Let me just say it upfront — Tabacon Hot Springs is not cheap. We paid $115 each during peak season in April 2026 and walked in wondering if we were about to be massively disappointed.
We were not.
It ended up being one of our favorite things we did in all of La Fortuna.
My husband and I both walked out saying the same thing — 100% worth it. And we didn’t even buy a single drink the entire time we were there, which based on the look on the staff’s face when we checked out after 5 hours was apparently unthinkable. No drinks?! Not one?! 😂
If you’re on the fence about whether Tabacon is worth the splurge — keep reading. Here’s exactly what you get, what to expect and who it’s really best for.
What’s Included in the Tabacon Hot Springs Day Pass
At $115 per person during peak season (April 2026 pricing) here is exactly what you get:
- All day entry from 10am to 10pm
- Towels provided
- Valet parking included
- Water included
- Access to almost all pools and hot springs on the property. There were a few that I think are reserved for hotel guests but honestly, they didn’t look like anything special.
That’s it — food and drinks are not included and are purchased separately directly at the pools. Staff come around to each pool to take your order and bring everything to you which is a really nice touch.
One thing worth knowing — we don’t drink alcohol and we brought our own snacks in. I don’t think you’re technically supposed to do that but they didn’t search our bags and nobody said a word. So if you’re a non drinker or just want to save a little money on food that seems to be an option.
The one thing that genuinely surprised us about the pricing? The food and drinks were way less expensive than we expected for a place like this. So even if you do plan to eat and drink there budget less than you think you’ll need.
A note on pricing: Prices change seasonally so always check the current rates before you book. We visited during peak season — shoulder season and low season will likely be cheaper.
Tabacon Hot Springs Packages and Pricing
There are two ways to book Tabacon and it’s worth knowing the difference before you go.
The Day Pass gets you full access from 10am to 10pm — that’s it. No food or drinks included. We paid $115 each during peak season in April 2026. The website lists $125 so confirm current pricing before you book as rates change seasonally.
The second option bundles your entrance with either lunch or dinner. That one runs $185 per person. If you’re planning to eat a full meal there it might be worth doing the math before you decide — compare the bundle price against what you’d spend ordering separately.
For kids — under 5 are free, ages 6 to 11 pay a child rate and anyone 12 and up pays the adult rate.
One important note — always book in advance. Tabacon limits the number of daily visitors and you do not want to show up and get turned away.
What do the Hot Springs Actually Looks Like
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect walking in. I had seen photos but nothing really prepared me for it.
First thing — there are SO many pools. Way more than I expected.
Some of them feel like a regular resort pool. Clean, beautiful, well maintained. But then you walk a little further and it feels like you’re completely alone in the jungle. Hot water, trees everywhere, not a ton of people around. It’s such a cool contrast.
The pools with waterfalls were our favorite. We kept going back to those ones.
One thing I was not expecting — in some spots it literally feels like you’re walking through an actual river. The ground is rocky, there are small currents from the waterfalls, and it can be slippery. Wear water shoes — these are the ones I wore and they were perfect for this. Seriously. Don’t skip this.
We went on a rainy cloudy day and it was honestly perfect. Hot springs in the rain in the jungle is an experience. Don’t let bad weather talk you out of going.
Practical stuff — there are hooks and covered spots next to each pool for your bags. Staff come around to every pool if you want to order food or drinks. Everything gets brought right to you which is really nice.
How Hot Are the Pools?
The pools get progressively hotter as you move up the property. The pools closest to the entrance are the coolest and the further up you go the hotter they get.
The coolest pools are around 72°F and the hottest top out at around 105°F. So there really is something for everyone depending on your heat tolerance.
We went straight to the top! lol
What to Wear to Tabacon Hot Springs
Swimsuit and a cover up is all you need. I wore FAVORITE Aritzia linen pants as my cover up and it worked perfectly.
Water shoes are non negotiable. I cannot stress this enough. The ground is rocky and uneven in spots and there are small currents from the waterfalls. Do not show up in flip flops and think you’ll be fine. These are the ones I wore and loved! I have worn these water shoes all over the world and they have held up great.
For a bag I brought my Matador day pack and it was perfect. Lightweight, fits everything you need and there are hooks and covered storage spots right next to each pool where you can leave it while you swim.
