Eco Termales Hot Springs, Costa Rica: First Timers Guide
Eco Termales Hot Springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the perfect balance between luxury and budget. Located in a lush piece of the rainforest at the base of Arenal Volcano, the Ecotermales Hot Spring offers six thermal pools in varying temperatures, lounging areas, and a cocktail bar.
Coming in at a mid-range price point, Eco Termales hot spring offers travellers to La Fortuna a more luxurious option that won’t break the bank. Some say Eco Termales Hot Spring in Arenal is the more affordable Tabacon Hot Spring, me included.
Eco Termales Fortuna is great for couples, older families and groups of friends. When it comes to hot springs in Costa Rica, I rank this La Fortuna hot spring in the top two simply because of the value and setting.
This guide on Eco Termales Costa Rica Hot Springs, will give you details on its location, how to get there, who it’s best for, what is included in the Eco Termales day pass, and what to expect from this La Fortuna hot springs experience.
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Where is Eco Termales Hot Springs
Eco Termales Hot Springs Costa Rica, one of the top activities in La Fortuna is located a 3.5 mile (5.5km) distance from downtown La Fortuna in the northern Alajuela Province and Arenal Volcano National Park.
Click on the Ecotermales Arenal hot springs map below to interact with Google Maps and find your ideal route to visit the top hot springs La Fortuna offers, or read on about the best ways to get to the Costa Rica Tabacon Hot Springs.
Eco Termales Hot Springs Address:
Ecotermales Fortuna, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Who is Eco Termales Hot Springs Best For
Similar to Tabacon Hot Springs, the Ecotermales hot spring offers a higher-end experience in a more intimate surroundings. Unlike Tabacon, an Eco Termales hot springs day pass costs half the price (without a meal), making your money go further for all of those other awesome things to do in La Fortuna.
From my day spent among the thermal pools at Ecotermales, I would say children here are less common. The property doesn’t have much in regards to child-friendly amenities, unlike the bigger Baldi Hot Springs which comes with its own kid’s zone.
Ultimately, the Eco Termales hot spring is the best hot springs in La Fortuna for people or couples looking for an intimate experience without breaking the bank.
Eco Termales Hot Springs Day Pass
The Eco Termales Hot Springs in La Fortuna Costa Rica is accessed via a day pass and cannot be visited without a reservation.
Because of the intimate nature of the Eco Termales (one of the smallest hot springs in La Fortuna), the management has put a restriction on daily visitors of 150 people to maintain the experience. Make sure to reserve your day pass early.
Like other La Fortuna hot springs options, Ecotermales also offers a daytime and nighttime entry pass. Towel and locker are provided.
Ecotermales Hot Springs Morning Pass
The day pass for the Eco Termales hot springs allows entry as early as 9AM and runs until 4PM in the afternoon. While the daytime pass is longer in duration, do remember that the hot humid sun will be beaming during these times reducing the amount that most visitors can stay.
You can choose to pay extra to include a lunch served at the onsite buffet restaurant situated in the lush rainforest surrounds. Otherwise, you can enjoy the hot springs and find a meal at one of the top restaurants in La Fortuna, instead.
Hours | 9AM – 4PM
Price without Lunch | $44 USD day pass ($26 USD for children under 12)
Price with Lunch | $72 USD day pass with lunch or dinner ($40 USD for children under 12)
Ecotermales Hot Springs Evening Pass
Visiting the Ecotermales La Fortuna hot springs after 5PM, allows you to enjoy the contrast between the cooler evening air and the enjoyment of the warmer thermal pools. Along with this, the lighting on the property lends to a more romantic experience at night. The evening pass expires at 9:30PM.
Similar to the day pass you can choose to include an a-la-carte dinner in your entry.
Hours | 5PM – 9:30PM
Price without Dinner | $44 USD day pass ($26 USD for children under 12)
Price with Dinner | $72 USD day pass with lunch or dinner ($40 USD for children under 12)
Best Time to Visit Eco Termales Hot Spring
Time of Day
What time of day to visit the Eco Termales Hot Spring Cost Rica depends on what type of experience you are looking for.
The daytime pass allows for much more sun-soaking and frolicking. Great for older families and groups of friends. The evening pass is more intimate, private and romantic. Better for couples or individuals looking for solitude.
Do note that I visited the Eco Termales hot springs via the day pass. Arrived at 9AM and left right after lunch. The contrast between the thermal pools and the outside air was too similar to truly enjoy soaking in the pools for a long period of time. So, don’t let the longer duration of the day pass sway your decision.
The quietest time during my visit was between 9AM-10AM.
Time of Year
In regards to what time of year is the best to visit Eco Termales Hot Springs, you won’t find much difference in visitor levels throughout the year, since it’s a top La Fortuna hot springs.
Even though Ecotermales doesn’t boast its own resort on-site, the restriction on daily visitors evens out the crowds.
