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Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 14 La Fortuna Hot Springs
Article last updated on May 28, 2025. Note that an old date may indicate that an update is not required, not that the text is outdated.
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Baldi Hot SpringsEcoTermales Hot SpringsTabacon Hot SpringsSprings Resort Hot SpringsParadise Hot SpringsTitoku Hot SpringsLos Lagos Hot SpringsKalambu Hot SpringsLos Laureles Hot SpringsTermalitas del Arenal Hot SpringsTermales del Arenal Hot SpringsRio Chollin Hot Springs
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Listen to this article on the Costa Rica Travel Podcast on Spotify
Do you prefer listening over reading? This article’s topic is covered in three episodes on the Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Nikki Solano. Click on the images below to listen to the episodes on Spotify.
How do the 13 hot springs in La Fortuna compare to one another?
Episode length: 16 minutes, 10 seconds
Episode description: Nikki details La Fortuna’s public hot spring properties to help you familiarize yourself with—and compare—each. Properties covered in this episode include: the Baldi Hot Springs; the EcoTermales Hot Springs; the Tabacón Hot Springs; the Springs Resort Hot Springs (i.e., the Cascadas Calientes, the Los Perdidos Hot Springs, and the Club Río Hot Springs); the Paradise Hot Springs; the Titokú Hot Springs; the Los Lagos Hot Springs; the Los Laureles Hot Springs; the Kalambú Hot Springs; the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs; the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs; the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs); and the Rio Choyín Hot Springs (a.k.a., mini Tabacon, Tabaconcito, and La Fortuna’s free hot springs; sometimes styled as the Rio Chollin Hot Springs).
Which hot springs are the best in La Fortuna?
Episode length: 14 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode description: Nikki makes it easy to decide which hot springs in La Fortuna is the best to visit by ranking the various properties according to a variety of criteria, including property size, hot spring quantity and variety, cost and value, design and atmosphere, meals served, location, and visitor demographics (child travelers, adult travelers, and local Costa Ricans). Properties covered in this episode include: the Baldi Hot Springs; the EcoTermales Hot Springs; the Tabacón Hot Springs; the Springs Resort Hot Springs (i.e., the Cascadas Calientes, the Los Perdidos Hot Springs, and the Club Río Hot Springs); the Paradise Hot Springs; the Titokú Hot Springs; the Los Lagos Hot Springs; the Los Laureles Hot Springs; the Kalambú Hot Springs; the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs; the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs; the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs); and the Rio Choyín Hot Springs (a.k.a., mini Tabacon, Tabaconcito, and La Fortuna’s free hot springs; sometimes styled as the Rio Chollin Hot Springs).
I’m visiting hot springs in Costa Rica—what do I need to know before I do?
Episode length: 14 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode description: Nikki covers everything you need to know about visiting hot springs in Costa Rica, regardless of the specific hot spring property you choose. Topics addressed in this episode include: what you’ll do at the hot springs and what to expect at the hot springs; eligibility for visiting the hot springs and health-related concerns; hot spring reservations; hot spring operating hours; dining opportunities and meals at hot spring properties; items to pack for the hot springs; hot spring visits and the weather; wildlife-spotting opportunities at hot spring properties; and hot spring hotels.
We’ve experienced all 14 La Fortuna hot springs!
So, you’ve decided to take a relaxing vacation to beautiful Costa Rica. Great! There’s no better way to pamper yourself than by soaking in rejuvenating thermal waters supplied by a volcano. Letting go of stress and allowing your muscles to relax while resting in the steamy pools is easy. Choosing the best Arenal hot springs, however, is easier said than done.
Costa Rica is home to five active volcanoes so it’s no surprise that volcano-fed hot springs are one of the country’s most popular attractions. Thermal-water pools and rivers exist in various areas around Costa Rica (including the Rincon de la Vieja, Orosi, and Chirripo vicinities), but the most well-known hot springs are spread out around the foothills of the Arenal Volcano, just west of the town of La Fortuna.
As one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations, you may already be planning to visit La Fortuna during your trip (don’t miss our related blog post: Must-Know Info About La Fortuna Costa Rica From Longtime Residents). If so, you’ll be pleased to learn that fitting in a visit to one or more of the area’s famous hot springs properties is a quick and easy task to accomplish.
A quick trip down memory lane
We’ve been exploring La Fortuna (and soaking in its hot springs) since the mid-2000s, and we’ve enjoyed watching it grow and tracking its changes ever since. ❤️
Ricky and Nikki at the Baldi Hot Springs in 2008Nikki and Ricky at the Baldi Hot Springs nowRicky and Nikki at the Springs Resort Hot Springs in 2011Nikki and Ricky at the Springs Resort Hot Springs nowNikki at the Baldi Hot Springs nowNikki at the Springs Resort Hot Springs nowour invitation to the Springs Resort when it first opened, back in 2008
About the Arenal Hot Springs
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. There isn’t much to do at any hot springs property in Costa Rica, but that’s part of their appeal. Hot springs encourage complete relaxation, which may be exactly what you need after a long flight or bus ride, a strenuous hike, or a hectic day full of back-to-back adventures.
