Costa Rica Family Trip: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Coral Reefs - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Rincón de la Vieja, Soak in the Río Negro Hot Springs

Welcome to Costa Rica! You'll touch down in Liberia, the northern hub of Guanacaste, an area famous for its Pacific beaches and inland mountainous regions. Upon arrival, meet your driver and set off on a private transfer about 40 minutes north to the edge of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, home to the massive volcano of the same name. On the drive up the Pan-American Highway, you can take in the beautiful scenery, including the flatlands of the Guanacaste savanna, before reaching your hotel and settling in.

Later in the afternoon, you'll refresh after your flight with a soak in the hot springs of Río Negro. Meet your guide for a short walk to the river, where you'll be welcomed by a series of 10 pools on each bank, connected via a suspension bridge. Rich in minerals and heated by the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, the pools range from slightly warm to very hot. There are 10 different pools to choose from, and you and the kids can have fun applying the rich volcanic mud as facial and body masks before jumping in the river to cool off! 

Day 2: Rincón de la Vieja National Park Waterfall Hike

See more of Rincón de la Vieja National Park on a guided nature walk. You'll meet with your guide and set out on the 2-mile (3.2 km) Las Pailas trail, a loop that takes you through the dry forest for the best views of the volcano. Your guide will regale the kids with the legends and history surrounding the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, and pause at lookout points along the way.

This is also a prime setting for wildlife spotting, including tropical birds, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, white-nosed coatis, and various types of monkeys. When you finish your hike, you'll be ready for a refreshing swim in the Oropendola Waterfall. It's located a short walk from the park entrance, on a trail that winds along the Río Blanco (White River), plunging an impressive 82 feet (25 m) into a bright turquoise pool.

Day 3: Hike Along the Río Celeste, Finca Verde Nature Farm Visit

Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park today, home to the Tenorio volcano and the pristine waters of the Río Celeste. Your driver will collect your family in the morning for the drive to the park, where you'll meet your guide and begin your hike along the river, considered one of the region's most beautiful natural attractions. Marvel at the electric-blue waters, green forests, and the rising volcano in the distance, then stop at the Río Celeste Waterfall and visit the nearby natural hot springs. As always, be on the lookout for birds, monkeys, and other wildlife that might be hanging out in the trees above! 

If the kids still have energy after the hike, stop by nearby Finca Verde Farm and set off on another short walk to spot natural wonders such as tropical plants and flowers, birds, sloths, frogs, snakes, and insects. Along the way, you'll learn fascinating facts about the life cycle of butterflies and the day-to-day practices of organic farming, before transferring back to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon at your leisure.

Day 5: Río Tempisque Wetlands Experience

Venture inland today for a guided excursion to the private waterways of Hacienda El Viejo, located about an hour east of the coast. The kids will love cruising along the biodiverse wetlands of the Río Tempisque, where there's a great chance of spotting endemic wildlife (including crocs!). Afterward, you'll stop by the family-operated estate's distillery to learn about the rum production process, from sugar cane juice extraction to distillation to aging. Little ones can taste sweet sugar cane juice while adults sip a cocktail made with aged Sabandí rum, before sitting down to a lunch of traditional, home-cooked fare. 

Back on the coast, you could spend the rest of the afternoon hopping between some of the region's loveliest stretches of sand, including lesser-visited spots like Playa Ocotal. This black-sand beach is perfect for travelers looking to ditch the crowds and experience a more local vibe. With clear blue waters and two rocky reefs on either side of the beach, it's also an ideal spot for snorkeling. At low tide, you can even explore the reefs from above by walking along the neighboring rocks.

Day 6: Transfer to Sámara, Afternoon Beach Time

The final leg of your journey begins today, as you set off on a 2.5-hour transfer down the coast to the laidback surf village of Sámara. Located on the southern coast of the famous Nicoya Peninsula, Sámara is a small and sunny town with pristine beaches that have become popular among laidback travelers and surfers. Once you've checked in at your accommodations, make it a beach day with a visit to Playa Sámara. 

The beach sits right in the center of town, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shopping, and is popular with locals and tourists alike. The gentle surf makes it perfect for the little ones to practice their swimming, and older kids can try their hand at surfing or paddleboarding. Adults can relax with a beverage while the kids play, and after sunset, enjoy an easy walk back to your hotel. 

Day 7: Kayak & Snorkel Around Isla Chora

Enjoy more beach time this morning on Playa Sámara, letting the kids burn some energy and maybe grabbing breakfast or coffee at one of the local restaurants. After that, it's time for an ocean adventure, as your family takes to the seas via paddleboard or kayak. With the help of a guide, you'll set out for the petite Isla Chora, a 25-45 minute paddle across the lagoon from Sámara.

Once there, don a mask and fins to snorkel around the reefs (keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles!). Then, take a seat on the beach and relax with some well-earned snacks and beverages, and be sure to check out the local iguanas as they sun themselves on the hillside. After three hours of island fun, you'll paddle back to Sámara. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the town's golden sands. If you like, you can book a private family surfing lesson and hit the waves. 

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