Arenal is home to many hot spring resorts, from luxurious to basic and from small to large thermal pools. These pools are a relaxing spot for tourists visiting the beautiful town of Arenal, which means you can never go wrong with having a relaxed time with family, social groups, or alone.
One thing I have noticed is that no two hot spring resorts give you the same experience, even though most are located opposite each other. You will feel a different type of way in all of the hot springs.
When my husband Tim and I visited Arenal, we wanted to soak in one of the hot springs there. However, we had difficulty deciding which one to go to first after we had a complete list of recommendations from locals, tourists, and online reviews.
So, we decided to check out all of Arenal Hot Springs’s day passes to see what they had to offer in a day. And with all the information gathered and the experiences we had, I decided to share it with you.
In this article, I have shared all the information you need for a day pass at Arenal Hot Springs. It will help you make an informed decision when planning your travel itinerary.
Key Takeaways
- Tabacon Thermal Hot Spring offers a luxurious and intimate experience to visitors.
- Baldi Hot Springs is family-friendly and the best option for families with active kids.
- The Springs Hot Springs offer the most stunning view of the Arenal Volcano.
- EcoTermales Hot Springs offers an eco-friendly feel and water with natural minerals that help relieve stress.
- The spring hot spring gives you access to a two-day pass when you buy their ticket. However, it is not applicable during peak tourist season.
- The largest hot spring resort in Arenal is the Baldi Hot Springs, with 25 thermal pools.
- The smallest hot spring resort in Arenal is Paradise Hot Springs, with five thermal pools.
- The cheapest hot spring is Titoku Hot Springs. Prices start at $20.
- The most expensive is Tabacon Thermal Hot Spring, with pricing starting at $60.
- The hot springs are located in La Fortuna town and are opposite each other.
- You can purchase the day pass tickets online or onsite.
Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass Reviewed
In no particular order, below is a list of the reviewed day passes of Arenal Hot Springs.
Baldi Hot Springs
Baldi Hot Springs boasts one of the largest thermal pools in Arenal, with a lively yet relaxed environment and an affordable budget that is suitable for families with active kids and also social groups.
Baldi Hot Springs has the following features:
- Twenty-five thermal pools
- Four Waterslides
- Two Restaurants
- A Jacuzzi
- Three swim-up bars
- Towel and locker rental
- Spa session
When you pay for the day pass, which ranges from $40- $80 depending on the day pass payment plan you go for, you will have access to all 25 thermal pools, lunch or dinner, and a spa session.
Also, they are open from 9 am to 10 pm daily. So you can decide to stay from morning to evening or come in several times a day before your day pass expires.
The Springs Resort Hot Springs
The Spring Resort is a family-friendly spot with twenty-five thermal pools divided into three distinct sections. This place does not just offer a place where you can have fun with your kids or group of friends but also gives you a fantastic view of the Arenal Volcano.
The Springs Resort features the following:
- Twenty-five thermal pools
- A kid’s game room
- A Jacuzzi
- Six Bars
- Waterslides
- Five Restaurants
- Spa Session
- Towel and locker rental
- Activity room
The Springs Resort is a high-end Hot Springs spot in Arenal, so a day pass costs between $80 and $130, depending on your payment plan and the services you opt for.
However, the basic plan gives you access to all the pools and amenities. Services like spa sessions and access to the activity center will require you to pay more.
The good thing is that The Springs Resort is open from 8 am to 10 pm daily and offers a two-day pass, unlike the regular one-day pass in other places. However, it becomes a day pass during peak tourist seasons like December, March, and April.
Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs
Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs is a famous luxurious hot springs resort among tourists in Arenal. It offers an elegant and romantic experience for couples and lovers to have a romantic getaway.
This place is perfect for adults to have a quiet time. However, kids of all ages can enter the pool with adults. There is an adult-only session called the Shangri-La Gardens, where adults can soak in without interruption from kids.
Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs has the following features:
- Twenty in-river thermal pools
- One waterslide
- A swim-up bar
- Four Bars
- Towel and locker rental
- Spa session
- Two Restaurants
When you pay for the day pass, which ranges from $75- $125 depending on the day pass payment plan you go for, you will have access to all 20 thermal pools, a non-alcoholic welcome drink, lunch or dinner, and a spa session.
Also, they are open from 10 am to 10 pm daily. So you can decide to stay from morning to evening or come in several times a day before your day pass expires.
