The Springs Resort & Spa, Costa Rica

Getting to The Springs Resort & Spa

The Springs Resort & Spa is located 9 kilometres west and 4 kilometres north of La Fortuna town centre in the Arenal Volcano area. The address places it on the road toward the Arenal Volcano and lake area, at a higher elevation than the town. Most visitors arrive by taxi from La Fortuna, private shuttle, or rental car. The drive from La Fortuna takes approximately 20 minutes. The road involves climbing into the hills, with curves and altitude changes typical of the Arenal area. In the wet season, fog and rain can slow the drive and reduce visibility on the return journey after dark.

From San José, the standard route is a 3 to 4 hour shuttle or drive northwest to La Fortuna, from where the resort is a short taxi or drive away. Shuttle services from San José, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and other major Costa Rica tourist hubs connect to La Fortuna regularly and can be booked through accommodation. The resort is accessible as a day visit for guests staying anywhere in the La Fortuna area, and the two-day pass structure makes it practical to visit on two consecutive afternoons without committing a full day to the property on either occasion.

Day passes are purchased through the official website or at the resort and are subject to availability. Checking availability before your visit day is important in peak season when the pass allocation can fill. Bring sandals with firm grip, a towel, and a dry layer for the return. The resort involves significant walking between pool areas, restaurants, and the spa across a sloped site, so comfortable footwear for the dry sections of the visit is worth considering alongside pool sandals. A small dry bag for phone and valuables is useful when moving between wet and dry areas.

Who The Springs Suits

The Springs suits couples, families, and groups who want a full resort-scale hot spring experience in the Arenal area, with multiple pool options, food and drink on site, spa services, and a setting with genuine rainforest views. The two-day pass structure means the visit can be distributed across more than one afternoon, which suits those who want to pace their time in the pools rather than cramming everything into a single session. It is one of the better options in the La Fortuna area for travellers who want a thermal visit that feels like part of a resort stay rather than a ticket-based park visit.

Families are accommodated and the resort is listed as family friendly. The scale of the property means children have space to move between areas, and the variety of pool temperatures suits different ages. Supervision near pool edges, steps, and wet walkways is essential throughout, and the scale of the property means children can move out of immediate sight quickly on busier days. Agree on a meeting point before separating and keep younger children in direct supervision near any deeper areas.

Wheelchair access has not been confirmed. The resort site involves slopes, steps, and extended walking distances between areas, and the terrain is not flat. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the resort directly to ask about specific step-free routes and which pool areas are reachable without stairs. For travellers looking at hot springs in Costa Rica near La Fortuna who need the most accessible flat-entry setup, confirming access in advance is particularly important at a hillside property of this scale.

The Springs Safety Tips

The Springs Resort & Spa is generally safe to visit. The main considerations are slippery resort walkways, thermal water fatigue over a long visit, and driving conditions on the approach road in a region that receives frequent heavy rain. The resort is staffed, pools are maintained, and facilities are at a resort standard, but the physical realities of hot water, humidity, wet stone, and a hilly property apply throughout the visit.

Slippery surfaces are the standard hazard at any thermal resort. Resort walkways, pool entries, and any shaded stone paths stay wet throughout the day. Wear sandals with grip soles from entry and keep them on between pool areas. Walk rather than run on all wet surfaces, use handrails on any steps or sloped sections, and carry phones and cameras in a dry bag rather than in wet hands near pool edges. Children need close supervision on steps and near pool edges particularly on busier days when walkways are more congested.

With multiple pools available, it is easy to spend longer in thermal water than is comfortable. Use the two-day pass as intended: shorter sessions across two visits rather than a marathon single session. After each pool, get out, drink water, cool down in shade, and eat something before returning. Hot water in tropical humidity causes fluid loss even when the air temperature feels comfortable. If you feel dizzy or suddenly tired, get out and rest before re-entering. Do not combine extensive soaking with alcohol if you are driving back to La Fortuna in the evening.

The return drive from The Springs to La Fortuna after an evening visit involves descending a hilly road in a region prone to wet conditions and evening mist. Rest and cool down fully before driving. If you have used spa facilities or been in pools for several hours, the alertness required for wet mountain driving may be lower than usual. Taking a taxi for the return journey is the most straightforward option if there is any question about road conditions or driver fatigue after a long soak.