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.
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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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.
