15 Spa & Hot Spring Days in Costa Rica to Build a Day Around

1.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

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

Spend about 13 hours traveling from San Jose to Sarchi and La Fortuna, with a stop at the famous painted ox cart, volcano views, lunch, thermal hot springs, dinner, and hotel transport. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, and Roberto have earned strong praise, but long drives, weather, and occasional itinerary changes matter.

“This tour makes for a long day. We were picked up at the hotel at 8:30, and weren’t back until 10:30. I was really expecting a relaxing experience at the hot springs, and a lunch with a view of the volcano (like the pictures)- neither happened. We drove 45 mins or so to Sarchi and the Ox Cart Factory (by far the highlight of the tour), and then 3 hours to lunch (not at the Arenal 1968 as advertised), then to a view point at the hotel hot springs - Los Lagos (not the advertised Baldi). The hotel hot springs were not peaceful, or relaxing- lots of families and kids…”

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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 among 25 thermal pools with different temperatures, water slides, swim-up bars, and lush gardens. You can add lunch, dinner, or both. Make your own way there, bring dry clothes for the restaurant, and budget separately for the required locker fee.

“The staff were friendly and helpful. The location was centrally located and easy to get to. The water was incredibly relaxing. I would definitely spend at least 1/2 day here unwinding. The slides were a bit fast even for the older kids, but a perk. We enjoyed the buffet and had plenty of options even for our little picky eaters.”

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3.Mineral Hot Springs Full Day Ticket

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

Spend up to five hours at Paradise Hot Springs near La Fortuna, moving between naturally heated pools, hot tubs, hydromassage features, and cooler pools surrounded by tropical plants. Towels, lockers, changing rooms, and showers are available. Add lunch or dinner if desired, and plan your own transportation to the springs.

“We were pleasantly surprised by both the size and beauty of Paradise Hot Springs. Although there were a number of guests there, there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out in different areas. The loungers in the hot springs were so relaxing as were the loungers around the area. And we loved the swim up bar! Towels are provided if you leave a down payment, which is returned when you return the towels. We had such an incredibly fun and relaxing afternoon!”

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4.Miravalles Volcano: Hike Secondary Crater & Hot Springs Jungle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $176Top rated

Start from Liberia at 7:00 a.m. for Llanos de Cortes Waterfall, then continue to Miravalles for jungle trails, hanging bridges, hidden waterfalls, volcanic mud pools, a sauna, and hot springs. Guides such as Andy add helpful commentary and take photos. Expect a full, active day with time to change and bathe.

“Absolutely amazing experience!! Guide was phenomenal... kept everyone engaged and provided some knowledge as well!”

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

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

Walk 3 kilometers through Arenal’s forest with a local guide such as Andreas or Gustavo. Cross 10 fixed bridges and 6 hanging bridges, including one 100 meters long and 55 meters high. The trail has gentle slopes, no steps, safety rails, and non-slip concrete. Morning or afternoon departures are available, with optional hot springs.

“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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6.Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls

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

Travel from San Jose to Arenal for La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Los Lagos Hot Springs. Guides such as Hayro, Fernando, and Alejandro are praised for wildlife spotting and local insight. Expect breakfast, lunch, a small group of up to 15, heavy walking, and a very long day.

“Awesome experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and just all around amazing. If you get Haro be prepared for a great time.”

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7.PRIVATE Buena Vista: Zip line, Horseback, Hot Springs + Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $275

Spend about nine hours at Buena Vista with a private guide such as Eugenio, Elial, or JB. Ride horses, tackle eight zip lines, try the water slide, sample Costa Rican treats, paint on volcanic mud, soak in hot springs, and finish with lunch. Pickup is available from Tamarindo-area hotels on the guided option.

“Our guide (sorry if I butcher the spelling) Eli was incredible, the staff in general was incredible, and the food was incredible. If you want an amazing experience that is exciting, delicious, and relaxing then there’s no other choice!”

