12 Unforgettable Costa Rica Excursions for Families (Our Favorite Adventures After 10 Days in Paradise)
Costa Rica completely exceeded our expectations. Between volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, and adventure activities, our family of eight packed more unforgettable memories into 10 days than we thought possible! We may have overdone it, LOL, but we wanted to try it ALL and be able to share all of it with you! Bit of info: my boys are 16, 13, 10 and 8 and we felt like all these activities were super fun for everyone- even their grandma came on all the adventures!
If you’re planning a family trip to Costa Rica and wondering which excursions are actually worth your time and money, these are the adventures we still talk about months later.
1. Canyoning & Waterfall Rappelling – La Fortuna (Our Favorite Excursion in Costa Rica-maybe anywhere?!)
*CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE EXACT ONE WE DID*
Out of everything we did in Costa Rica, canyoning and waterfall rappelling might have been the most fun we had…and maybe anywhere we have beenānot just Costa Rica. Also, it included a authentic lunch!
The guides were phenomenal with our kids from the very beginning. Once we were all suited up we rappelled down easy drops, leapt into refreshing pools, and rappelled through narrow gorges surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest. The highlight of the tour is the waterfall called “Infinity Waterfall”-a gorgeous waterfall rappel of 230 ft where you will graduate as a professional Costa Rican rappeller. At the end they served a great authentic Costa Rican lunch.
The entire experience felt adventurous while still being incredibly safe and well-organized. Our kids were grinning from ear to ear the entire time, and we kept looking at each other saying, “This is SO much fun.”
2. TabacĆ³n Hot Springs- La Fortuna
*CLICK HERE TO BOOK A DAY PASS TO THIS PIECE OF HEAVEN*
The famous TabacĆ³n Hot Springs completely blew our minds. They’re a slice of heaven. So lush. So beautiful. So relaxing and no sulphur stank like other hot springs we have been to.
(Pro tip: We stayed at this resort for FREE. I know, I know. It’s the truth, we have a killer points and miles strategy and opening the right credit card gave us 3 free nights + free breakfast + upgrades and late check out and alllll the time in the world at the hot springs was included…the stay would have cost over $2,500 out of pocket!)
If you’re traveling with adventurous kids, this place is incredible. Our kids spent hours climbing, exploring, and following the natural hot spring streams throughout the property. Nobody complained or told them to stop exploring. It was the perfect temperature, we never got too hot or too cold.
They also provide towels, locker rooms and showers, making the entire experience easy and comfortable. We can’t wait to return someday.
3. Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Tour- La Fortuna
A guided tour of the Mistico Hanging Bridges was one of our favorite low-key adventures in Costa Rica. Having a guide was awesome because half the wildlife we would have never spotted on our own and we learned all about the birdlife, monkeys, reptiles, and tropical plants. He taught us fun facts about the area’s rich biodiversity as we explored different levels of the rainforest, from floor to canopy
We highly recommend requesting Jose Raul if he’s available. He was fantastic. He carried a telescope that allowed us to see animals hidden deep in the trees and even took incredible photos through the scope using our phones.
The bridges gradually climb higher into the rainforest canopy, giving you incredible views of both the jungle and Arenal Volcano.
This was a perfect combination of relaxation, wildlife viewing, and adventure.
4. Rio Celeste River Tubing- 1.5 hr from La Fortuna
*BOOK OUR EXACT EXCURSION HERE*
Before we talk about the tubing, can we talk about the color of the water?! The Rio Celeste is the most unreal shade of creamy turquoise blue we’ve ever seen in fresh water. It honestly looks photoshopped. It is a result of local volcanic reactions in the water, super cool.
Our guides helped us get all suited up with life jackets and helmets and then linked all of our tubes together, they stayed clipped to us the entire trip, which made it perfect for families.
The guides frequently stopped so our kids could rope swing, jump from cliffs, and explore.
The experience was a perfect mix of exciting rapids and peaceful floating sections. Once again, the guides were exceptional with kids and made the entire adventure unforgettable.
5. El Salto Rope Swing- La Fortuna
If you’re looking for an awesome free activity near La Fortuna, don’t skip El Salto Rope Swing.
Yes, it gets busy. But despite the crowds, our kids were able to swing over and over again, jump off the surrounding rocks, and spend hours having fun.
It’s one of those simple experiences that ends up becoming a trip highlight.
And did we mention it’s free?
6. La Leona Waterfall – 2 hr from La Fortuna
*BOOK OUR EXACT GUIDED HIKE HERE*
Like the Rio Celeste, the water at La Leona Waterfall is unlike anything we have ever seen. It looked more like the Caribbean than a freshwater river hidden in the rainforest…incredible.
Our guides got everyone geared up with a small life jacket and were once again fantastic with our kids. Everyone in Costa Rica was happy, loved our big family and seemed so happy we were there. A few tips before you go:
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
- If you forget them, they sell water shoes at the trailhead.
