We like to say Eco Termales Hot Springs in La Fortuna is like a baby Tabacon.
I've written about Eco Termales before and likewise, we also did a video on them a couple years back (see below). The 'couple years back' video is informative but we shot it at night and it's pretty dark so we decided to update and show Eco Termales in the daytime. Although technically, on a side note, we like to go to the hot springs at night, we think it much more beautiful.
But anyway, without further ado our UPDATED video of Eco Termales in La Fortuna.
The Eco Termales video from a couple years back-
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La Fortuna Costa Rica is home to Tabacon Hot Springs, Baldi Hot Springs, Eco Termales Hot Springs, Los Laureles Hot Springs and even the FREE hot springs at Tabacon. So many options. And that's not even all of them. But these are the main ones with the exception of, 'The Springs'. Hopefully we'll have that video soon.
These are the videos, if you want more INFO or would like to read what I had to say, just click the particular hot springs link. I also wrote a comparison of Tabacon vs. Baldi.
Tabacon Hot Springs is 'THE' Hot Springs in La Fortuna Costa Rica.
If you plan on visiting La Fortuna, Costa Rica, home of the Arenal Volcano, only one time in your life, a trip to Tabacon Hot Springs is a 'MUST DO'. Tabacon did it right- VERY right. Tabacon Hot Springs could have been god's house warming gift to Adam and Eve- I think he just wanted them to have the ultimate bathtub (or maybe he just wanted to show-off and give the BEST gift... who knows?)
Tabacon has 2 drawbacks- the price, and the fact it can get VERY crowded. Other than that, it's all positive.
Me chillin' and practicing my peace sign at Tabacon Hot Springs.
Tabacon Hot Springs located just outside La Fortuna, Costa Rica is considered fairly pricey to most. But Tabacon isn't just any hot springs- Tabacon is 'THE' hot springs... and they know it. Tabacon does have a little competition with the newer and maybe more luxurious The Springs Resort and Spa but just comparing hot springs, Tabacon is still #1 in my mind, but then again, I still prefer Michael Jordan over Kobe, there's just those hard to explain intangibles... know what I mean? Tabacon doesn't care if you can afford them or not, because plenty of people can and DO on a daily basis so they keep their prices 'pricey' and keep the little people wishing. Unfortunately, the locals who live in and around La Fortuna ARE the little people and the closest most will ever come to Tabacon is by working for them, other than that Tabacon offers NOTHING in the way of 'discounts' for people in the area. It's their right, but something just seems WRONG... but I digress.
Chillaxin at Tabacon's FREE Hot Springs.
That's why all who live in the La Fortuna area go to the FREE hot springs at Tabacon. It's like our very own, 'fuck you' to 'the man'. So as the tourist pays upwards of $100 bucks per person for the privilege of drinking high priced umbrella drinks in hot water, us little people take a cooler of beer and some greasy chicken and soak up the hot water for FREE. The best part- not an alligator skinned, saggy-titted, blue hair from Florida in SIGHT and trust me, that's a good thing, because during high season, they often arrive by the bus loads and turn Tabacon into a series of huge geriatric jacuzzis.
Here's our VIDEO about the FREE Hot Springs at Tabacon
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The slides at Baldi Hot Springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica are NOTORIOUS for causing injuries. Seriously, NO JOKE, the slides at Baldi Hot Springs can F**K you UP.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE going to Baldi Hot Springs, but I don't go down the slides- I learned that lesson years ago. Of course even if you would have warned me of the danger back 5 years ago, I would have still gone down them. Yup, I'm the guy who just has to touch the stove... I mean you practically dared me, right?
Like I said, we knew the slides had been dangerous awhile back, but when we revised our Baldi Video we had been led to believe they had fixed the problem. Plus, all the guys and girls in the VIDEO (below) had also told us they were WAY COOL- no problem, so we left the 'WARNING' out of the video. F in' kids, what do they know?
Last night, our friend, well, a new friend, broke his clavicle bone going down one of the slides, cutting his vacation 3 days short. He was slated to whitewater raft today before finishing up his trip in Puerto Viejo, obviously a broken clavicle isn't going to cut a rafting excursion. Talk about a vacation BUZZ KILL.
Today we're revising a few posts and videos on our sites about the potential dangers of the Baldi slides. We pretty much NOW know this is not an isolated occurrence, if he broke a bone, I can only imagine all the cuts, scraps and bruises...
