Our 9 Favourite Costa Rica Spa Experiences

1.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $195Our pick

Travel from San Jose to La Fortuna by air-conditioned vehicle, stopping in artisan-filled Sarchi, Arenal 1968, and a thermal resort such as Baldi or Los Lagos. Lunch, dinner, guiding, and hot springs admission are included. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, and Roberto have earned strong praise, but weather, long drives, and resort substitutions can affect the day.

“The experience was great. My favorite part was lunch & baldin hot springs! It rained most of the day so the volcano viewing was an epic fail but it was still a good experience. The guide & driver took great care of everyone!”

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2.Baldi Hot Springs Day Pass in La Fortuna: 25 Thermal Pools

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 137 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $60

Spend up to 12 hours at Baldi Hot Springs near Arenal Volcano, moving between 25 thermal pools, water slides, swim-up bars, and a natural sauna. Choose a pass with lunch, dinner, or both. You arrange your own transportation, and lockers cost extra.

“Our hot springs visit was the perfect way to unwind! The atmosphere was incredibly relaxing, and the entire place was clean and well-maintained. We added the buffet-style lunch, but honestly, it was just okay and not really necessary for the experience. The drinks, on the other hand, were excellent and really added to the enjoyment. Overall, it was a peaceful and refreshing day, and we’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking to relax!”

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3.La Fortuna: Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · 1 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $47Best value

Spend one to five hours at Paradise Hot Springs near La Fortuna, moving between warm mineral pools, hotter tubs, hydromassage areas, and a swim-up bar. Towels, lockers, changing rooms, and showers are available. Add lunch or dinner if you wish, but plan your timing carefully and bring cash for drinks.

“Nice hot springs we came at opening and not very busy we had most tubs to ourselves. They could use some updating a lot of the water features don’t work.”

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4.Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $87Top rated

Explore Arenal Hanging Bridges on a 3-kilometer forest trail with a local guide such as Andreas or Gustavo. Cross 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, some 55 meters above the ground, while looking for frogs, snakes, and other wildlife. The path has no steps, gentle slopes, safety rails, and nonslip concrete. Hot springs may be added as an option.

“Andreas was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Didn’t hesitate to stop the group to look for animals. We saw lots of snakes and frogs!”

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5.Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $249

Leave San Jose early for La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Los Lagos Hot Springs. You’ll hike, spot rainforest wildlife, enjoy breakfast and lunch, and finish in mineral pools beneath Arenal Volcano. Guides such as Hayro, Leni, Fernando, and Alejandro are often praised for their local insight and personal attention.

“Beautiful rainforest and a lot of animals in the wild. Haido our guide offered us the best of Costa rica.”

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6.Arenal Volcano Combination Tour: Zipline, Tubing and Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $176

Start with 13 aerial platforms, 9 zip lines, a hanging bridge, and forest views at Go Adventure Park. Visit a Maleku village for a 20-minute cultural presentation, then tube through Arenal River rapids before relaxing in hot springs. Guides such as Miguel, Jefferson, Arturo, and Tiger are known for patient, reassuring help.

“Amazing experience. We did the zip lining/ rappel and tubing down the rapids plus hot springs at the end. So much fun. We have done zip lining several times in the past and these lines seemed really fast. The tour guides on both experiences were amazing. The tubing in the rapids has been the highlight of our trip so far. My group was my family of six ages, 21, 23, 24, 43, 44 and my mom 67! The compassion that was shown to my mom on the rapids is un heard of. She flipped over (which most of our group did) and one of the tour guides said “(Mama) I’m…”

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7.Arenal Volcano Expeditions Walk with Optional Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $58

Walk a volcanic-rock trail near Arenal Volcano with a professional guide, stopping at a legal viewpoint for volcano and Lake Arenal views. The four-hour outing includes park fees, transport, water, and tropical fruit. Add about three hours at a hot springs resort for an extra fee. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“We opted for the Arenal Hike with dinner and a trip to Paradise Hot Springs. The hike was great despite it being a bit misty out. The guide was very intelligent and knew a lot of the history of the region. She was also very personable and fun to chat with. The viewpoint offers some great views of the Arenal volcano and Lake Arenal. The hot springs was a great treat after the hike. Very laid back and relaxing.”

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8.Arenal Volcano Hike Expedition with Optional Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $57

Walk about 3 kilometers through Arenal’s rainforest to a volcano viewpoint with a local guide. Tours run daily at 7:30am and 2:30pm, include hotel transport, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Expect wildlife, volcanic history, and changing weather. The optional hot springs portion should be confirmed before booking.

“Pouring rain with a soft spoken guide. The weather couldn't be helped but smaller groups would be helpful to at least hear what the guide is saying.”

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9.Arenal Volcano Hike plus Baldi Hot Springs and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $140

Spend about two hours walking Arenal’s old lava flows with a guide such as Miguel or Steven, enjoying views of Arenal Lake and possible wildlife sightings. Then relax for roughly three hours at Baldi Hot Springs, with time in several pools and a buffet dinner. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and a vegetarian option are included.

“Hike was good even for beginners. Our guide was so knowledgeable and pointed out some really nice wild life and explained a lot about the volcano and vegetation near it. Hot spring was amazing bring a change of clothes.”

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