It’s important to realize that each La Fortuna hot springs attraction is different. Most offer a variety of pools to wade in, each one a different temperature, and you’re welcome to hop between pools as you please. Some properties are large and luxurious; others are small and budget-friendly. Amenities, such as meals, towels, and access to lockers, are included at some properties and are paid for as extras at others. A few properties have bonus features that add to the overall experience, including great customer service, swim-up bars, and in-pool waterfalls you can wade under.
Sorting through the various Arenal hot springs options, especially if you’re in search of the best Arenal hot springs, can be time-consuming. Fortunately, we can help. This article addresses everything you should know about the 14 Arenal hot springs options located in the La Fortuna area of Costa Rica, which include:
Baldi Hot Springs
EcoTermales Hot Springs
Tabacon Hot Springs
Springs Resort Hot Springs (a.k.a., Los Perdidos Hot Springs)
Paradise Hot Springs
Titoku Hot Springs
Los Lagos Hot Springs
Kalambu Hot Springs
Los Laureles Hot Springs
Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs
Relax Termalitas Hot Springs
Termales del Arenal Hot Springs (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs)
Rio Chollin Hot Springs (a.k.a., Mini-Tabacon)
Choyin Rio Thermal Hot Springs
Baldi Hot Springs
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the Baldi Hot Springs. To learn more about the Baldi Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the Baldi Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
The Baldi Hot Springs is one of the most visited hot springs properties in La Fortuna. As one of the first hot springs attractions to be built in town, they’re well known to locals and return travelers. They’re also easy to spot along the main road that skirts around the Arenal Volcano (Road 142) thanks to the property’s large, showy, roofed entrance. Beyond the entrance, there’s plenty that draws visitors in, including 25 thermal-water pools, a sauna/steam room, a Jacuzzi, restaurants, bars, and an interactive kids’ play zone. This is one of the largest and most developed hot springs attractions in Costa Rica, not to mention the one with the most animated vibe.
Part of the appeal of the Baldi Hot Springs is that it’s a place where you can kick back and relax in therapeutic thermal water while conversing with friends or loved ones. If you’re looking for small, quiet, natural-feeling pools you can hole up in for a few hours, Baldi may not be the place for you. This being said, though the Baldi Hot Springs is loved in part for its lively ambiance that caters to social groups, it still provides several calm and intimate-feeling areas that offer pockets of privacy and encourage peaceful relaxation. As you might expect, since the Baldi Hot Springs delivers a multitude of experiences, it attracts all kinds of travelers.
Don’t miss our discounts for the Baldi Hot Springs:
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the EcoTermales Hot Springs. To learn more about the EcoTermales Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the EcoTermales Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
Since 2002, the EcoTermales Hot Springs have been helping La Fortuna locals and visitors reap the rejuvenating rewards of thermal-water soaks. When Ricky and I first started living in La Fortuna, this property was one of only three operating hot springs attractions in town, its only major competitors being the luxe Tabacon Hot Springs (which was significantly more expensive) and the large Baldi Hot Springs (which rivaled EcoTermales in price). Everyone looking to relax at a small hot springs property that wouldn’t dent the wallet ended up at the EcoTermales Hot Springs. Us included.
Now that the Arenal area offers several hot springs attractions that vary in quality and cost, visitors can be more particular about choosing the type of hot springs experience they want to have and sticking to their hot springs budget. If you’re looking for a lively and social space where you can kick back and relax in therapeutic thermal water while conversing with friends or loved ones, EcoTermales may not be the place for you. Part of the appeal of the EcoTermales Hot Springs is that it offers a small property with quiet, natural-feeling pools you can hole up in for a few hours. Though a few other (less expensive) hot springs options in La Fortuna provide the same, the EcoTermales Hot Springs, who have managed to maintain much of their initial monopoly despite the development of competing sites (and arguably inflated rates), remain a popular choice.
Don’t miss our discounts for the EcoTermales Hot Springs:
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the Tabacon Hot Springs. To learn more about the Tabacon Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the Tabacon Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
If you’ve already conducted a bit of research on hot springs options in La Fortuna, you’ve no doubt already heard of the Tabacon Hot Springs. They’re easily one of the most well-known and well-loved hot springs attractions in all of Costa Rica. They also come with one of the highest price tags for hot springs passes, which may have you asking yourself: “What’s so great about the Tabacon Hot Springs?” and “Are they worth the added expense?”
