Discover Costa Rica: A Family-Friendly Itinerary for Rainforest & Beach Adventures

Costa Rica is a trending destination—and for good reason! 🌴 From lush rainforests to stunning beaches, it’s the perfect getaway for families looking to explore nature and experience a new culture. In this episode of All Things Travel, Ryan and Julie share a detailed family-friendly itinerary that combines adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.

Key Topics Covered:

🌋 Explore the Rainforest:

• Walking the iconic hanging bridges and spotting wildlife
• Visiting sloth sanctuaries and experiencing twilight nature tours
• Floating safari adventures along the Piñas Blancas River

🏖️ Relax by the Beach:

• Stay at a beachfront eco-resort in Hermosa Bay
• Zipline through treetops or unwind on the sand

🌊 Water Adventures:

• Private boat tours to see dolphins, sea turtles, and even humpback whales
• Options for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and more

🇨🇷 Immerse in Costa Rican Culture:

• Local culinary experiences, including making fresh tortillas with a local family
• Visiting wildlife rehabilitation centers to learn about conservation efforts
• 
  

📅 Plan Your Trip:
With recommendations for the best times to visit, flight logistics, and accommodation tips, this episode makes it easy to plan your dream Costa Rica adventure.

Call to Action:
Ready to book your family’s unforgettable trip to Costa Rica? Let Ryan and Julie craft a personalized itinerary just for you. Contact us today to get started!

#CostaRicaTravel #FamilyAdventure #RainforestBeaches #AllThingsTravelPodcast #TravelWithKids #EcoTravel

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Transcript

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 0:00

Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Costa Rica has become a trending travel destination and we are so excited to share a family friendly itinerary for you. From rainforests to beaches, Costa Rica should definitely be on your family's travel wish list. Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts. Ryan and Julie. He is your travel professor teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. I am a Disney loving Maryland mom of three and a specialist in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 0:42

Julie, have you planned a Costa Rica trip before for clients?

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 0:47

I've researched it a couple times. I have not had anyone go yet,

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 0:51

I have for a family of four and it was over a Christmas break. So it was right after Christmas and over new year's and they did it all. They were all over the place with Costa Rica had, drivers over new years, they were in this condo resort where they had a golf cart. they were at all inclusive areas. They were in, more. Home type settings. They just really wanted to do it and man, they had a ball in Costa Rica.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 1:19

And that's partly why I'm so excited to share this itinerary and why we wanted to feature Costa Rica as a destination because a lot of people think oh, I couldn't go all the way over there with kids, but we're going to tell you all the awesome

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 1:32

Oh, you absolutely can. it's very easy to go with kids and have all different types of experiences.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 1:40

there's so much to do.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 1:42

before we talk about Costa Rica with families. If you have not listened to last week's episode, we talk about flight prices and why they're so high right now and money saving tips for you the next time you book a flight.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 1:56

So first let's talk about why you go to Costa Rica and a little bit about the logistics of getting there and what you need to know before you go. The whys are kind of obvious. There's rainforests, there's beaches, there's rivers, there's a lot of wildlife that you can't see other places. over 30 national parks, and within those parks, there's 5 percent of the world's biodiversity. Just in that one spot, there's cloud forests, coral reefs, dry forests, and rainforests. Or take a hike to the Tenorio Volcano National Park and see stunning waterfalls. sights you really can't see in other destinations of the world. Costa Rica has more than 60 volcanoes, including five that are active. The Arenal volcano is one of Costa Rica's most popular attractions, especially if you want to hike or soak in the soothing geothermal hot springs In that area there are spas and resorts that take advantage of those naturally warm waters, and that just sounds amazing. You can also do some adventure travel, so things like river rafting, fishing, ATV driving, scuba diving, tubing, ziplining, and more and more and more. If you're an animal lover, Costa Rica is an amazing destination. There's so much wildlife to discover. Animals like macaws, sea turtles, adorable sloths. This country is a haven for more than 500, 000 species. If you go at the right time, you can see humpback whales as they migrate, and we'll talk about that a little more later. And it's also known as the hummingbird capital of the world, with 50 different species of hummingbirds living here. When we talk about the beaches of Costa Rica, they have both Pacific and Caribbean beaches, with more than 800 miles of beautiful shoreline. So if you want to relax, it's an amazing destination. You can go to the beach resort, you can go to the hot springs, so much to choose from.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 4:02

