Discovering Costa Rica - Family-Friendly Activities in Guanacaste & The Northern Region
Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for family vacations, offering a blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. This small country offers a never-ending array of natural wonders that keep visitors coming back. Whether your family is seeking thrilling outdoor activities, immersive wildlife experiences, or simply some time to unwind, Costa Rica has something for everyone.
With sunny and dry weather almost all year and nearly 400 miles of coastline with an array of pristine beaches with black, coral, and golden sand, Guanacaste is one of the favorite regions for international visitors. Guanacaste is the heart of Costa Rican culture, home to the “sabaneros” (Costa Rican cowboys) and traditional sugar cane mills known as “trapiches.” The region is rich in protected areas, encompassing water, land, mountain, and coastal ecosystems brimming with life.
The "Gold Coast" areas, including the Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo, and Conchal, are easily accessible from Liberia Airport (LIR). Guanacaste is also renowned for hosting some of the country’s finest resorts, such as The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo and The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal.
Here are some of the top activities and attractions for families traveling to this beautiful Central American country, specifically in the Guanacaste and Northern Region. We work with local guides to help curate these adventures four our clients.
1. Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic landmarks, and it offers a range of activities perfect for families. Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano, and since July 29, 1968 its lava flows have been consistent.
Located 15 kilometers from Fortuna in the northwest part of Costa Rica, between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range and the San Carlos plains, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most visited destinations in the Northern Zone. Several trails—Heliconias, Coladas, Tucanes and Los Miradores—allow observation of much of the park’s flora and fauna, as well as the remains of lava tracts. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, communication means, restrooms and drinking water.
Take a Dip in an Arenal Volcano Hot Springs - Costa Rica’s sacred mineral waters have been used as therapeutic baths for more than two hundred years to treat rheumatism and other ailments. Relax in a warm bath surrounded by jungle and wildlife after a day of adventure. We highly recommend a visit to the Ecotermales, Pardise, Baldi or Tabacon Hot Springs.
Discover the Forest Canopy by Aerial Tram or Zipline - Take the Aerial Tram or Zipline to see the incredible views overlooking the forest canopy, Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Take an aerial tram to the top of an observation point overlooking the scenic landscape for panoramic views of the region.
Discover Lake Arenal - At the base of Arenal Volcano sits Costa Rica’s largest lake, Lake Arenal. With the impressive volcano as its backdrop, Lake Arenal is sight to see against the picturesque landscape.
Night Walk at Ecocentro Danaus - Take guided night tour if you want to get up close and personal with some of Costa Rica’s most colorful creatures. Your guide will take you through the forest and highly colorful amphibians and reptiles that only come out at night.
Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Hike - Hike through a private nature preserve along maintained trails, a tropical garden, and across a series of fixed and hanging bridges (total of 16) with views of Arenal Volcano.
2. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monteverde is an area of Costa Rica southwest of the iconic Arenal Volcano, in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range.Monteverde is known for its misty cloud forests and incredible biodiversity. Take guided hikes on well-maintained trails to observe diverse flora and fauna, including the famous Monteverde hummingbirds.
Wildlife Watching: Spot exotic wildlife such as quetzals, howler monkeys, and colorful butterflies.
Canopy Tours: Enjoy a thrilling zip-line adventure through the forest canopy.
Night Walks: Experience the rainforest at night with guided tours that reveal nocturnal creatures.
3. Relax In A Thermal Hot Spring
Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs - Enjoy the luxury Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs. The thermal hot springs are well known for helping to relieve stress and tension in both the body and mind whilst detoxing the skin. The 25 different pools vary in temperature from 77°F to 122°F. The hot springs at Tabacon are completely natural, the water is heated underground by magma found in the earth’s core.
Hanging Bridges & The Springs Hot Springs - The Arenal rainforest hanging bridges are located in a 600 acre reserve of primary forest! The two mile trail along 16 state-of-the-art hanging bridges intro- duces you to the forests rich biodiversity. After hiking thorugh the nature reserve, head to The Springs Resort to spend a couple of hours enjoying 18 luxury thermal hot springs with temperatures ranging from 83°F to 103°F.