It’s important we clarify some ambiguous information. Through several sources are quick to (erroneously) state that the attraction is Arenal’s only natural hot springs, the more accurate statement is: the Tabacon Hot Springs are the only hot springs attraction in the Arenal area that has a non-pumped (i.e., free-flowing) hot spring river. Like most other hot springs attractions in La Fortuna, the Tabacon Hot Springs also has man-made hot spring pools.
To confirm, all hot springs attractions in La Fortuna are “natural” in the sense that they deliver mineral-rich thermal water that comes from the Arenal Volcano. Some hot springs in La Fortuna pump that water up from the ground into pools. Hot spring pools at inexpensive attractions often resemble swimming pools and hot spring pools at more expensive attractions tend to look like elegant lagoons. A few hot springs attractions around Arenal have a series of connected pools you can soak in where thermal water flows freely from one pool to the next. The Tabacon Hot Springs is one such attraction. What makes the Tabacon Hot Springs unique, however, is that its thermal water reaches the property from above the ground (via a mountain-fed river) as opposed to below the ground (via a pump that taps into an underground spring).
It’s important to reiterate that the non-pumped (i.e., free-flowing) hot spring river at the Tabacon Hot Springs is just that: a river. Though the shape of its in-river pools was created in part with concrete, the majority of the river isn’t artificial. It’s edged by slippery rocks, it has a stony bottom that can sometimes feel slimy (use of water shoes is recommended), and it’s full of fast-moving water. If you’d prefer to visit an attraction with hot springs that are easy to slip into, relax in, and climb out of, you may want to rethink spending extra money on Tabacon. If you’re in search of a paradisaical hot springs experience that invites you to be at one with nature, the raw oasis you’ll find at the Tabacon Hot Springs is unmatched elsewhere in the region.
Springs Resort Hot Springs
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the Springs Resort Hot Springs. To learn more about the Springs Resort Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the Springs Resort Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
If you’ve been researching La Fortuna hot springs options for a while, chances are you’ve already come across the Springs Resort Hot Springs (sometimes cited as the Los Perdidos Hot Springs). Not only are the Springs Resort Hot Springsthe largest and one of the most well-known hot springs attractions in the Arenal area, but they also provide one of the best (if not the best, depending on who you ask) hot springs experiences you can have in Costa Rica. Though the resort sits a 10-to-15-minute drive away from all of the other hot spring sites you could choose to visit, there’s plenty to lure you to the property, including 25 thermal-water pools, a Jacuzzi, restaurants, bars, and an outdoor center that runs a few on-site adventure tours. If you have several wants on your hot springs checklist, including peaceful, lagoon-like hot springs; delicious food and drinks; a beautiful and clean property that delivers comfort and class; the option to participate in on-site tours and activities; and great value for your money, look no further than the Springs Resort Hot Springs.
Don’t miss our discounts for the Springs Resort Hot Springs:
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the Paradise Hot Springs. To learn more about the Paradise Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the Paradise Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
Living in La Fortuna, I remember when the Paradise Hot Springs opened its doors in 2011. At the time, the property seemed to promise a different kind of hot springs experience, or at least that was the buzz going around town. It had only four major hot springs properties to compete with in the area—the Baldi Hot Springs, the EcoTermales Hot Springs, the Tabacon Hot Springs, and the Springs Resort Hot Springs—and it was unique. It was a small and quiet place to enjoy soaking in some thermal-water pools void of the popularity of the Baldi and EcoTermales, and without the cost (and subsequent luxurious touches) of Tabacon and the Springs Resort. It was the Goldilocks in La Fortuna’s tale of touristic hot spring offerings: it was just right.
Fast-forward to the La Fortuna of today, home to at least 14 independent hot springs sites, and you may have guessed that the Paradise Hot Springs now competes with several other hot spring properties for visitors. A few other hot springs properties provide a similar experience to the Paradise Hot Springs by catering to travelers who can’t afford to visit the best hot springs in town but who don’t want to settle for the worst hot springs either. If you’re looking for a decent middle-of-the-road option that provides a hot springs experience that’s considered average for La Fortuna, though the Paradise Hot Springs isn’t your only option, it’s one worth considering.
Don’t miss our discounts for the Paradise Hot Springs:
The Titoku Hot Springs property is a bit unique in that it’s considered the off-site hot springs of Arenal Kioro, a resort-quality hotel in the La Fortuna region. Despite being used almost entirely by hotel guests, the Titoku Hot Springs attraction is open to the public. Choose to go and you’ll find yourself enjoying one of the Arenal area’s smallest, quietest, and most colorful hot springs properties.
