If you’re traveling on a budget and plan to visit La Fortuna, then you must visit the two free spots in La Fortuna: The free hot spring river and swimming hole. In this post you’ll find out how to get to the two La Fortuna free swimming holes: El Choyin (free hot spring) and El Salto (down river of La Fortuna waterfall).
Disclaimer: Neither of these spots are supervised or part of any hotel or resort. They are the local spots so if you visit, please be careful as you are visiting at your own discretion. There are no lifeguards on duty.
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How to Get to the La Fortuna Free Hot Spring (El Choyin)
For the first of the La Fortuna free swimming holes is El Choyin, the local name of the river spot. You can find the free hot spring in La Fortuna on Google Maps. It is called El Choyin and it is right by the Tabacon Resort.
This river is the same river that supplies the Tabacon hot springs and is hot/warm.
There is now two sections of the El Choyin. There is the free section of the river and then a paid section of the river that is now an official hot spring business.
Parking
There is “free” street parking available if you are going to the section of the river that is free to the public. It is just along the street across from Tabacon. It is “free” but not “free” as there will be “parking guards” wearing orange/yellow vests who will come up to you and charge you for 5000 CRC (~$10 USD but do not give them USD, give them CRC) parking your car there.
However, these guys are technically not real security guards. If you only want to park on the street, you will probably have to pay because they can get nasty.
Just make sure to note that this is not a true secure parking lot at all so don’t leave ANYTHING in your car, roll up your windows and lock your doors.
The “parking guards” aren’t official so don’t leave anything in your car if you visit. This is where we parked.
You cannot park on the bridge. This spot gets very busy on the weekends so there may not be parking or it may be very tight.
Entrance to the Free Hot Spring River
If you are coming from the Tabacon hot spring resort side, you need to walk across the bridge about 100 feet to the entrance of the free hot spring river. You’ll need to walk on the left side of the road as that is where the entrance is and you’ll see this large sign below.
And then right past it, you will see a small trail on your left. Where Yeison is in the picture below is where the trail is on your left.
Follow this trail, walk through the broken fence and you will be at the river.
There are a few trails that go to different parts of the river but for the “hot spring” part of the river, you have to stay at the main one.
We visited on a Wednesday morning and there were only a few local kids there with their dog. Saw only one tourist. On the weekends, this spot gets super busy, especially in the evening.
SAFETY TIP: When at the hot spring river, do NOT leave any of your valuables unattended. Unfortunately this area is not uncommon to theft as lots of tourists will just leave their stuff on the rocks and it’s super easy for thieves to snatch their stuff in two seconds. If you bring your cell phone, we recommend to bring a waterproof pouch so that you can have it with you in the river. Or bring a small dry bag so you can also put your hotel and car keys and wallet in the pouch.
Choyin Rio Thermal
They have now built an official hot spring section of the river called Choyin Royal Thermal. There is a secure parking lot, lockers, towels, changing rooms, bathrooms, a cafeteria with food and a well maintained path down to the river.
It is at the exact same spot as the free section, except it’s across the street. On Google Maps, it’s called Choyin Rio Thermal.
You can purchase hot spring tickets on-site or on their website. Their passes costs ~$25 USD per adult and $15 USD per child and parking is free. With a meal, it is $35 USD per adult and $23 USD per child.
You can safely leave your car and enjoy the natural river with more peace of mind as this part of the river is manned by staff, including the parking lot.
We still do not recommend leaving your valuables unattended at the river just in case. Bring your phone in a waterproof phone pouch with you if you plan to walk around or be far away from your stuff.
How to Get to the Free La Fortuna Swimming Hole (El Salto Swimming Hole)
Now for the free swimming hole in La Fortuna, this one is also easy to get to. On Google Maps it is called “El Salto (Rope Swing).” El Salto is downriver from the La Fortuna waterfall, part of the same Fortuna River.
El Salto, La Fortuna Parking
There is “free” street parking or a paid parking lot for El Salto. Below is what you need to look for. This is coming from La Fortuna downtown.
A lot of people still park on the street, but there is a parking lot with ample space and a guy watching the lot for 1000 CRC. They have a guy manning the lot and on weekends, there are locals selling snacks and drinks.
They will soon remove the street parking on the bridge.
Then walk down to the El Salto part under the bridge. There are signs and arrows to follow.
The picture above is the short trail going down to El Salto from the road. You’ll see an opening in the trees to the right before a trash can where you can walk down to the river.
El Salto Rope Swing Swimming Hole
This swimming hole is super popular with local kids because of the swing. There are lots of places to sit in and around the river. It’s kind of crazy you can see the bridge right above and all the cars passing by.
The water isn’t warm but is very refreshing, which is super nice because La Fortuna is humid and hot! El Salto is an excellent spot to go during the day to cool off.
There are two little waterfalls and we saw some local kids jumping off the rocks here!
