Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica's volcanoes heat dozens of hot springs, and the best known are around Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna, where resorts such as Tabacón and Baldi have pools fed by naturally hot water.
In Guanacaste, the hot springs around Rincón de la Vieja add volcanic mud baths and are about an hour from Liberia's airport. Closer to San José, the Orosi Valley has quieter mineral pools among coffee farms.
Almost all of them are resorts or hot springs parks that sell a day pass, so expect to pay for entry and book ahead in the dry season.
What to know about hot springs in Costa Rica
Most Costa Rican hot springs are resorts with landscaped pools that sell day passes, and Arenal has the most choice.
- Main areas
- Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja, Orosi
- Green season
- May to November, with afternoon rain
- Getting there
- Car or shuttle from San José or Liberia
- Busiest
- December to April, the dry season
- In this guide
- 13 hot springs in 3 provinces
- Swimwear
- Required
- Ways to soak
- Resort day passes and hot rivers
Hot springs in Costa Rica map
The map shows all 13 hot springs we cover in Costa Rica. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Best hot springs in Costa Rica
The hot springs most visitors choose between, around Arenal and Rincón de la Vieja.
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Resort
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
La Fortuna, AlajuelaA naturally hot river flows through a rainforest garden of pools and waterfalls below Arenal Volcano.
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Resort
The Springs Resort & Spa
La Fortuna, AlajuelaA luxury resort with many hot spring pools facing the volcano, open to day visitors.
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Resort
Baldi Hot Springs
La Fortuna, AlajuelaA big, lively thermal park with many pools, waterslides and swim-up bars.
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Hot springs
Ecotermales Fortuna
La Fortuna, AlajuelaQuiet pools in the forest with a cap on visitor numbers, so book a time slot.
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Hot springs
Paradise Hot Springs
La Fortuna, AlajuelaA smaller, quieter set of hot pools in a tropical garden on the road to Lake Arenal.
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Hot springs
Río Negro Hot Springs
Rincón de la Vieja, GuanacasteRiverside pools and a volcanic mud bath in the forest, reached from Hacienda Guachipelín.
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Hot springs
Vandara Hot Springs
Rincón de la Vieja, GuanacasteHot springs and a spa near Rincón de la Vieja National Park, about 30 km from Liberia.
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Hot springs
Termales Hacienda Orosi
Orosi, CartagoMineral pools on a hillside farm in the Orosi Valley, an easy trip from San José.
Famous hot springs in Costa Rica
All 13 hot springs we list in Costa Rica, A to Z, from Arenal resorts to volcanic mud baths in Guanacaste.
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Resort
Baldi Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Big thermal park near Arenal with many pools, waterslides and swim-up bars.
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Resort
Blue River Resort & Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Rainforest resort on the north side of Rincón de la Vieja with hot springs and a bright blue river.
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Resort
Borinquen Mountain Resort, Costa Rica
Resort on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja with hot springs, mud baths and steam vents.
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Hot springs
Ecotermales Fortuna, Costa Rica
Quiet hot springs in the forest near La Fortuna with limited, timed entry. Book ahead.
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Hot springs
El Silencio Mirador Trails & Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Hot pools and forest trails with views of Arenal Volcano, just west of La Fortuna.
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Hot springs
Paradise Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Hot pools in a tropical garden on the road to Lake Arenal, smaller and quieter than the big resorts.
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Hot springs
Río Negro Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Riverside pools and a volcanic mud bath in the forest near Rincón de la Vieja, run by Hacienda Guachipelín.
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Thermal river
Río Perdido, Costa Rica
Resort built around a hot river in a canyon near Bagaces, with hiking trails.
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Resort
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, Costa Rica
A naturally hot river runs through a rainforest garden of pools and waterfalls below Arenal.
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Hot springs
Termales del Bosque, Costa Rica
Hot pools along a forest river near Aguas Zarcas, east of La Fortuna.
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Hot springs
Termales Hacienda Orosi, Costa Rica
Mineral pools on a hillside farm in the Orosi Valley, looking out over the valley.
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Resort
The Springs Resort & Spa, Costa Rica
Luxury resort facing Arenal Volcano with many hot spring pools, a spa and day passes.
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Hot springs
Vandara Hot Springs, Costa Rica
Hot springs and spa in the forest near Rincón de la Vieja National Park, about 30 km from Liberia.
Planning a hot springs trip to Costa Rica
When to visit
All year. The dry season, from December to April, is busiest. In the green season, from May to November, mornings are often clear and rain comes in the afternoon, which is a fine time to sit in a hot pool.
Costs
Most hot springs sell a day pass, and the price usually includes towels and lockers, sometimes a meal. Luxury resorts cost the most. Several limit numbers or sell timed entry, so book ahead in the dry season and on holidays.
Getting around
La Fortuna is about three hours' drive from San José, and many hotels run shuttles. The Rincón de la Vieja hot springs are about an hour from Liberia, and the Orosi Valley is around an hour and a half from San José.
Frequently asked questions about hot springs in Costa Rica
Are there free hot springs in Costa Rica?
A few warm river spots near La Fortuna are used by locals for free, but they have no facilities. Almost every developed hot spring sells a day pass.
What are the best hot springs near Arenal?
Tabacón is the classic, with its hot river; The Springs and Baldi are big resorts, and Ecotermales and Paradise are quieter.
Are there hot springs near Liberia?
Yes. Río Negro, Vandara and Borinquen are on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja, about an hour from Liberia.
Are there hot springs near San José?
The Orosi Valley, about an hour and a half away, has mineral pools such as Termales Hacienda Orosi.
Do you need to book Costa Rica hot springs in advance?
For popular places, yes. Ecotermales limits numbers, and many resorts sell timed passes that sell out in the dry season.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica's hot springs?
Any time of year. Evenings are the most relaxing, and the green season has fewer crowds.
Hot spring safety and etiquette in Costa Rica
Resorts set the rules, and they are much the same everywhere.
- Book timed entrySeveral hot springs cap numbers, so a booking guarantees your spot.
- Wear a swimsuitSwimwear is required at every resort and hot springs park.
- Shower before you get inMost places have showers by the pools; use them, especially after a mud bath.
- Keep valuables locked upUse the lockers rather than leaving bags by the pools or in the car.
- Drink waterHot water and tropical heat dehydrate you quickly.
- Leave food and drink outsideMost resorts don't allow outside food or drinks, and they sell both on site.
Pictures of hot springs in Costa Rica
Photos of Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, a hot spring in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.
Where our information comes from
This guide was reviewed on . Facts come from the official sources listed below.
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) (official tourism site)
Other countries in North America with hot springs
Continue to another country in North America.