- Snacks, drinks, and water are available for purchase.
- Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys along the trail.
- There is a little lunch place right next door that did the trick after the hike
The adventure itself felt like something out of a movie. We crossed streams, swam through narrow canyon sections, and worked our way upstream until we reached the powerful La Leona Waterfall. Standing beneath that waterfall surrounded by neon-blue water mist and rainforest scenery was one of the most beautiful experiences of our entire trip.
7. Rainforest Night Walk – La Fortuna
*BOOK OUR EXACT NIGHT TOUR HERE*
One evening we met up with Jose Raul again for a guided rainforest night walk. This was a super unique experience and have never done anything like this while traveling.
At the start of the walk, everyone received a flashlight. Jose taught us how to properly use the lights to spot wildlife hidden throughout the rainforest after dark.
We saw:
- Vipers
- Tree frogs
- Glass frogs
- Toads
- Monkeys
- Insects and creatures we’d never seen before
Many of the animals we encountered were species we’d only ever seen in documentaries or National Geographic. The rainforest truly comes alive after sunset and my kids were in creepy crawly heaven.
8. Chocolate Class & Farm Tour – La Fortuna
*BOOK THIS CHOCOLATE TOUR WE LOVED HERE*
This was equal parts educational and delicious. We learned how cacao grows, how it’s harvested, and how it transforms from a cacao pod into chocolate.
Then we got to make our own chocolate from scratch.
Everyone customized their chocolate with ingredients like:
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Sea salt
- Coffee
- Sprinkles
While our chocolate cooled, we toured the farm and learned about local plants, fruit trees, and indigenous crops.
One of the highlights was making fresh sugarcane juice by hand.
This was one of our favorite family-friendly activities in Costa Rica.
9. Stand Up or Your $ Back Surf Lessons – Tamarindo
*BOOK THESE SUPER FUN SURF LESSONS IN TAMARINDO HERE*
These surf lessons were fantastic!
The company offers a “stand up or your money back” guarantee, and all four of our kids were surfing by the end of the lesson and now they are obsessed.
Before entering the water, instructors spent time on the beach teaching proper technique and helping everyone determine whether they were regular or goofy-footed.
Once in the water, multiple instructors worked with students to help them catch waves. The lessons included surfboards, rash guards, and plenty of personalized instruction and the coaches were super funny and patient.
Watching our kids successfully surf wave after wave was one of the coolest moments of the trip.
10. Baby Sea Turtle Release – 30 mins from Tamarindo
Verdiazul website for more info!
Verdiazul is a small nonprofit organization south of Tamarindo that protects sea turtles and helps release hatchlings into the ocean. I found them on Instagram and they sent me an invite to their WhatsApp group. Around 3:30 PM, they will send a message if hatchlings are available for release that day. If you don’t receive a message, there simply aren’t any turtles to release.
Releases typically happen around 5:00 PM, so it’s best to stay nearby and be flexible.
For $15, you can receive a coconut shell containing a baby sea turtle and personally release it into the ocean. Watching those tiny turtles make their way toward the waves was one of the most emotional and memorable experiences of our trip. I still get emotional thinking about it.
So so special.
11. Skyline Canopy Zipline Tour – Tamarindo Area
*BOOK OUR FAVE ZIPLINE TOUR HERE!*
We’ve done zipline tours all over, and Skyline Canopy Tours might have been our favorite.
This wasn’t just ziplining.
The course included:
- A Tarzan swing
- A free fall experience
- Multiple thrilling ziplines and obstacle courses
- Incredible rainforest views with monkeys in the trees
It was very well organized and ran like a machine. All the employees were fantastic and helpful.
If your family enjoys adventure, this one is an absolute must.
12. ATV Tour Through the Costa Rican Countryside – Tamarindo Area
*BOOK OUR ATV TOUR WE LOVED HERE*
We booked this ATV tour through Skyline Canopy Tours just like the zipline course, and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun experiences of the trip.
We drove through rainforest trails, farmland, rivers, and muddy backroads while sampling unfamiliar tropical fruits directly from trees along the route.
By the end we were completely filthy. And it was amazing.
My 16-year-old son was in absolute heaven driving through giant puddles and splashing through creek crossings. Every time we thought we couldn’t possibly get more hot and sweaty, we’d hit another water crossing and cool off. We had dirt everywhere imaginable and laughed once we saw our faces at the end:)
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a Costa Rica family vacation, these are the excursions we’d book again without hesitation.
Costa Rica offers the perfect combination of adventure, wildlife, relaxation, and family-friendly experiences. Whether you’re rappelling down waterfalls, floating down turquoise rivers, releasing baby sea turtles, or soaking in volcanic hot springs, these are the kinds of experiences your kids will remember forever.
And honestly? So will you.