A Ten Day Itinerary in Costa Rica for Families

Costa Rica is one of those rare destinations that truly works for families. It’s safe, easy to navigate, incredibly diverse, and packed with activities that appeal to kids and adults alike. In just ten days, you can experience cloud forests, volcanoes, waterfalls, wildlife, adventure activities, and some of the best beaches in Central America,all without feeling rushed.

This itinerary is based on our family’s real trip through northwestern Costa Rica. We focused on balancing adventure with downtime, keeping drive times reasonable, and choosing accommodations that worked well for traveling with kids. Our route took us through three main areas: La Fortuna (with a stop at Tenorio and Río Celeste), Monteverde, and Tamarindo, with a final waterfall adventure near Liberia before flying home.

The result was a trip that felt full but manageable, active mornings, relaxed afternoons, and enough flexibility to keep everyone happy.

Why Fly Into Liberia Instead of San José

If you’re planning a family trip that focuses on Guanacaste, La Fortuna, Monteverde, or the northern Pacific coast, flying into Liberia International Airport (LIR) is a huge advantage.

First, the airport itself is smaller and easier to navigate than San José (SJO). After a long international flight,especially with kids,this matters more than you might expect. Immigration lines are typically shorter, baggage claim is straightforward, and rental car pickup or shuttle transfers are much quicker.

Second, Liberia dramatically reduces drive times for northern itineraries. From LIR, you’re already close to some of Costa Rica’s best family-friendly destinations. La Fortuna, Rincón de la Vieja, Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and even Monteverde are all significantly closer than if you were starting in San José. Less time in the car means more time exploring,and fewer “are we there yet?” moments.

Finally, flying into Liberia helps you avoid San José traffic altogether. The Central Valley can be congested, unpredictable, and stressful for first-time visitors. Starting your trip in Guanacaste sets a calmer tone right from day one.

Weather and the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica has two primary seasons: dry season and green (rainy) season.

Dry season typically runs from December through April. This is peak travel time, especially for families escaping winter weather. You’ll find sunny days, minimal rain, and excellent beach conditions. The tradeoff is higher prices and larger crowds, particularly around school holidays.

Green season runs from May through November. While there is more rain, it usually falls in the afternoon or evening, leaving mornings clear for activities. The landscapes are lush, waterfalls are at their best, and there are fewer tourists. For families, late May through early August can be a sweet spot,greener scenery, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed pace.

Our trip took place during the early part of green season, and it worked extremely well for a family itinerary. We planned most excursions in the mornings and used afternoons for rest, swimming, or casual exploration. We did get afternoon showers, but nothing that kept us from enjoying the day’s excursions. I was worried in the days before leaving, as the weather forecast said every day would have rain!

Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica & Travel to La Fortuna

After an overnight red-eye flight, we arrived in Liberia in the morning. Rather than heading straight to La Fortuna, we broke up the drive with a stop near Tenorio Volcano National Park. Our driver took us to an amazing breakfast spot, and we got our first taste of Costa Rican cuisine and the pura vida life.

The drive from Liberia toward La Fortuna is smooth and relatively easy, with well-paved roads and and a few places to stop. We took the scenic route to visit Rio Celeste at Tenorio National Park. We arrived in a rain storm, and due to the fast flowing water, it looked nothing like the tropical blue water in the online photos. It was still a great hike with a beautiful waterfall and lots of wildlife.

After continuing on from Tenorio, we arrived in La Fortuna in the late afternoon and checked into Hotel Magic Mountain Spa. The hotel’s central location made it easy to walk to restaurants, visit the market, and get picked up for our excursions. It also had a pool with a beautiful view of Arenal Volcano. There is also a soda (restaurant) right next door with really good Costa Rican food.

La Fortuna is one of the best bases in Costa Rica for families. The town sits at the base of Arenal Volcano and offers an incredible concentration of activities: waterfalls, wildlife, hot springs, adventure tours, and easy access to nearby national parks. We would explore all of this and more in the days ahead.

Day 2: ATV Adventure

We started our first full day in La Fortuna with an ATV adventure, which was a hit with the entire family. After riding ATVs in Croatia, this was my son’s number one request for this trip! Riding through muddy trails, farmland, and forest paths gave us a fun introduction to the area and let everyone burn off some energy early in the trip.

We returned to Hotel Magic Mountain Spa for the evening, enjoying a relaxed dinner and an early night after a full first day of activities.

Day 3: Arenal Volcano, Waterfall, and Hot Springs

This day was a classic La Fortuna highlight reel.