Los Lagos Hot Springs
The information below is an excerpt from our review of the Los Lagos Hot Springs. To learn more about the Los Lagos Hot Springs, including their location, accessibility, hours, price range, size/design, popularity, atmosphere, pools/rivers, towels/lockers, dining opportunities, accommodation/parking offerings, and reservation requirements, as well as who should/shouldn’t visit the Los Lagos Hot Springs and the rating we give the property overall, please see our related blog post:
The Los Lagos Hot Springs property is one of La Fortuna’s most popular hot springs, no doubt in part due to the attraction’s affordable hot springs pass. Though the Los Lagos Hot Springs aren’t the least expensive hot springs property in La Fortuna, the hot springs pass at Los Lagos buys access to a collection of hot springs and cold-water pools adorned with small waterfalls and waterslides, plus free entrance to a few on-site wildlife exhibits. If you’re looking for good value (and not much else), the Los Lagos Hot Springs provides it.
Kalambu Hot Springs
If you’re looking to get more than just relaxation out of a hot springs visit, the Kalambu Hot Springs may be the place for you. This water park (complete with hot springs) opened in 2014 and redefined what a hot springs experience around La Fortuna can be, throwing adrenaline and fun into the mix. Great for adults and children, there is a lot to thrill you here, including giant, curvy waterslides; raft-run waterslides; and a splash pad with a dump bucket and kiddie slides; plus a handful of tropical-feeling pools to remind you that the Kalambu Hot Springs is technically an Arenal Hot Springs property.
Los Laureles Hot Springs
Whenever Ricky and I host Costa Rican family members or friends in La Fortuna, we usually end up at the unpretentious Los Laureles Hot Springs. Locals (us included) love its affordable pricing, laid-back vibe, and on-site ranchos that that provide clean spots for picnicking. By no means is the Los Laureles Hot Springs a luxurious or romantic hot springs attraction, but if all you and your travel companions want is an inexpensive and comfortable place to spread out and enjoy a variety of hot spring pools, this place should do the trick. Waterslides and on-site sports facilities (a soccer field, a basketball court, and a beach volleyball court) keep kids and active adults happy.
Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs
If you research La Fortuna’s various hot springs attractions, especially budget-friendly, economy attractions, you’re bound to come across the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs. In our opinion, this Arenal Hot Springs option, which has one of the cheapest hot springs passes you can buy, is the lower-quality version of the Los Laureles Hot Springs; it strives to provide a place where you can swim, relax, and picnic, though the quality of its facilities and pools isn’t great. One thing that the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs has that the Los Laureles Hot Springs does not is a dense-feeling property full of tall palms. This helps deliver an experience that feels like you’re soaking in (man-made) pools among a forest.
Relax Termalitas
The Relax Termalitas Hot Springs are La Fortuna’s second-newest hot spring property (the Choyin Rio TermalHot Springs are the area’s newest public hot springs attraction) and it is a sister property to the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs, which are a quick drive up the road from the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs. Dubbed by property ownership as “Phase Two” of Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs, you can envision the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs as being the prettier, classier little sister, with a more elegant looking property despite being one of La Fortuna’s economical hot spring properties. (In some promotions, the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs is referred to as a “spa“, although, in my opinion, that luxury-totting messaging goes too far.) Note that despite sharing an owner, each property—the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs and the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs—sells their own day passes, and the purchase of a pass at one property does not permit entry into the other, so the attractions function independently. Photos from our visit to the Relax Termalitas will be posted shortly.
Termalitas del Arenal (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs)
The Termales del Arenal Hot Springs offer one of the least expensive hot springs passes you can buy in La Fortuna right now, and the adage “you get what you pay for” applies here. In terms of overall quality (cleanliness, pool/property design, and privacy included), the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs ranks near the bottom of the list, but that’s not to suggest that visiting is a bad choice; it’s just a worse choice than most of the other hot spring offerings in town. For the time being, we’d only recommend choosing the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs if its price tag (less than $20 USD per person) is the absolute maximum amount that you can afford to spend on a hot spring visit during your time in La Fortuna.
Rio Chollin Hot Springs (Mini-Tabacon)
To learn more about the Rio Chollin Hot Springs, please see our related blog post:
In a league of its own is the Rio Chollin Hot Springs, which isn’t an official hot springs attraction, rather an extension of the free-flowing hot spring river that runs throughout the property of the Tabacon Hot Springs. The publicly accessible section of the river, which falls outside the private property of Tabacon, is what’s known as Rio Chollin (sometimes styled as “Rio Choyin”) and nicknamed Tabaconcito, mini-Tabacon, and La Fortuna’s free hot springs. Though the Rio Chollin Hot Springs don’t offer the same kind of hot springs experience that other hot springs in La Fortuna do (safety, for example, is sacrificed here), they’re worth mentioning because they’re technically an Arenal Hot Springs option.
Choyin Rio Termal Hot Springs
Across the street from the Tabacon Hot Springs is the Choyin Rio Termal—essentially a dual restaurant-reception establishment that serves as one entry point to Rio Chollin (sometimes styled as “Rio Choyin”). This is La Fortuna’s newest (2025) public hot springs attraction. Although you can still visit the river for free if you choose to visit it via the method described here, if you’d like to be able to access lockers, towels, and food and beverages while you enjoy the river, you can get all of those by purchasing a day pass to the Choyin Rio Termal property, conveniently built on the river’s bank. Photos from our visit to the Choyin Rio Termal will be posted shortly.
