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Arenal Springs

Our rating

6/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Large, mid-range hotel with good facilities
- Man-made hot springs
- All rooms have volcano views
- Great variety of water and land activities

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Overview

Arenal Springs is a large, mid-range hotel perched on a mountain ridge just six kilometres away from the towering Arenal volcano in northern Costa Rica. What this somewhat sprawling property may lack in authentic charm, it makes up for with really good facilities. The extensive on-site network of man-made thermal springs is a particular draw, along with the lovely tropical gardens which boast some fantastic birdlife. There’s also a huge variety of water and land-based activities to choose from in the area.

The 90 rooms comprise Junior and Master Suites. The Junior Suites are fitted out with a range of natural materials and feature a number of artworks by various local artists. They are quite simple in their design with basic facilities on offer and either one king or two queen-sized beds. The seven Master Suites are considerably larger in size, sleeping four to ten people. They come with a living area, a walk-in wardrobe and a wider range of amenities. While the décor in general may be somewhat dated, all rooms are pristine and offer plenty of space along with a private terrace area complete with uninterrupted views of the volcano. Families are welcome and there are various options for interconnecting rooms and the provision of additional beds. Note that the power generators do generally create a bit of a background noise.

The hotel’s pretty grounds feature over two dozen manmade hot spring pools spread across four acres. These pools are open daily from 8am to 10pm and when they close for the evening, they’re completely drained and refilled in order to keep them clean and prevent the growth of algae. The hot springs system is very well designed, with lots of vegetation and natural features used to make them look as authentic as possible. There are also no fewer than three freshwater swimming pools, with some special swimming areas just for children. Wheelchair access is provided throughout the hotel.

The activities on offer are broadly divided into four categories. There are ‘Adventure Tours’ for adrenaline junkies and those who enjoy physically challenging activities, ‘Wildlife Tours’ aimed at those looking to discover more about the local nature, ‘Hiking Tours’ that are ideal for those who will appreciate the breath-taking scenic views and ‘Water Tours’ out on the Arenal River. Some of the many options include zip lining, canyoning, birdwatching walks, volcano hikes and a boat tour to a nearby wildlife refuge centre.

When not out and about, there are plenty of on-site amenities to make use of. There’s a well-equipped gym along with an outdoor gazebo where complimentary early morning yoga classes are held daily. For those looking to completely unwind amidst the tropical surroundings, there’s the Natria Spa, which comprises three private, open-air bungalows and offers a good range of treatments. There’s also a shop selling sundries and souvenirs, along with three restaurants and several bars, one of which is a swim-up bar.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.

    Missingfiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

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