In the morning, we visited the nearby Fortuna waterfall, where we got to hike, cross bridges, and eventually swim to cool off on a humid morning. This waterfall stop is perfect for families because it combines some light hiking with a rewarding destination. Just make sure your kids can swim, or make sure to have a life jacket available for them.

From there, we visited the Arenal Volcano area, walking easy trails and learning about the volcano’s history and geology. The paths were manageable for kids and offered great views without feeling like a strenuous hike.

We wrapped up the day with a visit to the Termalitas del Arenal hot springs water park, which turned out to be the most popular stop for all of the families on our tour!  The combination of warm and cold pools were relaxing after a long day, but it was the water slides that kept everyone occupied for hours.

Day 4: White Water Rafting & Transition Day

Our final day in La Fortuna included white water rafting, an adventure that delivered a lot more excitement than we bargained for. I booked this excursion listed as a class II rapid, but the torrential thunderstorm the night before turned this into a class IV! We were ripping down the river and at times it felt like we were in a washing machine. It was a lot of fun looking back on things, but there were a few moments in that boat that had us all holding our breath.

After rafting, we packed up and prepared for the next leg of our journey. That evening marked our final night at Hotel Magic Mountain Spa, and by then it was starting to feel like a second home.

Monteverde offers a completely different side of Costa Rica. Cooler temperatures, misty forests, and an emphasis on wildlife and conservation make it a perfect contrast to La Fortuna.

Day 5: Travel to Monteverde & Night Hike

We left La Fortuna in the morning and made our way toward Monteverde. The drive takes visitors around Lake Arenal, so we opted to cross the lake on a boat and then have a van take us the rest of the way. This was an amazing way to see a little more of Costa Rica, and minimize our time in cars.

After arriving in Monteverde, we checked into Ficus Sunset Suites, a peaceful property with incredible views. The cooler air and quiet surroundings were a welcome change of pace.

The rest of the day was intentionally low-key, perfect for settling in, enjoying the views, and watching the sunset over the hills. After dinner, we made our way to a night hike, and got a chance to see many of the Monteverde inhabitants that hide out during the day.

Day 6: Monteverde Zip-lining at Selvatura Park

Monteverde is all about immersive nature experiences, and there is no better way to do that then with a zip-lining experience through the rainforest. We spent the day exploring Selvatura Park with ziplines and suspension bridges. This is one adventure that is a little pricey, but worth every penny.

That evening, we returned to Ficus Sunset Suites for our second night, enjoying a quiet end to our Monteverde stay.

After the forests and mountains, Tamarindo delivered exactly what we were ready for: beach time, warm water, and a slower pace.

Day 7: Travel to Tamarindo

We left Monteverde in the morning and headed toward the Pacific coast. As the elevation dropped, the climate warmed and the landscape shifted to dry forest and beach towns.

We checked into Tamarindo Diria, a beachfront hotel that’s especially well-suited for families. Its central location made it easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and the beach, reducing the need for driving.

Day 8: Beach Time & Surf Lessons

This day was all about enjoying Tamarindo. We spent the morning enjoying two hours of private surf lessons on the beach, swimming, and relaxing. We later explored town at an easy pace.

Tamarindo works well for families because everything is accessible. You can structure days with as much, or as little activity as you want, making it a great place to unwind after more active destinations.

Another night at Tamarindo Diria rounded out the day.

Day 9: Horseback Riding

For our final day in Tamarindo, we started with a horseback riding excursion to the amazing Conchal Beach. This was an incredible and memorable way to finish our time in Costa Rica.

Day 10: La Leona Waterfall & Liberia

After breakfast, we had a private shuttle take us towards Liberia International Airport with a brief stop at La Leona. This was one of the most unique experiences of the trip, involving river walking and narrow canyon passages that felt like the perfect adventure to end our time in Costa Rica. We didn’t get to see the turquoise blue water on our first day at Tenorio, but we did get to see it here!

After the hike, we checked into the Hampton by Hilton Guanacaste Airport, which made our final travel day much easier. Staying near the airport eliminated early-morning stress and gave us a smooth end to our time in Costa Rica.

Why This Itinerary Works for Families

This ten-day Costa Rica itinerary strikes a balance that’s ideal for families. It mixes adventure with downtime, limits excessive driving, and showcases three very different regions of the country.

By flying into Liberia, pacing the trip thoughtfully, and choosing family-friendly accommodations, Costa Rica becomes not just manageable with kids, but truly enjoyable. Whether you’re exploring waterfalls, walking through cloud forests, or relaxing on the beach, this itinerary offers a little bit of everything, without trying to do too much.

If you’re planning your first family trip to Costa Rica, this itinerary is an excellent place to start.