Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest
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Liberia Airport (LIR) to Hotel: Private Transfer, No Extra StopsYou land at Liberia, a driver meets you at arrivals with your name, and you're driven directly to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle with no stops in between. The rate is fixed before you book, and flight delays don't change the plan — they just adjust when the driver arrives. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and child seats are available on request.Is it for me?Right choice if you land in Liberia without a rental car and want to avoid the taxi stand — the driver meets you at arrivals, the price is locked in, and you arrive at your hotel without negotiating the fare or making unplanned stops.
Tamarindo & Flamingo: ATV or UTV Beach Tour with PickupYou’ll ride ATVs or UTVs from Tamarindo through dry forest trails, cross rivers, spot rare trees, and reach remote beaches like Playa Piratas and Puerto Viejo. A local guide leads the way, sharing stories while you get muddy and laugh more than expected. It’s fast-paced but there are quiet moments too — especially when you finally see those empty beaches stretching out ahead.
Catalina Islands & North Island: 2-Tank Scuba Dive Tour CRYou’ll start your day diving off Flamingo with a local guide, exploring volcanic rock reefs around Catalina Islands & North Island. Expect encounters with tropical fish, rays or maybe even sharks as you descend up to 18 meters deep. Between dives, relax on deck with fresh fruit and cookies before heading back around noon — it’s those quiet surface moments that stay with you.
Palo Verde: Boat Safari & Farm Lunch with Pottery LessonYou’ll ride a small boat through Palo Verde’s wildest corners with a local guide spotting monkeys and crocodiles, then share a homemade lunch at a riverside family farm—with time to try your hand at pottery using traditional techniques. Expect laughter over tortillas and stories you’ll remember long after you leave.
La Leona Waterfall Hike at Rincon de la Vieja: Swim to the fallsLa Leona waterfall hike at Rincon de la Vieja is a guided rainforest trek that covers 3.3 miles of singletrack trail with elevation gain, cave passages, and a final swim to reach the cascade. The hike takes 3 to 4 hours total, includes entrance fees, dry bags and a life vest, and starts from the operator's office near Curubande, 20 minutes north of Liberia. Children from age 8 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The 3- to 4-hour commitment means you can fit this into a half-day itinerary without eating up the whole morning or afternoon elsewhere. If you're based near Liberia or staying in the region, the timing leaves room for a meal or another stop before or after the hike.
Tamarindo: Surf Lessons with Video Analysis & Coffee BreakYou’ll start your Tamarindo surf lesson learning technique on land before heading into the Pacific for hands-on practice—wiping out is half the fun here! With a certified local instructor guiding you (and video analysis after), you’ll laugh at mistakes over coffee and leave feeling braver than when you arrived.
Liberia Airport to Guanacaste: Private Transfer, Drinks & Flexible PickupYou’ll step out of Liberia Airport to find your driver waiting—no guesswork or stress—and settle into an air-conditioned car with cold drinks on hand. Enjoy small local moments along the way as you head through Guanacaste toward your hotel or rental. It’s simple comfort but somehow feels personal—especially when someone else is keeping track of time for you.Is it for me?Your driver meets you at baggage claim with a sign—no hunting for taxis or waiting around after landing at Liberia.
ATV Beach and Mountain Tour near Playa Flamingo: Ride the CoastAn ATV Beach and Mountain tour near Playa Flamingo takes you on a two-hour ride starting from Playa Brasilito, covering white sand beaches and coastal viewpoints with a local guide, helmet and hotel pickup included. The guide speaks English or Spanish, children from age 6 are welcome, and a minimum of two people per booking is required. Hotel pickup serves Conchal, Flamingo, Brasilito and Potrero areas.Is it for me?Ride the Flamingo coastline and mountain viewpoints in a morning—your guide navigates while you control your own pace between stops.
Gold Coast Catamaran Snorkeling & Sunset Sailing TourA 4.5-hour catamaran snorkeling and sailing tour departing from Playas del Coco along Costa Rica's Gold Coast, with time in the water for snorkeling and swimming, followed by a BBQ lunch and open bar as you motor back to shore at sunset. Life vests, snorkel gear and stand-up paddle boards are available; the boat stays anchored in a secluded bay while you're in the water, and those who prefer to stay dry can relax in the shaded main salon or on the open deck. An English or Spanish-speaking guide is included.Is it for me?At 4.5 hours, this tour fits into an afternoon without consuming your whole day—you leave at 1:30 pm and return after sunset, leaving the morning free for other plans. The snorkeling and swimming happen in one anchored bay, so there's no rushing between stops; the pace is leisurely and built around the sail and the light.
