7 Unforgettable Days in Costa Rica: A Perfect Family Adventure

While most travelers default to San José, we flew into Liberia (LIR) instead. This single choice saved us hours of driving and put us closer to both our destinations, especially when we departed.

Upon landing in Guanacaste, our pre-arranged driver greeted us with cold towels and bottled water. The 3-hour drive to La Fortuna might sound daunting, but it became part of the adventure. As we wound through the mountains, my kids pressed their faces to the windows, mesmerized by their first glimpse of Arenal Volcano emerging through the clouds. The dramatic landscape shift from dry Guanacaste to lush rainforest kept everyone captivated.

Insider stop: Café & Macadamia

Halfway through our journey, we stopped at Café & Macadamia in the Arenal area. Overlooking Lake Arenal with Arenal Volcano as our backdrop, we enjoyed some of the most incredible scenery I’ve ever witnessed. The food was exceptional, and seeing my kids’ jaws drop at the view reminded me why I love planning these transformative moments.

Days 1-3: Tabacón Thermal Resort, our La Fortuna base

Arriving at Tabacón felt like entering a tropical paradise. Refreshing beverages, scented towels, and golf cart transfers through lush gardens set the tone for intimate luxury.

Our volcano view room

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Arenal Volcano perfectly. Daily wildlife viewing—toucans at breakfast, sloths in trees—captivated even our screen-loving teens.

Thermal springs magic

Within hours, we were floating in volcanic-heated mineral pools (98–103°F). My kids loved jumping between temperature zones while adults found bliss in garden-surrounded pools with cascading waterfalls. Pure relaxation like we’d never experienced.

Pro tip: The springs are magical when evening-illuminated, but mornings offer the best wildlife viewing.

Jacamar Naturalist Tours delivered our most memorable day. The Mistico Hanging Bridges offer otherworldly rainforest canopy perspectives.

Wildlife encounters

Suspended above the forest floor, we spotted red-eyed tree frogs, slow-motion sloths, and heard thunderous howler monkeys.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Our biggest challenge - 400+ steps down and up through rainforest. That was quite a workout for me, but the kids enjoyed it and didn’t even complain.

The day concluded at Jacamar’s private farm with a traditional Costa Rican lunch overlooking organic gardens—an authentic cultural immersion that resort dining can’t provide

Honestly, flying through the treetops terrified me. But watching my teenagers embrace challenges inspired me to push past my comfort zones.

Ziplining became our trip’s absolute highlight. That first launch was terrifying, but by the third line, we were whooping with joy. Watching my kids’ confidence soar while they encouraged me through my fears created bonding moments that transcended typical family dynamics.

La Fortuna evening exploration

We explored downtown, dining at Tierra Mia Restaurante, followed by Chocolate Fusión—an artisanal shop where kids watched cacao transform into incredible treats. The handcrafted bonbons were divine.

Our 3-hour drive to Guanacaste’s Pacific coast offered reflection time before beach relaxation. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo felt like discovering a hidden clifftop gem.

Beach club bliss

Instead of the main resort beaches, we chose the exclusive beach club. Daily boat shuttles across the bay became adventures - spotting fish in crystal-clear waters. Pristine beaches and calm waters create perfect environments for active teens and relaxation-seeking adults.

Culinary excellence

Chao Pescao delivers our most memorable dining experience. Delicious tapas, innovative presentations, and live entertainment keep restless teenagers engaged. The catch-of-the-day ceviche was exceptional.

Our Rio Celeste full-day tour provided experiences we discuss months later—a spectacular hidden gem requiring local expertise for authentic discoveries most tourists miss.

Coffee farm to Rio Celeste

Learning bean-to-cup production from local farmers gave us an agricultural heritage appreciation. Even coffee-averse kids tried their first tastes of the incredibly smooth local brew.

Rio Celeste’s magic

Nothing prepared us for these stunning turquoise waters. Volcanic minerals mixing with river water create the most incredible blue color in nature. After marveling at the waterfall and hiking the lush trails, we swam in a separate area - like swimming in liquid sapphires, absolutely speechless.

Authentic lunch

Traditional soda in Upala provides genuine Costa Rican flavors without the tourist markup. Casado plates gave us cultural immersion, separating memorable trips from typical vacations.

Sloth sanctuary

Observing rescued sloths in their rehabilitation habitat reinforced Costa Rica’s conservation commitment. My kids left with a deeper environmental awareness and a genuine passion for protecting wildlife.

Our final days epitomized the perfect family vacation balance. The kids enjoyed infinity pools and beach activities while adults savored quiet wildlife moments - howler monkeys, colorful tropical birds, sunbathing iguanas, and exploring coati families.

Even screen-loving teenagers found themselves captivated by natural encounters throughout our stay.