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?

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).
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.

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.


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:
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