In Costa Rica, families can experience a living classroom where the jungle itself is the campus and nature enthusiasts, and ecologists are the interpreters. Every day becomes an adventure, not just about spotting wildlife, but about helping families and kids educate and connect with nature, culture, and the world around them.

Learning by Exploring

From the moment you arrive, curiosity takes the lead. Families might start in the Arenal area, where volcanoes, waterfalls, and coffee plantations turn into interactive lessons on geology, ecosystems, and local traditions. Along the way, wildlife watching isn’t just entertainment, it’s a way for kids to learn how biodiversity thrives in delicate balance in a variety of microclimates.

Flying down to the Osa Peninsula feels like stepping into a real nature documentary. Here, days are filled with close encounters, spotting sloths and monkeys in the canopy, and scarlet macaws flashing through the trees. Each interaction becomes a story, thanks to our naturalists who bring the jungle to life.

Adventures range from jungle hikes and beach picnics to surf lessons on wild shores. By night, kids can watch plankton and phytoplankton transform the ocean into glowing trails of bioluminescence that feels like pure magic. Families can also participate in turtle release and coral gardening conservation programs teaching children the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems.

The Blue Zone Connection

Up north, in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s famous Blue Zone (1 of only 6 blue zones in the world), families discover a different kind of safari, one that explores culture, longevity, and traditions that keep communities thriving. Kids can roll up their sleeves to make tortillas from corn, craft rosquillas and empanadas, and parents sip coffee the way it’s been prepared for generations. Meeting local centenarians and artisans reveals a priceless lesson: living well means living connected, to food, to nature, and to community.

Living Culture

Beyond food, Nicoya Peninsula´s heritage feels deeper through music and art. Families can experience a marimba workshop, learning how this national instrument is built and played, before trying it themselves. Or take part in Chorotegan pottery sessions, to hand-shape clay just as they have for centuries, turning storytelling into something tangible. Even a ride on a traditional ox cart turns into a sensational journey, then kids discover how people worked the land long before cars and roads existed.

Learning by Doing

One of the most fascinating parts of the journey is learning how simple, natural solutions can help protect the environment, through unique workshops where families and kids make clay spheres infused with beneficial microorganisms. These “living marbles” are placed in streams and ponds, to gradually clean the water, reducing sediment, breaking down organic matter, and creating healthier habitats for fish and aquatic life.

Deep Connection with The Voices of the Forest

Not all lessons are seen; some are heard. There is a remarkable experience that uses bioacoustics and soundscape ecology to explore the natural world through listening. In this adventure kids learn how sound shapes ecosystems and cultures. Out in the field, families record the calls of birds, the rush of the water in the sea and rivers, and the hum of the forest using specialized tools such as sensory vests and headphones. Back at base, those sounds are also transformed into visual maps, revealing hidden patterns that help scientists understand ecosystems and inspire new ways to protect them. A chance for children (and adults) to discover that the forest has a voice, and that listening differently can transform the way we connect with nature.

Home Away from Home

Families relax in the best and most secluded boutique lodges and private villas where comfort goes hand in hand with sustainability, a chance for kids to see how tourism can support nature and local communities on a balance. Culinary classes and meals become opportunities to taste local flavors and explore even more the culture, and private activities make sure no two-family safaris are the same.

 

Why It Matters

We believe travel should inspire the next generation. A Costa Rican “safari” isn’t about ticking animals off a list; but sparking wonder, encouraging respect for the planet, and learning from cultures that have wisdom to share. These stories stay with children long after the trip is over, shaping not just memories, but values.