Relaxing in the La Fortuna hot springs is one a must do in Costa Rica. Many hotels in La Fortuna have their own hot spring for guests to enjoy. However, if your hotel doesn’t have its own hot springs, you can purchase day passes to the hot spring resorts and hotels.
Not sure which one to visit? Here are our recommendations on the best La Fortuna hot springs.
Prices are in USD.
Tabacon
Tabacon hot springs is the most popular hot spring resort in La Fortuna. This is mostly due to their beautiful gardens and pools landscaped around the Tabacon river, creating an absolutely stunning lush setting.
Since the pools are created from the river, these are the only hot springs that are truly natural. They don’t use of pumps or systems to reheat or circulate the water.
With a handful of intricately built warm waterfalls, hot pools and sitting areas blending in with the natural environment, you’ll feel like you’ve wandered deep into a magical rain forest.
Although Tabacon hot springs are more on the romantic and intimate side, families with kids of all ages are allowed. They do have strict rules regarding young children that you will need to follow to keep in line with the facilities’ atmosphere and environment.
The gardens are gorgeous and is a reason why Tabacon is so popular. So if you’re visiting in high season, just know that it gets packed. If you want more privacy, I recommend staying at the Tabacon Hotel. Hotel guests get an extra 2 hours of the hot springs exclusively for them.
If you are visiting during the months of December through April, June or July, we highly recommend to book at least a couple months out for Tabacon. This resort limits the number of tickets sold and they sell out incredibly fast.
Baldi
The Baldi hot springs is one of the cheaper hot springs resorts in La Fortuna. Their resort is a lot of fun and we highly recommend it for kids, friend groups, teenagers and families because they have water slides, a dedicated kids play area, caves and swim up bars. Baldi also has hotel rooms.
This particular hot spring resorts is popular with school groups, so if you’re not interested in being around kids, check out Ecotermales (more on that one below). We’ve taken our friends and family to Baldi and they loved the waterslides and caves.
The dedicated Baldi kids area is awesome. It’s in a separate section than the rest of the pools which is super nice as the kids can have fun and play as much as they want without bothering other people.
Baldi day pass fee with lunch or dinner 9 AM – 10 PM: Starts at $57 for day pass with lunch/dinner per adult.
Ecotermales
The Ecotermales hot springs are best for couples or adults with very nice gardens and quiet atmosphere. They have several pools and waterfalls sectioned off in different areas so that there is a tranquil area and a more lively area with a swim up bar.
They also have a terrace bar next to a pool with plenty of seating so you can have a nice cold drink after relaxing in the hot spring until you’re ready to go back in.
It doesn’t get quite as crowded since Ecotermales is a hot spring facility only. They also break up the visiting times and limit the amount of visitors for more privacy which is super nice!
Ecotermales hot spring day pass: Starts around $62 per adult, $40 for children with lunch or dinner.
Paradise
Paradise hot springs are another excellent option for those who are on more of a budget but still want to enjoy natural pools with beautiful gardens.
They have 5 pool areas, 2 Jacuzzis with waterfalls and a swim up bar. We didn’t see any kids in Paradise nor that many people when we went. We had pools all to ourselves which was awesome!
Paradise now has their own hotel rooms and suites.
Paradise hot springs day pass 11 AM – 9 PM: $45 per adult and $27 per child 3 – 11 with lunch or dinner. $28 per adult, $16 per child for basic day pass.
Hotel Los Lagos Resort
Hotel Los Lagos has their own hot springs with a sweet view of Arenal Volcano. No reservations are required and you can drive to the gate to pay for passes there.
Their pools are very natural and big, perfect for families and couples alike. They also have two fun waterslides, pools with waterfalls and one with a fake volcano so it’s an excellent place for families with little kids. You also get access to the grounds which has a frog and butterfly exhibit.
Another upside to Los Lagos is that most people don’t know that they allow outside visitors so it won’t be super packed, only hotel guests. The Los Lagos Hotel is a cheaper hot spring in La Fortuna and one of the best values you can find!
Day Pass: Prices are around $17 for hot springs, $31 for hot springs and lunch or dinner, $50 for hot springs, lunch and dinner for adults. Children ages 6-9, $9 for hot springs, $20 for hot springs and lunch or dinner, $30 for hot springs, lunch and dinner.
Titoku
Titoku hot springs is the smallest hot spring facility in Arenal with 8 small pools of different temperatures. Guests of Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa receive complimentary passes.
