We will be in both Arenal and MA with our grandchildren 7,9. are there any animal preserves in either area? I noticed a sloth preserve that sounded really interesting, but the location isn't right. Is the zip line in the arenal area good for children their ages. I've read about a lot of activities that adults loved. Are they also good for kids? hanging Bridges, hot springs, waterfall, horseback riding? Maybe there is a preserve on the drive from Arenal to MA. Leo is driving us and he recommended the Jungle Cruise. I think the kids would love some hands on experience with the animals that they have been seeing.

The kids would love the hot springs; it's basically like a water park. Tabacon has a water slide and waterfall they would like, and Eco Termales is quieter and serves a great chicken dinner. The Hanging Bridges is just a nice hike; if they like hiking, they would enjoy it. We didn't see much wildlife there though. We loved the waterfall hike; we saw several families swimming at the bottom, so I think it would be a hit with them. You can do horseback riding to the waterfall if you want to.

What do you mean by animal preserves? There are places when there are lots of animals that can be seen (Manuel Antonia Park for instance) and wildlife spotting is good all over the rural areas of the country. I am aware of a tapir reserve, and each national park seeks to preserve the wildlife. There are quite a few butterfly jails but not everyone finds them exciting. As for hands-on experience, please encourage your grandkids to keep their hands off the wildlife--and do not feed the wild animals. The monkeys in MA national park are too aggressive as it is, and all of the cute little critters have long canines and are not afraid to use them. Your driver (all drivers, in fact) will be able to make sure you have every opportunity to see wildlife, hands off, of course.

I think cp is referring to places where they rehabilitate animals, and you can hold them like the one on the Osa or the sloth sanctuary on the Carib. side.

There is an animal refuge called Proyecto Asis near La Fortuna. You can take a tour there through Desafio Tours, maybe others too. The cultural tour with Desafio is very good and includes that. There's also La Pumas cat rescue not too far from there.

In addition there's Zoo Avenue in Alejuela if you have time and spending 1st or last night near the airport.

The sloth rescue center is cool and there's another newer one in the same vicinity around Puerto Viejo called Jaguar rescue center, I think that's the area you're referring too.

Yes, I was definitely thinking of someplace that rehabilitates or saves the animals. Saw the info for the sloths, but the location is wrong. When I was in Playa Flamingo last year I went on a zipline and afterwards there was a "preserve" where we got to go in an enclosure with monkeys and feed them. Of course they were all over us. don't worry I'm not trying this with wild animals. They also had large snakes to hold and a butterfly sanctuary. This is the kind of thing I was looking for. I will definitely check out the places hipvrgochick mentioned. thanks everyone!

We did the zipline at Los Lagos resort with our two kids ages 8 and 11 and they loved it. I was more worried than they were. If they are scared of heights or not very adventerous than maybe not.

I haven't been here, but you might check out Si Como No's:

http://www.sicomono.com/tours/costa_...rfly_tours.php