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How Much Do the Hot Springs in La Fortuna Cost?

The hot springs in La Fortuna cost about $8 to $141 for an adult day pass. Most of that gap comes down to the setting, the size of the place and how fancy the extras are.

Here’s a quick look at the main options:

Hot Spring	Adult Day Pass	Hours	Best For
Tabacón	$115	10 AM to 10 PM	A special evening
Baldi	$51	9 AM to 10 PM	Families with kids
EcoTermales	About $49 with tax	Two time slots	Quiet pools
Paradise	$47	11 AM to 9 PM	Mid-range budgets
The Springs	About $124 to $141, two days	8 AM to 10 PM	A full resort day
Los Lagos	From about $65 online	Varies	Slides and volcano views
Los Laureles	About ₡5,000 ($11)	9 AM to 9 PM	Budget families
Termalitas del Arenal	About ₡4,000 ($9)	From 9 AM	The cheapest pools
Hot Springs Pura Vida	About $28 with tax	10 AM to 9 PM	The hot river with lockers
El Choyín	Free	No set hours	Strict budgets

Meals cost extra at most places, often $25 to $70 more. Check what your ticket covers before you pay, since a meal bundle can work out cheaper than buying food inside.

Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna

These are the 11 best hot springs in La Fortuna. They range between a fancy resort built around a hot river and a free spot by the side of the road. For each one, you’ll find what it’s like, what it costs and who it suits.

1. Tabacón Hot Springs

Tabacón is the one people dream about, and it’s easy to see why. It’s built around the only natural hot river in the area, which tumbles over rocks and waterfalls through big tropical gardens.

The water runs between about 72°F and 100°F (22°C and 38°C). So you can soak in a warm stream, then move to a hot pool under a waterfall. There’s a swim-up bar in the springs, and a restaurant set in the gardens.

A day pass costs $115 for adults and $55 for kids 6 to 11, with taxes included. Kids under 6 get in free. Add lunch or dinner, and it’s $184 for adults.

It’s open 10 AM to 10 PM, and spots are limited, so book ahead. Read the rules first, though. Your card is charged 15 days before your visit, and canceling inside that window means losing the full amount.

Over Christmas and Easter week, that window grows to 45 days. Pack water shoes for the slippery rocks. Pricey? Yes. But for one special evening, nothing else in town comes close.

2. Baldi Hot Springs

Baldi is the big, lively one, and kids love it. There are 25 thermal pools and a huge jacuzzi that fits about 60 people. Add a set of waterslides, and nobody gets bored.

Little kids get their own play area with gentle slides. Older kids and adults can try the steep slides that drop straight into the pools. Some pools get very hot, so test the water before you sink in.

A day pass costs $51 for adults and $38 for kids 5 to 10, and kids under 5 go free. With lunch or dinner, it’s $75 for adults, or $99 with both meals. You don’t need a reservation, since tickets are sold at the front desk.

It’s open 9 AM to 10 PM. Bring cash for the $10 towel deposit, which you get back at the end, and about $7 for a locker. Outside food isn’t allowed, and over Easter week the adult price goes up to $61.

The catch is the crowd. Baldi is the busiest of the springs, so skip it when you want a quiet soak.

3. EcoTermales Hot Springs

EcoTermales is the opposite of Baldi. It limits how many people get in each session, so the pools stay calm and quiet. The setting is all forest, stone paths and soft lighting at night.

There are six hot pools and two cold ones, and you’ll find warmer and cooler spots in each. The restaurant cooks with produce from its own organic garden, and reviewers often call the buffet lunch a highlight.

Entry costs about $49 with tax for adults and about $30 for kids 5 to 11. With lunch or dinner, it’s about $81 for adults. Towels, lockers and parking are included.

You book one of two sessions: 10 AM to 4 PM or 5 PM to 9:45 PM. In high season, December to April, book 2 to 4 weeks ahead, since sessions sell out.

There’s nothing aimed at kids here, so it’s best for couples and anyone looking for a slow, quiet evening. Pick the evening session, when the lights come on in the forest.

4. Paradise Hot Springs

Paradise is right in the middle on price and size, and it’s a good all-rounder. It’s about 3 miles (4.8 km) from La Fortuna’s central park, so it’s a quick ride from town.

The pools run between about 95°F and 104°F (35°C and 40°C). Several have jets for your back and legs, one has a cold-water island in the middle, and another faces the volcano. A swim-up bar keeps the drinks close.