Since this facility is small, it is likely you may be the only one there. We were the only ones there when we visited. We loved our time at Titoku as we had the whole place to ourselves for one hour.
Titoku hot springs day pass: $50 per adult with a meal, $32 for day pass
The Springs Resort & Spa
The Springs Resort & Spa is not only one of the most luxurious hotels in La Fortuna, they also have some of the nicest hot springs. Their large property has two hot spring sections, Las Lagunas and Los Perdidos.
Las Lagunas has 12 pools with 4 chlorinated pools and 8 natural. Los Perdidos hot springs connect to Las Lagunas by a short trail and has seven pools.
The Springs Resort & Spa is an excellent choice for families as they also have an animal sanctuary which they can add to their pass. They also have a waterslide!
Club Rio
The Springs Resort also has an outdoor adventure club, Club Rio. They offer a multi adventure package where guests choose two activities (tubing/kayaking/horseback riding/rock wall/guided nature walk/guided animal sanctuary tour) to do. It also includes lunch and a 2 day hot spring pass. Read more about Club Rio and get $10 off in this link: Club Rio discount.
Springs Resort & Spa day pass: $68 per person. Reservations required in high season
Club Rio multi adventure package: $133.56 per adult, $110.96 per child and you get $10 off those prices.
The free La Fortuna hot springs
Don’t want to spend a huge chunk of your travel money to enjoy the hot springs? (Hey I don’t blame you, they are expensive for those traveling on a budget.) Check out the free hot springs in Arenal!
The entrance is across from the Tabacon hot spring building, about 100 meters down. You can park along the road and walk down to the hot spring, which is actually the Tabacon river, naturally warm from volcanic activity. On Google Maps, it is called “Free Natural Hot Springs River.”
You’ll see mostly locals here and it gets super crowded on weekends so make sure to go early so you can grab a spot! Click here to read our La Fortuna free swimming holes guide to visiting El Choyin, the free La Fortuna hot spring and also El Salto, the swimming hole!
Our Personal Favorite La Fortuna Hot Springs Resort
Tabacon is the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna. However, for us personally, it was too crowded and very expensive. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous though!
I’m sure we would’ve enjoyed it more if we were hotel guests and got the 2 exclusive hours but it felt a little too like Disneyland during our visit. We had to wait in line to use the bathrooms and go into the pools. I almost felt like we couldn’t enjoy the pools as much as we wanted because there were always lines and people staring at us waiting for our spot. But I won’t lie, the pools and gardens are absolutely gorgeous.
With that being said, we personally prefer The Springs Resort. The Spring Resort’s property is very big with two separate sections. The pools are very spread out which is super nice. We loved the pools that overlooked the river and also the pools with the swim up bar and view of Arenal Volcano. The Springs hot spring pass is also good for 2 days and cheaper than Tabacon’s 1 day pass.
We also loved Baldi with family and friends. They loved the caves, waterslides and swim up bar with music. If you’re going with family, I’d recommend Baldi, especially for kids. It’s more budget friendly too.
Arenal Combo Tours with Hot Springs
If you are doing tours in Arenal, you can add on the hot springs to many of them. One of the most popular tours is the Arenal Combo Tour (hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, lunch, Arenal Volcano hike and hot springs) and tour companies normally go to Tabacon, Baldi or Ecotermales, guests’ choice. Get a discount off this tour!
Read about other things to do in Arenal and La Fortuna here!
There are affiliate links in this post.
Ashley says
Hi there, I noticed you mentioned Baldi as one of the more budget friendly hot spring resorts, but when I looked for our family of 4, it was almost $600/night. Granted it was in December, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something and maybe they truly do just increase their prices that much in the holiday season.
Sammi says
They may not have updated it all the way but yes Christmas/New Years is always crazy expensive and hotel prices increase a ton. It’s normally around $300 a night in high season, they used to be cheaper before pandemic so probably they have redone something to make it more expensive
Lindsay says
I had planned our entire visit to La Fortuna around going to Club Rio with our kids! It was to be the highlight. But now it says that you can’t get day passes for March 25th weekend? Is there any way to buy passes to club rio or the hot Springs anytime from March 22nd to 26th?? Or any other suggestions? Really wanted to do the animal sanctuary etc. with the hot springs.
Sammi says
Hi Lindsay, unfortunately they blacked out those dates so non-hotel guests cannot enter the property since it is a peak season time. They don’t allow any outside guests for hot springs or their Club Rio. You’d have to book outside the blackout dates or be a hotel guest to use their property.
