Costa Rica the 2017 destination for families

Today 1st of January 2017 we want to give all our readers, friends, colleagues... positive, happy and prosperous wishes for this year that starts.

Secondly we want to recommend you visit the wide variety of National Parks available in the country. From volcanoes, cloud forest, dry forest, mangrove, rainforest, jungles to amazing beaches and protected ocean areas.

A couple of weeks ago we visited Manuel Antonio National Park with the family. And we believe its a great location for families. This amazing park has tons of wildlife and amazing white sanded beaches with clear calm waters for the small ones.

During the guided walk you will learn and see Costa Rica's biodiversity. And when you arrive to the beach, just to lay-back and enjoy you will also be part of this amazing atmosphere full of energy.

But do be advice. Do not take any kind of food into the Park. Animals don't need human food. Let try together to find the balance. Thank you for helping us.

This area is also amazing because of the wide variety of types of accommodation and activities available.

Last month

Last month was a very busy month for us.

First we participated on the Family Travel Association Summit in Tucson, USA.
                 This was a very interesting experience because we were able to hear and see that there are more of us motivating families to travel and create magical bonding memories.
In Costa Rica we want to inspire families to discover nature, meet people, do things that they have not done before, spend quality time together, expose them to our culture, and empower all!!!!

And then we did the Family Travel Advisor

Forum in Cancun where we taught travel agents that Costa Rica is a great family destination where we have pre-selected suppliers. Because we have seen that there are a lot of companies that say Family Travel. But you check the services and suppliers they are offering and they are giving the same to a Honeymoon, couple, or group. So we did our homework. With a very selective check-list which you have seen on this Blog. We checked hotels. And now we actually

know which ones are ready, which ones would like to be and which ones are not. After this work we thought about clients and realized that we could classify most of the families that come to Costa Rica in four, so we created special packages for them. This packages can be selected alone, combined or we can create unique tailor made family itineraries.
1/  Peace Seekers
2/ Social
3/ Nature Explorers
4/ Adventurous
All of them have special features which you can see on our 2016-2017 Catalog.

Let us show you how Costa Rica can be memorable and magical with outstanding service where parents can enjoy themselves, kids don't want to leave and the family bond more each day!

This blog, our facebook, web page, youtube and GAME are all innovative and useful tools we have for all of you.

Hotel Barcelo Langosta Beach - a real paradise for children and parents between activities and relaxation !

The hotel is located just 10 minutes away from the airport and 1.2 kilometers from Tamarindo down town. Close to restaurants, pharmacies, tour operators, etc.This 5-stars, all inclusive and beach front resort has to offer all kind of fun activities for gown-ups and kids.





Some facilities of the hotel are: 

- Open-air swimming pool: from 7am to 9pm. Beach access king of pool

- Ambient temperature swimming pool for children.
- Ambient temperature swimming pool for adults.
- Hot tub

- Play Ground
- Open-air children's animation: from 10am to 1pm.
- Evening shows for children: from 8:30pm to 9pm.

- Night Shows for the family: From 9:30p.m. To 10:30p.m.

- Discotheque
- Aerobics and dance classes in the main swimming pool with the animation team.
-Water games.

I loved how the staff were so kind and lovely with the children, making activities were children of all ages could participate: the colored, play bingo, made some beach games and more. They even had a kid's party with games, balloons and cake.

The hotel offers babysitting service under previous request, this way, if parents wanted enjoy a Spa treatment or a romantic dinner, they knew their kids were safe and taking care off. 

  

About the beach, the hotel is located next to a mangrove, where the ocean and river meet. So when the tide is low, small natural pools are made where

children can play, for me was a very safe way to enjoy of the sea.

Being close to Tamarindo, one of the perfect surfing spots in Guanacaste, the hotel also offer kayaks, surfing boards and buggy boards that the older kids or adults can use .

The restaurant and snack bar offer a good variety of healthy and enjoyable food for kids and grown-ups as well. 

 

We had a great time and the most important is that my little girl had so much to do and enjoyed her first beach vacations !!

Exhuberant South Pacific Coast

Playa NicuesaRainforest Lodge – 

this is what defines Eco Tourism!

