If you are looking for a luxury travel experience that lets you see the serene part of Costa Rica you have always heard about, make sure you pay close attention to my Springs Resort Costa Rica review. This overview of the property, the amenities, and all of the wonderful reasons why you should book the Springs Resort & Spa in Costa Rica is based on four trips to this simply magical, unforgettable destination.
Perhaps you saw this property on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” (love them or hate them, they stayed here), or maybe even recently on “The Golden Bachelor.” I’m here to give you the common man’s review of this amazing hotel and spa in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
Most recently, we decided to have our wedding here in May of 2024, so if you are looking for The Springs Resort & Spa reviews, you won’t find one that’s more in depth than this one! (And let’s not get started on how much money we’ve spent there….I don’t think we’ve invested more in travel than we have at this place!) If you want more footage of this iconic property, scroll down and watch our amazing wedding video!
In fact, this is one of the top rated places for destination weddings in the world!
Enough preamble, let me get into why we LOVE The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal!
Is The Springs Costa Rica Worth the Money?
ABC’s “The Bachelor” was shot there.
CNN called it “one of the best resorts with the most spectacular views in the world.”
Trip Advisor put it in their Hall of Fame.
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. Thankfully, I took many pictures during our trips. I can say that I whole-heartedly agree with the comment made by CNN!
- As Seen On "The Bachelor," "The Golden Bachelor" and "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."
- Best Luxury Resort in the La Fortuna Area.
- The Most Awarded Hotel in Costa Rica.
- 28 Hot Spring Pools, Full Spa, Fitness Center, & Wildlife Sanctuary on premises.
Prices vary from season to season, and I paid around $500 nightly for the room, although for full disclosure I used American Express points so I didn’t come out of pocket for a couple of these stays. Hey, you gotta use them some time, and this felt like a good time to use them!
No matter what price you pay, if luxury travel and bucket list experiences that will wow even the most well traveled of your Instagram “friends” is in the cards, you can’t go wrong staying at The Springs. Featuring hot springs, picture perfect views of the rain forest and near by Volcano Arenal, Four restaurants, and a very scenic swim up bar, you won’t be without any memories after a stay at this posh hotel. There are 28 mineral laden Hot Springs that you can soak into and relax in while you take in the breathtaking views. There is also a full fitness center and gorgeous spa. We got foot massages and were very pleased.
The destination pitches it as a place for honeymoons. I can say that nobody would be let down if they chose here to do that! It’s also good for weddings or conventions, but I found it just perfect for a two day relaxation retreat with my son.
Things to Do at The Springs Resort Costa Rica
Let’s start with relax! This is exactly why I came here, to unwind and relax. The swim up bar had sufficient stock of tequila and good enough bar food to keep me there for hours. It was a bonus that there were televisions playing sports, so I was in my element. If I was ever bored, I’d stare at the Volcano and watch the clouds trickle in and around it. It’s crazy how relaxed you can get at a place like this.
When I was up for excitement, I took my son to what they call “Club Rio.” This is their on campus center that features many activities you can partake in, such as:
- River tubing
- Kayaking
- Horseback tours
- Rock climbing
- Rappelling
- Hiking
- Nature Tours
- Wildlife preserve (this was our favorite part
They even have a “rancho” set up by the river where you can eat, order drinks, and take in the serenity. You can arrive to Club Rio by shuttle, there is a schedule that is highly organized that will be available in your room, but you can always ask or call the front desk for any questions. I found them very helpful and eager to point us in the right direction in terms of making sure we had all our questions answered.
Activities for Children at The Springs Resort
In addition to all of the water activities, you’ll find a mini golf course in addition to a game room with video games, ping pong, and more. On the same level as Ginger Sushi, you’ll find a chess board, a poker table, dart board, and a billiards table.
Off Site Activities at The Springs Resort in Costa Rica
In addition, you can book many local tours and see other parts of La Fortuna. I had a car rented so I took my own adventure across town to look around and even go out for steaks one night.
We made the drive from the Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport and it was under three hours. It’s a straight shot down Route 1, then take a left by the bull ring in Canas. From there, follow all of the signs to Tilaran, and from there, to Nuevo Arenal. It may feel that you are close since you are in “Nuevo Arenal” and you’ll see the Lake, but you still have about 45 more minutes down a windy, but well paved road. It’s very scenic and easy, it just takes a lot of patience going around the winding hills and sometimes the turns slow down the speed you can travel.
Be careful during the dark, as animals and bikers will be hard to see.
I haven’t driven there from San Jose, but heard it’s about four hours.