Joel says
For the ones that have both hot springs/pools AND a hotel, if you are staying at the hotel, does the cost of the hotel room typically include entrance to their hot springs/pools or do you need to pay extra?
Sammi says
Usually but make sure to ask the hotel to be sure
Beatrice says
Hi,
We will visit Arenal in December and want to visit The Springs.
Just some questions:
-My mom is 86 years old and have some mobility issues, she walks using a cane and sometimes a walker. Is easy to walk around this property?
-I see on the website two options:
-one for $79 that offers access to the Springs for two days. But is not saying that this option includes lunch or dinner. Is there any other option that includes a meal?
I only saw that the option Club Rio for $119 where you can choose two activities and the lunch is also included. But we would like to enjoy the hot springs only and have lunch or dinner.
Thank you for your answer, Mytanfeet is great, we also booked a car rental with Adobe through your website.
Beatrice
Sammi says
They have a shuttle that go from the hotel lobby down to the river but for the hot springs property, it is kind of like on a slope so you do need to walk on some steps and be able to go up and down a hill.
For the hot spring pass, I think you have to buy food separately and you can purchase it there at their restaurants
Alyx Loyola says
Hi!
We’re flying in to Costa Rica next week for our honeymoon. We’re very looking forward in trying out a day pass hot spring. How safe are the hot springs in CR? Are there really health hazards in dipping your head under the hot spring? And what other safety precautions should we take heed before dipping? We’re thinking of going to Ecotermales. I hope you’d be able to provide me a feedback. Thank you in advance!
Sammi says
Hi Alyx, you should never put your head underwater in hot springs, the ones here are natural but if you go to a well established resort like the ones in La Fortuna, they normally have a filtration system, the ones in La Fortuna are well taken care of and maintained as it is the most popular hot spring destination in the country
Stephanie Gick says
Hi,
What a great and informative blog. Do you have any information on Hotel Arenal Springs Resort? Or maybe known by Arenal Springs Resort? We are visiting in March with our 4 year old and would love recommendations.
Sammi says
We stayed there in 2016 so I’m not sure how it is now during COVID but it is a nice resort, a nice property, the pools were so-so and we stayed in a standard room. I remember that when we stayed, there were lots of tour groups at the same time so it was quite full and breakfast was really crowded, and they run a lot of specials for nationals. It’s nice, nothing like amazingly special but it was clean, staff was helpful, and property was nice.
Shannon Kistler says
Hi There!
What is the difference between staying at a hotel that has it’s own hot springs (such as Los Lagos) vs. going to Tabacon or The Springs? Trying to decide if it’s worth it to take a trip to one of them if we have a hotel that already has hot springs. Thank you for the wealth of information you have on here!
Sammi says
Basically you just get to experience a different hot spring resort, they’re all a little different when it comes to the type of pools and their landscaping like gardens, natural waterfalls, etc.
Elena says
What a useful blog!
We are a couple planning a 9 day trip to Costa Rica in the middle of May. Tabacon is on our list to visit immediately to forget the work stress. Do you think May will be packed? We got worried that buses stop by there dropping 100 visitors non stop. We would like to experience two kinds of the Volcano area: tabacon and then something different. What would be that “something different “ in your opinion?
Thank you
Sammi says
May is actually a low season month so it’s usually not that busy, there is a 3 day weekend (May 1-3) here in Costa Rica so a lot of locals will be out that weekend but normally May is not very busy.
For other volcanoes, Poas Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park and Turrialba Volcano National Park are two other very good ones.
Lynn says
We have been to CR numerous times and in the end, loved going to the river for free more than the other options. The setting is beautiful (nature at its natural best), price was right , and had a great time meeting and making new friends. Granted, the bells and whistles is of the natural sort rather than “developed” for tourists, but pure vida wins us over every time! I highly recommend checking this out if you love seeing the real beauty of Costa Rica.
Marija says
Question : advice on what to do with your wallet/money when visiting the springs? I want to buy drinks at swim up bar, but don’t want to swim with purse.
Sammi says
I think you can ask them if you can open a tab before you change and get into the water (depending on which resort you go to but I’d definitely check beforehand).
Beth says
My Friend and I are traveling to Costa Rica the first of February. I see all the Hot Springs have day passes… Are they open for evening? Can we pay for Dinner and then hot springs or is it only for daytime activities do you know?
Sammi says
Yes they are open in the evening (they just call them day passes but most of them are open until 10 PM). They offer different passes like day time + Lunch or night time + Dinner, you can check prices on their website.