La Fortuna hot springs map
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La Fortuna hot springs comparison: Which Arenal hot springs are the best?
We realize that it’s impossible for us to pick “the best” of anything without imposing our own biases on you. So, instead of picking favorites that may or may not tickle your fancy, we’ll help you determine for yourself which of the 14 La Fortuna hot springs described above would be the best to visit based on your own interests, needs, and budget. Below, we outline the best Arenal hot springs property to go with according to several factors.
Size
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the biggest in terms of property size?
Baldi and the Springs Resort are the largest hot spring properties in La Fortuna. You can think of them as being hot spring resorts or complexes that are comprised of multiple areas, not small, intimate spaces. They may be the best choice for you if you want pool variety or the ability to move between multiple pools with varying temperatures, if you’re visiting with a group, or if you’re coming to Costa Rica during the high season when many people descend upon the hot springs and you want to visit a large property where there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the smallest in terms of property size?
Rio Chollin, Termales del Arenal, and Titoku are the smallest hot spring attractions in La Fortuna, followed by Los Lagos and EcoTermales. At these places, you’ll find that the hot springs are either connected to or within a few steps of each other, so walking is kept to a minimum.
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the biggest in terms of pool quantity?
Baldi and the Springs Resort have the greatest number of hot springs and pools with approximately 25 at each one, give or take a few—sometimes pools stretch out and connect with others so pool counts can vary slightly depending on how pool limits are defined.
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the smallest in terms of pool quantity?
Termales del Arenal, Relax Termalitas, Titoku, and EcoTermales, have the fewest hot springs, with less than 10 pools at each. Paradise and Termalitas del Arenal also have fewer than 10 hot springs, however some of the pools at those properties are large, giving the impression that there are more hot springs than there actually are.
Meals
Which La Fortuna hot springs offer the best meal?
The Springs Resort and Tabacon provide the highest quality public hot spring experience in La Fortuna, and unsurprisingly, their restaurants and bars provide the highest quality meals, appeasing foodies. At Tabacon, hot spring passes can be purchased to include or not include a meal, but as a day pass holder, you can also purchase food at Tabacon’s other on-site restaurants and bars, if you wish, understanding that depending on the restaurant and bar you select, you may need to walk for five minutes up the street from the Tabacon Hot Springs to the Tabacon Resort, where some of Tabacon’s establishments are located. At the Springs Resort, hot spring passes do not include a meal, but food and drinks are available to purchase at the resort’s five on-site restaurants, which are scattered throughout the large property. At either hot spring property—Tabacon or the Springs Resort—depending on the restaurant you choose and the travel season during which you visit, which determines how busy the hot spring property will be, the meal you enjoy may be a buffet meal or ordered a la carte, in other words, off the menu.
Design and atmosphere
Which La Fortuna hot springs offer a free-flowing thermal-water river in addition to hot spring pools?
Tabacon is the only hot spring attraction in La Fortuna that has a non-pumped hot spring river in addition to man-made hot spring pools. Rio Chollin, which is an extension of the free-flowing hot spring river that runs throughout the private property of the Tabacon Hot Springs, also provides the opportunity to soak in a hot spring river, but it offers the river only and does not have pools. Several other hot spring properties in La Fortuna, including EcoTermales among others, provide contiguous hot spring pools that were built in a clever, sequential way that allows water to flow from one pool to the next, giving the impression that you’re soaking in a river, even though you’re actually soaking in pools.
Which La Fortuna hot springs offer the greatest pool variety?
The Springs Resort takes this category, although Baldi, given that it rivals the Springs Resort’s number of pools, takes second place. At the Springs Resort, you’ll find fun hot springs at three areas: Cascadas Calientes, which is an area by the resort’s main building with music and swim-up bars, you’ll find peaceful hot springs at Los Perdidos, which is an area with secluded-feeling lagoon-like hot springs, and you’ll find riverside hot springs at Club Rio, which is the resort’s on-site adventure center, where light adventure tours such as horseback rides and river tubing tours take place. Note that at the Springs Resort, the hot springs at Cascadas Calientes and Los Perdidos are within walking distance of each other but the hot springs at Club Rio occupy a more remote part of the resort’s property, and to reach them, you must ride the resort’s complimentary shuttle service.
Which hot springs offer the most intimate setting?
Because they were designed to be luxurious properties, Tabacon and the Springs Resort have the most romantic settings and ambiance despite being family-friendly properties. If you take luxury out of the equation, though, most other hot spring properties have at least a handful of small pools or nooks that provide intimate-feeling spaces where you can soak, and if you visit during the low season, when Costa Rica’s lower visitor counts prevent hot spring attractions from getting too busy, entire properties, even large ones, can feel intimate.
