THE FAMILY MINI-GUIDE


We’re the Cayuga Collection. Seven award-winning sustainable hotels & ecolodges in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. We are tucked away in the most incredible corners, committed to protect & preserve the communities & ecosystems that surround us.
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a
transfer with
• We’ll pick you up from the airport — you don’t have to rent a car
• We’ll take you directly to our hotels and lodges
• We can arrange transfers between Cayuga hotels
• We can help you get around once you’re here
*We recommend: unless everyone in the family is an experienced traveler, pick one or two places to stay.
Tips from Mom’s Who’ve Been Here
Play hookey. “It’s totally okay to miss a week of school, especially if your kids are under 12...we just find it’s less busy, you’ll find better deals, and there’s more selection.”
Bring supplies if you visit a local school. “Bring art supplies, deflated soccer balls, or used clothing, any items that can be donated to a school.”
Make room for the ‘unscheduled’. “Go stargazing. Go for a full moon walk on the beach. Bring a flashlight and do light-painting on the beach. I like the things that ‘just happen by accident.’”
You’ll Travel Like a Local. We want you to feel the local vibe here. We offer visits to the market, cooking classes, Spanish classes and more. Our staff is quick to recommend those little secrets and hideaways that only locals know about.
Play Soccer with the School Kids. Let kids be kids! And get to know our community too.
Our Wildlife Guides Will Host You. No canned speeches here. Our local guides take pride in sharing their knowledge and personal experience with you.
See What it Means to Travel Sustainably. Take our Sustainability Tour and learn the ins and outs of how our hotels and ecolodges manage their operations. You can even help plant a tree. And don’t forget to bring or buy your re-usable water bottle!
You’ll See Binoculars Replace the iPad. We’re equipped with WIFI but after a few days here, the gang just might trade digital for the wonder of the natural world. Tell them to hashtag #cayugacollection when they want to share.
Meals to Satisfy Even the Youngest Food Critics. Go-to meals and Costa Rican-inspired dishes — we’ve got the whole family covered. Some of our hotels include breakfast, lunch and dinner so you don’t have to think about it.
Half portions are available. Nothing goes to waste! Full day of experiences? We’ll pack a complete lunch for you, including snacks.
The water is safe to drink because we have our own water filtration systems on site.
Located within eleven acres of rain forest, be on the look-out for white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths and iguanas right from your room terrace. Here, you’ll find everything Manuel Antonio - tours, activities and adventures for the whole family.
With two white-sand beaches just a few steps from your room, the whole family can enjoy a private day at the beach.
You’ll always have the most unique Manuel Antonio experiences available to you. No mediocre tours here! We create and host every single tour ourselves, because you deserve the best.
• Best beach and family-friendly hotel in Manuel Antonio
• Spectacular direct beach access to Playitas Beach
• Lots of wildlife like monkeys & sloths right at the resort
• In-house tours & kid-friendly activities included. Movie Nights, Tortilla Making, Bracelet-Making Classes & More
• Surf boards & surf lessons available upon request
• Our Naturalist Guides make hiking family friendly
• Kid-friendly meals, healthy choices & 1/2 portions
• Wi-Fi connected, but choose when the devices come out
“This is a place that marries the relaxation and comforts of a high end resort with the natural curiosity children have about the natural world for them to explore. This makes for an unforgettable family vacation for all.”
– Connie, Florida
“Manuel Antonio National Park is just a short and beautiful walk down the beach. The nature is all around you and nothing short of spectacular.”
– Joyce, Michigan
HERE’S TO YOUR BEST EVER BEACH VACATION IN MANUEL ANTONIO
Arenas Del Mar is Manuel Antonio’s only luxury beach front hotel. Of all the luxury resorts in town, we’re so proud to offer you the privilege of direct beach access.
Stroll down to the lower parts of our resort for access to two of the area’s best beaches. Playitas Beach, the best spot for easy beach lounging and cocktails. And Espadilla Beach, a hot surf spot and a long stretch of coastline that’ll lead you directly to Manuel Antonio town.
Please don’t feel you need to trade the beach for incredible rain forest and ocean views either. Here, you’ll enjoy it all.
At Arenas Del Mar, there’s adventure in the air. Whether that means diving from an impressive waterfall, zipping across the treetops, or going in search of rare wildlife, we’ll help you find your perfect one.
Home to some of the best adventure tours in Costa Rica, there’s seldom a dull day in Manuel Antonio.
From early morning birdwatching to nature hikes after dark, in Manuel Antonio you’ll find plenty of memorable ways to experience the rain forest and all its plentiful wildlife.
Grab a pair of binoculars and head into the trees to explore the tropical ecosystem with our expert naturalist guides –monkeys, sloths, toucans and macaws are just a few of the residents you’ll likely spot.
Experience Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast at its best.
In Manuel Antonio, our tropical waters play host to all kinds of ocean tours, from the adrenaline-fueled to the soulinspiring.
Think surfing against the backdrop of a fiery sunset. Kayaking through unexplored mangroves. Humpback whale watching amongst multiple other extraordinary excursions
Arenas Del Mar is a wildlife lover’s dream. Simply one of the best hotels for wildlife spotting. That’s because we’re located within an 11-acre private rain forest reserve — we’re part luxury beach hotel and part rain forest safari!
From sloths and monkeys to toucans, anteaters, iguanas and crabs, there’s so much to spot right here.
Our land acts as a biological corridor for the abundant wildlife of the Manuel Antonio area, meaning there’s seldom a day without some kind of major wildlife action.
And best of all, the animals that swing by are far from shy.
We want you to experience the best of Manuel Antonio — that’s why we’re the only resort in Manuel Antonio to offer you in-house Naturalist Guides.
Teresa, Ely, Mauricio and Esteban are always at the ready to help you spot monkeys, sloths and other rain forest creatures right here at the resort.
And when it’s time to venture out to Manuel Antonio National Park and beyond, we’ll host you too.
We host every single tour ourselves. This means you can always expect small, private groups, personalized tours, all the time you need, and an intimate interpretation of the wildlife you’ll see.
“Built into the cliff overlooking the Pacific coast, everywhere you look, you see a view of paradise. Staying here feels like you’re a part of nature. Not just viewing it from a hotel room.”
– Roberta, Wisconsin
At Arenas Del Mar Resort, our 38 luxury suites and guest rooms have views across Manuel Antonio National Park, the Pacific Ocean and the Rainforest. If you’re seeking an easy beachfront atmosphere where you’ll be well-taken care of — that’s what we do best!
The Playitas Suite is a private, apartment-style suite with 1295 sq.ft of living space for you and your favorite people. Accommodates up to 8 guests (6 adults and 2 children).
Reserve an Ocean View Premium Suite located next to an Ocean View Superior Room. King size bed with pull-out sofa bed. 2 sofa beds available. Sleeps 5 comfortably.
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
BY
reservations@arenasdelmar.com
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST
US & Canada Toll-Free: +1 888 385-9218
Costa Rica direct: +(506) 4040-0422
Isla Palenque is a 400-acre, private tropical island resort in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama. Rich in primary forest, 7 secluded beaches and a sacred history of archaeological significance.
We’ve mastered the art of the Family Tropical Island Adventure. With 400-acres of tropical island to discover, your family will return home a new when you embrace tthe hidden wonders of Isla Palenque.
• Safe, gentle waters for swimming
• All on-island tours are included
• Beach time, boogie boards, snorkeling & kayaking
• The Ultimate Challenge: A 5km Fitness Circuit for teens
• Our Island Hosts make hiking kid-friendly
• Mocktails & Smoothies just for children
• Cooking & Pastry Classes for Young Chefs
• WIFI Connected, but choose when the devices come out
“This is a place that when you arrive, you already know words won’t do it justice… Magical for children. Memorable for families. I will never ever forget my stay.”
– Olivia, San Francisco
“We’re lucky to have traveled the world and we’ve definitely had our fair share of unique experiences over the last years. Isla Palenque is sure up there on the list of amazing experiences! We loved how remote the island was and felt like we’d properly escaped civilization…”
On this expedition, you’ll discover the Secrets of the Island with your Island Guide. You’ll hike through a maze of jungle trails and rare primary forest, and delve deeper into the island’s beauty and mystery.
How did Isla Palenque form? Why were ancient cultures drawn to the island? What clues of their existence did they leave behind?
Discover the Secrets of the Island, and become part of Isla Palenque’s privileged legacy.
Isla Palenque is a National Geographic Unique Lodge. The site you will visit on the Secrets of the Island hike has been recognized as having an ancient cultural history of modern, archaeological significance.
Set sail into open waters for the chance to explore the Gulf of Chiriqui’s stunning islets on an island hopping adventure.
Picture iconic crescent moon beaches, soaring palm trees, white sand beaches, coral reefs and gentle waters that are per fect for snorkeling.
From August to October, there’s also a great chance of seeing majestic Humpback whales as they make their annual migra tion.
We’ll prepare a delightful picnic basket of refreshments, snacks and fresh fruits you too, so you can easily spend a few hours here, swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters of your lit tle private island.
Many of our island hikes and nature tours begin at Playa Palenque. This is also your paddle-board launch point, and the spot where we host our is land bonfires, sunset cocktails, and beach picnics. And since the beach is West-facing, you’ll have front row seats to some spectacular sunsets.
Venture off and find the Lost Beach, where the sound of the waves is your only landmark. Or Playa Primera for watching the sunrise over the islands.
The beach at Cala Este is a great spot to explore tidal pools, and then there’s the rocky beaches of Playa Amelia and Playa Ma ria that can be explored during low tide. Take a kayak out to Playa Catalina, the calmest bay on the island, or go for a long jog along Playa Boca Brava.
The gentle pace of paddle boarding is perfect if you’re in the mood for a peaceful, in timate encounter with the is land’s beaches and waters.
When the tide is low at Pla ya Palenque, grab a touring paddleboard and follow our coastline — as you quietly glide through turquoise waters, you’ll discover hidden caves, volcanic rock, and coral reef systems up close. It’s a whole different perspective from your board.
From Playa Catalina, set out by kayak and head towards neigh bouring Boca Brava at high tide to discover tidepools and man groves from the open waters. The North end of the beach is also a great place to explore the island’s varied ecosystems and watch for birds such as tou cans, parrots and egrets.
Isla Palenque floats in an oceanic wilderness, the Gulf of Chiriqui, where humpback whales migrate from August to October to calve in Panama’s warm, Pacific waters.
Once they’ve been spotted for the first time (usually in August), you’ll likely spot them in the Gulf of Chiriqui until the babies are strong enough to travel North again for the winter (usually in October).
Catch a glimpse of a colossal, rising momma humpback and her little one while she blows out a 3ft cloud of ocean spray.
You can even spot whales frolicking just offshore from the island’s beautiful beaches, and dolphins often tag along to watch the show.
This extraordinary culinary adventure takes you from the serene beaches of Isla Palenque into the depths of the island’s jungle on a foraging mission unlike any other.
Bring in your own catch of the day using artisan fishing techniques honed over centuries of coastal life. Pick out sweet, juicy tropical fruits and succulent veggies at the island’s orchard, and forage along rainforest trails for those hardto-find, hyper-local ingredients.
Leave the rest to our Chef! We’ll present your foraged feast with local spirits, beers and organic South American wines for an unforgettable culinary experience.
up each day with the most beautiful sunrise and loved being surrounded by jungle.
can see and hear howler monkeys, exotic birds and the sounds of the sea. It was such a treat to shower under the stars and hear the ocean waves too.”
Each luxury Beachfront Casita is tucked away in palm groves with a private path straight to the ocean and 1.3 km of pristine beachfront on Playa Palenque.
Designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind, you’ll luxuriate in your open-air lounge area and bath, and have all the extravagances you’d expect from a five star, luxury hotel.
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST US & Canada Reservations: +1 855 679-4364
Call from Panama: + (507) 833-7595
Call from Costa Rica: +(506) 4040-0420
reservations@islapalenque.com
A luxury arts boutique hotel on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast. Let the cultures & colours of the Caribbean Coast enchant you. This beachfront arts hotel will enchant you with its curated artwork, electric decor, and colourful surprises. All set within the magic of a tropical jungle.
At Aguas Claras we’d like to encourage you to dive deep into all the activities this magical area has to offer. The possibilities of nature abound; check our list of recommendation below:
• Best luxury beach hotel in Puerto Viejo for families. A serene and colorful oasis for families who love to chill
• “Ocean-side” beach access to Playa Chiquita via our private gate & pathway. You’ll never have to walk across the road to get to the beach.