The day pass costs $47 for adults and $33 for kids 3 to 11, or $74 with lunch or dinner. Add a 60-minute massage to the meal, and it’s $170.

It’s open 11 AM to 9 PM, and the number of guests is capped, so it rarely feels packed. It works best as an afternoon or evening stop after a morning tour.

One pool has a beach-style entry, which makes it easy for anyone who struggles with steps.

5. The Springs Resort

The Springs is a whole resort day out rather than a quick soak. The pass covers two days of your stay, you can come and go freely, and towels and lockers are included.

There are a dozen pools at Las Lagunas, most of them fed by hot springs. You’ll find more pools and a slide elsewhere on the property. The water runs between about 83°F and 103°F (28°C and 39°C), with big views of Arenal.

It costs about $124 to $141 with tax, depending on the season, and kids 3 and up pay the full price. Meals and drinks are extra, and reviewers say both are pricey.

It’s open 8 AM to 10 PM. Passes aren’t sold over Christmas or the weeks around Easter, so check your dates first. River tubing, horseback riding and a wildlife preserve tour cost extra.

It’s great value when you’ll use both days. For a single evening, Tabacón or Paradise is the better buy.

6. Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park

Kalambu is a water park and a hot spring rolled into one. It’s right next to Baldi on the road to the lake, about 10 minutes from downtown La Fortuna.

The big draw is a three-story tower with three slides, called the Cyclone, the Tornado and the Avalanche. Little kids get their own play area with water cannons and a giant tipping bucket.

When the kids are worn out, you can soak in 8 thermal pools between about 90°F and 97°F (32°C and 36°C). They’re cooler than most springs in town, which feels nice on a hot afternoon.

It’s open daily 9 AM to 9 PM, with free parking, a restaurant and a swim-up bar. Check the current day pass price on the Kalambu website before you go.

Reviews are mixed, so treat it as a fun day for the kids rather than a quiet soak.

7. Los Lagos Hot Springs

Los Lagos is a big hotel on the road to the lake, and its hot springs are open to day guests. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly spot with wide views of Arenal Volcano.

You’ll find thermal pools at different temperatures, cold pools with waterfalls and a swim-up bar. There are two waterslides, one gentle enough for small kids. The grounds also have small wildlife exhibits and a trail to a volcano viewpoint.

Online tickets start at about $65 per person, and you can add lunch or dinner. Towels cost extra, with a cash deposit, so bring your own to save a few dollars.

Families like it for the slides and the views. It can get crowded, though, and the warmest pools fill up first.

8. Termales Los Laureles

Los Laureles is a simple, local-style hot spring, and it’s about as cheap as a soak gets in La Fortuna. Think picnic tables and families, not fancy cocktails.

It charges about ₡5,000, roughly $11, for adults and kids 3 to 10, and ₡4,000 for seniors 65 and up. You don’t need a reservation.

There are several hot and cold pools, and one has a big waterslide. You’ll also find a picnic area, a small snack bar and even a campground with cabins.

It’s open 9 AM to 9 PM. Bring your own towel and some cash in colones. Facilities are basic, and one recent review says the water is only warm. For the price, though, it makes a fun afternoon with kids.

9. Termalitas del Arenal

Termalitas del Arenal is where plenty of Costa Rican families go for a cheap soak. It costs about ₡4,000 in cash, roughly $9, so it’s the cheapest paid spring in town.

There are around 10 pools, two slides and picnic areas with grills. You’re allowed to bring your own food, which makes it a great spot for a long, lazy afternoon on a budget.

It opens at 9 AM and stays open into the evening. Weekends get very crowded, so go on a weekday for space in the pools.

10. Hot Springs Pura Vida

Hot Springs Pura Vida gives you the same hot river as the free El Choyín spot across the road. The difference is that you get lockers, towels and bathrooms too.

You can soak in the naturally warm Tabacón River. Then move to a filtered pool kept at about 96°F to 100°F (36°C to 38°C). Keep your wristband on, and you can come and go all day.

It costs about $28 with tax for adults, and it’s open 10 AM to 9 PM. Entry includes parking, towels, lockers and changing rooms. Food from the café costs extra, and outside food isn’t allowed.

It’s had long closures for maintenance in the past, so check it’s open before you go. Free cancellation runs up to 48 hours before your visit.