So, consider yourself WARNED. Funny, I have this strong urge to go to Baldi tonight, drink a few beers and go headfirst down the slides... after all, maybe my new friend is just a pussy.
Here's our REVISED Baldi Hot Springs VIDEO:
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Baldi Hot Springs in La Fortuna could be the hot springs option that provides the BIGGEST BANG for your BUCK.
We've been wanting to re-REVIEW Baldi Hot Springs for quite sometime now. Our fist video of Baldi Hot Springs was done when we were just starting out and weren't really sure of what we were doing.
First, it's important to note that the entire town of La Fortuna pushes Baldi tickets on the tourists, for the simple fact Baldi pays commissions and Tabacon and EcoTermales don't. So all the tour shops, hotels, restaurants, as well as every Tom, Dick AND HARRY we'll usually suggest Baldi over the other hot springs, not saying that's bad.... just sayin. Baldi tickets can run anywhere from about $16.00 to whatever you're willing to pay, so it's BEST to shop around a bit if you're traveling on a budget or want to save a couple bucks. DO NOT BUY BALDI TICKETS AT BALDI- you will currently pay $28.00 at the entrance if you don't get them somewhere else. We paid $22.00 for use of the hot springs and dinner per person. Dinner is buffet style... we thought this was an EXCELLENT DEAL.
Tabacon Hot Springs is expensive, like $70.mas o menos but the 'Garden of Eden' has nothing on Tabacon and Eco Termales (across the street from Baldi) is more private, tranquilo and GREAT for a more 'chill' hot spring option (here's our write-up and VIDEO REVIEW of Eco Termales) and then there's Baldi,,,,BIG (25 pools of various sizes) and about as close to a hot spring 'theme park' as you're going to get,,,, water slides, loud music, kids, numerous swim up bars..... and LOTS of tourists- at Baldi, it's all about Q*U*A*N*T*I*T*Y.
I gotta say, Baldi is looking much nicer than it did in the past, the vegetation has matured adding some much need LUSHNESS to the area and even in the bigger pools gives the illusion of happening upon thermal waters in the middle of the jungle. It doesn't quite look as natural as Tabacon, but a BIG IMPROVEMENT. My comparison: Tabacon Hot Springs vs Baldi Hot Springs- the TRUTH.
Drinks are ridiculously expensive at Baldi Hot Springs even for a touristy destination- you almost think you're drinking at a swim up bar at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas. We took cans of beer in, we're NOT telling YOU to do that and I know Baldi would frown on that as well, but we did with no trouble, although we didn't advertise the fact either. Towels require a $10. deposit which you get back when you return the towel and lockers for your valuables cost $5.00 which you don't get back.
Depending on your MOOD and your BUDGET- Baldi Hot Springs definitely fills a certain hot springs niche...
**WARNING**WARNING**WARNING**WARNING**
"THE SLIDES AT BALDI HOT SPRINGS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR CAUSING INJURY- NO JOKE!"
Our NEW VIDEO Review of Baldi Hot Springs in La Fortuna Costa Rica
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Eco Termales is ONE of La Fortuna's BETTER Hot Springs. Located a couple miles or so outside La Fortuna heading towards the Arenal Volcano, its entrance is located directly across the street from it's much more rowdier, touristy, BIGGER but CHEAPER brother- Baldi Hot Springs. The entrance is NOT marked.
Eco Termales plays the 'we don't advertise, but if you're LUCKY enough to find us and make a reservation, we might just let you in,CARD. They play like they're the more exclusive, intimate and tranquil hot springs in the area.... and guess what- it's TRUE, they are.
Baldi Hot Springs is BIG, LOUD, touristy and CHEAP- and all the local tourist shops PUSH Baldi because Baldi pays commission... DUH! But just so we're clear, I like Baldi, it's a great hot springs if you're in the mood to be social, do a little partying, or perhaps you have the kids in tow, or you just want the BIGGEST BANG for your BUCK. And then there's the world renouned, Tabacon Hot Springs, and it's the SHIT no doubt- BEAUTIFUL, the 'Garden of Eden' has got nothing on Tabacon (except maybe for the pesky snake). Tabacon did everything right- lush, mature vegetation, natural- they're the BEST and they know it, but they're EXPENSIVE. A more in-depth comparison of Baldi vs Tabacon. And let's not forget Los Laureles Hot Springs, way CHEAP, more of a TICO hot springs but they're great if you want to have a picnic or bar-b-que, Los Laureles is a family-reunion type of gathering place.