Something to keep in mind is that smaller hot spring properties don’t automatically provide more intimate settings. It doesn’t take many people to fill up hot spring properties that are either small or have few pools, so those properties can feel full despite their visitor counts being relatively low. Properties like Titoku and EcoTermales, which are small and enforce strict capacity limits, sometimes provide a less intimate-feeling experience than the large-scale properties of the Springs Resort and Baldi because the smaller properties don’t have a ton of room for many private-feeling spaces to exist.
Visitor demographics
Which hot springs are best suited for families with children?
All of La Fortuna’s hot springs are family-friendly. That said, the Springs Resort, Baldi, Los Lagos, Kalambu, and Los Laureles offer unique appeal to kids. All five of those properties have waterslides, but in addition to those, the Springs Resort has an adventure center offering kid-friendly tours, Baldi has an interactive kids’ zone, Los Lagos has wildlife exhibits plus a very basic, beginner-level zip-line tour, Kalambu has a dump bucket and raft-run slides, and Los Laureles has sports facilities. Plus, although I wouldn’t say that Relax Termalitas is particularly great for kids, it does have a giant pirate ship that some children might get a kick out of seeing.
Which La Fortuna hot springs are best suited for adults?
Truly all of La Fortuna’s hot spring properties are suitable for adults. But, if you’d prefer to stay away from properties where families with young children often go, select Tabacon, EcoTermales, Paradise, or Titoku. Although the vibe at any hot spring property can change from day to day depending on who visits, these properties tend to emit a mature energy on most days.
Which La Fortuna hot springs cater to locals more than international visitors?
Los Laureles, Kalambu, Termalitas del Arenal, Relax Termalitas, and Termales del Arenal serve more locals than tourists. Of course, as a tourist you’re welcome to visit any of La Fortuna’s hot springs, it’s just that at these five particular properties, you’ll find yourself immersed in the local culture, which means you’ll hear a lot of Spanish language, you’ll likely hear loud music and laughing, you may see groups picnicking or lightly partying, and you’ll get a more authentic Costa Rican hot spring experience. Rio Chollin, which used to be a local hangout that Ricky and I enjoyed spending time at with our Costa Rican family, is now a full-blown tourist attraction with a steady flow of international visitors arriving daily, and it will likely get even more popular with the recent construction of Choyin Rio Termal at the site. So, although Rio Chollin remains an informal, mostly undeveloped spot, it caters to a mix of Costa Ricans and tourists. So do the hot springs at Los Lagos, which has a hotel that catches the eye of many locals. At the remaining six hot spring properties—Baldi, EcoTermales, Tabacon, the Springs Resort, Paradise, and Titoku—international visitors make up the bulk of guests.
Cost and value
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the most expensive?
If you’re assuming that the two most luxurious properties charge the most for their hot spring passes, then you’re assuming correctly. Tabacon and the Springs Resort are La Fortuna’s most expensive hot spring properties, and although the rates for day passes change every year, they start at over $100 per adult and well exceed this amount when a meal is included.
In contrast, when asking: Which La Fortuna hot springs are the least expensive?
The easy answer to that question is Rio Chollin because the attraction is free (unless you opt to visit the river by way of paid entrance beyond Choyin Rio Termal). Apart from the river, though, La Fortuna’s least expensive hot spring properties are Termales del Arenal, Termalitas del Arenal, Relax Termalitas, Kalambu, Los Laureles, and Los Lagos, with prices beginning between $10 and $20 per adult for a day pass without a meal.
Which La Fortuna hot springs have mid-range prices?
If Tabacon and the Springs Resort are too expensive, but you want a higher quality hot spring experience than what La Fortuna’s economical hot spring options provide, consider choosing one of the mid-range hot spring options. These include Baldi, EcoTermales, Paradise, and Titoku. Prices for day passes at these properties hover around $50 per adult without a meal or more with a meal.
Location
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the closest to downtown La Fortuna?
Technically, Relax Termalitas is the hot spring property that is the closest to La Fortuna, about a 5-minute drive west of the town’s center. That said, within an additional three-minute drive west of Relax Termalitas, are Termales del Arenal, Termalitas del Arenal, EcoTermales, Baldi, Titoku, Kalambu, Paradise, Los Laureles, and Los Lagos—the entrances to all these properties neighbor one another and are on the same road. Suffice to say, 10 out of La Fortuna’s 14 public hot spring attractions are within a 10-minute drive of downtown La Fortuna, so there is little advantage to choosing one over the other with respect to location.
Which La Fortuna hot springs are the furthest from downtown La Fortuna?
The Springs Resort is the furthest hot spring property from downtown La Fortuna at about a 20-minute drive northwest of the town’s center. Tabacon, Rio Chollin, and Choyin Rio Termal cluster together about a 15-minute drive west of downtown La Fortuna.
