Going to be vacationing in June with family. Because of our numbers we rented a house about 20 minutes south of Tamarindo. Once that was settled, and paid for, we realized that a lot of activities were about 2 plus hours away. We would like to see hot springs, rainforest nature hikes, waterfalls. Would a 2 hour drive, 4 in total because we wouldn't do an overnight trip, be awful? Is driving in Costa Rica as easy as the US? Are there any areas closer to Tamarindo where we could get a rain forest experience? We do have a catamaran, snorkeling trip planned but also wanted a land activity. Thank you!

Is there any way to add another destination to your trip? The Arenal/La Fortuna area has what you're looking for. Beautiful hot springs like Tabacon, hiking at the Mistico Hanging Bridges and the Arenal Observatory Lodge, La Fortuna Waterfall. Day trips aren't really that practical since the roads aren't in great shape, things aren't well marked or illuminated, etc. Driving in Costa Rica is not as easy in the U.S.

Thank you volcanogirl, but another overnight destination isn't really an option. There are 15 of us and in order to stay together we got a very big house with a very big rental fee and a non-adjustable time slot. I was hoping that there was an option like the ones you mentioned that gave something of the same experience but being not as grand was just not mentioned in books or blogs. Some of my group are saying that a 2.5 hour, (5 hour total) car ride isn't a big deal while others are protesting being in a car for that long. I was hoping to find a happy medium.

Sorry I'm not familiar with places closer to Tamarindo that have what you're looking for. We haven't been to that area. It's really known for surfing and being kind of Americanized - nick name is Tamagringo. We go to Manuel Antonio for beach time.

Not being familiar with the area of Tamarindo, I decided to look it up, and the first hotel that popped up was La Laguna del Cocodrilo, just a small hotel, but that name surely got my attention. Cocodrilo is Crocadile in Spanish, in case you aren't aware, so beware of where you swim.