While you're schlepping through the rain forest, Julie, I'm going to be on the beach.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 4:07

It's schlepping. I love

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 4:09

when I was researching Costa Rica, one of the things that I loved was learning about the capital of San Jose and how it's becoming a hotspot for foodies. innovative chefs have been opening new restaurants and bars there, and there's also a vibrant craft beer scene in Costa Rica. within the food spectrum, you have anything from traditional cuisine shaped by Spanish and Caribbean and indigenous influences, as well as other. You know access to local fresh ingredients. It's a hot spot for adventurous foodies with things like ceviche like seafood cocktails and specialty sandwiches made with meats cheeses and veggies They have lots of fruits and they also have a dish where they boil fruits in Serve them with mayonnaise. Julie,

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 5:01

Which I guess is delicious if you're there.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 5:03

I'm going to try it. If I'm there. So when you're not drinking coffee in Costa Rica, you should opt for Costa Rica's other drink of choice. Guaro and that's a clear sweet liqueur It's made from sugar cane juice and it's a very high alcohol content. It's not recommended to drink in shots unless you've had it before. However, many people drink it chilled and served with sugar and lime or in a cocktail.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 5:32

So while I am schlepping in the rainforest, that's where you'll be.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 5:35

Yes, so I'm gonna have my wonderful Costa Rican coffee in the morning with my breakfast, staring at the volcanoes, watching you, climb through the forest, and then I'm gonna drink this magical drink, guaro, and just have a heck of a time.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 5:52

So good.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 5:53

So, let's talk about some of the logistics when it comes to travel. When's the best time to go to Costa Rica? that's generally between December and April. the Caribbean side of the country is particularly sunny in October. Many airlines offer nonstop flights to the cities of Liberia and San Jose. Costa Rica is about a three hour flight from Miami, a six hour flight from Los Angeles, and a five hour flight from New York City. So very accessible. If you're traveling from the United States, you probably won't have to worry about severe jet lag. Because the country operates on mountain standard time from mid March to October and then central standard time November to mid March. The currency is the Costa Rican Cologne, although U. S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted. this is a country that is used to tourists and dealing with all sorts of financial transactions. Where should you stay when you go to Costa Rica? You should stay in the area around the Arenal volcano because it's famous for luxury spas and natural hot springs. There's also like Julie said, beach resorts growing in popularity with destinations like Papagano Peninsula, offering sandy shores, wildlife experiences, all inclusive five star accommodations. Costa Rica sounds like a place I want to go. And You have an amazing trip that you're going to highlight for us, Julie, but first I want to talk about where in the world is all things travel this week as I looked at new locations for us. Prescott Knowsley came up on the list and Prescott is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, and it's about 8 miles to the east of the Liverpool City Center. So hello to England. And Julie, we have more and more listeners from England.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 7:53

That's so cool.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 7:54

So I want to meet our listener. We just talked about, drinks. I want to meet them at. Prescott's most popular pub, the Lord Strange. the Lord Strange is a modern twist on a classic pub, serving Sunday lunch, pie night every Wednesday, pub classics, fantastic cocktails, German draft beer, and local craft. I want to sit in a pub, have a story, have a pint with our listener, and thank them for being featured on all things travel today.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 8:29

