Free Natural Hot Springs River
Free Natural Hot Springs River
4.5
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- guerrero192092 contributionsFree hot springLaid-back environment with local patrons away from touristy crowds. The best way in locating this hot spring is to look for the gentleman with the neon parking vests on guiding people to park. Yes they would like a small tip 3 collones, however it is not necessary as the parking is free. Be warned you will have to walk a small walk onto the street to reach the entrance and you will walk down a short muddy rocky dirt path, so be careful. Once there you can leave your bag on the sides as most do just keep your eyes on your belongings. Also, be warned the ground inside the springs is very rocky and hard on the feet, water shoes would've helped!!! There were people of all ages in the spring. Locals say the left side is the best, the side the hotel is on. Enjoy, I almost fell asleep 😴Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 13, 2023
- shihtzulover1Orange, California63 contributionsAmazing afternoon at the thermal riverThis was an awesome experience. There are two sides to this river where most tourist go and across the highway is the least crowded. If you are driving from Monte Verde it will be on the left side(tabacon) there are usually a couple of gentlemen controlling traffic there but they are not officials you do not have to pay for parking. But they appreciate tips. You will have to walk along the road down to muddy in Rocky pathway. You can be a little dangerous if you’re not careful. Water shoes are a must here. Normally people just placed a belongings on the side and enter the water. It was amazing, very warm like an unlimited bath water. We spent here about 2 1/2 hours.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 8, 2024
- Meg & Matt NThe Woodlands, Texas12 contributionsBest hot springs!Such a chill place, in my opinion it was way more fun than Tabacon or Baldi. For a true Costa Rica experience definitely go to this amazing river and be one with nature! Easy to find. Lots of cool scenery. Try the mud on your face! Cheapest facial I’ve ever had 🤣Visited April 2024Traveled with friendsWritten April 18, 2024
- KathTraveler5San Anselmo, California21 contributionsYes, get suited up and lounge in free hot springs river!What a cool local spot, and rare free access. We didn't come prepared to be able to change on-site by the river, so we didn't end up going in, but if you come with your suit on or bring a cover-up so you can change "in public", you'll be all set to wade into the shallow water and find a comfy spot to sit on the riverbed with the warm water rushing around you. Parking is a little tricky, on the side of a curvy road with lots of traffic as it is right next to the Tabacon Resort and on the way to all the resort hot springs and La Fortuna. A guy in a yellow vest charged us $10 to guide us to a roadside spot, barely clear of the driving lane. Walk along the road (yikes) for 4 minutes and down a dirt path to the river, it's easy to find especially when crowded. Wished we could have returned the next day better prepared on our way out of the area, but then we had luggage in the car and all advice seems to be, don't leave items in cars.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 27, 2024
- 59ericafHouston, Texas90 contributionsHot time in the Free Hot SpringsGreat experience in the warm water. Right cross from Tabacon Resort and walking distance to a great view of the Arenal Volcano. Went at 7 am and there were about four people out there. The water was so warm and refreshing. A very therapeutic experience. Yes there is a gentleman who will charge you $10 for parking. He is harmless and let the man have his hustle. The $10 doesn’t compare to the experience. Great experience in La Fortuna!Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Tenkster
Paddock Wood, UK65 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Well worth a visit if you’re in the area, after all it is free! Quite busy but plenty of spots to seek out. Parking on the side of the road with a local to guide you in and will keep an eye on your car for a few dollars. Water shoes or similar a must.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rthyagar
novi, michigan34 contributions
Feb 2022
Basically this is a cheap (free!) way to experience the Arenal hot springs. We stayed 3 nights at the Arenal Paraiso which has 11 hot springs, but in reality, we found that this location was better. Why? It was cleaner (water in the springs at the resort was muddy and murky), the river water was flowing much more, and also the water itself was warmer. In addition, the atmosphere/ambience was much more natural at the river.
Ok to get here, you need to take a taxi ($10 each way from any of the resorts, or downtown La Fortuna) to the Tabacon Resort and Spa. The taxi driver will know where to drop you, just tell them you are going to the river hot springs. Also recommend that you arrange for the taxi to come back at a pre-determined time and pick you up. Or you can walk up to the Tabacon Resort and request the front desk to get you a taxi.
Ok to get here, you need to take a taxi ($10 each way from any of the resorts, or downtown La Fortuna) to the Tabacon Resort and Spa. The taxi driver will know where to drop you, just tell them you are going to the river hot springs. Also recommend that you arrange for the taxi to come back at a pre-determined time and pick you up. Or you can walk up to the Tabacon Resort and request the front desk to get you a taxi.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Astria
Dallas, TX54 contributions
Jul 2022
What everyone said has been absolutely correct. Great spot for free hot springs. The water was warm, and there was a good mix of locals and tourists. Coming earlier is better for parking and fewer crowds. We paid the man 'watching' our cars 3K colones just to be polite, although I'm sure if you want to escape it you can. He was very polite, so we didn't mind. We would have spent hundreds of US dollars elsewhere. There are places to leave small bags along the rocks, but a wet bag would have been great. Water shoes are a must. There are two sides - one has stronger currents while the other is great for smaller children. Our two boys loved it and asked to go again the next day. Look for Tabacon springs, and you'll see cars parked along the road. Look down, and you'll likely catch a glimpse of people.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GKARO
13 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
La Fortuna has many hot springs, but most of them cost >$20, the more expensive ones being ~$80 per person. We did not want to spend hours in the hot springs or spend that amount of money, per person, to visit a resort hot spring. We really wanted to get the most natural hot spring experience as possible, and this was perfect for that.
