Beyond the 48: A Mother/Son Trip to Costa Rica with Exodus Adventure Travels
As part of our new “Beyond the 48” podcast series, we’re stepping outside the lower 48 states and sharing stories from recent international travel experiences. While The RV Atlas will always be focused on RV and campground travel in the United States, we also know that many of our listeners love to explore beyond where the family RV can take you. In this episode, we’re sharing details from an unforgettable family trip to Costa Rica with Exodus Adventure Travels.
We went on this trip as part of the Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards, where Stephanie served as a tester. The goal was to evaluate this guided group adventure and see how it stacked up as a family-friendly travel option. Spoiler alert: it more than lived up to expectations.
This trip, called the Costa Rica Family Escape, was specifically designed for families with older kids and teens, and every moment—from rainforest hikes to beach relaxation—was crafted to be educational, engaging, and just the right amount of adventurous.
A Family Escape to Costa Rica with Exodus Adventure Travels
The Costa Rica Family Escape is an eight-day guided tour operated by Exodus Adventure Travels, a long-established UK-based travel company with a strong reputation in Europe. The trip was designed for families with kids ages 9 and up and includes a range of outdoor adventures in Costa Rica’s most iconic regions. While Exodus is still gaining name recognition in the U.S., we quickly learned why their trips have earned a loyal following overseas.
We traveled with a group of four other families from the UK—five teenagers in total—and stayed in comfortable local lodges and hotels throughout. With an “easy to moderate” activity rating, the trip balanced downtime with exciting excursions and offered enough variety to keep everyone in our group engaged.
The Costa Rica With Exodus Adventure Travels itinerary moved through three major destinations in Costa Rica:
- La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano area)
- Monteverde (Cloud Forest region)
- Carrillo Beach (Pacific Coast near Sámara)
We started in San José and ended in Liberia on the West Coast, traveling by minibus, boat, and foot with a fantastic local guide named Jorge.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in San José
We flew into San José and stayed at the Studio Hotel, a modern, boutique-style hotel that offered a great overnight stay near the airport. That evening, we met our group and guide for a welcome briefing.
Day 2: Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall
We traveled north to La Fortuna, where we explored the area surrounding the Arenal Volcano, which was active until recently. A hike down to La Fortuna Waterfall gave us our first taste of Costa Rica’s natural beauty—lush rainforest and a powerful waterfall. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to swim at the bottom of the waterfall because of flash flood warnings, but it was still a beautiful experience.
Overnight: Arenal Paraiso Hotel, with natural hot spring-fed pools and views of the volcano.
Day 3: White-Water Rafting & Farm-to-Table Lunch
We tackled Class II and III rapids on the Balsa River, an exhilarating but beginner-friendly white-water rafting trip. Along the way, we spotted toucans, monkeys, and other wildlife.
After rafting, we visited Vida Campesina, a small country estate where we enjoyed a traditional wood-stove-cooked lunch with ingredients harvested right on-site.
Day 4: Boat to Monteverde & Night Walk in the Cloud Forest
We crossed Lake Arenal by boat and continued by road to Monteverde, famous for its cool temperatures and misty cloud forest. That night, we ventured into the forest after dark for a night hike, spotting wildlife like armadillos and coatis under the stars.
Overnight: Monteverde Country Lodge
Day 5: Ziplining, Hanging Bridges & Butterfly Garden
Our day at Selvatura Park was packed with activity. We started with an unforgettable zipline adventure through the cloud forest, then walked the hanging bridges above the forest canopy, and visited one of the largest butterfly gardens in the world. Lunch was included, and the park had excellent facilities for families.
Day 6: Beach Time at Carrillo
After a long drive to the Pacific Coast, we checked into the Nammbú Hotel, which sits right above Carrillo Beach—a quieter alternative to the busier Sámara area. The beach was tranquil, perfect for swimming thanks to an offshore coral reef that tames the Pacific waves. We didn’t have time, but there were plenty of places to rent surfboards or go horseback riding on the beach.
Day 7: Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling
Our last full day featured a boat trip to look for dolphins and whales off the coast. We spotted several and also had time for snorkeling near Isla Chora, a remote white-sand island with tons of hermit crabs and iguanas.
Day 8: Departure from Liberia
We packed up and drove to Liberia Airport for our flight home.
Key Takeaways from the Trip
A Truly Authentic Experience in Costa Rica with Exodus Adventure Travels
One of our biggest concerns going into the trip was that it might feel “too touristy.” But that wasn’t the case at all. The entire itinerary felt thoughtful and authentic—thanks in large part to our guide Jorge and the emphasis Exodus places on supporting local, small businesses. From eco-lodges to farm lunches, the trip felt community-based and low-impact.
Excellent Logistics and Pre-Trip Planning
The pre-departure materials from Exodus were excellent—clear itineraries, packing lists, and helpful information on what to expect at each stop. During the trip, logistics like transportation and lodging were all handled smoothly, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience.
Great for Families with Teens
This trip was specifically designed for families with 13–16-year-olds, though it’s also suitable for kids as young as 9. Having a group of similarly aged teens was a huge plus. Our son had a great time getting to know the other kids (and introducing them to Shirley Temples!).
Transparent Pricing
We were impressed with the value for the price. The tour included hotels, many activities, transportation, and a local guide, and after crunching the numbers, it would have been very hard to plan a similar independent trip for much less. Families from the UK who booked airfare through Exodus said the same.
Free Time and Flexibility
Although it was a guided group tour, there was plenty of free time built into the schedule, especially for meals and evenings. That flexibility made the trip feel more personalized and allowed us to explore on our own when we wanted to.
Final Thoughts about Costa Rica with Exodus Adventure Travels
We had an amazing time on the Costa Rica Family Escape and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others—especially those with teens who love nature, wildlife, and adventure. It struck the perfect balance between activity and downtime, structure and spontaneity.
If you’re interested in learning more about the trip, you can check out all the details—including transparent pricing—on the Exodus Adventure Travels website.
We’ll be sharing more Beyond the 48 episodes soon, including trips to Oahu, a cruise, and more about Iceland.
Have you traveled beyond the lower 48 with your family? We’d love to hear your stories. Join the conversation in the RV Atlas Facebook Group, or tag us @thervatlas on Instagram to share your own adventures.
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