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Costa Rica

From Cloud Forests to Volcanoes: Costa Rica With Your Family

Program No. 23616RJ
Explore cool cloud forests and awesome animals on an exciting adventure with your family as you river raft, swim and hike through the wild landscapes of Costa Rica together.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Calling all adventurers! Are you the happiest hiker? Zippiest zip-liner? One wonderful wildlife whisperer? If you answered “Yes,” then we’ve found the perfect place for you … Costa Rica! Alongside your family, step into the wild to discover misty cloud-forests unlike anything you’ve seen before. Stand in awe of beautiful waterfalls and look for white-faced monkeys as you float down the Rio Corobicí. Explore amazing landscapes from high up on hanging bridges or by snorkeling under the sparkling sea. Jump right into “nature’s playground” as you search for awesome animals, hike to volcanic hot springs and sail past mangrove forests as you both monkey around in Costa Rica.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking about 2 hours a day on varied terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Trek through the cloud forest and cross hanging bridges above the forest canopy in Monteverde.
  • Search for wildlife during a scenic boat ride through the mangroves of Cipanci Wildlife Refuge.
  • Have a blast exploring thermal mud pools, fumaroles and other surprising volcanic features at Rincon de La Vieja National Park.

General Notes

This is a Family program for participants, their adult children and grandchildren ages 9 and up. This program allows participants to explore a number of Costa Rica’s eco-systems in a relatively short amount of time. Bus travel is a necessity for an up-close experience, but program activities help to break up travel time. Local road conditions, weather, traffic and elevation are factors in determining time of travel. Because of the special nature of this program, we request that you call us to enroll. Please call toll free at (800) 454-5768, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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David Mora
David Mora was immersed in the culture of birding from an early age. David’s nickname is "Bird Whistler," earned by his unique ability to mimic bird calls with uncanny accuracy. As a child, he participated in Cornell University’s Bird Detectives program at the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center; his formal education was at the National Learning Institution, where he earned his naturalist certification. David’s informal education continues through the reciprocal exchange shared with program participants, and, of course, through birding.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of David Mora
David Mora View biography
David Mora was immersed in the culture of birding from an early age. David’s nickname is "Bird Whistler," earned by his unique ability to mimic bird calls with uncanny accuracy. As a child, he participated in Cornell University’s Bird Detectives program at the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center; his formal education was at the National Learning Institution, where he earned his naturalist certification. David’s informal education continues through the reciprocal exchange shared with program participants, and, of course, through birding.
Profile Image of Luis Vega
Luis Vega View biography
Luis Vega is a certified Costa Rican naturalist, a die-hard birder, and an amateur wildlife photographer. He began leading educational groups in 2002, after completing his studies and interpretive training. While leading active outdoor groups, he became interested in birds and nature photography. In addition to leading in Costa Rica, Luis has also worked aboard expedition ships on Latin American routes. He trained in North Carolina as a Wilderness First Responder in North Carolina and loves rock climbing, caving, rafting, and mountain biking.
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