Then there is the famous tarzan rope swing that locals love. Just be careful since rocks can be slippery.
You can also go a little bit more down the river to reach another pool.
Safety tip: This photo was taken in March so the river was very shallow and the kids didn’t swing into the river. Also, be aware of flash floods if you are visiting in the rainy season (May – December). If you see the water turn brown, get out ASAP. There could be a flash flood coming. And again, make sure not to leave ANY belongings unattended.
We hope you get to visit these La Fortuna free swimming holes El Choyin and El Salto!
Looking for other things to do in La Fortuna? Click the link to check our post!
Looking for other free things to do in Costa Rica? Click that link to find out our recommendations!
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Mark says
Visited both sites this past week. Worth the effort, but be aware there are tour buses dropping off over 30 people at a time in the afternoons at the warm springs site.
Also, at both sites, the orange-vested parking guys were especially aggressive, quoting varying rates to park along the public road and were quite vocal when I didn’t give them money. As I was leaving the rope swing site I saw there was parking on private property across the road for a reasonable fee. I would park there next time.
Linda Jones says
When I visited back in 2019, I was able to purchase a day pass at Tabacon hot springs that included lunch or dinner. Are those type packages still available? If so, where can I find them. I didn’t see anything on their website for the month of August 2023. Thanks
Sammi says
Yes they do, you can find it on their website if you google tabacon day pass
sophia says
HI Sammi,
Thank you for your post about the hot springs and the pool. I am planning to go to Costa Rica for one month to use the hot spring. Where can I stay so it’s not too far from the free hot spring because I don’t have a car for transpotation. Can I take uber rides to the free hot spring?
Thank you so very much for your help.
Best regards,
Sophia
Sammi says
You can stay at any of the nearby hotels, then if it’s too far to walk you can taxi around. I have also seen some Ubers in La Fortuna
Sheryl says
Hello!
I just came upon your blog whilst searching for a free spot to enjoy hot springs in La Fortuna. We will be there March 9 – 12 and are on a bit of a budget. Thanks for this invaluable info! I’ve been to CR 3 times in the past. Tabacon Springs way back in the 90’s.
I’d love to treat myself to a mud spa. Are there any that aren’t super expensive?
We’ve booked a 3 night stay at Cabanas del Rio.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Sammi says
There are lots others that aren’t as expensive, you can check them here: Best Arenal hot springs
James Rosborough says
Hello Mytanfeet, my wife and are in Costa Rica in March for 20 days. We are staying in La Fortuna area for 3 nights. Your blog is excellent. We are in our 60s which hot springs would you recommend? We are moving in an anti clockwise direction, is it best to go to monteverde next or Guanacaste?
Or do you have any recommendations in between? We have a rental 4×4 booked.
Kind regards
James
Sammi says
Hi James, you can check our post Best Arenal hot springs
Jon says
Thanks for the info! We went to El Choyin a few days ago (early July, 2022), and the ‘parking guards’ were very aggressively demanding payment of 5,000 colones, and threatening that ‘bad things would happen to my car’ if I didn’t pay. I didn’t want to pay this extortion, so we took a picture of the fellow leaning against our car before walking away. Fortunately he didn’t do anything to the car, but it made the experience much less enjoyable.
Sammi says
I’m sorry to hear that 🙁 Unfortunately since there is no official parking lot its just those guys who charge visitors but without any insurance or a real parking lot, it definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We have been sending feedback about them to the Costa Rican tourism board for years but nothing has been done 🙁 We hope you enjoyed the river regardless though
Kevin says
Our first trip here was amazing and only thanks to you and your comments/post! Thank-you! I did want to add for others that the “parking guards” requested a fee for parking that we were not aware of or prepared for. I was able to dig up a couple of bucks as I felt this was worth it but caught off guard none the less. Definitely a must do if in the area!!! Loved it! Thx!!!!
Jessica Abadia says
Hello, can you go to El Chopin in the evening- after dark or would that be unsafe? Thank you.
Sammi says
I would not go in the dark at all
Jessica says
Thank you.
Jennifer Hill says
By any chance were you guys at El Salto on October 7? My friend and I climbed down to the river, and I saw a couple in the distance near the swing that kind of looked like you guys. If it was you, I’m sorry I didn’t have the guts to walk over and say hello. Your blog was invaluable for my first trip to Costa Rica. Thank you so much for taking the time to inform your readers of all these wonderful places. It was my first visit…but it won’t be my last.
Sammi says
Hello Jennifer! We were actually in La Fortuna on Oct 7 but we didn’t go to El Salto this time, but that is funny 🙂 I hope you guys had a good time and we’re happy to hear the blog was helpful for your trip, have a great rest of your time here!
Jennifer Hill says
I saw an SUV or truck with the Mytanfeet.com logo on it drive across the bridge there, just after I saw a couple that looked kind of like you. That’s what really made me think it might have been you guys.
Sammi says
Too funny!