You’re here and that means you’re looking for things to do in Guanacaste with kids. And while that usually means the beach areas – everywhere from about Samara north through Nosara, Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and into Playas del Coco – it can also head inland to Guanacaste’s volcanoes and mountains, tropical dry forest and savanna.

At Blue Zone Experience, we live here, in Guanacaste. (And some of us also have kids! We get it.) And, we have some experience in finding activities that please, delight, and even thrill kids and their parents. And there are a lot of those activities.

So, this is probably part one of a who-knows-how-many-parts? series. Because our province is vast, our biodiversity is great, and our terrain is so varied that there are nearly infinite places to see, experiences to have, and things to do in Guanacaste.

We’ll start with a round dozen:

1. Go Surfing

Whether you wipe out together or catch a wave together, you and your family will create memories (and a bit of muscle) as you tackle Guanacaste’s famous waves, together!

While seasoned surfer families can rent boards by the day or for the duration of your stay, if you’re not confident, we recommend a surf lesson. The region’s seasoned pros will not only show you where to surf – yes, even if your family includes both experienced boarders and brand-new beginners! – but also how to tackle the region’s barrels and breaks. 

2. Lounge on the Beach (& Build Sandcastles)

Family vacations in Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without a day hitting the beach. And my, do we have a lot of them! No matter where you stay, you’ll be within an easy drive of dozens of miles of beaches – many, where you’ll be the only people on the sand.

Make a day of it and pack a picnic, your sandcastle tools, and plenty of sunblock!

3. Visit an Animal Rescue Sanctuary

If you have tree-hugging, fact-loving kids, they may already know that in 2014, Costa Rica became one of the first countries in the world to ban zoos. What they may not know is that you can still guarantee a few animal sightings – only at a rescue sanctuary, not a zoo!

And indeed, there are several animal rescues and wildlife sanctuaries that you can visit in the area. In fact, it’s one of our favorite things to do in Guanacaste, especially with kids. Not only will you learn about animal rescue efforts and conservation, but you can also spot sloths and mingle with monkeys!

4. Go Sailing

One thing about a family vacation: not everything should be high-adrenaline, high-energy, or high-octane. Sometimes, you just need to program in a rest day. Sometimes, that rest day happens at home (especially when “home” is an upscale family vacation rental!) And other times, that rest day happens on a luxury sailboat.

Yep, you read that right: In Costa Rica, in Guanacaste, you and your family can enjoy your downtime on a tricked-out catamaran or sailboat. Pair it with dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling, sun lounging and, if you choose the afternoon sail, an epic sunset.

5. Learn What’s SUP

Tackling something new, together, can be one of the coolest, most challenging, and most memorable things you do on vacation.

And that’s where SUP, a.k.a. stand-up paddleboarding, comes in. Part surfing, part balance, part paddling, SUP is a sport that simultaneously challenges your core while granting you access to places and spaces you wouldn’t otherwise explore. So take a lesson or rent some gear, and paddle out into gentle waves (think: swimming waves, not surfing waves), and see what you can see.

6. Bathe in Volcanic Mud

Some of our silliest family memories – and easily one of the top off-the-beaten-path things to do in Guanacaste– reside in the region’s volcanic mud baths.

Yep, they can be stinky. And oh boy, are they messy. But that’s all part of the fun! And as you squish, squelch, and slather your way through the volcanic mud (great for your skin and for a photo op!), know that a shower and natural hot springs are just around the corner!

7. Learn to Ride ATVs

We know we said that sometimes, you just need a break from the family adventures.

But when it’s not that sometime, you’re going to be craving adrenaline. Your kids will be clamoring for adventure. And we’ll be pointing you in the direction of ATVs. An ATV tour is one of those rare, please-everyone kinds of activity, combining off-roading and rip-roaring fun with rugged backroads that lead to incredible sights and even better panoramic views.

8. Fly High on a Canopy Tour

This is a must-have: You and your family cannot come to Costa Rica and not do a canopy tour! Because, yes, there’s a reason (several, in fact) that ziplines are one of the country’s original and still reigning favorite things to do in Guanacaste: They’re epic.

Let’s start by allaying some concerns: If you (or your kids) aren’t total daredevils, no problem. Canopy tours run the gamut from tame to total adrenaline, so you can pick the one that suits your adventure style. From there, gear up (literally) for thrills, nature sightings, ocean views, and a few surprises along the way.

Tip: Our expert travel concierges have flown high on most of Guanacaste’s canopy tours. Not sure which one is right for you? Olber and Kelly will be!

9. Enjoy a Beachfront Sunset & Fire Dancing

Even if you’re staying in an ocean-view vacation home with the most incredible pool deck, we still recommend making your way to the beachfront on at least one night of your vacation.

There’s just something about being right on the beach as the sun goes down, your toes in the sand and in the company of other beachgoers who are doing exactly the same thing you are: staring in awe at one of the most brilliant, so-close-you-could-almost-touch-it sunsets you’ve ever seen.

When it’s over, settle in for a meal at a beachfront restaurant. And be sure to ask us where the fire dancers are currently performing!

10. Kayak into the Wilds

Did you know that the Tamarindo area is home to incredibly biodiverse, wildly interesting mangrove forests? These brackish (part-saltwater, part-freshwater) waters are home to towering mangrove trees and a whole world of wildlife, which you can really only explore by kayak.

And that makes it one of those must-try things to do in Guanacaste – the ones that you do because someone (that’s us) recommended it, but that you then remember forever because it was so very different from everything else you did while on vacation.

If basilisk lizards, herons, and caimans aren’t for you, then you and the kids can also ocean kayak toward the horizon. If you have the stamina and the weather’s right, you may also be able to kayak out to nearby islands! (Be sure to ask us before making plans; ocean kayaking is very dependent on current conditions.)

11. Ride the Jungle Waterslide

Deep in the Guanacaste interior, on the slopes of an active volcano, there is a do-it-all-in-a-day destination that invites you to hike an active volcano, ride horseback, smear yourself with mineral mud (see #6, above), soak in natural hot springs, and ride a volcano waterslide.

It’s the stuff of kid dreams and you’re all going to love it. Plan on a full day, preferably toward the start of your trip (when energy is high); this Guanacaste day trip is a jam-packed, 10-hour day!

12. Take Family Photos

You make take family photos for a holiday card or other yearly milestones, but have you ever planned a photo session while on vacation?

Whether you’re just looking to memorialize a great family vacation or want to take advantage of an extended family or multigenerational vacation, family photos in Costa Rica can be an excellent add-on to your trip. There are so many scenic, beautiful, and downright interesting spots – think tide pools and lookout points, waterfalls, and tropical forests – that you’ll not only take home great pictures, but have a wonderful time capturing them.

Tip: Ask us about our favorite pro photographers in the area. Several specialize in family photo sessions!

What Does Your Next Family Vacation in Costa Rica Look Like?

Whether you’re a family of 3 or an extended group of 18, we’d love to help you plan your next family vacation in Costa Rica. So, let us know: What are your dreams and hopes, your must-haves, and your big wishes for your time in Costa Rica? If it’s possible, it’s our job to make it happen.

Because at Blue Zone Experience, we’ve built our reputation based on 5-star service, select vacation rental homes, and Guanacaste’s best tours and activities. The truth, though? Our true passion is you and your experience. Your family’s experience.

What you may not know is that, when you book one of our homes, you gain access to our free concierge services: on-the-ground expertise, curated tours and transportation options, and a one-on-one with your personal concierge, who will have your back from the moment you begin planning until the day you return home.

So, please, get in touch! We can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!