11. El Choyín Free Hot River

El Choyín is the free option, and it’s the same warm river that runs through Tabacón. You’ll find it by the Route 142 bridge, just past Tabacón’s entrance, about 7.5 miles (12 km) from town.

The water is warmer in some spots than others, so walk along the rocks until you find a pool you like. Get in from the path by the bridge, since the bank is steep everywhere else.

There are no bathrooms, no changing rooms and no phone signal. Unofficial attendants in vests charge about ₡3,000 to ₡5,000 to park, so bring colones.

Theft is common here, so leave valuables at the hotel, wear water shoes on the slippery rocks and leave before dark. Prefer to go with a guide? An afternoon tour pairs a volcano hike with a soak in the river for about $52.

What to Bring to the Hot Springs in La Fortuna

A few small things save you money and hassle at the springs:

• Water shoes, since river rocks are slippery
• A towel, since some places charge a deposit or rental
• Cash in colones for towels, lockers and parking
• A waterproof pouch for your phone and keys
• Dry clothes for the ride back

Leave jewelry at the hotel. A long soak in the hot pools makes you drowsy. Take breaks, drink water and plan a driver or a taxi home.

Best Time to Visit the Hot Springs in La Fortuna

Late afternoon is the best time for a soak in La Fortuna. The air cools down, the warm water feels even better, and most springs stay open until 9 or 10 PM.

Weekdays are quieter than weekends at the big places like Baldi. Easter week and the Christmas holidays are the busiest times of year, and Baldi even raises its prices over Easter.

Rain isn’t a problem. A warm pool in a light shower feels great, so don’t cancel because of clouds. Just skip the free river after heavy rain, when the water can rise fast.

Which La Fortuna Hot Spring Should You Pick?

For one special evening, book Tabacón. With kids, Baldi is the easy choice, and for a quiet soak as a couple, EcoTermales is hard to beat.

Paradise works for a mid-range afternoon. The Springs makes sense when you want a full resort day and can use the second day too.

On a budget, Los Laureles or Termalitas cost about $8 to $10. Pura Vida gives you the hot river with lockers for about $28. El Choyín costs nothing, but keep an eye on your things.

Whichever you pick, a soak after a day of hiking is a La Fortuna must. Our 3-day La Fortuna itinerary shows where it fits.

Hot Springs in La Fortuna FAQ

How Much Do the Hot Springs in La Fortuna Cost?

The hot springs in La Fortuna cost about $8 to $141 for an adult day pass. Budget springs like Los Laureles and Termalitas cost about $8 to $10, and El Choyín is free.

Mid-range springs like Paradise, EcoTermales and Baldi cost about $47 to $51. Tabacón costs $115, and The Springs costs about $124 to $141 for two days.

Which Hot Spring in La Fortuna Is Best for Kids?

Baldi is the best hot spring in La Fortuna for kids. It has 25 pools and waterslides for $51, or $38 for kids 5 to 10. Kids under 5 get in free.

Kalambu has a three-story slide tower, and Los Laureles has a big slide for about $10. EcoTermales has nothing aimed at kids, so it suits adults better.

Do You Need to Book La Fortuna Hot Springs in Advance?

You need to book Tabacón and EcoTermales in advance, since both limit how many people get in. In high season, December to April, book EcoTermales 2 to 4 weeks ahead.

Baldi doesn’t need a reservation, since tickets are sold at the front desk. The budget springs are fine to visit on the day too.

Is Tabacón Worth the Price?

Tabacón is worth $115 when you want the natural hot river and the gardens for a special evening. It’s not worth it when you want waterslides or a cheap soak.

Baldi, Paradise and EcoTermales cost less than half as much, and all three have plenty of pools. Remember Tabacón’s 15-day cancellation rule before you book.

Can You Visit a Hot Spring in La Fortuna for Free?

You can visit a hot spring in La Fortuna for free at El Choyín. It’s the warm river by the Route 142 bridge near Tabacón, and parking attendants ask for about ₡3,000 to ₡5,000.

Theft is common, so leave valuables at the hotel, wear water shoes and leave before dark. For lockers and towels, Hot Springs Pura Vida across the road costs about $28.

What Is the Best Time to Visit La Fortuna Hot Springs?

The best time to visit La Fortuna hot springs is late afternoon or evening, after a day of hiking. That’s when the air cools down and the warm water feels best.

Weekdays are quieter than weekends at the big places like Baldi, and most springs stay open until 9 or 10 PM.