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Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

Arenal

Good to Know

Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa offers a luxurious five-star experience nestled in Arenal's rainforest, facing the iconic Arenal Volcano. Guests enjoy complimentary access to natural thermal hot springs, winding through tropical gardens with various pools, a swim-up bar, and cold-water alternatives. The resort also features an award-winning spa in private bungalows, diverse dining options from refined international cuisine to private rainforest experiences, and comfortable rooms, some designated adults-only.


Follow warm streams through Arenal’s rainforest gardens

At Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa, warm streams wind through rainforest and tropical gardens, turning a soak into part of experiencing the landscape. Facing Arenal Volcano, this five-star Virtuoso-group resort gives an Arenal vacation a distinctive center of gravity: the thermal water, the gardens around it and the invitation to spend an unhurried day among them.

Let the springs shape the day

Hotel guests have complimentary access to the thermal hot springs. Choose natural stream areas or larger pools, explore the different temperatures, and pause at the lounge areas between soaks. A swim-up bar and waterslide add another side to the hot-springs setting, while cold-water swimming pools give you a refreshing alternative.

The award-winning Spa at Tabacon occupies private bungalows among trees and gardens close to the natural springs. Massages, treatments, facials and hot-springs enhancements give you ways to extend the quieter rhythm of the stay. There is a lovely logic to keeping a day here open: some time in the water, a treatment if you wish, then another turn through the gardens.

Dining beneath the trees

Ave del Paraiso, near the hot-springs area, serves Costa Rican and international cooking, with à la carte lunch and a dinner buffet. Los Tucanes, on the main hotel grounds, offers a more refined international dining setting, where gentlemen are encouraged to dress appropriately. Ephemeral Table adds a private dining experience in an open-air rainforest bungalow. Reservations are recommended for each dining option.

Four bars and snack stations add choices around the resort, including Arenal Pool Bar, Cana Brava in the hotel lobby and the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens Bar. In the rooms and suites, air conditioning, cable television, an in-room safe, an espresso machine, a mini-fridge, hairdryer and internet are among the familiar comforts. Compare the individual room details before choosing: Rainforest Rooms, Volcano View Suites and Private Pool Suites are designated adults only.

Explore, then return to the warm water

The Arenal Volcano region invites you onto volcano-base trails and down to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall’s 200-foot cascade for a swim. Fishing on Lake Arenal gives you the chance to pursue rainbow bass, also called Guapote, and machaca. Around La Fortuna, canopy ziplines, rafting, canyoneering and ATV trips bring a more active pace. Hanging bridges and volcano-base trails create opportunities to look for toucans, monkeys and sloths. A safari float on the Rio Penas Blancas or a boat trip at Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge changes the perspective again, leaving the springs and gardens waiting when you return. Choose a few outings that appeal, and give Tabacon time to be part of the vacation itself.

Tabacon highlights for a stay built around the springs

  • A five-star rainforest setting. Facing Arenal Volcano, Tabacon is a Virtuoso-group hotel with thermal streams and tropical gardens around the resort. Choose it when hot springs and the forest setting should be central to the vacation, not just an excursion.
  • Thermal access is included for hotel guests. Complimentary access lets you move among natural stream areas and larger pools with different temperatures. A swim-up bar, waterslide, sun lounges and cold-water pools add different ways to enjoy the day between soaks.
  • A spa among the trees. Spa at Tabacon uses private bungalows near the natural springs. Massages, treatments, facials and hot-springs enhancements make a quieter day appealing, while garden trails give you a way to spend time outdoors between appointments.
  • Choose the dining experience. Ave del Paraiso, near the springs, serves Costa Rican and international à la carte lunch and a dinner buffet. Los Tucanes on the hotel grounds offers refined international dining; gentlemen are encouraged to dress appropriately, and reservations are recommended for each dining option.
  • An evening with a different setting. Ephemeral Table is a private dining experience in an open-air rainforest bungalow. Four bars and snack stations include Arenal Pool Bar, Cana Brava in the lobby and the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens Bar, so location and age eligibility matter to the choice.
  • Room categories have age distinctions. Rooms have air conditioning, cable TV, a safe, mini-fridge, espresso machine, hairdryer and internet. Rainforest Rooms, Volcano View Suites and Private Pool Suites are adults only; compare the accommodation category as well as its features when planning a family stay.
  • Arenal outside the resort. Volcano-base trails, La Fortuna Waterfall’s 200-foot cascade and Lake Arenal fishing for rainbow bass or machaca give days different directions. Rafting, ziplines, canyoneering and ATV trips add active options, while hanging bridges and river safaris offer opportunities to look for toucans, monkeys and sloths.

