Mulit Generational Super Luxury one week vacation
 

We are a Family of 17 people, teens, parents and healthy grandparents 79 and 81 . We want to go somewhere for around a week that is luxurious, educational with adventure excursions for the family members that want. The accommodations must be very comfortable. We have traveled on other family trips and would like to avoid a cruise this time but the Grandparents need to be very comfortable. They do not need spa and "high end" as much as comfort. They have wanted to take everyone on an African Safari but that is a physical reach. I am wondering if there are options in Central America? We all live in the Western United States.
Thanks

Well, Costa Rica comes to mind right off the bat. It's a really beautiful place that offers lots of good adventures; hiking, surfing, ziplines, whitewater rafting, waterfall rapelling, etc... It also offers wonderful wildlife viewing, pretty beaches, live volcanos, and really nice people.

CR has a good tourist infrastructure and a variety of accommodation types. You can definitely find luxury if that's what you're into.

Belize might also fit the bill, and would offer world class snorkeling and diving if your family is into that. I haven't been there yet, so I'm not sure about accommodations, but would assume you could find what you're looking for.

Are there any tour company's that come to mind? The Grandparents are used to tours and Cruises where everything is thought out.

Most folks here plan their own trips and don't do package tours in Central America, but you can certainly do it that way. I <i>think</i> there was a trip report posted here by someone who had done a Costa Rica GAP tour last year, or maybe the year before. They were pleased, as I recall. I'm not sure how luxurious it was though.

Maybe posting under the Travel Tips & Trip Ideas forum might help to get the names of some major tour operators?

Costa Rica is great for this!!!!
You can go to Manuel Antonio and either rent out a floor of a hotel or rent out a huge villa, they have some that are for 20 people and more, with private pools. From here you can do anything, almost.

Canopy tours
atv tours
sunset tours
snorkeling adventures
horseback riding to waterfalls or on the beach
national park tour and hike

these are a few ideas.

Also, you can go over to Guanacaste, the gold coast beaches, and they have very similar accomadations, plus all the tours mentioned.
You can also do a Palo verde national park tour which is a boat and bus tour.
Plus, Rincon de la Vieja tour which is with a waterfall, hike and then soak in natural hot springs and mud pools.

Again, these are just a couple of ideas. But there are many places that cater to big families and reunions, even some boutique hotels!

Hope this helps,
Marina K. Villatoro
http://travelexperta.com

I've been to Costa Rica twice staying in 5 star places each time, Bosque del Cabo and most recently Reserva Conchal. I have a hard time thinking of either of them as "luxury". But, I guess luxury is different for everyone.

We stayed in the condos at the Reserva. While they were very nice, they are a 10 minute drive down to the Beach Club (restaurants, pool, beach); there is a shuttle to transfer you back and forth. I would classify the beach club as luxurious. I do recall seeing an option for a cook/maid, which would have made the stay even nicer. And, renters have the option for signing up for an AI at the Paridisus. I looked into some of the tours (Arenal, in particular). It was a 15-hour day, with many hours driving to get there and back. In my mind, that kind of trip requires an overnight.

Bosque del Cabo was a much more adventurous stay, but they don't have AC and have limited electrical, so that might not meet your criteria for comfort.

Both had creepy crawly things

I would look at the web page for International Expeditions and see what appeals to you, then talk to their independent travel rep to arrange custom accomodations. They do an excellent job with family groups. Costa Rica is a good option. The Galapagos is really unique and educational. Too bad you can't do Africa. The most physical part of that trip is the flight over.