Just north of Guayabo on route 164, you'll find the art gallery and workshop of Tony Jiménez, a well-known Costa Rican sculptor. His sculptures are created from various woods, obtained from trees that have fallen from natural causes. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the views above his gallery when you've finished your tour! Driving time: 20 minutes.

Thermomania hot springs has seven thermal pools, all at different temperatures, and a water slide — just what you need to keep the kids amused so you can relax. They also have an animal farm where you and the kids can interact with all kinds of animals. There is also a tour of the Miravalles geothermal plant, the Blue Lagoon Falls of Cabro Muco, wind towers and other sights. Driving time: 20 minutes.

Yökö offers four thermal pools, all at different temperatures and one with a slide, a kiddie pool, two jacuzzis, and a sauna bath. They also have ramps for people with physical limitations. Driving time: 20 minutes.

Las Hornillas (the burners) Volcanic Activity Center provides a tour that takes you to the rain forest at the Miravalles Volcano. This is the only live volcano in Costa Rica where you can walk around its crater and experience the steam rising out of its boiling cauldrons. Once you are at the crater, you can bathe in the bubbling mud pools (they take some mud out and let it cool first), or in the bubbling water pools. Also provided is a horseback ride (you can optionally be transported in a 4x4 pickup, or you can walk) to the Miravalles Volcano Private Reserve, where you can experience a 30-minute hike through the primary rainforest. During the hike, you'll encounter safe hanging bridges and winding trails with sheer drop-offs towards the Escondida waterfall. Driving time: 30 minutes.

Llano de Cortes (Level of Cuts) is a beautiful waterfall near Bagaces. About 4km west of Bagaces you turn left off of the InterAmerican highway onto a dirt road. Look for the sign on the right and a pulperia on the left-hand side of the road. Follow the bumpy road about 1.3km (0.8m) to reach a parking lot. From there, you follow a steep path to the pool at the bottom of this 50-foot waterfall. You must have a four-wheel drive vehicle in the wet season. Driving time: 45 minutes.

Safaris Corobici provide river rafting trips daily between 7am and 4pm. Trips include a 2-hour float, a 3-hour "Birdwatchers Special", and a half-day float (18km). You'll find them at KM193 on the InterAmerican Highway just past the bridge over the Corobici River. Driving time: 1.5 hours.

Located off the InterAmerican Highway, just past Safaris Corobici, Las Pumas was created 40 years ago by a Swiss expatriate named Lilly Bodmer de Hagnauer to take in animals who have been affected by development or where captured or injured. Today there are over 80 different animals (22 different species) living in a beautiful natural setting. A donation is requested from those touring the center. It is open daily from 8am to 4pm. Driving time: 1.5 hours.