Ultimately though, the busiest time in Costa Rica as a whole is on summer holidays from mid-June to mid-August and the dry season between December and April.
What to Expect at EcoTermales
Hot Spring
The Ecotermales Costa Rica hot springs Arenal day pass comes with a few established amenities. Here’s what to expect when you visit Eco Termales hot springs:
Parking
Once you’ve turned off the main Route 142 with your rental car, you will pass through a gate with a large Ecotermales sign. Here you will find a guard booth where you will have to show your day pass reservation before being able to go further.
At the end of the road, you will find a large paved parking lot where visitors to Ecotermales can park free of charge.
Guest Registration
At the far end of the parking lot, you will find the open-air wooden structure of the reception to Ecotermales. Show your hot springs reservation (on your phone is fine), and the staff will get you set up with a wristband, locker key and towel. There is no deposit required for the locker or towel provided.
From here, a staff member will show you where the lockers, changerooms and restaurants are located which you will need for your visit.
Changerooms + Restrooms
The lockers provided for your day spent at Eco Termales Hot Springs are not located within a building, rather it is located on an open-air platform. Situated next to the lockers with benches, you will find the large house of restrooms with showers, changing area and a restroom area.
Remember to keep your locker key with you at all times.
The Thermal Pools
Follow the lush path to the left and you will find the Eco Termales hot springs featuring six man-made pools with thermal water. Structured to imitate a natural thermal river, the hottest pools can be found at the top of the property just past the thermal waterfall. There are three small pools in total. The hottest pools reach 41°C.
The thermal waterfall area itself is the most intimate throughout the property. With a large lagoon you can soak in and a waterfall around 32°C, this was by far my favourite part of Eco Termales hot springs.
From here, you will find the three main thermal pools and cool pools with seating areas and loungers for soaking up the sun. The coolest of the pools is shallow enough for children.
Pool Bar
There is a large open-air bar located just above the thermal pools up a set of stairs. Either wait for staff to come around and ask for your order or walk up to the bar and order there.
What’s great about ordering drinks at Eco Termales is that your entry wristband acts as a bar tab. Therefore you do not need to bring your credit card or cash with you to the pool.
Cocktails here range from $8USD to $10USD.
Eco Termales allows you to drink your cocktail by the pool and provides you will a plastic reusable cocktail glass. The downside to this is fellow visitors will end up leaving their cups around the edge of the pool and this can detract from the experience.
Restaurants
The Eco Termales La Fortuna hot spring has two on-site restaurants and two on-site bars (including the pool bar).
Sonidos del Agua Restaurant is where you will have your meal if purchased with your day pass. This is usually a buffet-style meal. Attached to the open-air restaurant is the Lake Bar. A pagoda is located on a picturesque lagoon with comfortable seating. A great spot to enjoy a cocktail before your meal.
The a-la-carte restaurant is called Los Litos Restaurant.
Wildlife at Eco Termales Hot Springs
Because the hot springs are located on a lush rainforest property, it is not uncommon to witness Costa Rica’s wildlife. Keep an eye out for sloths, monkeys and so much more!
Can you Stay at the Eco Termales Hot Spring?
No, Eco Termales is not classified as an Arenal hot springs resort because it does not offer lodging on site. If staying at a La Fortuna hotel that has a hot spring is a priority for you, I recommend Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa for luxury or Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa for families with kids.
What to Bring to Eco Termales Hot Springs
When visiting Ecotermales hot springs there are a few important things to bring with you.
I love to carry my purifying reusable water bottle with me throughout my travels to reduce single-use plastic consumption and absolutely loved having it along my Costa Rica itinerary.
Here are some other essentials to bring to Eco Termales Hot Springs, Costa Rica:
- water shoes
- water resistant daypack
- purifying reusable water bottle
- microfibre quick-drying towel
- waterproof phone case
- natural mosquito repellent
How to Get to Eco Termales Hot Springs in La Fortuna
By Rental Car
You can reach the Eco Termales Hot Spring in Costa Rica within a 10-minute drive by rental car. I like to reserve my car early through Discover Cars, because the last time I was in La Fortuna, all of the rental cars were sold out! So, make sure to book ahead. I like that Discover Cars compares local and international companies to find you the best deal.
Enter ‘Ecotermales Fortuna’ into Google Maps (or Waze), and you have yourself the best route to get there.
Otherwise, follow Route 142 westward out of downtown La Fortuna for 2.3 miles and your destination will be on the right down Hotel Eco Termales road.
TIP | You do not need a 4×4 vehicle to visit this top La Fortuna hot springs Costa Rica as the entire roadway is paved.
By Taxi
If you don’t have a rental car, you can opt to take an official red taxi from the town centre to the entrance of the Eco Termales Hot Springs Arenal. The cost will be roughly $20 USD return. You can find the official taxi stand on the road in front of La Fortuna central park.
TIP | Make sure your driver turns on the taxi metre to properly track your trip. Otherwise, you may fall victim to overcharging.