This hot spring is technically free, but unless you go early in the morning, there are people standing in the street with vests directing you where to park (on the side of the street). As you should know, these people are not official and you do not technically need to pay them, but giving whoever directs you just a small $5 or $10 doesn’t hurt. They were not very bothersome (in begging to be paid) and considering we’d have to pay at least $20 per person for a resort hot spring, we didn’t mind.
Those people directing you where to park did give us some guidance on how to get down to the hot spring but if you just follow other people, you will find it. At the bottom of the hill (on the road), there are guardrails on either side. Both sides of the road, around the end of the guardrails, have paths going down to the hot springs.
The hot springs themselves were in fact hot, but it was a little crowded (we went in the early afternoon). If we visited again, we would likely go back in the morning when there are less people.
This hot spring is technically free, but unless you go early in the morning, there are people standing in the street with vests directing you where to park (on the side of the street). As you should know, these people are not official and you do not technically need to pay them, but giving whoever directs you just a small $5 or $10 doesn’t hurt. They were not very bothersome (in begging to be paid) and considering we’d have to pay at least $20 per person for a resort hot spring, we didn’t mind.
Those people directing you where to park did give us some guidance on how to get down to the hot spring but if you just follow other people, you will find it. At the bottom of the hill (on the road), there are guardrails on either side. Both sides of the road, around the end of the guardrails, have paths going down to the hot springs.
The hot springs themselves were in fact hot, but it was a little crowded (we went in the early afternoon). If we visited again, we would likely go back in the morning when there are less people.
Written October 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathTraveler5
San Anselmo, CA21 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
What a cool local spot, and rare free access. We didn't come prepared to be able to change on-site by the river, so we didn't end up going in, but if you come with your suit on or bring a cover-up so you can change "in public", you'll be all set to wade into the shallow water and find a comfy spot to sit on the riverbed with the warm water rushing around you. Parking is a little tricky, on the side of a curvy road with lots of traffic as it is right next to the Tabacon Resort and on the way to all the resort hot springs and La Fortuna. A guy in a yellow vest charged us $10 to guide us to a roadside spot, barely clear of the driving lane. Walk along the road (yikes) for 4 minutes and down a dirt path to the river, it's easy to find especially when crowded. Wished we could have returned the next day better prepared on our way out of the area, but then we had luggage in the car and all advice seems to be, don't leave items in cars.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igge
Kvicksund, Sweden1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
Go here if you want to enjoy the hot springs in Arenal/Fortuna. Easy to find, just stop where all the cars are parked along the road close to Tabacon resort. "Parking attendants" will guard your cars for a couple of thousand colones. Very relaxing and jungle feeling if you just go a few meters from the road. Highly recommended to go here instead of artificial high priced resorts in the neighbourhood.
Written December 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marina
46 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
It was so great we went twice! But, the parking helpers will stop your car on the road and demand 5000 colones to help you park by side of road. Place is free. I gave them 3000 colones so they don't scratch the rental car
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler626560
6 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Under the bridge, on the road, there is a euphoric crowd of supposed individual tourists who want to climb into warm water at a mud hole under supervision and surrounded by barbed wire to take photos of themselves. Parking is regulated and should cost 7 euros. This is no longer a free insider tip.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan H
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Friends
Went on a Saturday afternoon and it was quite crowded. Overall, it was nice especially considering it's a free. If you don't have a car just know that cell service can be extremely limited around there. We weren't able to get a signal and couldn't call a cab afterwards. We spoke with the staff at the Tabacon hot springs and they directed us to hike 10 minutes up the hill towards the Tabacon Hotel where we were finally able to get signal. Worked out in the end but we certainly felt a little silly waiting for a cab by the side of the road!
Written May 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guerrero1920
92 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Laid-back environment with local patrons away from touristy crowds. The best way in locating this hot spring is to look for the gentleman with the neon parking vests on guiding people to park. Yes they would like a small tip 3 collones, however it is not necessary as the parking is free. Be warned you will have to walk a small walk onto the street to reach the entrance and you will walk down a short muddy rocky dirt path, so be careful. Once there you can leave your bag on the sides as most do just keep your eyes on your belongings. Also, be warned the ground inside the springs is very rocky and hard on the feet, water shoes would've helped!!! There were people of all ages in the spring. Locals say the left side is the best, the side the hotel is on. Enjoy, I almost fell asleep 😴
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was just there and was charged $5000 col to park.. is that typical? Seems a bit steep.
Written January 22, 2023
They don’t charge locals, unless you’re a gringo like me. I’ve argued with them in the past, because the guy was going to charge me 10k col. I moved down the road and bartered with another guy. I guess it comes down to trusting that “something won’t happen to your car” while you’re down at the river. Basically, it’s a scam
Written November 16, 2024
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