Stay details

Number of rooms
103
Check-in
15:00
Check-out
12:00

Hotel Styles

  • Luxury
  • Resort
  • Eco Style
  • Spa
  • Romantic
  • Yoga
  • Hot Springs
  • Sustainable

Hotel Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Pool
  • Hot Springs
  • Spa
  • Conference Room
  • Gardens
  • Handicap
  • Computer Station
  • Parking
  • WiFi
  • Laundry Service

Room Amenities

Orchid Room

  • AC
  • Cable TV
  • Coffee Service
  • Hair Dryer
  • Hot Tub
  • Internet
  • Internet Free
  • Jungle View
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Tub

Rainforest Room (Adults Only)

  • AC
  • Balcony or Terrace
  • Cable TV
  • Coffee Service
  • Hair Dryer
  • Internet
  • Jungle View
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Terrace
  • Tub

Two Bedroom Arenal Suite

  • AC
  • Cable TV
  • Coffee Service
  • Hair Dryer
  • Hot Tub
  • Internet
  • Jungle View
  • Living Room
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Tub
  • Two Bedrooms
Show all 6 room types

Tabacon Suite

  • AC
  • Cable TV
  • Coffee Service
  • Hair Dryer
  • Internet
  • Internet Free
  • Jungle View
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Sofa Bed
  • Tub

Volcano View Suite (Adults Only)

  • AC
  • Cable TV
  • Coffee Service
  • Hair Dryer
  • Hot Tub
  • Internet
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Tub

Private Pool Suite (Adults Only)

  • AC
  • Adult Section
  • Cable TV
  • Internet
  • Partial Jungle View
  • Plunge Pool
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Terrace

Hotel location

Arenal

Explore the hotel location on the map

Latitude: 10.490344; longitude: -84.721931

View this location in Google Maps

Guest ratings and reviews

Pacific Trade Winds customer ratings and reviews.

Overall
96%236 guest ratings
Cleanliness
98%
Expectations
95%
Staff
97%
Comfort
98%
Value
92%

Showing reviews 51–75 of 81.

Anish P.

Clean hotel with good staff. Lunch and dinner are expensive on property with limited off-property options.

Elena R.

I Love the hotel and staff and location however the room had a nasty moldy odor and we told hotel and they offered us a humidifier but told us we had to keep the air conditioner off if we kept the humidifier in our room but we declined so they offered incense instead which we thought would help but sadly the nasty moldy smell transferred to all of our clothes for our next hotel and we had to hand wash most of our clothes and put lots of perfume on other clothes to disguise the moldy smell would not stay here again due to moldy smell of rooms sadly but they had an excellent view of volcano and staff were very nice people

Laurie F.

Our first room had a strong mold smell. The hotel staff (before we said anything, recognized this and put in a de-humidifier, but it was not sufficient so we had to change rooms. Also, the food options required a long walk for breakfast, even though there is a restaurant (open only for dinner) near the guest rooms. It would have been nice to have that restaurant open for breakfast as well as the one next to the hot springs. The hot springs were great though, and we spent a lot of time in the water.

Show all 25 reviews on this page

Diane H.

Beautiful! Have recommended this to others already! Want to go back and stay here again!!

Taylor W.

We loved it here!

Susan C.

Staff was very friendly hotel was beautiful. The dinner buffet was over priced and poor quality.

Sara O.

Everything is great except food at restaurant.