Ecotermales Fortuna: Relax in natural hot springs suitable for all ages, with pools of varying temperatures set in a tranquil rainforest environment.
4. Experience the Adventure at La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna Waterfall is a breathtaking natural wonder. To observe this splendid 70 meters high waterfall, visitors must pass a path of approximately 530 steps, which offers greater security to its passage and comfortable areas for rest and hydration through a forest with native trees of the area.
Hiking: Hike down the steps to the base of the waterfall for a chance to swim in the cool, clear pool. Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike is a great way to explore and experience this area. Great option if you are already staying at a hotel that has hot springs, but want to see as much as possible in one day. Start your tour with a 2-mile hike through a private reserve with hanging bridges. Then, visit the amazing La Fortuna Waterwall.
Picnicking: Enjoy a family picnic with views of the waterfall and lush surroundings.
5. Surf & Play At The Beach
Tamarindo Beach is a popular destination for surfing, with plenty of opportunities for beginners and experienced surfers alike. The area also offers snorkeling, sport fishing, and a vibrant nightlife. Playa Tamarindo is a popular surfing destination, spread out beside the fast-growing beach town that was once a quiet fishing community, while the neighboring white sands of Langosta Beach are quieter and better suited to swimming.
Relax on beautiful beaches like Playa Flamingo, Playa Hermosa, and Playas del Coco, known for their calm waters and family-friendly atmosphere.
Further south are the beautiful Flamingo Beach and Conchal Beach. The pinkish white sand of Flamingo Beach makes up a large section of Potrero Bay. All of the hotels on Flamingo Beach sit on a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach and ocean below. Conchal Beach, as the name suggests, was once composed primarily of crushed seashells.
6. Go White-Water Rafting on the Pacuare River
The Pacuare River forms the northern border of Central America's most important network of national parks and reserves and offers some of the finest white water in Latin America. Most exotic and scenic rivers in the world. For families with older kids looking for an adrenaline rush, white-water rafting on the Pacuare River is an unforgettable experience.
Rafting Adventures: Navigate thrilling rapids and enjoy the stunning scenery of the river canyon.
Family Rafting Trips: Choose from a variety of rafting tours suitable for families and beginners.
7. Explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Rincón de la Vieja National Park is renowned for its volcanic features, including the active Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and its surrounding geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles. The park is also home to stunning waterfalls, a serene lake, and diverse wildlife.
Visitors can enjoy several hiking trails within the park. One of the most popular is the 1.75-mile Las Pailas loop, which starts at the park entrance and takes you through the bubbling volcanic landscape. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the summit trail is approximately 10 miles round trip and takes about 7 hours to complete. Another notable trail is the La Cangrejo Waterfall and Blue Lake hike, which covers about 6 miles and offers beautiful scenery along the way.
8. Get To Know The Wildlife
* The province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica is very large and encompasses a few different microclimates, from the endangered tropical dry forest by the coast to the jungle and volcanic ecosystems found inland. Guanacaste is an ecotourist’s dream and is the perfect place to visit during your solo or family vacation in Costa Rica. As a habitat to hundreds of species, some animals that make their home in Guanacaste include exotic birds, monkeys, armadillos, iguanas, crocodiles, raccoons, coatis, and pumas.
* The Northern Region is home to the tranquil mountain town of Monteverde and the magical cloud forest where miles of trails guide walkers through tropical rainforest. The cool mist of low-lying clouds and verdant jungle vegetation provide a unique habitat for amazing flora and fauna, like the rare Resplendent Quetzal, monkeys, coatis, sloths, reptiles, and insects.
Sloth Territory Hike - Visit a family-run sloth sanctuary just outside La Fortuna to encounter these charismatic and elusive animals. There are both two-toed and three-toed sloths, either sleeping on trees or hanging out in branches.
Don’t Forget Your - Raingear, camera, binoculars, bug repellent.
Go On A Birdwatching Tour - For bird watchers and nature lovers! Costa Rica is home to more than 850 types of birds, making this country a bird watcher’s dream. The location depends on the season and the best birding options. This is why you should book a tour guide - they will know best and wherever you head there will be an amazing concen- tration of bird life awaiting you.
