If you think an exotic ecotourism vacation conflicts with the notion of an economical trip, check out the Lost Iguana Resort & Spa, set on 120 acres of jungle in central Costa Rica.  Each room at the boutique hotel looks out on the Arenal Volcano—one of the 10 most active in the world, and which is known to dribble boulders and molten lava daily. The resort also offers two pools, a gym and spa and a hibiscus maze. Go off-site and you can take part in rainforest trekking, biking, kayaking, cave-exploring, zip-lining or visiting a butterfy preserve.

Through this fall, the resort is also offering a “Family Jungle Adventure” package, which starts at just $1,990 for a family of four, which is billed as a 50% discount for a 6-night stay. The deal includes:

• accommodations in two adjoining rooms (normally $185/night x 6 nights x 2 rooms = $2,220) 
• all meals, with a kids menu for those  under 14 ($50 x 2 adults + $12 x 2 kids =$124 x 6 days=$744; note that breakfast is included in regular rate)
  
• choice of a volcano hike or private nature tour (worth up to $220)
• two 90-minute spa treatments (worth $240) with free babystitting (another $30)

The hotel's restaurant serves a mix of continental and authentic Costa Rican dishes; the kids’ menu reflects that too, with both chicken fingers, grilled tilapia and arroz con pollo. During June and July, the hotel's Peruvian chef will offer free cooking classes on Mondays and Thursdays.  

Deal or no deal? Add up all the values and a 6-night stay would normally come to about $3,450. By our calculations, you get a 42% savings with this offer—shy of the promised 50% but but still a great deal. Families will love the all-inclusiveness of this package, which includes all your meals and super, no-brainer activities for less than the price of the rooms alone. (And remember we're talking about two rooms—who doesn't love two rooms?)

There are a few extra fees, but even those are reasonable, such as a roundtrip transfer to and from the airport ($100, down from a $300 value). Kids over 14 cost an extra $30 per night, and one extra child under 14 will cost an additional $20 per night. Kids under 4 incur no charges, but a crib or rollaway bed will cost $20 more per night. Add an extra night for the whole family of four and you'll pay $300 more for the two rooms, which again includes all meals.

The offer is valid for travel through November 15. To book, visit the web site, call the hotel directly at 011-506/2267-6148, or email maritzalostiguana@mac.com and mention the Family Jungle Adventure Package.