Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs, Arenal/La Fortuna

Kimkim team favorite · 4.3 (10 reviews) · Standard
Rustic jungle retreat with volcano views, a hilltop pool, hot springs, wildlife trails, and Costa Rican-Japanese fusion dining

Overview

Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs is a simple getaway with an on-site Costa Rican-Japanese fusion restaurant, an outdoor pool, and thermal pools of various temperatures. The property features 13 rustic ecolodges (two rooms per lodge) spread out on a hillside facing Arenal Volcano. Rooms open up to a garden and dense forests where you can enjoy bird-watching and spot sloths and other wildlife on the property. Grab coffee or tea in the 24/7 lobby and stretch your limbs on the yoga platform. Even though the accommodations are spread out over hilly grounds, it's relatively easy to get around via the network of walkways connecting the bungalows with the pool, hot springs, and reception area.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, March 2022 (Learn more)
Pros
  • The hotel's quiet grounds offer opportunities to view wildlife like birds, insects, frogs, and other creatures. 
  • Guests can soak in the hot springs and a hilltop pool with a waterfall open to hotel guests only.
  • Kokoro means "heart" in Japanese, and you'll find other nods to Asian culture, including the Umami Restaurant, which serves Costa Rican cuisine with Japanese influences, and the Wakami Spa.
  • The on-site restaurant serves all meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Past guests rave about the thoughtful staff.
Cons
  • Plan for a 10-minute drive ($10 taxi ride) if you'd like to check out La Fortuna or grab a meal in the town and a 20-minute journey to the national park.
  • The hotel's affordability makes it particularly popular with student groups, so it can sometimes get busy. 
  • Some travelers report that the hotel could use renovations.

Authenticity

Rustic yet clean, you'll find Hotel Kokoro tucked away into the forest, surrounded by trees sprawling across the property. The environment allows guests to stroll around the grounds with binoculars for bird-watching or spotting other animals, like sloths (or the hotel's resident cats). 

Location

Enjoy a fairly quiet location away from the main town and sites, which makes the property an excellent place to spot wildlife. As a tradeoff, you'll be a bit far from the area's action and might want to have a car (or cash for a taxi ride). Ten minutes will get you to downtown La Fortuna, but plan for 15-20 if you'd like to check out the national park or La Fortuna Waterfall. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are relatively standard with a rustic cabin vibe, though perfectly clean and functional, with air-conditioning, minifridges, and wood furniture. Most have tile flooring, some feature wood paneling, and a few include colorful murals on the walls. For more privacy, book the premium ecolodge in its standalone bungalow. 

Wildlife

Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs sits on expansive grounds adjacent to Arenal Natura Ecological Park. Guests can expect to see plenty of colorful wildlife, including toucans and tanagers. Staff are also happy to point out the best places to spot wildlife, like sloths, on and around the property.

Amenities

Guests can enjoy several amenities on the property, including a yoga platform, a large lagoon-like outdoor pool, and an all-day coffee and tea station in the lobby. The biggest highlight has to be Kokoro's hot spring pools. You'll have your choice of three various temperatures and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere of waterfalls and dense jungle greenery.

Family-Friendliness

Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs features hot springs and a pool that is popular with children. There's no age limit on younger guests, and up to two children under five (per family) stay free. Families will appreciate the rooms with multiple beds sleeping up to five. There's also a children's menu in the restaurant.

Other Highlights

There's a restaurant on-site that serves a buffet-style breakfast and Costa Rican-Japanese fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner. The hotel has no bar, but the restaurant serves beer, wine, and cocktails.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24791222
Hotel address icon 500 m west of Quebrada la Palma

Traveler Reviews

10 total ratings, 8 with reviews
4.3
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.6
Location
4.0
Staff
4.9
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.1
K
Ken H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024

Extensive gardens and birdlife made up for pretty basic accommodation. Restaurant was not Japanese fusion as described. Hot springs uninviting.