• Full Bar & Restaurant Service right on the beach. At our DaLime Beach Club, excellent beach-side drinks and eats are available daily 10AM-5AM
• Complimentary “Banana Seat” Bicycles. For leisurely bike rides into Puerto Viejo town, Punta Eva and Manzanillo
• Spot wildlife monkeys, parrots, iguanas and more — right on our grounds
• High-Speed WIFI. So that you always feel connected.
“By far the best hotel in the area. We stayed five nights and were simply amazed at the attention to detail in the rooms and in the service. We can’t wait to go back!”
– Erin, New York
“…there’s a certain tranquility that arrives while soaking in one of the coral-surrounded aquatic enclaves, or bicycling along the road sandwiched by the dense tropical flora and the ocean…”
– Vogue, as described in An Artists’ Guide to the Paradisiacal Beach Town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
BECAUSE YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE CARIBBEAN SIDE SHOULD BE EASY
On the South Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo feels like a country onto itself. Rich with AfroCaribbean influence, local and international visitors alike come for the food, mu sic, and free-spirited energy.
Think Calypso music. Spicy coconut-infused flavors. The rhythmic sound of Patois alongside Spanish and English. This is where you’ll find a com pletely unique side of Costa Rica. Authentic and under-the-radar.
Cahuita National Park is home to the largest system of coral reefs in Costa Rica. It includes 35 unique species of coral, 120 types of colorful tropical fish, and the occasional encounter with reef sharks or stingrays.
On this adventure, you’ll take to the sea on a scenic boat ride, then gear up and go snorkeling to explore the coral reefs. Re member, September and Oc tober are the summer months in the Caribbean —on a clear, sunny day with no wind, you can see tropical fish, turtles, coral and even sand sharks.
Once onshore, enjoy a guided hike through Cahuita’s coastal rainforest trails. It’s common to see monkeys, sloths, par rots and many species of birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and more.
Many of our island hikes and nature tours begin at Playa Palenque. This is also your paddle-board launch point, and the spot where we host our is land bonfires, sunset cocktails, and beach picnics. And since the beach is West-facing, you’ll have front row seats to some spectacular sunsets.
Venture off and find the Lost Beach, where the sound of the waves is your only landmark. Or Playa Primera for watching the sunrise over the islands.
The beach at Cala Este is a great spot to explore tidal pools, and then there’s the rocky beaches of Playa Amelia and Playa Ma ria that can be explored during low tide. Take a kayak out to Playa Catalina, the calmest bay on the island, or go for a long jog along Playa Boca Brava.
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is home to the BriBrí, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica.
On this fascinating tour, you’ll travel to the mountains and vis it the Watsi Reservation, where the BriBrí continue to retain their culture, lifestyle and tra ditions.
You’ll learn that the BriBrí maintain a very deep connec tion to cacao. For them, the ca cao fruit is a most precious gift —it contains the soul and the spirit of a woman called Tsuru, who their god Sibö, turned into a cacao plant. In BriBrí tradi tion, only women participate in making the chocolate.
This is one of our most favorite cultural tours in Costa Rica.
Isla Palenque floats in an oceanic wilderness, the Gulf of Chiriqui, where humpback whales migrate from August to October to calve in Panama’s warm, Pacific waters.
Once they’ve been spotted for the first time (usually in Au gust), you’ll likely spot them in the Gulf of Chiriqui until the babies are strong enough to travel North again for the win ter (usually in October).
Catch a glimpse of a colossal, rising momma humpback and her little one while she blows out a 3ft cloud of ocean spray.
You can even spot whales frol icking just offshore from the island’s beautiful beaches, and dolphins often tag along to watch the show.
Ask any well-traveled Costa Rican where they’d go for a long weekend, and 9 out of 10 will say the Caribbean Coast and the funky beach town of Puerto Viejo.
That’s because this side of Cos ta Rica has a particularly re laxed atmosphere. It feels total ly undiscovered in comparison to elsewhere in the country.
Our Most Popular Choice for Families who seek privacy, ample space and easy-going Caribbean Living. What makes our luxury bungalows so special? Our bungalows have history: They were the original homes on Playa Chiquita, rescued and given given a new life as contemporary Caibbean bungalows.
In the spirit of easy-going Caribbean living, each bungalow boasts an indoor-outdoor living and dining space, and private verandas surrounded by lush gardens.
