Brian and I have traveled to Costa Rica twice before and we were very excited to share it with my father, brother, and cousins. Costa Rica should be at the top of any family travel list, due to safety, variety, and beauty. After spending over a week exploring both the rainforest and the Pacific coast, we can confidently say it exceeded every expectation. With 18 family members ranging from a baby to older adults, planning wasn’t simple—but it turned out to be a great option for our extended family.
Our itinerary combined adventure, relaxation, incredible food, and plenty of family time. If you’re planning a large group trip, here’s exactly how we did it.
Fly Into Liberia, Then Head to Arenal
We flew into Liberia (LIR) and immediately made the scenic 2.5- hour drive to the Arenal Volcano area. The drive is adventurous with many turns and potholes and gives you your first glimpse of Costa Rica’s lush countryside.
Where to Stay in Arenal
One thing we highly recommend is staying at a resort with natural hot springs. After long adventure-filled days, soaking in the thermal waters is the perfect way to relax.
Our favorites:
Nayara Resorts – If you’re looking for an adults-only luxury escape, Nayara is hard to beat. The service, rainforest setting, yoga, massages, and private hot springs make it one of our favorite resorts anywhere. https://nayarasprings.com/
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – Probably the most famous hot springs resort in Costa Rica. The thermal river winds naturally through the beautiful jungle landscapes, and their spa is incredible. https://www.tabacon.com/
Baldi Hot Springs Resort – Perfect for families. Baldi has dozens of thermal pools, swim-up bars, restaurants, and waterslides. Just a word of warning—the slides are not for the faint of heart! They even post warnings recommending that guests over 55 avoid one of the slides.
Day 1: Rainforest Adventures
We couldn’t wait to get into the rainforest.
Many visitors choose either the Mistico Hanging Bridges or one of the area’s famous zipline tours. Both are excellent ways to experience the rainforest canopy.
Afterward, we visited La Fortuna Waterfall. The short hike (580 steps) is well worth it, and the waterfall is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica.
To finish the day, we joined the locals at El Salto Rope Swing, where adventurous visitors leap into the refreshing river below. It’s free, fun, and makes for unforgettable memories.
Day 2: The Best Adventure of the Trip
If we had to choose one activity that everyone should do, it would be Pure Trek Canyoning.
We’ve been on adventures all over the world, and this was easily one of the most fun experiences we’ve ever had. You’ll rappel down a waterfall that is 170ft, you freefall on the monkey drop, and you jump off a cliff for the last rappel in a beautiful setting.
After working up an appetite, we spent the afternoon relaxing at Baldi Hot Springs. Their thermal pools are perfect after canyoning, and they have an excellent lunch area along with a great swim-up bars. https://www.baldihotsprings.cr
Day 3: Volcano Views and Natural Hot Springs
Our final full day in Arenal started with an ATV tour (or side by side) through Outback Adventures. https://outbackquads.com/
The trails offer incredible views of Arenal Volcano, old lava flows, rivers, and surrounding farmland. It’s a great way to explore parts of the area you wouldn’t otherwise see.
That evening we visited El Choyin Hot Springs, located just outside Tabacón. Like Tabacon resort, these hot springs flow naturally through the river and are free to visit. Sitting in naturally heated water surrounded by the rainforest was the perfect way to end our stay in Arenal.
On to Tamarindo
Next came the longest drive of the trip—about four hours to Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast.
After navigating some rough roads, we arrived at what may be our favorite VRBO rental ever.
The Perfect Beach House for Large Families
We stayed at Casa Blanca, a VRBO beachfront home near Tamarindo, and it was absolutely perfect for our group of 18.
What made it so special?
The house includes three full-time staff members who are there daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Every morning they prepared an incredible breakfast, followed by fresh lunches. They kept drinks flowing throughout the day, handled daily housekeeping, and even took care of laundry. It truly felt like staying at a private resort.
We also arranged for dinner to be prepared at the house three evenings, and every meal was outstanding. Those dinners around the table became some of our favorite memories from the trip.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
One day we headed to Flamingo Beach for scuba diving and snorkeling.
While the water experience wasn’t the best due to a wind and waves, it also wasn’t ideal for our group due to the age differences.
We had expected a private boat but instead ended up on a large, crowded vessel with only a private guide. If we were planning this trip again, we’d absolutely book a true private charter. It would have been much more relaxing and flexible for a multigenerational family.
Heading Home
The drive from Tamarindo back to Liberia Airport took less than two hours, making departure day easy and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica offered everything we were hoping for: thrilling adventures, relaxing hot springs, stunning beaches, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable time together as a family.
Splitting the trip between the Arenal rainforest and the beaches near Tamarindo gave us the best of both worlds. From rappelling waterfalls and ATV rides to soaking in natural hot springs and enjoying home-cooked meals overlooking the ocean, every day brought something new.
If you’re planning a multigenerational family vacation, this itinerary strikes the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. We would do this exact trip again in a heartbeat.
Other options:
In a prior trip, we visited Manual Antonio National Park. If you have more time or want to see a different area, I highly recommend. It consists more of cliffs overlooking beautiful beaches and the Pacific Ocean.
Roaming with Rowan 