Shane A.

They went above and beyond. With the initial greeting, throughout, with the swan towels and wine in our room honeymoon Banner, and overall service with everything.

Dan F.

I thought the thermal resort was not very hot. We are used to much warmer springs in Japan.

Christine C.

the resort was beautiful and the hot spring was wonderful, this resort is probably one of my top 3 resort I ever stayed and I have stayed many places all over the world.

Antony P.

Tremendous place to vacation. Pools are awesome!

Guest review

Loved the hotel and springs. Food on site was extremely over priced and not very good. Included breakfast buffet was good.

Matilda K.

Beautiful service and lively grounds.

Selman K.

It was a little too expensive. I was glad we switched from a suite to an orchid room as the room was excellent.

Yael S.

Beautiful Hotel, Great service and nice people.

Greg H.

Restaurant was not worth the price for dinner given the quality and prices. Not a lot of good options for dinner since we were a bit far from the town.

Lynda H.

For such a nice hotel, being able to hear doors slamming early in the morning and voices loud and clear, was a bit disappointing. Staff was very nice and even called to find us in the lobby upon our departure when they found a Kindle left on the bed table. Breakfast was good and the setting perfect.

Paul S.

Fantastic resort. The breakfasts were delicious and the staff so friendly and accommodating. The Pizote were funny to see at the morning breakfasts, the drinks well made, cuisine good, and the hot spring was one-of-a-kind. Our room was set up so nicely for our honeymoon with the treats and presentation. a GREAT start to our trip.

Kai S.

The hotel was lovely. It was pricey- but the hot springs were amazing - so beautiful!

Robert M.

This hotel was absolutely amazing

Kamiko O.

Amazing! Loved every minute of our time there.

Susan S.

The room was beautiful and more than expected. The staff was awesome and placed a birthday pastry in my room with happy birthday on it. Also on the bed was towels in the shape of a sloth. It made my stay special.

Jane B.

Weather cold and rainy which affected our experience, although this obviously beyond your control. The exclusive area for the resort located in the Spa is not well advertised. The Thermal Spa itself is not well marked along the various pathways - easy to get lost.

Guest review

The hot springs were amazing and the food at the hotel restaurant was delicious

Guest review

Great hotel, felt like paradise at the hot springs. Grounds were immaculate. We were welcomed and taken care off as soon as we arrived. The only thing we didn't like was that I felt like I had to tip and carry money with us. Shuttle drivers to and from the hot springs, door men, cleaning staff in the rooms. I would prefer if the price included all that or if I could just tip once at the end of my stay. Everyone was exceptional and I felt like I was tipping $ 2 dollars every time we took the shuttle to and from the springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are included with a stay at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa?

Hotel guests receive complimentary access to the thermal hot springs, which include natural stream areas, larger pools with varying temperatures, a swim-up bar, waterslide, sun lounges, and cold-water swimming pools. Rooms and suites feature air conditioning, cable television, an in-room safe, an espresso machine, a mini-fridge, hairdryer, and internet.


What dining experiences are available at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa?

Tabacon offers several dining options: Ave del Paraiso serves Costa Rican and international cuisine near the hot springs, Los Tucanes provides refined international dining on the main hotel grounds, and Ephemeral Table offers a private dining experience in an open-air rainforest bungalow. Four bars and snack stations, including the adults-only Shangri-La Gardens Bar, are also available.


What spa services can guests enjoy at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa?

The award-winning Spa at Tabacon is set in private bungalows amidst trees and gardens near the natural springs. It offers a range of services including massages, treatments, facials, and hot-springs enhancements, designed to complement the tranquil rhythm of the stay.


Are there specific room categories or age restrictions at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa?

Tabacon offers various room categories, all equipped with AC, cable TV, mini-fridge, espresso machine, safe, hairdryer, and internet. Rainforest Rooms, Volcano View Suites, and Private Pool Suites are designated adults-only, while other options like Orchid Rooms, Tabacon Suites, and Two Bedroom Arenal Suites are also available.


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