Technically, Eco Termales is a 'baby Tabacon'. They probably don't want to hear that, but it's TRUE, Eco Termales has the same lushness and natural feel to it, but just not as BIG. I didn't say, 'wannabe Tabacon', but definitely a Tabacon JR. Here's how it goes:
If you don't want your hotel or tour company making the reservation for you, Eco Termales INFO: e-mail -ecoterlo@racsa.co.cr or (506) 2479-8787 cell - (506) 8382-2727. Eco Termales Hot Springs has 3 sessions per day: 9:00am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-5:00pm and 5:00pm-9:00pm. Each session costs $29.00 per person. They say they never let more than 100 people in per session. You must have reservations. *Kinda funny: My friend went there without a reservation. They did let him through the gate and when he went to the front desk they asked if he had a reservation. He told them 'no' but they let him in anyway. There was only a few people in the place....ummmm
The bar is run on the 'honor system' so you pay at the end, which I think is pretty convenient. You can eat at Eco Termales, nice restaurant setting. You can order either a steak, chicken or fish and they supply the veggies, juice/coffee, beans and rice etc. Personally, I thought $17. was way over-priced. It WAS good and I have to admit it was nice to relax and eat after soaking up the hot water, but next time I'd opt for a couple cocktails and probably eat somewhere else.... just sayin.
Here's our REVIEW of Eco Termales Hot Springs in La Fortuna Costa Rica:
La Fortuna Costa Rica is known for the Arenal Volcano as well has its Hot Springs.
La Fortuna has a lot to offer (Fortuna Video) the Costa Rican traveler. Not only famous for the ever-erupting Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is home to a variety of hot springs. Baldi Hot Springs and Tabacon are probably the most known (Baldi vs. Tabacon) but their are others, and Los Laureles is one of them.
Los Laureles Hot Springs, La Fortuna Costa Rica.
There are hot springs and then there are HOT SPRINGS. Tabacon, Baldi and Eco Termales are THE HOT SPRINGS- Los Laureles are just hot springs. That said, I'm certain Los Laureles never intended to compete with with the BIG 3. Los Laureles was built for the local Tico, but if the gringo traveler happens upon them, then all the better. Affordable hot springs for locals who mostly can't afford the more pricey, touristy hot springs in the area, but also for the gringo traveler on a budget. Hard to BEAT $7.50, when other BIGGER hot springs (but better), START at 3X the price.
Los Laureles is nice enough, practical, very BLUE TILE if you know what I mean, but again, for what they were built for- a very NICE option, especially for groups, since you can BBQ, bring in alcohol (try doing that at Tabacon).
Here's our VIDEO REVIEW of Los Laureles Hot Springs:
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Seriously, a visit to the La Fortuna/Arenal area without visiting the hot springs would almost border on sacrilegious. People come to La Fortuna for the Areanl Volcano, which is totally worth the visit in and of itself, but 9-10 people are also drawn to one of the many hot springs in the area. Baldi and Tabacon are by far the more popular hot springs, but their are other options, and some of the other hotels in the area have their own hot springs like Baldi and Tabacon, but not as big, and definitely NOT as popular- not that that's a bad thing.
That said, D’Angelo did a little tour around Baldi Hot Springs, so YOU could get a taste of what to expect if you pick Baldi over the other hot springs.
The 'Garden of Eden' has NOTHING on Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort aka Tabacon Hot Springs
Baldi Hot Springs vs. Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, “Which is the BETTER hot springs option while I’m visiting La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano- and I can only pick one?” I get a ka-zillion emails about Costa Rica, and La Fortuna questions in particular, and besides asking if they’ll be able to see the Arenal Volcano spit lava (like I have a direct line to Mother Nature), it’s- which is the BETTER Hot Springs- Tabacón or Baldi?
Another GREAT Hot Springs option- Eco Termales
A couple of things FIRST- this post is specifically pertaining to Baldi vs Tabacón, there ARE other hot springs in La Fortuna, like Eco Termales, but Baldi and Tabacon happen to be the most well known, so do your homework here- (MORE hot springs INFO).