Stayed in April 2024
G
Greg T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 27, 2023
The grounds are amazing! We saw so many beautiful birds from the comfort of our deck! It had a fabulous view of the volcano and the mineral springs were very nice! The 24/7 coffee in the lobby was not 24/7. The food was pretty good for breakfast but only adequate for dinner. Contrary to advertising, there was NOT a lunch option. The staff was friendly. Coffee was not very good for a country known for amazing coffee....probably the worst coffee we had in a hotel during our stay. The... Read more

The grounds are amazing! We saw so many beautiful birds from the comfort of our deck! It had a fabulous view of the volcano and the mineral springs were very nice! The 24/7 coffee in the lobby was not 24/7. The food was pretty good for breakfast but only adequate for dinner. Contrary to advertising, there was NOT a lunch option. The staff was friendly. Coffee was not very good for a country known for amazing coffee....probably the worst coffee we had in a hotel during our stay.

The hotel is fairly far from the town, but we considered that a positive. A taxi is needed if you wish to visit the town.

Authenticity & Character
amazing gardens
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was very tired and in desperate need of updating. The room was very quiet though!
Stayed in December 2023
K
Kozue N.
Fairland, MD | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
The staff is very welcoming and helpful. The hot spring is very unique to this hotel. Read more

The staff is very welcoming and helpful. The hot spring is very unique to this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
The place got a character- the hot spring, the small house, and trail in the property.
Location
If is away from the center of the town this quiet and able to see and hear animals.
Staff
They were very helpful to each of our questions and requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
All were kept clean and comfortable. The lights in the room can be little brighter, but we loved our lodge.
Stayed in July 2023
Wanda
Wanda H.
Lake Elsinore, CA | Reviewed on May 28, 2023
The location and setting were amazing with views of Arenal Volcano. I stayed in a stand-alone bungalow that was very comfortable. The staff were simply wonderful. The only negative was that the jacuzzi was drained but the natural hot mineral pools were excellent. Read more

The location and setting were amazing with views of Arenal Volcano. I stayed in a stand-alone bungalow that was very comfortable. The staff were simply wonderful. The only negative was that the jacuzzi was drained but the natural hot mineral pools were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Views of Arenal Volcano nestled in the jungle.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Touraj
Touraj K.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on May 23, 2023
Amazing and friendly staff and service. Loved the view and how this wonderful hotel looks and how the rooms are set up. Breakfast was local and very good as well. Hot Springs were daily filled, the hot spring water would be pumped from the underground to fill up the nice springs and then they dump it later on after midnight and get it ready for next day, which was great. Overall great hotel and loved it. Read more

Amazing and friendly staff and service. Loved the view and how this wonderful hotel looks and how the rooms are set up. Breakfast was local and very good as well. Hot Springs were daily filled, the hot spring water would be pumped from the underground to fill up the nice springs and then they dump it later on after midnight and get it ready for next day, which was great. Overall great hotel and loved it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the down and all other activities you would want to do.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Spencer
Spencer G.
East Palo Alto, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2023
Very pleasant small hotel (a dozen rooms or so). Onsite hot spring. Beautiful lush setting and very friendly staff. Read more

Very pleasant small hotel (a dozen rooms or so). Onsite hot spring. Beautiful lush setting and very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2023
Ram
Ram R.
Conyers, GA | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2022
Our overnight tay in Kokoro resort was good. In the evening the hot springs bath was relaxing. The Kokoro staff was helpful. Would recommend this resort. Read more

Our overnight tay in Kokoro resort was good. In the evening the hot springs bath was relaxing. The Kokoro staff was helpful. Would recommend this resort.

Authenticity & Character
Location
hotsprings but there was no coffee in the room.
Staff
Very courteous and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2022
Christine
Christine C.
Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2022
I was glad to be isolated from the busy town. The trees and view of the volcano are magnificent. Even on our first day, we saw so many different birds and wildlife! The pool and the springs were a hit with the kids. The delicious food in the restaurant was very reasonably priced and my kid won't stop talking about their fish fingers. The staff is super helpful and flexible, and was always helpful with tours and accommodations. They even made to-go breakfasts for us in the mornings we'd... Read more

I was glad to be isolated from the busy town. The trees and view of the volcano are magnificent. Even on our first day, we saw so many different birds and wildlife! The pool and the springs were a hit with the kids. The delicious food in the restaurant was very reasonably priced and my kid won't stop talking about their fish fingers. The staff is super helpful and flexible, and was always helpful with tours and accommodations. They even made to-go breakfasts for us in the mornings we'd leave too early for the included breakfasts! I appreciated the opportunity to have laundry done for about $8. The rooms were spacious and simple, but we didn't need more than that. It was great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2022

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 24791222
Hotel address icon 500 m west of Quebrada la Palma