Okay, we are going to walk you through a suggested itinerary for traveling to Costa Rica. I chose this itinerary specifically because it is family friendly when we go through this, you'll see that this actually offers options for kids as young as two, which is so cool. I don't really want to take my two year old to Costa Rica, but maybe somebody does. a lot of times there's a minimum of like age five or age eight. And if you are a family that has three or four kids, it's kind of hard to find the right time to go. so I really love this option. we're going to talk a little bit about the accommodations and then take you through a day by day. And I bet by the end of this you're going to be wanting to go to Costa Rica because I do. this itinerary starts At the Arenal Volcano area. So you're going to be staying at the Kuro Sweets and Spa, which is located right at the foot of the volcano. It has restaurants on site, all the amenities you would need right there. The town of La Fortuna is not far, so you can also easily get into town to sample some local fare. There's a lot of activities nearby, such as ziplining, hiking, going to different butterfly gardens, all sorts of great stuff. They have an awesome pool on site, as well as a private thermal springs area, and I think that's where you'll find me this is an 8 day itinerary. So day 1 is where you're really arriving. And just listen to this. Even though this is just your arrival, this is what I love about this itinerary being so specialized to families. you meet your private driver. They're going to take you on the transfer over to Aaronall. And your kids received personalized welcome packs the family's going to get a Kensington Tours Kids Passport that's going to include designated sections to note the locations they're visiting, tick off the The animals that they see throughout the trip and document their exciting adventures and sightseeing experiences. Depending on their age depends on the rest of the welcome packet. So kids that are ages 2 to 6, they also get a rainforest stuffed animal and a kid's cap. And they also get sweet treats made from local flavors. If kids are a little older, that 8 to 14 range, they're going to get the sweet treats. A waterproof portable wildlife guide and the Costa Rica baseball hat. And I just think that's really cool for them to like really make the kids feel excited to be here.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 10:46

Yeah, I really like that. Fun.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 10:48

Day two you're spending all around the jungle. First, you're going to start with a tour in the area's iconic hanging bridges and gain insight into the spectacular biological corridor in the area. You're going to be exploring the upper and lower canopies of the lush rainforest as you traverse a one of a kind bridge system that is supported by concrete bricks, so it's safe. As you go through those canopies, you're going to be seeing all sorts of animals local to that area. Later in the day, you're going to go through a guided walk through sloth territory. I don't think I've ever be saying the word sloth territory, but that sounds so fun.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 11:29

ha ha.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 11:29

You're going to visit a family run eco project and find out why sloths are so special. Um, I think that's really cool because you're really part of the story there going to a family run area. The next day you're heading out onto the water. So you're doing a unique floating wildlife safari. And all of these tours are private by the way. as you're going, they can also be customized to things. Maybe you want to spend a little more time in one area or another. That's all possible. your private driver is going to pick you up. They're going to take you to the Piñas Blancas River. You're going to board a vessel. and enjoy a privately guided two hour safari style floating adventure down the Lower Peñas Blancas River. You're going to be able to relax and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the rainforest, listening to the sounds, observing the sights, and you're going to keep your eyes open for animals like monkeys, toucans, Jesus Christ lizards that actually do walk on water, iguanas, and so many birds. During the journey here, you're also going to make a stop at a local riverside farm and be treated to a locally prepared snack and enjoy a refreshing beverage before you go back to the hotel for a little bit of a break. This day, yeah, this day does have a second half, which is a twilight tour. as night falls, you're going to set out on a privately guided twilight tour. You're going to meet a local Costa Rica family and gain insight into the region's ecology and culture. You're going to immerse yourself in your family in an intriguing and engaging night experience during which Mother Nature's elusive treasures reveal themselves. in the form of diverse wildlife. how cool. So you're going to be out there at night looking for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, while you're doing like this short little one mile walk. And then you're going to go to their local home, and have a snack and have a cup of legendary Costa Rican coffee.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 13:34

Very nice.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 13:35

Alright, this one is definitely up Ryan's alley, and this is also a really immersive experience So this is, day four. today your family is going to experience a showcase of Costa Rica's rich culinary culture and unique biodiversity. So you're going to start by visiting a local wildlife center that's dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of the country's beloved animals. You're going to have a tour of the facility and learn about the efforts that go on there to rescue injured and orphaned animals. Later on, you're going to discover some Costa Rican cooking with Donna Mara, a local Chachagua woman. you're going to be greeted with a refreshing tropical drink and then learn how to prepare your own homemade delicious tortillas. The whole family is going to get their hands dirty mixing the dough, making the tortillas. She's going to help you cook the tortillas as well as a whole meal over a wood fire stove.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 14:32

