At the foot of Arenal Volcano in the rainforest province of La Fortuna, a thermal river of volcanic origin flows through the heart of Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa — the largest network of naturally flowing hot springs in Costa Rica. The waters are heated deep in the earth by Arenal's geothermal activity, rising through layers of volcanic rock to emerge at the surface at temperatures that vary from warmly soothing to genuinely hot, depending on how close you are to the source.
The resort's thermal gardens are a masterpiece of landscape design: waterfalls, grottos, pools at multiple temperatures, footbridges over rushing streams, and tropically planted pathways that guide guests through successive discoveries. Hotel guests receive early access from 8am — before the resort opens to day visitors — and exclusive entry to the Shangri-La Gardens, an adults-only section of the thermal complex reserved entirely for those staying at the hotel.
The Tabacón Spa operates in open-air bungalows set within the rainforest, where treatments use volcanic clay, tropical fruits, and local botanicals from the surrounding forest. The resort's signature Autograph Treatments — developed exclusively for Tabacón — draw on Costa Rica's volcanic energy and traditional wellness practices. In the evening, the thermal pools become particularly magical as the volcano's outline darkens above the treeline and the air fills with the sound of tropical frogs.
Tabacón's rooms and suites are designed in harmony with the surrounding rainforest — native stone showers, Costa Rican design touches, and private terraces or balconies that bring the jungle indoors. Each category offers a different relationship with the natural environment, from garden-view rooms to suites with private thermal plunge pools.
The Private Pool Suite is Tabacón's most romantic accommodation — an adults-only suite with a private thermal plunge pool on its rainforest-facing terrace, a king bed, and a hanging outdoor lounge chair suspended above the garden. The Two-Bedroom Arenal Suite adds a full dining area, jacuzzi, and sweeping views of the volcano and forest canopy.
Tucanes is Tabacón's fine dining flagship — by night, a refined à la carte and tasting menu restaurant that elevates Costa Rican flavours with international techniques, surrounded by the jungle and the sound of flowing thermal water. The tasting menu follows the agricultural calendar of the Arenal highlands, celebrating the volcanic soil's extraordinary produce.
Ave Restaurant brings a lighter spirit to the thermal gardens — fresh, colourful plates inspired by Costa Rican tradition, served beside the gardens and flowing waters for lunch or dinner after a day in the springs. The resort also offers private dining in the thermal gardens and spa bungalows for couples and groups seeking a completely personal experience.
4 nights · hotel thermal access from 8am · Shangri-La adults-only gardens · open-air spa · Tucanes tasting menu · Río Celeste · Arenal hanging bridges · private thermal garden dinner
Add-on options: Río Celeste boat tour from USD 85pp · Arenal hanging bridges USD 25pp · Arenal Lake windsurfing · White-water rafting on Río Sarapiquí · La Fortuna Waterfall walk
Tabacón is the only luxury resort in Costa Rica where a volcanic thermal river literally flows through the property, heating the largest network of natural hot springs in the country. The combination of exclusive hotel guest access from 8am, the Shangri-La adults-only gardens, the open-air rainforest spa with volcanic clay treatments, and the tasting menu at Tucanes creates an experience of Costa Rica's volcanic energy that day visitors can never access. It is the most immersive thermal wellness experience in Central America.
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is Costa Rica's premier hot springs resort — a thermal river born from Arenal Volcano flows through tropical gardens heated by the earth itself, with the largest network of natural hot springs in the country.
This package includes early hotel access from 8am, exclusive Shangri-La adults gardens, the Autograph Spa Treatment in an open-air rainforest bungalow, Río Celeste boat tour, Arenal hanging bridges, and a tasting dinner at Tucanes.
All components are fully flexible — this is a curated starting point, refined with your Richseen specialist prior to confirmation.