Nestled beneath the iconic Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica's Alajuela province — La Fortuna is a thrilling adventure hub bursting with natural hot springs dramatic waterfalls zip-line tours white-water rafting and extraordinary wildlife — making it one of Central America's most unmissable destinations.
Costa Rica: Alajuela – The Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna / Arenal
🌋 Arenal — A Volcano That’s Just Having a Bit of a Lie-In
Arenal has been Costa Rica’s most active volcano in living memory — and not in a polite, theoretical sort of way. Right up until about a decade ago, you could watch actual rivers of red lava sliding down that absurdly perfect cone on a regular Tuesday evening. These days it’s gone quiet, though nobody with any geological credibility will tell you it’s done for good. When — not if — it decides to wake up again, that glowing red-orange cone will once again own the night sky. Even dormant, it’s a genuinely imposing sight.
The catastrophic 1968 eruption — which flattened three towns, killed scores of people, and stripped the entire western flank of its forest — did at least leave one rather agreeable legacy: it cracked open the earth enough to unleash the geothermal springs that now bubble away beneath La Fortuna. There are dozens of them, ranging from eye-wateringly expensive luxury resorts to completely free.
Here’s a map of the hot springs around La Fortuna.
💆 Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa — Worth Every Penny (Mostly)
If you’re going to do hot springs, you might as well do them properly. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is a five-star operation sitting right in the heart of the jungle, fed by five separate geothermal springs that push naturally heated, mineralised water through dozens of pools at varying temperatures. It is, by any reasonable measure, rather spectacular.
We went as day visitors, having done our homework. Tabacón has a reputation for getting busy, and several people had advised booking ahead — particularly for the spa and dinner package, which is exactly what we opted for. As it turned out, the day we chose was grey, drizzly, and thoroughly Costa Rican in its enthusiasm for rain, so we probably could have walked straight in. But there we were, booked and committed, which is very much our way.
The grounds are immaculately kept — lush, private-feeling, and genuinely tropical in a way that doesn’t feel manufactured. The pools follow the course of a natural stream up the hillside, getting progressively hotter as you climb. Since we prefer our hot springs on the warmer side — none of your lukewarm paddling-pool nonsense — we headed as far up the hill as guests are permitted to go. The hottest pools beyond that point are reserved for hotel residents, which seems fair enough.
The rainy weather, as it happened, turned out to be something of a gift. We ended up with entire pools entirely to ourselves, which more than compensated for sitting in a tropical downpour. When you’re already submerged to the shoulders in steaming mineralised water, a bit of rain is neither here nor there. The pools are man-made, though you’d barely know it — they’ve been cleverly naturalised, and the surrounding gardens are beautiful enough to make the whole experience feel genuinely special rather than like a theme park with better towels. We soaked contentedly for a couple of hours before it was time for our spa appointment.
We’d booked a couples massage in one of the open-air outdoor cabinas, which sounded wonderfully romantic and indeed was. We were welcomed inside first, handed a cocktail that managed to be both delicious and suspiciously virtuous, then led outside for a full hour of what can only be described as absolute bliss. Highly recommended. No notes.
Dinner, however, was a somewhat different story. We had mentioned at the time of booking that we were vegan — not an unreasonable thing to flag at a five-star resort in the twenty-first century — and this information appeared to have arrived at the restaurant as something of a bolt from the blue. To their credit, they pulled something together. To be less charitable about it, what arrived on our plates was noticeably more modest than the generous spreads being enjoyed by our meat-eating neighbours. For a resort charging five-star prices, a vegan meal that could charitably be described as “adequate” felt like a bit of a miss. Disappointing, if we’re honest — though the massage and the pools had already set the bar so high that perhaps no dinner was ever going to quite keep up.
Tabacón is the grande dame of the La Fortuna hot springs scene — beautifully landscaped, genuinely impressive, and priced accordingly. If you’re not staying at the resort itself, you can buy a day pass, which at least takes some of the sting out of not having a room. All day passes include a meal — full marks for that — with a full day coming in at $85 per adult. Children aged 6 to 11 are $38, and under-fives get in free with a paying adult, which is the kind of policy that briefly restores your faith in humanity.
If a full day feels excessive — or your knees give out after two hours of lounging in hot water, which is more common than people admit — there are partial day passes at $70: a morning slot running 10am to 2pm, or an evening pass from 6pm to 10pm.
Numbers are capped daily, so booking ahead is genuinely advisable rather than just a polite suggestion. Check their website for the full current schedule and pricing.
Tabacón is a proper five-star operation, and it’s priced accordingly — rooms run somewhere between $320 and $350 a night. Before you choke on your coffee, that rate includes breakfast, full access to the thermal pools, an exclusive guest-only window from 8am to 10am before the day-trippers arrive, and access to the adults-only garden. You also get 20% off spa treatments, which softens the blow considerably.
Day passes come in at $85 per person, meals included. When you consider that a decent room elsewhere in La Fortuna will set you back around $100 a night anyway, staying at Tabacón starts looking rather less extravagant. Check room availability here.
🌿 The Springs Resort & Spa — For When the Family Wants Absolutely Everything
The Springs Resort & Spa does not do things by halves. It sits on 165 acres with a spectacular outlook over Arenal Volcano, natural hot springs, five separate dining options, and a full-service spa. So far, so luxurious.
For families, there’s a water slide, a putt-putt course, a kids’ game room, and the on-site Club Rio Adventure Centre, which offers river tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and an Animal Sanctuary. Basically, if your children are bored here, that’s entirely on them.
A two-day hot springs pass costs $79 plus 13% VAT per person, covering the entire property. An overnight stay starts in the low $500s — which, naturally, includes hot springs access.
🌿 Mid-Range Hot Springs
🍃 EcoTermales — Keeping It Natural (And Pleasantly Uncrowded)
EcoTermales makes the bold claim of being La Fortuna’s only genuinely natural hot spring resort, and it’s hard to argue with the setting. Volcanic springs bubbling up straight from the rainforest have formed six elegant pools, with temperatures ranging from a perfectly pleasant 37°C up to a face-melting 41°C (99°–106°F), depending on how much punishment you fancy. There’s also a freshwater waterfall and pool for cooling off, plus two regular-temperature pools for the less thermally adventurous.
The rather civilised twist here is that guest numbers are capped at 80 people per two-hour slot, which means it never descends into the sort of chaotic splashing about you’d find at more popular spots. No accommodation on site, but at $44 per person for entry, it’s a solid option.
There are two bars on site, a restaurant, and — should you wish to make a proper evening of it — a combined package that bundles hot springs access with a meal for $72 per person. Whether that represents good value rather depends on how long you intend to prune in the water and how hungry you are afterwards.
Reservations are available here.
🏨 Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa — A Rather Decent Billet
We stayed at the Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, and very nice it was too. The hotel sits on 27 acres of well-tended, rolling grounds with what would be — on a clear day, which ours weren’t — genuinely spectacular views straight up at Arenal Volcano. The 53 suites are generously sized, the sort of rooms where you don’t spend the entire stay performing an elaborate shuffle around the luggage.
There are onsite hot springs you can enjoy or you take the 6km free shuttle to Titokú Hot Springs, where guests of the hotel get free access
You don’t need to be staying at the rather swish Arenal Kioro Suites to get yourself into the Titokú Hot Springs — they’ll take your money regardless. Day access will set you back $23.10, or $48.80 if you fancy a meal thrown in as well, which, frankly, after a few hours of soaking in volcanic water, seems like a perfectly reasonable proposition.
Rooms at the Kioro Suites come in at the low $200s a night — which, given you’re essentially paying for a front-row seat to one of the great natural spectacles of Central America, feels like a reasonable deal. There’s also an on-site restaurant, so you needn’t venture far after a day tramping around lava fields. Check room availability here.
🌊 Baldi Hot Springs — Going Large, Costa Rican Style
If you’re going to do hot springs, you might as well do them properly. Baldi Hot Springs makes the rather bold claim of being the largest hot springs complex in the world — and with 25 thermal pools cascading down through explosively lush tropical vegetation, it’s difficult to argue too strenuously with the marketing department on this one.
The pools range from a perfectly civilised 93°F right up to a skin-peeling 152°F, which is less “relaxing soak” and more “light parboiling.” There’s something for everyone, in other words, including a dedicated children’s area complete with slides, because apparently voluntarily sitting in very hot water wasn’t exciting enough for the under-twelves.
Day rates for non-nationals at time of writing were as follows — though do check the Baldi website for current pricing, as these things have a habit of quietly creeping upwards:
| Adults | Children | |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | $40 | $27 |
| Entrance + Lunch | $60 | $41 |
| Entrance + Dinner | $60 | $41 |
| Entrance + Lunch + Dinner | $80 | $55 |
Baldi Hot Springs also has a hotel included. Prices start in the low $200s. Check here for availability.
💰 Hot Springs on a Shoestring — San Bosco Inn & Volcano Lodge
If your budget is feeling the strain — and after a few days in Costa Rica, it very likely is — then the San Bosco Inn deserves a serious look. Rooms are basic, yes. Nobody’s pretending otherwise. But they’re clean, perfectly decent, and start at around $40 a night, which by the standards of the area is genuinely remarkable.
Here’s the clever bit: that $40 includes full breakfast and access to the hot springs at their sister property, the Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience. The springs there are kept strictly for guests of either hotel — no day-trippers, no passing trade — which keeps things pleasantly uncrowded.
A room, a hot breakfast, and a proper soak in thermal springs for forty dollars. We’ve paid considerably more for considerably less.
Volcano Lodge is a perfectly decent option for the area, with room rates starting at around $130 a night — which, given that you get access to your own private thermal plunge pool and waterfall in the Thermal Superior Rooms or Junior Suites, is not entirely unreasonable. There are worse ways to end a day’s trudging through lava fields than lowering yourself into your own naturally heated pool while contemplating the fact that a very large volcano is sitting just up the road, quietly deciding what to do next.
Reservations are available here.
♨️ Free Hot Springs — Tabacón’s Open Secret
About 15 minutes west of La Fortuna lies the Tabacón Resort, one of those places that charges a small fortune to sit in hot water that the volcano provides entirely free of charge. Which, as it happens, you can do — for nothing — if you know where to look.
Drive past the resort entrance on your right and continue until the Tabacón Hot Springs entrance appears on your left. Immediately beyond it, cars were parked haphazardly along the verge. That’s your spot.
On the north side of the road, through a modest little gate that makes absolutely no attempt to look impressive, a gravel path drops down to a free-flowing thermal river. Head left — upstream — and you’ll find a cluster of large rocks. Clamber over them carefully, because wet volcanic rock is essentially a banana skin with geological ambitions, and you’ll discover a rather wonderful natural pool. The left side runs properly hot, heated by Arenal itself. The right side mixes in cooler stream water — ideal if you’d prefer not to poach yourself.
Planning Your Visit to La Fortuna
📍 Location
La Fortuna de San Carlos — to use its full name — lies in the Alajuela province of northern Costa Rica, roughly 131 kilometres north-west of the capital, San José, in a region known as the Northern Highlands. The town sits at the base of Arenal Volcano, just 6 kilometres from the crater, and borders the vast Arenal Volcano National Park to the west. Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake, stretches away to the west and south. The nearest international airports are Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours away by road, and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (Guanacaste), also around 2.5 hours away.
A note on names worth bearing in mind: the terms “Arenal” and “La Fortuna” are often used interchangeably by travellers and tour operators. In practice, “Arenal” refers to the broader region encompassing the national park, the volcano, and the lake, while La Fortuna is the town at its heart and your practical base. When searching for buses, transfers, or accommodation, look specifically for La Fortuna.
✈️ Getting There
By Air
The majority of visitors arrive via Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, which receives international flights from across the Americas and Europe. Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is an equally convenient option if you are coming from certain destinations, and is particularly useful if you plan to combine La Fortuna with the Pacific beaches of Guanacaste.
A small domestic airport, Aerotortuguero (FortunasAirstrip), operates near La Fortuna, served by regional carriers flying short hops from San José. These flights take around 30 to 40 minutes and offer a spectacular aerial view of the landscape, though schedules are limited and weather delays are not uncommon.
By Road — Private Shuttle
The most convenient and widely recommended option for most visitors is a pre-booked tourist shuttle from San José or either airport. Reputable shuttle companies offer shared and private services, with the journey taking approximately 2.5 to 3 hours in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. Drivers are typically English-speaking and knowledgeable about the region. Always use a licensed operator — unlicensed taxis and informal transfer services are best avoided.
By Road — Self-Drive
Driving yourself from San José takes roughly 3 to 4 hours via Route 1 and Route 702, passing through attractive highland scenery. The main roads are in generally good condition and a standard car is adequate for the journey to La Fortuna itself, though an SUV or 4WD is advisable if you plan to venture onto unpaved roads in the surrounding area. Do not leave any belongings in your vehicle when parked, and always use supervised car parks where possible.
By Public Bus
For those on a tight budget, public buses cover the route from San José, though there is no direct service. You take a bus from Terminal 7-10 in San José to Ciudad Quesada (also known as San Carlos), then a connecting bus onwards to La Fortuna — a total journey of around 5 to 6 hours. Buses are generally clean and safe, though they can be crowded during peak hours. Keep valuables and bags within sight at all times.
🚗 Getting Around
La Fortuna’s town centre is compact and walkable. The central park, church, restaurants, shops, and many tour operators are all within easy reach on foot. However, most of the region’s major attractions — the national park, the hot springs resorts, the La Fortuna Waterfall, the hanging bridges, and Lake Arenal — lie along the road leading west from town towards the volcano, spread over several kilometres.
Having your own hire car or taking organised tours with transport included are the most practical ways to get around. Taxis are available in town and reasonably priced for shorter journeys. Quad bike and ATV hire is also popular. There is no reliable local bus network connecting the outlying attractions, so relying solely on public transport beyond the town centre is not straightforward.
Tour operators throughout La Fortuna offer packages that bundle activities with transport, which can be good value and removes the logistical headaches of reaching more remote spots.
The Best Time to Visit La Fortuna
☀️ Dry Season: December to April
The dry season is widely regarded as the most popular time to visit La Fortuna, and for good reason. Rainfall is minimal, skies are clearer, and the roads, trails, and hanging bridges of the Arenal Volcano National Park are at their most accessible. Temperatures hover between 24°C and 30°C, making outdoor activities comfortable and predictable. This is the best window for hiking to the lava fields, white-water rafting on the Sarapiquí and Balsa rivers, zip-lining through the forest canopy, and soaking in the La Fortuna Waterfall without the risk of trail closures.
December and January are peak holiday months, meaning accommodation prices rise and popular hotspots such as Baldi Hot Springs can feel crowded. February and March are considered the sweet spot — still dry, but slightly calmer in terms of visitor numbers. April begins the transition into the wet season; rain showers become more frequent towards the end of the month, but mornings are often still clear.
One note of caution: Arenal Volcano’s summit is almost permanently shrouded in cloud, regardless of season. Clear views of the cone are a treat at any time of year, but you are marginally more likely to glimpse it during the dry season, particularly at dawn.
What to pack: Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics), a wide-brimmed sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a light rain jacket for afternoon showers in April, sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes, a refillable water bottle, insect repellent, and a swimsuit for hot springs and the waterfall.
🌧️ Green (Rainy) Season: May to November
Costa Rica’s rainy season, often marketed as the “green season,” runs from May through November, with September and October bringing the heaviest rainfall. The landscape transforms dramatically — the jungle deepens to an almost electric green, waterfalls surge with power, and rivers run high. La Fortuna Waterfall is at its most dramatic during this period. Fewer tourists visit, which means lower hotel rates, quieter trails, and a more authentic experience in the town itself.
Rainfall typically arrives in the afternoon, leaving mornings bright and warm. This pattern allows for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting in the early hours before retreating indoors during the downpours. The wet season is excellent for wildlife observation; frogs, toucans, and howler monkeys are highly active, and the lush vegetation makes the region’s biodiversity feel especially vivid.
The heaviest weeks — mid-September to mid-October — can see persistent rain that lasts all day, and dirt roads to more remote areas may become impassable. Some outdoor operators reduce their schedules or suspend certain activities during peak rainy months. July and August benefit from a brief dry spell known as the “veranillo” or little summer, making them surprisingly pleasant within the green season.
What to pack: Quick-dry clothing, a waterproof rain poncho or jacket, waterproof hiking boots, dry bags or waterproof pouches for electronics, a lightweight packable umbrella, insect repellent (mosquito activity increases in the wet season), anti-humidity bags for cameras, and a swimsuit for hot springs, which are especially enjoyable in the rain.