To provide best customer service with best recommendations for family travel we regularly visit different properties and categorize them.

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge was definitely one of the most impressive ones recently!

This ecologically-based lodge located in the southern pacific region with own beach at the Golfo Dulce is an one-of-a-kind nature experience! Right next to the Piedras Blancas National Park the adventure already starts with your trip to this property. It is only reachable by boat so that the easiest way to go there is taking a flight to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito and cross the gulf with a boat.

During our boat lift from Puerto Jimenez that took around 30 minutes, the spectacular experience started. In the middle of the gulf suddenly about 20 dolphins surprised us and we were so close that it almost felt like we could touch them. Amazing! Your kids would love it.

The southern region of Costa Rica is famous for its lush rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity. This is exactly what Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge also lives. With its level 5 – which is the highest – of sustainable tourism certified by the CST of Costa Rica, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge has the most minimal impact on the natural environment. And you can feel that!

This property is great for families who want to learn  about

sustainable policies and the important ''green'' behavior of life in our current changing world. Due to its lodge-owned sustainability center and daily offered sustainable tours, your family can learn about the whole lodge management like solar systems, recycling, reforestation, home-owned fruit and spice garden, self-built drying space to save energy, special architecture of the houses to save energy by using more natural light and more... Give your kids the opportunity to learn something from a holiday and take it home!

They are also offering other great tours where the family comes together. Depending on the season you will be able to sea whales and you can always use the paddle boards, kayaks and the snorkeling equipment for free. You can also participate on a chocolate tour, where you do your own chocolate or do yoga courses!

The whole property invites to connect to  nature and break out from everyday-life far away from trouble and crowds. It is a quiet and cozy place, that provides you a healthy stay with great organic menus and special kids meals.

Basically, I would recommend this place for children  over 12  who are happy to experience nature together with monkeys, colorful birds, dolphins and other animals for a while..

IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL as a family travel specialist will help you arrange your perfect and unforgettable stay of pure Costa Rica nature exploration in the amazing southern zone!

Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel – the real rainforest experience!

Rio Celeste HideawayHotel  is a small ecologically-based hotel that provides a truly unique Rainforest experience, located next to the Volcan Tenorio National Park in the North of Costa Rica and only 1 hour away from the Arenal location. The Volcan Tenorio National Park is best known for its extraordinary turquoise coloured river, lagoon and waterfall. The hotel provides comfort, a wonderful restaurant and amenities surrounded by an untouched natural paradise.

You will stay in one of the beautiful Casitas (bungalows) with a view of the lush rainforest or  tropical gardens. The Casitas are extremely spacious and have an open bathroom with shower / bath and an open air shower for your 100% pure connection with nature.

Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel and its surrounding is perfect to experience with your kids who are older than 12 years. Be prepared to explore a lush tropical rainforest, complete with vegetation and animal variety that makes it unique with your family.

A highlight of the hotel are the home-owned trails which leads you to the beautiful blue Rio Celeste or gives you and your family the opportunity the learn about insects, snakes, frogs and other animals during a guided night walk. If you want more, you can enjoy a guided family hike to the National Park Volcán Tenorio where you will visit the azure-blue Rio Celeste Waterfall, a 100 foot (30mt) waterfall, the place

where two rivers join to create these special blue waters and other wonders in the park.

Also, travel one hour to get close to the wildlife at the well-known, but exclusive destination called Caño Negro wildlife refuge. Enjoy those beautiful wetlands with its lush vegetation, variety of birds and even crocodiles. During the guided boat tour, you will arrive at a Costa Rican families' house far away from city trouble, which is only reachable by boat and enjoy a traditional lunch cooked by the lady of the house.

Other great activities where your family come together are white water rafting, kayak tour, float tour, hanging bridges or tubing or visit the area of the Arenal Volcano, which is only 1 hour away from the hotel. Here you can enjoy even more adventurous or educational tours like canopy, canyoning, chocolate tour and much more..

After those activities you will be happy to come back to the hotel, enjoy the delicious food, have a drink at the bar or relax your body in the great pool with 3 different heated whirlpools to finish off your day.

