats from Sierpe, where you leave your car, to Drake Bay depart at 11:30 and 15:30.
Distance to Sierpe: 75 km.
Drive time: 1,15 hours.

Check in at your accommodation in Drake Bay.

Exciting, kid-friendly adventures await you over both days.

Activities to choose from include beach time, coastal hiking, Corcovado National Park, kayaking, and snorkelling at Isla del Caño.

The night hike provides an exciting and educational experience for kids.

Make sure to have breakfast and check out of your accommodation by 07:00 to catch the first taxi boat to Sierpe, where you left your car. Next, you will drive to Alajuela, taking the Costanera Sur (Ruta 34) and then Ruta 27. The drive will take approximately 6 hours, covering a distance of about 360 km.

Final day: farewell to Costa Rica!

Enjoy a peaceful final breakfast and take in the last of Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Then, return your rental car and check out of your accommodation, taking with you unforgettable memories of mountains, wildlife, warm people and quiet moments in nature, as well as your luggage.

In the afternoon, a comfortable transfer will take you to the airport, where your journey home begins.
Departure time: 18:35

Although your adventure ends today, the experiences and inspiration you have gathered will stay with you long after you have left Costa Rica behind.