Overall, if you want to know which hot springs are the best to visit in La Fortuna, start by asking yourself what kind of hot spring experience you want to have, and let your answer to that question, guided by the information I’ve provided above, ultimately lead you to the correct choice. Consider your budget, your level of interest in meal quality, and your preference for a large or small property and pool variety. Also consider the type of vibe you want the property to have—romantic and mature, fun and/or kid-friendly, or authentically Costa Rican. Is soaking in a thermal-water river as opposed to pools a must-have? How about the property location’s—will you have a rental car or money for taxi fares to access one of the farther-flung hot springs, or is visiting a property closer to La Fortuna or your hotel a necessity? Answer these questions to narrow your focus and you’ll not only choose the best hot spring property for you but also you’ll set yourself up for a hot spring experience that doesn’t disappoint.
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about any of the hot springs properties described above, want help deciding which hot springs are the right choice for you, or need help incorporating a hot springs visit into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 14 La Fortuna Hot Springs
Description
Looking for the best La Fortuna hot springs in Arenal Costa Rica? We compare and contrast all 14 and offer discounts for hot springs passes!
I visited CR about 9 years ago. At that time we stopped at a small place that had a minimal entrance fee to get into the heated river (not pools). I remember it was affordable and nice but not too fancy. They had paved sidewalks and some natural pools but it was pretty much the river…I also remember a few wooden plaques describing plants and lizzards and “Jesus lizzards” would run across the water. I’ve looked at the pics of the places you have here but they don’t seem to look like the place I visited before. Does this ring a bell? I’d like to return there if it’s still open when I visit in a few weeks. 🙂
Great question! Was the heated river in the La Fortuna/Arenal region or in another part of Costa Rica? In this post, we touch on the popular hot spring options in the La Fortuna/Arenal area, but a few others exist in different parts of the country, so it’s possible you visited a different area. I’d love to help you narrow down the search. Perhaps we can start by trying to figure out where you went during your trip.
Thanks for the response! I thought it was this area…I remember crossing a lake in a boat to get to the town we were staying in. While there we did zip lining in Monteverde at Aventura and also visited the river I described above.
Just returned from our trip. I spoke with the girl at our hotel and she said there are more regulations now and the place we’d gone to before is closed (only the places you list here are open now). We decided to just get in the river below Tabacon for free and it was great!! The trail is easy to find (cab driver knew right where we wanted to go and told us where to walk down) and easy to follow to find the best place to get in. We had the place to ourselves and it was so beautiful and relaxing. I highly recommend it!!!
Thanks so much for reporting back! After receiving your penultimate comment, we left some messages with colleagues in the Monteverde area to ask their opinion. We’re familiar with the various hot springs in the La Fortuna/Arenal region; however, after hearing that you had crossed the lake and visited hot springs while zip-lining in Monteverde, I was stumped as to where you might have found hot springs there. (Most hot springs are located in/around the La Fortuna area near the Arenal Volcano, or in other areas of the country near other volcanoes.) Now that you have reported back that you visited the river by Tabacon, which is just outside of La Fortuna, things make sense! What likely happened is you visited La Fortuna/Arenal and the hot springs river there, followed by a trip across the lake to Monteverde where you went zip-lining; I am 99.99% sure that the river you visited was indeed in the La Fortuna area, not Monteverde, and I bet we can narrow down which river it was. Does the place we describe in this blog post look familiar?
we want to visit to CR. for 3 weeks. We love hot springs, We want to spend our time on hot springs.Can you give me recommendations for p;lace where We can eat, sleep and enjoy in hot springs
We love hot springs too! These exist in areas where volcanoes are present, and the two most popular destinations in Costa Rica where you can find them are the La Fortuna and Rincon De La Vieja regions. The Rincon De La Vieja area is more remote. Since you mentioned that you would like to visit a place with hot springs where you can eat and sleep, we would recommend the La Fortuna/Arenal area given its multitude of accommodation and dining options (you can learn more about the destination by reading our city guide: Must-Know Info About La Fortuna Costa Rica From Longtime Residents). La Fortuna is home to many unique, public hot springs properties; of the top choices, these ones have hotels and at least one restaurant on-site: Baldi, Tabacon, Springs Resort, Paradise, and Los Lagos. Other hotels in the La Fortuna/Arenal area also have hot springs (and a restaurant) on-site, but the pools tend to be smaller and private for overnight guests. You can learn more about the top public hot springs in La Fortuna here:
If you decide to go to Rincon de la Vieja, check out Hacienda Guachipelin; it owns the Rio Negro Hot Springs, which is about a 10-minute drive from Hacienda Guachipelin’s accommodations. Of course, if your vacation time, itinerary, and budget permit, you could always plan to visit both the La Fortuna and Rincon de la Vieja areas during your trip. They’re about a 3.5-hour drive from each other.