Kim says
When are the least crowded times at Tabacon? We’re traveling the first week of December.
Sammi says
Low season like Sept/Oct but first week of Dec is not bad, holiday travel season hasn’t started yet (usually mid Dec starts getting super busy).
Dawn says
We are staying at hotel Arenal Manoa. Are you familiar with this hotel and their hot springs?
Sammi says
Hi Dawn, we know some people who stayed there, we haven’t personally but they said it was nice.
Nikki says
Which hot springs would you suggest for a family ages 7-70 years old? I want something to WOW them, upscale atmosphere, but also entertaining for the 7 year old. I am thinking The Springs or Tabacon, as I definitely want a waterslide…
Someone suggested Baldi, but it seems like it might be too hectic for the older people in the family. They like a sense of peace and privacy.
Please let me know. Thanks! 🙂
Sammi says
Can’t go wrong with either Springs or Tabacon. Tabacon does have prettier gardens and waterfalls, the Springs is much bigger and has a waterslide. Tabacon doesn’t have a waterslide.
Jen says
First off, thank you for all the useful information! It has been such a help in my trip planning. I read that if you go to the hot springs that are free that there is a guy that you can pay to watch your car. Is this something you would recommend? We most likely wouldn’t have anything in the car are we would pry have everything at the hotel.
Sammi says
Hi Jen, yes there is a parking guard there. It’s a pretty popular spot so it’s common for there to be several parking guards actually. They’re not exactly official but they do it because a lot of tourists go there so I still wouldn’t recommend leaving valuables in the car but there is those parking guys.
Jenna says
My fiance and I are visiting Costa Rica in January and we are so excited! I’m hoping to spend a couple of days in the Arenal area before making our way to Monteverde. We are avid hikers but I also wanted to relax in the hot springs after driving from San Jose and lots of hiking. Do you know if there are reduced late admission prices or hourly prices for any of these hot springs? My fiance is very restless so even at a more entertaining hot spring like Baldi, I can’t imagine staying for more than a few hours. Your blog has been extremely helpful in planning our vacation – thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Jenna, the hot springs have a day and night pass so you can purchase the night pass. Most people don’t stay for more than a couple hours so that will work out for you guys and you can also purchase the pass with dinner.
Mary says
Loved your travelogue and look forward to more. I was wondering which hotel to book for my visiting family…and although I have been to La Fortuna on several occasions and love Tabacon, the costs are out of reach. Anyway, planned to call the Paradise Springs, and asked for the number by information.. They gave me the wrong number, and long story short, I am now booked at Arenal Hot Springs Hotel. Any comments on what to expect. We did get a good price for the family, at less than $200 a room with breakfast, so just wondering why this resort is not on your log info.??
Sammi says
Hi Mary, which hotel are you staying at? I don’t know of any ARenal Hot Spring HOtel, I know of Hotel Arenal Springs and Arenal Springs Resort though. There are a lot of hotels with this name so it’s a bit cnfusing.
Jane says
Hi,
Are there any Hot Springs in the Guanacaste area. I will be arriving this Saturday with a group of friends.
Sammi says
Hi, there are some up in the Rincon de la Vieja area. The adventure parks and hotels like Guachipelin, Buena Vista, Rio Perdido, and Borinquen have hot springs.
Julia P says
I am surprised Royal Corin is not mentioned here. Perhaps it is because it is advertised as “thermal springs” rather than “hot springs”. I have not found a difference in definition online though. The resort is 5 star. Rooms spacious with an in room jacuzzi in the junior and master rooms. Spa is fantastic, food excellent and the staff called us by name the moment we checked in. It is a boutique hotel so even in high season there are not many in the thermal pools. For the price, service and amenities it is surprising that is not mentioned here.
Sammi says
Hi Julia! I haven’t added it because we actually haven’t been there yet and the only feedback I got from some friends who did visit was they said they didn’t like the actual hot springs very much and preferred Tabacon. I’ll have to check it out again and see. I have heard it’s a nice hotel though!
Katie says
Great breakdown of the different options! This will be super helpful!
The 30 Something Backpackers says
We are big fans of hotsprings having just returned from New Zealand where they have a lot of them! Costa Rica has been on our list of places to visit for a long, long time but we just don’t seem to have made it there yet. Think we will be going soon after reading your post though!! Thanks 🙂
Sammi says
Hope you can visit soon! If you love hot springs, you should also visit Taiwan 🙂
aiman Parween says
really we should visit here once.