As you can see, RioCeleste Hideaway and its surroundings is perfect to experience Costa Rica's Rainforest, learn something about the nature and animal life and let yourfamily come together and have some fun doing adventure activities!

Sky Adventures La Fortuna – the perfect family adventure for everyone!

Is there anything better to enjoy beautiful nature and live an unforgettable family adventure at the same time? Sky Adventures Park Arenal makes this happen!

Sky Adventures Arenal is located very close to the Arenal Volcano National Park, one of the most amazing places to visit while traveling in Costa Rica . The Sky Adventures Park give you the chance to enjoy this impressive and breathtaking Volcano and its beautiful big Arenal Lake while having a great time with your family.

The great thing about this park is that no matter what ages you and your children are, everyone will find his own perfect adventure based on your own needs, expectations and physical limits!

The most-wanted combination is probably the Sky Tram & Trek. Sky Tram is a gondola that brings you up to a platform with special view of the Volcano from where the Sky Trek (Zipline) Tour begins.The Sky Tram is for every age and gives you the chance to learn about different characteristics of the flora and fauna and other interesting facts during the rise up. From the platform you also have the possibility to walk a short trail.

The Sky Trek is more for adventure lovers. It consists of 7 Zip lines of a length up to 760 m and a height up to 200 m. You will sit in a harness and ride down on a zip line track stretching across in between treetops. During your rides you will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Volcano and the beautiful Arenal Lake. This tour is recommendable for everyone who loves adventure and is not afraid of height. Everything is guided professionally by a guide.

Those who love even more adrenaline and are in a very good shape, could try the Sky Limit.

Sky Limit is a high performance circuit that consists of zip lining, repelling, a jungle swing much like bungee jumping. Along with bridge walking and some hiking. This tour is perfect to increase your family team spirit and test your limits. It is recommended to do this tour with an age over 15 years old.

But you cannot only explore the rainforest, you also can do great tours on the Arenal Lake and the river that goes through the forest.

Sky River Drift for example takes you down a river in a tubber ring (tubing) and is combined with a free fall of 40 m where you can decide, if you want to fall totally free or want to fall controlled.

This tour is a perfect combination of adventure and adrenaline, but also enjoying the beautiful river and its surrounding during the tubing tour. Children should be taller than 140 cm to join this tour. For sure, guides are always there to accompany your children during the whole tour.

To enjoy the beautiful Arenal Lake and feel like a superman, you should definitely try the Sky Flyboard. Flying over 10 m above the water, swimming like a dolphin, or compete with your family members on whether who can stay up the longest, riding a Flyboard is a really special experience. A minimum age of 12 is recommended.

Another way to experience the scenic and beautiful Lake Arenal and one of the most family friendly tours is probably the Sky Wild Kayak. The Lake Arenal area offers incredible kayaking opportunities with its ample spaces. On the kayak tour, you will be accompanied by a guide, who will give you proper paddling instructions.

The most relaxing activitiy is the Sky Walk. This is perfect for the whole family. I would recommend to do this tour with a minimum age of 6. The super nice hanging bridges through the flora and fauna of the Arenal area allows a vision of the forest from a different perspective. It starts with a little hike on the ground and then taking you to explore the treetops.

As you can see, the great Sky Adventures Park in Arenal offers family activites for almost every age. We will help you arrange your own perfect combination of those extraordinary activities. Just bring your family and let's go!

Caribbean Paradise

Puerto Viejo in the coast of the caribbean in Costa Rica is green, exhuberant, full of secluded beaches, nature, wildlife....
But if you are looking for the all inclusive resorts on white sanded beaches like Dominican Republic or Aruba you will not be happy. The Caribbean of Costa Rica is a complete different story.

Costa Rica's Caribbean is a exuberant, un-touched, peaceful location where lodges are basic and service is Pura Vida.
But here the whole family can bond due to the lack of technology, entertainment, people... The whole concept of this area is to be with yourself, walk on secluded beaches full of green nature and wildlife.

Here is a very nice video that can show you a glimpse of this unique experience I am talking about.