Great information!! I’m really struggling to decide whether we stay at Tabacon or the Springs Resort with 2 kids? Both look great! I was leaning towards Tabacon but the Springs looks awesome as well with lots for the kids to do…I want to explore the area around La Fortuna as well…any thoughts?
I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed by either one. Tabacon and the Springs Resort are La Fortuna’s top two hot springs. Also to confirm, both are about the same distance away from downtown La Fortuna (about 15-20 minutes by car). This being said, with kids, I’d go with the Springs Resort. In addition to offering a ton of pool variety (to keep the kiddies moving and entertained), you can combine your hot springs visit with time spent at the resort’s on-site activity center (Club Rio) where the kids can experience river tubing, river kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife exhibits. Plus, the resort’s monkey slide waterslide is a blast! While we love Tabacon too, especially for its free-flowing river, some kids don’t like the feeling of slimy rocks beneath their feet, and some parents don’t like how slippery the rocks can be. Here are links to our reviews of Tabacon, the Springs Resort, and Club Rio:
Yes! Of the 12 hot springs that we cover in the above article, Baldi, Tabacon, the Springs Resort, Paradise, and Los Lagos have hotels on-site, and all five provide their overnight guests with free hot springs use. Some even reward guests with extra perks. For example, guests of Tabacon are able to access the hot springs two hours before the public each morning, and they’re also able to access the private Shangri-La Gardens, an exclusive, adults-only section of the hot springs that’s reserved for hotel guests. Here is some additional information about these properties in case you’re interested in learning more about their hot springs and hotels:
Wow! What a great blog! I am planning a trip to the Arenal area for a group of 4. We would like to all stay in the same room, but are having trouble finding a place that allows 4 adults per room. We would like it to have hot springs on site because we are not going to have a car. We looked at the Tabacon and The Royal Corin, and almost booked each one until we found out that they did not allow 4 adults in one room. Do you have any that you recommend that would allow 4 adults? Our budget is around $250 a night for 4 people, but we would go lower of course if we found something we liked. How are the hot springs at Arenal Manoa?
You’re right: a lot of hotels will allow four people to a room but not four adults. If you’re not able to find a place with hot springs on-site that can accommodate your group, keep in mind that most of La Fortuna’s hot springs attractions are only a short taxi ride away from the majority of hotels, and since taxis can fit four adults, you can split the cost of the transfer. As for Arenal Manoa, it is a lovely hotel and it does have hot springs on-site (mainly one large pool, a smaller one, and a Jacuzzi), but they shouldn’t be compared to La Fortuna’s principal hot spring attractions (i.e., Baldi, EcoTermales, Tabacon, Springs Resort, and Paradise), which are large-scale properties that provide several hot spring pools/rivers that you can soak in at varying temperatures. If this doesn’t matter to you, and you’re simply looking for a hotel with one or a few thermal-water pools on-site, then several Arenal-area hotels are worth checking out, including Arenal Manoa (as you mention), the Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, El Silencio del Campo, and Volcano Lodge. Hopefully, one will be able to accommodate your group. 🙂
Planning a trip to Costa Rica next year and would love to participate in the thermal springs experience, however I am somewhat mobility limited (using a cane and can’t walk long distances) I don’t see any suggestions for facilities that are more accessible, have handrails into and out of pools, limited steps up and down etc. Do those things exist at any of these?
This is a wonderful question and one that certainly highlights an area of Costa Rica travel where improvements are needed. My father was visually impaired; he used a cane and wasn’t able to walk long distances either. We spent years helping him discover the accessible side of Costa Rica but it wasn’t easy. Hot springs provide an additional element of concern because splash water makes surfaces slippery. From what I recall from visiting all of the hot springs properties around La Fortuna/Arenal, none are fully accessible but several offer handrails in and out of pools. My best recommendation to you would be to go with the EcoTermales Hot Springs. Though you’ll need to walk from the entrance of the hot springs to the pool area (the path is flat), once there, you’ll have access to all of the pools in one place. Other hot springs attractions are much larger and pools are spread out over a larger geographical area which requires more walking. This is especially true for the Springs Resort, where the lagoon-like hot springs are down a sloped road, and for the Baldi Hot Springs (both properties are very large). Tabacon is a smaller property, but because the hot springs there are part of a natural river, you may find it difficult to climb into and out of the fast-flowing river and maneuver its slippery bottom. At EcoTermales, you don’t have to stray far to switch pools, some handrails are provided, and some pools have shallow parts you might enjoy wading in. You can learn more about the EcoTermales Hot Springs, see photos of the property, and decide if it’s right for you by visiting our related blog post: EcoTermales Hot Springs Review: La Fortuna Hot Springs Guide.
Pura vida! 🙂
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