I love this.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 14:33

day five is now we are going to be transferring over to the beach part of the vacation. But before you get there, you're going to drive through the dry forest of Guanacaste and about midway to getting to the beach, you're going to stop to visit The spectacular Llanos del Cortez waterfall, is and it's considered one of Costa Rica's most beautiful waterfalls. It actually descends into a pond with a white sandy beach, and you get to hang out here for a little while you have lunch.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 15:02

I really love that. So let's talk about where you're going to be staying at this next stretch of the trip. You're going to be at Bosque del Mar. it's a beautiful, peaceful beachfront property within Hermosa Bay. And resonates with natural distinction. it plays home to the spectacular and secluded Basque Del Mar from Liberia International. The sanctuary resides a 30 minute drive away and the rooms reflect the natural habitat characterized by earth tones and details full of nature and privacy situated on the beach. Let the tide caress you to sleep and welcome you in the morning It has an open air concept, offers semi formal dining experiences that can be enjoyed throughout the day, So this sounds like a wonderful place to stay, doesn't it? once you arrive to that area and you settle in for the night The next day is all about a congo trail canopy ziplining three hour tour Take part in an exhilarating zipline experience where you'll soar through the costa rican treetops Reaching heights up to 30 meters above the forest floor You're going to have three cables and three hanging bridges and you'll be able to go through the entire Series of those all along the way keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and other wildlife foraging in the canopy Fun fun fun

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 16:25

That sounds amazing.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 16:27

day seven is a private charter ocean discovery. we've spent a lot of time on land So let's go ahead and get on the water. You're going to have a four hour boat ride. exploring the amazing Guanacaste coastline by private boat, visiting secluded beaches, pristine ocean, and incredible natural views. your captain will show you different places with a flexible itinerary, depending on the day. Day and the weather. You're going to start your day by taking in coastline views and searching for sea turtles, dolphins, and rays. you'll have the opportunity to choose between snorkeling, cruising on the bay, stand up paddle boarding, and snorkeling. Or flying fast on tubes and water skis. So obviously it's designed for families and whatever they want to do, try your hand at fishing and enjoy the underwater world of a sub wing ride scan for whales and dolphin sounds with an underwater microphone and Scuba diving is also possible. Wow, that sounds awesome. And if you're visiting between July and October, or from January to March, you may be able to witness humpback whales and their calves venturing to Costa Rica's warmer waters to reproduce and give birth. Your private charter is completely stocked with soft drinks, juices, beer, and wine, plus some snacks and lunch. then you're gonna go back to your hotel room and collapse oh

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 17:56

Right, you're going to be

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 17:57

what a last Experience when you're in Costa Rica the next day you're gonna take your private transfer to the half hour ride to the Liberian Airport and You will leave having an amazing experience in Costa Rica

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 18:13

So, Ryan, what do you think? This is really up my alley with this family friendly trip. But do

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 18:19

Oh, yeah.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 18:19

would have done with your

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 18:20

Oh, yeah, absolutely. and even as an adult's trip, this is certainly something, I mean, that all of this sounds great.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 18:26

read

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 18:26

all of this.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 18:28

I read this itinerary and I was like, when can we go? at what age do I want to take my kids? Because these are things that you truly cannot do

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 18:36

And I do really like the balance between rainforest adventure and kind of resort beach relaxation.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 18:45

beaches, and then you're on the water a little bit. And I also really appreciate that you're not just go, go, go, adventure, adventure. You're also learning about the Costa Rican culture. You're visiting with local family run areas, having them really be a part of your trip I just think exposing your kids to that is amazing. we talked about visiting that rehabilitation area and learning about how they're protecting their environment such valuable things to learn. you just can't get that without going to destinations like this.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 19:22

You want to plan a trip to an amazing destination like Costa Rica but you don't know how to get started? As your travel advisors, we work with you to create a customized itinerary for your vacation and take the stress of planning away so you can focus on the fun and creating memories.

j_1_12-02-2024_210607: 19:39

visit our website, AllThingsTravelPodcast. com and click the button to plan your trip.

ryan_2_12-02-2024_210607: 19:45

We look forward to talking to you next week on all things travel and with the new years we're discussing travel resolutions for 2025.