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST
Senda Monteverde is the luxury cloud forest hotel you’ve been searching for. Naure, wildlife & a big dose of adrenaline. You’ll find all the essentials you’d expect from a five star mountain lodge.
Easy access to every Monteverde adventure. Unlimited complimentary hiking access to the neighboring Aguti Wildlife Reserve. The hotel is hidden and private but within walking distance to Monteverde town and a private cloud forest reserve.
In Monteverde, family vacations become adventures of a lifetime. Ziplining was invented here — so there’s no shortage of cloud forest thrills or wildlife encounters to be had.
• Complimentary Admission to the Aguti Wildlife Reserve all year-round
• In-House Activities included. Paper-Making Class, 7 Wonders of Wander, & Back-of-House Sustainability Tour
• Our In-House Guide makes hiking kid-friendly
• Tour Planning Service — activities the easy way
• Small-sized Rubber Boots & Walking Sticks for young hikers
• Hot Cocoa & Marshmallows by the fire pit
• Board Games for afternoons in
• Cooking Classes for Young Chefs
• Wi-Fi Connected, but choose when the devices come out
“Stayed at Senda with the kids for 3 nights and we all had a great time. The hotel orga nized us an adrenaline-filled itinerary — zip lining, hanging bridges, horseback riding, you name it! A week on and the kids are still talking about that zip line!”
— Marissa, UK“Adventure really does await in Monteverde. The concierge organized us some great tours including zip lining which I was nervous about at first but boy did it give us an incredible, beautiful perspective on the cloud forest. Highly recommended!”
— James, UKMonteverde is a destination of bucket list experiences.
This is the birthplace of ziplin ing. Its famous cloud forests are bursting with biodiversity. Its iconic suspension bridges are the longest in the country. Its ecosystems are home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife.
Wondering what to do Mon teverde Costa Rica? Experience the cloud forest by Sky Tram, zipline, tarzan swing, or super man cable. Monteverde’s fa mous canopy tours include miles of cables, multiple platforms and unimaginable views above the clouds. An adrenaline expe rience not for the faint-hearted!
Experience the misty cloud forest from the famous hanging bridges of Selvatura. Walk amongst the biodiverse cloud forest canopy with your guide discovering unique spe cies of trees, ferns and birds that inhabit the upper regions of the forest.
Costa Rica is famous for it’s coffee, and Monteverde pro duces some of the country’s finest. On this tour, you’ll learn all about our coffee history and how we turn bean to cup. If you visit during picking season (Nov-Feb), you’ll even be able to help with the harvest. After enjoying a nice strong brew and traditional ox cart ride, you’ll also visit a chocolate processing center where you can try your hand at roasting and grinding cacao beans. Finish off with a traditional sugar cane master class and a nice sweet glass of pure juice.
Ride through the lush hills of Monteverde on tame, wellgroomed horses. On this escort ed horseback riding tour, you’ll pass through beautiful forest trails, banana and coffee plan tations, and discover an abun dance of flora and fauna along the way. Enjoy breathtaking views in the rolling mountains of Monteverde and watch the sun set in the west over the gulf of Nicoya.
Our property directly backs onto the Aguti Wildlife Reserve. Just hop across our hanging bridge and into a wildlife re serve with majestic, old-growth trees and rare wildlife. Admis sion is complimentary for Sen da guests all year round.
Grab your flashlight and follow your guide through the Cloud Forest after dark. This is an unrivaled opportunity to see a hidden world of frogs, kin kajous, and other bright-eyed creatures.
in your room, you feel like you are living outdoors. The extra-large windows in both the living and bedroom areas provide expansive views of the rich foliage and gardens. As for the bedroom, lying down was like being cud dled in a cloud! The bed was the most comfortable I’ve slept on in years.”
As its own stand-alone bungalow at 123 sq.m (1321 sq.ft), it’s perfect for families, groups of 4, or couples that want to splurge. Accomodates up tto 4 adults + 2 children.
Our Suites & Rooms are dotted across the property in Contemporary Mountain Bungalows.
Some positioned on hilltops with incredible views all the way to the Gulf of Nicoya. Others enjoy amazing windows into the cloud forests.
You’ll have all the privacy, comforts and essentials you’d expect from a luxury mountain lodge.
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Friday – Sunday: 8am — 7pm CST
Monday – Thursday: 7am — 9pm CST
Sunday:
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