That’s honestly it. Don’t overthink it. You’re going to be in the water the whole time anyway.
Parking — What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
Valet parking is included in your day pass so you don’t need to worry about finding a spot — but there are a couple of things worth knowing before you pull in.
First — there are two separate Tabacon entrances. One is for the hotel and one is for the hot springs. Make sure you go to the hot springs entrance or you’ll end up in the wrong place.
Second — do not park on the side of the road out front. You’ll see a ton of cars parked right outside Tabacon and it’s tempting to just pull in there. Those people are visiting the free hot springs located across the street. If you park there you will get charged. Go straight to the valet.
Is Tabacon Hot Springs Worth It for Families?
This depends entirely on the age of your kids.
Children under 5 are free which is a nice perk. That said, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it for small children. The ground is rocky and uneven in a lot of spots, there are currents in some of the pools and it’s just not really set up for little ones. We saw maybe one baby the entire time we were there.
Teens would probably enjoy it. But even then it’s worth knowing that Tabacon has a very romantic couples getaway vibe. Think date night, anniversary trip, honeymoon. Not spring break with the family.
If you’re visiting as a couple or a group of adults — yes. Absolutely. It’s perfect for that.
How Crowded is Tabacon Hot Springs?
Honestly less crowded than I was expecting — and that surprised me for one of the most popular attractions in La Fortuna.
We visited on a Friday in late April around 2pm and it never felt overwhelming. We had several pools completely to ourselves for long stretches of time. For a place this well known that was a really pleasant surprise.
I think the fact that they limit daily visitors helps a lot. It keeps the experience feeling exclusive rather than like a theme park. Another reason to book in advance — not just to guarantee your spot but because that cap is actually working in your favor once you’re there.
Best time to visit
We arrived around 2pm and stayed past sunset which worked perfectly.
The late hours are one of the things that sets Tabacon apart from almost everything else in La Fortuna — most attractions close by 4 or 5pm. Tabacon stays open until 10pm which means you can spend a full evening there, watch the sun go down and still have hours left.
We went on a rainy cloudy day and it was honestly one of the best decisions we made. Don’t let a rainy forecast put you off. Hot springs in the jungle in the rain is an experience.
Peak season pricing kicks in around Christmas, Easter week and major holidays so if budget is a concern those are the times to avoid.
We visited in late April at peak season prices — shoulder season will likely be cheaper.
Is Tabacon Hot Springs Worth It?
Yes. 100% yes.
I’ll be real with you — $115 per person is not cheap. I hesitated before booking it. But walking out after 5 hours my husband and I both said the same thing without even discussing it — that was absolutely worth it.
Genuinely one of the highlights of our whole trip.
The price sounds steep but once you’re there it doesn’t feel that way. You have access from 10am to 10pm — that’s a full day. The food and drinks were way less expensive than I expected. And the experience itself is genuinely unlike anything else.
Is it for everyone? No. If you have small children it’s probably not the right fit. If you’re looking for a party scene it’s not that either. But if you’re visiting as a couple or a group of adults who want something memorable — do it. Don’t talk yourself out of it over the price.
My one regret? Not taking more photos. The atmosphere is so beautiful and I kept thinking I should get up and capture it — but I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of the water. So you’ll just have to go see it for yourself. 😂
Book it. You won’t regret it.
Tabacon Hot Springs — Frequently Asked Questions
The day pass is $125 per person. There is also a package that includes lunch or dinner for $185 per person. Children under 5 are free, ages 6-11 pay a child rate and anyone 12 and up pays the adult rate. We paid $115 each when we visited in April 2026 during peak season so always confirm current pricing before you book as rates change.
All day access from 10am to 10pm, towels, valet parking and water. Food and drinks are not included and are purchased separately inside.
Yes — absolutely. Tabacon limits the number of daily visitors. We booked our tickets the night before and got in without any issue, but I wouldn’t push your luck especially during peak season or holidays. Don’t assume you can just show up and get in. Book ahead to be safe.
Technically I don’t think you’re supposed to. That said we brought our own snacks in and nobody said a word. They don’t search your bags. If you don’t drink alcohol or just want to save a little money it seems like a viable option.
