MichaelFlorida

Hi,

We are staying at the Tabacon resort for 1 week with 4 children starting June 29. The youngest are 10 and 11, and we are wondering what activities there are that will not be too hard/strenuous/scary for the kids. Is there a monkey park? A mountain bike ride? Hiking? Not too intense rafting? Not too scary zip lines?

I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

shillmac

Your children would enjoy the Hanging Bridges, the canopy tours (these are great fun), the Venado Caves, the waterfalls at La Fortuna, a day trip to Cano Negro, the hotsprings at Tabacon, of course, and, as you mentioned, horseback and hiking. Nearby is Lake Arenal and they might like a boat ride. I do think one week is too long at Arenal. 3 nights would be plenty for this area. Have you considered another location? Monteverde? Rincon de la Vieja? Central Valley? Manuel Antonio?

MichaelFlorida

Thanks for your suggestions. We have changed our plans to 3 days in Tabacon, 2 days in Monteverde at the Fonda Vela and then 2 days at the Marriott in San Jose. We will go the Volcano Poas, but are looking for something to do for the one other day in San Jose.

Thanks!

chinahart

Hi one thing that we did our last day in San Jose which was a fun low stress thing was went to the artisans market. There we bought our souvenirs to take home. I pictured high pressure sales and dicey looking people but it was not that case at all. The people would try to interest you in their wares but no high pressure and they were the kindest people. Good prices too and they will negotiate. A fun interesting slice of life. Much better prices than most gift stores then head out to a fun restaurant for lunch or dinner. Hope you have a ball. We loved Costa rica and our children ages 9 and 10 did too.

Barbarian

There are at least two terrific waterparks for kids on the outskirts of San Jose. Any hotel staff can tell you about them and arrange transportation. Also, Zoo Ave is nearby - a neat zoo with lots of tropical birds. Plus, San Jose has a great Children's Museum. Another suggestion is INBIO Parque in the suburb of Santo Domingo. You can Google any of the above to get further info.

keefmick

We just returned today with our 2 kids, ages 8 and 11. They really enjoyed the La Paz waterfalls 20 minutes from Poas Volcano--a great thing to combine with a trip to the volcano. You get to see 5 great waterfalls with only a hike downhill all the way and then a shuttle back up!

booberry680

We just returned from 12 days in Costa Rica. The Tabacon is the best we stayed 6 nights wish we stayed more. When at the hot springs remember there is another section accross the street. The map they give you dosen't show it. You and your kids might like to do a float trip with Sunset Tours in La Fortuna. It's a five hour tour and the best. You are picked up at your hotel and driven to the white rock river. During the drive we stopped several times to view tocans, sloths, and a iguana tree. You raft down the river in a slow inflatable raft and see many monkeys,sloths,lizardscaymen and birds of all sorts. About 1/3 of the way you stop at a banana plantation and see poison dart frogs. Afert this you continue down the river and stop at Don Carlos's house. Don is 92 years old and looks 60. He has lived their for 80 years with his 90 year old brother. Also their are his two unmarried daughters maybe in their sixties. You will have drinks, fresh baked torts and fried plantains. They are about five miles upriver from the closest town and can only reach it by boat. They have no power or gas and the only tie to others is Don's battery powered radio. They do all the cooking by wood stove and love to show off the kitchen. Their only income is $5.00 from the tour company for each person that visits. These are some of the most interesting people you and your children could meet. You then continue down river viewing more wildlife and returning to your hotel. if you would like email me at [email protected] and I'll send you some pictures. Another tour in which we saw and learned alot was the night jungle tour booked through the hotel. About three hours long this is the only place on the entire trip in whish we needed off. A guide takes you through the eco center afted dark. The animals you see are amazing. It's a little spoky when you hear rustling in the leaves. We saw the green frog with red eyes,another type of frog,2 different lizards,2 different walking sticks,a possum,a millipede,caymen spiders and a pit viper however he was in a cage. The tour guide anwsers all your questions and its great fun. For a family your size to guide go along one in front and one in back. Hope you have fun!