Costa Rica is being billed as “the” destination for families looking for a summer adventure, with luxury adventure travel experts, Off the Map Travel, developing a new experience designed to put young minds at the centre of their own “Wildlife Documentary” as they will learn about the culture and nature of the region.
Together with a raft of wildlife experiences from the water, land and canopy walkway, the new itinerary also takes the family to a sanctuary for one of the country’s most famous, and slowest, animals – the sloth.
From here kids and parents can not only learn about this amazing animal, but also better understand the effect humans have had on them and the incredible work the sanctuary is undertaking to rescue injured, orphaned and abandoned sloths.
“Originally known as a destination for bird watching, the owners of the sanctuary were handed a tiny abandoned baby sloth in 1992 by some neighbors. All of the zoos and wildlife centres they contacted couldn’t help them, so they named her Buttercup and observed their local wild sloth to help raise her,” said Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “Buttercup is now a symbol for sloth across the country and the first guest at the Sloth Sanctuary that now leads the country in the rescue, rehabilitation, research and where possible release of sloth in Costa Rica.”
The new family tour arranged by Off the Map Travel is not just about wildlife, as the team at Off the Map Travel have teamed up with local organisations and indigenous groups allowing a fascinating insight into the country and its people.
A culturally focused day starts with a visit to a local school to deliver much needed supplies, before heading out to experience the indigenous way of life in the present day through which the family will learn about their artwork, customary dress, medicinal plants and cocoa farming; all topped off by a traditional Maleku lunch.
Available year round the new luxury seven-day itinerary from Off the Map Travel also allows plenty of family time at the hot springs, pools and spas, kayaking, cycling and much more – all included in the trip.
Although the itinerary can be tailored to each family, an example six-night, seven-day, Costa Rica Family Adventure itinerary with Off the Map Travel (www.offthemap.travel) costs from £1385 per person, based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling on a B&B basis. This includes all transfers, accommodation in quality hotels and villas, access to hot springs and leisure facilities; wildlife and cultural trips throughout. Not including flights.
For more information on tailor-made travel itineraries visit www.offthemap.travel; call +44 (0) 800 566 8901
