Top 7 Family-Friendly Costa Rican Ecotours

Ecotours are a great way to experience the beauty of the world’s diverse ecosystems. In Costa Rica, you’ll find many of these tours, all of which provide educational, exhilarating and enjoyable experiences for families. From the land to the sea, we’ve rounded up the best ecotours in the country.

1. Adventure tour

Amusement Park

The Combo tour at Buena Vista del Rincon provides many activities near the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Each person chooses from a combination of activities, making it ideal for a family with different personalities and interests among its members. The Eco Adventure Park day pass provides access to canopy zip-lining, waterfall hiking, suspension bridges, hot springs, natural mud baths, horseback riding and the longest mountain waterslide in Costa Rica. The pass also includes a delicious buffet lunch.

2. Crocodile boat tour

Natural Feature

The lower basin region of the Tempisque River is home to incredible wildlife, including caimans, crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, bats and birds. The Palo Verde River Tour gives travelers the unique opportunity to witness some of Costa Rica’s wildlife up close with an experienced and knowledgeable naturalist. Sometimes monkeys even hop on the boat to greet travelers. It’s an especially great tour if traveling with small children or elderly family members. A traditional lunch at a family-owned restaurant is provided at the end of the excursion.

3. Set sail

Sports Center

Hop on a 100ft (30m) catamaran – complete with two Jacuzzis, two giant trampolines and two waterslides – in Manuel Antonio. Catamaran Adventures offers a half-day sailing and snorkeling tour on the Pacific Ocean, with the chance to see dolphins, whales, turtles and jumping stingrays. Live music, snacks and an open bar are available on the ride. The boat also stops to let you snorkel and soak in the warm ocean water while a traditional Costa Rican lunch is prepared.

5. Island day

Natural Feature

Isla Tortuga lies off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. This island tour leaves from Montezuma Beach, but shuttles are available from Mal País, Santa Teresa or Tambor. After the 45-minute boat ride, you can swim, snorkel, kayak, hike and sunbathe. For meals, local fish, chicken, vegetables, fresh fruit and refreshments are served.

6. Volunteer with animals

Zoo

The volunteer program and tour of a wildlife rescue center near La Fortuna is a heartwarming experience. This three-and-a-half-hour activity blends education, volunteer work and animal interactions. It also provides an opportunity to teach children about conservation and the importance of protecting the environment and its inhabitants.

7. Caribbean coast and chocolate

Natural Feature

The Uatsi Waterfall and Indigenous Reservation tour on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is a one-day educational, fun journey. The day begins with a trip to the picturesque Uatsi Waterfall, followed by a visit to an indigenous community, a quick stop at the Sixaola River – separating Costa Rica and Panama – and a chocolate tour.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.