Catalina Islands: 2 Dive Trip for Certified Divers & GearYou’ll join a small group of certified divers for two guided dives at different Catalina Islands sites near Tamarindo, with all scuba equipment provided plus snacks and drinks between dives. Expect friendly guides who handle every detail from pickup to gear checks—leaving you free to focus on underwater moments you’ll remember long after you’re back on shore.
Tamarindo Zipline: 10 Cables & Tarzan Swing for Kids 2+You climb into a Guanacaste tree, zip across ten cables through the canopy, swing on a rope between platforms, and take a 23-meter free-fall jump — all while your kids do the same thing next to you. Safety gear and water are included, and the guides walk you through every step. Plan for a few hours in the forest, and expect to be out of breath and grinning when you're done.Is it for me?Right for families with kids 2 and up who want to do something together without anyone sitting it out. The course is paced so younger kids stay safe and older ones get the adrenaline rush — that's what makes it work for mixed ages in one group.
Playa Conchal: Jet Ski Tour & Hidden Beaches with Local GuideYou’ll jet ski along Playa Conchal’s untamed shoreline with a local guide, weaving between secret beaches and rocky islands. There’s time to pause for wildlife spotting (turtles if you’re lucky), plus photos in wild places. Bring your own snorkel if you want to swim—the rest is pure adrenaline and salty air.
Tamarindo & Coco: Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkel & Open BarYou’ll step barefoot onto a spacious catamaran in Tamarindo or Playas del Coco and sail Costa Rica’s Gold Coast with an open bar at your elbow. Snorkel in calm Pacific waters, eat fresh-cooked lunch right on deck, and watch sunset colors spill across the sky as you drift back toward shore—simple pleasures that linger long after you leave.
La Fortuna: ATV Adventure, Mud Mask & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll ride ATVs through muddy rainforest trails near La Fortuna with a local guide, spot massive Watusi bulls by Quebrada Platanillo, visit a small countryside village pulpería, try volcanic mud masks if you want, and relax with snacks at Rancho La Poza before heading back—muddy shoes and all.
Tamarindo Canopy Tour: 7 Ziplines, Hanging Bridge & Tarzan SwingA rainforest canopy tour near Tamarindo with seven ziplines, a hanging bridge, a Tarzan swing and an optional controlled free fall, led by a bilingual guide who briefs you on safety before you start. The tour runs one to two hours and welcomes children from age four; a professional guide and bottled water are included. Morning departures leave at 8:30am or 11am, with afternoon options between 1pm and 3pm.Is it for me?The fixed departure times and bilingual guide mean you book a slot and show up ready to move—no arranging transport or figuring out the safety setup yourself. The tour works for families with young children and for anyone who wants to try the free fall without committing to it beforehand.
Guanacaste: Palo Verde Boat Safari, Pottery & Coffee LunchYou’ll float through Guanacaste’s wild side on a Palo Verde boat safari, spotting monkeys and crocodiles up close before tasting wood-fired Costa Rican lunch. Meet Chorotega artisans shaping ancient pottery by hand and sip fresh coffee with locals — all with easy pickup and a guide who knows every bend in the river. You might find yourself thinking about those moments long after you leave.
Horseback Riding in Samara: Jungle and BeachHorseback riding near Samara takes you through jungle and small village to Buena Vista Beach on a horse matched to your riding level, with a guide in English, Spanish or French. The ride lasts two and a half hours and includes hotel pickup; morning departures leave around 8am and sunset rides around 3pm, though rainy season may shift the route to Samara Beach. Children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Two and a half hours means the ride fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, leaving time for other activities in Samara before or after. The guide's role is to match horse to rider, so the pace stays peaceful whether you have ridden before or never have.
Flamingo Beach: Catamaran Snorkel Tour with Waterslide & LunchYou’ll board a shaded catamaran at Flamingo Beach for a laid-back cruise along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast—with snorkeling gear ready and guides who actually help you spot fish (and maybe turtles). Try the wild waterslide if you’re brave, then refuel with grilled lunch and tropical drinks before drifting back under the afternoon sun.
Rincon de la Vieja: Zipline, Horseback & Hot Springs Day TourYou’ll zipline above rainforest at Rincon de la Vieja, cross hanging bridges with your guide pointing out wildlife, ride horses through forest trails and taste Costa Rican snacks before sliding down a jungle waterslide. After lunch, hike to Salitral waterfall then unwind with volcanic mud baths and hot springs—ending your day feeling both wild and peaceful.
Costa Rica: Tamarindo Monkey Jungle Zipline & Wildlife SightingYou’ll fly through Costa Rica’s jungle canopy on a zipline near Tamarindo, spotting monkeys and birds along the way with a local guide leading you safely through each platform. Expect earthy smells, laughter, and fresh fruit at the finish—plus that little burst of pride when you finally touch ground again.