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8.Spa Luxury & Jaguar Luxury by Sensoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $230

At Sensoria Private Eco-Luxury Reserve, you’ll walk through rainforest to thermal pools and waterfalls, with a guide such as Pablo, Paulo, Raymond, or Daniel. The Jaguar Luxury option adds a private waterfall pool, robes, towels, fruit, cheese, and wine or champagne, followed by lunch at the Casona. Plan for moderate hiking and a long drive from the coast.

“Great tour, the hike was beautiful. After you get your own thermal pool with a small waterfall to relax in with only your party which was the best part!! Pablo and Issac were great tour guides too.”

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

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

Start with 9 zip lines, 13 platforms, a hanging bridge, and forest views at Go Adventure Arenal Park. Then meet Maleku guides, tube through Arenal River rapids, and relax in hot springs. Guides including Miguel, Jefferson, Arturo, and Tiger are known for patient help, especially with nervous or older participants.

“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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10.3 in 1 Combo: La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Thermal Spa from San José

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $249

Travel from San José to Arenal for La Fortuna Waterfall, guided hanging bridges, and three hours at Los Lagos thermal pools. Guides such as Hayro, Miha, Yorleny, and Lenny have led this route, spotting sloths, monkeys, birds, frogs, and snakes along the way. The day costs $249 and allows up to 15 people.

“The cafe of the manha was very late and I didn't like it and after we passed on the plantation of coffee.The walk and mto run the dinner was bad.And due to the weather we didn't even see the vulcao, the thermas are reasonable.Auto-translated”

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11.MEGA COMBO: 8 activities in 1 day, including natural hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $215

From Tamarindo, you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to an adventure park near Rincon de la Vieja. Guides such as Martin, Michele, Toni, and George lead a busy day of ziplining, hanging bridges, horseback riding, a long waterslide, tractor ride, waterfall hike, volcanic mud, and natural hot springs. Lunch, snacks, coffee, hydration, and pickup are included.

“This is a packed day of activities and well worth! Michele, our guide was so knowledgeable and definitely patient with our group with our stop and go’s in between. Would recommend 10/10”

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12.Arenal Volcano Expeditions Walk with Optional Hot Springs

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

You’ll ride from La Fortuna to a volcanic-rock trail near Arenal Volcano, then walk about 1 kilometer to the closest legal viewpoint. A guide explains the volcano and local ecosystem while you look for toucans, monkeys, and other wildlife. Add roughly three hours at a hot spring for an extra fee, with hotel pickup and return transport included.

“This tour was a bit disappointing. We were actually expecting much more than what we got. It only consisted of us walking down a trail, reaching a viewpoint and returning back to the van. The price we paid was way too high for just that. We didn't even get the Hot Springs Option. Do not get me wrong... the tour guide and driver were SUPER nice and knowledgeable but I would not recommend this tour to anyone. Heads up: You can actually just pay the park entrance fee and walk the trail on your own. You do not need a guide. Once I found this out, I was upset.”

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13.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 with a local guide who explains the volcano, wildlife, and eruption history. Hotel transport, air-conditioned travel, and bottled water are included. Tours run daily at 7:30am and 2:30pm, with an optional hot-springs add-on noted in the tour name. Expect a moderate hike and changing weather.

“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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14.Arenal Volcano Hike plus Baldi Hot Springs and Dinner

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

Walk across old Arenal lava flows with a guide, look toward Arenal Lake, then spend about two hours in Baldi’s many warm pools before a buffet dinner. Guides such as Miguel and Steven have been praised for wildlife spotting and volcano knowledge. Hotel pickup, transport, water, and admission are included.

“Great informative guide and driver! Learned a lot of history on the volcano. Bonus was they spotted Toucans and a Sloth as we approached the parking lot! We stopped and our guide had a tripod monocular which she set up for us to get a closer look!”

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15.Vandara Hot Springs & Horses+ Zipline+ sugarmill+ waterslide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $170

From Tamarindo, guide Wilmar Retana takes you by private air-conditioned transport to Vandara Hot Springs near Liberia. You can combine ziplining, horseback riding, a waterslide, sugar mill traditions, volcanic mud baths, hot springs, and a Costa Rican buffet lunch in one full-day outing. Bring swimwear and sturdy shoes.

“Great experience with zip lining, horse back riding, cultural information and hot springs. I would recommend it”

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