Hot Springs in Costa Rica

List of Thermal Springs in CRI

Map of Thermal Springs in CRI

Local CRI Hot Springs

Guide to Costa Rica’s Natural Thermal Springs

Costa Rica is referred to as the “happiest country in the world,” and perhaps one factor in earning that title is the fact that the country has some top-notch hot springs. It’s one country in the Pacific Ring Fire Circle, meaning that underneath the ground there’s a lot of volcanic activity.

This molten earth heats the groundwater, leading to several sites where the warm water breaks the surface. One truly special place in Costa Rica is La Fortuna, Alajuela, and its most active volcano, Arenal.

In the late 1960s, Arenal scorched two villages to the ground. For approximately the next 50 years, Arenal stayed active and would unexpectedly send lava shooting into the air. When Arenal cooled, new hot springs were found all along the valley.

Costa Rican Thermal Springs Resorts

There are many places in Costa Rica that offer more than just hot springs on their resort grounds. One such destination for relaxation is Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa in Nuevo Arenal. This resort offers both day passes and rents rooms for those who want to stay longer. There’s a swim-up bar located in the outdoor spa area as well as lined pools of natural thermal water.

At Nayara Springs, not far from Tabacon Thermal Resort, guests get a true lux experience. Nayara Springs is an adults-only resort, which allows staff to ensure an environment of quiet relaxation. The thermal pools, like all other spaces at Nayara Springs, have access to butler service.

Other resorts include:

• Baldi Hot Springs Hotel Resort & Spa
• Blue River Resort & Hot Springs
• Borinquen Thermal Resort
• The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
• Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
• Termales Los Laureles
• Termalitas del Arenal
• Paradise Hot Springs
• The Hot Springs Lodge Costa Rica
• Termales Hacienda Orosi
• Orosi al Natural Spa
• Agua Caliente Therapeutic Hot Springs & Clay Resort

Other Unique Hot Springs Experiences

Uniquely, Costa Rica is home to a place where you can take a mineral bath, plunge into a mud bath, and speed down a zip line. The attraction is called Vandará Hot Springs & Adventures in Canas Dulces, Costa Rica. Guests ride horses to the top of the zip line course, fly over fields of coffee and sugar cane, and finish the day in the thermal pool with a swim-up bar.

Nearby are the hot springs at Rio Negro. There you’ll find several thermal pools at different temperatures as well as a refreshing running river that allows guests to cool off. The roads to get to Rio Negro can be somewhat rough, but that’s because the hot springs are in the middle of the rainforest. You can bathe while watching several species of exotic birds flock overhead.

More uncommon hot springs experiences:

• Las Hornillas
• Rio Perdido
• Yoko Hot Springs
• Ecotermales Fortuna
• Kalambu Hot springs
• Titokú Hot Springs

Visit Costa Rica

Whether you want to spend days reclining at a resort in the shade of a rainforest canopy or slide-down stories high waterslides at a theme park, Costa Rica can provide your preferred hot springs experience. The volcanic activity in this part of the world means that hot springs can be found in nearly every province of the country.

Learn more about visiting Costa Rica on our sister site, La Vida Nomad.

Nearby Countries with Hot Springs