Rainforest to Beach is a 9-day private Costa Rica family vacation with just two hotel stays: three nights at Arenal Volcano, then five nights on the Pacific coast. It is our easiest beach and jungle trip, starting at about $1,800 per person, and suits families with younger kids who would rather explore than sit in a van.
- Price
- From about $1,800 per personMost versions run $1,800 to $4,575 per person
- Trip length
- 9 days, 8 nightsAlso as 8 or 11 days
- Route
- Arenal Volcano (3 nights), then the Pacific coast (5 nights)
- Best for
- Families with younger kidsand anyone who wants fewer travel days
- Kids’ ages
- All agesZip lining 6+ at most tours, day rafting 8 to 13+
- Pace
- Relaxed2 hotel stays and extra beach time
- Longest drive
- About 3 to 5.5 hoursArenal to the coast, with a rafting stop on the way
- Airports
- San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)In and out of either, or one of each
Trip Highlights
- A full adventure day at Arenal. Hot springs plus your pick of one river adventure and one land adventure at a private adventure center.
- Hanging bridges and a zip line canopy tour. A naturalist guide helps you spot birds, monkeys and sloths from the treetops.
- Rafting on the way to the beach. Your transfer day doubles as a guided whitewater trip, with a swim stop in a quiet river canyon.
- Surf lessons, snorkeling and a sunset catamaran sail on the Pacific coast.
- A private guided hike in Manuel Antonio or Santa Rosa National Park.
Day-by-Day Itinerary: The 9-Day Version
This is a sample. We change days, hotels and activities to fit your kids’ ages, your dates and your budget.
Days 1 to 3 · Arenal Volcano · 3 nights
Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to Arenal
Land at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) and meet your private driver. The drive to Arenal takes about 3 to 3.5 hours from San José, and you’ll arrive at your boutique hotel in time to settle in.
Day 2: Multi-Adventure Day and Hot Springs
After a breakfast of tropical fruit and gallo pinto, spend the day at a private adventure center. Choose one river adventure and one land adventure, such as river kayaking, tubing, horseback riding, rock climbing or rappelling, with unlimited use of the natural hot springs. Wildlife lovers can visit a nearby rescue center for rescued animals.
Day 3: Hanging Bridges and Zip Line Canopy Tour
Walk the hanging bridges with a naturalist guide who helps you spot tropical birds, monkeys and sloths. In the afternoon, zip line through the canopy, then end the day in the hot springs.
Days 4 to 9 · Pacific coast · 5 nights
Day 4: Rafting Transfer to the Pacific Coast
Raft guided rapids on your way to the beach, with a stop to swim in a quiet river canyon. Lunch is included, and your driver gets you to your beach hotel by sunset. Heading to Guanacaste? We can swap the rafting for a relaxed wildlife safari float.
Day 5: Surf Lessons and Beach Day
Head into the waves with a surf instructor on one of Costa Rica’s good learning beaches, or stay on the sand and enjoy the view.
Day 6: Private Guided National Park Hike or Charter Fishing
Hike Manuel Antonio National Park or Santa Rosa National Park with a private guide to look for monkeys and macaws, then relax on the beach. Charter fishing is the other option today.
Day 7: Free Morning, Snorkeling and Sunset Catamaran Sail
Sleep in, then board a catamaran in the afternoon. Your guides take you to a secluded beach to snorkel and swim, and you’ll sail back at sunset.
Day 8: Free Day or Optional Activity
Rest at the pool, find a hidden beach (we’ll tell you which one and how to get there) or add a half-day tour. Finish with a last family dinner in town.
Day 9: Transfer to the Airport
Your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight home.
Is This Trip Right for Your Kids?
Rainforest to Beach works for all ages. A few activities have minimum ages, and exact limits vary by operator, river level and season. We confirm them for your kids when we plan.
| Activity on this trip | Day | Typical minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Hot springs, beach days, hanging bridges | 2, 3, 5 to 8 | All ages |
| Zip line canopy tour | 3 | 6+ at most tours; never under 5, even riding tandem with a guide |
| Kayaking, river tubing, climbing wall | 2 | 8+ |
| Horseback riding | 2 | 8+ |
| Whitewater rafting (day trip) | 4 | 8 to 13+, depending on the river and season |
| Catamaran snorkeling | 7 | All ages (confident swimmers) |
Traveling with a toddler? We lean on easier outings, and parents often split up so one can join the older kids on an adventure. For more ideas by age, see our guide to Costa Rica with kids.
What Does This Trip Cost?
These are approximate guideline prices. Every itinerary is customized, so your final price can be higher with lodging upgrades, luxury add-ons or holiday dates, and is rarely lower unless a tour, activity or day is removed. Lodging from December 20 to January 5 usually runs about 20 to 25% higher, so book holiday and Easter dates well in advance. Child pricing varies by hotel and tour operator, and we build it into your quote.
Included
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Both hotels
- Private drivers between regions
- The tours and activities in your itinerary, each with hotel transfers, a bilingual guide, entrance fees and equipment
- Daily breakfast, about half of your lunches and sometimes a dinner or two
- 24/7 emergency availability while you travel
Not included
- International flights
- Most dinners
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Activities you add later and personal expenses
Can We Do This Trip in 8 or 11 Days?
Yes. The 8-day version drops a free day. The 11-day version adds two more days at the beach for rest or optional tours.
| Version | Arenal | Pacific coast | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 days, 7 nights | 3 nights | 4 nights | One fewer free day at the beach |
| 9 days, 8 nights | 3 nights | 5 nights | The sample above |
| 11 days, 10 nights | 3 nights | 7 nights | Two more free or optional-tour days at the beach |
Compare Our Other Family Itineraries
Costa Rica Collection
Rainforest Escape
Remote Adventure
See all of our Costa Rica family vacations.
Rainforest to Beach FAQs
How long is the drive from Arenal to the beach?
About 5.5 hours to Manuel Antonio or about 3 to 3.5 hours to the Guanacaste beaches. On this trip, the rafting trip breaks up the drive. Times vary with traffic, weather and stops.
Which airport should we fly into?
Either one. You can fly in and out of San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), or use one of each. Your airport usually decides the beach: Manuel Antonio from San José, or Guanacaste from Liberia.
Is Rainforest to Beach good for young kids?
Yes. It has the least time in the car of our family trips, with only two hotel stays. Most activities work for all ages, and zip lining starts at age 6 at most tours.
How much does the Rainforest to Beach trip cost?
It starts at about $1,800 per person with Casual lodging, and most versions run about $1,800 to $4,575 per person. Holiday dates and upscale lodging cost more.
Can you change the itinerary?
Yes. Every trip is private and custom, so we can swap activities, change the beach or add days. Planning and quotes are free.
I wanted to take a moment and THANK YOU for the wonderful trip arrangements you helped make for our families’ trip to Costa Rica. It was AMAZING, and we all thought it was a great success. The pace and activities worked very well for our families. We met great people, ate well, and had an adventure/activity every day.
— Scott
Plan This Trip: Get a Free Quote
Tell us your dates and your kids’ ages. A planner will reply within 24 hours to set up a short call about options and pricing, at no cost.