Wildlife Safari Float - The Safari Float tour is set on the Peñas Blancas River that runs through the Tilaran Mountain range. This half-day excursion is perfect for families and groups looking for a peaceful wildlife experience. Enjoy two hours on a completely relaxing inflatable raft that takes you along the river. Discover the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Spot an array of tropical birds such as toucans, kingfishers, as well as lots of animals like monkeys, sloths, poison dart frogs, caimans and iguanas!
Sea Turtle Nesting - The leatherback sea turtle, the largest in the world, returns to Playa Grande each year to bury its eggs in the sand. Sea turtle nesting times can be difficult to predict so Tours generally occur at night and must be organized with a local guide to preserve and protect these fragile ecosystems and keep the turtles coming back each year.
9. Savor The Local Culture
Go On A Chocolate Tour - This tour is ideal for chocolate lovers of all ages. Visit a local chocolate farm to witness the chocolate making process, from the cacao pod to the chocolate bar. Learn about the history and global impact of chocolate from knowl- edgeable guides. Taste test at every step during production.
Visit A Coffee Farm - Visit a local coffee farm, a model of sustainable ag- riculture. Share in local culture, traditions, customs and authentic life experiences of this area. Learn about coffee production and the role it has played in Costa Rican history and economy.
Take A Cooking Class - There are a few local families that open their doors and their hearts in the community to interact with visitors. You’ll learn about local agricultural prod- ucts such as yucca, tiquisque and mamón chino (rambutan) and other interesting local foods.
10. Visit Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Costa Rica. It encompasses a rich mosaic of over 15 different natural communities, including the deciduous lowland forest, the evergreen forest, the flooded forest, the deciduous limestone hill forest, grasslands and mangroves. The wetlands, which represent some 50% of the park’s area, are a sanctuary for thousands of aquatic birds, both migratory and non-migratory.
*Take a boat tour along the Tempisque River to see abundant birdlife, crocodiles, and other wildlife.
Tips for Traveling with Family in Costa Rica
The best time to travel to the northern area of Costa Rica, including popular destinations like Arenal and Monteverde, is during the dry season, which typically runs from late November to April. Here's why this period is ideal:
Dry Season (Late November to April)
Weather: The dry season offers the most reliable weather, with plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall. This makes outdoor activities, such as hiking, wildlife spotting, and visiting waterfalls, more enjoyable.
Accessibility: Roads and trails are in better condition, making travel and exploration easier and safer.
Wildlife: The dry season is a great time for wildlife viewing as animals are more likely to visit water sources, making them easier to spot.
Green Season (May to Early November)
While the green season, or rainy season, can also be a great time to visit, it comes with some considerations:
Lush Scenery: The landscape is at its greenest and most vibrant, with flourishing vegetation and full waterfalls.
Fewer Crowds: There are fewer tourists, which can mean a more peaceful and intimate experience at popular attractions.
Afternoon Showers: Rain typically falls in the afternoons, so planning activities for the morning can help you make the most of your time.
Special Considerations
Holiday Season: The period from mid-December to early January is particularly busy due to the holiday season, so if you plan to visit during this time, make sure to book accommodations and activities well in advance.
Transition Months: Late November and early May are transition months between the dry and rainy seasons, often offering a good balance of weather and fewer tourists.
Overall, the best time for families to travel to the northern area of Costa Rica is during the dry season from late November to April for the most favorable weather and conditions.
DON’T FORGET…
Pack for all weather conditions: Costa Rica’s weather can vary greatly, so bring clothes for both warm and rainy conditions.
Stay hydrated: The tropical climate can be quite hot, so make sure everyone drinks plenty of water.
Plan for rest breaks: Balancing activity with downtime will help keep the whole family happy and energized.
Costa Rica offers endless opportunities for family fun and adventure. From exploring rainforests and volcanoes to relaxing on beautiful beaches, there’s something for every family to enjoy. Ready to plan your family adventure in Costa Rica? Contact us at The Hello Agency for personalized recommendations and expert travel planning!
