6 Best Hot Springs in Costa Rica

If you’re trying to hunt down the best natural hot springs in Costa Rica, look no further. The Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa is where you’ll find some of the country’s oldest natural hot springs. At the resort, they don’t use re-heating systems or pumps, which mean you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the most natural experience. With an abundance of pools to choose from, this resort should definitely be on your travel itinerary if you have some spare cash to splash. Visitors can opt for a one day pass or choose to stay at the resort while also enjoying the resort’s spa and dining experience.

Quick facts

• Location: Located in La Fortuna, Arenal
• Hours of operation: 10 am to 10 pm

Photo Courtesy: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Checking out the hot springs at The Springs Resort and Spa will be worth your time. The luxury resort in La Fortuna not only offers its visitors the choice of relaxing in a wide variety of pools in their La Lagunas section that are heated to varying degrees through a heat exchange system, but they also have a more tranquil Perdido Springs area, which features beautiful gardens among the natural hot springs. The Perdido Springs area also includes cold springs so you can alternate between the heated and cooled waters.

Quick facts

• Location: Located in La Fortuna, Arenal
• Hours of operation: 10 am to 10 pm

Photo Courtesy: The Springs Resort and Spa

For travelers on a budget, the Baldi Hot Springs near Arenal Volcano National Park offer an ideal nature escape. With the ability to choose from the abundance of Costa Rica volcano hot springs to bathe in, 25 to be exact, you won’t run out of options here. If you’re looking for fun and adventure for the entire family while in Costa Rica, Baldi Hot Springs also have a game park for kids and pools with water slides to dive into. Keep in mind that the springs at Baldi are very accessible, which is why they are often crowded in the high season, so plan your timing and visits accordingly.

Quick facts

• Location: Located in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal
• Hours of operation: 9 am to 10 pm

If you’re on a family trip to Costa Rica and looking to soak up the fun of Costa Rica’s hot springs together, EcoTermales is your ideal destination. The springs are located on a family-owned property, so they don’t form part of any resort, but that also means that only a limited number of visitors are allowed on to the property per day. The upside of this family-owned business is the fact that you can look forward to a more intimate, uncrowded experience, which is often suitable for families.

Quick facts

• Location: Located in La Fortuna, de San Carlos
• Hours of operation: 9 am to 10 pm

Located near the Arenal Observatory Lodge, Rio Agua Caliente offers visitors a free warm bath in its thermal waters. Because the thermal waters here don’t form part of any resort, they are free to the public and offer a truly natural and more local experience to those willing to travel off the beaten path. Since this hot springs is all natural, its flow and temperature changes depending on the recent rains.

Quick facts

• Location: Located near the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, La Fortuna de San Carlos
• Hours of operation: 9:30 am to sunset

Often referred to as the Tizate hot springs, the hot springs at Vandara form part of the greater Rincon de la Vieja National Park in the province Guanacaste of Costa Rica. Although you’ll be bathing in a man-made pool, the waters are warmed by thermal energy from the nearby volcano. While you’re here, you can also indulge in some mineral treatments, take a ziplining tour, or relax in a mud bath, all of which are available on the premises.

Quick facts

• Location: Located in Ricón de la Vieja
• Hours of operation: 8 am to 3 pm

If you’re looking to visit some of the best hot springs in Costa Rica, the best time to do so would probably be between October and April, which is when the country has its driest season. You’ll be able to score some discounted deals by visiting Costa Rica between May and November, but occasional rain might delay your efforts of getting around to all of the best sites.

• While there are a lot of free thermal hot springs in Costa Rica, paying for the experience might well be the best way to go since you’ll be able to enjoy a more secluded experience along with on-site amenities at resorts such as Baldi Hot Springs.
• If you’re planning on visiting one of the smaller resorts, such as Ecotermales, be sure to secure your bookings well in advance to avoid disappointments.
• Most of the hot spring resorts do not allow visitors to bring their own food and drink onto the premises, so keep that in mind before embarking on your day-trip.
• Most of the hot spring resorts in Costa Rica are hesitant to allow visitors with high fevers, hypertension, cancerous conditions, liver or kidney disorders, anemic conditions, heart problems, or who are pregnant use their facilities. Keep in mind that you do not need to be in perfect health to use the pools, but you do need to be generally healthy before soaking in the pools.

As you can see, as far as finding the best hot springs in Costa Rica goes, you’ll have your fair share of incredible options to choose from, all of which have their own unique experiences to be had. In tours such as this one, you get to discover Costa Rica while getting enough time to soak in your choice of hot springs. All that’s left to do now is to book your trip, grab your towel, and soak up the serenity offered at the country’s amazing natural springs!