Baldi Hot Springs Hotel Resort & Spa

What to expect

Baldi is the large, lively end of the La Fortuna hot springs scene. The complex sits on Route 142 west of town, on the road toward Arenal Volcano, and combines a hotel, a spa, restaurants and a long run of thermal pools set among gardens. If you want a quiet soak with birdsong, this is probably not your place. If you want slides, swim-up bars and room for a whole family to spread out, it is.

Baldi lists 25 thermal pools. Several are fed by small artificial waterfalls, and they step down the property so you can move between hotter and cooler water. There is also a jacuzzi built to hold 60 people and a sauna that Baldi calls the largest in Costa Rica. The water slides are the other big draw. Guides disagree on how many there are (three to five depending on the year), but they are fast, and they are the reason Baldi is the usual pick for families with older kids.

Baldi does not publish pool temperatures. CostaRica.com gives a range of about 90 to 113°F32 to 45°C, and a 2025 guide on Drink Tea Travel gives 93 to 116°F34 to 47°C. Treat anything over about 104°F40°C as a short dip, not a long soak.

The water comes from Baldi’s own thermal spring. The operator says it has the water tested by the microbiology faculty at the University of Costa Rica and cleans the pools daily.

Getting there

Baldi is about 4 km (2.5 miles) west of central La Fortuna on Route 142, the main road toward the Arenal Volcano National Park entrance and the Arenal dam. It is on the same stretch of road as EcoTermales, a few hundred metres apart, and Tabacón is further west on the same road.

• From San José (SJO): allow about 3 hours by car via San Ramón or Ciudad Quesada. The roads are paved but slow and winding.
• From Liberia (LIR): allow about 2.5 to 3 hours via Cañas, Tilarán and the north shore of Lake Arenal, or via Upala and the lowlands.
• From La Fortuna: a taxi takes about 10 minutes. The road is flat, so some people cycle, but there is little shoulder and traffic moves fast.

There is a car park on site. Many tour companies in La Fortuna sell Baldi passes with return transport if you do not have a car.

When to go

Baldi is open every day of the year from 9am to 10pm. Arenal is wet all year, with the heaviest rain roughly from May to November, but rain does not stop anyone soaking here and the evenings are cooler.

• Evenings are the best time for the hot pools. After dark the air drops a few degrees and the lit pools feel warmer.
• Afternoons bring the tour groups and families, especially on weekends and in the December to April dry season.
• Holy Week (the Thursday to Sunday before Easter) is the busiest time and has its own higher price list.

Prices and booking

Baldi posts two price lists, both in US dollars and including IVA (sales tax). The standard rates below are valid until December 10, 2026, and can change without notice.

Pass (foreign visitors)	Adult	Child
Hot springs only	US$51	US$38
Hot springs + lunch or dinner	US$75	US$56
Hot springs + lunch + dinner	US$99	US$74

During Holy Week (Thursday to Sunday) foreign visitors pay US$61, US$85 and US$109 for adults, and US$46, US$64 and US$82 for children. Costa Rican nationals pay less: US$34 per adult for the springs only on the standard list.

A few rules matter:

• No reservation needed. You buy your pass at the front desk.
• Children under 5 are free, up to five per group. Anyone 11 or older pays the adult rate.
• Towels need a US$10 refundable cash deposit each, and lockers cost US$6.78. Bring cash or your own towel.
• No outside food, no outside drinks and no pets.
• Swimsuits are the norm. Bring a dark one, since mineral water can mark pale fabric.

Baldi’s hotel has rooms from standard garden rooms to family junior suites. Book rooms through the Baldi website, and confirm what pool access your rate includes.

Where to stay nearby

• Baldi’s own hotel puts you a short walk from the pools and lets you soak late without driving.
• La Fortuna town, about 4 km (2.5 miles) east, has the widest choice, from hostels to mid-range hotels, plus restaurants and tour offices.
• Route 142 west of Baldi is lined with lodges and resorts with volcano views. Tabacón has its own thermal river, and The Springs Resort & Spa sits on a hillside north of the road.

Safety notes

• Heat: the hottest pools are too hot for long soaks. Drink water, limit alcohol from the swim-up bars, and get out if you feel dizzy.
• Children: the slides are fast. Watch younger kids around the slides and the deeper pools.
• Footing: paths between pools are wet and can be slippery at night. Water shoes help.
• Valuables: use a locker, and do not leave bags in view in the car.

Nearby stops worth adding

Arenal Volcano National Park’s main entrance is a short drive west along Route 142, with lava-field trails and volcano views on clear mornings. La Fortuna Waterfall is south of town. If you want a calmer soak on another day, EcoTermales next door caps its numbers per session.