EcoTermales Hot Springs
Regarding budget friendliness, EcoTermales Hot Springs is the most affordable hot springs resort in Arenal. There are about six thermal pools in this resort, surrounded by dense rainforest, making it a natural hot spring in Arenal where couples and adults can have a romantic vacation.
EcoTermales Hot Springs has the following features:
- Six thermal pools
- Two bars
- Two cold-water pools
- One on-site restaurant
- Towel and locker rentals
- Waterfall pool
A day pass ranges from $30 to $60, and you will have access to all the pools, traditional lunch, or buffet dinner.
This place is open from 9 am to 9:30 pm. However, unlike other hot springs resorts in Arenal, Ecotermales hot spring operates on two visitation time slots.
The first starts from 9 am to 4 pm while the second starts from 4 pm to closing time, which is 9:30 pm. So, when making reservations for your day pass, you have to specify what time slot you will be arriving.
Paradise Hot Springs
If you are looking for a tranquil, small place to relax alone or with your partner for a moderate amount of money, then Paradise Hot Springs is your best bet. The good thing about this place is that, regardless of how small it is, you will still get a quality thermal pool experience.
However, it is not a place to visit if you have active children, as there are no lively activities for kids to engage in. Here, it is mainly for people looking to shut out the noise around them and soak inside a thermal pool.
Paradise Hot Springs has the following features:
- Five thermal pools
- A cold water pool
- Two jacuzzis with waterfall
- A Restaurant
- A Swim-up bar
- Towel and Locker included
- Spa session
A day pass here costs between $30 and $170, which gives you access to the five pools and lunch or dinner. Other benefits, like spa sessions, depend on the payment plan you paid for.
The Paradise hot spring opens from 11 am to 9 pm daily. You can stay in the pool from morning to evening or come in several times daily.
Titoku Hot Spring
Titoku Hot Spring offers a tranquil vibe with eight thermal pools that decrease temperature as you move downstream. The amenities in Titoku are too small, so they only allow 80 people to go into the pool for two to three hours.
After that, another set can go in for two to three hours. This rotational method goes on for the rest of the day until you close your.
Titoku Hot Spring has the following features:
- There are eight thermal pools of varying temperatures.
- All pools have handrails.
- Limited to 80 people.
- Full-service bar with drinks and snacks.
- Two to three hours of scheduled entry.
- Accessible bathroom with showers.
- Changing rooms with lockers.
A day pass here costs $20 to $50, giving you access to all the pools with cocktails and light snacks. This hot spring opens from 10 am to 8 pm. However, it runs on a rotational basis, so you will be scheduled for an entry time before you can enter the pool.
Tips for Arenal Hot Springs
- The best times to visit Arenal Hot Springs and enjoy the day pass are weekdays, early morning, or mid-afternoon. If you visit during the weekends or evenings, you will meet a lot of crowds, which is something you may not like.
- When visiting, come along with your swimsuits, water shoes, sunscreen, and towel (even though most Hot Spring Resorts provide towels, I would advise you to come with yours).
- The temperature of the pools varies, so reduce the amount of time you spend in the pools, especially the hottest ones, to prevent overheating.
- The best weather season to visit is the rainy season (May through November). If you visit during the dry season, you may not enjoy the experience compared to the rainy season.
- If you must visit in the dry season (December through April), avoid the hottest pools.
- Stay hydrated while you are in the pool. A bottle of water or a chilled cocktail will go a long way to keeping you hydrated.
- Most Hot Springs resorts require you to either pay online or make payments at the counter. It’s best to know which payment method the hot spring you are going for prefers to make the reservation process seamless for you.
- Carry cash when visiting, especially when paying onsite, because most resorts prefer money to cards. Most do not accept cards at all.
- Before going on a relaxation trip like this, consult your doctor from your home country to declare you fit for this type of relaxation.
If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and would like to visit La Fortuna, you should check out our guide on La Fortuna best hot springs.
Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass Review: Is It Worth It?
Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass is a perfect relaxation, fun, and adventure spot, helping you absorb the therapeutic benefits of the thermal pool. At the same time, you enjoy the view of the majestic Arenal Volcano and surrounding areas full of dense rainforest and gardens.
These day passes provide luxury, family-friendly, budget-friendly, and intimate experiences that suit your preferences.
If you ask me, visiting the Arenal Hot Springs day pass is worth it. However, the experiences you will get vary from one another and depend solely on your budget and lifestyle.
To book an Arenal Hot Springs day pass tour, visit All World to handle your travel plans for hassle-free travel and tours.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
