The Best La Fortuna Hot Springs

Aside from the Majestic Arenal Volcano, dense, lush rainforests, and varied wildlife, La Fortuna boasts the most surplus hot thermal springs in Costa Rica that you can soak in to relax your muscles and mind after a long day hike.

There are about 12 hot springs in La Fortuna that are either natural or artificial, both paid and free. Most of these hot springs have natural minerals like magnesium and calcium in them that aid in relieving stress and strengthening the muscles.

When my husband and I visited La Fortuna for the first time, we were so eager to see most of the hot springs in La Fortuna. However, we were a bit worried that our kids would be allowed inside the facilities.

Then we discovered that most of the hot springs are kid-friendly and family-oriented because they make provision for water slides and other fun water activities that kids can participate in.

The good thing is that most hot springs separate the area for kids from the adult section, so lovers and couples who did not come with kids can have a private romantic time together without interruptions.

In this article, I have listed out the best hot springs in La Fortuna that you can have a relaxed time at when you visit.

Key Takeaways

• There are about 12 hot springs in La Fortuna. Eleven are paid hot springs, while one is free.
• Tabacon Hot Springs are the most famous hot springs in La Fortuna.
• Termalitas Arenal Hot Springs has the lowest quality of all the hot springs.
• All of the hot springs are within close proximity of La Fortuna town.
• Kalambu Hot Springs gives you the most amazing view of the Arenal Volcano.

List of the Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna

In no particular order, here is a compiled list of the best hot springs in La Fortuna.

Baldi Hot Springs

The Baldi Hot Springs is an eight-minute drive from La Fortuna downtown and one of the best hot spring resorts.

It has 25 different thermal pools; one is extremely hot, and the other is a cold water pool. The temperatures of the pools, excluding the cold pool, range from 91°F to 152°F (33°C to 67°C).

All of these make Baldi Hot Springs Resort boast that they are the largest hot springs resort in the world.

I won’t say I agree or disagree. However, what I love about this place is the kid-friendly environment. They have a dedicated kids’ play zone with water slides, a splash pad, hot and cold pools, and swim-up bars.

Aside from the dedicated kiddies zone, I love the fun caves with a sauna-like experience in this place that is best enjoyed with family and friends because it is large enough to take in over sixty people at a time.

And the swim-up pool has TVs and waterbeds where you can relax while watching some soap operas.

Baldi Hot Springs Resort has a party atmosphere. However, the poolside is tranquil and feels natural. It opens from 9 am to 10 pm daily and costs between $45 and $70 per adult.

Ecotermales Hot Springs

The Ecotermales hot spring is a nine-minute drive from La Fortuna downtown and offers an affordable, relaxing, and natural hot spring experience. 

They have eight thermal pools, including a cold-water pool, a natural pool, swim-up bars, and a small waterfall. The temperature of the thermal pools ranges from 90 to 106 °F  (32 to 41 °C).

Ecotermales hot spring is one of the natural hot springs in La Fortuna that is rich in minerals like magnesium, bicarbonates, and calcium, which help to relieve stress and mental health issues and strengthen the immune system when you soak in it.

The good thing about this place is that they offer you yummy cocktails to enjoy while you are soaking in the hot spring, and it is best for couples and lovers on a romantic vacation. 

Apart from that, the hot spring facilities are well maintained with concrete paths, dense forests, lush gardens, clean changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers.

If you plan on coming here, kindly note that there is a time slot and limit of entry for visitors, so it does not get overcrowded. They only allow 80 people per time, and the time slot is 9 am to 4pm for the first slot and 4 pm to 9:30 pm for the second slot.

This place opens 9am to 10 pm daily and costs $40 to $80 per adult.

Tabacon Hot Springs

Tabacon Hot Springs is a sixteen-minute drive from La Fortuna downtown and an extremely popular hot spring in town. 

There are twenty different thermal pools in this place and a cold water pool. The pool temperatures range from 72 to 105°F (22 to 40.5°C), excluding the cold water pool.

Tabacon Hot Springs is perfect for lovers and couples on a romantic getaway and is open to kids too. However, if you don’t want to mix up with kids,  they can grant you access to the exclusive adult-only section called Shangri-La Gardens.

Aside that, this place offers a spa section. It opens 10 am to 10 pm daily and costs $75 to $100 per adult.

Pro Tip

This place is always busy and crowded, especially during weekends, holidays, and peak tourist season. So it is best to book in advance before coming.

The rocks in this hot springs resort are slippery. I advise you to wear water and be careful when stepping in for your safety.

Los Lagos Hot Springs

Los Lagos hot springs is a nine-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna, and it are not the most natural hot spring in the area.

To me, it is more like a waterpark. However, it is a fun place for families with kids six years of age and older.

They have ten pools in total. One is a large coldwater pool with water slides; another is a large hot spring shaped like a lagoon with water slides; and the other eight are small pools and Jacuzzis. 

The temperature of the pools varies, with the hottest pool being 100°F (37°C). The hot spring facilities are big, with a swim-up bar, two fun waterslides, pools with waterfalls, and one with a fake volcano.

Aside from the pools, there is a butterfly garden and a turtle pond. They also have spacious and comfortable hotel rooms available in the vicinity if you want to lodge.

Los Lagos hot springs are open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and cost from $10 to $30 for children and adults.

The Springs Resort Hot Springs

The Springs Resort hot springs are situated in one of the most luxurious hotels in La Fortuna, with some of the nicest hot springs in the area. 

They have about 25 hot pools, sectioned into three: Las Lagunas Pool, Perdido Springs, and Club Rio Springs.

