The 14 Best Costa Rica Hot Springs Tours

1.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

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

Travel from San Jose to Arenal Volcano with hotel pickup, a Sarchi artisan stop, volcano views, lunch, thermal hot springs, dinner, and a professional guide. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, Max, and Roberto have earned praise for their warmth and local insight. Expect a scenic but very long day, often 13 hours.

“Such an incredible experience. Our guide was funny, knowledgeable, and a heck of a driver. We ran into thick clouds that covered the view of the road & he was incredible. The weather changes…. A LOT, so dress comfortably & prepare for humidity. The food was great, the people were great, and the hot springs made me want to move here.”

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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 between 25 thermal pools, a natural sauna, swim-up bars, and fast water slides. The $60 day pass includes admission, with lunch and dinner available as upgrades. You arrange your own transportation, locker, towel, and meal times.

“I enjoyed my time here Very relaxing. There is a lot to do, the food was great. Can’t wait to visit again”

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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, soaking in mineral pools and hot tubs with different temperatures and hydromassage features. Towels, lockers, showers, and changing rooms are available. Add lunch or dinner if you wish, then enjoy the swim-up bar and views toward Arenal Volcano.

“It was good.. The pools were well maintained and we had a good time . very accessible from La Fortuna.”

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

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

Explore Arenal Hanging Bridges on a 3-kilometer guided trail through forest undergrowth, sub-canopy, and canopy. You’ll cross 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, with guides such as Andreas or Gustavo pointing out frogs, snakes, plants, and other wildlife. Hotel transfers, drinks, entrance, and morning or afternoon departures are included.

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

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

Spend a very full day traveling from San Jose to Arenal for La Fortuna Waterfall, rainforest suspension bridges, and Los Lagos hot springs. Guides such as Hayro, Leni, Fernando, and Alejandro are praised for spotting wildlife and explaining Costa Rican nature. Expect long drives, many stairs, breakfast, lunch, and a small group of up to 15.

“Be prepared for rain if you are going in October/November! The rain was light but steady. Wear good shoes w/ grip; there are quite a bit of inclines on the hanging bridge tour. Ask for Hayro! He was super knowledgeable about the animals, plants, history and Costa Rican culture. We happened to go on a really great day with several clear views of the volcano. Hayro let’s you tailor the trip to your liking; more time here or less time there depending on what interests you :) Breakfast and lunch were provided and we stopped for souvenirs and fruits”

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6.Mega Combo Zip Line Tour and Volcano Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $200

From Playa Flamingo, your private guide takes you to Las Pavas for seven zip lines, hanging bridges, wildlife spotting, horseback riding, a fast waterslide, and a Costa Rican buffet. Finish at Pacaya Hot Springs with thermal pools, sauna, and volcanic mud, then stop in Liberia for local crafts.

“It was a full day trip. 730-4 exactly or a little over. We hit up everything on the list and more. Our tour guide Eriik was awesome. Did everything we asked and went above and beyond for us. We had enough time for everything I wanted to do , it was a great experience/ adventure! I highly recommend doing this if you have only a few days in Costa Rica and want to get all the activities out of the way and done.”

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

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

You’ll combine nine zip lines, 13 aerial platforms, a hanging bridge, a Maleku cultural visit, Arenal River tubing, and hot springs in about four hours. Guides including Miguel, Jefferson, Arturo, and Tiger help nervous participants feel secure. The tour includes equipment, fees, and private transportation, with a 224-pound weight limit.

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

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

Leave San José at 6:30 am for La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Los Lagos thermal pools. Expert guides such as Hayro, Miha, Yorleny, and Lenny are known for spotting wildlife and explaining the forest. Expect a long day, a small group of up to 15, rainforest walks, swimming, and a relaxing finish beside Arenal Volcano.

“Lenny was amazing! For breakfast we got to feed the rain forest birds plantain and capture beautiful photos. Then we went to the waterfall and swam. After that we went to the hanging bridges. Along the walk our tour guide told us all about the wildlife. The hot springs were fr best. You can choose from 5 different pools with various temperatures. My favorite part was the water slides at the resort. Lunch was amazing as well.”

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

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

Travel from Tamarindo in an air-conditioned vehicle for a full day near Rincon de la Vieja. You’ll zipline, cross hanging bridges, ride a horse, slide, hike to a waterfall, try volcanic mud, soak in hot springs, and eat a buffet lunch. Guides such as Martin, Michelle, Toni, and George have been praised for safe driving and personal care.

“The best time and the best guide!!! First off we stayed at an Airbnb that was hard to reach because of a hill. But our driver George aka “mambo” got there like a pro! He was very accommodating. The bus was nice and fit us comfortably. It also cRead more”

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10.Arenal Volcano Expeditions Walk with Optional Hot Springs

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

Walk a volcanic-rock trail near Arenal Volcano with a professional guide, reaching the closest legal viewpoint to the volcano base. You’ll learn about the area’s ecosystem, watch for toucans and monkeys, and enjoy a tropical-fruit snack. Hotel transport, park fees, water, and Wi-Fi are included. Add about three hours at hot springs for an extra fee.

“We opted for the Arenal Hike with dinner and a trip to Paradise Hot Springs. The hike was great despite it being a bit misty out. The guide was very intelligent and knew a lot of the history of the region. She was also very personable and fun to chat with. The viewpoint offers some great views of the Arenal volcano and Lake Arenal. The hot springs was a great treat after the hike. Very laid back and relaxing.”

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11.ZipLine, Horseback Riding, Tubing, Hot Springs & Lunch @ Volcano National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $230

Leave Playa Flamingo at 6 a.m. for a full day at Rincón de la Vieja National Park with a bilingual guide such as Ronny. Ride horses, tackle rapid-water tubing, eat a Costa Rican buffet, zip across eight lines, and finish with hot springs and mud treatments. Hotel pickup, park fees, lunch, fruit, and drinks are included.

“Great day long adventure. The day will proceed as follows: 1. Horse back riding 2. Tubing in the rapids 3. Lunch 4. Zip lining the canopy 5. Hot springs and mud Some hints. You don't need your phone to capture images because they provide photographers for $45. If you deem it truly necessary, bring a waterproof case to carry your phone. Also, try carrying some extra cash with you to give tips into the tip box at the end of each portion. Fun, long day. But, well worth the day away from the beach.”

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12.Arenal Volcano Hike Expedition with Optional Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $57

Set out from La Fortuna with Ecoterra Expeditions for a four-hour guided walk near Arenal Volcano. You’ll cover about 3 km to a viewpoint and back, look for toucans, monkeys, sloths, snakes, and other rainforest life, and learn about the volcano’s eruptions. Tours run daily at 7:30am and 2:30pm, with hot springs available as an optional add-on.

“It was a great experience. The guides were very informative and fun. Ended the tour with fruits and snacks!”

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13.Arenal Volcano Hike plus Baldi Hot Springs and Dinner

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

Spend about two hours hiking Arenal’s old lava flows with a guide such as Miguel or Steven, then enjoy three hours at Baldi Hot Springs, including buffet dinner. Expect striking volcano and Lake Arenal views, possible wildlife sightings, and a rocky, moderate hike rather than an easy stroll.

“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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14.Vandara Hot Springs & Horses+ Zipline+ sugarmill+ waterslide

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

From Tamarindo, this 8 to 9-hour outing combines ziplining, horseback riding, a waterslide, hot springs, volcanic mud, and a sugarcane mill demonstration. Hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, lunch, snacks, and water are included. Guide Wilmar Retana provides cultural information and leads groups of up to 14 people.

“It was an amazing experience. Wilmer was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable about the country, and easy to talk to.”

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