🔥 Hot Springs in La Fortuna: My Honest Review & Tips

The La Fortuna area has over 15 hot springs heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano. Using a clear rating system, I share my honest review of the experience, along with firsthand tips.

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🍀 Lukiih’s Verdict

I recommend spending at least two hours visiting a hot spring in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Finding one that fits your preference is worth it and doable, given the many options.

• With over 15 hot springs to choose from, you’ll be able to find one that fits your budget and vibe. Tabacón Hot Spring is one of the most famous, luxury ones with natural river-fed pools and a lush ambiance. I checked out Ecotermales and Los Lagos, which are mid-budget and budget hot springs, respectively. Ecotermales was serene, spacious, and lush.
• Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $150 for a La Fortuna hot spring day pass. I paid $17 for Los Lagos, and $72 for Ecotermales, which included lunch.
• Very minimal preparation is required. For the famous Tabacón, book your reservation a week or two ahead. For many other hot springs, you can book the day of. Bring a swimsuit, sandals, and in some places, a towel as some only offer rentals.

🇨🇷 Planning a Trip to Costa Rica: 12 Practical Things To Know

🏆 Where Does It Rank?

Relaxing at a La Fortuna hot spring ranks as the #3 experience I had in Costa Rica. Here’s how it compares to other things I did on my trip:

	Experience	Location	Overall Rating
1	🌋 Arenal Volcano Horseback	La Fortuna	7.3
2	🌊 Whitewater Rafting in Río Sarapiquía	La Fortuna	7.0
3	♨️ La Fortuna Hot Spring	La Fortuna	6.7
4	🌳 Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park	La Fortuna	6.6
5	🍫 Chocolate & Coffee Tour 🎟️	La Fortuna	6.6
6	🌳 Monteverde Cloud Forest Zipline 🎟️	Monteverde	6.5
7	💧 La Fortuna Waterfall 🎟️	La Fortuna	6.5
8	🌴 Manuel Antonio National Park 🎟️	Manuel Antonio	6.5
9	🍲 La Fortuna Town	La Fortuna	6.5
10	💆‍♀️ Nosara Outdoor Massage	Nosara	6.4
11	🌳 Monteverde Cloud Forest 🎟️	Monteverde	6.3
12	🦉 Monteverde Wildlife Refuge Night Walk 🎟️	Monteverde	6.3
13	🦥 Sloth Sanctuary 🎟️	Monteverde	6.2
14	🦋 Monteverde Butterfly Garden 🎟️	Monteverde	6.2
15	🧘‍♂️ Nosara Yoga Class	Nosara	5.8
16	🏖️ Playa Espadilla	Manuel Antonio	5.8
17	🤿 Playa Biesanz	Manuel Antonio	5.8
18	🚙 Nosara ATV Ride	Nosara	5.7
19	🚡 Arenal Volcano Sky Tram 🎟️	La Fortuna	5.6

🌋 10 Days in Costa Rica: A Unique & Active Itinerary

For more detailed tips on my experience, check out my trip planner below.

Costa Rica Trip Planner 2025

Make planning easier with my flexible, research-backed travel planner—shaped by real experience. It has:

• Up-to-date travel info
• A well-curated itinerary
• Practical, firsthand insights & tips
• A simple budget tracker
• A starter packing list
• Fully customizable sections

Built in Notion, this is the tool I personally use to plan every trip. I genuinely love it and creating a Notion account is free.

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