The Springs Resort and Spa Day Pass
You can get a day pass to hang out at the Hot Springs. I was staying there so I didn’t need one, but if you want to come and experience it all, you can do just that. According to their website, it costs $68 for a two day pass per person if you want to enter the resort. I believe there are extra fees for Club Rio activities.
Since this is a Springs Resort review, I’d like to stay on topic, but if you want more information about the day pass we wrote about it on this page.
The Food at The Springs
This is the only negative thing I’ll say about this place, being a big foodie, but in fairness, there’s really not a single resort in Costa Rica I can say would satisfy a boujie foodie when it comes to mind-blowing cuisine.
Sure, they have their special dishes that people will rave about, like a good steak, or a solid pasta, or whatever, but you’ll pay resort prices for it. That’s just in line with the country being a tourist hub and I can’t knock the Springs resort in any way.
When I look for a good, well-rounded menu, I look for variety and things that I don’t experience every day. What you’ll find at The Springs in their restaurants is the same thing you’ll find at every other Costa Rica Hotel, and that’s a mix of a handful of Costa Rican typical dishes, a lot of very basic Americana, and a few high end dishes that will be triple the price of the rest of the menu. I have nothing against a local casado or gallo pinto. I actually LOVE gallo pinto and have it daily when in the country. That said, I’ve had my share of quesadillas and burgers and fries, and trust me, I’ve had a lot of great lobster ravioli’s and wagyu filets, but if you get what I’m saying, there’s no dish here that will really “wow” you if you are used to fine dining. That said, nothing is bad, and I think the breakfast buffet, which serves up local food, pastries, custom omelettes, a juice bar, and much more, is an incredible value. Here’s my take on each restaurant as well as my personal recommendations:
Las Ventanas
To me, this is the best dining experience at The Springs. One that truly stands out and offers a fine dining experience with excellent food. This is a balanced menu that features prime beef, pork, seafood, and homemade pasta. There’s also an expansive vegetarian menu if that’s of interest. This one does require a reservation (or some luck if you are late to decide) as it’s the most in-demand restaurant here. You’ll also have a Sommelier about to help you pair wine with anything you order. This is the spot I look forward to each visit. To boot, it has an incredible dining room with expansive views of the volcano.
Tres Cascadas
They serve every meal here, and it’s where I start my day each day with the incredible spread I mentioned for breakfast. For lunch, you can find typical Costa Rican food like arroz con pollo, along with stuff like burgers, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, salads, and pastas. The prime burger is great, and I’ll always have an arroz con pollo when visiting Costa Rica.
Ginger Sushi
Ginger Sushi is an eye appealing, open air sushi bar where everything is made fresh right in front of you. The fish comes directly from the countries two oceans and you’ll be able to get Mahi Mahi, Yellow Fin Tuna, Seabass, Snapper, Shrimp, and even Wahoo. Of course, you’ll get a typical miso soup here and can choose from sushi or sashimi. While it’s a great social area and venue, I found the sushi preparation to be on the side of average, but I still visit and enjoy doing so. This is located next to the kids lounge, where video games, billiards, and ping pong are available, so it’s a good place for parents to mingle while their children play near by.
Update: In 2024 they REALLY upped their game. The sushi was much improved this time around and our guests were all in love with it. I still wouldn’t compare it to some of the stuff I’ve had in South Florida, but it’s a lot better than it was in past years and I commend them on that. Maybe they saw my review? π
Tree Tops Grill
I’ve never dined inside this venue, (to eat, I’ve had many cocktails here) but I’ve ordered their food to the swim up bar multiple times. Set atop the cliff and overlooking a valley that cascades down thousands of feet to the river below, you’ll get a nice breeze here. You can show up in your swimsuit as it’s a casual venue, and they offer burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, and much more. There’s also an expansive appetizer menu if you are looking for a snack.
Rancho Club Rio
Open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, this is along the river where all the adventure activities take place. It’s also our wedding venue as it’s a big space for private functions near Club Rio where you can get lunch, a drink, or a snack during their business hours. It’s an open air rancho that serves ceviche, arroz con mariscos, steak, and local cuisine. It’s a great place to unwind after an adventure on the river, seeing the wildlife sanctuary, or just to enjoy the breeze, open air, and river view.
Bars at The Springs Resort
Heliconias Bar
Open 12:00 Noon to 10:00 PM, this is a great spot to be off the grid with an incredible view of the volcano. There’s great scenery all around, including the stained glass art hanging above the bar that depict heliconia flowers that grow on the property. I like this bar so much that here’s another (and more recent) pic of the view when you drink here:
La Laguna Bar
This is where I spend most of my time! The largest pool on the property, called La Laguna, has this swim up bar as the main attraction. You’ll be surrounded by gorgeous scenery and epic landscaping all around you as you soak in the warm water with your drink of choice. You can also enjoy sports at this bar and the staff is generally happy to turn on your game of choice if you ask nicely!