Second; and this is VERY IMPORTANT to keep in mind when you’re discussing hot springs with ANYONE in La Fortuna, especially tour companies and hotels- Baldi PAYS a commission, Tabacón does NOT, so almost NO ONE (but possibly me) we’ll recommend Tabacón over Baldi, unless of course they happen to work for or with Tabacón or they’re a travel book writer. So, when you hear a Baldi recommendation, there’s ALWAYS a MONEY agenda behind the recommendation- ALWAYS. To the local tour operators and hotels and restaurants in La Fortuna, Tabacón is like the arrogant, conceded, RICH, neighbor who you want to see get knocked off his pedestal from time to time.
For Tabacón, they just about OWN the Travel Book writers and Baldi then becomes the red-haired, gay stepchild. Outside of La Fortuna, it’s, Tabacón, Tabacón, Tabacón. Whoever has been in charge of marketing, they’ve done a bang-up job. In many cases, you will find La Fortuna and Arenal by following the signs to Tabacón… really. Tabacón has marketed themselves almost as a destination in and of themselves… Heck with the volcano and the beauty that IS La Fortuna, in Tabacón’s mind, they ARE the Arenal Volcano.…….. and take my word, it’s been working. Tabacón is the neighbor that never says “Hi.”
This post is likely to be the only objective opinion you’ll EVER read.
Tabacón did it RIGHT and technically; there’s no comparison between the two. When you’re in Tabacón, it’s not unusual to feel you were roaming the rainforest and stumbled upon a tropical Garden of Eden… and for a second, you half expect to run into Adam and Eve contemplating the APPLE. Lush vegetation, mini-waterfalls, misty romantic steam, secluded natural Jacuzzis, and if you want to socialize a bit, they have the obligatory swim-up bar(s) and even a slide, but it somehow WORKS and you don’t feel like you’re at Disney World. Tabacón knows they’re the SH*t.
The LUSHNESS that is Tabacon Hot Spring aka Grand Spa Thermal Resort
BUT, you’re gonna pay to socialize with Adam and EVE. It’s like $7,000.00 to get in if you’re not staying there. Ok, maybe around $70, and the price DOES goes down after 7 pm, but like I said, Tabacón is the arrogant, conceded guy that doesn’t give a shit- and staff can often come across as somewhat aloof and uncaring. And I take EVERYTHING back when the buses full of blue-hairs come rolling into Tabacón- the place turns into an upscale nursing home for the rich. Saggy tits, gold jewelry, wrinkles in places I didn’t think possible and fat asses who stopped eating fruits and vegetable years ago- I often feel guilty I forgot CPR. Have you ever seen an ol’ lady who spends hours tanning on the beaches of Florida in a two-piece even a supermodel would feel self-conscious wearing…….. after 2 hours of soaking in the hot springs- wet beef jerky doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Baldi Hot Springs La Fortuna Costa Rica.
If Tabacón is the arrogant, rich guy, Baldi is the irresponsible brother who would rather P-A-R-T-Y than work. Baldi is more Disney-esque and feels like a place that could be located in any tourist destination in the world. Baldi tries to incorporate a Tabacón type of environment and succeeds in a few areas around the massive grounds, but I’m thinking Adam and Eve came here when they needed to unwind a bit and have a few cocktails, maybe even brought CAIN and ABLE along, as the water slides provide the babysitting while ‘the adults’ belly up to the bar. (Be careful on these water slides, they border on the “damn that hurt” side). For many, hot water is HOT water and take my word, both hot springs will give you as HOT as you can handle, but Baldi provides the hot water at a reasonable price and if there’s a PARTY, it would be at Baldi, the crowd tends to be MUCH younger and livelier.
I feel like I’m not going to be much help here. Tabacón is the SHIT and I like to tell people if you can afford it and never expect to visit La Fortuna again, then it’s worth the price of admission. Besides, if you can afford Tabacón, then you can obviously afford Baldi the next night. I do like Tabacón, BUT there’s something about the arrogant, conceded guy that doesn’t give a SHIT… do I really wanna give him EVEN more money (and don’t forget, they pay NO commissions to the locals)? If you don’t care for vegetation and ambiance, or maybe you’re just an atheist, then Baldi is a great choice and you won’t be disappointed. Ps. Both places have Vegas bar prices, so sneak in your bottle of Cacique.
Want to give the ‘FINGER’ to both Tabacón and Baldi? Then check out OUR video and see where Tabacon's FREE hot springs is located:
