Relax in volcanic hot springs
Relax in volcanic hot springs

Tabacon Hot Springs Half Day Pass with Meal, Arenal/La Fortuna

Relax in thermal waters on a half-day excursion to the Tabacon Hot Springs

Overview

Spend several hours at Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica's most extensive network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs, on this half-day excursion. Located inside a private rainforest reserve, the hot springs complex features cascading waterfalls, warm and cold pools, and a large main pool with a swim-up bar and waterslides. Soak in waters heated underground by the nearby Arenal Volcano, then take a break for lunch or dinner at the resort's restaurant.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a half-day excursion to the Tabacon Hot Springs
  • Discover a series of thermal pools of varying temperatures
  • Relax in waters heated underground by the Arenal Volcano
  • Have a gourmet lunch or dinner at the resort's restaurant 

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private group
Food & Drink
Lunch, Dinner Included. Depending on start time, either lunch or dinner is included

What you'll do

This half-day excursion begins with a pick-up at your accommodations in La Fortuna. You'll arrive at the Tabacon Hot Springs in 15-20 minutes.

Part of a larger resort, the hot springs complex includes a large main pool with a swim-up bar and waterslides, a cold pool, and 20 "in-river" mineralized pools heated by the Arenal Volcano. Gravity powers the hot springs — no mechanical systems move or heat the water — and the pools flow from one to the next like a river. 

Enjoy exploring cascading waterfalls and the numerous river pools with varying temperatures and water flows. Some pools are vast and calm, and others are small and provide some privacy for those wishing to disappear in a secluded nook. The pools' temperatures range from 72ºF-105ºF (22ºC-41ºC). It's recommended to wear shoes, as the natural rocks around the pools can get slippery. 

Take a break for lunch or dinner at the resort's elegant restaurant, serving both Costa Rican dishes and international cuisine. 

You'll be picked up and transported back to your accommodations at the end of the excursion.

Start times

  • Daily
    10:00 am, 3:00 pm

What's included

  • Transportation
  • Hot springs entrance fee
  • Lunch or dinner

Traveler reviews

2 total ratings, 1 with review
3.0 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
3.0
Food
3.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
3.5
Albert
Albert C.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2022
We stayed at a resort that did have hotsprings, so although Tabacon had a gimmick of the river hotspring, it was not worth it for us. It was crowded, the pools were very shallow, the natural rock was painful, and the man-made pools even more painful. They charge a deposit for towels, so you have to worry about people walking off with your towel and owing money at the end. Read more

We stayed at a resort that did have hotsprings, so although Tabacon had a gimmick of the river hotspring, it was not worth it for us. It was crowded, the pools were very shallow, the natural rock was painful, and the man-made pools even more painful. They charge a deposit for towels, so you have to worry about people walking off with your towel and owing money at the end.

Quality of Experience
Food
Options were somewhat limited (set menu). Food was good, but the reservation timing was awkward.
Guides, Drivers and Staff

Itineraries with Tabacon Hot Springs Half Day Pass with Meal

Costa Rica Highlights: Arenal & Manuel Antonio National Park - 6 days

This exciting 6-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to experience quintessential Costa Rica. You'll take in awe-inspiring views of Arenal volcano, and have an exciting rafting day on the Sarapiqui River before heading to Manuel Antonio to explore the jungle and white sand beaches of this nature lovers paradise.

Costa Rica Adventure & Wildlife Tour - 10 Days

Spend 10 days getting to know the diverse wildlife of Costa Rica's rainforests, with plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities, too. You'll zip-line through the rainforest, hike to waterfalls, and mountain bike on a volcano, with opportunities for kayaking and relaxing in hot springs.

La Fortuna & Monteverde - 6 Days

This six-day trip is ideal for travelers looking to unwind yet still experience the country's natural wonders. You'll learn to prepare traditional Costa Rican cuisine and visit a coffee plantation near Arenal, and have the chance to spot monkeys and other wildlife during a night walk in Monteverde. Spend your last full day ziplining and exploring the cloud forest by day before heading back to San José for your flight home.

Coast to Coast Family Adventure - 11 Days

Experience the best Costa Rica has to offer on this family-friendly 11-day adventure. You'll watch sea turtles on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, hike around Arenal Volcano, zip-line through the cloud forest of Monteverde, and finally relax on the remote, Pacific beaches of Guanacaste. Along the way, you'll make your own hot chocolate and coffee from bean to cup, spot monkeys in the wild, swim under a waterfall—and maybe even catch a wave.

Coast to Coast: Beach and Cloud Forest Adventure - 9 Days

Experience both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica — and all that's in between — on this 9-day adventure. Starting in the bustling capital of San Jose, you'll make your way to Tortuguero National Park, where you'll watch sea turtles hatch on the beach. Then head inland to the Monteverde Cloud Forest for incredible wildlife and rainforest trails. After two nights in the heart of the jungle, you'll travel to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Papagayo. Here you'll go snorkeling and surfing, and end your journey with a spectacular sunset cruise around the bay.