The Ranchito Bar
Open during high season and often rented out for events, this is yet another great setting that overlooks many pools and the volcano.
Los Perdidos and Los Palos Bar
If you make it down to Perdido Springs, perhaps so the kids can go down the waterslide, make sure to stop at Los Perdidos Bar! This is the closest thing to a tiki that you’ll find here. The open air, thatched roof is surrounded by jungle on the exterior and numerous hot springs dwell in the backdrop. It’s limited seating, but a great place for an off the grid, change of pace cocktail. I find this one more intimate and the bartenders are less busy and can share a lot of local advice with you in either Spanish or English. This bar also services all of the Perdido Springs pools, so if you find yourself wading there, you can rest assured you’ll get service!
Los Palos bar is just down a few steps and last time we went it wasn’t open, but we were in low season. It’s basically an adjacent venue and they both serve the purpose of serving drinks to the people at Perdido Springs.
On the bright side of the food spectrum, the breakfast, which was a buffet, had so much there that everyone should be happy with it. I was. It had everything you could possibly consume for breakfast, from American dishes and local stuff. I found this to be the best part of the food experience. Of course, having fresh Costa Rican coffee every morning was amazing as well.
The Springs Wildlife Sanctuary and Refuge
The Springs has a very unique on premises wildlife sanctuary that supports the Costa Rican Environmental Ministry’s objective of caring for Costa Rican wildlife that’s been either taken from people holding them illegally or rescued because they were injured in the wild. They provide them a caring environment that puts them in their natural habitat to promote their longevity and make sure they aren’t injured in the wild or being illegally held captive. Only a few entities in Costa Rica are allowed to have this honor, and the Springs staff educates guests about these animals and also explains their challenges in their natural habitats. In some situations, their habitats are ruined or invaded and fortunately the Springs gives them a home with care. You can view them on guided tours on the hour for a small fee. It’s really something you must experience!
Club Rio
This is not only where you’ll get off the bus to experience the aforementioned wildlife sanctuary, but it’s also where you can do the whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, and other activities the resort offers. They also have a full service bar and restaurant, so if your family wants to white water raft for an hour but you aren’t able to go or just don’t want to, you can watch them spin around the river from the open air bar.
- As Seen On "The Bachelor," "The Golden Bachelor" and "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."
- Best Luxury Resort in the La Fortuna Area.
- The Most Awarded Hotel in Costa Rica.
- 28 Hot Spring Pools, Full Spa, Fitness Center, & Wildlife Sanctuary on premises.
Here’s another view of the Club Rio restaurant as well as the activities at Club Rio, which includes cornhole, ping pong, and more.
The Springs Honeymoon Suite
We decided to spend some extra money and get this for our wedding week. It was basically the same as the Altavista Room but with a hot tub. Well worth it!
The Spa at the Springs
We’ve used every amenity here, and it wouldn’t be complete without a review of the spa. The spa is located in the main building and it offers every essential spa treatment you could imagine, but for us, the real highlight here is the couples massage in the hidden bungalow located by Club Rio.
You’ll have to go up about 100 steps to reach this private, serene bungalow, but once you arrive, this is what you’ll encounter. It’s the best setting for a massage that we have ever had!
The Springs Resort & Spa Reviews
You’ve heard my take on The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal, and a lot went into this review and I spent CRAZY money on these experiences, so don’t take it lightly. But don’t just take my word for it, many other past visitors have shared their takes on this property, and here they are below:
It’s a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor, with over 3,300 ratings last I checked. That’s incredibly hard to achieve and it’s earned the #1 ranking in the Arenal area. Here’s a couple recent ones that stood out to me.
If you aren’t convinced at how much we LOVE the Springs, have a look at our wedding video we made from videos and pics provided by our guests and friends!
In Summary
Overall, we’ve had three amazing times relaxing at the Springs. I found the staff very pleasant, the accommodations perfect, and the scenery, well, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!
You won’t see any other The Springs Costa Rica Resort and Spa reviews like this one, as I’ve stayed here three times in 5 years, and given they shut down for well over a year due to the pandemic, that should tell you something about how I feel about this resort and spa. It’s truly the best place to stay in La Fortuna and you’ll be jonesing to return!
Contact Information:
The Springs Resort & Spa
9 km West & 3.5 km North from the Center of La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica
Phone: Reservations Telephone: C.R. 011(506) 2401-3313 | U.S. (954) 727-8333