Tabacon Hot Springs

In this well-watered rain forest pierced by the perfect gray cone of Volcan Arenal, it is not only lava that wells up from the depths of the Earth. Steaming hot springs pour like a river from the great mountain’s barren flanks, coursing through the lush tropical grounds of famed Tabacón Grand Spa.

Mineral-rich waters, fresh from the earth, cascade with picturesque  through a lavishly landscaped setting. Costa Rica’s most beautiful flowers are woven through a world of quiet pathways and wooden bridges that connect the different pools. Some are warmer, others more isolated; the main pool, with fantastic views of the volcano, has a fabulous bar and water slide. A cold spring hidden away in a shady corner of this marvelous spot is the perfect place to recharge.

It’s worth booking one of their exotic treatments just to see the fantastic spa complex, a serene ensemble of private pools and elegant little palapas where the massages and magic takes place. The hotel itself is among Central America’s finest, with luxuriously appointed rooms and every first-world amenity, as well as exceptional views of Arenal Volcano.

Practical Info

There are a handful of other hot spring hotels in the area, open to daytrippers as well as guests at significantly lower prices. Tabacón is the most expensive because it’s worth it, with natural (rather than heated) springs in a gorgeous setting. Budget travelers will find other options around La Fortuna, but this really is a worthwhile splurge.