The Las Lagunas pool sections are situated at the main building and have 12 pools, 4 chlorinated and 8 natural, including a swim-up bar and two acres of gardens.

The Perdido Springs section is connected to Las Lagunas by a series of short forest trails. It has seven pools and a waterslide.

The Rio Springs is a secluded section with six pools that gives you a remarkable view of the river and the canyon bordering it.

The pool temperatures vary and range from 83 to 104°F (28 to 40°C).

Apart from the hot springs, this place gives you an amazing view of the Arenal Volcano. They also offer delicious cocktails, food, and a live band for entertainment.

It is a nice place to visit with kids. They are open from 8 am to 10 pm daily and access to the springs resort costs $80-$120 per adult.

Titok Hot Springs

Titoku hot springs is an eight-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna and the smallest hot spring in the area, with eight small hot spring pools of varying temperatures. 

Aside from the hot springs, Titokú offers a meeting room with a maximum capacity of 80 people per time and also a bar for you to relax with some chilled drinks.

This place opens from 10 am to 8 pm daily, and access to it costs $40–$60.

Kalambu Hot Springs

If you are looking for a hot spring that combines both adventure and relaxation, then Kalambu Hot Springs is your perfect choice.

It is situated six minutes drive from La Fortuna town and has only two thermal pools (one is designed for families with kids while the other is adult only). However, there are lots of fun activities around these pools.

You will find tall dip and curve water slides, splash pads, dump buckets, thermal pools, raft-run waterfall slides, artificial waterfalls, small water slides for the little kids, gardens, and a restaurant at the Kalambu Hot Springs.

The attractive thing about this hot spring is the majestic view of Arenal Volcano. The hot spring costs $18 to $30 and opens 9 am to 8 pm daily, with an extension of one hour for weekends.

Pro Tip

This is a stand-alone hot spring with no hotel or lodge nearby except for a restaurant where you can eat food. So ensure to leave when you know it will be safe for you to get to your hotel room.

Paradise Hot Springs

Paradise hot springs is an eight-minute drive from La Fortuna town and it is open for couples, families, solo travelers, and lovers to enjoy the hot springs.

This place has five thermal pools, excluding a cold water pool, and two jacuzzis with waterfalls. The temperature of the thermal pools ranges from 95- 104 °F (35 to 41 °C).

What I love about the Paradise hot springs is the inclusion of natural minerals in all of their thermal pools and jacuzzis so guests can enjoy hydrotherapy.

Aside from that, you are sure to enjoy hydro massages, water jets, and waterfalls of varying pressures with rich water minerals.

Paradise Hot Springs is open from 11 am to 9 pm daily, and access costs between $35 and $180.

Los Laureles Hot Springs

Los Laureles hot springs is 10 minutes drive from La Fortuna town and one of the budget-friendly hot springs you can find in La Fortuna.

It has nine thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 99ºF – 106ºF. You will also find an artificial waterfall with one waterslide on the facility.

The only downside about this place is that it does not have many amenities like what you would find in other hot springs in La Fortuna.

The facilities here are rather basic, with a laid-back vibe. There is no sight of a restaurant, so it is advisable to come with your own snacks and drinks for picnics.

However, if you are looking to engage in some sports, you will find sports facilities here like a basketball court, a soccer field, a beach volleyball area, and a water slide for kids to enjoy.

Gaining access to this place would cost you between $10 and $20. This place is open from 10 am to 9:45 pm daily.

Rio Chollin ( El Choyin) Hot Springs

Rio Chollin also called El Choyin, is a free natural hot spring close to the famous Tabacon hot spring. 

You do not need to pay any fee to enter; however, do not expect anything like amenities like restaurants, changing rooms, and so on that you will find in other hot springs here.

In fact, this place is as natural as the word natural. The water is not perfectly clean nor is it maintained.

So if you are coming here, I would advise you to come alone, not in a group, with someone with mobility issues or kids.

This place is open at all times, and you will mostly find locals here. Do we need to be careful of the slippery rock in this pool and ensure you properly lock your car before heading into it?

Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs

Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs share similar features with Los Laureles. However, I will consider it a lower quality and best option for people who are on a budget.

There are nine thermal pools here with varying pool temperatures, excluding a cold water pool. The pool temperatures range from 80- 120 °F.

This is a place for you to swim, relax, and enjoy a picnic with family and friends. The outstanding thing about this place is the dense forest of tall palm trees, which creates a natural vibe.

You can bring kids to Termalitas del Arenal hot springs, as there are waterslides on the property. This place is open from 9 am to 9 pm and access to it costs $8 to $15.

Quick Facts About La Fortuna

• La Fortuna is located in the Alajuela province.
• A three-hour drive from both San Jose and Liberia International Airports gets you here.
• It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica.
• You do not need a 4×4 vehicle to reach La Fortuna from both San Jose and Liberia International Airports because the roads are paved.
• La Fortuna is hot and humid all year round. The dry season starts from December through April, and the rainy season starts from May through November. 

Alternatively, you could also consider getting an Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass for a perfect day of rejuvenation.

Conclusion

La Fortuna hot springs are a great way to relax your mind after a long day hike in the jungle or an early morning workout session. It is a combination of relaxation and charm!

The hot springs offer various settings befitting your preferences and budget. From luxurious to comfortable hot springs resorts, romantic vacations, or family-friendly. 

Whatever you need, you will definitely find it here. The best part is that these thermal hot springs are endowed with natural minerals from the geothermal activity of the Arenal Volcano, which has therapeutic benefits.

So if you are looking for a relaxed and serene place to dip yourself for a longer part of the day, visit any of the hot springs listed in this article when you visit La Fortuna.

Enjoy!