🌤️ Shoulder Season: November and Late April
The brief shoulder periods between the two main seasons — late April into early May, and October into November — offer a compelling balance. Prices begin to drop from dry-season highs, visitor numbers thin out, and the landscape retains much of its greenery without the relentless rain of peak wet months. November in particular is often underrated; rainfall decreases noticeably, the forest remains lush, and accommodation deals are still available before the December surge.
These transition periods suit travellers who want a quieter experience without fully committing to the unpredictability of the deep rainy season. Some flexibility in your itinerary is advisable, as weather can shift quickly.
What to pack: A mix of lightweight layers, a versatile waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes or light trail shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a swimsuit. Pack for both sunshine and sudden showers, as conditions can change within the same afternoon.
📊 Season at a Glance
🌺 Overall Best Time to Visit
For most travellers, February and March represent the ideal time to visit La Fortuna. The dry season is in full swing, activity operators are running full schedules, and the humidity — while always present in a tropical rainforest — is at its most manageable. The post-Christmas rush has subsided, prices are somewhat more reasonable than December and January, and the trails, waterfall, and national park are in excellent condition. That said, La Fortuna genuinely rewards visitors at any time of year. If budget and smaller crowds matter more to you than guaranteed sunshine, the green season — particularly June, July, and the veranillo window — offers exceptional value and a richly immersive jungle experience. The key is to arrive with realistic expectations about the weather and an itinerary flexible enough to adapt to it.
Other Things to do Whilst in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is an excellent home base to explore the surrounding natural attractions and is known as the adventure capital of Costa Rica.
Here are some ideas for things to do during your stay in La Fortuna.
1. Hot Springs
La Fortuna, a small town at the base of Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica, sits above a network of geothermal activity that heats water as it filters through the earth before rising to the surface. The result is a collection of hot springs spread along the nearby river valleys, ranging from simple natural pools in the jungle to large commercial resorts with multiple pools, restaurants, and changing facilities. Water temperatures vary between pools — some are comfortably warm at around 35°C, others push closer to 40°C and can feel intense after a few minutes. The commercial parks, such as those along the road between La Fortuna and the volcano, charge an entry fee that typically covers access to the pools and sometimes a meal. They tend to be busiest in the evenings and at weekends, when both tourists and local families come to soak. Away from the paid facilities, there are a handful of free or low-cost natural pools accessible on foot, though these are less developed and offer fewer amenities. The whole area is lush and humid, and it is not unusual to hear frogs or see the volcano — when cloud cover allows — rising above the trees while you sit in the water.
2. Mistico Hanging Bridges
3. Bogarin Trail
Bogarin Trail is a small, privately owned nature reserve sitting less than a kilometre from the centre of La Fortuna, which means most visitors can walk there without any transport. The land was once a cattle farm with no trees to speak of, but in 2000 a local man named Giovanni began replanting native species, and over the following decades it gradually recovered into a patch of regenerated rainforest. Today the trail covers roughly 2.5 kilometres of flat, well-maintained path that is accessible to wheelchairs and suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Wildlife is the main draw — sloths are spotted here fairly regularly, and visitors also tend to see toucans, hummingbirds, frogs, and lizards going about their business in the trees and undergrowth. You can walk the trail on your own or join a guided tour, which lasts around two hours; guides carry telescopes to help pick out animals that are easy to miss in the canopy. Tickets can be bought on arrival in cash, though credit cards are also accepted through the official website. The setting is managed and relatively compact, so it feels different from walking through a large national park — but for people who want a genuine encounter with Costa Rican wildlife without travelling far or tackling difficult terrain, it is a practical and well-regarded option.
4. Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna Waterfall sits about five kilometres south of the town of La Fortuna, in the north-west of Costa Rica. It drops roughly 70 metres into a wide, circular pool at the base, surrounded by dense rainforest. To reach it, visitors follow a paved path that descends several hundred steps — steep in places — and the climb back up can feel quite demanding, particularly in the heat and humidity. Swimming in the pool is permitted and popular, though the current from the falling water is strong, so most people stay towards the edges. The water is cold and clear. The area is managed as a private nature reserve, and there is an entrance fee to access the trail. The setting is undeniably striking, with the green cliff face and the mist from the falls making it one of the better-known natural sights in the region.
5. Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal is a large reservoir in the north-west of Costa Rica, not far from the town of La Fortuna. It was created in 1979 when a dam was built across the Arenal River, and it is now the biggest lake in the country. The water is used to generate much of Costa Rica’s electricity. The lake sits beneath the Arenal Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, and on a clear day the view across the water towards the cone is quite striking. The surrounding area is green and hilly, with a fair amount of rain for much of the year. Visitors come to sail, windsurf, kayak, or simply to look at the scenery. The town of La Fortuna, a short drive away, is the main base for people exploring the area and has a range of places to stay and eat.
6. Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste is a river in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, not far from the town of La Fortuna in Costa Rica. It is well known for its striking turquoise colour, which comes from a natural chemical reaction between volcanic minerals and the water. Visitors can reach the river by following a trail through dense rainforest, which takes around an hour on foot and involves some uneven ground. Along the route there are a few points of interest, including a waterfall and a spot where two streams meet and the blue colour becomes visible. The area is looked after as part of the national park, so there is an entrance fee and visitor numbers are managed to protect the environment. It can get busy during the dry season, particularly between December and April, so arriving early in the day tends to make for a more comfortable visit. The surrounding forest is home to a range of wildlife, and it is not unusual to spot birds, monkeys, or other animals along the way.
7. Río Frío
Rio Frio is a river that runs through the La Fortuna area of Costa Rica, not far from the base of Arenal Volcano. The water is notably cold compared to the warm, humid air around it, which is where the name comes from — “frio” simply means cold in Spanish. The river flows through stretches of jungle and farmland, and its banks support a good variety of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Visitors sometimes come to swim, wade, or simply sit beside the water, and it offers a quieter alternative to some of the busier natural attractions in the region. The surrounding landscape is lush and green for most of the year, fed by the heavy rainfall that the area receives. It is the kind of place that rewards those who take their time rather than those rushing between sights, and it gives a reasonable sense of what the Costa Rican countryside actually looks like beyond the tourist trail.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna
1. Hotel Arenal Xilopalo
Perched on the edge of La Fortuna in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano region, Hotel Arenal Xilopalo is a charming, authentic lodge that delivers genuine pura vida vibes without the hefty price tag. The rooms are set within a lush garden filled with vibrant plants and flowers, making it a small paradise for bird watchers — toucans and parakeets make regular appearances, drawn in by fresh fruit left out by the attentive staff. Guests can take a dip in the year-round outdoor pool, dine at the on-site restaurant serving international and Latin American cuisine, and wake up to volcano views that are nothing short of phenomenal. Ideally positioned close to La Fortuna’s restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, it’s also a superb base for exploring the surrounding natural wonders — all while keeping your wallet happy.
2. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Rising dramatically from the rainforest floor at the base of Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa in La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary destinations. Naturally heated by geothermal activity deep beneath the earth, its rivers and pools reach temperatures of up to 40°C, winding through lush tropical gardens thick with heliconias and tree ferns. Guests drift between cascading thermal waterfalls, open-air hot springs, and the award-winning Gran Spa, where treatments draw on indigenous botanical traditions. With Arenal looming dramatically overhead — and occasionally rumbling — the setting borders on cinematic. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail in a steaming poolside bar at dusk or simply letting the warm current carry you downstream, Tabacón delivers an immersion in nature that’s genuinely hard to forget.
3. Arenal Backpackers Resort
Sitting at the foot of the iconic Arenal Volcano in the lively town of La Fortuna, Arenal Backpackers Resort is a favourite stop for travellers exploring Costa Rica’s adventure heartland. The resort blends the social buzz of a classic hostel with genuine resort-style perks — including a stunning volcano-view pool that has become something of a legend on the backpacker circuit. Guests choose from dorm beds or private rooms, making it a solid pick whether you’re watching your budget or just want a bed that’s easy on the wallet. With zip-lining, hot springs, white-water rafting, and jungle hikes all on the doorstep, the resort serves as the perfect base for throwing yourself headlong into everything the Arenal region has to offer.
More to Explore
