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Costa Rica is part of the Pacific Ring Fire Circle, meaning significant underground volcanic activity exists. The country has many active volcanoes, such as Arenal, whose latest eruption in the 60s scorched everything in its path. After the eruption, many thermal hot springs emerged around the area.
With more than 200 distinct volcanic areas and five active volcanoes, Costa Rica has a wealth of geothermally heated thermal pools and volcanic mud baths that have been scientifically proven to have positive health effects.
Since the dawn of time, ancient civilizations with significant volcanic activity have indulged in hot springs for wellness and health purposes. Heat and minerals have been shown to increase circulation, relieve skin issues, and help alleviate various other illnesses.
In this article, we will look at the Hot Springs in Costa Rica and what they have to offer tourists visiting the country.
Types of Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a volcanic landscape due to its geological position and geothermal activity, leading to many volcanic hot springs. Volcanic hot springs are formed when the underground water is heated by the magma of the nearby volcano and returned to the surface.
The geothermal activity of heating groundwater by underground magma infuses the water with many beneficial minerals. Because of this distinctive geology, Costa Rica is a global leader in authentic hot spring treatments.
Some hot springs have incredibly high temperatures that can burn your skin. Most volcanic hot springs are in the Northern Plains around the Arenal Volcano and are part of spa resorts.
You can also find off-track locations in Northern Guanacaste, where you can relax in an unspoiled natural hot-spring pool.
Hot Spring Regions in Costa Rica
- Northern Plains, the Arenal Region
- Tapanti National Park, Southern Costa Rica
- North Guanacaste
The Best Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Tabacon Hot Springs (Arenal Region)
The Tabacon Hot Springs is the largest network of thermal hot springs in the Arenal Region. The towering Arenal volcano heats the water in the natural springs. Tabacon Hot Springs is the first hot spring resort to be opened in Arenal.
It is the most prestigious luxury resort in the Arenal area. This is because Tabacon’s springs are entirely naturally drawn from Volcano Arenal, and the resort does not use any pump to bring water in from outside or a heating source to warm its pools.
Another reason is the high mineral content in the thermal hot springs on the resort, which provide many health benefits.
The native wilderness that surrounds the springs in the resort has been allowed to flourish and protect the pools is what makes this site so incredibly unique.
Additional Info
- Location: 21007, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 72° – 105 °F
- Website: https://tabacon.com/thermal-experience/
Ecotermales (Arenal Region)
Ecotermales is an eco-friendly hot spring resort near the Arenal volcano in the Northern Plains of Costa Rica. One of the few hot springs in the area not connected to a larger resort is Ecotermales, which is situated on a privately owned and family-run property. It has six hot spring pools, created naturally.
Furthermore, the resort was first opened in 2002 and is fully dedicated to preserving nature with an integrated waste disposal system. The system allows the resort to process 100% of the waste generated by its visitors.
Hundreds of yards of paved and lit trails also lead through the surrounding rainforest to explore the local flora and fauna.
Additional Info
- Location: 3.5 Km Este de la Iglesia Católica, La Fortuna, San Carlos, 21007, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 99° – 106 °F
- Website: http://ecotermalesfortuna.cr/
Baldi Hot Springs (Arenal Region)
The Baldi Hot Springs are among Costa Rica’s top hot springs near Arenal and are situated in La Fortuna de San Carlos. There are 25 thermal pools at the Baldi hot springs, some of which have waterfalls.
Baldi Hot Springs is the largest resort and spa in the Arenal region. The property is located at the base of the Arenal volcano in La Fortuna de San Carlos in Costa Rica.
The thermal pools are connected by walking paths and are of different temperatures and sizes. All the pools are labeled by their temperatures.
Additional Info
- Location: 142, Provincia de Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 93° – 152 °F
- Website: https://www.baldihotsprings.cr/
El Chollin Hot Springs
El Chollin Hot Springs are not part of any resort. Instead, they are entirely natural and accessible to the public for no fee. As the springs are natural and not maintained by any resort, there are many slippery rocks you will need to pass to get to them.
El Chollin Hot Springs are located just outside of the Tabacon Resort. El Chollin is often visited by both locals and travelers. The springs are surrounded by a forest and provide some of the most picturesque views in the region.
Additional Info
- Location: F7QG+CH4, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 105 °F
Tapanti National Park
Tapanti National Park is located in the rainiest part of the country, Orosi Valley, a 90-minute drive from San Jose. Tapanti National Park is surrounded by the Macho River Forest Reserve, with the El Rio Grande de Orosi river running through it. The annual rainfall in this park is from 250 to 800 inches.
The hot springs are near the park property, and for visitors to get to them, they will need to find a local willing to show them the way.
Additional Info
- Location: H6FV+V56, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 96.8 ° F
- Website: https://www.costarica.com/attractions/tapanti-national-park
Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs
The hot springs resort, Hacienda Orosi, is one of the lesser known in Costa Rica. Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs is located on the outskirts of the Tapanti National Park in Orrosy Valley.
On the property, there are seven thermal pools from which you may enjoy breathtaking views of the valley. The establishment is relatively new and currently includes more pools for visitors.
The water in the hot spring pools is rich in minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, zinc, and sulfate.
Additional Info
- Location: Cartago Province, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 95° – 100 °F
- Website: http://www.haciendaorosi.com/
Miravalles Hot Springs (Guanacaste)
Miravalles, which is roughly an hour northeast of Liberia, is set against the picturesque backdrop of the impressive Miravalles Volcano in Guanacaste. Miravalles has some of the most beautiful hot springs in the country.
Despite being dormant, the Miravalles volcano generates a lot of heat for the hot springs. There are several natural quiet hot springs in the region, as well as a posh hot springs resort.
Near the Miravalles Volcano is the Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center. On the center’s property, you will see mud gushing up from the earth and sulfur vents everywhere. Additionally, you can use the mud for a spa treatment and then unwind in the hot springs.
Additional Info
- Location: Guanacaste Province, Bagaces, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 100 °F
- Website: https://costarica.org/volcanoes/miravalles/
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin (Rincon de la Vieja National Park)
The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is situated inside Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The Costa Rican government has granted the resort a third-level Certification for Sustainable Tourism.
On the site, ten artificial hot springs were created to store the Rio Negro’s water. The river has springs on either side, which you may access by using one of their hanging bridges.
Additional Info
- Location: 208-50101 Guanacaste Curubande, Liberia, Costa Rica
- Water Temperature: 104 °F
- Website: http://www.guachipelin.com/
Final Thoughts
There you have some of the most wonderful hot springs in Costa Rica! The volcanic hot springs in Costa Rica are full of minerals, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, aluminum, zinc, and sulfate, so many visit them for their health benefits.
Find the most suitable one for you and enjoy!
